Chapter 377: Trust Us

This was not just because of the new policy, but also due to the atmosphere. When people felt uneasy, they always wanted to be near their loved ones.

After dinner, the Spring Festival Gala was still a must-watch program for many. Some watched for the show itself, while others tuned in for a “roast session.” Even those who weren’t interested would, whether intentionally or not, catch a few glimpses.

However, during prime time on this year’s New Year’s Eve, the highly anticipated Spring Festival Gala did not appear as scheduled.

What appeared on the screen was an office backdrop, and the elder inside was an exceptionally familiar figure to everyone.

After a very brief New Year’s greeting, the man announced through the television that there was an important matter concerning national development to be declared.

Then, the scene changed. The camera cut to a studio with a backdrop of green mountains and clear waters, and a large, slightly curved table.

And the people sitting behind the table.

Some of them were in formal suits, others in military uniforms. A few wore military-style uniforms that were pure black, which most people had never seen before.

“Citizens of Hua Country, my fellow Chinese compatriots, Happy Spring Festival!”

Tao Xingzhi was always stern and proper on serious occasions. Even as he offered congratulations, his expression held no festive joy. But then again, no one in the studio was smiling.

Seeing this, countless people were already calling each other or pinging each other online to watch the live broadcast.

Many people who were playing games, washing dishes, watching or setting off fireworks, or doing other things were all urged by friends and family to open a web page or sit in front of the TV.

Everyone had a premonition—a feeling that something big was happening!

In the studio, Tao Xingzhi did not look at the teleprompter beside the camera, but stared directly into the lens.

“My name is Tao Xingzhi. I am the director of the Huaxia National Republic’s National Special Incident Response and Security Team!”

“The department I lead, known for short as the ‘Special Security Team,’ operates independently of other key national departments. It holds the authority to mobilize the military, temporarily requisition resources from local governments, and guide public opinion through the news media… It reports directly to the State Council and the supreme leader.”

An uproar…

The internet erupted. In front of their TVs, those who understood what he was saying all broke into frantic discussion.

‘Such immense power… what kind of department is this?’

“My fellow compatriots, you must remember what I am about to say! This concerns our future, the future of all humanity, and indeed, the future of the world!”

Major online forums and chat programs were flooded with messages. People’s hearts raced with a feverish excitement, an indescribable feeling.

Around the same time, major countries around the world were airing similar “confession” programs. Some countries or regions, due to the sheer amount of information, chose to simply rebroadcast and translate the programs from nations like Hua Country and the United States.

“What has the Special Security Team been doing for the nearly three years since its inception? The answer is: cleaning up anomaly events. To put it plainly, monsters! Next, you will see a video. Every piece of footage is real. Every record was paid for with the blood and sweat of our comrades. Please watch it in silence!”

The content that followed on the television screen was similar to the materials that had already been shown within the military and police systems. However, this version had added text annotations and supplementary information, making it even more shocking than the original and more directly conveying the atmosphere of crisis.

Of course, this was an edited version and much shorter; they couldn’t make the public sit through several hours of footage.

Doctors and researchers dying under bizarre plants, a Soldier who detonated a grenade after being swallowed by a giant beast, a warrior who broke down and fled in terror only to be caught and killed, a response team member whose neck was broken by a falling security grille during a pursuit…

Some incidents were in the wild, some in farmland, and others within cities.

Blood, violence, terror—things that would normally be censored or pixelated in Hua Country’s films were now presented before everyone with stark reality.

The frantic scrolling on the internet strangely ceased. People sitting at home nervously gripped each other’s hands.

The screen then showed informational data on environmental changes and earthquakes, using step charts to illustrate the affected areas and the scope of the impact.

“Perhaps many of you have long had your suspicions, but simply lacked the courage to confirm them…”

Tao Xingzhi’s figure appeared on the screen once more.

“We are about to face the arrival of the ‘Dark Tide,’ or, to use a term you will understand, what can be called the end of the world!”

“This will be the greatest test not just for humanity, but for the entire world! What we faced in the previous video was merely an appetizer before the Dark Tide. Some of them originated from biological mutations on Earth, but most are invading Demons from the Otherworld!”

“I repeat: they are Demons from the Otherworld!”

The internet remained deathly silent. Many people had their hands on their keyboards but didn’t know what to type.

“Do you know why there have been earthquakes? It’s because an unknown world is approaching. It is about to collide with our own. My fellow Chinese, my fellow humans! Do not harbor any illusions of peaceful coexistence! The experience of these past three years has taught my comrades and me that these newcomers do not come in peace!”

“Perhaps many of you are wondering why the country didn’t disclose this information sooner. What has the government been busy with? Were we going to abandon the common people and run away with the rich?”

“The first question can be answered by the numerous classic debates on apocalyptic scenarios. As for the second question!”

Tao Xingzhi stood up, walked over to the large screen behind him in the studio, and pointed to a video frame frozen on a moment of slaughter.

“We have done everything in our power to maintain three years of stability, and many of you never even knew that people were silently shedding their blood! We have done our utmost to investigate and prepare for this final moment, to ensure that we will not go extinct, that our world will not fall!”

The scene cut. The video showed one military camp after another, neat formations of high-spirited soldiers, batches upon batches of weapons and equipment, and countless vigorous troops.

Some were training on base, while others were marching or preparing their gear.

In some remote areas, mobile Armed Defense Stations revealed their menacing forms.

In certain special locations, beings with the power of Super Soldiers demonstrated their unparalleled strength, and terrifying, beast-like creatures joined special formations, controlled by military personnel.

Countless food processing plants operated day and night, and numerous military arsenals kept their lights on around the clock.

Supplies, weapons, and equipment—the video showed their ceaseless production, and even offered a fleeting glimpse of massive super-shelters.

Tao Xingzhi, now an Evolver himself, spoke with a resonant and powerful voice, full of cadence and momentum.

“We have 12 million fully armed Steel Warriors! We have powerful logistical reserves and response mechanisms! We have Superman-like Evolvers and mighty war beasts!”

“Compatriots, please believe in us! Believe in your motherland! When faced with extreme circumstances, do not despair! Because we possess the power to preserve Hope!”

“Starting today, the Special Security Team website will be open to the world. It contains some basic safety knowledge and self-rescue measures, as well as… Every night at 8 PM, CCTV will explain how to…”

Also in front of a television, Qin Xiaoxia put down his empty coffee cup.

“Looks like we won’t have to go on TV after all…”

After this “New Year’s Eve Announcement,” which lasted just over an hour, a mental “great earthquake” across the entire world was inevitable.

PS: First chapter for Saturday.