Apocalypse Forecast

Chapter 872 - 699: Visitors from Green Day

Disfigured beyond recognition.

It wasn’t just a change in hairstyle, but also a transformation in temperament and even the Stigmata.

After a minimally invasive surgery to implant Hybrid traits, his hair was reshaped by the Abyss Stylist’s scissors into a short cut, though the elongated bangs added a touch of gloom and dullness.

On his bare back, a new piece was painted with special dyes by the Hell Painter—like a scene in writhing darkness, within a dilapidated temple, ghostly flames rose, and a sinister old monk bore a heavy bronze bell.

But after staring at it for a while, one could vaguely make out the outline of a bizarre and chilling door.

"Yingzhou Pedigree Second Order · Wild Temple Square, its main features are ghostly fire and the aura of death’s erosion and intimidation—a lower Stigmata of Rashomon. Go up the ranks, and it’s Ibaraki Doji.

The characteristics and expertise align perfectly with yours; remember not to get exposed."

Ai Qing swiped her fingers across her phone twice, and the small horn implanted in Huai Shi’s skull vibrated slightly. The Mystic Ritual within automatically activated, suppressing Huai Shi’s Source Fluctuation down to the Second Stage.

Huai Shi thought for a moment and asked, "Wouldn’t Woody Charm be more suitable?"

"Woody Charm lacks combat capabilities. Although harmless, it doesn’t suit your rapid advancement needs. Your goal is to infiltrate the Tanbo Inner Circle’s underworld and work your way up. Recently, the gang conflicts have been intense, so it’s easier for you to make a name. Anyway, it’s a fact that modern extreme paths are filled with scum; you can proceed boldly."

Huai Shi couldn’t help but clap his hands after listening.

This move from Ai Zong is truly meticulous. Not only starting from background and Stigmata, but she even laid out the path for promotion and pay raise to reach the pinnacle of the extreme path.

"Is there anything else I need to do next?" he asked.

"Before the mission begins, give yourself a name. After all, it’s an undercover mission, so try not to go too wild. If the name is too outlandish, it won’t pass."

"Don’t worry, don’t worry, this is my favorite part."

Huai Shi took the form, smiling broadly. After a brief contemplation, he boldly inscribed the last stroke on the new resume.

"Huaizhi... SuZi?"

Ai Qing frowned, sensing something amiss, "Seems like I’ve seen it somewhere before?"

"Yeah, I think I’ve heard it somewhere too, just modified it on a whim. Hopefully, it won’t offend anyone."

Huai Shi earnestly nodded, not worried about being exposed at all.

At the moment the Miracle Imprint was completed, the phenomenon contraction had ended, and the records of Huaizhi Sushi began to thin rapidly until only an outline was left.

Even the participants would only remember that such a thing happened, there was such a person, but most details were faded and erased. There was no need to worry about exposure.

Simply put, the black history of once dressing as a woman had been erased.

Unless some super large organization was idle, investing massive resources to scour everything about Huaizhi Sushi, using trace-reconstruction type Miracle Imprints, only then could they piece together some information.

But what does this have to do with me, Huai Shi?

I’ve finished eating, so why bother worrying about exposure issues?

After another thirty minutes, all the details were arranged, and the freshly minted Hybrid youth warrior Huaizhi SuZi was born.

In the data, Matsumoto Ozeki, who existed as his Master, had collaborated with the Jurisdiction Bureau decades ago, and Tanaka, who introduced him into the industry, was simply a hidden agent of the Jurisdiction Bureau. Otherwise, how could he have survived to retire?

Even without meddling in Current Circumstances’ internal affairs, as a massive entity ensuring the operation of Current Circumstances, the influence of the Astronomical Society was omnipresent, everywhere.

When a portion of its power was authorized for limited use, the impact remained vast and deep.

Just like now.

A person named Huaizhi SuZi inexplicably emerged in Current Circumstances; from birth records to elementary school classmates to dojo peers, everything had been prepared.

The whole process didn’t even take five minutes. More than twenty-six minutes were spent waiting for approvals and passes.

By the time Huai Shi bought a sumo introduction book on the subway, he had already transformed from a teacher of the Ivory Tower into a desperate Hybrid youth resorting to the extreme path due to financial strain.

Now, he was rather more concerned about another issue.

"If—I mean, if we can’t handle it, what would happen in the end?"

This was the last question Huai Shi posed before leaving: "If I mess up and don’t succeed, would the Astronomical Society take further measures?"

Out of a sense of alignment with the Astronomical Society, Huai Shi was quite diplomatic, refraining from stating the obvious truths. But Ai Qing understood what he wanted to ask.

"There’s no need to worry about the Astronomical Society cleansing the Tanbo Inner Circle. The Black Envelope has limits, Huai Shi. The Jurisdiction Bureau isn’t so insane as to kill all Beastified Characteristic Beings over one rogue biological law."

Ai Qing said, "But elsewhere, I can’t be sure."

"You have to know that those eager for these Hybrid deaths aren’t the Astronomical Society... It’s an internal matter of this nation, you understand?

According to the Five Constants and the Astronomical Society’s First Act, the Astronomical Society cannot interfere with the internal affairs of any sovereign state in Current Circumstances. Especially when this country has two sovereignties..."

She wearily rubbed her forehead, sighing gloomily, "We must resolve this before they make any moves to prevent their Generals or Emperors from suddenly remembering, oh right, there’s a group of Hybrids beneath them. What, they want to revolt? Excellent, let’s massacre them!"

This was the scenario that Matsumoto Genichiro feared most.

He didn’t fear the Astronomical Society; the Astronomical Society needed to maintain its dignity, or rather, it was obligated to maintain its dignity. Otherwise, should it fall into disgrace or be tainted with unspeakable blemishes, it would lose its noble standing.

This is the foundation of the organization’s existence.

No matter how massive the issue, they would stubbornly strive to solve it.

But others are different... Others wouldn’t care.

Compared to many formidable forces, the power of hybrids is truly insignificant. Even if they revolt, there is absolutely no chance of success.

Even Green Day should be aware of this; they’re merely using them as cannon fodder to achieve their goals. After a grand feast, everyone is reduced to ashes.

One powerful commander triumphs at the cost of thousands of bones, achieving nothing but the ambitions of a few select individuals.

"Those people..." Huai Shi hesitated, "I mean the Beastified Characteristic Beings, why would they..."

"Be so foolish?" Ai Qing sneered, saying what Huai Shi wanted to express: "Why would they willingly let themselves be used?"

"Don’t overthink it, Huai Shi. They’re just not smart enough," she said. "If people can’t let go of hatred, they can’t learn to think; if they can’t avenge, they can’t gain fairness. Thought and fairness, they have neither.

Why should they be rational?"

She looked down, sorting through the files in her hand, reading the gathered information with indifference: "Some people really think this will be the solution, while others are quite aware... But they’re already left with nothing, so they want others to be the same.

This is when the truly smart ones should fish in troubled waters and secure the greatest benefit for themselves."

"Can you guess how happy the Seven Star Group is right now? The Russian Federation smugglers have recently activated all routes, transporting day and night. Whose orders are they satisfying? And how many illegal Church members are eagerly awaiting to participate in this revelry?"

Ai Qing raised her hand, mimicking an explosion: "Everyone is waiting. As long as there’s an outburst, everyone will have a bright future."

Boom!

Careless explosions erupted, terrifying flames spread, engulfing Huai Shi.

Made him finally awaken from the dream, drenched in sweat, looking at the unfamiliar ceiling above, between the erotic posters left by the previous tenant, fungi spreading.

"Huai Zhisu People, Huai Zhisu People, wake up!"

As he turned his head, he saw half a face emerging from under the bed, staring at him.

Urgently urging him.

"Mr. Fujimoto is looking for you, hurry up, don’t make the boss wait long!"

The echo of Green Day finally arrived...

Huai Shi’s spirits lifted, he quickly got out of bed, unable to wash his face, and hurried along with the person to Fujimoto Corporation.

Through narrow alleys, amidst the chaotic scenes on both sides, under the dim red lights, he could see some women behind windows smoking, waving at him.

Despite the faint light, it failed to hide the wrinkles at eye corners, the hollow eyes tinged with pink, rendering him incapable of discerning anything.

His footsteps unconsciously paused for a moment, but he was pushed forward by the person behind.

"Come on, think about women at a time like this... Once we’re successful, you can find whichever beauties you want, hurry up, hurry up, don’t make the guests wait!"

The messenger impatiently urged him to proceed.

In a hasty glance, it seemed he saw a figure holding a photo and talking to a prostitute, the woman impatiently urging him to move elsewhere and not obstruct her business.

But that figure, he must have seen somewhere...

Vaguely familiar.

But certainly not an important character, because Huai Shi had no impression whatsoever.

This odd illusion was quickly cast aside.

The place arrived.

Strangely, it wasn’t Fujimoto Corporation’s office, but rather in the back alley downstairs.

A stretched van, plastered with advertisements of Fujimoto Photography and photos of big-bosomed women.

Fujimoto poked his head out from the driver’s seat, smiling: "Huaizhi-kun, you finally came... Have you had dinner?"

"Not yet." Huai Shi shook his head: "To be honest, I’m really hungry. Is this going out? Can I eat first?"

"You’ll have time to eat on the way, just get in the car first."

Fujimoto raised his hand, pointing to the rear compartment: "Someone is waiting for you, you’d better hurry."

Huai Shi turned, sensing a sharp atmosphere lingering in the compartment.

There were two Sublimators inside, faintly feeling a vague hostility. Through the sunshade film on the window, even with his eyesight, he couldn’t clearly see the specifics inside.

But thinking with his heels, it was easy to deduce that for an underworld boss like Fujimoto to act as a driver, it definitely wasn’t ordinary people.

The most likely candidates were Green Day.

In other words... Green Day people finally arrived?

Glancing at the ’Signal Clear’ sign on the retina, Huai Shi suddenly felt fearless, ready to summon divine justice and firepower at any time, at worst, take out this bunch after messing up.

As long as all knowledgeable people are dead, no one will know I infiltrated!

With such confidence in mind, he opened the car and slipped into that darkness.

Then, a stern inquiry arrived face-to-face.

"Name?"