Chapter 34

Chapter 34

"This... This means the government is directly telling the citizens that the Overlord and cards are real, right?"

"Such a thing could never be hidden anyway. The citizens are already discussing it."

Moreover, the government's silence had already been an answer. Now, they were just breaking through that final barrier.

In the end, the Congress ministers voted and confirmed the plan to seek help from the citizens.

The world had already changed. At crucial moments, allowing non-military citizens to join in protecting the country and others might bring new hope to this dark sky.

Soon, the central government's official blog posted a message.

Central V: [Urgent Spread!] S Country invaders have infiltrated Y City, taking 67 hostages, including over 15 children. We urgently need a card that can transport soldiers to the border within 30 minutes!!

After this information was released, it was immediately notified to the social media platform company, which pushed it to the top of the trending topics, bringing it to the attention of a wide audience.

"???"

"Quickly logging out, I must have entered the official blog incorrectly."

"Cards?!! Is this for real? So this is an official announcement?"

"I... I'm so confused."

"I'm scared!! Dad, give us a straight answer. Is there really a god called the Overlord with cards appearing here?!"

"Do I suspect a hacker attack?"

"Hacker attack +1"

The netizens, who had been discussing and paying close attention to card-related matters during this period, were stunned when they saw the official blog post.

However, less than a minute later, the official blogs of major cities began forwarding this post.

A City V: Urgent! Fellow citizens need rescue!

B City V: Urgent! S Country is a chaotic nation. If women and children are taken into this country, it's like being thrown into hell!

C City V: Urgent! Dozens of fellow citizens are desperately waiting for the country's rescue!

D City V: Urgent! ...

Apart from the forwarding by various official blogs, the central news blog also published detailed information, explaining the situation from the terror within S Country to this attack, informing the public about what had happened and how urgent the situation was.

For a moment, people's attention shifted from the matter of cards and the Overlord to the event itself.

"How terrifying! Isn't this just like a college student suddenly being abducted by traffickers into the mountains?"

"S Country has become like this because they follow the slaughterhouse rules. Suddenly, I feel so moved that our country has always resisted and never compromised!"

"I hope if anyone really has such a card, they would help those fellow citizens. I can't imagine what they would face if taken into that country."

"When the country is in trouble, everyone has a responsibility."

"Retweet, urgent!"

Netizens retweeted the message, hoping that a teleportation card would appear to save their fellow citizens from danger, and they were eagerly following the updates.

But as the number of comments increased, other voices emerged as well.

"Am I the only one concerned that if someone really has such a card and brings it out, will it still be their private property?"

"Is having a card a reason to force them to bring it out? Isn't this moral coercion?"

"A teleportation card, in this era, shouldn't be sold for any amount of money, right? Selling it would be foolish."

"How can one obtain a card?"

New train drivers were dispatched to the railway station, and the trains resumed operation, rumbling towards the platforms. Inside the train, the atmosphere was tense and fearful; some were crying, while others were trembling as they called their families. The boss sat in his seat, looking at the information on his computer.

This move by the government was indeed the best approach. If successful, it could rescue the hostages and recover the supplies with the least cost and effort. But did they overlook human nature?

Would anyone really be willing to risk bringing out such an important treasure? Looking at these comments, it was clear how many selfish people there were. Even in this era, human nature's darker side was more vividly displayed.

If anyone truly had a teleportation card, they definitely wouldn't bring it out.

The location where this train was forced to stop was too close to the border. Greedy Wolf Kingdom took a shortcut and could cross the border in just 20 minutes, and another 10 minutes or so to meet up with other members of Greedy Wolf Kingdom. It would not take long to enter the border area of S Country. In other words, the optimal rescue time was only 40 minutes at most.

Less than an hour seemed insufficient for card owners to decide whether to bring out their cards. They couldn't wait.

He smiled coldly, a mocking expression on his face.

...

Time ticked by, and netizens were closely following online updates, hoping to see the latest news, but no new information appeared.

The commander of Y City was filled with regret for being manipulated. He kept unconsciously squeezing the wound he had just bandaged after removing the bullet, causing the blood to keep flowing.

The cards collected by the central government had yet to be distributed to the cities, making it impossible to provide immediate assistance. The entire nation was hoping for a teleportation card to appear.

"Chief, please rest. Stop tormenting your hand!"

"Shut up!"

If he hadn't been controlled, things wouldn't have developed this way. It was all his fault. Why did he even answer that video call and participate in a matchmaking event with netizens? If he hadn't answered that call, he wouldn't have been possessed remotely, and things wouldn't have turned out this way!

"The President has told you not to worry too much and focus on handling the current situation," said the guard, his clean, big eyes filled with admiration for his superior.

"..." This is pity! After learning the truth about why he fell for the trick, feeling sorry for him, an old man deceived in online romance! After all, that despicable spirit medium not only tricked him but also the captain of the border guard. But such a thing is too embarrassing; it absolutely cannot be mentioned in front of the young people who admire him!

In this world, spirit mediums capable of ensnaring souls through the internet are already among the top-tier experts in their field. Previously, there was never any word of such individuals in S Country. After all, S Country adheres to the slaughterhouse rules, where the status, wealth, and adoration a spirit medium can achieve here pale in comparison to those in countries opposing the slaughterhouse.

So why would this one go to S Country and work for Greedy Wolf Kingdom on such low-class operations?

This is what confuses them, but it's not something they should focus on right now.

"Still no news from Central?" The commander asked again and again.

"No..."

"It's been 20 minutes!" The commander was burning with anxiety, overwhelmed with self-reproach, almost wishing to commit seppuku as atonement.

Not just the commander, but also those at Central were equally anxious.

The ticking of the clock echoed loudly, striking each person's heart. Everyone waited in silence, sweat breaking out without them noticing.

...

"Does anyone really have a teleportation card?"

"It's been almost half an hour... so tense, I can't even concentrate on work."

"Might as well take a half-hour break..."

"You're right!"

Having just finished lunch, the urban beauties in the café chatted, unable to focus on work, sending messages to their bosses asking for a half-hour leave to wait for the results from Y City. Their bosses responded with six dots.

"..." It seems we're not the only ones with this idea. Everyone is waiting for the results, unable to focus on work.

"My boss can't even focus on work and has announced a one-hour delay for the afternoon shift."

Looking around, whether inside or outside the café, everyone was holding their phones or engaged in heated conversations, the tense atmosphere spreading everywhere.

A middle-aged man wearing glasses and a shabby suit stood out in this scene, looking uneasy, his face twisted, drenched in sweat.

He kept touching his pocket with his sweaty hand, feeling a hard, angular object.

No one knew that the teleportation card everyone in the country was focused on was in his possession. Who would have thought? He had found it, initially thinking it looked nice, never expecting its magical function. He hadn't told anyone, not even his wife or parents. He secretly used it to teleport home after work when no one was around.

This was his secret. His life had been ordinary—average grades in school, an average university, an average salary, marrying someone just to share life together, and deciding not to have children because he saw no hope in the world. He was just another face in the crowd.

This card was the most extraordinary thing in his mundane life, his treasure, bringing him immense joy.

Now, everyone was relying on this card for salvation.

If he handed over the card, would it mean giving it to the state, never to return? But... could a government so large fail to save people without this card? Perhaps others also have teleportation cards? With so many people in the country, surely others must have them too!

He gripped his pocket tightly, his body tensed, extremely vigilant.

There must be others with teleportation cards, there must be. Please come forward, there's no time left!

At this moment, the Greedy Wolf Organization had successfully crossed the border into public territory. Less than 20 minutes remained before the optimal rescue window closed.

...

Several vehicles sped down the road, flanked by lush trees, with the sound of flowing water in the distance.

Once they crossed the border, they relaxed slightly.

"This time, we've hit the jackpot. If only we had started raiding earlier."

"This was just a test run. Next time, we'll bring more brothers!"

"Fool, it won't be that easy. They'll be more vigilant after this, probably no second chance."

"Don't undermine our confidence. We have the master with us; they can't stop us."

Driving while chatting through walkie-talkies, their voices loud and filled with pride.

"Taylan will be ecstatic with all these women. Bet he'll whip it out as soon as we meet up. You believe me?"

"Not just him, the guy next to me wants to jump in and have some fun if he weren't driving... Hey, calm down, don't grip the steering wheel so tight!"

"Hahahaha..."

These crude remarks reached the ears of the women in the back, causing them to tremble in fear, sobbing, while some tried to stay calm and comfort others.

"It's okay, our country will save us!"

"No matter what happens, don't give up. Keep living, and we'll be rescued!"

...

Another ten minutes passed, yet the official blog still showed no updates.

Inside the Parliament Building, the air was suffocatingly quiet.

No one knew what the final ten minutes would bring.

...

"Is this a joke? No one has the card? Can't you be less selfish? The government said it's just borrowing it, just borrowing! There's no time left, please come forward!"

The man's head was drenched in sweat, his fingers tapping furiously on the phone screen, his roar lost among countless online comments.

"It's over, they probably won't come forward..."

"Isn't there still 10 minutes left? What if something happens?"

Hearing these murmurs in his ear, the man's sweat flowed even more profusely. The people around him instinctively moved away, finding him strange.

"If I had a card, I wouldn't want to take it out either. They say it's for borrowing, but will they really return it?"

"You're being too selfish. If they don't return it, so be it. The government would definitely use it more meaningfully than you playing with it!"

"That... That's not quite right..."

"People like you don't deserve to have a card! I doubt you'll ever get one in your life, just keep dreaming!"

Time mercilessly ticked on.

One minute... Two minutes...

"Ahh!" The middle-aged man suddenly slammed the table and stood up, causing the café to fall silent instantly as everyone turned to look at him.

"I'm going all out!" The middle-aged man shouted again, pulling out a card from his pocket. "Destination: Parliament Building!"

The disheveled middle-aged man vanished from where he stood.

The café fell silent for a moment before erupting into chaos.

...

In the final five crucial minutes, they received a teleportation card. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the newcomer with gratitude.

"What's your name?"

This was the first time the middle-aged man had seen so many important figures; he was nervous. "Lin Yecheng."

"Good job! We won't forget your contribution!"

The teleportation card was handed to the chosen warrior, who, along with other suitable cards for the battle, immediately set off.

The warrior disappeared, and the heavy burden on everyone's hearts lifted, making their breathing easier.

The person responsible for the official blog was about to announce the good news.

Suddenly, a phone call came in, showing the number of the warrior who had just vanished from the Parliament Building.

"What happened?" His superior answered quickly.

"I'm now on the G-611 highway out of the capital city! The teleportation card failed!" The warrior stood on the highway, bewildered.

They immediately turned to the card's owner: "Lin Yecheng, what's wrong with this card?"

Lin Yecheng: "I... I don't know. I... I found it."

It was a bolt from the blue.

This card was one Lin Yecheng had stumbled upon by sheer luck, meaning he had never met the Overlord and thus didn't understand the card's functions and limitations. Teleportation cards were clearly timed and had limited distances. Lin Yecheng, being a resident of the capital city, had only teleported between home and work, never leaving the province, so he was unaware of these restrictions!

And now, there were only three minutes left.

Three minutes...

The remaining time was utterly demoralizing.

Despite the café patrons revealing the appearance of the much-anticipated card, the official blog remained silent, drowning those faint voices in a sea of comments.

"Still no news?"

"With such little time left, it seems hopeless."

"Wow, do they not have a card or are they hiding it? If they're hiding it, that's really..."

"There's no hope. We can only hope the government sends someone to S Country soon to rescue the hostages. At least let them stay alive."

"..."

The eagerly waiting netizens also felt disheartened.

The boss stepped out of the station, looking at his phone, thinking, as expected, humans are such despicable creatures. He knew someone had the card the government needed, but clearly, that person hadn't shown up.

...

In the Parliament Building.

Su Nai: "Initiate Plan B—"

Her voice cut off abruptly.

Everyone stood alert, guards drawing their guns, and the warrior tightened his grip on the card, ready for battle.

In the heavily guarded meeting hall of the Parliament Building, a door appeared mysteriously.

It was just a door, frame and all, standing there oddly.

The doorknob turned, and the door slowly opened.

A middle-aged woman wrapped in a red cloak appeared before everyone.

Facing these important figures, she was calm, her tone steady. This demeanor was familiar to them; she was a devout follower of the Overlord, believing only in the Overlord and thus unafraid of anything in the world.

"I believe the Lord would want me to do this."

The woman closed the door, then opened it again, revealing a different scene inside—a concrete road flanked by lush scenery. On the other side of the door was the border of Y City!

"This is a 'Anywhere Door'. Open it, and you can go anywhere."

The surprise came faster than a tornado, making one's heart leap from the depths to the skies, almost overwhelming with excitement.

"Hurry! We only have one minute left!"

"Wait a moment." Su Nai spoke up: "Since we have your help and this Arbitrary Door, to end the battle quickly, could you please go fetch someone first?"