Chapter 230 179: The Coming Storm
The next day, Su Mo, exhausted in both body and mind after the battle, slept straight through to noon.
After getting up, he planned to go to the activity room to stretch his muscles.
Passing by the gym, he suddenly heard some sounds coming from inside.
Looking in, he saw Dongdong in sportswear, half-squatting on the ground, drenched in sweat and panting heavily.
As she panted, electric arcs flared up on her arms, discharging with high intensity for half a minute, until the energy core depleted, forcing her body into low-power mode.
This exertion left her utterly exhausted, almost collapsing onto the ground.
Yet she pushed herself up, muttering to herself, "Huff... huff... last time in low-power mode, I could only do less than 1000... this time I have to do 1500, and if I can't, I'll punish myself by running 30 kilometers..."
Finishing her words, she pushed through the weakness brought on by low-power mode, laying on the ground doing push-ups with all her strength, battling against her limits.
Seeing this scene, Su Mo couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart.
It seemed Dongdong took seriously what happened to him being captured alive yesterday, and her promises to him were not empty words, but immediately put into action.
Though prosthetic implanters grow stronger primarily by "paying to win" and upgrading components, it doesn't mean training is useless.
After all, implanters are not equivalent to robots, but rather a precise combination of human and mechanical components.
Training not only enhances the compatibility between flesh and components, but also allows for more precise control over prosthetic performance.
It's like playing a game; no matter how good the equipment, it still depends on the player's skill.
Otherwise, how could there be that breathtaking double assassination battle?
A genius prosthetic implanter like Dongdong, with unparalleled talent and a willingness to calm her restless heart to exert extraordinary effort, her greatness is just around the corner.
Su Mo smiled knowingly, choosing not to disturb Dongdong, and turned the corner into the activity room.
Just upon entering, he saw a group of mercenaries gathered in front of the large TV.
"What are you watching?" Su Mo asked.
"Captain, you're here, I was just about to call you." Chu Nanyi gave way to him with a hint of excitement on her face, "The news just started, the authorities are preparing to take action against the Crow's Nest."
...
[New Moon City Government Center, Public Security Bureau Administrative Plaza]
The area was packed with people, layers of barricades set up on the perimeter, with hundreds of elite Municipal Guard Team soldiers stationed in every corner, and drones and floating gunships patrolling the skies, deterring any potential danger.
An elevated podium stood in the center of the plaza, with a blue backdrop draped behind it, displaying the full-moon emblem of the New Moon City Public Security Bureau.
Sikinkov stood firm under the full-moon emblem, facing the sea of people, his demeanor full of the authority befitting his position.
Beneath the podium, reporters from various major media outlets were seated, each eagerly raising their hands, awaiting Sikinkov's selection.
Sikinkov: "The third lady from the left in the second row."
The chosen reporter stood up and asked, "Director, you just mentioned that the authorities will launch a reckoning against the Crow's Nest. Are you referring to a military reckoning?"
Sikinkov's expression remained indifferent: "You understood correctly, it will be a military reckoning."
"The Crow's Nest, disregarding the laws of New Moon City and even the basic principles of human morality, targeted a group of innocent children in a shocking kidnapping incident, challenging our authorities' power significantly."
"In the face of violence, we shall respond with even greater violence to ensure justice is served."
"The second gentleman from the right in the first row, you may ask."
The reporter stood up, looking somewhat worried, "Director, has the authority considered more gentle measures, such as dispatching envoys to the Border District to negotiate with the Crow's Nest?"
"I believe peace is the fundamental principle of bilateral relations, and violence cannot solve the problem; it will only lead to more bloodshed."
Sikinkov coldly replied, "Believe me, dialogue is futile. These barbaric thugs are no different from animals; they don't understand the words of civilized people; they only understand the sound of bullets from a gun barrel."
"You are right, violence cannot solve the problem, but violence can resolve the Crow's Nest."
"And what we must do is put a bullet in those Crow's Nest thugs' heads, making them disappear from New Moon City forever."
"The fourth lady from the right in the third row."
The reporter asked urgently, "When will the military operation to eliminate the Crow's Nest be launched? How much casualty do you anticipate it will bring to the Public Security Bureau?"
Sikinkov: "This operation's internal code name is 'Crow Hunt,' and the launch time is a military secret; perhaps today, perhaps a month later, maybe next year, I cannot answer."
"As for casualties... you only need to know one thing, this is a multi-department joint operation, with participants being the most courageous and battle-hardened elite."
"Those brave men are all burning with passion, each willing to use his life to defend the honor of New Moon City."
"The first gentleman from the right in the fourth row."
Reporter: "Will this Crow Hunt operation extend to involve other groups in the Border District?"
Sikinkov: "That's a good question. I believe right now, not only the residents of the Inner City, but also the violent groups in the Border District are watching the news."
"I hereby issue a warning, any group should refrain from intervening in our Crow Hunt operation, or face being regarded as hostile, subject to collective clearance."
"Furthermore, let me add that the Crow Hunt operation primarily targets the heads of Crow's Nest, led by Hong Quansheng, rather than a complete annihilation."
"Ordinary members of the Crow's Nest who do not wish to die under gunfire may surrender to the Public Security Bureau, and we will offer humanitarian treatment to prisoners."
