NOVPUBAndy was dead. He had become a servant of the monster. Alex had put an end to him with a single punch to the head, simultaneously preventing him from self-destructing and causing further damage to the Investigation Bureau.
Upon witnessing Alex’s action, Daniel sensed an aura that felt eerily familiar.
A power of multiplied damage—similar to his own, although significantly weaker, roughly about ten times as strong.
In the Minister’s Office
Martin sat at his desk, his brows furrowed and his face etched with gravity. "I declare the situation at Isaac Town as code-named ’Isaac,’ and classify its danger level as B+."
"Alex, how do you feel about your physical recovery? Are you up for leading a team to handle this matter?"
Alex remained impassive. "No problem."
Martin’s face relaxed a little at hearing this. He then turned to Daniel, "Dan, can you foresee the outcome of this operation?"
It was a question Daniel had been expecting.
Across the desk, he maintained his composure. He didn’t know the outcome of the operation, but he knew he wanted to handle it personally.
So he said, "The outcome will be excellent, perfectly resolved."
Those words acted like a soothing elixir for Martin’s nerves. However, before Martin could revel in relief, Daniel continued, "That is, provided you let me handle this."
Both Martin and Alex froze.
In their perception, Daniel was like a top-tier support, perfectly suited for using his abilities to oversee the big picture from headquarters, not for front-line combat.
So when Daniel requested to personally participate in this mission, they were stunned. 𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒑𝒖𝒃.𝙘𝙤𝒎
Martin responded solemnly, "Dan, this mission is too dangerous. It’s best you don’t go."
Daniel shook his head. "It’s precisely because it’s dangerous that I need to go."
What he craved most now was to enhance his strength.
For Evolvers, the fastest way to enhance one’s abilities is through real combat—facing fear head-on, grappling with the shadow of death, to unlock more Gene Lock Chains swiftly.
Martin understood this but still felt that allowing Daniel such risk was ill-advised.
"I can assign you to missions with a lower danger coefficient, allowing you to enhance your skills without jeopardizing your life," Martin offered.
Daniel was resolute, "If I continue to be sheltered by the Investigation Bureau, my growth will be stunted. The Bureau needs more than just short-term predictions; it needs foresight for a much more extended future. That requires me to become stronger."
Martin knew Daniel had a point but, thinking of the hazards posed by Isaac, still hesitated.
Just as he was about to dissuade him, Daniel cut in: "If I’m not involved in this mission, the outcome will be disastrous. I’ve already seen the future."
Those words swallowed every objection Martin had. The obliteration of Andy’s team had already severely depleted their forces.
The Investigation Bureau couldn’t afford more losses—humanity even less so.
At this moment, Alex spoke, "Let him go. I promise you, I will protect Daniel. Even if it costs me my life, he won’t face the slightest danger."
"Then we’ll wait for Brooks to return, and the three of you can go," Martin suggested.
Daniel waved it off, "No need. Alex and I are enough. Another person would only introduce another variable. Don’t forget, I can see the future."
His words were like a trump card that silenced Martin. Just as Daniel had said, an extra person could lead to unexpected variables. Coming from a seer, that meant something. Martin chose to trust Daniel.
And Daniel wasn’t bluffing; should things go awry, he had the option of using Time Rewind through death, as long as his deaths within a 24-hour span did not exceed ten instances.
The next morning, Daniel and Alex were prepared to depart. They boarded Daniel’s Barbos, ready to take the elevator back to the surface. Just then, Julia and Mike appeared.
They stopped in front of the vehicle and swiftly entered the back seat.
Before Daniel could speak, Alex uttered a few icy words, "What are you doing?"
Uh...
Faced with Alex’s imposing aura, Julia and Mike closed their mouths, not daring to utter a word.
Daniel looked resigned, "Isn’t it obvious? They want to come along too."
Julia and Mike nodded, their faces breaking into awkward smiles.
Alex’s expression turned sour, "No, having additional people introduces more variables. You’ll compromise the safety of Daniel and me."
Julia quickly raised her palm, "I swear to God, I won’t be a burden. Even if I find myself in danger, I won’t cry for help, or cause any trouble!"
Mike eagerly chimed in, "Me too."
Still, Alex’s face was unyielding. "Nonsense. Get out of the car."
At that point, Daniel interjected, "Let it go, the elevator’s already ascending. Let’s just bring them."
Outside the car window, the vehicle was indeed rising along with the elevator. Julia and Mike’s eyes twinkled at this.
However, Alex persisted, "No. You said that each extra person adds a variable. I promised Martin I’d protect you, so I can’t allow you to be in danger from the start."
Daniel gave a wry smile.
The words he’d casually used to silence Martin had unexpectedly been taken to heart by Alex.
He hadn’t allowed Julia and Mike to come on a whim; he saw it as two extra chances to gather information.
Their lives might be the price, but he had the Time Rewind ability, so what did he have to fear?
After some thought, Daniel calmly said, "If I’m allowing them to come, it’s for a reason. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t gamble with my life."
Alex considered this. Although he had only recently met Daniel, he had found him to be anything but reckless.
Moreover, the man had special precognitive abilities; perhaps he had other plans in mind. Relenting, Alex withdrew his objection.
Julia and Mike were officially part of the team.
Soon, the elevator ascended to the surface. As they beheld the first rays of dawn piercing the horizon, everyone felt a newfound sense of warmth and vitality.
Daniel steered the car onto the highway, destination set for Isaac Town. None of the four had ever been there, so Daniel used his phone for navigation.
He’d done some research the previous night and discovered that Isaac wasn’t just any ordinary town.
With over 300 years of history, it was a quintessential eastern agricultural town. Interestingly, it had also been the epicenter of revolutionary wars in early Libertopia.
One could say that Isaac Town was a place steeped in legend. It had even been developed as a tourist attraction once upon a time.
But due to its remote location and an inability to attract younger generations of tourists, it eventually fell into obscurity.
As for supernatural events, Daniel found not a single shred of information, not even on the clandestine Evolver forums in the dark web.
A little over an hour later, the car weaved through nameless backroads to finally arrive at Isaac Town.
The sky was fully brightened by now, and the sun had ascended quite high. Contrary to what Andy had told them, the town was not shrouded in mist.
Had the monster left?
Silence enveloped the car. Daniel, unfazed, guided the vehicle slowly into the town.
It was already past eight in the morning, a time when, under normal circumstances, people would be up and about.
However, the streets were desolate, the shops along the road remained shuttered, and there was no sign of anyone.
Still, that was it—nothing else seemed out of the ordinary.
Daniel navigated through the town cautiously, his brow furrowed. "It seems like such a tranquil town. Are we sure there’s a monster here?"
Passing by farms, they saw courtyards full of chickens, ducks, pigs, and cows. The houses didn’t look decrepit or abandoned.
All signs pointed to this being just an ordinary town—perhaps its residents were just late risers.
They parked at the town center and got out of the car. Standing together, they scanned the surroundings with eyes filled with curiosity.
Mike looked puzzled, "There’s not even a hint of a creepy atmosphere. Are we sure there’s actually a monster here?"
Julia said, "Andy and his team were wiped out here. There must be a monster."
"Not all monsters attack like beasts. Some might be lurking in the corners of the town, watching us in secret."
Perhaps Julia had hit the nail on the head. As her words sank in, Daniel felt a chill crawl up his spine as if malevolent eyes were watching him from the shadows.
He spun around; the streets were empty, with no sign of anyone. Was it his imagination?
Alex looked around coolly, murmuring, "Did you feel it too?"
It was then that Daniel realized—what he felt was no illusion.
Hearing the conversation between Daniel and Alex, Mike asked, "Feel what?"
Julia looked at the two, her face a picture of puzzlement. Clearly, she and Mike hadn’t sensed the voyeuristic gaze that had just fallen upon them.
"Nothing," Daniel shook his head calmly. "It’s getting late. Let’s move along the road. We should encounter some locals soon."
