NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15: Followers of God
Eldon smiled and then saluted, "Captain Irvin, according to orders from above, your 32nd Demon Hunter Squad is to return to the seventh main city for rest. Our 46th Demon Hunter Squad will take over your duties."
Seeing the Eldon, Irvin nodded. This order didn't surprise him at all. One of their team members had been severely injured and sent to the seventh main city earlier, and now Bob was also seriously wounded. He himself wasn't in great shape either, so returning for rest was perfectly reasonable.
"Captain Eldon, the place is all yours."
"Don't mention it. Your squad has been handling the workload of two Demon Hunter teams. Compared to you, we're far behind."
As he spoke, Eldon suddenly looked at Irvin and Iris, his lips curling slightly. "Captain Irvin, make sure to invite us to the wedding when the time comes, okay?"
Huh?
Irvin was taken aback, only then realizing that his arm was somehow being held by someone, right in a rather special place.
Irvin's face darkened, and he tried to pull his arm away, but Iris refused to let go, looking utterly content. "Captain, don't move. You're still injured."
Irvin: ...
...
In the room, Alan slowly regained consciousness. Although he had slept for a day, his body still felt weak. Being elderly and frail, coupled with years of living in the bone-chilling environment of the danger zone, his body had deteriorated significantly.
Just then, the door opened, and Grant walked in.
"You're awake, old man."
"Yes, Commander Grant. Can you tell me how my granddaughter is doing?"
Grant smiled, "After a thorough examination, we've confirmed that your granddaughter is fine. The ice crystal around her was caused by her fusing with an espers crystal. Your granddaughter is currently merging with the crystal, and at this rate, she should fully fuse with it in a few days, after which she'll wake up."
"An espers crystal?" Alan was puzzled.
"Oh, that's related to espers. Once she fully fuses with the crystal, it means she'll have Espers her ability and become an espers!"
Hearing this, Alan felt a bit more spirited. For ordinary people, becoming an espers represents wealth, power, and a promising future. His granddaughter had somehow become an espers—it felt surreal, but it was undoubtedly good news.
Alan asked, "Can I see her?"
"Of course."
A moment later, Grant wheeled Alan into a special room.
The room had been temporarily modified from an intensive care unit, and as soon as the door opened, a bone-chilling cold air rushed in. Grant explained, "According to the higher-ups, your granddaughter's ability is related to the ice element. Being in this environment won't harm her; it will actually help speed up her absorption."
Alan nodded and slowly approached the ice bed, undeterred by the cold air. Angela lay quietly on the ice bed, her body encased in a layer of solid ice over a foot thick. Through the ice, Alan carefully observed Angela. She lay peacefully, her skin clean and smooth, her face rosy, looking more like she was in a deep sleep rather than being frozen. She resembled the Sleeping Beauty from fairy tales, waiting for a prince to awaken her.
Alan breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't concerned about whether Angela could become an espers; as long as she was safe, nothing else mattered. He reached out to touch the ice, but Grant quickly stopped him.
"Sir, it's best not to touch that. This ice isn't ordinary; it's formed by ice-elemental abilities and is very dangerous." As he spoke, Grant took a pen from his pocket and lightly touched the ice with it. As soon as the pen made contact with the ice, frost began to spread across it at a visible speed, covering it completely.
Alan was startled: Is this the world of espers?
"Alright, we should leave now. Sir, your body can't withstand this environment for long," Grant said, guiding him out. The room was about minus ten degrees Celsius, even colder than outside.
After leaving the room, Alan asked, "Commander, when will Angela wake up?"
"That's uncertain. Different espers crystals absorb at different rates. Some take a few hours, others several days."
"By the way, there's something else I need to discuss with you. This was originally meant for Angela, but as her grandfather, you have the right to know. This matter concerns both her and your safety." Grant's expression grew serious as he spoke.
Alan, puzzled, asked, "What is it?"
Grant lowered his voice: "Before I get into it, let me ask you—have you heard of the name 'Followers of God'?"
"I've heard a little," Alan nodded. Even after spending seven years in the danger zone, his generation was familiar with the name. It's a terrorist group made up of many espers, and rumors say there are even S-level espers among them. Before the appearance of the 22nd White Mist Zone, there were occasional reports about them in the news.
"Since you've heard of them, this will be easier to explain. The news reports on the Followers of God are true, but they only reveal part of the story. The Followers of God are far more dangerous than what's been publicly disclosed. The group was founded in 2144, and they call themselves God's followers, proclaiming that the White Mist Zones are their divine kingdom. Their leader is known as the 'Followers of God,' and the members are called 'Followers.' There are many espers terrorist organizations in the Normandy Kingdom and internationally, but this one is unique in that they advocate for the annihilation of humanity, allowing the White Mist Zones to completely consume the world. Today, the entire South American continent is under the control of the Followers of God."
Alan was stunned : A terrorist organization controlling an entire continent? It's hard to comprehend why the world would allow such a group to exist.
Sensing Alan's confusion, Grant explained, "There are currently two known Sons of God: the Poison King and the Puppeteer. The infamous massacre in South America that claimed millions of lives forty years ago was orchestrated by the Poison King. The Sons of God are all top-tier S-level espers. No country dares to launch a full-scale assault on them because if they escape, the consequences would be dire."
Alan began to understand : When a terrorist organization wields power comparable to a nation, no one dares to act recklessly, as the consequences are too severe.
Grant continued, "The Poison King primarily operates in South America and rarely ventures to Asia. What concerns me is the second Followers of God—the Puppeteer. The Puppeteer is one of the founders of the Followers of God, and his ability is similar to mind control; he can brainwash or forcibly control others. Based on years of investigation, his ability is more effective on espers with lower power levels. Your granddaughter's talent rating is likely A-level, and any espers with an A-level talent has the potential to destabilize entire regions. If the Followers of God learn of her existence, they'll undoubtedly attempt to capture her before she fully matures. If they can't capture her, they might resort to killing her outright!"
Alan was taken aback, Having just escaped the danger zone, are they now being dragged into an even bigger problem? And this one seems even more dangerous.
"Commander Grant, what should we do?"
"To ensure your granddaughter's safety, the best course of action is to move to the main city, where an S-level guardian is stationed. If possible, she should join an espers academy in the capital. Once her ability level reaches C, she'll have some resistance against the Puppeteer's control. Information suggests that the Puppeteer can only control a limited number of C-level or higher espers. As her grandfather, you also need military protection. There have been several instances in history where the Followers of God kidnapped the relatives of talented espers to coerce them."
Grant spoke carefully, but his meaning was clear. Until Angela's ability level reached C, they would need to be under military protection, which also meant their freedom would be restricted.
After a long silence, Alan nodded, "I don't mind, but once Angela wakes up, the choice will be hers."
"Of course, we won't force anyone," Grant assured him.