Chapter 11: Disaster Level—High Risk!
For a moment, the vast conference room fell so silent that one could hear a pin drop. The oppressive atmosphere tightened everyone's nerves.
Seeing no one speak, Gong Ran smiled faintly. "The An Tong Department wants to assess the situation and determine the disaster level. You may speak, but exaggerate it—I want the disaster rating to be 'high risk.'"
At these words, everyone’s pupils involuntarily dilated, their faces etched with fear as they looked at Gong Ran.
In the Tianyuan Federation, when the Special Abilities Division cannot handle a Reawakened, they report to the An Tong Department.
The An Tong Department evaluates the disaster level based on the Reawakened’s abilities and their forbidden classification. The level dictates the department's degree of concern.
From lowest to highest, the levels are: Low Risk, Medium Risk, High Risk, Special Risk, and Forbidden!
Low Risk means the Reawakened’s power is weak, but their uniqueness is enough to cause social unrest, and the Special Abilities Division lacks the capability to neutralize them.
Medium Risk indicates a relatively strong Reawakened, whose power can confront the Special Abilities Division head-on, forcing them into passive defense.
High Risk means a powerful Reawakened whose mere presence threatens the city’s safety, beyond the Special Abilities Division’s ability to resist.
Special Risk denotes an extremely powerful Reawakened, whose existence seriously impacts the Federation’s future trajectory, marking them as humanity’s number one enemy.
Forbidden signifies a Reawakened with immeasurable power, pushing human civilization to the brink of extinction, requiring humanity’s united effort to eliminate them.
In the entire history of the Federation, only one Reawakened has ever received the Forbidden rating—a dark chapter of history.
Hearing Gong Ran’s words, everyone dared not even breathe heavily. Deceiving the An Tong Department was no different from voluntarily asking to be dismissed.
At this critical moment, the reckless Zhang Kong stood up and said, “Commander, this Reawakened’s power only reaches Medium Risk. How can it be rated High Risk?”
“Is it written on your faces? Whether it’s rated or not isn’t for you to decide,” Gong Ran chuckled lightly.
“But... how could the An Tong Department believe only our one-sided account? That video has spread online; anyone with some discernment can see the flaws.”
“The video only circulated on the bridgehead. There’s nothing from the bridge itself. I’ve already arranged for the surveillance footage to be handled. As long as you control your subordinates, even if the An Tong Department suspects, they have no way to investigate.”
Gong Ran leaned back in his chair, rhythmically tapping his fingers on the table. “I know you’re afraid of being fired over this, but isn’t the job about the money? Follow my instructions, fifty thousand each. If anyone gets dismissed, I’ll give an additional two hundred thousand and arrange a job. How about that?”
At this, everyone’s spirits brightened. After a few seconds of silence, someone nodded and agreed, “I’m with the Commander. Naturally, I follow his word.”
Once one person relented, the wavering others followed suit.
“I’ve been with the Special Abilities Division since graduation, so I stand with them.”
“I watched Gong Qi grow up. Now that he’s in trouble, how can I not help?”
“My sister-in-law has treated me well; I’m willing to contribute too.”
Soon, nearly everyone agreed, save Zhang Kong, who remained silent.
Seeing all eyes on him, Zhang Kong sighed helplessly and finally nodded in agreement.
Gong Ran smiled with satisfaction at the scene, then looked at the large screen facing him. “You have ten minutes to discuss among yourselves. I suggest you focus on elaborating the Reawakened’s abilities.”
As soon as he finished, the room erupted into lively chatter. A dozen or so people gathered, vigorously discussing how to exaggerate Li Chenqiu’s powers.
---
Nine minutes passed in the blink of an eye. After their discussion, everyone returned to their seats, solemnly watching the screen.
Buzz—
Amid a crackle of electricity, a stern middle-aged man appeared on the screen. His name was Bai Meng, responsible for the disaster rating of Li Chenqiu.
“Commander!”
Everyone in the conference room stood up, including Gong Ran.
“Hm, no need for formality. Sit down,” Bai Meng waved casually and began leafing through the documents in front of him.
“Raindrops suspended... sniper shooting from a hundred meters... dodging bullets from an anti-material sniper rifle... catching a forbidden-level assassin’s blade with one hand... hmm, quite interesting.”
Bai Meng raised an eyebrow, already forming a judgment. “This can be rated Medium Risk. Any additions?”
“Ah, Commander, is that final?” someone asked, bewildered.
“Why not? The evidence is sufficient.” Bai Meng looked at the man with a puzzled expression. “Do you have a different opinion?”
The man’s eyes flickered with fear. Noticing everyone’s eager gaze upon him, he clenched his teeth and stood firm. “Commander, don’t underestimate him!”
Following his lead, dozens of voices rose, praising Li Chenqiu.
...
After about fifteen minutes, the room gradually quieted.
Bai Meng frowned deeply, covering his mouth with one hand, lost in thought.
“Um...” Bai Meng looked up and asked one person, “You said this Reawakened caught a missile with his hand, unharmed, and even threw it back?”
“Yes, it was this Reawakened who destroyed the bridge!” the person said seriously.
Bai Meng exhaled heavily, then turned to another. “He single-handedly restrained all of you, including every helicopter and boat?”
“Yes, I was terrified!” The speaker’s eyes revealed deep fear.
“Hm... and he summoned over a dozen fighter jets from the river water, using water-made shells to destroy all of you. Is that true?” Bai Meng set the documents aside, staring intently at the group.
“Yes!” they all replied in unison.
A trace of confusion crossed Bai Meng’s eyes. “If he defeated you all, why are you still sitting here unharmed?”
“I don’t know. I guess this Reawakened was toying with us—no one lets their toys die.”
“Tch... that sounds a bit far-fetched,” Bai Meng’s mouth twitched.
“We would never jeopardize the Special Abilities Division’s reputation or treat public safety lightly,” someone stood and said righteously, locking eyes with Bai Meng.
Seeing this, Bai Meng’s heart trembled. He recognized this look—when he first joined the An Tong Department, he had the same steadfast and sincere gaze.
“Apologies, I was too hasty. I was going to mobilize the An Tong intelligence agency to investigate, but it seems unnecessary. I will report truthfully to the higher-ups. Meeting adjourned.”
---
Beep!
The screen went dark.
“Got it, he believed us!”
“Haha, as long as this commander reports truthfully, it will definitely be rated High Risk!”
“Old Zhang, how did you manage that? Hearing you speak almost made me laugh; you’re as steady as a mountain!”
Knock, knock, knock!
At that moment, Gong Ran tapped the table and said, “The fifty thousand will be in your accounts tomorrow.”
After speaking, he slowly left the conference room. Once he was out of sight, everyone burst into laughter.
Unnoticed, a camera in the corner of the room flickered with a red light.
...
City One, An Tong Department, Disaster Rating Division
Inside an office, Bai Meng closed his laptop and looked at the woman sitting beside him.
She was dressed in a sharp suit, radiating an imposing aura, and was currently sitting with her legs crossed, watching a video on her phone.
The video showed a group of men laughing loudly, discussing where to drink tonight and whether to have some skewers.
This was footage from the 11th Special Abilities Division’s surveillance!
“Team Leader, Gong Ran really can’t tell the severity. Should we dismiss him?” Bai Meng respectfully asked as he approached.
“No need. People must have some room to pull strings,” the woman replied, putting down her phone and stretching wearily.
“Team Leader, I’m going to upload the data on this Medium Risk Reawakened.”
Bai Meng nodded, about to leave, but the woman grabbed his arm.
“Make it High Risk. Not Medium.”
“Ah?” Bai Meng’s mouth opened slightly. “But this Reawakened’s power only reaches Medium Risk. Why rate him High Risk?”
A serious look crossed the woman’s eyes as she recalled the strange escape method and the raindrop suspension.
“This Reawakened’s ability ceiling is too high. He has the potential to be Special Grade.”
“Special Grade?” Bai Meng froze. “Really?”
“What if a torrential rain drenches a city, and later he can control every raindrop in it?” The woman asked. When Bai Meng remained silent, she added, “He could slaughter an entire city.”