Chapter 532: Major Powers Join
"Oh my god! Am I seeing this right? The Demon Arrival Organization, which has always kept a low profile, is now publicly challenging the world's military forces!!"
"What's really going on here?"
"Several media outlets are reporting that in two weeks, the Demon Arrival Organization will host a deadly showdown on the Island of the Underworld!"
"Their main target seems to be the military forces of various nations, and they've even openly mocked the Kingdoms' elites, saying they're nothing but trash in front of the Demon Arrival's so-called Saints and Saints Candidates!"
"Damn! So, what are they waiting for? The military forces should be on fire about this, right?"
"They are, but right now, it looks like they're still deliberating. So far, there hasn't been any official response."
"Are you kidding me? Scared of a scummy organization that usually only dares to skulk around in the dark, and now they're openly challenging us? The forces are actually holding back?"
"If you don't know what's really happening, don't just bark nonsense! It's not about fear—it's about the forces calculating exactly what the Demon Arrival has up its sleeve. It's not like they haven't caused plenty of innocent casualties in their previous schemes."
"Then let's wait and see. I just hope the military forces have the courage to respond. I'd hate to see them back down! They need to crush those so-called Saints and Saints Candidates!"
"..."
This international news.
Instantly ignited discussions and disputes worldwide within the specialist circles.
As the Demon Arrival Organization expected.
When netizens saw the Kingdoms' forces staying silent, they quickly turned into keyboard warriors, launching waves of online criticism.
The Demon Arrival Organization specifically named the Hundred Ghosts Fortress.
They claimed that the forces stationed at the Hundred Ghosts Fortress were the weakest among all four Forbidden Zone frontlines.
This crude, low-level taunt was obviously a provocation to the perceptive.
But it worked remarkably well.
At the very least, this tactic actually drew a lot of people into its trap.
Soon enough, a wave of keyboard warriors targeted the Kingdoms' forces stationed at the Hundred Ghosts Fortress.
These keyboard warriors hailed from all corners of the world.
Their numbers were substantial.
Observant people could tell they were being manipulated and stirred up.
But, as is often the case, mixed with truth and lies, even official investigations struggled to locate those pulling the strings.
"This is clearly an open scheme to wipe out every talent below level 100!"
"And they're even targeting the forces at the Hundred Ghosts Fortress specifically!"
"And they're restricting the contest to those below level 100."
"The Demon Arrival's little game couldn't be more obvious!"
Inside the Hundred Ghosts Fortress.
In a top-security classified meeting room.
General Li couldn't help but rise in anger.
The other military commanders from different nations also fell into deep thought.
As General Li had pointed out,
this was an open scheme right before their eyes.
To be honest.
At their level, they weren't particularly afraid of covert schemes.
But this type of unavoidable open scheme was another matter.
With the global audience watching, they were being openly called out.
And the online mobs were stirring the pot with their provocative rhetoric.
The instigators were shrewd with their wording.
They weren't outright insulting the forces at the Hundred Ghosts Fortress.
Instead, they feigned disappointment.
On the one hand, expressing understanding of the forces' hesitation, since this was clearly a trap.
On the other, they feigned dismay, questioning if it was wise to rely on "cowards" to protect innocent lives.
In today's internet age,
people are no longer easily duped by mere words.
However...
there was no escaping these "rational" provocateurs who appeared to be "sympathetic critics."
Their statements seemed somewhat reasonable on the surface, but a closer look revealed malice intended to provoke further outrage.
Now, global public opinion was building.
Screens on countless platforms worldwide were flooded with this topic, with no way to control it.
Silence or censoring led to accusations of cowardice, of trying to hide their cowardice from criticism.
But letting it continue only stoked the public fervor.
And to make matters worse...
The storm escalated once again!!
Suddenly, multiple credible media outlets released additional challenge letters from other dark organizations!
"We, the Dark Church, would also like to take this opportunity to see if the so-called forces of light can prove themselves! Count us in on this event, and our Saints, Saints Candidates, and ten top-ranking members will join the deadly contest as well!"
"The Devil's Advocates want in on the fun too!"
"The Bloodhammer Guild is coming! We've been waiting for you, Holy Empire. Meet us at the Island of the Underworld!"
"..."
In an instant,
as if taking cues,
notorious underworld organizations, usually hiding in the shadows, emerged one after another, eager to join the fray.
Governments around the world were suddenly overwhelmed with frustration.
This time...
they had to admit, they were indeed troubled by the Demon Arrival's scheme.
No one could have predicted that the Demon Arrival Organization would unite these other factions!!
"Ladies and gentlemen, any thoughts?"
"Should we accept this challenge from the Demon Arrival Organization, or decline?"
"If we accept, who from our forces should we send to participate?"
"If we decline, how do we handle the potential rise in public support for these dark sects?"
At this moment,
seated at the head of the table, an elderly man in traditional attire asked softly.
He was effectively the leader within the Hundred Ghosts Fortress.
His name was Gojo Bunka.
He was the Vice-Captain of the Ghost-Slaying Unit.
A level 100 tier-four Necrocurse God.
His mastery over Yin-Yang incantations was peerless.
Although not the highest-ranking person present, he held the primary seat by consensus.
It was an unspoken rule acknowledged by all nations—whichever nation hosted the frontline, their representative led the discussions.
The Dragon Kingdom's representative held authority on its frontline.
In the Bear Nation's (Ross Nation's) frontline near the Demon Abyss, a Bear Nation leader presided.
However, the Devil's Nest in the Free Federation...
didn't count as a battlefield, since the "Devil's Advocates" were already legalized there.
Each citizen was entitled to worship demons if they wished.
Freedom at its finest, indeed.
At this moment.
Called out directly by various dark powers, the Hundred Ghosts Fortress.
As the one in charge, the Vice-Captain of the Ghost-Slaying Unit felt an urgency to resolve the situation.