LOGINThe press secretary sprang out of bed after getting the call, screaming hysterically, "What?! The Antarctic deployment somehow made the internet?! How the hell did the military commit such a rookie mistake?!"Her outburst jolted her thirtyish husband awake, and he sat up and asked, "What's wrong, babe? You scared me."The press secretary smiled apologetically, "Sorry, emergency. I need to take this—stay in bed, babe."With that, she hurried out of her bedroom with her phone, snapping angrily, "What I want to know is how evidence of a covert operation ended up on the internet!"Her assistant sighed on the other end. "I've made inquiries, while the NSA and CIA also tried to track down the original uploader, but whoever did it covered their tracks well. Everything from the server to the IP address was untraceable, and the base crew can't even tell who recorded those videos and photos."Pacing around anxiously, the press secretary groaned, "Those incompetent losers! Get everyone to t
Naturally, the title led most popular Japanese influencers to presume it was a prank.The Americans, sending their army to the South Pole? Taking over the Showa research base and torturing their research crew?Was that even possible, when Japan-US relations were stronger than a lot of other alliances between countries?Moreover, Japan had always deferred to US leadership with humility, and big-brother worshiped to the point that they commemorate Matthew Perry, who invaded their own country and forced them to open their borders. With such elements in mind, why would the Americans be motivated to harm some research crew in the Antarctic?Still, doubts aside, curiosity drove them to click into the media files.Some immediately thought it would have been better if they hadn't, as what they saw shocked them to the core: fully-armed Navy SEALS, standing outside Showa research base, forcing the Japanese research crew to stand outside in the winter cold, wearing nothing but their underpan
The more stubborn the research crew was, the more motivated the Americans were to make them talk.The White House even issued directives—they were to seize the base and subdue and interrogate the entire crew, while confiscating all their equipment, which would be sent to experts for analysis of usage and the like.With orders direct from the White House, the colonel rallied the American forces and began searching the trail the rogue convoy had left behind while exploring the Antarctic.Charlie waited until they were all gone before leaving the Showa Base too. Still, he didn't return to the Norwegian base right away, instead connecting to satellite networks to send Merlin videos of the Americans abusing the Japanese research crew, along with them boarding armored vehicles and leaving Showa Base.Then, he called Merlin and instructed, "Have the AI module gather contact details of major online influencers—preferably emails, and send them the videos through secure links."Naturally,
After being exposed to sub-zero temperatures, the Japanese crew returned indoors with normal temperatures. The difference of over a hundred degrees immediately left their skin flushed like it was burnt, and the itch got worse than when they were outside, some of them scratching themselves so hard they were bleeding all over.The colonel was surprised that less than a minute outside was enough to inflict such damage.Even he began to worry that he had overdone it.If the Japanese cranked up their protests and the White House felt compelled to do something, he's going to be punished for it.Still, he soon decided he didn't care—the more they dug into this incident, the more suspicious everything looked.If they gave up, they would be missing a huge opportunity—but if they pressed on, he might just score big.They were supposed to move the Japanese crew here to McMurdo base anyway. Since they were hurt, he just had to keep them here a little while until they recover. If they complai
However, Charlie wasn't about to let the Americans get away with it. He would show evidence to the whole world that they had sent their military to Antarctica.-The Americans moved quickly. In just a couple of hours, they gathered everyone and all the equipment they brought, doing prechecks on their aircraft and transport. The efficiency to do that in such a sub-zero climate was certainly impressive in itself.After just a couple of hours, their aircraft landed near the Showa Base. In an instant, the Navy SEALS and multiple infantry transports surrounded the base.The research crew at Showa Base was still doing Barlin's bidding and exploring the Antarctic. As most of the members weren't around, the Americans quickly seized control and demanded that they radio the others and call them back to base.However, the crew in the base was still fiercely loyal to Barlin and would rather die than betray him. Since their colleagues were out doing Barlin's bidding, no one caved to the colone
While Goro made a mad dash to the interrogation room, Kohei's body was dangling lifelessly from the washroom door frame.He had hanged himself with his thermal pants, which were woven from materials developed especially for polar regions. It was warm, soothed the skin, breathable, and durable… and now, also proved that it could hang an adult man weighing over 140 pounds.Eerily, unlike others who took their own lives, there was no pain on Kohei's face at all—only a smile of relief.Even as Goro and the Americans present were left standing there helplessly, the medic in their research base hurried over and cut Kohei loose. He attempted resuscitation while trying to feel for a pulse or heartbeat, but Kohei was dead as a doornail.The research base was not a jail or precinct. There weren't any specialized holding cells, and they simply moved Kohei to an empty cabin when they were done with interrogating him. The guards stayed outside to stop him from running, but none of them expect
Charlie perceived Tanaka as a clever and observant individual. With his expressions relaxed, Charlie said, “Tanaka, do give me your contact number so I can reach you if there’s anything.”Without hesitation, Tanaka drew out his name card and passed it to Charlie respectfully.“Mr. Wade, this is my nam
This was the nine grand and majestic dragons carving that was unique to the ancient royal buildings. It could be said that this was of the highest standard. There was also a similar carving of the nine grand and majestic dragons in the historical king’s palace.It was okay for a person to carve this
Two of Masatetsu’s junior were keeping watch nearby the hotel lobby at this time.When they saw Charlie returning to the hotel as though nothing had happened at all, they notified Masatetsu immediately. At the same time, both of them could not help but feel a little surprised. It seemed as though thi
Charlie had brought more than one Rejuvenating Pill with him to Eastcliff this time.Although he was certain that one pill would be enough to cure Yule, he had brought extra pills just to be on the safe side.From the looks of it, in the divination that the old man had given him, the only way out from







