Rhodes Island does not exist.

Chapter 179, One Hundred and Seventy-Eight: A Fragmented Landscape

It's somewhat ironic.

But Rhodes Island's most abundant resource right now is electricity.

After all, Originium cannot be used to fill one's stomach. In the context of a food crisis, this thing that is usually regarded as a sacred object will eventually become just like an ordinary stone.

Rhode Island, 15th floor.

"How many people are there in the maintenance corridor? Report." Before officially entering the sixteenth floor, Dubin was making final personnel arrangements.

“No more than twenty people,” an agent replied in a low voice. “Although about ten of them are unarmed, considering that the maintenance passage is the closest area to the observation tower, alerting them could trigger an overreaction.”

“I’ve considered this risk,” Dubin nodded. “So the plan must be executed quickly.”

“Um…Commander Dobermann.”

The agent delivering the intelligence suddenly started to act awkwardly.

This action caused Dobermann to furrow his brow, as if he had seen something filthy.

"I know what you're trying to say, there's no need for this pretense." She pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes slightly. "You want to ask about the priority of resource allocation after this operation succeeds, right?"

"You're right." The agent nodded in agreement.

“I understand. After all, we are the direct troops involved in this operation, so everyone has these expectations and thoughts to some extent. Some agents even came with this purpose in mind.” Dubin sighed. “Now everyone is starving, and I have no reason to ask you to endure it.”

"so……?"

“I will try my best to help you,” Dubin said, “but only if the operation succeeds.”

"I will try my best." The operator bowed.

He probably looks like he's from the East.

"Hey."

Watching the operative leave, Dobermann couldn't help but let out another long sigh.

She knew very well that Rhodes Island was now at a critical juncture of life and death.

The so-called food crisis is something that cannot be imagined; only by experiencing it firsthand can one truly understand its horror.

And now, the tough-looking Doberman is undergoing this terrifying tempering.

It's just that because she's an instructor, she can't show it on her face.

"Two minutes left."

Glancing down at the Originium watch on his wrist, Dobermann silently removed the whip from his waist, preparing for his next move.

-

Rhode Island, eighth floor.

"Really? You only arrived at Rhodes Island last month. You're quite a young junior."

In the middle of the communal ward, a group of young patients were chatting happily with the staff who usually took care of them, sitting around a large communal bed made up of dozens of beds.

Such scenes are actually quite rare.

After all, just a few days ago, the situation here was tense and on the verge of war.

The divide between the Reunification Movement and the refugees was like a towering Berlin Wall standing in the center of the communal ward, forcing children and teenagers who originally had the opportunity to interact with each other to be separated and locked in their own small white world.

But now, that wall has collapsed.

Although the departure of the refugees made the place seem much quieter, in a sense, it also provided a free place for the little patients who longed for interaction.

"It's just that the timing of your joining Rhodes Island is really unfortunate," a burly medic chuckled. "You've only been here a short time and already this has happened. What bad luck."

"But if I can turn danger into safety, wouldn't that just prove that I was actually lucky?" The young guard operator revealed an optimistic expression.

“Then I hope you can share some of your good fortune with Rhodes Island.” A shy infected boy said, “I love it here. Before Rhodes Island rescued me, I never even thought that such a place existed in this world… To be honest, I even initially thought of this place as the paradise that appeared in my dreams, because I thought I was dreaming… So I don’t want Rhodes Island to be so easily defeated by natural disasters and thugs.”

"What a sweet-talking kid." A female medic, who was clearly older, reached out and ruffled the boy's hair. "If we get through this crisis, should we consider letting you join Rhodes Island?"

"Huh? Is this really possible?" The boy was overjoyed.

"Don't talk nonsense," the unshaven medic said with a smile to the female medic. "The Doctor is still sitting here. Are you planning to bypass the Doctor's opinion and hire him directly?"

"Just kidding." The female medical operator waved her hand.

But the doctor did not respond to this simple joke.

He simply maintained his usual smiling expression and sat upright on the edge of the dormitory bed.

The shadow cast by his hood obscured his eyes, making it impossible to tell whether he was asleep or awake.

So they assumed the doctor had fallen into a deep sleep or was meditating, and went back to their own conversation.

Time ticked by, second by second, slowly moving along the clock face.

The boys and girls continued their daydreams, while the operators reminisced about old times, as if Rhodes Island were not currently embroiled in a massive sandstorm and disaster, but rather sailing on a journey towards a wonderful holiday filled with hope.

The doctor, who was sitting by the bed, gradually lost their attention and was thus marginalized.

Until the second hand on the dial stops at 12.

"Time is up."

The doctor opened his eyes.

-

At that moment, the entire Rhodes Island was plunged into a darkness as thick as ink.

But don't panic.

This is not some kind of Originium Arts.

Instead, Kroos pulled the main power switch on Rhodes Island, plunging the entire island into a blackout.

"The time has come, now!"

The short and urgent command came from Dobermann's mouth, and this command was instantly broken into several parts and transmitted to the ears of every squad leader on the fifteenth floor.

The special operations team has officially begun its operation.

"dong dong dong dong..."

A series of hurried footsteps began to sound.

That was the sound of rubber soles hitting the metal ground.

This means the rioters on the sixteenth floor panicked.

The complete power outage left them ignorant of their environment and surroundings, while simultaneously awakening their fear of the dark.

What should we do now?

What specifically needs to be done?

Should you discard the chips in your hand or hold on to them tightly?

Every second of delay leaves the rioters with less and less initiative.

Now that things have come to this, they must make a decision quickly.

Chapter 180, Part 179: On Stage and Behind the Scenes

Rhode Island, eighth floor communal ward.

"What happened? Why did all the lights suddenly go out?"

The patients, who had been chatting and laughing together, suddenly became panicked. They felt uneasy and sought anything that could bring them a sense of security.

"No need to panic."

But the doctor's voice rang out from the edge.

This made them realize that the doctor had been sitting next to them all along.

“This is one of the plans I’ve arranged,” the doctor said in a deep, clear voice. “You can continue your conversation as before; it won’t affect you.”

-

Those who know everything will not panic.

Because the plan had already been arranged long ago.

"Seal off the entrance! Seal off the entrance!" The refugees' voices rose and fell in the darkness.

Those trembling voices, filled with panicked emotions, are the outward manifestation of their fragile hearts.

They knew very well that they had started a rebellion.

Moreover, it was a rebellion with almost no chance of success.

Even if our side obtained intelligence about Rhodes Island's logistics department, knew the location of the observation tower, and seized some weapons and supplies stored in the warehouse, it would be meaningless to them.

Because these things mean nothing to Rhodes Island. The only thing they care about is the Scourge Messenger trapped in the observation tower, and the supplies around him.

Although Rhodes Island's main fleet is not yet fully armed, and some high-ranking elite operators are still on duty, it is still not something they can afford to provoke.

If it comes down to a battle of combat strength, it's nothing more than an ant trying to shake a tree.

But the refugees also know that.

If they don't fight back, they will eventually die anyway.

Chaos was bound to happen sooner or later.

According to intelligence from the logistics department, Rhodes Island has almost exhausted all its food and water reserves. Even if the Originium Dust Storm dissipates by tomorrow, they will not be able to reach the next supply point in such extreme hunger and water shortage.

Moreover, there was a huge problem before that.

That means Rhodes Island's engine system was damaged during this long sandstorm, and if they want to get back on track, they will have to send someone to repair it after the sandstorm stops.

Repairs also take time.

After all, this is not just a simple vehicle or land armor; it is the foundation of a small mobile city.

Driven by hunger, no one can afford to wait any longer.

Ultimately, what awaits them is a chaotic war between themselves, the Reunion Movement, and Rhodes Island, triggered by a food crisis.

So if we do nothing, we'll just be waiting to die. But if we take action... we might be able to live a few more days.

"My hand, my hand is melting!! It hurts so much!!"

"All my toes have been cut off! Help me, I can't stand up!"

...Even knowing that they would face this outcome, they still made their choice.

"The main entrance on the fifteenth floor can't be held! The people in front of them are all heavily equipped, we simply can't hold out!"

Crying and screaming.

fracture.

extrusion.

Crush.

Different voices rang out in the same place.

It spread along the corridor, extended along the corridor, and flowed along the corridor.

The refugees were forced to retreat in defeat.

In the thick darkness, they were like livestock being driven into a pen by a shepherd with a whip, their hurried steps accompanied by occasional groans.

"Don't panic! Everyone retreat towards the observation tower! Everyone retreat towards the observation tower! We still have leverage over them. As long as we hold that position, they won't dare to come any closer!"

Someone was shouting that.

However, the defensive line collapsed at a rate that couldn't even keep up with Rhodes Island's advance.

The agents are like missiles heading for Paris, tasked with defeating the Gauls before they surrender.

But what can they do?

Of the two factions residing on Rhodes Island, they are the weakest.

As refugees, they were rescued from Chernobog. If it weren't for Rhodes Island, they would have been wiped out by natural disasters and the Reunion Movement long ago.

So let alone weapons and equipment, even if you threw a bunch of elite supply crates from Blacksteel in front of them right now, they probably wouldn't know how to use them.