The "Star Sea Shamans" alliance was forged over a bonfire by the Mekong River, but the warmth of celebration was short-lived. A sense of urgency compelled them to act swiftly. Drawing on fragmentary information Nguyen Thi Mai had gleaned from the Delta's network of awakened individuals, and the faint induction of distant tokens by Lin Xingyun's dagger, they set their sights on Manila, the capital of the Thousand-Island Philippines. Rumors circulated that the Gene Alliance was rampant there.
Boarding a freighter, one that dared to sail the oceans during these turbulent times, they sailed along the coastline. The sea breeze no longer brought the moist fertility of the Delta, but instead the increasingly intense bustle of a metropolis and a faint, burning atmosphere. As the freighter slowly entered Manila Bay, the sight that greeted them weighed heavily on the four.
The bay's waters were unusually murky, tinged with an unhealthy, oily sheen. In the distance, the famed Sunset Boulevard still stood tall, but many facades bore visible signs of damage, and some areas were even shrouded in an unidentified haze. Inspections at the port had become extremely strict. Teams of armed personnel, wearing security uniforms resembling those of the Gene Alliance, were roughly inspecting incoming ships and luggage, paying particular attention to those who appeared to be Awakened.
"The atmosphere is off," Buakaw said in a low voice, his bronzed arm muscles subconsciously tensing. "It's like a cage waiting for prey to enter."
Lin Xingyun nodded, sensing the mingled psychic fluctuations in the air—besides the chaotic life energy of the city itself, there was also a deliberately restrained, industrial-feeling, cold energy emanating from the heavily guarded dock warehouses in the Bay Area. "They've established a stronghold here, and it's quite large."
They carefully avoided the main checkpoints and disembarked among the porters. The scene on the streets of Manila was even more disturbing than that in the Bay Area. The former prosperity had been replaced by a distorted one: neon lights still flickered, but now illuminated more beggars and refugees sleeping on the streets; armed security guards stood outside upscale restaurants, while in the alleys across the street, people lined up for thin relief porridge. Mutated vines spawned by the spiritual rain had crawled over many abandoned buildings, adding a sense of desolation and danger.
Based on the vague information Nguyen Thi Mai had obtained, they sought to identify possible indigenous groups of awakened individuals fighting against the Gene Alliance. Their lead led to a slum along the Pasig River. Here, the alleys were narrow, sewage flowed, and the air was thick with the smell of garbage and cheap roasted pork rinds. Yet, amidst this desolation, they sensed a tenacious vitality and several deeply hidden yet resilient psychic ripples.
Behind a makeshift church constructed from discarded shipping containers and wooden planks, they finally came into contact with a small group calling themselves the "Sons of the Barangay." The leader was a middle-aged man named Danilo, with a lean build and sharp eyes. Traditional tribal totems were tattooed on his arms. He eyed the four strangers warily, especially after sensing the significant energy fluctuations from Buakaw and Lin Xingyun.
"Who are you? Spies from the Genetic Alliance?" Danilo pressed his hand to the protrusion at his waist. It didn't look like an ordinary weapon. "We're here to find someone, or maybe to help," Lin Xingyun confessed, but didn't immediately reveal the token. "We heard the Gene Alliance is doing a lot of... bad things here."
Danilo snorted coldly. "Bad things? They used jobs, food, and safety as bait to lure many of us in! They said we were going to some 'evolution center,' but what happened?" He gestured toward the silent, blank-eyed people deep in the shantytown. "Few have returned. Even those who have returned seem to have lost their souls, mumbling only 'evolution' and 'obedience.' As for those who haven't returned, who knows where they've gone!"
He explained to Lin Xingyun and the others that the Gene Alliance had established a large facility on an island in Manila Bay, recruiting Awakened with generous terms, but in reality, they were conducting some dangerous psychic energy extraction and genetic modification experiments, transforming the compliant into their own armed forces. The "Sons of Barangay" had been trying to rescue those deceived, but their efforts were limited and their efforts were ineffective. "We need to enter that island, find evidence of their crimes, and rescue the people inside," Danilo said, looking at Lin Xingyun. "But their defenses are strong, with high-tech weaponry and guarded by controlled 'Evolvers.' If you're truly sincere in helping..."
Just then, a burst of rapid whistles and a clatter of footsteps rang out from outside! A young man rushed in frantically, "Brother Danilo! The Gene Alliance patrol is here! They say they're searching for illegal gatherings of Awakened!"
"Damn it! Someone must have tipped us off!" Danilo's face paled. "Quick! Use the waterway behind!"
But it was too late! The door to the makeshift church was violently kicked open, and five or six soldiers in Gene Alliance uniforms, armed with energy rifles, rushed in. Leading them was a bald, burly man with a cold expression and a metal visor covering half his face. His gaze swept over the members of the "Sons of Barangay" before settling on the four unfamiliar faces of Lin Xingyun, especially Buakaw, who had the strongest presence. "Unregistered powerful awakeners spotted! Take them all away!" The bald, muscular man waved his hand, and the soldiers immediately advanced with their rifles drawn.
"Fight them!" Danilo roared, a faint earthy-yellow glow emanating from his body, seemingly enhancing his defenses. The other members of the "Sons of Barangay" also displayed their abilities, mostly using basic psychic abilities like strengthening their bodies or manipulating nearby objects.
But the Gene Alliance soldiers were clearly superior in training and equipment, and the beams from their energy rifles were extremely threatening.
"Aisha!" Lin Xingyun shouted softly.
Aisha immediately understood and quickly unfolded a piece of batik cloth she had been preparing! A soft white light shield reappeared, blocking the first wave of energy fire!
"Nguyen Thi Mai, control the waterway! Buakaw, take out the leader!" Lin Xingyun quickly ordered, and at the same time, his figure flashed and merged into the shadows, targeting the shadows cast on the wall by the soldiers! The Shadow Snake Witch Mark activated, and the shadows transformed into shackles, instantly freezing the two soldiers! Nguyen Thi Mai rushed to the back door, where a narrow sewage river lay. She waved her hands, and the water surged, capsizing the boat and the two soldiers who had attempted to outflank her from the water!
Buakaw let out a wild laugh and charged at the bald, muscular man like a cannonball! The man snorted coldly, his eyes flashing red beneath his metal visor. He met his blow with a fist swirling with a fiery stream of energy!
Bang! The fists collided, sending a surge of energy! Buakaw was knocked back two steps, his arm numb, while the man merely staggered! "Interesting!" Buakaw, instead of angry, was delighted, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit, and he charged again!
Lin Xingyun seized the opportunity created by his shadow control and unsheathed his dagger. With a flash of lightning, he swiftly struck down the two restrained soldiers. Seeing this, Danilo and his men, their morale buoyed, attacked, quickly subduing the remaining soldiers.
Only the bald, muscular man remained locked in a fierce battle with Buakaw. The sturdy man's fighting techniques, combined with energy enhancement, proved formidable. Lin Xingyun, seizing an opportunity, quietly slipped into the shadows behind him. This wasn't a sneak attack, but rather a surge of spiritual energy imbued with the purifying power of the "Compassionate Buddha's Hand Mark," piercing the shadows and directly impacting the sturdy man's mind!
The sturdy man's body stiffened, his eyes momentarily dazed, and his movements faltered. Buakaw seized this fleeting opportunity and delivered a powerful, ancient Muay Thai sweep, condensing all his strength, to the sturdy man's ribs!
"Crack!" A distinct crack of bone resounded. The sturdy man screamed, spitting blood, and collapsed to the ground, unable to fight.
The battle was over quickly, but with considerable fanfare. This place wasn't a good place to linger.
Danilo watched the four men easily dispatch a squadron of Gene Alliance soldiers, his eyes filled with shock and hope. "You... who are you?"
Lin Xingyun sheathed his dagger, looked at Danilo and the eyes behind him longing for freedom, and said in a deep voice, "We are the Star Sea Shamans. Now, perhaps we can discuss how to eliminate that island den."