The blueprint lay unrolled across the conference table at the bureau headquarters, every inch of it illuminated under sharp fluorescent lights.Red ink.Stress points.Failure predictions.A cold, precise prophecy of disaster.
The room was silent except for the hum of the lights and the occasional hiss of someone's breath.
Director Li finally broke the stillness.
"…He really said 72 hours?"
Lin Wei nodded.
"And the system confirmed it."
Those words hit everyone like a hammer.
Master Yu leaned closer to the blueprint, brows furrowed.
"This level of detail… it's beyond what we have in our own inspections. The saboteur isn't just good—he's a top-tier structural analyst. Possibly better than anyone in this bureau."
Liu Fang crossed her arms, eyes sharp.
"But he's not omnipotent. He said Lin Wei can stop it. Which means we CAN stop it."
Lin Wei looked at the diagram again.His heart tightened.
This bridge wasn't some backwater crossing.This was Jincheng Riverside Overpass—one of the busiest commuter bridges in the district.
Over 30,000 daily vehicles.Peak-time foot traffic.Major bus routes.
If it collapsed—
The consequences were unimaginable.
The System Activates
Suddenly:
[SYSTEM NOTICE][High-level structural crisis detected.][Emergency Mission: "Prevent the Jincheng Overpass Collapse."][Recommended Steps:
Form an elite inspection team
Identify hidden sabotage triggers
Initiate temporary reinforcement measures
Secure all political approvals
Neutralize external interference]
[Rewards for Success:
+5 Engineering Levels
+3 Trait Upgrades
Unlock: Structural Resonance Scanning (Rare Ability)
Public Merit Recognition
Bureau Promotion Eligibility]
[Penalty for Failure:- Civilian casualties- Host skill downgrade- System stability reduction]
Lin Wei's throat felt tight.
This… was the highest-stakes mission he had ever faced.
Forming the Team
Director Li straightened.
"We don't have the luxury of waiting. I'll file for emergency authority to shut down the bridge for immediate inspection."
Liu Fang snorted.
"You'll be blocked by the Political Guidance Office before your email is even opened."
"That's why I'm not filing it," Director Li said, pulling on his coat."I'm delivering it in person."
Master Yu exhaled.
"I'll gather senior engineers—the ones I trust. And the retired veterans too. That bridge is over thirty years old; some of them helped build it."
Liu Fang turned to Lin Wei.
"And you. You're leading the field team."
Lin Wei startled.
"What? No—I'm too junior for—"
"No," Master Yu said firmly."You're not junior anymore."
Director Li glanced back before leaving.
"Lin Wei… you're the only one who has both the ability and the system—" He caught himself. "—the intuition to see what we're up against."
Liu Fang smiled gently.
"You're the one the saboteur himself chose.Let's make him regret that."
Lin Wei swallowed hard.
"…All right. I'll lead."
At the Overpass
Thirty minutes later, they stood at the foot of the massive structure.
The roar of traffic overhead vibrated through the ground.Every tremor felt like a countdown.
Lin Wei activated the system.
[Skill Activated: Structural Instinct Lv.3][Scanning…][Load imbalance detected][Microscopic crack propagation detected][Unknown artificial stressor embedded]
Lin Wei stiffened.
He felt it—a subtle, rhythmic vibration under his feet, not caused by traffic.
Like a heartbeat.
An artificial heartbeat.
Someone had planted something inside the structure.
A hidden failure trigger.
Liu Fang noticed his expression.
"Found something?"
Lin Wei pointed at the main support column.
"There. Something's wrong inside the pillar. Something small, but unstable."
Master Yu frowned.
"A crack?"
"A device," Lin Wei said quietly."I think it's mechanical. Maybe timed."
Liu Fang's face went pale.
"You're telling me the saboteur didn't just predict a collapse—he planted a collapse mechanism?"
Lin Wei nodded slowly.
"And it's active."
Internal Tension
Before they could act, a cluster of black sedans rolled up.
Oh no.
Political officers.
The worst possible timing.
Deputy Guidance Officer Zhao stepped out—his expression rigid, eyes coldly calculating.
He strode toward them.
"What is the meaning of this unauthorized presence at a major transit structure?"
Director Li, who had just returned, answered sharply:
"We have credible evidence of a structural emergency—"
Zhao cut him off.
"You don't have the authority to make that determination."
Lin Wei stepped forward.
"We don't have time to argue. The bridge is compromised. It needs to be closed."
Zhao glared at him like he was an insect.
"You are an apprentice-level engineer. You have no jurisdiction to make such claims."
Liu Fang snapped.
"He's saved more structures than your entire office!"
The political officer's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"This inspection is terminated. All personnel withdraw immediately."
Lin Wei felt his pulse roar in his ears.
If they withdrew—If they let Zhao shut them down—
People would die.
The System Intervenes
Suddenly:
[System Emergency Trigger][Override Option Available:]["Public Exposure Protocol"]Reveals structural instability indicators to nearby civilians, forcing authorities to act.
Lin Wei's breath stopped.
This option would create panic.Chaos.Traffic jams.Possibly injuries.
But it would save lives.
Liu Fang watched his expression shift and whispered:
"Lin Wei… what is it? What are you thinking?"
He clenched his fists.
Time was running out.
The saboteur's ticking device was still pulsing through the bridge.
He had two choices—
1. Obey authority and let the collapse happen.
2. Trigger controlled chaos to force an evacuation.
His heart pounded like the bridge beneath his feet.
And then—
He made his choice.