In the command center on the top floor of Fisk Tower, the air seemed to solidify. The suffocating calm that had lasted for over seventy hours was abruptly and violently shattered at this moment.
It was no longer the calm parameter prompts of the system, but a shrill, piercing buzz, like the death wail of a dying beast, erupting at maximum volume from every speaker, instantly piercing everyone's eardrums and clenching every heart!
"Alert! Alert! Alert!"
"Global monitoring network detected energy response in the Pacific Mariana Trench area exceeding critical threshold!"
"Energy level confirmed: Dragon-level (City Destruction Threat)!"
"Target codename generated: 'Sea King'!"
"Energy characteristics: Ultra-high intensity bio-energy mixed with abnormal water pressure manipulation, accompanied by large-scale mental suppression!"
"Predicted movement trajectory: Moving northwest at a speed of 120 kilometers per hour, targeting—Tokyo Bay, Japan! Estimated arrival time: 3 hours and 47 minutes!"
"Urgent recommendation: Immediately activate the highest level response plan! Repeat, immediately activate the highest level response plan!"
Scarlet light replaced the usual calm blue-white glow, flashing wildly throughout the command center, illuminating everyone's astonished and even pale faces as if stained with blood. On the main screen, the Pacific region, which had originally only marked an energy anomaly, was now covered by a giant, grotesque, pulsating skull symbol. A thick red arrow representing the Sea King's path advanced like the fingertip of the God of Death, ruthlessly pointing towards the Japanese archipelago.
Tokyo! A mega-city with nearly forty million people!
"Dragon-level..." a young analyst murmured subconsciously, his voice trembling uncontrollably. Before this, "Dragon-level" was mostly a theoretical concept in system evaluations, the highest difficulty in training simulations. But now, it had materialized into that tangible, destructive marker on the screen, rushing towards one of the most densely populated areas of human civilization.
"Confirm energy readings! Compare to historical database!" Kingpin's voice, like thunder exploding on an ice field, instantly drowned out the piercing alarm and forcefully stabilized the situation that was about to spiral out of control. His massive body had appeared before the main console at some unknown point, his gaze sharp as an eagle's, showing no hint of panic, only a near-cold focus.
"Readings confirmed! Energy peak has reached mid-level Dragon-level standard! Exceeds any natural or anomalous event recorded in the database!" The technical director's voice was hoarse and extremely fast. "Target bio-energy response... immeasurable! The water pressure in the surrounding sea area is abnormal, forming a super-heavy water domain with a diameter of over twenty kilometers! Satellite images show a giant vortex on the sea surface, accompanied by abnormal thunderstorms!"
"Activate 'Sky Curtain' protocol! All global branches, enter Level One combat readiness! Immediately contact the Japan branch, authorize them to activate all defensive measures, and forcibly evacuate coastal residents!" Kingpin's orders came like a volley of cannon fire, without a moment's pause. "Technical Department, I want a real-time energy structure model of the Sea King, find its weaknesses! Logistics Department, initiate cross-ocean delivery procedures, prioritize the supply needs of the Japan branch!"
"Yes!"
The entire command center spun like a whipped top, rotating at an unprecedented speed. Communication channels were filled with urgent calls and confirmations in various languages, and data streams surged across the screens like a breached flood. The Association, this colossal machine, after a brief respite, roared into action at beyond-limit power to face this unprecedented challenge.
Meanwhile, at S.H.I.E.L.D., Trident Headquarters.
The same crimson alert, signifying the highest threat level, was also flashing wildly here.
"Director Fury! A Dragon-level energy response has appeared deep in the Pacific! The target is Tokyo!" Hill's voice came through the communicator, carrying an unprecedented sense of urgency.
Nick Fury's single eye stared intently at the terrifying marker representing the Sea King on the screen, his face so grim it could drip Water. His worst fear had come true, and it had arrived so quickly, so fiercely.
"Contact the World Security Council, activate the global emergency response mechanism! Order all S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents stationed in Japan to assist the local government with evacuation and defense! Notify the Avengers..." He paused, his voice resolute, "...Assemble!"
"Understood!"
Stark Tower.
Tony Stark was making the final micro-adjustments to his Mark VIII armor when the piercing, S.H.I.E.L.D. highest alert, relayed by Jarvis, made him freeze.
"Sir, a Dragon-level energy burst has been detected in the Pacific Mariana Trench area, targeting Tokyo. S.H.I.E.L.D. has declared a global emergency and requested the Avengers to assemble."
Tony put down his tools, and his faceplate automatically closed, concealing the suddenly grave expression on his face. "Dragon-level... has it finally arrived?" He murmured to himself, without a moment's hesitation, "Jarvis, prepare the remote deployment protocol. Lock onto Tokyo's coordinates. Let's go meet this 'Sea King.'"
Meanwhile, across news channels and online platforms worldwide, chaos had already begun to spread. Although officials tried to control the information, such a massive energy disturbance could not be completely hidden. Blurred satellite images, videos of abnormal tsunamis and celestial anomalies captured from Japan's coastal regions, and various true and false speculations and panic-inducing rumors, ravaged the internet like a virus.
"Is it the end of the World?"
"Is Tokyo going to sink?"
"Where is the Hero Association? Where is S.H.I.E.L.D.? Where are the Avengers?"
"Pray for Tokyo!"
Panic, like an invisible tsunami, began to assault global nerves even before the physical disaster.
At the Hero Association Headquarters, Kingpin looked at the Sea King's steady and terrifying movement trajectory on the screen, and the chaotic light spots representing large-scale civilian evacuations beginning to appear in the Tokyo Bay area, his eyes deep.
He connected to the dedicated line for the Hero Association's Tokyo branch.
The screen lit up, showing the head of the Tokyo branch, a resolute-looking middle-aged man in an Association uniform, behind whom was a scene of busy tension.
"How's the situation?" Kingpin asked directly.
"Mr. Fisk, forced evacuation of coastal areas has begun, but there's great resistance and too little time! All our heroes are deployed, and defensive fortifications are being activated at full power, but facing a Dragon-level threat... we lack effective means!" The person in charge's voice carried suppressed anxiety.
"Hold your ground, buy time." Kingpin's voice was unequivocal. "Reinforcements are on the way. Sandman is about to arrive; he will be the pillar of your battlefield."
He paused, then added: "Tell all members, this is not a drill. We are facing a disaster capable of wiping out a city. The very meaning of the Association's existence is at this moment."
"Understood! We swear to complete the mission to the death!"
The communication was cut.
Kingpin slowly raised his head, his gaze seemingly penetrating layers of obstruction, falling on the light spot marked "Sandman" that was crossing the Pacific at extremely high speed.
Then, he brought up the Association's emergency mobilization interface for all registered heroes. A global, highest-priority mission was issued, the crimson text stinging everyone who saw it:
"Emergency Call-Up Order (Dragon-level): Engage the Sea King!"
"Mission Location: Tokyo Bay, Japan, and surrounding waters."
"Mission Objective: Stop the Sea King from making landfall at all costs, protect civilian safety."
"Participation Requirements: B-Class and above heroes are mandatory; C-Class and D-Class heroes may volunteer, subject to ability assessment."
"Note: This battle concerns survival."
The order had been given, the war drums beaten.
The wail of the first Dragon-level alert was like the sounding of the horn of doom. The Hero Association, this nascent Guardian of order, would face the true judgment of its destiny amidst the tumultuous waves of the Pacific.
The storm had arrived.