Full-Time Public Enemy-Chapter 690 - 503: [The Steal Fire Plan]_2

Looking back, a conspicuous bulge appeared on the door, deforming it.

The two frantically dragged whatever they could find to barricade the door from behind.

THUD! THUD! THUD!

The door was on the verge of giving in. Gascolin and Murray's faces turned pale, while Melissa and the other two women burst into tears.

「...」

Balermo walked ahead, deformed war axe in hand, exhibiting a cautiousness uncharacteristic of him.

Chen Gu couldn't help but ask, "Your Excellency, are you hiding something from me?"

After hesitating for a long time, Balermo finally said, "This is a military secret of the Star State. The military and the Rights Association have a joint project called 'Project Stealing Fire,' which aims to develop weapons that can be operated by ordinary warriors to counter powerful Professionals."

"And this project is based on Sol Star."

Chen Gu suddenly understood. "No wonder the Digital Group chose Sol Star as their first target!"

He had been wondering how these plant-animal hybrids could possibly counter genuinely powerful Professionals; it turned out to be because of 'Project Stealing Fire.'

As soon as he finished speaking, Balermo, who was ahead, carefully placed his foot down on something.

VMMMM—

A strange sound echoed as a grid-like pattern of light materialized, rapidly spreading to envelop the entire space and both of them within it.

A look of embarrassment crossed Balermo's face. "Captain Chen, knowing you as I do, you're a magnanimous person. I hope you won't blame me for accidentally triggering a trap, right?"

Chen Gu was already on alert. As the grid of light enveloped them, he distinctly felt an unstoppable, perilous force closing in—a sensation within his Mind Belief like invisible steel needles, bringing a sharp, stabbing pain.

"Is this... part of 'Project Stealing Fire'?" he asked, his eyes not on Balermo but vigilantly scanning their surroundings. His Radiation Field was activated, but this time, his usually infallible detection skill perceived nothing. The area around Chen Gu had become an utter 'void of chaos.'

Scratching his head, Balermo stood still, afraid to move and risk accidentally triggering another mechanism.

"It should be. I've heard a few things about this project. This kind of trap is apparently called... a 'Mouse Trap,'" he said.

The formidable, older Balermo felt rather aggrieved. I was being extra careful! But it was his nature; even so, compared to Chen Gu, he was still somewhat heedless.

Upon hearing the name 'Mouse Trap,' a sneer touched Chen Gu's lips. "Such an arrogant name. Are all Professionals to be considered filthy rats?"

"Who is in charge of this 'Project Stealing Fire'?"

After a moment of recollection, Balermo replied, "It seems to be a marshal from the military, an ordinary person. Now that you mention it, I do have some impression... that old fellow really is quite arrogant..."

HISS! HISS! HISS!

The strange sound started again. Several openings appeared, and gas began to spray out.

With a roar, Balermo threw a punch towards one of the openings. But as he raised his fist, the surrounding grid of light flashed. He instantly felt dizzy and breathless. His colossal body went limp, and he crashed to the ground with a loud THUD.

"These lights..." he gasped, "they're suppressing my abilities."

Chen Gu moved forward to help him up. He could also feel his own formidable physical attributes, gained from being a Professional, rapidly deteriorating!

There's really something to this 'Project Stealing Fire,' Chen Gu muttered to himself. Balermo's condition was deteriorating rapidly. His strength waned quickly under the suppression of the light grid. Trapped in the 'Mouse Trap,' he couldn't use his Professional abilities to revert from his transformed state, and his massive body had become a heavy burden.

In just a short while, Balermo was drenched in sweat and panting heavily.

Chen Gu tried to activate Quantum Teleportation to escape the cage with Balermo. But as soon as he initiated it, he felt a force constricting his 'neck,' and a severe pain shot through his brain, making him involuntarily pound his forehead.

"It's no use..." Balermo gasped weakly. "'Project Stealing Fire' has been progressing smoothly. I've heard they can now completely suppress Professionals below the Eighth Energy Level. The reason it's still confidential and not used in combat is their fear of the Ninth Power Level—they're worried your Chancellor might find out, suddenly attack, and destroy all their experimental results."

Chen Gu was furious. "Humanity's greatest enemy right now is the Alien Insect Race! What is 'Project Stealing Fire' trying to achieve by spending vast resources targeting Professionals?"

Balermo was speechless. He was only a Seventh Energy Level. In a vast Star Nation, what did he count for? Would any of those big shots listen to him?

Chen Gu pulled Balermo close. Suddenly, pale blue ripples appeared around Chen Gu himself.

Balermo was shocked, then understood. "An item!"

A Quantum Teleportation charge stored in the Secret Nest activated. Despite interference from the 'Mouse Trap,' it still launched successfully. The energy ripples converged inward, and both of them vanished on the spot.