Ian noticed that Molly was still hesitating. The younger of the two sisters with Shared Perception spoke up. "You should join the government program! The benefits are amazing! Before the apocalypse, the country already had a specialized department, and super-powered individuals who join are given official government positions right away."
"Our salaries are great, and they even assign houses and cars! Those who pass the background check also gain privileges others don't have. Most importantly, you can choose any university you want. Just a few months ago, I was still studying at North Star University!"
The four spoke with sincerity, occasionally exchanging glances as if searching for more perks to mention.
In truth, the reason they had sent four Awakened to meet Molly was because her displayed ability was far too important.
Experts had spent several days studying the videos and photos of her courtyard, examining that torch inside and out.
They discovered it was miraculous — it kept burning endlessly without diminishing at all.
The surrounding air remained as warm as spring. Snow melted before touching the ground, and new flakes vanished upon falling near it, as though an invisible barrier surrounded the area.
This thing was the nemesis of the Frozen Apocalypse itself.
And considering how Molly had been seen wandering outdoors in thin clothes at dozens of degrees below zero, they had their suspicions — that torch must be her superpower at work.
(Molly, with the Freeze Ring, had already switched to wearing a skirt when venturing out.)
Ian listened nearby, thinking the government's reaction was quite swift and they knew a good thing when they saw it.
He figured Molly would probably join the organization. She genuinely wanted to help people.
And from her activity in the Transmigrator Group Chat, it was obvious she wasn't the type to live out the apocalypse alone in silence. In an official group with more people to talk to, she'd surely be happier.
Ian had been hiding in the warehouse's shadows. After listening to their conversation, he decided it was his cue to appear. He stepped out, walked up behind Molly, and lightly patted her on the shoulder.
At the same time, Ian released his restrained aura. The air instantly froze; even the wind seemed to stop.
He did it deliberately.
Partly to back Molly up — to give her the confidence to act freely knowing he had her back.
And partly to give these people a little warning — to show that Molly wasn't alone, in case they ever thought of betraying her.
As for the effect...
They only needed to look at the Danger Perception user.
He had collapsed to the ground like a puddle of mud, while the others turned pale.
For that one instant, the danger-sensing man seemed to see a vast, dark red sun blotting out the sky — no, more like a crimson black hole, devouring everything around it.
Those with weak perception were like frogs peeking from the bottom of a well, seeing only a sliver of sky. Those with stronger senses felt like tiny mayflies staring into the heavens.
"Molly, do you want to join the government? To save the world?" Ian asked.
Molly looked at him. A flicker of hesitation passed through her eyes, then hardened into resolve. "I do! Since I transmigrated into this world, I have to do something!"
Ian smiled. This girl hadn't disappointed him after all: "Good! Go ahead and do what you like. I've got your back! Saving an Frozen apocalypse world is a piece of cake."
If not for logistical issues and long-term consequences, simply planting those torches across the main cities and highways could gradually end the Frozen Apocalypse entirely.
"Thank you, Ian."
"Don't mention it. What are friends for?" Ian waved his hand.
"If it weren't for the supplies you gave me early on, how could I have grown so fast on Skyblock? I'd probably still be grinding Chocolate right now! Besides, we're all in the same group — after all this time, we're basically family. Don't be so formal!"
As Ian withdrew his aura, the group felt the pressure ease, though the danger-sensing man was still pale as a ghost.
Had Ian known what that man sensed just now, he would've chuckled: "This guy's power isn't bad — he actually caught a glimpse of my true strength."
"The torch was something I gave Molly," Ian said, turning to the middle-aged man. "Now, take me to your superiors. We need to discuss how to save your world."
"Who are you, sir?" The man started to step forward but was suddenly pulled back by the trembling danger-sensing teammate.
"Captain, don't ask. Trust me — take him to the leaders. We can't meddle in this." His voice shook with genuine fear.
The captain, trusting his teammate, didn't argue. "Our fuel's too low to return directly. Please come aboard the helicopter — we'll stop by a nearby shelter to refuel first."
Ian cut him off. "Forget it. We're wasting time. You're too slow."
The moment he finished, Ian activated the Ring of Swiftwolf's Rending Gale. A gentle yet powerful wind lifted everyone into the air.
Molly felt her body grow light as her feet left the ground. She gasped in surprise, but quickly realized she was floating steadily without a hint of wobble.
"Hold on tight!" Ian reminded her, then triggered the Volcanite Amulet. The air around them grew warm, keeping the cold at bay. He took out the Watch of Flowing Time, twisted the dial slightly, and the world's flow of time sped up around them.
"Don't just stand there, give me directions!"
The middle-aged man snapped out of his daze, quickly pulling up his tactical tablet to check the map, then pointed in a direction.
Ian said no more. With a flash, he and the group became a streak of light that vanished across the sky.
The area was wide open, so Ian didn't bother dispersing the sonic boom. Still, to protect the fragile passengers, he held the shockwaves outside a shield. A rainbow arc stretched across the heavens, lingering for a long time.
The sudden high-speed flight startled Molly, but she soon calmed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
She gripped Ian's arm tightly, listening to the roaring wind, her heart brimming with anticipation.
The others were far less composed — especially the danger-sensing man, who was trembling like a leaf, his face white as paper.
Before long, they neared their destination — a massive underground shelter.
Inside the facility, alarms blared. The deafening sirens echoed through the tunnels, throwing everyone into panic.
"Warning! Warning! Unidentified high-energy object approaching rapidly!"
Analyzing its trajectory, they realized the object's target was their very own shelter.
"Current systems too delayed to calculate target speed! Object entering danger zone — intercept immediately!"
The commander, responsible for tens of thousands of lives, dared not take chances. Taking a deep breath, he ordered gravely, "Activate the defense system! Prepare the missiles! Intercept now!"
The operators didn't hesitate. Missiles roared skyward, leaving blazing trails toward Ian's direction.
Ian noticed the missiles and slowed down, stopping midair. His Void Ring flashed, moving everyone to a snowbank behind him.
The captain, about to contact base, was cut off by Ian's action — and when he saw the missiles, he panicked. "Wait! Don't shoot! It's us—"
"Target... target appears to be... a person?!"
Everyone in the control room stared wide-eyed at the screen, disbelief on their faces.
The satellite feed came online — and clearly showed it: it was a human being. The high-energy readings were from a person!
The elderly director frowned deeply at the display.
"This... this is really a person? What's he wearing? Could he be an American? Has their tech advanced that far?"
"No way! Maybe he's an alien?" The research team erupted into confusion.
"Wait, Mr. Hank — look at the ground behind him. Aren't those your Awakened team members?" one researcher shouted.
"Weren't they sent to find that torch-maker? No way... is the guy flying in the sky also... an Awakened?"
"Stop the missiles! This isn't an attack!" Hank yelled.
"It's... too close... can't stop them!" the operator cried, pale as death.
The Awakened on the ground watched the missiles streak toward them, utterly terrified — except for Molly, who remained calm. She had absolute faith in Ian's power.
Ian glanced at the approaching missiles, the corners of his lips curling up. With another gesture, he teleported the others even farther away.
"Step back. Time for me to show off."
Inside the base, everyone held their breath, eyes glued to the screen.