Apocalypse: I Have A Multiplier System - Chapter 73

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Jake

A soldier, standing at attention, shook his head.

“Negative, Dr. Pan. We’ve scoured the area he was last seen in, but there’s no trace. It’s like he vanished into thin air.”

Dr. Pan slammed his fist on the table, causing everyone to jump.

“That’s impossible! Lin Hao is our most valuable asset. If we lose him, all our research goes to waste. He must be found!”

Another scientist, Dr. Mei, leaned forward, her voice calmer but no less insistent.

“We’ve already alerted all our field teams. Every available resource is being used to track him down, but we need more time.”

A stern-faced general, arms crossed over his broad chest, interjected,

“Time is a luxury we don’t have. If Lin Hao regains his full strength, we won’t be able to contain him. He’ll become a threat not only to us but to the entire nation.”

The room fell into a heavy silence as the gravity of the situation sank in. The scientists exchanged worried glances, fully aware of the implications.

Dr. Pan spoke up again, his voice laced with frustration,

“We can’t afford to let him recover. We must find him before it’s too late. Increase the surveillance in all known bases and outposts. He’s bound to seek refuge somewhere.”

A young researcher hesitantly raised her hand.

“Dr. Pan, what if… what if he’s already found help? Someone who doesn’t know his true identity?”

Dr. Pan’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing.

“Then we’ll have to make sure that whoever’s helping him understands the danger they’re in. We cannot allow Lin Hao to regain his power, no matter the cost.”

The general nodded in agreement.

“We’ll prepare a strike team. As soon as we have a lead on his location, we’ll move in and extract him. Dead or alive, Lin Hao must not be allowed to roam free.”

Suddenly Dr. Mei said,

“I don’t think so. ”

The atmosphere stilled.

As if not sensing the cold atmosphere Dr. Mei continued,

“I think, Lin Hao has either most likely camouflaged himself in the crowd, or he is in some forest time area. Otherwise, the mind link shouldn’t be broken by us.

On the other hand, there is one more possibility that you all have ignored. Maybe he has found a backer, who knows of his identity and is capable of protecting him.

If this is true then the simple strike team won’t be able to find him.”

Her words were logical and she didn’t rush her words, as if she had a lot of time.

“If what you’re suggesting is true, Dr. Mei,” Dr. Pan said slowly,

“Then we’re dealing with a situation far more complicated than we initially thought.

A backer who knows Lin Hao’s true identity and is powerful enough to protect him… That could mean a well-established base or a high-ranking individual.

We’ll need more than just a strike team. We’ll need to rethink our entire approach.”

The general’s stern face remained unchanged, but his eyes betrayed a hint of disdain,

“I am sorry to interrupt but I don’t think any base is more powerful than us. We are the most powerful force in China.

Almost no one can surpass our strength. So I think a strike team is more than enough.”

Dr. Mei calmly put forth her point,

“If you are saying so then do you know why we are not able to access Lin Hao’s current location? What is obstructing our link?”

“Maybe he is in the forest.” The general guessed.

The other researcher nodded along.

Though they accept that Dr. Mei is very talented and intelligent, they have seen the power of their institute with their eyes.

“General, if it were merely a matter of Lin Hao hiding in a forest, our systems would have detected some trace of him by now.

The fact that we haven’t been able to locate him suggests that the situation is much more complex.”

Dr. Pan, who had been silently listening, nodded slowly.

“Dr. Mei makes a valid point. We have the most advanced surveillance systems in the country, possibly in the world.

For Lin Hao to completely disappear means that either he’s in a place where our technology can’t reach, or he’s being hidden by someone with knowledge of our methods.”

“Fine.” The general decided not to argue any further.

Dr. Mei continued,

“Let Jake enter the search operation too.”

“No!” The general and some of the researchers opposed her.

“I am only saying it to…” However, before Dr. Mei could finish her words, the general interrupted.

“Jake is not a simple person. If he gets involved and someone knows his true identity, we will all be done for good.

Not to mention, I don’t understand why a small recapturing mission needs such an important person’s presence, ” the general said aggressively.

Dr. Mei casually glanced in the direction of the general and said,

“I think you are using your mouth more than it is required to.”

The general could only shut up.

The truth was Dr. Mei was much more powerful than him in terms of status.

Dr. Mei continued,

“As I was saying, Jake’s involvement is not to capture Lin Hao directly. His expertise and… unique capabilities could be instrumental in tracking down leads that we, with all our technology, might miss.”

All the people nodded.

Indeed Jake was a suitable person if they wanted to know how Lin Hao was successfully able to break off the connection with their laboratory.

“Fine. Then, we will send Jake. Call him inside.” The general said with gritted teeth.

He cursed the Dr. Mei in his heart.

Soon, a man walked inside. The man looked as if he was in his early 20s, with pale skin that contrasted sharply with the dark, tailored suit he wore.

His eyes were a piercing shade of red, almost unnaturally so, and there was a certain aura about him that made everyone in the room straighten up involuntarily.

Jake glanced around the room, his expression unreadable, before his gaze settled on Dr. Mei.

“You called for me, Dr. Mei?” he asked, his voice calm and smooth, betraying no hint of emotion.

Dr. Mei nodded, gesturing for him to approach the table.

“Jake, we’ve encountered a situation that requires your… unique talents. Lin Hao has managed to escape, and so far, all our efforts to track him have failed.

We believe he may have found a backer, someone powerful enough to shield him from our surveillance.”

Jake’s expression remained neutral as he took in the information. “And you want me to find him,” he stated, more than asked.

“Yes,” Dr. Mei replied.

“We need you to use your abilities to locate Lin Hao and, if possible, determine who is helping him. This is a delicate operation. The fewer people involved, the better.”

Jake’s eyes glowed a bit.

Strangely no one in the laboratory could hear his heartbeat. It was as if he didn’t have any heartbeat…

“Sure. However, I have a condition of my own.” He stated.

“Go ahead.” Dr. Mei motioned him to speak.

“If the backer is weak, I will kill him or her.”

This was an indirect threat to all the people sitting at the table.

It was clear that Jake hated it when his time was wasted. According to him if the backer wasn’t powerful enough, then that backer should compensate with his/her life.

“Okay.” Dr. Mei agreed.

Even the general and other members agreed.

They knew very well that if Jake wanted to kill someone, no one could stop him. No! To be precise…no should stop him!

Otherwise, he will go into a rage mode and may end up killing the people of the institute

“Very well,” Dr. Mei said, her tone composed.

“You have our permission. But remember, the priority is to bring Lin Hao back. If the backer poses a genuine threat, run away. But if there’s any chance of extracting useful information, we need them alive.”

Even Dr. Mei knew that no one was much more powerful than Jake but there was always someone stronger than him.

Jake’s red eyes gleamed as he nodded.

“Understood. I’ll begin immediately.”

Dr. Pan interjected,

“We’ll provide you with all the data we have on Lin Hao’s last known activities. We suspect he might be in a remote area, possibly shielded by advanced technology or even supernatural means.”

Jake’s lips curled into a slight smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“If Lin Hao thinks he can hide from me, he’s mistaken. I’ll find him—and his so-called backer.”

He had fought with Lin Hao, and Jake admits that at his peak, Lin Hao was truly a person he(Jake) could hardly fight against, but there was never a moment when Lin Hao won against him(Jake).

Now, Lin Hao was so weak…there was hardly any chance of him fighting back!

The mere thought of recapturing Lin Hao and killing the backer who was supporting Lin Hao filled him with excitement.

“Also, Jake don’t let anyone know that you are a vampire.”