Xu Shixiong woke up abruptly, drenched in sweat. Across from him, Toyama, who had been observing him with interest, chuckled. "You were talking in your sleep just now, shouting something like 'Jump! Jump!' My Chinese isn't great—what exactly are you jumping for?"
"Nothing, just a bad dream," Xu Shixiong replied, sitting on the edge of his bed and wiping his face. The dream had felt unnervingly real. In it, he had become a girl desperate for death, sitting atop a tall building, surrounded by a silent crowd of onlookers. Across from her stood a massive, blood-red giant.
"Jump," someone whispered in her ear. Red had also appeared in his dream.
Toyama nodded knowingly and pointed out the porthole. "The Wuhan ship has changed course; we're heading to Hong Kong."
"Are we almost there?" Xu Shixiong asked, getting up and preparing to wash up.
"We've arrived," Toyama said, adjusting his collar. Outside the porthole, the vibrant, neon-lit skyline of Hong Kong emerged from the night.
The Wuhan ship docked at Central Pier, where Bai Li, now dressed in a crisp new military uniform, stood on the deck waiting for them. Qin Feng was nowhere to be seen, likely having left ahead of them for other matters. When Xu Shixiong and Toyama approached, Bai Li greeted them directly.
"Xu Shixiong, I've been instructed by the 177th Military Command to inform you that, starting today, I'll be your personal advisor. I'll also represent you and Toyama as part of the military's New Weaponry and Equipment Division," Bai Li said formally.
Xu Shixiong scratched his head awkwardly. "I don't think I need an advisor. This feels like being forced onto a stage or pushed up a mountain."
"Think what you want. You're the only person who has piloted Aokyu. The 177th Military Command has pledged to fully support you. Though I'm called an advisor, my real role is more of a supervisor," Bai Li clarified as she led them off the ship.
"My laboratory request list has already been sent. Follow the specifications, and I can build a mech identical to Aokyu within a month," Toyama interjected.
"Don't worry. As I said, the military will meet all your demands. I'll take you both to meet the head of the Giant Shadow Project," Bai Li replied. Just then, several Humvees pulled up in front of them.
"The Giant Shadow Project?" Xu Shixiong asked curiously.
"It's a global initiative to eliminate urban giants, operating independently from all other organizations. This means you'll have significant decision-making and execution authority worldwide," Bai Li explained.
"Like the Wallbreaker Project from fiction," Xu Shixiong remarked.
"That's just a novel," Bai Li said with a faint smile.
The Humvees stopped in front of an unusually designed building. It resembled a mix between a spire and a slender pyramid, reaching into the sky. The entrance was heavily guarded, and the vehicles passed through several checkpoints before entering.
Xu Shixiong had expected the building's interior to be as bizarre as its exterior, but as soon as the Humvee drove inside, he understood the purpose of its pointed design.
At the apex of the structure, a radar slowly rotated. Armed soldiers patrolled the elevated areas, their presence reinforcing the facility's militarized nature.
"This place is practically a weapons factory," Xu Shixiong muttered in awe.
After parking, Bai Li led Xu Shixiong and Toyama into a large, dimly lit room. The space was massive, about half the size of a stadium, but shrouded in near-total darkness. Barely able to make out their surroundings, Xu Shixiong whispered to Toyama, "Is the military really this stingy? I'm starting to worry your mech project might get shortchanged."
From the depths of the room came a low voice. "Colonel, you're dismissed."
"Yes, sir!" Bai Li snapped a salute toward the back of the room and promptly left without hesitation, leaving Xu Shixiong and Toyama alone.
Suddenly, the lights flickered on with a sharp click, momentarily blinding Xu Shixiong. As his vision adjusted, he saw four elderly men seated at a long table, their expressions grave.
The sight of their high-ranking insignias made Xu Shixiong feel a little nervous.
"Xu Shixiong, Toyama," the man on the right called out.
Toyama remained calm, responding evenly, "I assume you are the military leaders."
"We are no leaders, only servants to humanity," replied the man on the left.
Toyama let out a dry chuckle.
"The Japanese military command has been nearly wiped out. We're aware of your accomplishments, and the task of saving Japan now falls on your shoulders," said the man in the center.
Xu Shixiong couldn't help but feel the decision was overly casual. Did these so-called leaders really think the two of them alone could turn the tide?
"I have a question. Why keep the lights off earlier? Are you trying to be mysterious? Even movies don't play it this dramatically," Xu Shixiong quipped.
No one answered his rhetorical question. Instead, Toyama asked, "Have you prepared the personnel I need?"
"Everything is in place. The headquarters for the New Weaponry and Equipment Division is located on the 20th underground level. Take the elevator," replied the previously silent man.
A large door opened on the right, revealing a brightly lit elevator with a soldier waiting inside to guide them.
"Xu Shixiong," the man on the right called out just as Xu Shixiong was about to step into the elevator.
"What?" Xu Shixiong asked, thinking the man might explain the earlier theatrics.
"Your trainees are gathered downstairs. Go meet them," the man said.
Trainees? Xu Shixiong was stunned. He had never imagined himself as a teacher-like figure.
Then again, a coach is also a kind of teacher—passing on skills and knowledge.
Feeling both anxious and curious, Xu Shixiong followed the soldier down to the training room. The elevator stopped on the 10th underground level.
"Mr. Xu, you get off here. Head straight and take the first left into the conference room. Your trainees are waiting there," the soldier instructed.
"What about him?" Xu Shixiong asked, nodding toward Toyama.
"We're heading to the 20th floor," the soldier replied, closing the elevator doors after Xu Shixiong stepped out.
Taking a deep breath, Xu Shixiong began walking down the corridor toward the unknown group of trainees awaiting him.
What kind of demeanor should he adopt when facing them? The question lingered in his mind as he approached the conference room.
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