BOOM!

An explosion resounded across the neighborhood, making many people standing a few streets away flinch.

If they were still in the peaceful Terran, most would probably scurry away, looking for a place to hide and cover. However, here, their first instinct was to rush over the chaos, weapons out and defense equipment on.

The smoke cleared out after a few moments, and groans and cries abounded—most of which were children’s.

The adults were quick on their feet, checking everyone’s status.

"Damn it! How is everyone?"

The guards were quick to move after the explosions, and the nearby medical professionals were called in. A team of guards also swept through the area to see if there were more suspicious individuals.

Even if the igniter himself was pulled to prison, there could be allies guarding him or assisting him in some way or form, so there might still be enemies around.

Not to mention, there was a limited number of sentries around. Kidnapping a child with a hostile heart could trigger it, but what if there were a lot of people moving, a lot of children getting taken? They could not risk it!

Fortunately, there was a flare. The children, whose levels were still very low, managed to escape lethal damage.

If not—

They couldn’t even imagine it!

Still, a few were still injured and had to go to the hospital. They wouldn’t be taken to the bunkers anymore, but probably to an evacuation center after they get treated instead.

One of the injured was actually Samantha, who was unlucky enough to be hit by a small shrapnel while protecting three kids. It was embedded on her shoulder, so she had to be operated on.

Although there were no casualties, it made everyone’s blood boil!

Althea and the rest arrived in the area as soon as the bomb exploded, heading there as soon as the flare was fired. When they arrived, the explosion had already happened, causing several trees and shrubs, as well as pathways, to splatter all over.

The bombs were placed on the trees and green strips in the middle of the pathways. They must’ve been well hidden, and the enemy could’ve employed some other stealth tools, so they weren’t detected. There was also the possibility of the bombs being added after the guards scoured the area.

The guards did their best, but a gap was inevitable if the other side had true strength, skills, and equipment to do the deed. Not to mention the knowledge of the rules and the System, allowing them to take advantage of many things the victims might not have considered.

One of Alterra’s disadvantages had always been its young age. They had only been in this world for a few years; they couldn’t know everything.

Althea rushed to her children, who were, fortunately, completely unharmed, but teary in shock. They were held by a guard, now dusty, but he protected them well.

She took both children in her arms as she thanked the guard, who immediately mobilized to guard the family in case of more threats incoming.

The rules could detect hostile hearts, but it would only take action when the enemies took action, too. And if the enemies were strong and skilled, no matter how quick the system reacted, the enemies could still cause damage.

"Mamaaaaa...."

"Mamaaaa....."

Althea’s heart clenched as she embraced them. "Oh, my babies..."

Althea felt teary, but when she imagined the danger, she couldn’t help but feel livid. Still, while she gritted her teeth, her embrace was gentle, refusing to scare the children.

Her green eyes met with her husband’s, who had also arrived at the scene and had scoured for more threats. The atmosphere was cold, but he was trying to keep his calm.

He was still too volatile, though, so Althea shook her head, stopping him from approaching the children. "Go to the prison," she said, and she would be escorting the children to the bunkers herself before following after him.

Someone had activated a bomb, and this meant someone new must have been thrown in prison.

While her husband headed to prison, Althea brought the remaining people heading to the bunkers with her. Fortunately, no flares were activated, and they arrived at the bunkers safe and sound.

There were several checkpoints here, making sure only those who could be there and had made oaths actually entered. The system was amazing, but people who had lived and experienced this world for a hundred years naturally knew many loopholes. Alterra had to be extra strict, especially with those entering the bunkers.

Everyone was blocked and checked except for Althea, whose children were both in her arms, embracing her neck and refusing to let go.

Obviously, Althea couldn’t stay in the bunkers, but she could at least deposit them well, comforting them that everything would be alright.

The bunkers had gotten some renovation over the past couple of weeks. While its size remained the same, they had added amenities like the small store, improved beds that could fit more while retaining comfort, and so on.

Everyone settled down. The adults did their best to keep the children from being scared, but soothing them wasn’t easy. They had injured friends, after all.

Althea sighed, kissing her children’s heads. She placed the children on one of the beds (cleaned at least once a week, and after every use, by the prisoners of war) and patted their bums as she hummed.

Comforting woody fragrance emanated from her, or rather a little flowery vine that appeared on her arms wrapped around her hands, and the children’s eyes turned heavy, and they finally fell asleep.

...

Meanwhile, the news that another bomb exploded resounded across the territory, angering many, many people.

A lot of people knew about enemies having bombs since they targeted the Ministers. Many even volunteered to look for them. Several voluntary teams had been doing this for a while, especially around areas where there would be many people during wars, like the easements, the villas, and so on.

This had been going on since the previous day, with earth users who could use skills like [Vibration Scan] continuously running out of mana in assistance.

The territory was far too big now, and it was impossible to sweep through each centimeter for a potential bomb. It could also be one of the enemy’s strategies—to tire them out before the war.

But they underestimated Alterra’s energy! Even if they had been scouring for bombs since the previous explosion, they certainly had enough anger in their hearts, ready to pummel when the enemies arrive, their hearts cursing the same tune:

Come at me, you bastards!