After all, they were up against the largest organization in the history of the universe.
The countless starships tore through the clouds, descending from beyond the heavens, like the end of times arriving—an apocalyptic spectacle.
It made countless onlookers widen their eyes in shock.
This was also their first time directly witnessing the true nature of the IPC.
This oppressive feeling— it was just like a scene from a sci-fi doomsday movie, but even grander in scale.
Only this time, the setting wasn't Earth, but Penacony...
--------------------------------
On the screen.
One by one, IPC executives with extraordinary presence, each distinct, stepped out of the starship under the protection of armed forces.
They wore uniforms with unique characteristics.
Some observed the fleeing residents with indifferent eyes.
Some smiled and took out candies, handing them to children who had accidentally fallen by the roadside.
Others kept glancing at their expensive wristwatches, feeling impatient as time passed.
"Those fools wasted so much of the IPC's time and still couldn't take such a small place. Too stupid."
"Isn't that right? I was almost done with my development on Okadi-IV, and then I got called here at the critical moment."
"This is a good place. It looks like they've already adapted to life here. That means the cost of development can be… shared with them."
"Interesting."
One by one, the elites voiced their opinions.
Until a tall, suit-clad man wearing sunglasses stepped forward.
"Everyone, enough with the nonsense. Do your jobs and complete the 'development' of Penacony as soon as possible."
"Bring civilization to this land tainted with original sin!"
"The Market Development Department's time cannot be wasted on a place like this."
His voice was loud and commanding.
The residents of Penacony who had not managed to escape in time and were now under the control of armed IPC personnel looked at this new "stone-hearted boss" with fear in their eyes.
They had yet to realize just how different this group of newcomers truly was.
...
: I get it now. I finally understand why the IPC's response to this infiltration is so different this time…
: It's the Market Development Department.
: The ones who destroyed the homeland of the Aventurine… The ones who might be the masterminds behind the genocide of Sigonia…
: That leader, and those elite-looking people… they might be the same as the Stonehearts.
: With both internal and external threats, how did Penacony even manage to gain independence…?
: Hanunue… can he really do this?
...
Upon realizing that the Market Development Department was leading this attack, the audience fell into despair.
They had seen enough information to know just how ruthless these people were.
Penacony would certainly be "liberated" in the end.
But given the current situation—internal traitors, external pressure from the Market Development Department—what options did the Penacony government even have?
The IPC fleet began its landing.
They were cunning.
They chose to land directly in residential areas, where a large number of residents had yet to escape.
Penacony's defense forces didn't dare fire at these locations!
And immediately after landing, under the command of Market Development Department elites, the IPC began capturing residents as hostages.
At the same time, more fleets landed outside the city, completely surrounding Penacony.
After securing this area and effectively encircling the entire city, the IPC did not launch an all-out attack.
Instead, they deployed elite troops to infiltrate the central district from multiple directions.
They took control of the factories.
They seized the residents' survival resources.
Yet, they placed no restrictions on people fleeing the occupied zones. Instead, they let them escape—toward Hanunue's side.
With the loss of some factories, Hanunue's side now had even more people to support, increasing their logistical burden.
Meanwhile, the IPC selected capable and valuable individuals from those who stayed, rewarded them generously, and turned them into role models.
They ensured that everyone under their control would live just a bit better than those under Hanunue.
As for those who caused trouble or resisted? They were all executed.
This iron-fisted strategy and clear decision-making once again pushed the audience into despair.
So this… is the Market Development Department?
Under such oppression, Hanunue's side was inevitably under immense pressure.
Mikhail was lost at the border.
Another reliable figure, the leader of the Nightingale family, was still occupied with constructing a new district at the border and had yet to return.
Everyone knew that the IPC's counterattack would come sooner or later.
And right now, Penacony was at its weakest.
Life and death hung in the balance.
Just like before, all the burden fell solely on Hanunue's shoulders.
But at that moment— A short young man appeared before Hanunue.
His name was Odi, the eldest son of the Alfalfa family.
And he brought Hanunue an earth-shattering piece of news.
"The traitor is my father." Odi's words left Hanunue stunned on the spot.
Moments later, he was consumed by rage.
The Black plum family, unsurprisingly, had been completely wiped out.
The expansion of the Memory Domain was a sword hanging over everyone's heads.
And at this moment, Hanunue had only one thing in mind— He was going to kill the head of the Alfalfa family!
The audience never expected that the one to catch the traitor would be the traitor's own son.
What kind of situation was this... But at this moment, the audiences' brains simply couldn't process so much information.
They refused to believe in this Odi.
On screen— After exchanging a nod with Odi, Hanunue led his men to find the head of the Alfalfa family.
But it was already too late.
The traitor had long informed the IPC of Hanunue's whereabouts.
On the way, the IPC's special forces ambushed Hanunue at his weakest moment.
After a fierce battle— Hanunue broke through the siege.
With bloodshot eyes and reckless determination, he didn't care if he was captured by the IPC today—he was going to bring the Alfalfa family head to justice!
In his fury, Hanunue was like a war god.
The employees surrounding him were no match at all.
After paying a heavy price, they could only watch as Hanunue charged into the house where the Alfalfa family head was.
By now, that man had already sided with the IPC.
At this moment, he was inside, savoring fine wine, indulging in the sound of gunfire outside, completely enraptured.
In his mind, he was calculating what his investment would bring him.
However, the moment the doors were blasted open by a terrifying force— His dream shattered.
When he saw Hanunue, drenched in blood and burning with rage, appear before him— The family head's expression twisted in fear as he desperately tried to justify himself.
"N-no! It's not my fault! I did it for everyone!"
"You couldn't even feed them properly, let alone give them a good life."
"You didn't have enough money!"
"I-I was the one who brought them in! Look at the people living under the IPC's rule now—they will be happy!"
Faced with this traitor's excuses— Hanunue didn't waste a single word.
He simply let out a cold snort.
Raised the rocket launcher in his hands— And sent the traitor, along with his deceit, straight to hell.