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 As soon as the system messages ended, all the senior officers gathered in the conference room. Most were already nearby, and those elsewhere hurried over without delay.

"A monster wave, of all times," Derek lamented, having temporarily paused the slave training program to attend. Ethan nodded in agreement, sharing his frustration.

Zachary, too, rubbed his forehead, looking troubled. "The walls are sturdy, and we have enough defensive forces, so there's no need to worry… Or at least, that's what I want to say."

"But we can't be certain this monster wave will be easy to handle, right?" Justin replied, his voice cutting through the tension.

"Exactly. I hate to admit it, but that's the truth," Zachary, usually confident ever since joining Justin, responded with an unusually uncertain tone.