In China – Along the Coast and Inland Cities:
For the billions across China, particularly those near the East China Sea and in major metropolitan areas, the reaction was immediate and visceral. The sight of the island rising from their own waters, followed by the chilling command of the Silent Hunter, was a direct assault on their reality. But it was the prophecy of the earthquake in 15 days that truly ignited the panic.
Shanghai, China:
In Shanghai, the vibrant streets choked with people emerging from buildings, their faces pale, staring up at the empty sky where the Seer's image had been. Whispers of "Earthquake?" turned into frantic shouts. Phones were useless, overwhelmed by the surge of calls. Many immediately began scrambling for train tickets, trying to reach family inland, away from the concrete jungles. The collective disbelief morphed into raw, primal fear.
Beijing, China:
Government officials in Beijing were in an absolute frenzy. General Li, having just witnessed his warship hijacked, was now battling calls from every level of government. "Impossible! This is a hoax!" some screamed, but the undeniable visual proof of the island's emergence and the ship's control shattered their certainty. Orders flew to verify the Seer's identity, to assess the island, to prepare emergency protocols, even as a terrifying question hung in the air: how do you prepare for a pre-announced earthquake?
In the United States – Coastal Regions and Washington D.C.:
Across America, the initial awe at the Seer's digital omnipotence quickly curdled into localized dread. The image of the warship, followed by the specific mention of a volcanic eruption in American waters in 8 days, sent a cold wave of fear through coastal communities.
On the West Coast, USA:
Particularly in California and the Pacific Northwest, phones lit up with worried calls. Emergency services hotlines were immediately overwhelmed. People wondered if "American waters" meant the Pacific, or perhaps even something closer to the continental shelf. Speculation ran wild about dormant volcanoes awakening, the nightmares of Yellowstone coming to life.
In the Pentagon and the White House, USA:
President Michael Caldwell's immediate reaction was a furious blend of outrage and disbelief. "What the hell was that?! Hijacked our allies' ship? And now a volcano?!" He slammed his fist on the table. Admirals and Generals were in a state of unprecedented chaos, unable to explain how their global digital infrastructure could be so utterly bypassed, or how a single entity could control such a monumental geological event. The threat to American sovereignty, delivered so casually, was almost as terrifying as the prophecy itself.
Across the Rest of the World:
The global reaction was a complex tapestry of emotions, all fueled by the Seer's unprecedented display.
Scientists and Geologists:
Initially, there was furious denial and scientific dismissal. "Impossible! Geology doesn't work like that!" But the live footage of the island, scientifically unexplainable, forced a terrifying re-evaluation. Databases were furiously checked, seismic monitors scrutinized, but nothing explained what they had witnessed or what was predicted. A few, more open-minded, began to whisper about unknown forces, or even the limits of human understanding.
The Media:
Every news channel, every website, every social media feed exploded. "WHO IS THE SEER?" "WORLD'S FIRST GOD-LIKE HACKER?" "APOCALYPSE WARNINGS!" Experts from every field were dragged onto screens, offering frantic, often contradictory, analyses. The world's attention was singularly fixated on this unknown entity.
Common People (Globally):
For most, it was a terrifying, almost surreal experience. People huddled around screens, morbidly fascinated, deeply afraid. The idea of a man, not a government or a deity, controlling the very earth and ocean, was unfathomable. Some prayed, some stockpiled, others simply stared blankly, their everyday lives suddenly rendered meaningless. The world was at the mercy of a voice, a mask, and a chilling series of predictions, unsure if they were witnessing a miracle or the beginning of the end.
The broadcast had fundamentally shattered humanity's sense of control. The world wasn't just watching a disaster unfold; it was being told, with terrifying precision, exactly when and where the next ones would strike.