MANILA -- Even before this week, there was already talk about "Ang Probinsyano" nearing its conclusion -- a claim that has since been denied.

But as Monday's episode aired, one can't blame its fans for thinking that it may really be ending after Cardo (Coco Martin) was shockingly shown to have been gunned down. If he's dead, what now?

That question was no doubt in viewers' minds, especially the kids who have grown up to love the hero cop, who was "killed" by one of the current arc's antagonists, Marco (JC Santos).

Some were even brought to tears by the sudden twist.

A little recap: Marco is plotting to kill Cardo after learning that he has been keeping Alyana (Yassi Pressman), whom he loves, hidden away. The reason? Cardo wants to win his wife back, who has yet to forgive him for abandoning her before.

A scene did show Alyana regretting her decision to tell Cardo that she doesn't want to get back together, but before fans could even contemplate about what her hesitation means, it happens.

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The shocking scene begins with Alyana being woken up by Cardo. He apologizes for his unreasonable actions and promises to bring her back to Manila first thing after breakfast.

Marco and his small army then pulls up near Cardo's home and starts recklessly unloading their guns at his direction, seemingly uncaring as to whether Alyana would be caught too. A chase scene then ensues, resulting ultimately in Marco shooting Cardo and leaving him for dead in the middle of a hang bridge.

That's when the action zips back to the moment Alyana wakes up. The visceral vision was just a dream -- and Cardo is still alive.

The fake out resulted in the show becoming the most-talked about show on Twitter Monday night, as the twist proved a little too much for some viewers. One kid was even brought to tears as Cardo was being gunned down, while others quipped that the show will never end at this rate.

Check out some of the reactions below:

A post shared by Coco Martin PH (@cocomartin_ph) on Jul 9, 2018 at 8:36pm PDT

Was thinking na if Cardo died that way how will they show how he survived and then boom it was just a dream. So i guess dami nating na scam. Wahaha

— Pierre Smith (@idle_fan) July 9, 2018

Everyone at home was crying for Cardo 😭😭😭😭😭 pero after a minute 😂😂😂#FPJAPMalayaKaNa pic.twitter.com/7YUL0dxk1v

— Rancho (@friendhayzer11) July 9, 2018

hula ko this 2018:

cardo will win the most deaths avoided

— vince (@staticelecstacy) July 9, 2018

my whole family while watching Cardo getting shot: 😱😱😱
me: nah, it's just a dream😉
them: *freaking out* no, loookkkk!!!!
Probinsyano: lmao it's just a dream
me: told ya😂

— annie・하트만 💜・석진🐹 (@rayerisis) July 9, 2018

it's the year 2086 . the sky is clear, buildings are floating, buhay padin si cardo dalisay .

— fray (@grubbylisp) July 9, 2018

A cat has 9 lives

But Ang Probinsyano had 718 episodes and counting and Cardo's still freaking alive

— justine angelo (@juhsstn) July 9, 2018

4 impossible things to happen

4. Death
3. Of
2. Cardo
1. Dalisay

— Pam (@ronicless) July 9, 2018

Hands down to the Ang Probinsyano team for pulling off tonight’s episode flawlessly. Hindi bago yung panaginip twist, pero men. We really thought they’re gonna get Cardo this time. Galing!

— skiA. (@kemmebebe) July 9, 2018

Akala ko patay na si cardo my loves. Iyak iyak pa ako akagabi. Shems.

— Blueberry 🌸 (@RDMeeel) July 9, 2018

Bad trip pa iyak na ako kala ko talaga patay na si cardo Jusq panaginip Lang pala ni alyana yun Jusq naman Hahahaha

— Angelica💞 (@AngelicaJualo1) July 9, 2018

Yung iyak ka na nang iyak kasi pinagbabaril na si Cardo, tas biglang panaginip lang pala ni Alyana yun. Hays naman talaga 😔

— JM's 💪 (@imnotmoanaaa) July 9, 2018

Yung maiyak iyak na yung nanay mo dahil na patay si Cardo, yun pala panaginip lang HAHAHA😂😂

— CALIUAG👑 (@AngieCaliuag_) July 9, 2018

Walang hiya talaga... Halos maiyak iyak nako nung namatay ka, yun pala panaginip lang pala.. Cardo

— antoneth paulino (@lhabsyouaiko) July 9, 2018

Sayang iyak ng lola kay cardo, panaginip lang pala. PAKT!!!

— Angel (@hideousangel) July 9, 2018

daming iyak ng kapatid ko akala niya mamamatay si Cardo. wtf epicccc HAHAHAHA

— r (@gdlrxxnnx) July 9, 2018

So ayun daming affected sa scene.
Knew it though.
Cardo is immortal. Hahaha

— The First Prince ♚ (@pauloveneracion) July 9, 2018