Chapter 758: The Situation on the Front Is Excellent

Chapter 758: The Frontline Situation is Splendid

As it turned out.

These fellows were indeed "insane."

Of the more than one hundred teams the Alliance deployed to the front lines on the first day, less than twenty percent lasted to the end, yet another fifty-odd teams rushed up to take their places the very next day.

Seeing the Alliance's momentum faltering, the Human Emperor initially felt a secret sense of relief, especially on the third day when the teams advancing to the front lines were halved again, leading him to believe that those lunatics were not truly infinite after all.

Even the Wilant clone pawns, devoid of complete minds, required two years of nurturing, let alone the fully conscious individuals the Alliance sent to the front.

With casualties of this magnitude, it probably wouldn't be long before anti-war sentiment exploded within the Alliance. Wastelanders were, after all, merely a crowd of opportunists; if forced to march to their deaths, they would undoubtedly flee without a second thought.

On the fourth day, exactly as he had anticipated, the battlefronts that had blossomed everywhere fell silent in vast swathes, leaving only a few heavily manned positions still bitterly holding out.

Although the incubation chambers on those few positions were troublesome, they could not possibly hold out for long on their own. Facing a continuous onslaught, it was only a matter of time before they followed in the footsteps of the other positions.

Just as he was waiting with great interest to see the Alliance's performance on the fifth day, when the fifth day's sun rose from the horizon, he was utterly dumbfounded.

The grand, majestic crowd stretched as far as the eye could see, and the mountains and plains were a forest of guns and banners!

The people who had vanished had reappeared.

And there were even more than on the first day!

With resolute gazes and firm steps, they marched shoulder to shoulder toward the Ocean-Cliff Province. They seemed to have no idea what kind of place this was, or perhaps they knew but completely did not care.

And the combat effectiveness erupted by these people likewise astonished him beyond measure.

When dawn turned to dusk, the positions that lasted to the end were far more than twenty percent—they exceeded forty percent!

Those positions that had originally been teetering on the brink of collapse grew firm once more with the arrival of these reinforcements, and even accomplished the purification of the land beneath their feet by relying on the incubation chambers carrying the B-type strain.

These people seemed to grow stronger the more they fought!

This was also the very thing that the Human Emperor found most utterly incomprehensible.

On the other side, the Legion's troops also began to push forward, copying the Alliance's method to establish ten positions in the northern border of the Ocean-Cliff Province.

The Academy and the Enterprise were the same, refusing to be outdone as they dispatched their respective squads to establish over a dozen positions around incubation chambers.

In this manner, the coalition forces cleared the corruption on the Weifu Wasteland while infiltrating the Ocean-Cliff Province, continuously squeezing the living space of the Church of the Torch.

Staring dumbfounded at everything happening on the battlefront, the "Human Emperor" opened his mouth slightly, unable to squeeze out a single word for a long time.

Are these fellows utterly reckless with their lives?!

...

In fact, let alone the Forerunners of the Church of the Torch thinking these fellows were crazy, even many high-ranking officials within the coalition forces felt these people were somewhat absurd.

However, who didn't have their own little secrets these days? Their respective secrets were no fewer than the Alliance's, so even if they found it absurd, it was inconvenient to ask.

Moreover, this was not something that couldn't face the light of day.

Consequently, they could only make guesses based on limited intelligence and then report to the higher-ups in the rear.

For instance, the Alliance was suspected of possessing a black box for mass-producing androids, or technology for remotely controlling clones.

As for resurrection...

Such a thing sounded far too fantastical.

Dawn City did have many similar rumors, but when actually considering problems, one had to rely on evidence, so very few people thought in that direction instead.

As for the grassroots officers and soldiers, they did not think so much; after all, many of them were fighting so far from home for the very first time and did not understand the local situation.

Based on their preconceived first impressions, their attitude toward the fierce individuals of the Alliance was predominantly one of respect and admiration.

After all, capable fighters and those who viewed death as a return were not uncommon, but so many appearing in a crowd simultaneously still left them feeling somewhat shaken...

...

North of the Weifu Military Base.

With the launch of the coalition's new round of offensive, Kun Town, having just undergone a baptism of war, became bustling once again.

Densely packed stalls crammed the town's southern gate. Some stall owners even took the trouble to decorate their stalls to attract customers, while some untidy wastelanders simply led two-headed cows or pushed tricycles to count as a stall. The most distant peddlers had even come from the Brahmin Province.

The wastelanders settled locally had not migrated away because of the previous disaster; on the contrary, because of the Alliance's performance in that campaign and the shelter provided to them, their determination to stay and settle here grew firmer.

After all, where on the wasteland was there absolute safety?

No one could have imagined that a wasteland, sunny and gentle just a second ago, would turn into a death-mist-shrouded hell the next.

Theoretically, a similar situation could happen anywhere on this wasteland; the key lay not in whether danger occurred, but in whether it was properly handled afterward.

And the power to correct chaos displayed by the Alliance when responding to crises was, in itself, a guarantee of safety for the survivors who had suffered greatly on the wasteland.

Aside from that, another reason keeping them here was the shiny silver coins.

Influenced by the reinforcements sent to the front lines by various directions of the Shared-Sticky Body, the bustle here was even greater than before.

People in the market shouted and hawked their wares in a scene of bustling activity; if not for the thick grey-green fog still remaining in the distance, one could not tell at all that a catastrophe had occurred here less than half a month ago.

Yet even if it had occurred, at least for the people living here, everything was already in the past.

"Roasted corn! Fresh corn!"

"Scimitars produced in the Honey Badger Kingdom! Exceptionally sharp, cutting iron like clay! Only 100 silver coins each!"

"Buy a goat, my lord, the mountain path ahead is not easy to travel, and who knows when the Alliance will build the railway over there."

"What era is it to still use livestock to haul cargo! What do you need delivered to the front line? A single brother from our regiment can match two cows!"

"Holy crap, what kind of brothers do you have... I think they're beasts of burden."

"LD-47! The full set of LD series equipment! The most durable thing on the battlefield... the same model from the 'Battle Royale' game!!"

"Give me two of them!!"

"Right away! Which model would you like, customer?"

"Two LD-47s!"

"Are they for a friend?"

"Friend my ass, yours truly plans to dual-wield!"

"...Impressive."

All kinds of variety characterized not just the stalls and the passersby here, but also the items peddled at these stalls.

There were those selling weapons, those selling clothes, and those selling sweet potatoes and roasted potatoes, or hawking some strange little trinkets.

For instance, a secret medicine said to grant awakening with a single sip, or "Kun Card" packs hiding the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

Especially the latter, those colorful cards were what the freeloaders of the Ideal City were most obsessed with.

There was no Endpoint Cloud here, and having no place to brag, they needed a substitute that could serve as a common topic.

As for the Wilants, their hobbies remained the same as always.

More than one hundred thousand soldiers from the Legion caused the local strong liquor to almost sell out.

Especially the "Goblin Spin" vodka produced by Goblin Technology was most popular among those lower-ranking Wilant officers and soldiers.

Because this thing was brewed from potatoes, it even drove up the price of the Alliance's potatoes due to their drinking.

Compared to the stable demands of the Ideal City Rice Buckets and the Vellantines, the tastes of the shelter dwellers from the Alliance were utterly inscrutable.

Especially the newcomers who looked like they had just arrived—they were extremely keen on things that were flashy and gaudy but ultimately useless.

Take, for instance, the items the Goblin Tech had set up on their stall—especially the ones their boss personally hawked; they were all basically that kind of junk.

After all, if those things were really that good, he wouldn't have to come out himself as CEO, chairman, and factory manager to sell them.

"Tch, a bunch of clueless idiots!"

Staring at the bustling stall not far away, WC Really Has Mosquitoes wore a sour expression, cursing under his breath with a jealous jab.

Just as Debt Big Eye happened to pass by, he glanced at the items on Mosquitoes' stall and nearly burst out laughing.

Among them, a six-barreled pistol and a twin-barreled assault rifle were relatively normal—at most, they were uniquely styled, or rather, a bit retro.

As for the mobile shield welded onto a tricycle, the automatic magazine changer for the LD-47, and the single-soldier rocket backpack that only went up but never came down—these chaotic contraptions made one question his mental state.

"Good grief, are you selling circus equipment?" Debt Big Eye teased, looking at Mosquitoes' gloomy face.

Mosquitoes rolled his eyes.

"What do you know? This is art! If you're not buying, don't touch!"

Putting the six-barreled pistol back on the stall, Big Eye let out a faint sigh, putting on a knowing air.

"In my opinion, what most people can appreciate is art—like the artwork from Vine Cottage, that's pretty good."

Mosquitoes chuckled coldly.

"Go tell Vine that yourself. See if she doesn't smack you."

"This gear is kind of interesting..." Just then, Construction Youth and Brick picked up a steel shield, eyeing the grotesque, blood-red fungal mat on it with curiosity. "What's this thing for?"

"Brother, you've got good taste!" Seeing someone finally take an interest in his design, Mosquitoes' eyes lit up, and he grinned eagerly. "This shield is made from self-repairing material! Not only does it have max durability, but it also absorbs organic matter from the environment to boost its defense and coverage area."

"No way?! Damage absorption?!" Construction Youth and Brick stared at him in shock, and even Big Eye, who had dismissed the stall's wares, looked surprised.

"How much is this thing?"

Mosquitoes chuckled.

"Not expensive, not expensive—only 1000 silver coins!"

Big Eye, who had been interested, nearly spat blood at the price.

"What the hell! 1000 silver coins isn't expensive?!"

That could buy him ten lackeys!

"It is a bit pricey," Construction Youth and Brick nodded, muttering, "I remember a ceramic steel shield is also about 1000 silver coins."

"Can that thing compare to mine?" Mosquitoes said dismissively. "Mine can repair itself if it gets busted. Can that one fix itself?"

Debt Big Eye, who had just thought Mosquitoes had invented something useful, suddenly caught on.

Wait!

If a ceramic steel shield gets busted through, can the person behind it still be alive?

And what's the point of self-repair on this thing anyway?

But Construction Youth still hadn't caught on, pondering how to use this oddly shaped shield. After a long while, he couldn't figure out how to strap it to his arm.

Looking at Mosquitoes in confusion, Construction Youth and Brick asked, puzzled.

"Did you forget to install a handle? There's nowhere to grip this shield."

Seeing the guy wasn't too bright, Mosquitoes patiently explained.

"You've got the shield upside down. That whole blood-red fungal mat is the handle. Just press it against your arm, and it'll attach."

Startled, Construction Youth threw the shield back onto the stall.

"What the hell?! The side with the tentacles faces you?!"

"...What else?" Mosquitoes stared at him, baffled by the question. "You wouldn't use the fleshy side against the enemy, would you?"

Debt Big Eye couldn't help but quip.

"...That 'damage absorption' probably absorbs from yourself."

Realizing he had almost shelled out money, Construction Youth and Brick fumed. "This is false advertising!"

Mosquitoes awkwardly looked away but refused to admit fault, arguing, "I never said it absorbed from others."

Construction Youth and Brick: "%￥#@!"

Though they were angry, they hadn't suffered any real loss, so after cursing a bit, they turned and left.

Not long after they left, another group of newcomers wandered over to the stall.

Seeing fresh faces, Mosquitoes figured he'd finally make a sale and plastered a bright smile on his face.

"Brother, good eye!"

[Feels Inferior to Rui Ke Five] looked up, puzzled, and glanced at the stall owner.

"I haven't said I'm buying anything yet."

"Doesn't matter! The fact that you found this place shows you've got taste," Mosquitoes chuckled, patting the newcomer on the shoulder. "So? See any gear you like? I'll give you twenty percent off!"

Rui Ke wasn't that interested at first, but at the mention of a discount, his eyes lit up.

"Really?"

"Absolutely!" Mosquitoes grinned, picking up the shield Construction Youth had just dropped and patting the blood-red fungal mat. "Semi-mechanical, semi-biological prosthetic! Not only does it absorb damage and self-repair, but it also trains your arm. If you're a Strength build, I recommend this—it's a sure thing!"

Rui Ke felt a flicker of interest, but when he saw the price tag, his enthusiasm deflated like a leaky balloon.

"This thing is way too expensive. Got anything... cheap and good? Something that boosts survival on the battlefield and won't make me cry if I lose it?"

Mosquitoes stared at him in surprise.

"Damn, that's a tall order."

Rui Ke frowned. "You're in business, so cut the chatter. Do you have it or not?"

"Of course I do!" The surprise vanished, replaced by a cheeky grin as Mosquitoes slung an arm around his shoulder. "When it comes to cheap and good, I've got to mention our Goblin Tech's unpowered armor... It's battle-tested, and I guarantee it meets your needs—cheap and effective!"

Rui Ke's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

"Absolutely! And it's not just the unpowered armor—I've got plenty more goodies... Come on, I'll take you to the warehouse to check them out."

As he spoke, Mosquitoes called over his rat-man lackey to watch the stall, then walked arm-in-arm with the newcomer toward the warehouse in the back of town.

Urged on by a bunch of forum regulars, he had recently cooked up a bunch of new toys and was itching for someone to test them for free.

As the newcomer was led off to the warehouse by Mosquitoes, the veteran players passing by silently offered a moment of silent sympathy.

The Alliance brothers thought they were tough, but only they knew that the real tough guys were the ones brave enough to test Mosquitoes' gear...

Just as the players were pondering how to upgrade their gear and farm monsters more efficiently, Chu Guang, the game designer, turned his attention to the monsters on the front lines.

Aboard the Steel Heart.

Standing in the bridge, Chu Guang wore a faint smile, observing the battlefield through a drone controlled by Xiao Qi.

"An elephant with a crocodile mouth, snakes standing over ten meters tall... Good grief, they've even thrown in a damn 'Godzilla.'"

Watching the screen where a monster, swinging its tail and flipping over a Chimera armored vehicle with a single claw, he couldn't help but praise.

"...Tsk, these guys really have quite the variety."

He didn't pay much attention to the details of the war, focusing instead on his duties as a game designer—

That is, taking photos of the monsters appearing in the game and updating them on the official website's bestiary.

This way, the players would get the illusion that the damn designer was actually working. Even if only to live up to that enthusiasm, they'd grind even harder.

In truth, if the Torch hadn't been so diligent in iterating new varieties of evolved creatures, his players might not have been this fired up.

But these things, that self-proclaimed "Human King" would never know.

Five days had passed since the "Purification Station Event" began.

In those short five days, the Alliance had placed five large purification bases and nearly three hundred small purification stations in the northern reaches of Haiya Province.

The former were mainly handled by more mature regiments like the Storm Regiment and the Death Regiment, while the latter were controlled by smaller regiments and scattered convoys, so their numbers were unstable, with survival times measured in hours or even minutes.

Through the cooperation of regiments and convoys of all sizes, the Alliance pushed the front line to five kilometers north of Laishan City in just seven days, biting off at least 70 square kilometers of territory from Haiya Province's 670,000 square kilometers.

Not only that, but the Alliance also set an example for the Coalition forces, showing them how this war should be fought.

Currently, ten divisions of the Legion had gradually entered Haiya Province's territory, and the Corporation and the Academy were not to be outdone, sending more reinforcements to the front.

It was believed they would soon achieve impressive results too.

Seeing Chu Guang in good spirits, Xiao Qi was genuinely happy for him, gently swinging her little legs from the power armor, her porcelain-doll-like face wearing a cheerful expression.

"...Such an arrogant fool, daring to oppose my master. It seems these bugs haven't learned their lesson yet—maybe that's just how small fry are~"

Hearing that voice even more arrogant than his own, Chu Guang laughed heartily, then teased.

"Xiao Qi, that's usually what villains say."

"Huh???"

Xiao Qi looked at Chu Guang in shock, then muttered guiltily, "But... isn't that how protagonists talk in comics?"

Chu Guang was taken aback, staring oddly at the little figure sitting on his shoulder.

"What exactly have you been reading on the forums..."

She subtly averted her gaze, looking around, then suddenly brightened.

"Master! Someone spent 10,000 purification points to buy a 400mm rocket-assisted shell! Should I approve it?"

Good grief.

Someone actually bought that thing?

Though he knew she was changing the subject, and rather clumsily at that, Chu Guang couldn't help but show a hint of surprise.

That was ten thousand points!

Enough to exchange for twenty close air support strikes!

"Location?"

"Laishan City suburbs! Southwest of the abandoned light industrial park!"

As she spoke, Xiao Qi switched the holographic screen to a map page, centering the lens on the artillery coordinates.

As expected, the one redeeming the support was the Storm Regiment. After all, only they could have saved up so many points without using them.

Chu Guang glanced at the friendly forces' positions—far from the bombardment zone—and immediately ordered.

"Approve the request!"

"Got it!"

Xiao Qi responded energetically, then switched the screen from the map back to the drone's perspective, maneuvering the Hummingbird drone closer to the bombardment area.

The moment the order was given, the main cannon of the Steel Heart slowly rotated its base, raising its thick, black barrel to calibrate the firing data.

"Boom—!!"

A flash of explosive fire shot into the sky, and a deafening roar echoed across the deck.

A long, thick trail of white smoke shot from the barrel, arcing down toward the clouds several kilometers ahead of the airship.

The falling shell struck like thunder from the heavens, bursting into a fiery red cloud upon impact.

The boiling flames rose upward, and the spreading shockwave swept through the ruins like lava from a volcanic eruption.

When the dust settled, every living thing in the blast zone had turned to ash, leaving only wisps of rising heat on the charred ground.

Watching the distant explosion, the players under the drone's lens cheered and applauded in delight, then, at their squad leader's call, packed up their gear on the battlefield and began advancing toward the scorched earth that had been baptized by artillery.

While waiting for the bombardment, they had already purified the ground beneath their feet, so they used the remaining points to exchange for a 400mm heavy shell, firing it onto the new map where they had just placed the purification base beacon.

After all, purification points couldn't be carried away, and they had held out long enough on the previous "level." Even converting the leftover points into time scores wouldn't boost their rewards much, so it was better to use them to clear monsters on the next level.

The corrosion level had been measured and calculated before placing the beacon, already fixed on the regional corrosion grid of the VM map. So even using points from the previous level for a strategic bombardment on the new level wouldn't affect the difficulty or final rewards.

Chu Guang didn't need to guess—it was definitely Quanshui's idea.

Watching those clever little players, a look of approval appeared on his face.

These guys had really figured out the rules.

But then again, that was exactly what he had always encouraged.