The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?
Chapter 194: Remnants of the Old Era and Wars of the New Era

Chapter 194: Chapter 194: Remnants of the Old Era and Wars of the New Era

Having stepped out of the delivery channel, a menacing steel beast quietly awaited outside.

Its massive gun barrel was aimed directly at him, as if the beast had bared its fangs.

From an overall perspective, this tank differed from the modern tanks Liu Zheng had seen; it resembled more an old tank from the era of World War II.

The camouflage paint was sporadically scratched off, revealing gray patches, and the armor around it had numerous dents from shells or machine gun fire.

However, this did not detract from the tank’s aesthetic, making it seem more like a veteran of war than the slick pretty boys of today.

"Do you like it?"

The driver emerged as he opened the hatch on top of the tank.

"I like it."

Liu Zheng honestly replied.

No man could refuse such a tank unless he was provided with a Gundam instead.

"Its codename is VK4503 (H), but I prefer calling it Little Kitten."

"It’s the prototype of this tank model, but I made some modifications after acquiring it, and now its performance surpasses any later model."

The driver proudly stated.

"It is both my child and my lover."

"Thus, if you want another crew to drive it, they must pass my inspection first," the driver said, staring into his eyes seriously.

"Agreed,"

Liu Zheng consented.

If the crew that Red Ghost entrusted to him could not handle it, then no one in the Metropolis was fit to drive this tank.

He took out a box and opened it.

The driver’s face dramatically changed the moment he saw the medals inside.

"Davari Western, let’s go crush those pests!"

Liu Zheng bellowed.

No sooner had his words faded than four Gold Star Medals immediately emitted a fierce red glow.

Like a blood-red dying sun, the red light swiftly formed into four human outlines, arrayed in a row in front of Liu Zheng.

Their faces and garments were quite blurred, though it could roughly be seen they were wearing jackets like leather jackets, with soft epaulettes on their shoulders and hats equipped with bump bars and ear protection.

The only clear aspect was their sharp and determined eyes.

"Crew One reporting to you, Comrade Commander. I am Captain Maria,"

the first tank soldier from the left stepped forward and saluted Liu Zheng.

The voice was calm and firm, yet still discernibly feminine.

Red Ghost’s ace tank commander was a woman?

He was somewhat surprised but found it perfectly reasonable upon reflection.

"Salute to you, Captain Maria. I am a layman, only responsible for strategic command. Tactical command is under your purview."

Liu Zheng returned the salute.

"A wise decision, Comrade Commander,"

Captain Maria spoke straightforwardly.

"I wondered where he had unearthed such a tank crew; turns out it’s you guys, the Grey Livestock of the Red Tsar," the driver suddenly interjected.

"Hmm?"

All four crew members turned their heads to look at him.

"Tiger King heavy tank, remnants of the Guard Army,"

Captain Maria said coldly after glancing at the tank.

"Had I known he was hiring you, I wouldn’t have rented it out," the driver said to Liu Zheng.

"What, afraid your tank’s performance is too poor to show up in front of us?"

Captain Maria taunted.

"Bullshit! This is a model I have meticulously improved; its performance leaves your ’steel’ several Rhein Rivers behind," the driver shouted angrily.

"Anyone can boast. I will know if it’s true only when I drive it," Captain Maria responded coolly.

"Dream on, who allowed you to drive my Little Kitten?"

"Little Kitten, huh. Only you artless Germanic people would name it such an aesthetically lacking name," Captain Maria teased again.

"Damn woman, I challenge you to a duel!" the driver exclaimed as he was about to jump down from the tank and rush at Maria.

"Stop, stop, stop,"

Liu Zheng had to step in to stop him.

"Captain Maria, Red Ghost sent you here to assist me in pest control, not to create discord," he told Captain Maria.

"We are not on the same side as him, Comrade Commander," Captain Maria immediately countered, but did not continue mocking the driver.

"Driver sir,"

"Call me Major."

The driver shouted loudly.

"Alright, Major Driver. I definitely can’t afford your crew, so instead of finding some makeshift crew elsewhere, why not let your old rival take the wheel? At least they won’t disgrace your beloved vehicle, right?"

Liu Zheng smoothly agreed.

"Hmph, I’ll give you this courtesy just this time. Come on in."

After a moment, the driver’s expression changed, then he climbed back into the tank.

"Captain Maria, the mission comes first."

He extended his right hand to Captain Maria.

"I understand, as long as he stops provoking, I’ll pretend he’s not there."

The latter extended her right hand and shook his.

"Thank you for your understanding."

After the conversation, Liu Zheng and the four crew members climbed into the tank.

Once inside, the space was much larger than he had expected.

Though it was not exactly spacious and comfortable, it was certainly not cramped.

Not to mention a crew of five, even an eight-man crew could fit comfortably.

The interior of the tank was filled with pipes, switches, and buttons, along with many strange symbols that were unlike what Liu had seen in movies.

"Are you still studying the integration of technology and witchcraft? What a crazy and foolish idea."

Despite herself, Captain Maria couldn’t hold back.

"There’s no ’us’ anymore, nor ’you’ anymore."

This time, the driver didn’t retort but simply stated calmly.

"We are all remnants of the old era, our endeavors have become the foundation for others, and your traces have been erased long ago. The sacred wars are gone, now it’s just a bunch of beasts and another group of rot fighting over the carrion. Funny, isn’t it?"

He asked rhetorically.

"I don’t find it funny. Our traces can be erased, but the foundations of our existence cannot be. Someday, people will call us back, even if by then I no longer exist."

Captain Maria said firmly.

"Such baseless confidence, it’s exactly what I despise about you. But it doesn’t matter anymore, thanks to this young man, I should still exist for a long time. Let’s wait and see if your people will ever call for your return."

"All I want now is a fierce and satisfying war."

The driver moved towards where the ammunition was stored and lifted a crate from inside.

"This here is the ’fart bomb,’ remember, don’t open it unless necessary. When using, load and close quickly, preferably filling at least three rounds at a time."

He instructed Liu Zheng, although everyone present knew he was speaking to Captain Maria.

Setting down the crate, he then lifted out a green shell.

"This is something good that I promised you, I call it ’Hell’s Broth’. Use it when you’re at a disadvantage or need to clear the field. It will definitely surprise you."

"But remember, after using it, do not leave the tank unless you’re out of the coverage area, or even the bloodline of the Black Mountain Goat Cub won’t save you."

The driver’s last remark was directed at Liu Zheng.

"Understood."

He nodded.

"Don’t forget to count. I hope it’s not zero."

The driver glanced at Captain Maria, then gradually faded away.

"It would be zero if he drove."

Only after his figure had completely disappeared did Captain Maria voice her mockery.

"Let’s go, time is running short."

Facing such longstanding grudges, Liu Zheng couldn’t say much but just urged them to get going.

"Alright, Commander Comrade."

Captain Maria responded, then began busying the other crew members.

The Red Ghost had not boasted unduly; they quickly became familiar with the interior of the vehicle and took their respective positions.

"What should I do?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"You’ll be the machine gunner."

Captain Maria pointed to a device resembling a periscope.

"Normally, the machine gunner has to go outside the hatch, but this Tiger King has been modified so you can operate it from inside the cabin to attack the enemy."

She explained.

"Alright, I’ll give it a try."

Liu Zheng approached the periscope, pressed his eye against it, and immediately saw the outside view.

The visibility was excellent, almost as if looking directly with the naked eye, though the light was slightly distorted. After getting used to it, it was fine.

Beneath the periscope was a control stick similar to an airplane’s joystick, allowing for angle adjustments.

There were also two red buttons on top, presumably for firing the machine guns.

"The button on the left is for the anti-aircraft gun, the right one is for the heavy machine gun."

As if reciting from an inventory, Captain Maria explained.

"Understood,"

Liu Zheng nodded.

"Then, Commander Comrade, please give the order. Where is the enemy?"

All eyes of the crew members were on him.

"Right here!"

Liu Zheng pulled out a map and fiercely jabbed his fingertip at the location of an office building.

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