This Game Is Too Real
Chapter 298: Legion System Upgrade!

Chapter 298: Chapter 298: Legion System Upgrade!

Northern Runway of Dawn City.

A wooden airplane wobbled down onto the runway, bouncing up and down several times before finally coming to a stop.

Looking at the speedometer dial that had returned to zero, Mosquito Brother let out a slow sigh of relief, his heart finally settling down.

"Damn..."

Finally, it landed!

There were two bullet holes in the belly and five in the wings, and that was after he risked disassembly by executing barrel roll maneuvers during the ascent.

Are these hostile NPCs from Tarkov’s men’s team?

Rifle strafing with such accuracy is ridiculously unbelievable!

Definitely cheating!

Tossing his hat into the cockpit, Mosquito Brother used his hands to vault out, inspecting his craft. Eyeing the glaring holes and cracks, his heart ached.

Since both the wings and the fuselage of the airplane were made of wood, their defensive capability was virtually nonexistent; a bullet would create a hole upon contact.

One projectile had even whizzed past an electrical wire, nearly causing the left battery to start smoking.

However, it was also lucky that the wings were wooden.

Because the bullets’ kinetic energy was excessive, they over-penetrated, thus not causing severe structural damage to the wings.

Mosquito Brother had circled in the sky for a while, noting the leaking cabin and cracked wings only when he was returning, but by then he was only a few kilometers from the runway.

It was frantic, but nothing too problematic!

Four apprentices gathered around.

Death Claw glanced at the bullet holes on the airplane, exclaiming in surprise,

"What the hell? Did you use this wreck of a plane to fight against dogs?"

"I got shot a few times while fetching the fries, but it’s nothing serious... Can this airplane still be fixed?" he stroked the text on the wing, speaking with heartache.

Discourage stepped forward, looked at the wing for a moment, and shook his head.

"Can’t fix this, both the fuselage and the wings... just redo it."

Soul Chaser patted Mosquito Brother’s shoulder, consoling him,

"No worries, since it’s made of wood, it won’t cost much. The battery, motor, and machine guns are all still intact... and so are you."

"That’s true..."

But it would have been nice not to have gotten shot.

After deducting the money for replacing the wings, this mission rounded off to barely making any profit, his only consolation being the contribution points and flight proficiency.

Mosquito Brother sighed deeply, mourning the lost silver coins.

"So annoying!"

...

On the outskirts of Qingquan City in the East.

Led by Lu Bei, twenty soldiers dressed in light cavalry exoskeletons, belonging to the Guards Corps of the indigenous people, were rapidly heading towards the area where red smoke was rising to provide support.

As the elite of the New Alliance Regular Army, everyone here had survived two battles.

After undergoing transformations with induced expression serum, their physical attributes greatly surpassed those of ordinary people.

However, unlike the "specification" enhancements of clones, naturally Awakened individuals had more balanced attributes across at least three areas.

Only a few with exceptional innate talent or those especially lucky experimentees excelled in a particular attribute.

Such individuals typically took on special roles within the squad.

For example, Agile Awakeners, due to their superior eyesight and reaction speeds, generally served as sniper riflemen; Strength Type Awakeners mainly handled ammunition carrying and firepower support; Body Constitution Awakeners usually positioned themselves relatively at the forefront, among others.

These roles were deduced through countless player deaths and "official forum discussions."

As they approached the discarded heavy exoskeleton in the center of the flower bed, Lu Bei stepped forward to check a charred corpse beside it, tapping on the helmet.

"... Report, we’ve found a damaged exoskeleton near the flare! Friendly forces have withdrawn from the target area, request further instructions!"

Sitting on the sofa in the viewing room, Chu Guang, after hearing the frontline soldier’s report, pondered for a moment before ordering,

"Recover the wreckage, don’t miss a single piece!"

Lu Bei, "Yes!"

Hearing that crisp, powerful response, Chu Guang ended the communication, turning his gaze toward the snow-white tablet beside him, his eyebrows raising with intrigue.

"Anti-drone?"

These people had something interesting.

A few minutes ago, he had redirected the Hummingbird drone stationed near Shelter No. 401 to the frontline, trying to track the unknown armed forces fleeing towards the ruins.

However, once they left the battlefield, they immediately noticed the drone following them.

One individual pulled out a boxy long gun, likely an anti-drone electromagnetic weapon, and aimed it at his Hummingbird.

Then, the connection between the drone and the control terminal was severed.

Despite the disconnection, the Hummingbird drone, being a pre-war product with substantial anti-invasion capabilities, immediately activated its protective mechanism. The control components autonomously cut off the communication functions, entering radio silence and using camera recognition to follow the original path back to base.

The only regret was losing track of that group.

Chu Guang could only deduce from their fleeing direction that they headed north.

"They belong to the Torch."

Tapping lightly on the table with his index finger, Chu Guang pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Xiao Qi, is there a way to hack their exoskeletons?"

Xiao Qi was silent for a while before responding softly.

"Master, the chips used in their exoskeletons are very likely replicas of pre-war chips. If the operating system was written by them, that would be manageable..."

"But if it directly uses a pre-war operating system, then it’s difficult."

Chu Guang nodded thoughtfully.

"I see."

While unexpected, it wasn’t incomprehensible.

Spear and shield are never isolated; since there are means to invade, there must also be armor capable of defending against such invasions.

In the early days of the Human Alliance Era, even before entering the Prosperity Epoch, machine learning technology had already become quite widespread. Rather than manually writing every piece of code, people preferred to build an AI algorithm that could learn like a human and automatically adapt to various application scenarios.

This was akin to automation in the programming field.

With the advent of quantum computers, traditional encryption methods almost became obsolete. Human computing power evolved from two isolated "points" of 0 and 1 into an infinitely extending "line," and naturally, corresponding encryption measures would emerge.

In the Prosperity Epoch, even the most basic anti-invasion plugins had the flexible ability to recognize and judge.

They were like the human immune system, capable of recognizing unknown viruses and forming specific antibodies. They ensured deliveries always reached customers hands accurately, and likewise, ensured missiles would hit the enemy’s head precisely.

Although Xiao Qi approached the level of a "complete artificial intelligence," it was still a general-purpose AI.

Its characteristic was that it could do anything but that didn’t mean it excelled in everything.

Creating useful applications, flexibly meeting various user needs, and even providing mental support and encouragement—all these were within its capabilities. But in specific areas, its abilities did not exceed those of an AI specializing in that field.

If the maximum level is 5 and the average is 3, then its hacking ability would probably be around 1 or 2, and maybe it could reach 3 with a boost in computing power.

However, despite not being a professional hacker, the shelter still did not need to worry about electronic warfare invasions.

The shelter’s servers, equipped with defensive plugins combined with the server’s own computing power, had an anti-invasion capability that could reach MAX, equivalent to the ceiling of the current era.

Thus, even with weak offensive capabilities, no one could hack the shelter’s security system through hacking.

As for the anti-invasion and invasion capabilities of various countries on Earth of the parallel world?

Optimistically, it would be about 0.1, rounding up to virtually non-existent. After all, it is not from the same era, discussing the combat power between a cavalry and a tank makes no sense.

Yet, out of 7.5 billion people, at least 3.5 billion rely on information technology to a degree of 90% or even higher, with the market value of related industries surpassing several trillion dollars indirectly affecting areas like transportation, logistics, finance, industry, and agriculture. Many people would struggle to live without the internet.

It is precisely because of this that information warfare can form "effective deterrence."

If regressing back to the era of World War I or even the distant Age of Exploration, the deterrence of electronic warfare would be significantly limited—sending a broadcast in hopes of attracting a traitor might not even be heard.

As for why his own Manager System could take control of other shelters whose "anti-invasion capabilities were also maxed out"?

Chu Guang tended to believe it was due to backdoors left in the design rather than Xiao Qi achieving it through illegal hacking methods.

For example...

In the programming of the Human Federation Shelter, there was a hidden line of code that stated: "Once a manager dies or actively relinquishes their duties, managers of other shelters will automatically gain the manager’s authority of this shelter when certain conditions are met."

The drone’s view reappeared on the screen, and the Hummingbird drone that had returned to the assembly point was back under control of the terminal.

Xiao Qi: "Master, shall we continue to follow?"

Chu Guang shook his head.

"The people have gone too far, following them wouldn’t mean much."

Xiao Qi: "Whimper..."

Hearing the pitiful, self-reproaching voice, Chu Guang smiled and said.

"It’s okay, it’s not your fault. Having probed the enemy’s reality is already enough."

Besides, he could probably guess where they intended to go.

North.

Most likely to seek out people from the Chew-bone Tribe, certainly not to make contact with the distant Grand Canyon.

Earlier, from those looters’ trucks, Chu Guang had seized quite a number of neural connection devices from the Torch Church, enough to prove the Chew-bone Tribe was backed by the Torch Church.

These rats can’t escape!

Chu Guang picked up the tablet from the table and stuffed it into his pocket, then stood up from the couch.

"Call Yin Fang for me, have him wait for me at the elevator door."

Xiao Qi: "Right away, Master. Are you planning to go out?"

"Yes," Adjusting his collar in front of the mirror, Chu Guang nodded, "I plan to make a trip to Shelter No. 401."

...

Qingquan City, East District.

A Death Claw, five meters long with a collar around its neck, was rapidly running across the ruins, carrying one person and one piece of iron.

"Why aren’t we driving?"

"Car tires can’t pass through these ruins; this is the fastest mode of transport."

"I’d rather go slower, didn’t we walk slowly last time?"

"Enough talk, my time is precious."

The two mounted on the Death Claw heard an unhappy purr from Nicole beneath them, but the deep-seated deterrence made it dare not act up, forcing it to vent its frustration on the concrete chunks underfoot.

Sitting astride the back of the Death Claw, Chu Guang felt like a knight in heavy armor.

Too bad.

This dumb lizard had no wings.

"How about we fit it with a mechanical prosthesis when we get a chance?"

As Chu Guang’s thoughts drifted, the two of them had already arrived near Ecological Park No. 3. The natural intimidation of the Claw of Death scared away groups of monkeys nearby.

No Variants dared to come close on the road.

As for the Eaters, it wasn’t their time to be active during the day.

At the ticket inspection post near Ecological Park No. 3, two soldiers carrying rifles greeted Chu Guang with a look of awe and with their right fists pressed against their chests, they gave a military salute.

"Truly befitting of the Manager! To use the Claw of Death as a mount, there could hardly be a second person on the Wasteland!"

"Respected Manager!"

Carrying a coffin-like box and wearing a battle-damaged exoskeleton, Old White stepped forward and spoke respectfully, "We’ve brought the fuel rods you requested!"

"Good job, put them here."

Chu Guang nodded approvingly and hopped down from the back of the Claw of Death, offering a hand to Yin Fang who was sitting in front of him.

Finally touching the ground, Yin Fang, who was almost rattled apart, nearly lost his balance and took a tumble.

Nicole snorted loudly, apparently in mockery, but after being chastised by Chu Guang, the lizard quickly calmed down and sadly rested its head on the ground.

Old White looked at it with surprise.

Was this the same Claw of Death that almost wiped them all out?

How did it end up as the Manager’s mount?

"Your task is complete now, and on behalf of the Alliance, I thank you for your contribution!"

"Go back and rest up well!"

Chu Guang simulated swiping his finger in the air and settled the task for Yin Fang and the other members of Oxhorse Squad.

As the numbers flickered on the VM settlement interface, smiles of surprise appeared on the faces of the five players.

The final link in the task chain, besides the basic profit of 1300 silver coins and over 500 contribution points per person, there was also a side reward of 1200 silver coins and 200 contribution points.

This was absolutely exhilarating!

Seeing the players’ excited expressions, a smile also appeared on Chu Guang’s face.

Tens of thousands of silver coins for a fuel rod.

His little players were just too useful!

If they were willing to sell their earned silver coins cheaply to life profession players for investment in production and expansion of exports, that would be even better.

Or to go out and buy some good things and bring them back.

Of course.

How to play the game was their own affair.

For the moment, Chu Guang’s task was to cultivate growth soil for fresh newbies, allowing more players the chance to come here and work for him.

Chu Guang opened the box to check inside, closed it and carried it in his hand, then looked toward Yin Fang, who had just climbed off Nicole’s back.

"I’ll leave the rest to you."

Having been jostled all the way, Yin Fang’s calves were still trembling as he spoke with a pained expression.

"No problem... just let me catch my breath first, I almost fell apart on the way here."

Nicole forcefully snorted, as if to say "weak."

But it wasn’t long before it received a lesson from Chu Guang’s hand and humbly lay prostrate on the ground, its head drooping, not daring to move.

"Once the underground metro is connected, it will be more convenient."

Chu Guang replied offhandedly to Yin Fang, pulled half of a skinned hyena from his armored pack, tossed it to Nicole as a snack, and continued issuing commands through his neural connection equipment, ordering it to wait there for his return.

After completing these tasks, Chu Guang, accompanied by Yin Fang and carrying the fuel rod, headed toward the subway station.

Nicole, delighted, gnawed messily at the half hyena on the ground, making happy gnashing and crunching noises, while the two NPC soldiers nearby watched it nervously, instinctively tightening their grip on their rifles.

The jingling and banging of the iron chain always gave them a feeling of insecurity, as if any second the creature might break free and pounce on them.

However, the Claw of Death seemed to have no such plans and, after finishing the bone, curled its tail into a circle and lay down at the door, drifting off to sleep.

This creature had been completely tamed.

Watching the Manager walk away, Night Ten glanced again at the balance on the VM, swallowing his saliva.

"If this were converted into RMB..."

Even with a falling price.

It would still amount to several tens of thousands!

"Can’t you aim a little higher," Fang Chang laughed and patted his shoulder, "Why not swap it for some special products and take them to Giant Stone City to trade for chips, wouldn’t upgrading your equipment be awesome?"

Life profession players were always buying silver coins on the Forum.

Forming a commercial team to expand production required spending money, either earning it from NPCs or buying from combat professional players through golden plays.

Previously, Fang Chang had taken advantage of the downturn to collect quite a bit.

After this task, he planned to purchase some goods with his buddies and transport them to Giant Stone City, using the earned chips to buy some equipment.

Trade routes were just starting to recover and selling anything now was profitable.

Once the trade routes became developed and information disparities reduced in the future, profits wouldn’t be as substantial as they are now.

The game’s economic system was influenced by supply and demand, incredibly realistic.

Night Ten sheepishly scratched his head and chuckled heh heh.

"I just subconsciously counted... right, when are we going to Giant Stone City?"

"Let’s go tomorrow. We’ve almost completed all the tasks." As Old White was checking his VM, he suddenly noticed a small red dot on the Legion System icon.

Curious, he clicked on it and was surprised to find that the original LV0 level indicator had changed to LV1.

Not only that, but an attribute panel had also appeared.

[ID: Burning Corps]

[Legion Level: LV2 (+1 assignable point)]

[

Scale: 2 (each level +10 recruitment cap)

Logistics: 2 (each level +10 logistics points)

]

[Doctrine: (Unselected)]

Previously, the Legion System’s page seemed to have just a list and a level, and now there’s even an attribute panel.

Was this a soft update?

Old White scratched the back of his head and said after looking at it for a long time, not understanding what these attributes meant.

"It seems our legion has upgraded."

Hearing this, Quit Smoking immediately came over excitedly.

"The legion upgraded? Let me see!"

"Yeah, the LV2 legion’s recruitment cap has increased to 20 people, and we’ve also gotten an assignable point... but I still haven’t figured out what this attribute panel means."

Scale was understandable, probably referring to the recruitment cap, and logistics likely referred to the budget? However, he didn’t quite understand these logistics points.

Previously, the expenditure on ammunition was budgeted with silver coins.

Could it be that the logistics of the Legion System will be separated from the Economic System in the future?

There were also the selectable doctrines that seemed to require points to upgrade.

Old White quickly browsed and saw that there were several major categories, including light infantry doctrine, mobile warfare doctrine, superior firepower doctrine, and more.

Additionally, there were more specific areas mainly providing strategic level BUFF bonuses.

For example, selecting the Human Sea Assault under light infantry doctrine increased the recruitment cap by +100%.

After selecting this branch, each [scale point]added to the recruitment cap directly increased from 10 to 20, reaching a hundred-man team by LV5!

Of course, that’s provided they could recruit that many players.

Staring at the legion level, Quit Smoking suddenly remembered something and said,

"Wait, wasn’t this a scientific research team mission?"

Fang Chang knew what he was asking and nodded,

"In team missions, if four or more members of the squad are from the same legion, the mission completion will earn a certain percentage of legion merits based on contribution points."

Merit points were also the experience needed for legion upgrades.

Quit Smoking hesitated.

"Holy shit! So, in the future, with more people, couldn’t we farm experience?!"

Upgrade later and throw all the skill points in [Scale], a legion of hundreds of people, teams of four doing missions, those legion merits would rapidly increase!

Fang Chang said with a subtle expression,

"That’s the theory; after all, quantity is a form of power, but there’s a variation in rewards between missions. The rewards for a T0 ladder team might be an order of magnitude different from those for a T3 team, so overall efficiency might not be high."

After pausing, Fang Chang continued looking at Old White, who was wondering how to assign the points.

"Let’s not rush to assign points, wait for the update announcement, and I’ll study it then."

Old White turned off the interface and chuckled.

"That’s what I was thinking too!"

...

Meanwhile, in the northern part of Qingquan City.

Dimitri breathed a sigh of relief as he moved further away from New Alliance territory, continuing northward with the remaining seven subordinates.

The Snake Tribe was engaged in battle with Red River Town, and the only ones who could spare manpower to help them reclaim the Black Box were the Ya Clan stationed in West State City.

No one knew what had happened, but since stationing in West State City, the Looter’s southward movement had stopped.

Just then, a group of figures suddenly appeared from the north, running right into them.

Dimitri instinctively tightened his grip on his weapon, but relaxed when he saw their shabby attire.

Just a bunch of refugees.

"Should we kill them? They’ve seen us."

Wu Lun had already flicked off the safety, squeezing the question through his teeth.

"There’s no need for unnecessary complications; let them have seen us, we’re already here," Dimitri glanced at him and said soothingly, "I know Ted’s death upset you, but killing these people won’t bring back the dead."

"We need to conserve ammunition; they’re not worth it."

Having let the group of refugees pass, Dimitri narrowed his eyes looking in the direction they were headed.

Waiting.

He would come back!

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