This Game Is Too Real
Chapter 322: It seems even the heavens are on our side!

Chapter 322: Chapter 322: It seems even the heavens are on our side!

In a cluttered room at the corner of the underground commercial complex.

With the help of two assistants and a few soldiers from the Guerrilla Team, Ma Ban quickly cleared out the room, which was less than twenty square meters.

He borrowed three sets of tables and chairs and three beds from the warehouse, found a piece of wood to write on, and hung it on the door. Once the sign reading "Alliance Office at Hope Town" was in place, it was officially established.

Work had just begun, and everything was starting simple.

Ma Ban had been prepared for the spare conditions here, after all, just a few months ago, he and his compatriots had lived here for some time.

Standing at the door of the office, Yang Duo, the logistics chief of Hope Town, looked somewhat embarrassed.

On one hand, they really couldn’t offer much to welcome this manager who had parachuted in from the New Alliance; on the other hand, he really didn’t know how to face the man.

"Ban... cough, Mr. Ma, long time no see."

"Long time no see." With no intention of small talk, Ma Ban answered succinctly.

Mulling over those four words for a long time, Yang Duo couldn’t figure out the thoughts of this man, so he cautiously spoke.

"...I’m very sorry about the relocation, but as you know the situation back then, we just didn’t have more food to go around. If we didn’t send some people away, all of us would have starved to death."

To send away was a euphemism.

More accurately, it should be called exile.

Crossing the occupied zones of the Looters to head south was almost a death sentence. And whether the New Alliance would fulfill their promises broadcasted was an uncertainty.

However, Yang Duo didn’t lie about one thing.

They really couldn’t support that many people with their food supply.

It wasn’t just Ma Ban and his clansmen who were exiled, but also about twelve hundred others, mainly from the survivor settlements north of West State City.

The whereabouts of these people are still unknown until today; whether they are alive or dead is unclear.

In terms of results, less than thirty percent of those who set out successfully reached the City of Dawn.

Ma Ban gave him a glance, knowing that this guy must have misunderstood something, and so he said candidly,

"Understood, I hold no resentment towards you. Besides, we’ve been doing quite well in the City of Dawn. Not only were we provided with food and shelter, but they even arranged work for us. There, your background is of no consequence; as long as you prove your capabilities and loyalty to the Alliance, you can be put to good use... Where’s that thing I asked for?"

"It’s here." Yang Duo gave an awkward smile, hastily handing over the notebook he was holding.

This was the ledger of Hope Town’s warehouse.

It recorded the ingress and egress of every item, including food, reclaimed materials, and weapon inventories, among others.

Without wasting time on reminiscing, Ma Ban took the ledger from his hands and skimmed through it briefly.

Afterward, he would input these data into a VM, then hand it over to the inventory management personnel sent by the New Alliance.

Once incorporated into the New Alliance’s storage system, every ingress and egress of the warehouse’s supplies would be audited by AI, including "which link saw a shortage of what" and "which items would run short in how many days"... all this information could be seen at a glance.

Having experienced the strength of this system while working as a co-management staff at the Home of the Refugees, Ma Ban had already decided before taking office that the first thing he would do upon arrival was to connect Hope Town’s warehouse to the "network".

While scanning the ledger with the camera on his headset, Ma Ban casually inquired about the warehouse’s status.

"How many people are left in Hope Town now, and how much food is consumed daily?"

At Ma Ban’s query, Yang Duo quickly answered.

"The total population is 5,731 people, with able-bodied adults making up thirty percent, and the rest are elderly, children, and women. Based on the daily ration of 300g per adult, the daily consumption would be—"

"1,719.3 kilograms... nearly two tons of food."

After flipping through the ledger from front to back, looking at the less than five tons of food stockpile and the pitiful daily intake of less than a hundred kilograms, Ma Ban couldn’t help frowning.

"How have you been holding up until now?"

Upon hearing this, a bitter expression crossed Yang Duo’s face.

"You only left here a couple of months ago... do you still need to ask?"

Ma Ban was silent for a moment before returning the ledger to him.

"The Alliance’s aid will continue for some time; we’ll try to ensure a daily supply of 2 tons of food until the new settlement is on the right track."

"Also, the sanitation problem must be addressed as soon as possible, and it must be treated as a top-priority task! This issue cannot be delayed, or diseases and rodent infestations will become more and more severe, possibly even leading to more serious epidemics, by which time no amount of medicine will be sufficient."

"I need you to mobilize everyone in town who can work immediately. I will arrange work for them, plan a large cleanup of the temporary shelters area by area, and clear more habitable areas from the ruins of the commercial complex, while re-planning the different areas of the shelter."

"The practice of cramming hundreds of people into one room must stop immediately; it’s simply a breeding ground for diseases!"

"As for picking up trash... it can be put on hold for now. The priority is to solve the survivors’ living conditions; all other matters take a backseat."

Yang Duo stared blankly at the man standing before him.

He had only been away for two months, yet the man before him seemed to have changed entirely, to the point that he was almost unrecognizable.

Ma Ban paused for a moment before continuing.

"Finally, those who were unfortunate enough to perish..."

"Just find a place to bury them."

Once the mobilization order was issued, the survivors of the Town of Hope quickly sprang into action.

Of course, it wasn’t the military town chief’s call to arms that infused them with the enthusiasm to engage wholeheartedly in the cleanup effort, but rather the prospect of receiving an extra food ration.

Although it was only a green wheat cake weighing less than 150 grams, it represented a substantial reward for survivors who had sustained themselves on nutrition paste up until now.

Ma Ban divided the mobilized survivors into groups of ten, assigning areas of responsibility and division of labor for each sector.

The first stage’s objective was to remove all excrement and other metabolic waste from the corridors and rooms; the second stage was to disinfect various areas of the shelter.

This was not merely to tackle hygiene issues.

It was also meant to rekindle the survivors’ courage to live on, to dissolve the barriers between them, and to rebuild their sense of unity.

Having once served as a co-management staff member at Home of the Refugees, Ma Ban was acutely aware that the worse and more oppressive the living conditions, the less you could afford to let people idle.

Thanks to his previous work experience at Home of the Refugees, he handled the related issues with practiced ease, and the work quickly got back on track.

Meanwhile, as Ma Ban’s work progressed smoothly, Lu Bei successfully took over command of the Guerrilla Team from the Resistance organization.

However...

The situation here was worse than Lu Bei had imagined.

Out of the 671 members of the Guerrilla Team, less than half could actually form a combat force. Even among those soldiers who were fit for combat, most were in poor health.

Beyond that, their equipment was also problematic.

The weapons in storage were mostly crudely made iron pipe rifles, with ammunition typically being reloads using Black Powder as the propellant.

This kind of ammunition had a surprisingly high rate of jamming and was extremely prone to blowing up the barrel due to accumulated dirt. Many had lost fingers while making bullets, and this had become the main reason for non-combat attrition in the Guerrilla Team, other than disease.

The next evening, Lu Bei reported what he had learned to Chu Guang in the City of Dawn, honestly and in detail.

"...The situation here is worse than we anticipated, not just their health condition but also the nearly non-existent logistics. The iron pipe rifles they use cannot form an effective combat force. Non-combat attrition due to weapon malfunctions and shortage of supplies has even surpassed the casualties inflicted by the Looters."

"If we want them to be effective in combat, at the very least, we need six hundred rifles and a million rounds of ammunition."

Upon hearing Lu Bei’s report, Chu Guang pondered for a moment before speaking.

"From now on, halt all raiding activities. Weapons will be delivered shortly, and I need you to do everything possible to teach them how to fight, and to fight as an organized unit, in the shortest possible time."

"The day of our decisive battle with the Looters is drawing near, and I need them to be ready to work with the Burning Corps to cut off the Ya Clan’s retreat to the north when the time comes."

Lu Bei answered crisply.

"Yes!"

After the communication ended.

Chu Guang looked at the document that lay on the table.

This was a report sent from the front line.

The Ya Clan had transported all their armored units from West State City to Pine forest.

And according to the footage captured by unmanned drones and Vanus’s understanding of Dylon himself, the Looters stationed at the northern positions of Pine forest had completed all preparations for the decisive battle.

The reason they had yet to act was likely that they were waiting for an opportunity.

For instance...

A heavy rain.

Water accumulation and mud would cause certain problems for the advancement of tanks, but the impact on propeller planes would be obviously much greater.

The propeller planes of the New Alliance relied mainly on visual observation to drop bombs and open fire; weather conditions that could affect the efficiency of aerial combat could not be ignored.

Clearly, the enemy had also noticed this and chose to wait for the right moment to strike.

After several consecutive defeats, the Looters had become much more cautious in their tactics. It would not be surprising if Vanus was correct, and they had replaced the frontline commander.

They would no longer be facing those blockheaded bandits, but Dylon himself—a former Ten Thousand Leader of the Army.

While Chu Guang was wary of the enemy’s personnel changes, he wasn’t overly concerned.

Even as the enemy fortified their defenses, his players were not idle. The southern defense lines of Pine forest were now covered with a dense network of trenches and an abundance of steel anti-tank Czech hedgehogs.

These anti-tank Czech hedgehogs were made of three L-shaped metal bars connected by rivets and bolts. When assembled, they resembled a three-dimensional triplicate cross, and even if directly hit by artillery, they were difficult to completely destroy.

This anti-tank device, known as the "Czech hedgehog," had once filled the beaches of Normandy and the streets of Moscow.

Steel Factory No. 81 produced 500 anti-tank caltrops in less than a week, and sent them to the front lines by rail.

Although these 500 anti-tank caltrops were not enough to fill a kilometer-long front, in combination with digging pits and some other anti-tank traps, causing some trouble for the enemy tanks was not an issue.

Furthermore, his little players had prepared a bunch of surprises for the Chew-bone Tribe’s Looters.

Even Vanus couldn’t help but be astounded by the bizarre brainstorming of these ideas—

Could this really have been thought up by humans?

"...it’s been cloudy these past few days, but I just don’t know when this rain will finally come."

"The day of the decisive battle is drawing ever closer."

Staring at the mountainous pile of documents on the desk, Chu Guang leaned back on the sofa, his index finger gently massaging his fatigue-soured brows.

All the preparatory work had been completed.

The Burning Corps had already secured enough preparation time for the front line, and the other armies had also successfully used this time to turn the southern defenses of the Pine forest into an impenetrable fortress.

However...

The fact that the enemy wanted to wait for a torrential rain before starting this decisive battle was unexpected for Chu Guang.

Originally, according to his assumptions, the enemy would have launched an intensive offensive against the New Alliance’s position as soon as they completed their preparations.

And that time would likely be at the end of the month.

Yet, to Chu Guang’s surprise, this newly appointed commander was more cautious than he had anticipated, and did not charge in hastily.

Especially given the cloudy weather in recent days.

The Goblin Corps’ pilots, mostly novices, had never experienced combat in the rain. If the Ya Clan really waited for this torrential rain, it would undoubtedly add a great deal of uncertainty to the battle.

Moreover, these Looters had prepared a bunch of bizarre anti-aircraft weapons.

If only there were some way to force them out of their anti-cannon holes...

Chu Guang sat reflecting with his eyes closed, and just then, a thought struck him, and he sat up abruptly from the sofa.

He had just come up with a good idea.

Although it was a bit risky, it was still better than letting the opponent take the initiative.

With a slight smile on his lips, Chu Guang, holding the mouse, said softly,

"Since you guys are being so cautious..."

"Then I’ll just give you a little push!"

...

Pine forest valley’s northern defensive position.

From the high ground to the forest at the base of the mountain, the nearly two-kilometer-deep defense was crawling with crisscrossing trenches and dense shell craters.

The standoff had already lasted for more than half a month.

In this half month, the New Alliance had fired at least a thousand shells towards the Ya Clan’s position. Just ten minutes ago, the New Alliance’s rocket artillery had launched a barrage against the Ya Clan’s position.

However, this barrage hadn’t caused much damage to the Looters stationed here.

A week earlier, they had already dug enough trenches and anti-cannon holes, so aside from the occasional few unlucky ones killed by the blasts, most of them would have taken cover in the holes before the second round of shelling began.

Compared to intense artillery coverage, these Looters huddled in the trenches were actually more fearful of the New Alliance’s mortars.

Those Blue Ground Squirrels were extremely sly; they would fire a shell unexpectedly while they were patrolling their position, catching them completely off guard.

Standing on a position that had been plowed over and over by artillery, Dylon, binoculars in hand, looked south with a furrowed brow.

"Anti-tank caltrops..."

Hearing this, Bear Tooth was taken aback.

"What’s that?"

Dylon didn’t speak, and Tu Men, standing beside him, took over the conversation.

"A type of fortification to hinder tank advancement... I hadn’t expected their steel production to be surplus to such an extent."

Hearing it was just some defensive works, Bear Tooth’s face immediately showed a hint of disdain.

"Heh, fortifications? No matter how sturdy they are, in front of our treads, they’re nothing but rubbish!"

His confidence was not without reason.

On their way from killing through the central part of River Valley Province to the south, the Ya Clan had encountered over a hundred battles, both large and small.

No matter which battle it was, the moment they deployed those iron behemoths, despair etched deeply onto the faces of their opponents.

No matter the shelter, it was as good as paper mâché in front of a 100mm main cannon.

All they needed to do was one thing, which was to fire while advancing, shooting down those disorganized survivors, watching those cowardly trash scatter like underdeveloped cockroaches.

And now, not only had they mobilized tanks, but they had also gathered all the tanks from the entire tribe! They had even equipped each tank with an additional two modified anti-aircraft trucks!

Thinking a few steel bars would stop them was pure fantasy!

Dylon didn’t refute Bear Tooth’s words.

Although he thought those driving the tanks were like baboons that found rifles, barely utilizing half of the Conqueror No. 10’s prowess, the equipment’s performance was sufficient to cover this shortfall.

They had prepared twenty-seven tanks for this battle, nearly fifty anti-aircraft trucks, and five thousand light infantry.

This battle would completely crush the New Alliance’s forces deployed in the north, and soon the industrial zone of the City of Dawn would fall into their hands.

At that time, they would completely clear the obstacles heading south, and the plains of the southern part of the River Valley Province would fall into the hands of the Chewing Bone Tribe.

Now, only a torrential downpour was missing...

"A few anti-tank obstacles are nothing to fear, even if they bury a ring of anti-tank mines at the foot of the mountain, it won’t stop our armored spearhead from penetrating their defenses. I’m just worried that they have other cards up their sleeve..."

Saying this, Dylon handed the binoculars to Tu Men standing beside him.

Looking at his subordinate, he continued.

"Send two scouting teams to check it out in a bit, mark the locations of the anti-tank obstacles, they will be needed when we make our battle plans."

"The day of the decisive battle is approaching; it could be today, it could be tomorrow. From now on, we must be doubly careful with every step!"

Tu Men, taking the binoculars, stood at attention and said solemnly.

"Yes!"

Dylon nodded and turned to walk towards the trenches.

But at that moment, he suddenly felt a cool touch on the tip of his nose.

Dylon instinctively lifted his head, only to see large raindrops falling one after another from the sky, hitting the brim of his hat and his shoulders.

The weather in May changes on a whim.

The raindrops became denser and denser, and within a minute, a heavy downpour began over the position.

A look of surprise appeared on Dylon’s face, which quickly turned into wild joy.

Rain!

The rain had finally come!

Standing beside him, Bear Tooth reacted even more vehemently, the burly man opening his arms wide, lifting his face to the sky and laughing loudly.

It was as if he was celebrating the torrential rain.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

"It seems even the heavens are on our side!"

After the excitement,

He looked towards Dylon, ignoring the rain on his face, and shouted excitedly.

"What are we waiting for! While that bunch of Blue Ground Squirrels’ planes turn into rain-drenched flies, let’s drive our tanks up to their faces and grind their front teeth to rubble!"

Dylon didn’t speak, but stared intently at the sky, his thoughts racing.

Judging by the thickness of the clouds, the rain wouldn’t stop anytime soon if it started.

With the ground not yet turned into a mud puddle by the rain, now was indeed the perfect time to launch an offensive...

Although the plan was important, sometimes the opportunity was more critical than the plan.

Without further hesitation, Dylon immediately took off the walkie-talkie on his shoulder and pressed the button.

At the same time, five kilometers away in a mountain hollow, that same voice amplified through the loudspeakers echoed above the heads of the busy Looters.

"All units, attention! Activate battle plan number one, everyone take your "weapons" and head to your battle positions to assemble!"

"Get all our tanks, armored vehicles... all operable vehicles out!"

"The time for battle has arrived!"

"It’s time to give those damned Ground Squirrels a severe lesson!!"

...

(Thanks to the grand patrons "Giant Chunk of Ice" and "Adventurer’s Beginning" for their rewards!!)