This Game Is Too Real
Chapter 393: Inheritance of Authority (Second Update!)

Chapter 393: Chapter 393: Inheritance of Authority (Second Update!)

Above the sky.

The Iron Heart airship.

The cannon below the pod slowly shifted its angle, locking onto that dense, white fog.

Meanwhile, inside the pod, the main gunner held a piece of paper delivered by a messenger and issued orders to the assistant gunner.

"Adjust artillery parameters..."

"Shooting elements set!"

"Load the high-explosive bomb."

"Prepare—"

"Fire!"

The lanyard was simultaneously pulled back, and three neat cannon shots roared, flames and smoke rolling neatly into the thick fog.

Standing next to the observation hole, a sergeant with a binocular around his neck looked out and could not see where the shells had landed.

He heard only three muffled rumbles slowly drifting over, unable to see even the light of the explosions.

"...The fog is too thick here; I can’t see anything."

The main gunner pressed the walkie-talkie hanging on his shoulder and, after a long while, shouted to his teammates.

"Confirm hit! Cease fire."

"Roger."

The smoking shell casings were ejected from the barrel, and a sergeant dragged them with a cart, throwing them into a wooden box in the corner of the room.

The observer walked up to the main gunner and asked.

"Sir, do we have any operations planned today?"

The main gunner replied.

"None."

The observer, curious, continued.

"Then what are we shooting at?"

The main gunner glanced at the piece of paper in his hand, casually tossing it into the trash bin next to him.

"General McCullen’s targeted prey."

The assistant gunner, intrigued, interjected.

"That big fellow as tall as a two-story building?"

"What else?" The main gunner chuckled, "Aside from that guy, what else could be worth our boss’s persistent attention?"

The observer looked outside, chuckling.

"Such dense fog, sure picks its days."

As everyone knows, rainy and foggy weather are absolutely not suitable for hunting. Not only does visibility suffer, scopes fog up, and perception is diminished by the environment, but the accuracy and reliability of weapons are also affected.

For the Variants accustomed to the jungle, however, this is not a problem.

Especially the Dead Claws.

The moist environment makes them even more dangerous.

"That native said, the most dangerous places are the safest... Whatever, today’s work is done anyway," said the main gunner indifferently, taking off his gloves and throwing them aside.

Three 100mm cannons were the only reinforcements they had promised to the hunting team; they didn’t need to worry whether they were effective.

Their only task was to fire the shells according to the coordinates provided by the front line.

At this very moment, a few kilometers away from the airship in the city district, the street struck by the three 100mm cannon shots was a complete mess.

The cracked concrete surface resembled plowed muddy soil, its debris and cracked stones scattered all over.

Flames and wisps of hot air rose together, and in the center of the explosion, the Dead Claw let out a pitiful roar.

Its eyes were blinded by shrapnel, its spine penetrated by an armor-piercing bullet, its flesh charred... Even though all these wounds were healing rapidly, the cumulative damage completely enraged it.

The serum, shattered by the artillery fire...

But, that no longer mattered.

Since the passage from the shelter to the research area had been cleared, the spent serum would continue to be produced; it would obtain more from the lab through others.

And these people in front of it...

No, these ants.

It wanted them dead!

"I’ll tear you apart!"

"I’ll rip out your eyes, your intestines... and feed them to the dogs!"

The vicious curses resonated with that pitiful howl in the thick fog, as several hunched figures emerged from the haze.

Some stood on the street, others climbed on rooftops or broken ruins, rubbing their blade-like claws and sharp teeth, their amber pupils filled with a thirst for flesh, inching closer to the group of White Bear Knights at the other end of the street.

These were its offspring.

Although their size was not only a bit smaller than the mother entity, they were still bigger than the garbage lords of level fifteen or so.

"giao... being targeted by a bunch of garbage lords!" Tail’s face showed neither fear nor, even excitement.

Meat Meat, bemused, spoke.

"Why are you suddenly excited?"

"Facing a powerful enemy... don’t you find it thrilling?!" Tail said excitedly, "Don’t worry, Meat Meat, we’ve been spotted too!"

It was clear they were not alone here; before they went to the meeting, the Death Legion had already set out first to ambush near the target.

Almost at the very moment the Dead Claws revealed themselves, roughly two to three hundred figures simultaneously emerged from the dense fog.

They wore gas masks on their chests, an engineer shovel strapped to their waists, and their assault rifles were fitted with bayonets.

Yong’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Two hundred and seventy people...

More than half were Awakeners...

A flash of wariness crossed those amber pupils but was quickly dismissed by a sniff of disdain.

So what!

It had surpassed the limits of life.

Every cell in its body was a crystallization of the highest life science technology before the war.

It was the immortal king, an entity that could stand at the top of the food chain with just its flesh body, and it would eventually become the dominator of this planet!

Be it humans, mutants, or those foul-smelling myxomycetes... they would all ultimately bow at its feet!

"Lowly ants..."

It rubbed its claw-like palms and let out a roar from its blood-drenched mouth.

"Tear them apart!!"

A piercing scream washed over the players like a tide.

Looking at the incoming Death Claws, everyone’s faces were filled with soaring fighting spirit, blood seemingly burning in their chests.

Not one showed fear.

Nor did anyone retreat.

A sharp whistle cut through the mist, bestowing an unstoppable BUFF on all the players present.

For the Death Legion, the charge was the ultimate tactic.

It was also the tactic they were most adept at!

"Brothers! Charge!"

"Demacia!"

"Roar—!"

Scalding metal clashed with flesh, and gunfire echoed through the streets.

No need to aim.

After firing the last bullet in the magazine, the charging player didn’t stop; instead, they charged forward with bayonets, racing towards the Death Claws ahead.

Two waves collided, merging into a meat grinder, flesh flying chaotically.

Amazement filled those amber eyes.

Even unbelievably so.

Not long ago, it had clashed with a hundred soldiers of the army. At that time, it had casually reaped a few lives, and those people had retreated in disarray.

But these people...

They seemed utterly oblivious to death, with no intention of retreating even a step.

If bullets ran out, they used bayonets, engineer shovels, even rocks and steel bars picked up from the ground... Such a barbaric method of fighting instilled fear even in the eyes of beasts, hesitating and shivering in the midst of the battle.

These people...

Were simply lunatics!

As more of their kids died in the fight, Yong finally couldn’t hold back a roar and charged towards the fearless ants.

A more bloody fight...

Had just begun.

...

An hour later, when quietness returned to the streets.

The rising dawn shone in the distance, and perhaps soon, the fog that enveloped the street would dissipate...

Fight for life Yong lay panting in the middle of the street.

Its body was wrapped in iron chains, and bloodied all over, resembling Prometheus bound to a rock.

Though its aim was not to bring light and heat to the world but pure malice and darkness.

As it had said, half of the chaos on this land stemmed from it, and it was the one who had fully opened Pandora’s box.

Its wounds no longer healed, just as the players had discussed on the forum—its regenerative capabilities had limits.

Continuous damage rapidly depleted its biotic energy, and without replenishment from food, it would soon breach the limit of recovery.

As the players fired one hot metal shard after another into its body, it eventually collapsed.

Though the players had also suffered significant losses.

But what team fight doesn’t have casualties?

As per the pre-agreed rules, every fallen player would receive at least 300 silver coins as compensation—equivalent to three days’ worth of earnings.

Those who had died were probably already bragging about it on the forum.

And it really was something to boast about.

That was the Death Claw, as tall as a two-story building...

Since the beta server had been launched, this was the first time they had encountered one.

"Speaking of which... I forgot to ask, what exactly was Plan B?"

Panting heavily, Debt Giant Eye sitting on an old car, wiped the blood from his forehead and looked at the young construction worker and Brick beside him.

The young construction worker and Brick hadn’t even had a chance to reply.

Edge Shoveling, sitting nearby, chuckled and answered for them.

"Plan B... was to have no plan."

The young construction worker and Brick nodded.

"That’s right, what do we need a plan for? Just dive in and fight!"

If the Drum Washing Machine were here, he would have chimed in as well, but unfortunately his head was nowhere to be found.

According to what they had discussed with Tail before.

If the sneak attack didn’t kill Yong, everyone would just gang up and join the melee... This was their Plan B.

Truth be told, the Old Soldier thought Plan A was completely unnecessary.

Before officially triggering the BOSS battle, such a level boss was definitely locked by blood, how could it possibly be killed by a sneak attack?

In the end, they would have to fight anyway.

Might as well start with a group fight from the beginning.

Debt Giant Eye said with mixed emotions.

"This is too reckless."

Edge Shoveling grinned and clapped his shoulder.

"What else can we do? We’ve used every possible means... If you really want to determine a victor, you have to show your true skills in the end."

Saying this, he looked towards the fog-filled sky in the distance, squinting slightly.

That place was where the "Iron Heart" floated.

Even in front of that huge object, the Mother of Dead Claw, which was only as big as a two-story building, appeared as just a slightly larger grasshopper.

The barbarians crossing the desert were the real threat they had to face...

Seeing Tail, Sesame Paste, and a blood-soaked White bear approaching him, Yong’s finally showed a trace of panic in his eyes.

The creature, which now lay gasping on the ground, had lost its arrogance and wildness. A pleading tone crept into its hoarse voice.

"Please, spare me, and I can make you stronger... Don’t you desire greater strength?"

That moment, a familiar voice suddenly came from the side.

"Strength comes in many forms... We just have different understandings of it."

Turning his stiff neck, Yong’s strained to look in the direction of the voice. The moment his gaze met with that person, his amber pupils shrank violently.

"You didn’t die?!" Yong’s couldn’t help but cry out in shock.

Three days ago, Yong’s had watched this woman, after reading the last experimental journal, put the gun to her temple and pull the trigger.

There was a flash of gunfire, a wall was sprayed with brain matter and blood. Yong’s even felt a bit of pity for a second or two.

Yet now, the person who should have been dead was standing in front of him again...

Yong’s eyes became blank, but Si Si didn’t plan to waste time explaining. She just smiled faintly.

"Disappointed? But you don’t need to worry about those troubles anymore... It’s over."

After parachuting down and rushing over twenty kilometers, she was terribly worn out by the long-distance trek.

But fortunately, she made it in time.

"Oh! It’s all yours, Si!" Tail gave a thumbs up, his eyes gleaming, "Give it the final blow!"

Si Si smiled and made a casual hand gesture.

"Oh, thanks Ah Wei."

Tail curled his lips smugly and said,

"No problem! Just remember to not mess up its head! I promised Brother Battlefield I’d give him this guy’s dog head!"

As payment for those three 100mm cannons.

Thanks to that round of cannon fire cover, they at least drained half of the boss’s health bar.

"Rest assured... I’ll bring its head down intact."

Watching Si Si, axe in hand, step by step approaching, Yong’s eyes filled with terror as his enormous body desperately tried to struggle free.

However, those iron chains hanging off junk cars and street lamps had him securely bound.

"Please... don’t do this."

"No need to thank me... this axe is specially prepared for you!"

With that, she hoisted the axe high above her head with a hearty swing, chopping down on his thick neck, down and down again.

Initially, Yong’s screamed and begged, but later there were no sounds, only the dull thuds of the bludgeon hacking through flesh.

Hot blood splattered all over the street.

The scene was almost akin to a slaughterhouse.

Watching from a distance, Debt Giant Eye couldn’t help but shrink his neck.

"Damn, is it that bloody?"

The construction youth and the brick stared wide-eyed and suddenly blurted out,

"Love it, love it."

Edge Shoveling: "..."

Debt Giant Eye: "???"

...

[Mission: Kill Yong’s (Completed)]

[Mission: Gain Access to Shelter No.79 (In Progress)]

[Mission: ...]

The VM screen flashed with pale blue pop-ups indicating mission completion.

Looking at the head she had finally chopped off, Si Si threw the bloody axe aside and shook her sore right hand.

"This guy’s neck was pretty tough."

Tail, standing beside her, nodded earnestly.

"Hmm, took quite a while."

Meat Meat and Sesame Paste had a look of mixed amusement and discomfort on their faces, mentally paying respects to the unfortunate creature for a few seconds.

But nobody sympathized with it.

It might have done some good deeds, but compared to the evil it committed over this century, those were hardly worth mentioning.

Moreover, this creature couldn’t be considered human anymore; they weren’t about to extend their sympathy to an enemy who had attacked their comrades.

However, coming back to the point, although Yong’s cunningly manipulated them, the materials dropped from its body were quite likable.

Like the skin of Dead Claw, especially suitable for making backpacks and leather goods. Paired with Devil Silk, it could even create top-tier protective gear, sturdier than Kefla Material!

The only drawback was its difficult mass production.

But once they got the access to Shelter No.79, that wouldn’t be a problem anymore.

With enough Mind Interference Instruments, not just making backpacks from Dead Claw’s skin, even forming a "Dead Claw Knights" wouldn’t be an issue!

Players began to clear the battlefield.

At this time, the Battlefield Atmosphere Group slowly came over from afar.

After calling for the Army’s bombardment, he had stayed back to observe; now that the fight was over, it was finally his turn to emerge.

Glancing over the street smeared with fresh blood and watching Brother Edge drag half a body to the roadside, he couldn’t help clicking his tongue.

"Damn, how many of you died?"

Edge Shoveling casually replied,

"Haven’t counted yet, around a hundred... What’s up?"

"Nothing much, just a bit impressed," said Old Soldier emotionally, "Your casualties are consistently high..."

Edge Shoveling smiled sheepishly.

"Cough, we’re a bit reckless... But no big deal, winning is what matters."

Players who pursue survival rates wouldn’t join the Death Legion, just like diners who crave steak wouldn’t go to a hot pot restaurant.

Although the levels of players in the Death Legion are generally not very high, with only a few T1 players reaching LV20, even Brother Quanshui has given a considerable high rating to their alley-fighting ability.

Even in reality, these individuals are absolutely experts in alley fighting, with combat instincts honed through countless deaths, though these can’t be quantified by attribute points, no one doubts their combat power.

"Where’s the head?" Old Soldier stretched out his hand.

"Don’t worry, I’ve kept it for you." Edge Shoveling pointed to a trash can beside the road, which leaned against a bundle of sacks containing Yong’s head.

That Claw of Death’s head, with its neck, was as large as a cow, and even when drained of blood, weighed a hundred kilograms.

The Battlefield Atmosphere Group walked up, loosened the tightly tied hemp rope, took a look, and expressed satisfaction,

"Not bad at all, no effort was needed to find what was hard to find."

"You figure out how to get it back yourself, we won’t help you," Edge Shoveling said with a laugh, "Speaking of which, carrying this guy’s head, could it get me a Centurion or what?"

Old Soldier chuckled and said,

"That’s a given."

More than just a Centurion!

There are other rewards as well!

It’s just unfortunate that the mission rewards are in Dinars.

At present, there’s no official exchange rate between Dinars and Silver coins; it might stabilize after the Army map opens up.

"Speaking of which, where are your squad members?"

"Oh, I ditched them halfway... Having them around makes it inconvenient for me to make up stories," said the Battlefield Atmosphere Group, his eyes shifting as he continued with a playful grin, "Why don’t you guys come back with me, claim to be fellow townsmen from Bet Street."

"Going there with so many people at once, do you take the NPC for a fool?", Edge Shoveling rolled his eyes and continued, "Let’s take it slow, I’ll sneak a few people into your place tomorrow to check the situation, if it’s clear, then I’ll bring more in."

"Alright, then I won’t waste time here."

Having lifted the Dead Claw’s head onto his shoulders, Old Soldier bid farewell and turned to walk into the already thinning fog.

Edge Shoveling looked at the battlefield that had been cleaned up in the distance and shouted to his teammates.

"Brothers, time to retreat."

Debt Giant Eye, who had already packed up his equipment, walked over.

"Where to now?"

Edge Shoveling thought for a moment and said,

"Let’s head to Xiangling Town first."

They needed to find a place to stash the spoils of war before the fog cleared, to sync with Old Soldier’s return act.

If that airship saw the corpses and the messy battlefield, it’d be tough for Old Soldier to explain how he got the head, even if he made up a intricate story.

...

Xiangling Town.

In the central courtyard of the municipal library, bodies of the Claws of Death lay neatly arranged, including the one whose head was missing...

All in the family.

Standing nearby, Wu Tao and Wang Xu wore faces full of astonishment.

It wasn’t just them.

Every survivor in Xiangling town couldn’t help but hold their breath and widen their eyes.

Seventeen Claws of Death!

And that two-story high mother!

Staring at the headless creature, Wu Tao swallowed hard and said with difficulty,

"That Dead Claw... is it dead?"

Knowing which one he was referring to, Si Si, who was scrolling through her VM, casually nodded.

"Oh, it’s dead."

At that moment, she was drenched in blood from head to toe, a shocking sight of red, completely transformed into a blood person.

When she first returned, she had even frightened the children in the village to tears.

The surrounding survivors exchanged glances, their faces showing mixed emotions.

"It’s dead... Well, if it’s dead, it’s dead," Wu Tao sighed, his face full of worry, "It won’t be long before the Army comes here again."

He hadn’t expected that man-eating Variant to become their guardian angel, protecting the village for a lifetime.

But he had fantasized that those barbaric soldiers would be deterred by the formidable presence of that big guy and wouldn’t dare to come here and disturb them again.

Feeling somewhat guilty, Sesame Paste softly suggested,

"This place will soon turn into a battlefield. I recommend you all move away as soon as possible."

"That’s right!" Tail nodded earnestly, "You can go to the City of Dawn, where everyone is really nice! The respected Manager will take you in!"

"Is that so, thank you for your kindness," Wu Tao sighed and continued, troubled, "But this has been our home, we have lived here for over a century... It’s sudden for you to ask us to move now."

At that moment, Si Si, who was fiddling with her VM, suddenly spoke up.

"Actually, there is another way..."

Although somewhat scared of this blood-covered crazy woman, Wu Tao’s instincts told him that she might really have a good idea.

So, he gathered his courage and asked,

"What, what solution?"

"Move to Shelter No.79, we’ve cleared a few buildings, and it can easily accommodate two to three hundred people. If you really don’t want to leave your hometown, you could temporarily hide there and come back to live here after the war ends."

"Oh, we could initially hide in Shelter No.79!" Tail showed a realization, nodding while stroking his chin, "Well, we are probably going to build a new Survivor Settlement here anyway, maybe there’s no need to move to the City of Dawn."

Sesame Paste hesitantly said, "But... we don’t have access to Shelter No.79, right?"

Hearing this, Si Si, her face smeared with blood, suddenly showed a subtle expression.

"Uh, about that, I was just going to say... I’m not sure how, but it seems like I’ve obtained some of that guy’s permissions."

Saying that, she extended her VM.

On the screen was the surveillance footage of a room in Shelter No.79, and in the corner of the room, a body with a blown-off head lay there.

That body was none other than herself...

-

(Hereby presenting two updates. The episode at Shelter No.79 is over, up next is the much-awaited loot counting! It’s a bit faster than expected, and isn’t it nice of me not to split this into two Chapters? Lastly, thanks to "Fang Teacher," "21912," "As You Say," "Caretaker’s Alt," "No Reply," and "Spring Rain Returns" for their generous donations! I haven’t had lunch yet, I’m exhausted, going to sleep before I write more...)