This Game Is Too Real
Chapter 495: The "Reunion" After a Century and a Half

Chapter 495: Chapter 495: The "Reunion" After a Century and a Half

In the expansive wilderness, there sat a fortress that was easy to defend but hard to assault.

Tunnels stretching 15.7 kilometers, concrete shelters, and trenches were interconnected, with semispherical rotating armored gun towers, anti-aircraft artillery positions, anti-tank gun positions, and heavy machine gun emplacements all readily available.

This was the largest military base of the Army at Oasis No. 2, known as Horn Fortress, constructed by the former commander of the Legion stationed in Luo Xia Province, General Kras.

It boasted the capacity to garrison an army of a million!

To meet the massive material needs of this fortress, General Kras not only arranged for a water channel to be built from the nearby riverbank to the fortress but also constructed spacious six-lane highways around it.

Supplies headed to Horn Fortress could travel by waterway, road, or even be airlifted by plane or airship.

And in the event of an invasion threat to Oasis No. 2, the troops stationed in the fortress and the stockpiled supplies could be transported to the front line via road in the shortest time possible.

However, now,

This fortress, with its many access points, was completely blockaded.

The Skeleton Corps of the Alliance did not storm the fortress but rather watched as they retreated into it before cutting off the water channel leading to the fortress.

In theory, such a fortress ought to have a reserve capable of sustaining an army of a million for over three years. However, in General Griffin’s original plan, there was never any consideration that this military base would one day be used as a defensive stronghold.

Furthermore, with the front lines in dire straits, most resources were being sent there, and the production surplus within the Falcon Kingdom was insufficient to complete the stockpiling of supplies for the fortress.

This resulted in the fifty thousand troops who had withdrawn to the fortress having less than two months’ worth of food remaining, and the supply of fresh water was in a precarious state.

But this wasn’t even the deadliest issue.

The real killer was the shortage of ammunition.

The closest William Industrial Zone had already been occupied by the Alliance’s army, and it was doubtful that supplies sent from Triumph City would reach them.

Aside from Griffin and those not-so-smart clones, any Weilante person could feel that they were teetering on the edge of a cliff...

"I heard the Adjudicator has arrived."

"...Why the Adjudicator? Shouldn’t an offensive airship have been sent over?"

"I heard His Excellency the Marshal has no plans to deploy troops west of the Great Desert. The world across the sea, the Far North Land, and the wilderness to the south are all more important than the land thousands of miles away. The last expedition was a solo act by General Kras..."

"How could this be..."

"No wonder... we’ve been waiting for reinforcements that have never arrived."

The soldiers’ whispers could be heard throughout the camp.

An Old Soldier, sitting at his tent’s entrance eating a boxed meal, silently took note of this, planning to post it on the Forum later as today’s amusement.

These days his Work was straightforward.

It mainly involved marking the location of supplies inside the fortress, waiting for bombs to fall from the sky, and then assessing the Goblin Corps’ aerial bombardment results.

It wasn’t easy to pinpoint the warehouses storing the bulk supplies, especially now that there was a severe shortage, the crucial materials were scattered, and any approach to nearby areas would lead to being stopped and interrogated.

This wasn’t something that could be explained away with a simple "Sorry, I went the wrong way."

As a "non-Weilante person," the Old Soldier was well aware of his limitations, naturally avoiding such conspicuous behavior.

Besides, it wasn’t necessary.

Even if locating the supply warehouses was challenging, finding the canteens and mobile kitchens was easy.

Just by throwing a 100 kg aerial bomb near where the Weilante people were eating, it would be enough to send all the pots, pans, and those in line flying.

As for assessing the effects of the airstrikes, that was even easier.

He didn’t even need to visit the scene; simply listening to the other Weilante people screaming was enough to get the job done.

Thanks to this,

His United Human language was starting to sound more and more like the accent from the west side of the Great Desert.

However, that trick hasn’t been effective lately.

The frequent visits of the Alliance’s planes made the Weilante People suspect that there were drones taking aerial photos above them, not only did they shoot at them with signal-jamming guns every other day, but they also canceled communal dining in favor of "delivery service."

No one knew which genius had come up with that idea.

The Old Soldiers couldn’t help but give that guy a thumbs-up...

Sitting next to the Battlefield Atmosphere Group, Penny’s face was haggard, her brows laden with worry. Staring at the food container in her hands, she was silent for a long time, then suddenly spoke.

"General Griffin was assassinated," she said.

The Old Soldier, who was shoving bread into his mouth, almost choked and had to exert a lot of effort to maintain his stoic persona.

"...Assassinated?!"

"Yes... Someone planted dynamite underneath his chair, if he hadn’t arrived a few minutes late this morning, the corporate and Alliance assassins would have nearly succeeded."

The Old Soldier thought to himself that it might not be an Alliance person who wanted him dead, as the Manager had never issued an order for him to assassinate a high-ranking military official.

"...Did they catch the assassin?"

"No."

Penny took a deep breath, hugged her head with both hands, fingers threading through her hair, and began to pray softly, her lips murmuring.

"...I hope nothing happens."

Her worry was not for Griffin’s safety, but for the future direction of the war.

The upheaval in Falcon City had been too abrupt, she was completely unprepared and had not managed to leave the front line in time, so she could only retreat here with the main force.

She hoped she wouldn’t be captured by Alliance people...

A military camp is inherently a place full of violence, especially the front line, nearest to death. As a reporter for Triumph Newspaper, she was very clear about what the Weilante People did to other survivors on the front lines, and was not surprised how much the Weilante People’s enemies hated them.

Weilante People who fell into the hands of the natives usually met a grim fate, she had seen photos from her colleagues... it was simply brutal.

Just the thought of it was enough to send shivers down one’s spine.

The Old Soldier had wanted to casually reassure her, saying there was nothing to worry about if captured by the Alliance, as their discipline was miles ahead of the Army’s.

He’d even thought that being captured wouldn’t be so bad.

The slaves that had been sent to his tent before hadn’t been touched by him, afraid of breaking the Wasteland OL Player Manual’s rule against "forced" relations.

But after another thought, since he was an undercover agent, it seemed inappropriate to compliment the "enemy" and so he changed what he was about to say.

"It’s okay, you have me."

Caught off guard by his words, Penny couldn’t help but blush and a trace of a smile curled up on her lips involuntarily.

This guy was usually as silent as a log, but always managed to blurt out a sentence or two that made her heart race unexpectedly.

She had heard many phrases like this before, even more flowery and clever ones, but those men were often just talk. They would profess their cheesy vows one moment and the next, they’d be sneaking into the tents of captive alien women... not only did that fail to give her any sense of security, it made her feel sick.

But this man called Pangolin was different.

He was stronger than some of the Weilante People, yet he lacked the arrogance, rudeness, and a host of other bad habits that Weilante People had.

Just like his plain, rustic name, his thoughts were as pure as the snow on the mountains, and his life was devoted only to loyalty to the Marshal, to obeying his superiors’ commands, and to the honor of being a warrior.

Even when everyone felt uncertain about the future and disheartened by the present, his face seldom showed a hint of despondency.

Even at the point of an impending defeat, he could still say "it’s okay, you have me," with an air of calmness.

It was only when she heard these words from his mouth that she could feel the sincerity in them, absolutely free of falsehood.

"...Thank you, I’m happy to hear that from you, but your sword should belong to the Marshal, you needn’t hesitate for me," Penny said in a proud voice, flipping her deep brown hair.

"Weilante People are all born warriors, both men and women, and I will take good care of myself."

General Griffin had some fame in Triumph City.

Even if the situation was terrible, she didn’t think it would come to the worst...

Perhaps she was just overthinking.

Old Soldier didn’t say much, just nodded, but his mind was digesting the massive amount of information.

Griffin was attacked?!

What situation...

Just then, two people approached from not far away.

One of them was Coleway, and the other was his direct superior and also the boss he had reported to after being transferred to the officer squad—Vilic, the Ten Thousand Leader of the Ten Thousand Troop.

As they reached them, Vilic looked at Penny, sitting on the steps, and said in a gentleman’s tone,

"Excuse me, ma’am, I have a bit of business to discuss with Pangolin. May I borrow him for a moment?"

Penny stood up and smiled politely.

"Not at all, please go ahead."

Perhaps sensing the importance of the matter at hand, Penny did not linger but walked away discreetly.

Vilic watched Penny’s retreating back, looked around to make sure no one was around, then turned to Coleway.

"You tell me."

"Alright, sir..." Coleway said with a complex expression as he nodded, then looked toward the standing Old Soldier and hesitated before speaking, "Let’s go inside and talk."

Old Soldier nodded and followed the two men into the tent.

He didn’t know why a Thousands of leaders and a Ten Thousand Leader were seeking him out, a small advisor in the officer’s squad, but he could tell from the look on Coleway’s face that something big was going to happen.

And it most certainly had something to do with him!

"...What’s going on?" Old Soldier asked, seeing Coleway hesitating to speak.

"This morning, during the morning meeting, General Griffin was attacked."

Old Soldier’s breath caught in his throat.

Seeing the two men looking at him, and while his mind raced, his face immediately showed concern.

"I just heard... is the general alright?"

"She’s fine," Coleway shook his head.

Before Pangolin could insincerely say ’that’s good,’ Coleway continued with a complex look, "...But that’s the problem."

Old Soldier: "...???"

"Enough, I’ll say it." Vilic, growing impatient with Coleway’s beating around the bush, took over the conversation and continued sternly to the native who wasn’t much for words, "I’ll get straight to the point. Griffin has betrayed His Excellency the Marshal. The appearance of Adjudicator at the front line is proof enough!"

Old Soldier held his breath.

He felt this connection was somewhat far-fetched, but considering the predicament of these people, he suddenly understood everything.

Griffin’s unilateral decisions had driven these middle-ranking officers to a dead end.

Now they had to do the same thing...

"...What do you need me to do?"

Vilic stared unblinkingly into his eyes.

"I need to confirm your loyalty to His Excellency the Marshal. Look into my eyes and tell me, are you loyal?"

Loyal?

Of course!

Not yet realizing the seriousness of the situation, and thinking it was triggering a side quest, Old Soldier reflexively raised three fingers.

"My loyalty to His Excellency the Marshal is as clear as day and night!"

Coleway’s gaze drifted to the side.

"Good," Vilic nodded in satisfaction, and continued to speak to Pangolin, "Now, the moment to show your true loyalty to His Excellency has arrived!"

...

That evening.

Wasteland OL Forum.

"Anyway... that’s what happened. The Ten Thousand Leader of the Ten Thousand Troop wants me to take out Griffin."

Old Soldier gave a brief recount of what had transpired.

Including the low morale within Horn Fortress, the restlessness among the soldiers, and having their world rocked by aerial bombings, and so on.

Tail: "Oh! Is it time for a BOSS battle?

Teng Teng: "Coleway he... ugh, damn, I hit my leg.

Old Soldier: "Stop your nonsense!!"

Night Ten: "Thrilling. (funny face)"

Old White: "But isn’t it good, you take out Griffin, his deputy takes over, and if they refuse to listen, just raise a white flag and surrender. (grinning)"

Old Soldier: "What rubbish! The Manager had me go undercover in the Army, not to take out Griffin."

Wild Wind: "Indeed... If you could take out Griffin unnoticed, it would be fine, but once you’re caught red-handed, no matter if everyone thanks you, you’ll still be executed on the spot."

Elena: "Not necessarily, looking at the progress of the strategy guide, Coleway might give you a chance to escape. (funny face)"

Old Soldier: "Damn it! What about my power armor?"

Night Ten: "That’s a question for Dog plan. (funny face)"

Mosquito No. 404: "How about this, you give us Griffin’s schedule, we handle it for you, and it’ll be done and dusted. (evil grin)"

Fang Chang: "Convenient, and now Pangolin’s confirmed as a high-level agent. (sideways glance)"

One Cannon: "The key question is whether Griffin’s death is actually beneficial for the Alliance."

Fang Chang: "Analyzing rationally, it would be best if those fifty thousand were willing to surrender, but in terms of bargaining chips, fifty thousand besieged and without supplies are worth more than fifty thousand captured."

Spring Water Commander: "+1, so for maximum profit, if you plan to act, you’d better wait until negotiations are concluded. (sideways glance)"

Old Soldier: "I’m tearing apart! T.T"

Playing undercover is too damn hard!

...

Chu Guang naturally saw the forum discussion, but he did not give new instructions to "Comrade Pangolin."

At this point, whether Griffin lived or died, the Alliance wouldn’t lose; it was just a matter of winning more or less.

Therefore, he gave Old Soldier full autonomy in decision-making.

If he wanted to continue playing the role of an undercover agent, he would have to think a bit more about how to keep up the act. If he didn’t want to continue, that was alright too. They were unlikely to have a significant military conflict with the Army for quite some time, and having provided so much high-value intelligence, this undercover role could be considered a great success.

While Old Soldier was caught in a dilemma, airships from Triumph City had reached the western outskirts of Falcon City, anchoring just twenty kilometers from the nearest river levee.

Two airships confronted each other from a distance.

The atmosphere instantly became tense as if swords were drawn and bows were bent!

Looking up at the colossal object above, King Montegarde prayed inwardly, hoping that thing wouldn’t fall.

Or, even if it did fall, may it not destroy his castle.

Fortunately, however, the situation that the old man feared did not occur, as neither the Army nor the Alliance fired the first shot.

Obviously, not only he and the array of nobles by his side were done fighting, but so was the Army far off in the west of the Great Desert...

Standing at the Western Gate of Falcon City with a group of players, Chu Guang squinted as he watched the slowly descending elevator.

"It seems the Army has some tricks up its sleeve."

Descending along with the elevator was a four-legged robot as tall as a three-story building, with its rectangular body and hoof-like feet, it looked from afar like a mule with its head buried, somewhat similar to the Imperial Walkers from "Star Wars."

However, this gadget was not a means of transportation; the 200mm cannon perched atop its head emitted a menacing chill under the blazing sun.

Of course, what was even more eye-catching was the chimney with a diameter of several tens of centimeters.

It was like a walking locomotive, its massive steel body perfectly interpreted the Weilante People’s violent aesthetic that bigger is better; the towering chimney belched black smoke, driving its powerful limbs to move forward slowly.

Ancient internal combustion engine power combined organically with cutting-edge design on its body, resembling a surreal diesel-punk. Each frame was a work of art.

Without a doubt, it should also have deflection shields and even anti-gravity devices, the latter powered by precious nuclear fusion batteries... It was evident that the Army had indeed inherited quite a bit from pre-war civilization.

Even if only in parts.

This machine also gave Chu Guang a sense of déjà vu, as if it was a simplified and improved version of the "Titan" from Lost Valley.

"Holy shit..."

Watching that vast machine, Night Ten, who was wearing Light Cavalry Exoskeleton, couldn’t help but swallow his saliva and muttered,

"What on earth is that?"

Compared to the players’ surprise, Earl Krunwi, whose heart had previously died, was reignited with confidence in the Weilante People, murmuring incessantly,

"Wild Bull! It’s the Wild Bull!"

The "Wild Bull" All-terrain Armored Walking Machine!

A war monster powered by diesel and nuclear fusion hybrid engines!

It was said that in the western side of the Great Desert, it was called the "Four-legged Train Cannon," with its 200mm automatic-loading cannon capable of showering a targeted area with the firepower of an artillery battalion within a minute!

It could not only serve as support equipment but also replace the tank as the vanguard of the attack, with the combination of deflection shields and aerospace alloy sufficiently defending against all direct and indirect fire.

With thousands upon thousands of such walking mechs attacking the Alliance simultaneously, along with the charge of armies of Clones...

All signs of weakness would be reversed!

However, what the brain of Earl Krunwi obviously hadn’t processed yet, was why there was only one "Wild Bull" that appeared here.

Chu Guang knew.

This governor from Triumph City was showing off his strength.

To get this contraption onto the airship, the Army would have had to strip down at least twenty cannons to make room, and if they wanted it to be fully operational to rain down fire, they would likely need to build an industrial park in the Great Desert first.

So he wasn’t the least bit worried, not taking this iron beast before his eyes to heart at all.

The four-legged machine took heavy steps forward, and stopped less than five hundred meters from the riverbank.

It bent its four legs slowly, pressing its square body onto the weedy wheat field.

Surrounded by a group of tall elite troops, a man with a prominent nose stepped out of the hatch and stopped in front of Chu Guang.

"Are you the Manager of the Alliance?"

Chu Guang opened the visor of his power armor and looked at him.

"Who are you?"

"Cohen," the man lifted his chin slightly and continued, "the governor of Luo Xia Province appointed by His Excellency the Marshal."

A five-star Ten Thousand Leader was second only to a Legion Leader in rank. If one wished to advance further, they had to leave the Army’s territory and expand new lands for the Army.

In fact, a five-star Ten Thousand Leader was already the equivalent of a deputy Legion Leader within the Army itself.

General Kras’s motivation for launching the expedition was largely to take a step further and be promoted to the fifth Legion Leader of the Army.

Chu Guang eyed Cohen, briefly introducing himself with succinct words.

"Chu Guang, manager of Shelter No. 404 and also a manager for the Alliance."

This five-star Ten Thousand Leader wasn’t particularly outstanding in strength—just an average person—but the twenty-plus Weilante people behind him were all strong Awakeners without exception!

According to the standards of Shelter No. 404, their levels were at least 30, with muscle and reflexive nerves being their probable areas of enhancement.

The strongest among them might even be at level 40!

Of course, this was just his gut feeling.

Besides, physical strength wasn’t everything. Those green-skinned mutants averaged level 30 and still got beaten down by players who were just at the beginning levels.

As Chu Guang observed Cohen, Cohen was also taking stock of him.

What Cohen couldn’t see through was that this legendary Alliance manager was equally as strong as the soldiers behind him.

Could it be that all the managers in the Alliance were Awakeners?

Cohen was astonished to realize this.

Although some drugs could help force those without any talent to awaken by squeezing out potential from their genetic code, almost no higher-up would choose this path.

There were many ways to extend one’s lifespan, with no need to take this route.

Compared to the slight increase in lifespan and physical functions, awakening not only had various side effects but also uncontrollable genetic risks.

No one knew what would happen once the awakening reached 100%.

This was the "Singularity" that even the Prosperity Epoch hadn’t achieved.

Cohen’s gaze turned from disdainful to serious as he looked at the madman before him and teased,

"...The Triumph Newspaper described you as a beast with three heads and six arms, but you’re actually just a young guy."

Chu Guang smiled lightly and said,

"Calling me a young guy is a bit much, but I’m indeed not as old as your Marshal."

Cohen chuckled, a cold gleam appearing in his eyes.

Chu Guang looked back at him with a smile, his aura not the slightest bit weaker.

Players standing nearby were enjoying the spectacle, quietly speculating over the comms channel about what level the BOSS was and how strong his elite guards were.

Meanwhile, King Montegarde and a host of nobles further away were sweating nervously, fearing that the two men might suddenly start a fight.

The likelihood of that happening was actually quite low.

But not impossible.

Just then, a series of blue lights blinked in the distance and under the escort of ten Cloud Dragonfly Flapping Machines, two Tiger Whale Transport Aircraft flew towards them, one leading and the other following.

They had taken off from Bister Town and were originally supposed to land in the square in front of the castle, but seeing the commotion here, they had diverted their course.

Observing the ten Cloud Dragonfly Flapping Machines, Chu Guang couldn’t help but click his tongue secretly.

Nice move.

Throughout the entire war, the corporation had provided no more than ten flapping machines.

Hearing that their old nemesis from the west had come to discuss a ceasefire, these guys finally took out their most treasured assets from the bottom of their chests!

However, this was good news for the Alliance.

The more chips they held in their hands, the more the other side had to weigh the consequences of a negotiation breakdown.

Indeed, a trace of solemnity appeared on Cohen’s face.

Especially after seeing the Tiger Whale transport aircraft provided by the corporation.

"Plasma engines..."

Those on the East Coast had actually abandoned the more advanced anti-gravity devices in favor of the economically cheaper "outdated technology."

It was hard to say that this wasn’t a jab at the epoch-making equipment inherited by the Army, including the "phase gun."

It seemed that the people of the East Coast had never forgotten the events from a century and a half ago, always verbally committing to letting go of the past to face the future, but in their hearts, they still viewed them as hypothetical enemies.

Cohen’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he made no response.

Escorted by the flapping machines, the Tiger Whale transport aircraft landed steadily on the golden wheat field, its pale blue plasma jet stream retracting along with the conical nozzle to the rear.

From the opened hatch, a squad of fully armed soldiers disembarked, along with a middle-aged man.

Chu Guang unexpectedly found that it was not Yi Chuan who had come, but Wu Changnian, the Deputy Director of Comprehensive Management, who had previously received the Alliance delegation in Ideal City!

The middle-aged man had neat and tidy parted-back hair and wore a crisp silver-gray robe reflecting like a mirror. There wasn’t a single wrinkle to be found on him from head to toe, and his face was devoid of the compassionate and benevolent smile present when in front of the camera.

Traveling from Ideal City to Qingquan City was already over three thousand kilometers, and getting here was no less than five thousand kilometers... Chu Guang calculated that this was quite a distance.

Staring intently at Cohen who stood not far away, Wu Changnian completely ignored the nearby war machine and the airship in the distance and walked with a squad of soldiers and stopped close to everyone.

"...I am Wu Changnian, Deputy Director of Comprehensive Management. On behalf of the corporate Supreme Council, I hereby propose a solemn negotiation, demanding the immediate release of the Pioneer and all its passengers!"

"Otherwise, your actions will be considered a provocation against the ancient covenant, and we will no longer hold back!"

Watching the furious middle-aged man, Cohen remained indifferent.

"You’ve captured quite a few of our people as well."

Wu Changnian laughed rather than getting angry, heh-ing once.

"That’s good to know."

Cohen’s eyes narrowed into a slit.

The atmosphere between the two parties was like a petrol canister with a floating match, where a single spark could ignite the entire wheat field.

The tense atmosphere was even stronger than the previous confrontation between the Army and the Alliance!

Chu Guang suddenly realized he seemed to have become invisible.

Neither Cohen nor Wu Changnian paid any attention to him, their eyes locked onto each other instead.

But that was fine.

Chu Guang hoped they would never pay attention to him.

The grudges and entanglements from a century and a half ago had nothing to do with him, and he had no interest in getting involved.

He only wanted what was due to him.

And what was due to everyone in the Alliance as well.

At this moment, another light emerged from the northeast direction.

Cohen frowned slightly, and Wu Changnian who was making eye contact did the same, both looking in that direction without prior agreement.

They saw a long shuttle-shaped aircraft passing near the embankment at almost the speed of Mach one. Then its bottom ejected two flickering arcs of electricity, and it stopped abruptly in mid-air with incredible acceleration.

However, it seemed to have malfunctioned.

The long shuttle-shaped aircraft failed to stop and crashed straight into the wheat field below, its back half plowing directly into the ground.

Fortunately, this was the wheat field outside the city. With the soft soil and wheat spikes as cushions, the aircraft wasn’t completely wrecked.

The guards behind wanted to step forward to protect Cohen, but were stopped by a gesture from him.

"No need."

The design of this aircraft...

It looked somewhat familiar to him.

As if confirming his guess, a side door on the aircraft opened.

A middle-aged man in a white uniform with blue trim steadied himself on the door frame, trying to maintain composure, and stepped out.

"Ahem! A bit late..."

Behind him followed two bionic bodyguards.

Different from the corporation’s bionics in both design and demeanor, they were closer to pure tools—or, more precisely, weapons.

"Who might you be?" Cohen frowned.

"My name is Li Ke, a B-level researcher from the Academy. Are you the representative of the Army?" Li Ke’s face bore a friendly smile, and he cleared his throat before continuing, "We’ve all been fighting for so long and must be tired. How about we sit down and talk?"

The atmosphere went silent.

Or rather...

There was a hint of awkwardness.

Li Ke himself seemed to sense it, and his gaze searched anxiously around.

Finally, he found the man in the blue power armor and immediately cast a pleading look in that direction.

Chu Guang certainly noticed the man since he had invited him. However, he was somewhat puzzled in his heart.

He could understand the man not having made contact with Cohen.

After all, Cohen had just arrived in Sunset Province, straight from the airship.

What he couldn’t comprehend, though, was why even the corporate individuals were bewildered by this man’s arrival, as if they hadn’t anticipated it at all.

Suddenly, Chu Guang realized something.

Could it be that Comrade Li Ke had never communicated with the corporate individuals at all?

Merely having separately contacted Griffin on the frontline and himself...

Realizing this, Chu Guang was shocked.

What a smooth operator.

Spending the least to achieve the most.

This brother is talented!

Having already deduced the man’s identity from the long shuttle-shaped aircraft, Wu Changnian just couldn’t understand why the Academy’s person was here.

Since the Council had not discussed this matter, it wasn’t appropriate for him to unilaterally decide on the diplomatic stance with the Academy, so he coughed lightly, ambiguously saying,

"The Academy, eh... a rare guest."

As for Cohen’s reaction, it was entirely different, and could even be described as unabashedly brusque.

Staring coldly at the B-level researcher standing there with an awkward smile, he scoffed with a voice laced with sarcasm.

"Tired? Heh, do you think we were born out of a swamp as slugs?"

"Whether we continue to fight or not is none of your darn business."