Chapter Twenty-Four: Mutual Destruction

As the formation in the shape of the character “Pin” approached the crowd to within about fifty meters, more than twenty warriors activated their “Charge” skill almost simultaneously. A single warrior charging was like a rocket streaking forward; a squad charging together was akin to an armored vehicle crashing into a crowd. Instantly, the masses were thrown into chaos, people and mounts tumbling. Dazzling techniques like Heaven and Earth Cross Slash, Gale Sevenfold Chop, and Direwolf Burst Cleave exploded like fireworks, flashes of blade and sword dancing in the distance, and even a few executed the Thunderclap Leap Strike.

The power of such coordinated group tactics would shred not only crowds but even a pile of steel. This was the difference between a regular army and a motley band.

Wherever the “Pin” formation passed, the ground was strewn with corpses, crystals, and potions. After four or five such charges, the Blue Company had lost only ten warriors, while the Sacred Federation had lost over a hundred.

Wu Hua could scarcely believe the extent of their strength, but quickly understood: this was the power of teamwork.

At that moment, the sounds of fierce battle from the canyon reached them. Murong Longcheng’s ragtag forces, relying on sheer numbers, had charged in and were now locked in chaotic melee at the canyon’s mouth—this was the perfect opportunity.

“It’s about time. Go.” Long Zhan Xingye gave the order. The Qimen Squad had taken out a few stragglers and moved beneath the pyramid; more than a thousand steps now loomed ahead, with the black portal at the summit.

Qimen Squad had managed to get a head start on Blue Company, but after climbing only a hundred or so steps, the Linglan Squad came rushing up right behind them.

A gunshot rang out, chilling to the soul.

A horrifying sight unfolded—the head of Motorola, leading the team, exploded like a watermelon, blood blossoming into a crimson rose.

–3122!

A white glow rose. Another life lost.

“Motorola!” Ri Wan cried out in shock.

“Brother—” Flying Girl was struck dumb with fear.

The two reporters turned in fury. They never imagined Snowy Night Fairy would turn her gun on her own allies.

“Our own brothers, turning on each other. I never thought we’d be so divided. On behalf of Qimen Company, I express the strongest protest and condemnation against Blue Company…” Pro Girl declared with grief, microphone in hand.

Meanwhile, the function hall of Qimen Tower was crowded with senior company executives. Mr. Iron remained stern as ever, but his fists were clenched tight—clearly incensed by Blue Company’s actions.

Tina, too, clenched her fists, praying silently: “Old Dragon, it’s all up to you now. This is the moment of truth.”

“You and your damn protests,” Tuo Tiao fumed, cursing furiously. “Those bitches have no humanity. Their company wants to blow the energy pillar—they can’t let us get there first.”

Pro Girl was stunned.

“This is the cruelty of war,” Wu Hua said calmly. He noticed Snowy Night Fairy was no longer on the summit; she had already slipped behind Linglan Squad.

This time, Long Zhan Xingye didn’t give orders—the team instinctively launched a counterattack. Shoot-You-Without-Guilt hefted his M249 and unleashed a wild barrage down the steps.

“Bang bang bang bang”—golden cartridge cases spat from the chamber, showering the ground, relentless fire raining down on the warriors below, pinning them so they couldn’t even raise their heads.

Suddenly, Wu Hua caught a flash of blinding light in his field of vision. He reacted instantly, recognizing the telltale reflection from a sniper scope—SVD sniper rifles were equipped with a small bulb, giving the target a split-second warning.

“Watch out, Without-Guilt!” Wu Hua shouted.

A sniper shot rang out, drawn and resonant.

With a metallic clang, a burst of electric sparks erupted—Tuo Tiao had thrown himself in front of Shoot-You-Without-Guilt just in time, his high-grade alloy armor absorbing the deadly blow.

–680!

Sweat beaded on Shoot-You-Without-Guilt’s brow. Tuo Tiao was aghast. “Goddamn—my twelve-element alloy armor, over 920 defense, and I still barely survived!”

Below, even Snowy Night Fairy was surprised—a warrior with such high defense, and her shot only dealt a little over six hundred damage.

Aye Girl promptly unleashed a group healing skill. Tuo Tiao retreated, gulping down health potions, the squad now two hundred meters up the pyramid.

But the enemy healers were no slouches either—restoring health while charging ahead, their warriors desperately scrambling up in pursuit.

By now, everyone knew: if Linglan Squad closed the distance, they would be utterly crushed.

“Healers, buff me—anything you’ve got!” Tuo Tiao roared. As a chip warrior, he was the slowest and could only hold the rear.

Aye Girl fumbled to cast every support skill she had on Tuo Tiao.

“Stall them—drag it out until we reach the demolition zone. We can’t let them get ahead,” said Long Zhan Xingye.

By the time Murong Longcheng’s forces reached the pyramid plaza, every member of the Sacred Federation had been wiped out. Longcheng’s clan knew only one tactic: human wave assault. But to hurt the enemy a thousand times meant wounding themselves eight hundred; now less than two thousand of the Glorious Federation were left alive.

Many players entering the plaza were stunned by the spectacle atop the pyramid. They couldn’t fathom why these two squads were slaughtering each other. In truth, most players had some sense of cooperation—so long as the base was destroyed, there was no need to wade into these bloody waters. Blue Company was not to be trifled with, and besides, no one dared charge up.

The scene above was astonishing—everyone gaped in disbelief:

“Who’s that chip warrior? Tough as hell, took five sniper shots and lived.”

“No, that machine gunner’s the real beast—look at him mowing them down with that AK. That firepower—my god.”

“Four-Eyes, that’s an M249 heavy machine gun.”

“Oh, couldn’t see clearly…”

“…”

Both squads fought their way upward. Shoot-You-Without-Guilt was getting frustrated—he’d gone through more than eight hundred rounds, but the Blue Company healers were so relentless, not a single warrior had fallen.

Shoot-You-Without-Guilt exhaled. “Looks like I’ll have to show my trump card today—damn these bitches.” He took out a new ammo belt—these rounds were clearly different: longer, sharper, and glowing blood red.

“What are those?” Wu Hua asked.

“Tier-Red 5.56mm NATO Demolition Spikes—adds 300 joules of piercing damage,” replied Shoot-You-Without-Guilt.

Wu Hua was astonished—this guy had even gotten his hands on red-tier ammo.

Once loaded, the effect was immediate. The rounds spat fire as they struck the steps, shattering stone and sending debris flying, severely disrupting Snowy Night Fairy’s line of sight. Shoot-You-Without-Guilt swept the entire squad front, laying down suppressive fire to keep Linglan Squad from advancing.

“–1180, –1188, –1172…”

Seeing the tide turn, Linglan knew the enemy gunner had definitely switched ammo. “Everyone, hit the deck! Don’t try to tough it out.”

Everyone dove down, hugging the steps, and the distance between the two squads widened by another fifty meters.

“In ten seconds, group charge. Fifth, target their healers—don’t leave a single one alive,” Linglan gritted out. Blue Company had sent both her and Snowy Night Fairy, their elite—there was no way she could let Qimen Company defeat them. If word got out, their reputation would be ruined.