Chapter Twenty-Five: The Annihilation of Energy

Tu Tiao was struggling mightily at this moment; his armor's damage had reached 73%. Even with Ai MM's healing and his own blood serum, every shot fired by Snow Night Fairy still cost him more than 300 HP. With his constitution, ten consecutive hits would mean game over.

With the cover provided by Shoot-You-Without-Sin and the others, it seemed possible they could hold out until the Black Hole Gate fully opened. But as yet another sniper shot rang out, the thing he most dreaded finally came to pass.

With a sickening thud, a bullet pierced Ai MM's forehead, sending blood gushing like a fountain.

—6880!

Green damage.

The shot was cunning and precise beyond belief. If they weren’t enemies, Wu Hua might have applauded Snow Night Fairy’s marksmanship. But the ruthless flash of data and white light chilled every heart—Ai MM was already gone.

Looking down, the Lily of the Valley Squad’s warriors had started their charge, closing the distance rapidly.

“What now?” Both reporters turned their eyes to Dragonstar Night, whose brow was furrowed into a deep line.

“Damn it all, I’ll cover you—go!” Tu Tiao suddenly shouted. Everyone turned to him. How was a chip warrior without a medic supposed to cover anyone? They were all curious.

Tu Tiao smiled. “Brothers, keep my share of the reward for me. Make sure you blow that energy pillar—if you don’t, don’t expect a single coin. I’m off!” With that, he wheeled around, raised his sword, and hurled himself down.

Shoot-You-Without-Sin’s gun fell silent, SU20 and Wandering Jianghu stood gaping, and the two reporters were stunned.

“You’re insane! Don’t go down there—it’s dangerous!” Wu Hua was aghast.

“Big brother Tu Tiao, come back!” Fei MM cried in alarm. No one knew what had gotten into him.

Ri Wan cursed loudly, “Tu Tiao, you pig! You moron! You son of a—! To hell with you and your whole family!” The words sounded like sobs, but no matter how much he cursed, it couldn’t bring Tu Tiao back.

Below, the Lily of the Valley Squad was equally stunned. That burly chip warrior was charging down alone? If he didn’t end up shredded, it would be a miracle.

“Get out of the way!” Snow Night Fairy suddenly shouted.

But it was too late. By the time Tu Tiao reached them, his entire armor was shifting colors, a dazzling fusion of hues, and a shrill “beep-beep-beep” alarm blared.

“Remember me, I’m your Grandpa Tu Tiao! Whores—go to hell!” His roar was savage and domineering, shaking the heavens, his face flushed purple with exertion.

A blazing red energy sphere appeared on the pyramid steps, with Tu Tiao at its center. The sphere exploded, sending a rippling ring of light surging outward, a wave of fire erupting into the sky.

With a thunderous boom, the long flight of steps was blasted in half, and Tu Tiao was utterly obliterated.

This was his own skill: a level 25 chip warrior’s self-destruct—“Energy Annihilation,” with an effective radius of twenty meters.

The skill converted alloy armor into pure attack energy, sacrificing all gear and experience to inflict massive damage. Not only did he die, but his armor was utterly lost.

Such courage and destructive power stunned the entire scene. Nearly two thousand people at the base of the pyramid stood in shock, feeling their breath catch in their throats.

Fierce, magnificent, and awe-inspiring—that was everyone’s impression.

A string of blood-red damage numbers floated into view: “—7001, —6999, —7003…”

No one could survive such an explosion. Over twenty doctors and warriors from the Lily of the Valley Squad died instantly, leaving only their leader Lily, the sniper Snow Night Fairy, one technician, and three warriors.

“Brother, you did well,” Dragonstar Night sent a message to the now-dead Tu Tiao through the comms.

Because of Tu Tiao’s selfless act, Lily and Snow Night Fairy were both half-dead from the blast, forced to pause and use healing serums in the thick clouds of dust.

“That little brat! He actually had this up his sleeve?” Snow Night Fairy was furious—Tu Tiao had challenged her pride as a sniper.

At last, the blast center came into view: a tangle of spinning machinery, at the heart of which a blue energy pillar flickered. Dragonstar Night crouched quickly, attaching an M18 mine to the pillar. Text immediately flashed across the display:

“29:59
29:58
29:57
…”

“It’s done,” Dragonstar Night exhaled in relief.

Mr. Iron and Tina, watching on their screens, both smiled faintly.

“You’re speaking too soon,” a melodious female voice rang out from the entrance. Everyone spun around in alarm—Lily and her group had caught up.

Wu Hua, Shoot-You-Without-Sin, and Ugly-But-Handsome raised their weapons at once. Snow Night Fairy’s sniper rifle hung from her shoulder. “I’d advise you all to keep still. You know whether your guns are stronger or mine is faster.”

The tension instantly rose to its peak; the hands of Sweet MM and the new reporter shook visibly. Snow Night Fairy’s sniper rifle was just too terrifying. If she shot either of them, they’d be dead for sure.

Dragonstar Night remained calm, stepping forward through the group. “Long time no see, Lily, Snow Night.”

Lily was even more composed, raising her metal sword and saying coolly, “You shouldn’t have come.”

“Why?” Wu Hua asked.

Lily replied, “Anyone who tries to stop me today will never have a place in Star Wars again.”

Wu Hua sneered, “Big talk.”

Lily answered proudly, “Let’s be frank—Blue Ocean Corporation is also here to blow up the energy pillar today.”

Dragonstar Night gave a soft snort. “You may be frank, but it doesn’t make you honest.”

Lily responded, “I won’t ask you to disarm the bomb, because everyone here knows that in this place, strength makes the rules.”

No one from Qimen Squad replied—not out of refusal, but because they simply didn’t care to respond. If not for their companies’ reputations, Wu Hua wouldn’t even have spared her a glance.

Lily continued, “I admire that self-destructing brother just now. Out of respect for him, I promise in the name of Blue Ocean Corporation not to start anything in here. Old Dragon, take it as a favor.”

Her words were clever—if she caused trouble here, she’d get nothing out of it. Blue Ocean had three warriors left; Qimen Squad still had the upper hand: three gunners, two warriors, a controller, and a psychic.

If a fight broke out in this small space, SU20 and Wandering Jianghu would be the first to fall; if Snow Night Fairy fired, no matter whom she targeted, the others would take her down in an instant.

Dragonstar Night said coolly, “Agreed. Let’s talk outside—everyone, stand down.”

———

There’s something I need to do this afternoon, so I’m posting the next update early.