Chapter 802 - This Game Is Too Realistic

Chapter 802: The Undercurrents of Victory "Ahhh!!" Accompanied by a series of teeth-grinding cracks, the whirring chainsaw cleaved through the mutant champion's battle axe as well as its steel bulletproof vest. Taking a solid hit to its chest, the mutant champion let out a roar of agony, its bloodshot eyes gradually glinting with terror. It summoned all its remaining strength to strike the iron-clad figure before it with the broken battle axe, desperately trying to knock it unconscious. However, it was unable to stop the chainsaw from ripping open its chest, and could only watch as its flesh was sent flying into the sky by the rapidly spinning blade. "Roar—" The roar weakened gradually, and its struggles diminished to nothing. Seemingly unable to bear the immense pain any longer, it eventually collapsed like a rag onto the player. Pushing away the fallen mutant champion, the exoskeleton-clad player panted heavily, surveying the battlefield around him. The smoky ruins lay devoid of any standing mutants. It seemed the one before him was the last! A trace of excitement surfaced on his blood-smeared face. He pulled the chainsaw from the mutant's chest with a triumphant shout, swinging it wildly to cast the chunks of meat and blood back where the battle had raged moments before. It was over! The battle of paradise! "Victory—!" Looking up at the cloudy sky, he let out a cathartic yell. Soon, he was met with replies, voices of victory ringing across the battlefield. "Victory!!!" "Long live the Administrator!!!" "Long live the Alliance!!!" "Owoooo!!!" The endless shouts echoed into the distance, scattering the clouds above and reaching the deck of the Iron Heart. Standing on the bridge of the airship, Chu Guang's expressionless face finally broke into a genuine smile. "It's finally over." ... The course of events unfolded just as Vannes had predicted. Before dusk fell over the hills of Rosong Mountain, the campaign to end the Torch Church had concluded. A warrior clad in the "Iron Wall" exoskeleton planted the Alliance's flag at the highest point of the battlefield. With the fall of the last apostle and mutant, the final bionic chip that housed the sanctum ceased its function, merging with brain matter and blood into the soil. Never again would those pretentious pioneers lord over the people below. Their heinous acts and twisted ideals were incinerated to ashes in the sparks igniting on the wasteland. Later that day, Chu Guang, in his capacity as Supreme Commander of the Joint Force, delivered an address on the bridge of the Iron Heart. "...Today is destined to be a great day, one that history will forever remember." "In the past six months, our troops have crossed grasslands, scaled hills, and even sailed across seas, battling the ugliest and most savage of monsters in the most hellish of places..." "Now, all the blood and sweat we've shed for justice are finally paying off. We've completely expelled the torch of evil from the land beneath our feet!" "Through our actions, we've proven our valor, proven we are invincible!" "Cheer for this moment! Celebrate!" "For those we've saved!" "For this hard-fought victory—" "And for our unity!" His voice resonated powerfully within the bridge, broadcasted across the entire Alliance and Joint Forces through radio waves. In this moment of celebration, nearly every television and radio was playing the same message. At the Weifu City military base, cheers of victory rang out across the barracks. People lit every lamp at the base, brightening the sky to release their joy. Even the wounded resting in the hospital unplugged their IVs, running out to embrace their jubilant comrades. Whether they were residents from Ideal City or Waylanders from Triumph City, irrespective of identity or origin, everyone was celebrating the shared joy. In a nearby tavern, members of the 100th Mountain Division were about to tear the roof off with their exuberance. After so much time on the battlefield, witnessing life and death had altered their mindsets. They were as eager to return home now as they had once been eager to fight. Using a beer bottle as a makeshift microphone, Tang Feng excitedly leapt onto a table, shouting to his comrades who egged him on. "Praise the Administrator! Praise the Alliance! Praise the fierce warriors of the Storm Legion! This damned war is finally over!" The bars, nightclubs, and the most-missed Endpoint Cloud of Ideal City! Everything was coming back! He couldn't contain his excitement, feeling as though his spirits had taken flight. He vowed that once he returned home as a war hero, he'd indulge in a long rest, bragging on Endpoint Cloud for an entire week! And of course, he'd make sure to bring back the immensely popular Kun cards from the front lines! It would be a shame not to share such an entertaining game with everyone! Their commander had already informed them that once the "Orca" transport plane landed at the military base's airstrip the next day, they could board the flight home, leaving this wretched place behind. Watching the exuberantly dancing Tang Feng, Edom from the Hunting Dog Special Forces raised his glass with a genuine smile, clinking it with his. "Congratulations! You can finally go home!" Truth be told, these guys didn't seem like they were here for war, but more like they were on an outing. But now that the battle was over, it was a relief of sorts for them too. After clinking glasses with willing joy, Tang Feng downed his drink and let out a boozy belch, smiling drunkenly. "Hahaha, cheers to that! Not just us, you can go home too!" Edom chuckled at the remark, a touch of melancholy in his eyes. "Us? I'm afraid not so quickly... Even if we do go back, new work awaits us." The Hunting Dog Special Forces are profit-driven; they don't keep idlers. As long as the wasteland persists, there's an endless stream of tasks awaiting them. Especially since he has loans to pay. Perhaps, in truth, he hopes less than even Mr. Sigma sitting in the Firestone Corporation Tower for the war to truly end. If it did end, he, who managed a somewhat decent life, might find himself living rough on the streets... The clinking of glasses echoed endlessly in Weifu City's tavern, and aboard the Legion's Loyal airship, it was no different. Lium savored the fine wine in his hand while gazing contentedly southward, his eyes delightfully narrowing into crescent shapes. "...Finally, those loathsome roaches have been exterminated." Though the battle on Ten Peaks Mountain was merely a minor episode in the grand scale of the war, he hadn't forgotten the humiliation he suffered there. It's baffling how the expansionist faction could ally with such detestable creatures... That said, the Torch Church did have a knack for biotechnology. If only the technology for limb regeneration and eightfold-speed clone growth could be combined. That way, the Legion could create a truly immortal army! Their march would make the entire continent tremble! General Lium's adjutant, Captain Modlin, sighed softly beside him, a tinge of regret in his eyes. "…What a pity, the research labs we captured held only scraps. The truly valuable technology is said to be stored in a place called Vault 20." "Vault 20..." Lium squinted slightly, his eyes deep in thought. Glancing at General Lium, Captain Modlin continued in a low voice. "I suspect the Alliance and the corporations have secretly taken control of this Vault. Otherwise, they wouldn't be so confident the war is over... But it's regrettable, we lack evidence, and they'd just deny it if we pointed it out." In truth, not only the Alliance and corporations, but even the silent Academy and the Legion itself are quietly absorbing research teams from the Torch Church. This was an unspoken agreement reached at the beginning of the war—the territories occupied in the Coastal Province remain under the conqueror's administration until the controlling party withdraws. Otherwise, no external interference is allowed. The benefits of such a stance were evident. Various military factions, eager to bolster their influence, showcased genuine capabilities on the battlefield rather than allowing allies to fight the tough battles while waiting to swoop in and claim the rewards afterwards. However, now that the war was over and the time had come to divide the spoils, the situation had shifted once more. For the complex Collective's factions, which had once been allies, were gradually becoming competitors with the Legion. After listening to Modlin's suggestive commentary, General Lium merely chuckled lightly, dismissing it as if it were of little concern. "Evidence? What use is that?" This was a battlefield, not a courtroom. Now that the troublesome Torch Church had been dealt with, it was also time for the Alliance to address past grievances. After a moment's contemplation, Lium placed his wine glass on the windowsill, turning to his adjutant with calm instructions. "In a moment, reach out to Centurion Bannett residing in Dawn City." "Relay to him that since the bureaucratic faction has reaped so many benefits from this, they should finally contribute some effort." Standing beside him, the adjutant snapped to attention with a salute, his demeanor solemn. "Yes, sir!" ... News of the victory spread like wildfire across the entire complex Collective military. As glasses were being raised in celebration of the hard-won victory, unseen currents stirred unrestingly beneath the calm surface. Threats to peace didn't merely emanate from within the Collective; some came from as far as 1.5 million kilometers away. To understand the situation at Lagrange Point, Chu Guang, on Yin Fang's suggestion, summoned the Academy's representative for a meeting. As one of the three factions that inherited the legacy of the Postwar Reconstruction Committee, the Academy was arguably the most deeply involved in the research of the Torch Church and also the most likely to possess knowledge about the "Lagrange Point" and the "Celestials." Staring at Yang Kai's figure in the holographic conference room, Chu Guang dispensed with pleasantries and went straight to the point. "What do you know about the Celestials?" Upon hearing the term "Celestials," Yang Kai's expression shifted slightly. This confirmation made Chu Guang more certain that the Academy indeed knew something significant. "I must admit, there isn't much that I know... Though I suspect you probably won't believe me when I say that." Seeing his attempt to deflect, Chu Guang continued to fix him with an unwavering gaze. "I'm seriously asking you this question." When Yang Kai remained expressionless, Chu Guang pressed on, his tone becoming stern. "According to intelligence gathered by our front-line forces, the Torch Church high command digitized their consciousness and uploaded it to a server located 1.5 million kilometers away. During an attempted capture by our forces, it was revealed that a group called the 'Celestials' took them in." As Chu Guang spoke, a flicker of unease crossed Yang Kai's face. "Why are you so sure I know something?" Chu Guang shrugged lightly, answering as if it were obvious. "Isn't it evident? No one keeps a better watch on things beyond Earth than you do." After a brief pause, he continued, "I understand you might not have the authority to disclose this information, but you should consider carefully: we have a potentially hostile group lurking in outer space, watching us closely. I don't oppose your ambition to leave the solar system and seek a new home after due deliberation, but given the current situation, do you think you can make it?" Yang Kai fell into a long silence upon hearing this. After a moment, he sighed and said, "The Celestials... Honestly, we really didn't wish to provoke them, and I urge you to avoid tangling with them. Isn't your goal to end the wasteland era? Now that the war has concluded, you should focus on that task. Why complicate matters unnecessarily?" Using the Alliance to eliminate the Torch Church was a decision by the Academy's leadership. Although their involvement in this war was an unforeseen complication, the outcome was favorable; the leadership's intended goals were fully achieved without compromise. Neither the Chief Technical Officer nor Dr. Conclusion himself wished for the war to escalate further. Ending things here was the ideal outcome. While he didn't fully comprehend the higher-ups' decisions, he deeply trusted the wisdom of the Chief Technical Officer. Yet, Chu Guang frowned slightly after hearing Yang Kai's words. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it than what was being said. "Your words only pique my curiosity further. What kind of entity even you don't dare to provoke?" Yang Kai sighed at the hint of provocation in Chu Guang's tone. "We indeed try to avoid conflict with them. Also, consider this... Why would the Holy Son, on the brink of death, bother to reveal so much? Not only giving away their whereabouts but also kindly informing you of who took them in. Think about it!" Watching Yang Kai's troubled expression, Chu Guang remained unfazed, continuing with focus. "I understand what that guy wants—merely to lure us into investigating the Celestials." Yang Kai's brow twitched involuntarily, and he couldn't help but comment. "You know it's a trap, yet you're asking so many questions?" "Whether it's a trap is a separate topic. I will determine the risk based on the information and clues I have," Chu Guang said earnestly, eyeing Yang Kai, "However, what I cannot tolerate is having a group of clandestine entities lurking, ready to surprise us at any moment. The hidden risks are what warrant more of my vigilance than traps already in the open." Yang Kai fell silent again. Seemingly after consulting with his superiors, he sighed a moment later, saying, "Our knowledge about them is quite limited... All I can share is what I do know." Chu Guang nodded, gesturing for him to continue. After organizing his thoughts, Yang Kai began slowly. "If you are familiar with the history of the Union, you should know that two centuries ago, they sent an expedition southward." Chu Guang's interest piqued, and he immediately inquired, "Are those Celestials descendants of the expedition?" "In a sense, yes." Yang Kai nodded, confirming his assumption. Though receiving assurance, more questions surged within Chu Guang's mind. "...But I don't understand, if they are descendants of the expedition, shouldn't they be on our side? Why assist the Torch?" Unperturbed by Chu Guang's confusion, Yang Kai continued. "On our side... what exactly do you mean by 'our side'?" The thought-provoking question made Chu Guang furrow his brows. "What do you mean?" Yang Kai's answer was succinct. "I mean exactly what it says." "This planet is filled with archaic militarists, far-sighted escapists, and hedonists enjoying their current comfort... not to mention many other chaotic elements. Do you think they hold the slightest hope of ending the wasteland era? Perhaps they never considered it; for us, it's immaterial—we'll leave here eventually." Chu Guang replied, "But there are people who believe it's significant, aren't there?" Yang Kai smiled meaningfully. "Do you mean yourselves? In your view, certainly, but from our perspective, it's a different matter entirely. You've unified a portion of people, which is remarkable, but still, the vast wasteland eludes your control... No offense; you surely know that there are people who simply cannot be united." Chu Guang nodded. "There's nothing wrong with admitting that, and we have another plan prepared." Yang Kai shrugged indifferently, continuing. "Perhaps, but regardless of your plan, from an observer's standpoint, it might not be any more effective than the Waylanders' methods." "It could take the Waylanders 500 years to end the wasteland, while it might take you 400 years—or perhaps 600. Who can say? I suspect you don't even know the exact number yourself." Chu Guang neither confirmed nor interrupted, waiting patiently for Yang Kai to proceed. After a pause, Yang Kai added, "As for the Celestials... you may perceive them as Union-era comrades, successors of that age, but that's merely your assumption. To them, they aren't just successors; they see themselves as the Union incarnate." "As for you, us, and everyone else on this planet, in their eyes, we are merely the 'children' of the Union. They don't care who triumphs, as long as human civilization continues." Chu Guang's brows furrowed. "Even if it means sacrificing everyone for that continuation..." Yang Kai chuckled softly. "Dear Administrator, haven't enough people died due to the wasteland era already? What we see as an unacceptable cost, they, as true outsiders, might interpret differently... It's not impossible. But generally, they don't interfere with surface affairs unless you make them feel threatened." Chu Guang asked gravely, "Like what?" "I'm not certain, perhaps if the pieces on the board break the barrier between the observers and the board, or if you do something that makes them feel the end of the wasteland is unlikely..." Yang Kai shrugged helplessly. "We know very little about them. Much of what I've said is conjecture." "However, one thing is clear: these people are more eager than we think, maybe because they're running out of time... Ultimately, they wish to end the wasteland before their time's up, and they're open to unconventional methods, including those of the Torch Church and the Enlightenment Collective." "According to our calculations, if the Torch's plan succeeded, the planet could enter a new era in just fifty years... though the cost may be steep, particularly for those of us still alive." With a pause, Yang Kai looked at Chu Guang earnestly. "So I hope you steer clear of them. Ignoring their presence isn't actually that difficult... Besides, the Torch's influence on this planet is eradicated; those people, even 1.5 million kilometers away, can’t do much now, can they? And if something deadly re-emerges, we'll notify you, just as we have before." Listening to this naïve reasoning, Chu Guang shook his head. "If the Celestials’ ideas seem insane to me, your ostrich tactics—burying your heads in the sand—strikes me as sheer foolishness." Seeing a silently indignant Yang Kai, Chu Guang didn't hesitate to continue. "Since you know they're more desperate than you imagined, how could you come to the naïve conclusion that 'they wouldn't interfere with surface affairs'?" "Let me be blunt: They've been involved for a while. Those black boxes the Torch holds are likely their doing, but you refuse to admit it." "If we ignore them, today it's the Torch, and tomorrow something else could spring up!" Yang Kai couldn’t help but ask, "And what can you do? They might have an entire fleet, while you? You can't even reach outer space." Hoping to dissuade Chu Guang from this unrealistic idea, he pointed out the potential futility and cost of provoking the "Celestials." Yet Chu Guang, firm in his resolve, responded decisively. "We'll find our way." "No matter what choice we make in the end, we absolutely refuse to sit back and do nothing." --- (Thanks to "BoliedFish" for the support!!!) To be continued...