Exterminate the Spinal Butcher!

"Holy crap, not again?"

The fat man stared in disbelief. "This Spinal Butcher is already level 38, can he really go back to Twilight Wasteland?"

"It's hard to say..."

I frowned. "However, this is an S-class Main Quest, and the final reward has a very high probability of being orange-tier equipment. Moreover, the target you kill will also drop the first orange-tier BOSS Ability Crystal Chest in the entire server. Don't you think it would be a shame to miss it?"

"Of course it's a pity..."

The fat man gritted his teeth and said, "But... we can't be fugitives, can we? Orange-tier equipment is good, but our lives are just as important, aren't they?"

"That's right, let's discuss it with everyone?"

"Good!"

So, the two of them lay down in the chairs, closed their eyes, and entered the in-game group chat mode.

"How so?"

I cut to the chase. "Are you interested in this S-rank raid mission?"

Yes, of course!

Cai Cai said, "It's just that the Spinal Butcher has been fed to level 40 by those brainless bastards, making him at least 6 levels higher than us. He's suppressing us too much, and I'm worried that if we go over there, we'll just be asking for death."

"Really."

Ruolin said, "Everyone is interested in the First Kill of the Orange BOSS, but... the risk of this raid is too great!"

Kou Mei said, "Anyway, this mission looks a little scary..."

"So, you're planning to abandon this mission?" I asked.

"No, absolutely not!"

Cai Cai said, "It would be such a pity to give up..."

"You son of a bitch!"

The fat man said speechlessly, "Cai Cai, people die for money, birds die for food. If you die, it's because of high-level equipment."

"Actually, you should definitely give it a try."

I smiled faintly and said, "If you really want to try, it's not impossible. After all, I have a Resurrection Sacred Canon in my Dimensional Storage Space. If we encounter the Spinal Butcher and can't defeat him, I can sacrifice this Resurrection Sacred Canon. Even if we can't defeat the Spinal Butcher, I can hold him off for a while, enough for you to escape. After consuming the Resurrection Sacred Canon, I can teleport directly to a nearby Teleportation Array to resurrect. It's like using a Resurrection Sacred Canon as a backup plan for our team. What are your opinions?"

"Can."

Cai Cai said, "It's a bit of a waste to use up a Resurrection Sacred Canon. It'll be a huge loss for the boss."

"It's just a Resurrection Sacred Canon; you can fight again if you use it up, no need to regret it."

"Alright!"

Zhang Ruolin said, "Since Ding Han has said so, let's participate in this event! Just like Cai Cai said, if we can really participate in the First Kill of the Orange BOSS, it will greatly improve us!"

"That's right!"

Cai Cai said, "Furthermore, <Star Abyss> has just updated with a 'Charm Value' system. It's said that Charm Value is related to the drop rate and the chance of getting top-tier items from treasure chests. In other words, the higher Charm Value, the higher the chance of getting top-tier items from dropped treasure chests. And the way to obtain Charm Value is simple and straightforward: you can get it by completing S-rank or higher tasks. In addition, player behaviors related to achievements, such as the First Kill Orange BOSS and personal achievements, will also reward Charm Value."

"Good heavens..."

The fat man said, "After hearing what Cai Cai said, we definitely have to participate in this activity!"

"That's right!"

"Alright."

I smiled slightly, "Everyone, get ready. Arrive at the Player Black Market early to replenish your ammunition and supplies. At 12 o'clock sharp, teleport to Twilight Wasteland with the rest of the players."

"Why didn't we go earlier?" the fat man said. "The teleportation point isn't closed."

"If you arrive too early, there will be too few players, and you'll be doomed if you encounter the Spinal Butcher."

"Alright..."

So, in the evening, I had a dry pot meal with Fatty and Shen Yue, and then went to the moat to enjoy the breeze. While the two of them were being affectionate, I sat on the opposite side with my arms crossed, resting and waiting for the final battle that night.

Finally, after they had kissed enough, Shen Yue drove away in her white CC, completely satisfied.

"Damn it..."

I grabbed the fat man by the neck and said, "Come on, let me see, are your lips swollen from kissing?"

"Hahahaha~~~"

The fat man suddenly burst into laughter, even laughing until tears streamed down his face.

"What are you laughing at, you bastard?" I asked.

"Ding Han, you're just envious and jealous..."

The fat man put his hand on my shoulder and said with a deep look in his eyes, "Seeing the sweetness between Shen Yue and me, did you feel a little flutter in your heart, and realize that you can't stay single any longer?"

"Stop talking nonsense, all I care about is the game, I want to become the strongest in Star Abyss!"

"Um!"

The fat man nodded. "Becoming the strongest person in Star Abyss won't stop you from getting a girlfriend."

He grinned. "To be honest, I'm extremely satisfied with both Lin Qingying and Lu Xiaobei. I think your quality of life would improve dramatically if either of them became your girlfriend."

"No way..."

I said speechlessly, "I really don't dare to think about these things. Besides, there's no chance of anything happening between Lin Qingying and me. As for Xiao Bei... that guy's thinking is too unpredictable, I can't keep up with him. I don't think we're very compatible."

"Forget it, I don't want to get involved in your love life."

The fat man said, "Anyway, as your brother, your well-being is the most important thing to me. As for who the woman beside you is, it doesn't matter, and I won't offer any advice."

"Can!"

I patted him on the shoulder. "You're much better than that bastard Milo in this respect."

"Hehe, let's go, to the Player Black Market."

"Walk!"

Late at night, the Player Black Market.

After reuniting with Ruolin, Cai Cai, and Kou Mei, the group switched to their Combat Form.

"Ding Han!"

At this moment, Gun Like a Dragon walked over and said with a smile, "You've come?"

"Um."

I looked behind the person behind the Gun Like a Dragon. The Initiator the attack appeared very mysterious. He didn't say anything and walked in another direction, while Xu Tian and the others greeted each other.

Soon after, the number of players increased so much that the Player Black Market was almost overflowing.

"My dear warriors!"

The Initiator reappeared, standing high above the Phase Teleportation Array, his gaze sweeping over the players. He declared, "The shadow of Twilight Wasteland Waste hangs over every one of us. The Spinal Butcher is leading his alien army to devour the land that once belonged to us. Prepare for battle! Hang the Spinal Butcher's head high above the base gates, let the aliens tremble in fear, and show them who the true masters of the Star Abyss World are!"

Immediately, many players responded, their eyes filled with excitement.

"The One the Initiator is absolutely right! We humans and the alien race are irreconcilable enemies!"

"Cut off the head of the Spinal Butcher, and let the might of humanity be proclaimed!"

"Please rest assured, the Initiator, we will definitely not let you down. We also ask that you distribute more rewards, because only by becoming stronger can we better serve you!"

Seeing the crowd's agitated state, I was speechless.

Not far away, the Gun Like a Dragon, looked up at the Initiator, its eyes also revealing excitement.

"Drop!"

I immediately sent a message to Gun Like a Dragon, saying, "So, these players really just see the NPC the Initiator gives out quests as a superior?"

"Otherwise what?"

"The Gun Like a Dragon" gave a meaningful smile and said, "From the moment the Initiator first appeared until today, he has always looked like an NPC, and he can issue quests, so most players don't consider him a GM at all, let alone think that the Initiator is also a player."

I frowned. "No wonder the Initiator was able to fool so many players."

"It's really just a matter of each party getting what they need."

"The Initiator Gun Like a Dragon players to help him gain world contribution, while the players need the Initiator to issue quests to improve themselves and lay a good foundation for their survival in <Star Abyss>. In fact, how many players are really stupid? Perhaps many people have guessed some of the details, but they are just too lazy to point them out. After all, it doesn't benefit anyone."

He added, "Currently, it seems that administrators like the Initiator' have the power of life and death over players, and can even directly punish them by making them lose levels, so there's even less reason for players to actively resist."

I felt relieved. "That does seem to be true."

"Don't overthink it. Improving your combat strength is the top priority. As for the truth, it will naturally come to light at that time."

"Gun Like a Dragon" took a deep breath and said, "Actually, what I want to do most isn't leading players to conquer new territories and dominate the world in Star Abyss. What I want to do most is simply to bring my brothers back to the real world. Star Abyss is great, but it's not our home."

I nodded in complete agreement.

Soon after, the enormous Phase Teleportation Array in front of us began to flicker; it was 12 o'clock!

"Set off!"

The Initiator raised his arm and said, "No one can stop us, not even the Spinal Butcher! Warriors, use your strength and wisdom to bring me the Spinal Butcher's head!"

The S-rank Region Task, [Slay the Spinal Butcher], is now officially open!

Let's go!

Clutching my Explosive Gun, I charged into the Teleportation Array first. Light flashed behind me, and Cai Cai, Ruolin, and the others followed. There were so many players teleporting in today that we were pushed forward by the crowd before we even took a step.

Once they were dozens of meters away from the phase teleportation point, the crowd finally dispersed. Players formed small groups of three or five and headed south into the night. Of course, some large guilds would also move together in groups of dozens.

"Warriors, spread out! Once you find the Spinal Butcher, notify everyone, and we'll all head out to defeat him!"

The Initiator also entered, mysteriously concealed within his cloak. His voice, melodious yet trembling, carried an air of epic grandeur.

"Walk!"

I grabbed my Explosive Gun and led the four men in my squad away from the crowd, heading straight south.

While traveling, I opened the large map of Twilight Wasteland and was immediately startled by what I saw!

At this point, over 50% of the Twilight Wasteland was covered in countless red dots. The denser the red dots, the greater the number of alien species. Unfortunately, the coordinates of the Spinal Butcher were not marked.

"Boss..."

Cai Cai frowned and said, "This time, there are many more mutants than last time. We need to be careful."

"Um."

I nodded and led everyone toward the direction where the red dots were less dense.

Approximately twenty minutes later.

"Roar~~~"

A low roar came from the woods to one side, and a foul stench wafted over!

"Careful!"

I hurriedly raised my Explosive Gun and aimed, but all I saw were streaks of red lantern-like light appearing in the night—the eyes of some kind of wild beast!

"Holy crap, so many of them are Sonic Beast!"

Cai Cai's face instantly turned green.