Support Has Arrived

"Look, Lord Guide has issued a mission, calling on all players to come to the rescue."

Turtle handed the Data Slate to his other companions.

"Participating in the rescue earns 5,000 Contribution Points. Saving an Imperial citizen grants an additional 20 to 100 Contribution Points."

"Holy crap, Lord Guide is really splashing out."

Ten-Timer did the math.

Besides the rescue mission rewards, they also had to factor in the rewards for killing enemies.

This mission would cost at least over a million Contribution Points.

"War burns money." The Warmaster beside him strongly agreed with Ten-Timer.

And this was only a small-scale rescue operation.

If a massive campaign like those in the Warhammer world broke out—

Wouldn't they have to pour in trillions of Contribution Points at once?

"Should we break through and take a look?" Wrist Bro suggested. "We can also get in touch with the people inside."

Ten-Timer hurriedly shook his head. "Better not. I owe nearly a million Contribution Points for this set of equipment. If I die, it'll be a massive loss."

"Let's wait and see. We'll wait for Lord Guide to bring people over."

Turtle favored Ten-Timer's suggestion.

The sensory prosthetics he wore weren't cheap either.

Suddenly, fierce fighting erupted in the passage connecting Zone B-13Y to Zone B-14Y.

A Chimera infantry fighting vehicle rumbled out through the metal corridor.

The Chimera was the most common transport vehicle in the Imperial military.

It was well loved for being sturdy, durable, and easy to repair.

The Laser Array atop the Chimera fired continuously, sweeping away the Plague Zombies attempting to draw near.

Several dozen soldiers carrying Lasguns followed behind the infantry fighting vehicle.

They were well trained, accurate shots, and equally skilled in close combat.

Before long, they had carved a path through the sea of corpses.

More soldiers rushed out through the passage,

Setting up simple fortifications and forming a defensive line along the way.

"Excellent infantry-armor coordination. They work well together. Looks like a highly trained force."

The Warmaster studied the distant battle and praised them.

Once the military had established its makeshift defensive line, a crowd of civilians poured out from Zone B-14Y.

"They're trying to break out." The Warmaster frowned. "Damn it, just wait a little longer. Our reinforcements will be here soon."

"They don't know we're coming to help," Turtle said.

"Zones B-13Y and B-15Y are both blocked off now, and there are more and more Plague Zombies."

"Any normal person would choose to force a breakout. Otherwise, being trapped in Zone B-14Y is a dead end."

Seeing the False Emperor's lackeys attempting to break out, the Nurgle Blessed let out a roar.

It drove the shambling Plague Zombies to surround them.

It intended to stop the breakout through overwhelming numbers.

The Cultists also mingled among the Plague Zombies, firing at the Imperial soldiers and hurling Molotov cocktails and grenades.

Aah! Aah!

Molotov cocktails burst beside two soldiers.

They instantly became blazing fireballs, screaming without end.

The gunner atop the Chimera fired precise bursts at the Cultists within the zombie horde.

But there were too many enemies, and they used the horde as cover, making them difficult to spot.

Suddenly, two Cultists charged out carrying explosive packs.

"They're Fanatics! Shoot them! Don't let them get close!"

The Imperial soldiers behind the barricades shouted in terror, telling their comrades to focus fire on the two Cultists.

The Cultists were instantly riddled with bullets.

But the explosive packs were still thrown near the defensive line.

Boom!

The horrifying explosion blasted several nearby soldiers to pieces.

Shattered organs were scattered everywhere.

The Plague Zombies poured in through the blasted opening.

They knocked down the fleeing civilians and tore into their flesh.

The other civilians were terrified by the sight, screaming again and again.

The once orderly crowd descended into chaos.

"In the Emperor's name, Mother, I'm coming."

A soldier who had been knocked down shouted. He pulled the pin on a grenade and perished together with more than a dozen Plague Zombies.

"If it were only the military, breaking out wouldn't be difficult. But if they have to escort civilians, I'm afraid they won't make it out."

The Warmaster frowned. Watching the Imperial soldiers sacrifice themselves to buy time for the civilians to escape, he couldn't bear it.

"I can't keep watching this." Twisted Man turned his head away.

"Fuck, did this game's damn developers really have to make all the NPC storylines like this?"

Witnessing that brutal, lifelike battlefield, Ten-Timer felt agonized beyond measure.

The NPCs and storylines in Warhammer Online were all unique.

When an NPC died, they were dead.

When a storyline was missed, it was missed. There was no chance for regret.

"We shouldn't only think about leveling up." The Warmaster looked at his teammates.

"Life has made us forget why we started playing games. All we have left is leveling up, farming equipment, and competing with others."

"Games should be worlds where we can choose different lives, where we can fulfill dreams reality cannot fulfill."

"Now I finally understand why Warhammer Online made every NPC and every event unique."

"Perhaps this game wants us to truly experience another kind of life, rather than simply level up and farm gear."

"Maybe one day, we'll become incredibly strong in this game. But we'll remember today countless times. We'll remember our cowardice, and how we let innocent people die miserably before our eyes."

"The right to choose is still in our hands. Do we charge out and fight bravely for them, or do we cower here and wait to blame and regret ourselves over and over in the future?"

The Warmaster's words made several players' eyes redden.

"You're right. This game shouldn't just be about leveling and farming equipment. We should treat it as another life." Turtle nodded. "I choose to fight."

"Count me in."

"Hehe, even if I die, I'll only be saddled with a few hundred thousand in debt. What's there to fear? Let's go!"

The Warmaster looked at Ten-Timer. "What about you, my brother?"

"With that silver tongue, it's a shame you aren't giving speeches in taverns."

Ten-Timer stood up. Seven Aether Shards, condensed into icy crystals, appeared in his hand.

"Then let's do it. I'll snipe that Plague Blessed and draw its fire."

"Then we'll charge over with everything we've got, tell them reinforcements are coming soon, and have them hold their ground and wait for aid to reduce casualties."

The Warmaster adjusted his Lasgun's power to maximum.

He raised the gun at the distant Nurgle Blessed, holding his breath and focusing.

"Holy Emperor, protect us for the sake of Your people."

As the prayer ended, he pulled the trigger.

The laser tore through the air with a piercing shriek.

The struck Nurgle Blessed let out a pained roar.

The surging zombie horde fell into chaos as well.

"For honor! For the Emperor!"

Ten-Timer shouted and swept out his hand.

The seven Aether Shards traced graceful arcs through the air.

They instantly pierced through the Cultists and Plague Zombies ahead of them.

Sending them down in droves like weeds before a scythe.

"Charge!"

The Warmaster shouted.

"Time for a killing spree!"

Mantis Blades sprang from Twisted Man's hands.

He leaped down from a pipe and instantly split a Plague Zombie apart.

Spinning, he slashed and cut another zombie in half at the waist.

The others fired their guns.

The five worked closely together, plunging into the enemy horde like the tip of a spear.

The distant Chimera noticed the five-man squad's movements.

Two small Hellstrike Missiles launched from the rear of the infantry fighting vehicle.

Trailing flames, they landed in the direction the five were advancing.

With the explosions, hordes of Plague Zombies were blown to pieces, clearing a path.

The five-man squad successfully linked up with the surrounded Imperial forces.

Captain Aing, commander of the Automata 101st Light Infantry Regiment, examined the group before him.

"Who are you?"

The Warmaster gave him an Aquila Salute. "I am the armaments officer of the Imperial Glory warship, and a God Chosen of the great God-Emperor."

"We came to tell you that our forces will arrive to reinforce you soon."

"You don't need to rush a breakout. Avoid unnecessary casualties."

"The Imperial Glory? Reinforcements?" Captain Aing revealed a doubtful expression. "Are you people from the Imperial Navy?"

"You could put it that way." The Warmaster nodded. "Withdraw first. Our people will be here soon."

Captain Aing looked at the group before him, then at the soldiers and civilians nearby.

There were more and more Plague Zombies, and the civilians had all been frightened out of their wits.

If they forced a breakout, it would be fortunate if even one-third survived.

"All right, I'll trust you this once." Captain Aing ordered the sergeant beside him, "Withdraw to Zone B-14Y."

Under the Chimera troop carrier's cover, the group successfully retreated and established a defensive line against the zombie horde.

Once they entered Zone B-14Y, the players discovered many wounded civilians and soldiers lying on the ground, and immediately felt a little fortunate.

If they had not appeared in time, Captain Aing would very likely have abandoned these wounded people.

Of course, they weren't condemning that choice.

Aing had not known reinforcements were coming.

As far as he knew, Lycade Station had fallen. The Empire's loyalists had suffered devastating casualties, and only enemies remained.

When completely isolated and without aid, necessary cruelty was the only way to let more people survive.

There were two hundred soldiers, two Chimeras, and over a thousand civilians in Zone B-14Y.

The civilians huddled together in small groups of three or five, either crying or praying.

Whenever players like Ten-Timer passed by, the civilians watched them with frightened yet hopeful eyes.

They already knew these people had broken through from outside.

Before long, more reinforcements would arrive to save them.

"Did they really have to make this so realistic?" Twisted Man said in a low voice. "The despair in these people's eyes feels like it's overflowing. I can't take it."

"Don't say it." The Warmaster could feel it too, and it inexplicably weighed heavily on his heart.

"We'll be saved soon. Reinforcements are coming. You need to stay strong."

Aing kept repeating these words to people along the way, reassuring them and trying to raise their morale.

"Hold on, Ganfu. You'll be fine. The rescue is coming soon. Just hold on."

A pain-filled voice came from ahead.

The player squad followed Captain Aing over.

They found several soldiers gathered around a young soldier lying on a stretcher.

The young soldier's chest had been torn open, and bright red blood gushed out endlessly.

"Captain Aing." Seeing Captain Aing, the young soldier reached out to him.

"Private Third Class Ganfu." Aing crouched down and took the young soldier's hand.

"My performance was brave enough, right? Can I enter the God-Emperor's kingdom?"

"I'm so scared. I think I can hear those monsters calling. They... they want to eat me."

The young soldier spoke while coughing up blood.

"They won't, Ganfu. You were very brave." Aing said, "The God-Emperor is proud of you. You fulfilled your duty. He will kiss your forehead and hold you in His arms. Those monsters can't hurt you."

The captain's words brought a smile to the young soldier's face.

Then he died.

The sight left the five players feeling suffocated.

This was Warhammer-style despair and helplessness.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Explosions rang out.

A soldier hurried over.

"Captain, friendly forces are approaching from outside."

Aing looked excitedly at the player squad. "Are they your people?"

"Yes." The Warmaster nodded.

"Move out immediately and rendezvous with our allies," Aing ordered the soldiers.

PS: Sisters of Battle: I refuse to accept this! Why wasn't I chosen?