Mechanical Descent

"Microscopic mechanical technology?"

On the space carrier, Senior Engineer, or rather, the mechanical engineer, spoke with a hint of surprise.

Is this the level of Skull and Bones members? They can casually pull out a weapon of civilization, and it's the most troublesome microscopic weapon at that.

Besides the "Continental Plate Impactor," this is the second weapon of civilization that the other side has brought out.

And without a doubt, this is definitely not the opponent's trump card.

Generally speaking, even in a normal civilization, having double-digit numbers of weapons is a sign of a mature civilization, indicating that you will not be easily defeated in a war between civilizations of the same level.

However, it's a bit frightening that a corporate force within a planet could casually pull out a weapon of civilization.

"Everything is going according to plan," said Miao Miaomiao, the cat lady.

The senior engineer touched his nose, pondered for a moment, and decided to slightly increase the level of importance he placed on the other party.

The fact that they can develop weapons of this level indicates that they have mastered more than one knowledge chain, and most of them are ones that we don't have.

For monopolistic enterprises, the knowledge chain is their greatest asset, a newly grown branch of the technology tree, and it is absolutely impossible for them to be traded.

But for the members of Skull and Bones, it's a different story. Given the madmen's ways, they'd even dare to touch the mother city if the incentives were right.

"Then, let's prepare for the fourth phase of the virus upgrade."

The engineer closed his eyes, and the mechanical body fired a dozen data cables that connected to the mothership's laboratory. A large amount of experimental data was downloaded and transmitted into the organism's body.

Meanwhile, in Atomic City, now known as Atomic Island, the organism simultaneously opened its eyes. In its eyes were screens displaying vast amounts of data, which, combined with experiments on the ground, began the fourth evolution of the virus under the full impetus of the biological computer.

This evolution is not aimed at the players; on the contrary, it is a "temporary enhancement" for the players.

[Congratulations to player 'Tick-Tock' for unlocking the 50th level of the dungeon and completing the third stage of the quest]

[Atomic Heart Unlocked Stage 4]

"What?!"

Umbrella Bro on the 39th floor, Sister Ji on the 38th floor, Centaur General on the 31st floor, and some high-level players who had been resurrected were all stunned to receive a system notification.

Rainy Night, carrying a knife but no umbrella, his face darkened instantly. As the first player to reach level 20, the first to reach level 30, and most likely the first to complete carbon-based fusion, he was confident that, at least on this planet's map, he was the strongest.

This sudden "tick-tock" was one of the few opponents he took seriously.

However, in the third phase of the mission, as a high-burst, high-agility assassin, his equipment durability naturally declined rapidly, so he also naturally contracted the Ghost Virus and died on the spot.

After finally getting revived and finally managing to farm the 39th miniature garden map, the player just completed the quest.

The other guy isn't dead? That's fucking infuriating!

"Holy crap, Umbrella Bro, look! It's the fourth phase of the mission!"

On the neighboring island, Baozi pulled out an electronic megaphone from somewhere and started shouting at him.

Next stage?

Umbrella Bro opened the player panel, his brows furrowed quickly, then lifted again, revealing an excited expression.

"The liberation of the Atomic Heart naturally attracted the covetous eyes of the rulers of this era. They dispatched their most dangerous henchmen—modifiers of civilization, annihilators of species, and level 2 max-level lifeforms—to send robots to seize the virus."

"To prevent this danger from being exploited, Dr. Xie's consciousness temporarily modified some of the virus's properties, requesting the player to inject the 'virus inhibitor' acquired in the first stage to stimulate the body and enhance its attributes."

Players without "Virus Suppressants" should proceed to coordinates 1311.4145 as soon as possible to trade with player "Dida" and exchange quest points for "Virus Suppressants".

"Mission Reward 1: For every 1000 HP of the 'Power-Faction Robot' destroyed, you will receive the same number of mission points."

"Mission Reward 2: Inflict permanent mechanical system damage on the 'Power-Faction Robot', gain 2 million experience points, and 10 random blueprints"

"Mission Reward 3: Kill one 'Power-Faction Robot' and gain 10 million experience, 5,000 regional reputation, 10 specialization points, 1 Tier 2 Custom Weapon (Mas's Edge), and 1 Tier 2 Custom Cybernetic Body (Mas's Edge)"

Note 1: The viral fragments that have accumulated in your body may be surprisingly effective against super mechanical lifeforms.

Note 2: Dr. Xie has temporarily modified the virus parameters of the creatures on the island. You can use your mission points to temporarily obtain assistance from the NPCs and radioactive beasts on the island.

Note 3: Failure at this stage will result in the cancellation of all previous points and the end of the Hell-level mission "Heart of the Atom".

Holy crap!

"What the hell? I can't beat the robot? All those points I've accumulated over the past few days have been for nothing?"

"Form a team! Form a team! We'll prioritize recruiting ranged and aerial combat specialists!"

"Brothers with over 30% cybernetic modifications, gather over here!"

"Brothers, does anyone know any wide-area scouting skills to support me? I know how to use the cannon!"

The moment the mission was announced, tens of thousands of players on the map were alarmed. It was perfect timing, as the first batch of dead players were still mostly alive, and the second batch of dead players had only recently resurrected, so the island was incredibly crowded.

Upon hearing that they were going to fight a boss, and a level 60 boss at that, all the players were alarmed! Some wealthy players even announced on the spot that they would buy the boss's materials at a high price, and that they could name their price.

Many players even started live streaming, preparing to share their experiences simultaneously on the forums.

"Brothers, slow down! Leave us some soup!"

"Ugh, I knew I shouldn't have been so reckless! I wanted to fight the boss too!"

"Holy crap, a level 60 mechanical boss, that's awesome!"

Just as the players were discussing the matter, Umbrella Bro had already inserted the syringe into his shoulder.

A strong, burning sensation surged through his body, and for some reason, Umbrella Bro suddenly felt a strange sense of familiarity.

[You have been injected with the 'Virus Enhancer (Dr. Xie's Special Formula)', granting you +10 to Strength (temporary), +10 to Agility (temporary), +10 to Stamina (temporary), +10 to Intelligence (temporary), and +10 to Perception (temporary)]

[Your organism efficiency +20%]

[Your health +1000 (temporary)]

Add so much?

With this level of mission and this level of enhancement, how terrifying must the enemies they face be?

Umbrella Bro frowned. Just how strong must a hellish monster be?

However, the other players didn't think much of it and were shouting and yelling all the time.

"Holy crap, that's awesome! What kind of needle is this? I need ten!"

"This is unscientific. This injection is equivalent to leveling up ten times."

"Could this be the legendary T-virus?"

"666".

However, apart from the players who were struggling in the game, the top players all wore serious expressions. Nobody was stupid; a hellish quest with such a generous bonus meant the opponents must be incredibly powerful.

At this moment, as the first player to complete the third stage of the mission, Dida stood beside the projection of 'Dr. Xie' and frowned, saying, "The mechanical lifeforms in the Mother City are so powerful, do you really need to do this?"

Others might not know, but as the person who distributed the "medicines," she understood that these viral agents actually contained the flesh and blood power of Mr. G. In other words, the senior engineer's true form had already possessed these players.

Dr. Xie smiled and said, "You'll find out soon enough."

A level 60 mechanical boss, given the current skill level of players, would inevitably result in a one-sided massacre if he didn't intervene.

Soon, a small black dot appeared in the sky. The dot flashed, and the next moment, a violent storm crashed down. Visible white waves burst out of the air, forming a huge air shield. The entire sea surface was affected by it and began to sink downwards. The Atomic Island Group was also affected by the waves and began to drift. Many players fell into the sea before they even saw the boss and died a terrible death.

It took a full ten minutes for the sea to calm down. Once the storm had passed, two mechanical giants suddenly appeared, hovering in the air. Energy nozzles as thick as water tanks spewed terrifying heat, and their massive mechanical bodies were filled with the explosive power unique to carbon-based life forms. Their superior, yet almost tangible, simulated vision swept across the electronic retina, marking a number—

24135

This is the number of ants that need to be removed.