Otherworld Heartwarming Short Story: Critical City Rescue

Chapter 46: 46. Heartwarming Little Stories from Another World · Critical City Rescue

Murphy found all the vampires around him.

Including himself, there were only four in total. Fortunately, it was the dead of night, with four to five hours left until dawn. Their senses, enhanced in the darkness, could easily pinpoint the commoners trapped in the ruins of the outer city.

Before the people at the Survivor Camp could be organized, the Young Miss and Madam Adele first spread their wings and flew a circle above the ruins of the outer city, braving the Astral Psionics and the ominous Black Snow.

They brought back very important intelligence.

Because Cadman City was swallowed by the energy of an Astral Rift and not by a genuine earthquake, the number of people trapped beneath the ruins wasn't actually that high. The main reason the surviving commoners couldn't escape was the Despair Derivatives that continuously appeared in the Astral Shadows and the Astral Beasts that roamed within them.

After receiving this information, Murphy quickly adjusted the plan.

"Use fire!"

Triss, relying on her profound research into Psionics, proposed a solution. She looked at the shadows within the collapsed city walls before her and said to Murphy:

"The Astral Shadows in the outer city are merely a spillover from the inner city. Their concentration and quantity are far inferior to the core area swallowed by Astral Psionics. These outer shadows can be quickly cleared with fire.

The simplest method would be to burn the entire outer city, and it would be clean immediately.

But if you want to rescue people, you can't be so crude.

Commoners, when holding an Alchemical Torch, can also drive back the Despair Derivatives, which is enough time for those frightened people to escape.

The biggest trouble is the Astral Beasts hiding in the shadows.

All Astral Creatures can smell the emotions of living beings. They can distinguish who is the easiest prey, so you don't need to follow them to rescue people. While they use torches to clear the path, you should deal with the dangerous things hiding in the darkness.

Honestly, not many people in the outer city could survive the first wave of the Astral invasion. If all goes well, most of the unlucky ones should be rescued before dawn.

The rest are too close to that rift filled with Astral Filth. With our current strength, we are simply not enough to clear that area.

My suggestion is a strategic abandonment."

"Why aren't your subordinates awake yet?"

The Young Miss had no objections to this plan, but she noticed the small sheds next to the defensive line of the city wall's breach and the little players lying inside. She asked with some confusion:

"In this situation, shouldn't they also join in?"

"My warriors are too tired."

Murphy snorted and waved his hand to cover up, saying:

"The survivors you see are all ones they rescued during previous adventures. They are already exhausted, let them rest. I believe that they, being fearless, will shoulder the most difficult tasks again tomorrow."

"Swish"

As huge Blood-colored Bat Wings retracted, a plump figure descended from the sky, landing precisely and lightly beside the Young Miss and Murphy.

Madam Adele, who had mastered the Blood Vulture Flight Technique and appeared to be quite skilled at flying, said softly to the two:

"The people from the Survivor Camp are on their way. About 140 of them are coming."

"Prepare torches for them."

Murphy turned to Triss and said:

"You don't need to go. Stay here and help us hold the line."

"I'm not as helpless as you think, little Murphy."

Triss was a little displeased with this arrangement, but the intelligent lady knew better than to complain at this moment. She turned and began making simple torches that could burn for a long time with the Alchemy Materials she had on hand.

As for weapons, there was no shortage.

The little players had scavenged a lot of items from the city before logging off, and they had also brought back many Melee Weapons.

Murphy definitely wouldn't issue Firearms to these survivors.

He knew what foolish things people would do when desperate and afraid. Before his authority was established, it was better to control Firearms.

"We'll each take a side."

Murphy tapped three times on the map of the outer city and said to the Young Miss and Madam Adele:

"Advance simultaneously in three directions, hunting down those Astral Beasts. My subordinates and warriors will lead the survivors in the rescue and act as the Supervisory Team."

The Young Miss and Madam Adele were both Black Iron Rank vampires, and they had no objections to this arrangement. However, Fimis glanced at Murphy. She hesitated for a moment and advised:

"I'm not looking down on your strength, Murphy, but it would be better to have Madam Adele stay by your side."

"No need!"

Murphy waved his hand, rolling his eyes fiercely in his mind. The Young Miss can be so hurtful sometimes.

Isn't this exactly looking down on my strength?

But his Character Level had already reached 9, just one step away from triggering the Black Iron Trial. How could he let others come and steal his combat experience?

This wasn't a real dungeon run with a carry; this real, messed-up game had to be fought by himself, one sword strike at a time. It wasn't a good time to slack off in the early stages of building his enterprise.

Seeing Murphy's firm resolve, the Young Miss took out a few scrolls from her Psionic Bag and handed them to him, saying:

"Then enhance yourself with Psionics. Consider these scrolls my support. Bravery is a virtue, but arrogance and recklessness are not."

Murphy didn't refuse. He took the scrolls and examined them. Information tags quickly popped up:

Name: Fimis's Psionic Enhancement Scroll x5

Effect: Unseals psionic matrices, granting the user the temporary states of [Lesser Arcane Eye · Perception +1], [Lesser Midnight Haste · Agility +1], [Lesser Night Owl's Guard · Endurance +1], [Lesser Dark Power · Strength +1], and [Energy Burst · Destructive Power Boost].

This scroll is a low-level scroll crafted by a formal Psionicist, and its effects last for three hours.

Reminder!

Psionic enhancement scrolls increase the user's mental pressure. Frequent use will heighten the user's spirit vision, making them more susceptible to the attention of Malevolent Spirits.

Creator: Fimis Cecilia Lasombra

Item Description:

[The technique of sealing psionic matrices into scrolls is a complex and mysterious alchemical art. Within the teaching system of the Ring Tower, scroll crafting is often considered a significant dividing line between Psionicists and Psionic Apprentices.

However, the psionic matrices recorded in scrolls activate very crudely, which is an unbearable burden on the minds of ordinary people. Therefore, it is not recommended for the weak to use.]

"Thanks."

Murphy didn't use the scroll himself. After the five little players brought the survivors, he distributed the scroll as a "quest reward" to his cute little players, enhancing their gaming experience.

"Murphy, it's very risky for you to let these people re-enter the dangerous city."

Mirian, who had followed along, was still rubbing her eyes. She jumped off her horse and sidled up to Murphy, whispering to him:

"Most of these people were forced here. They have no will or courage. They're just a bunch of terrified rabble right now. If they encounter danger, they'll easily cause trouble."

"How many did Maxim just kill?"

Murphy ignored Mirian's reminder, instead glancing at his loyal servant. He smelled a strong scent of blood on Maxim and asked.

Mirian's face turned a little pale. She whispered:

"Seven! He killed them on the spot for disobeying Lord Murphy's orders. These people were brought here because that massacre terrified them, but you can't always suppress them with violence. Their minds are already very fragile."

"They're going to rescue their own people now! To rescue your human compatriots! Mirian."

Murphy said sternly to his red-haired assistant:

"If they're unwilling to extend a hand to their own people, are they worthy of a Vampire like me saving them? You're the Camp Manager, comforting them is your responsibility, unless you're willing to admit that your three years at Shardo University taught you nothing."

He beckoned to Madam Adele, who was standing nearby.

The latter understood Murphy's intention and placed her luxurious and effective Scarlet Revolver in Murphy's hand, along with a bag of ammunition.

Murphy then handed both items to Mirian and said to her:

"You'll lead the team later! Maxim and my five Warriors will assist you. I don't want to pressure you, Mirian, but if these people cause trouble and harm themselves or others, then their tragic fate will be their own fault!

My suggestion is to treat this as an administrative internship. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."

With that, Murphy turned and leaped onto a large rock.

He cleared his throat.

His gaze swept over the survivors gathered below the city wall's rift, who had been forcibly brought there. They were all disheveled, pale-faced, with vacant eyes, visibly terrified of the city that had nearly consumed them.

"You probably all know me, or at least have heard the strange legends of Cadman City! That's right, I am Murphy, the useless Vampire you talk about.

I don't want to waste anyone's time, so listen carefully!

My Warriors rescued you and your families from the city. You should be grateful to me and them, but the truth is, you are lucky because many others, unluckier than you, are trapped in this ruin.

Their lives are slipping away, and now I need you to bring them back from the encroaching death with me!"

Murphy shouted to everyone:

"I will give you torches!

These psionic torches, made by Vampires, will help you dispel the fear in the shadows. As long as the torches don't go out, those invisible monsters won't bother you.

You just need to enter the city in groups and bring out those unlucky people. They are your companions, friends, or acquaintances. Even if you don't know them, they are still your human compatriots.

You should lend them a hand.

As for the dangerous beasts hidden in the Black Night, I and my kin will be responsible for clearing them.

My Vampire kin and I will uphold the ancient laws of Transylvania tonight, protecting those who offer us their Blood Tax. We will ensure you are not harmed.

We will fulfill our duty and lead and protect you.

But you must also do your part!

Finally, I will emphasize this again: anyone who disobeys orders and acts on their own will be executed!

If you believe obeying Vampires is more dangerous than entering Cadman City as it is now, then feel free to run away later. However, my companions and I will not waste our time on foolish, disobedient individuals.

I have finished speaking. Does anyone still not understand?

If anyone has doubts, step forward and tell me your thoughts!"

He looked at the slightly restless crowd before him. Maxim, with his sword, stood to his left, and Camp Manager Mirian stood to his right. The little players, now armed, stood beside him, their shadows stretching long.

After a few seconds of waiting, Murphy waved his hand.

"Since no one has any objections, collect your torches and set out with me!"

"There are three people hiding in the basement of a house up ahead!"

Murphy, leading a team of rescuers down the street, twitched his ears, precisely catching the sound of crying coming from a nearby ruin.

He waved his left hand forward, and Lumina, holding an alchemical torch, and Black Silk Brother immediately ran over, followed by several brave survivors. They held torches in one hand and melee weapons in the other, warily scanning their surroundings.

"We're here to save you!"

Black Silk Brother shouted into the blocked basement entrance, banging on it.

The people inside naturally couldn't understand him, but it didn't stop them from knowing someone was outside. The crying and screaming started again, making the surrounding survivors feel a pang of sympathy.

The others began clearing the rubble that was pinning down the basement entrance, but it was difficult to move it quickly. The mother in the basement below was wailing; her daughter seemed to be injured and in a bad condition.

"There's a broken ventilation shaft nearby, but it's too narrow for me to get through."

Black Silk Brother returned with the news, looking somewhat embarrassed.

He was on the taller side. Lumina leaned over to examine the narrow vent, then tossed her torch to Black Silk Brother. She rolled up her sleeves and was about to crawl in when Black Silk Brother grabbed her.

"Don't go! Let the NPCs go!"

He advised:

"We have no idea what the situation is in there. If you die, it'll take three days to respawn."

"If we die, we wait three days. If they die, it's all over."

Lumina looked at the timid NPCs around her, pouted, and whispered:

"I know they're just lines of code, but this is too realistic, and I feel bad. I don't have the guts to save people like this in real life anyway, right? It doesn't stop me from being a hero in the game. Watch my back!"

With that, she tore open a scroll Murphy had given her, applied a Dexterity buff to herself, and then squeezed into the dark, narrow ventilation shaft.

Black Silk Brother watched the decisive young woman before him.

He felt his cheeks flush slightly, so he stood up and shouted at the hesitant NPCs beside him, urging them to quickly move the stones blocking the basement entrance. He then went to help them.

A few minutes later, a strange noise came from the ventilation shaft.

Black Silk Brother ran over to receive them and saw Lumina, covered in soot, emerge carrying a baby. She handed the swaddled child to Black Silk Brother, then, without a word, crawled back in. She rescued another girl, about four or five years old.

But after crawling in a third time and waiting for several minutes, there was no further success. When Lumina crawled out again, her eyes were teary.

She covered her mouth, her voice filled with regret, and kept looking back at Black Silk Brother, saying:

"Her mother didn't make it. She was hit on the head by bricks and couldn't hold on. She begged me to take care of her children and gave me the last of her money. I couldn't save her... sigh."

Black Silk Brother didn't know what to say at that moment.

He glanced at the baby in his arms. The child slept soundly, sucking on its fingers, seemingly unaware of what was happening around it. The other rescued girl was clinging tightly to Lumina's leg, refusing to let go.

She was terrified.

At that instant, the soot-covered Black Silk Brother felt a sudden tightness in his chest.

This damn game is too realistic. Did it have to be so hardcore with these details?

Can't we just have fun grinding monsters and playing games?

"Damn it!"

He cursed and kicked a piece of wood nearby.

The action startled the baby in his arms, causing it to cry. The sight left the man in his twenties flustered. A few seconds later, a middle-aged NPC stepped forward and gestured to Black Silk Brother.

He took the crying baby, cradled it, and gently rocked it. Then, he bowed deeply to Lumina, who was wiping her eyes, and turned back to shout at the people behind him.

The NPCs, who had been dawdling moments before, now seemed like different people. They silently lit their torches and began searching more actively. It was as if the baby rescued by Murphy's warrior had injected them with some kind of strength, making them mentally start to fight against their fear.

"Let's keep going!"

Lumina wiped her face and said to Black Silk Brother:

"This game is so realistic, right?"

"Too realistic."

Black Silk Brother bent down, picked up his shovel, and grumbled with a sigh:

"I'm starting to miss my keyboard and mouse, and those poorly modeled, crappy games. Seriously, I'm not kidding."