Classic Mecha Combat Opening
"This city is utterly corrupt! It's beyond saving! How could anyone believe that a ghost can grant longevity! How could they start a war over a ghost! This is the most absurd thing in the world, not even hundreds or thousands of years ago, not even in those so-called myths and legends!"
Mr. George Augustus, the brand ambassador for George's Shield, stood on the stage, delivering a passionate speech to the residents of Asgari City. However, no one was there to hear his speech, because right behind him, a series of explosions and shrapnel were turning the entire block red.
Weapons that were previously only seen at weapons exhibitions and in online games are now clashing in the Asgari City, turning an entire district into a real battlefield.
The only consolation for the city's residents at this point was that Asgari City's design philosophy was modular construction, meaning the collapse of one block wouldn't affect the stability of others.
Just like when a streamer demolished an entire city block with his bare hands, it only caused architecture students and professors to experience a sharp drop in hair volume over the next few weeks.
In contrast to the quiet atmosphere at the venue, Mr. George's campaign Live Broadcast Room was bustling with activity. However, the audience did not see him as a speaker or a politician, but rather as a war correspondent, constantly urging him to zoom in and film more of the war scenes behind him.
However, Mr. George would not choose the streamer with the most comments. He completely ignored the demands of these viewers and used the battlefield as a backdrop to express his political philosophy of opposing Feudal Superstition and resisting Entertainment to Death.
However, just as "George's crimes were heinous, causing widespread public resentment," a background text message popped up on the anchor's screen—
"Dear Mr. George, this is the Dole Live Broadcast Platform. Due to..."
The pointless official rhetoric unfolded on the live stream page, not only seen by George but also by all the viewers.
After removing all the fluff and diplomatic language, the content is actually just one sentence:
[Follow the strategy that gets the most comments, or we'll ban your Live Broadcast Room!]
"As you all see, this is the consequence of Entertainment to Death. Under such threats... alright, alright, since you all want to see, then I'll show you just how brutal the real battlefield is..."
[He chickened out! The streamer chickened out!]
Haha, I still prefer your rebellious side!
[I thought he was someone with backbone, but he's just a lackey of capitalism. I'm not watching anymore!]
[Idiot!]
Who are you calling stupid?
I'll curse anyone who robs me!
Seeing the inexplicable arguments starting in the comments section, George was speechless for a moment. However, he had no intention of mediating the fight. Instead, he put on a weathered expression, turned his back to the camera, and walked step by step towards the war-torn city.
After a full day of fighting, the intensity of the battle has decreased slightly. Many aircraft have run out of ammunition. Although the major companies are still continuously deploying troops, overall, it is no longer as easy as at the beginning when missiles are being used to attack each other.
Ultimately, Asgari City is just a city. Even with the undeserved title of "the most prosperous city in the world," the core Dipper Department of its various corporations will not exceed a thousand people.
This means that obtaining the samples is not as simple as just stealing them; one must also consider escorting and protecting them after they are obtained. Otherwise, even if one wins and obtains the spoils, there is no guarantee that one will be able to take them out of the Asgari City.
Therefore, companies qualified to compete for this Gambling Ghost's prize generally retain a portion of their elite forces to escort the samples away after a successful acquisition, or to pursue the gambler if the acquisition fails.
This may sound contradictory, but reality is not a game. There is no absolute rule for victory. The competition will not end just because you successfully grab an item. The more power you use to grab, the less power you have to protect yourself afterward, and vice versa.
Therefore, how to manage their limited military resources is the question that the heads of major conglomerates need to consider at this time.
It is precisely because of this balance that the intensity of the battle is currently at a moderate level, neither pushing the limits to the extreme nor engaging in passive resistance or stalling.
George Augustus strolled across the horrific battlefield as if taking a leisurely walk, dodging stray bullets that seemed to come from nowhere, while shouting into the Live Broadcast Room:
"Did you all see that? This is the city block where the original No. 33 No Man's Land was located. Now, this area has basically lost its block function. The residential dormitories are completely abandoned, several production lines appear to have been looted, and the shops on the street show obvious signs of vandalism and looting..."
Augustus was still giving his commentary when a loud explosion suddenly rang out, and a massive machine slammed into the open ground in front of him, sending rubble flying.
"Oh, look what I Think! A George's Shield! Goodness, it survived a fall from that height intact. No wonder it's the weapon I endorse!"
[A classic mecha battle begins!]
[Stop talking nonsense and get in the piloting unit!]
[The streamer knows Program Effect by finding a powerful mech on the battlefield!]
[Speaking of which, it's unlikely that a livestreamer who's also a product ambassador wouldn't even know how to promote the product they're endorsing?]
A barrage of comments flooded the screen. Augustus had clearly intended to leave the scene of conflict, looked at the text message from the Media Company that hadn't joined the fray due to the distance of its headquarters, and helplessly shrugged.
"Alright, so this is the strategy with the most comments, right? Okay! Today, I'll teach you how to escape the battlefield using a scavenged mech!"
As he spoke, George had already rushed to the George's Shield, skillfully using the protrusions on the fuselage to climb onto the cockpit, and pointed to a hidden button, saying:
"Did you all see that? There's a special button here. Just press it, then grab the pop-out handle and turn it hard to the left... Okay, it's open! Don't call it stupid, that's how military equipment is. Otherwise, if you were unconscious on the battlefield, even the medic wouldn't be able to pull you out of the tin can. As for during combat... if someone can reach this spot, it just means you're really bad at the game!"
As they spoke, the George's Shield, whose emergency valve had been turned, popped open, revealing the relatively intact cockpit.
The pilot inside the cockpit appeared to still be alive, but Augustus had no intention of rescuing him. He skillfully unfastened the harness to the cockpit, dragged the unconscious pilot out, roughly tossed him aside, and then climbed in himself. Without even closing the cockpit, he inserted his right hand into the master-slave controller on his right arm and immediately pulled the trigger.
As bullets shot out from the right arm of the machine, forcing back several approaching machines, Augustus pressed the shut-off button and spoke into the microphone connected to the Onboard Computer:
" With the George's Shield, or rather, with most mechs, the Operating System is locked when the cockpit is closed. This isn't a design flaw, but rather to prevent the pilot from accidentally crushing themselves to death by sneezing. So, if an enemy approaches when boarding, you must fire your weapon first before closing the cockpit. Did everyone understand?"
[I've learned it! I'm off to the battlefield to collect mechs!]
[Hey, am I the only one who cares about that warehouse icon on the Onboard Computer?]
[Yeah, that thing looks so familiar.]
[Holy crap, streamer, you've got it! That ghost is right here on this machine!]
I overslept at noon, sorry.