Chapter 442
Yuki slightly stepped aside, letting a scarlet Chainsaw Sword pass by.
Boom!
The ground was smashed into a deep crater. The high-level combat soldier, who possessed Transcendental Grade strength, stared wide-eyed, completely unable to understand what had happened, until a hand touched his forearm.
"You should have sent the message back before attacking." Yuki lamented his foolishness, then with a slight twist, he snapped the man's forearm with a cracking sound, and with a backhand slash, Piercer the man's chest.
Splash!
The serrated blades shredded the muscle, causing massive bleeding, yet Yuki right next to them, remained untouched by a single drop of blood. He simply turned to look at the horrified scavengers.
An entire Orcs hunting squad didn't survive for more than five seconds; they couldn't comprehend such a scenario.
Humanity is very lucky because--
"I am coming."
Chapter Three: Follow Me, and Rebuild Glory!
There was nothing fancy about it; by the time the pursuers arrived, all that was left were corpses strewn everywhere.
The Orcs general Gangbad, clad in heavy blue armor, stepped heavily from his long, shuttle-shaped chariot. He stared at the scene before him for a few seconds, then let out a beastly roar.
"Damn it, they're the humans' accomplices! Those rats have no such power!"
It's obvious that a mere ten people could wipe out an entire hunting squad in an instant. Humans shouldn't be treated like rats.
The roars of beasts rose and fell. Besides their brutality, they also valued brotherhood. If it were a superior race, they would grit their teeth and accept it, but how could they tolerate a bunch of rats daring to challenge them?
"The king's idea is correct. Humans might turn the tide with powerful allies. We must lock them in food pods before they grow up." An Orcs dressed in cloth and wearing mechanical eyes walked over, appearing remarkably calm.
"But we don't know how capable this assistant is. Should we hold off?"
"Then let's find our helpers and let them fight like dogs!" Gangbad roared, every brain cell filled with murderous intent and hunger. As sworn enemies, there was no possibility of cooperation between the two sides, and the proud Orcs would not cooperate with a bunch of food.
"We'll be in charge of searching. That large group of rats must be hiding nearby. Once Wang arrives with the main force, we'll wipe them all out together."
Ferocity is an instinct of the Orcs, but they are not fools. No matter how strong their assistants are, they cannot take on an entire Orcs by themselves, because humans are too weak and are of little use.
No matter how powerful he is, can he withstand a barrage of Giant Spore Cannon? Besides, Orcs also have allies; even if they are weaker, they should be able to stall for time.
The Orcs in plain clothes thought for a moment and realized that besides concentrating its firepower, it didn't have much to add. Its biggest worry was being discovered by other races.
But humans are weak and few in number, so it wouldn't take long for a real fight to break out.
The Divine Torch Orcs dared not even consider it, and to survive by staying away from the battlefield, they needed sufficient food reserves. After searching around, they found that humans were the most suitable environment for spore growth.
"Alright, search first, then surround them. Once the main force arrives, we'll capture as many as we can."
The group trudged through the mountains with difficulty, but this time it was unusually silent, and no one dared to look at Yuki with impatience.
He disliked empty talk and even less of pretending to be kind; he would only use his strength to tell this group of people:
You must listen to me, or you will die.
The entire Orcs squad didn't survive for more than five seconds—no, the outcome was decided in the very first second.
Lucy and the Scarface man exchanged glances, seeing the horror in each other's eyes. Due to the lack of historical information, they only knew that there were assistants, but they didn't know how strong they were. The Scarface man had even received a secret mission; the 'King' wanted him to find out exactly how strong Yuki was.
Nobody's a fool. They won't be fooled by the aura of a strongman. They'll find out what's what once they've proven themselves.
Then Yuki did indeed slip away, but the result was that they simply couldn't understand, or rather, couldn't comprehend, that power.
"Too fast! Our equipment can't even catch a glimpse of it."
"His physical strength is also extremely powerful; breaking the hand of a high-ranking soldier is as easy as breaking a cookie."
"The assistants are all monsters; their power systems are different."
The two spoke in hushed tones, looking at the figure ahead. The person strolled leisurely, yet moved faster than a powered exoskeleton.
The Scarface man didn't even dare to ask what the next step was. He realized that his previous attitude had been somewhat rude, and looking back, he felt quite frightened.
With the Orcs approaching, this person is their lifeline, so--
"I'll apologize to him later. He can do whatever he wants with me." Lucy gritted her teeth. This was the price she had to pay for her rudeness. "Captain, please go back and tell my brother that I died while scavenging. I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused everyone."
The Scarface man's lips moved, but in the end he said nothing. Humans were already used to paying a price, even though, in his view, Lucy's previous attitude was normal.
Upon closer examination, it wasn't really rudeness; it was simply a natural conflict between two different classes. But for the sake of racial survival, there was no room for reason.
"There's no need to feel guilty. Before my worth is established, it's perfectly reasonable for people to object or express dislike."
Yuki, who was originally at the front of the group, suddenly appeared in front of the two of them, raised his hand, and made the entire group stop.
As everyone watched, no one dared to speak; they found the monster to be quite reasonable.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were so powerful that you wouldn't understand our rat-like lives." Lucy lowered her head, not daring to look at Yuki.
"No, I've been through tough times too." Yuki looked at the stubbornness on the girl's face, which pleased him more than her trembling kneeling. "Don't overthink it. All I want is for you to be absolutely obedient. Whether you are truly convinced or not is not a consideration."
Arrogant, cold, and logically clear, Yuki wasn't there to pick up girls and didn't care what these people thought at all.
He looked around and saw ten humans gathered around, each with their heads down and not saying a word, like obedient children. He smiled gently.
The desired effect was achieved, because of hint six, he did not need these people to take initiative.
"The Orcs have been eyeing you for a long time. That warship wreckage might just be bait to lure humans there. A single land fortress would be enough to annihilate you." Yuki had figured out the situation while traveling. He had just tested it, and the difference between the two races was enormous.
Ten carefully selected scavengers couldn't defeat a single hunting squad.
"But now we have you." The Scarface man concealed the excitement in his eyes.
Are Orcs stupid?
"He is somewhat impulsive, but he is experienced in strategy and tactics."
"That settles it then. Taking my situation into account, they'll increase their troop deployment." Yuki spread his hands and pointed to the ground. "And don't forget, they have assistants with them too."
This statement caused panic again. Yes, everyone has helpers, but that doesn't change the overall strength or weakness.
"Then let's run!"
"How can we run? We have our families with us, how can we escape the Orcs chariots? They're coming for us!"
"Should we just use the same trick as before?"
"A death lottery? Leaving some to cover the retreat, sending your fellow humans to be eaten by the Orcs? Can you satisfy their appetites?"
Yuki listened quietly to their discussion, his expression not very pleasant. Just as Lucy found his composure an eyesore, he also disliked this group of people.
They don't quite qualify as cowards, since someone who's quick to self-destruct can't really be called weak, but they just lack the courage to fight. Their minds are always limited to only a few options:
Escape, hide, and sever ties to survive.
But upon closer reflection, this can be considered a good thing.
Humans are too weak; they are completely useless in this Great Game, which in turn proves that their strength is absolutely high, and they are forcibly balanced by the Reincarnation Game.
"Stop arguing, tell me first why the Orcs are targeting you." Yuki raised his hand to interrupt.
"Because humans are the best spore parasites." Lucy said slowly with disgust, and Yuki understood in just a few words.
To put it bluntly, Orcs are bullies who prey on the weak and want to stay away from the central battlefield to survive, so they need a lot of food reserves. For them, this is a hunt before winter.
Therefore, the Orcs had no intention of participating in the Great Game. Furthermore, their purpose in Hunters was for food, which means that the second half of hint 5 contains a clue.
[Tip 5: The death of a racial representative will reduce the overall strength of that race; the killer will receive a reward and a massive amount of aggro, and the overall strength of their race will be increased to some extent.]
Being hostile to other races has its advantages, but these advantages benefit those above rather than those below. Yuki discovered a blind spot:
Humanity is already at rock bottom; whichever race we defeat, they will benefit.
Let's have a fight.
"Huh?" The Scarface man looked on, somewhat dazed.
"I said let's fight. It's obvious that even if we flee, we'll pay a heavy price. Why not fight to the death? Or are you afraid of dying?"
The group exchanged glances. They weren't afraid of dying, but the word 'battle' hadn't been in their minds for a long time. Even when faced with insect soldiers, who were also a lower-ranking race, they would keep as far away as possible.
"We're all going to die anyway, so let's fight it out. With me here, you all have the right to fight." Yuki looked at the terrified faces and didn't try to persuade them with words; nothing he said would make a difference at this point.
Humans need confidence, and confidence can only come from blood and victory. Since the Bloodthirsty Red Moon, Yuki has never taken any burdens with him. Even if there are any, he will make them grow wildly by drawing blood.
Before securing the first kill, he didn't bother with further explanation and simply stated in a commanding tone:
"I don't care what your habits are or whether you have the courage. I'm going to fight. If you think you can escape without my protection, then go ahead."
This...
The crowd was speechless. Without Yuki's protection, they certainly couldn't escape, but they couldn't understand why Yuki wanted to join the battle himself.
"Don't overthink it. Just do as I say. You should know that the helpers will not let humanity perish easily, much less harm you."
The Scarface man nodded. This was one of the settings of the Great Game, so even if some races looked down on their helpers, they wouldn't be hostile to them as long as the latter didn't cause trouble.
"So rest assured, my ideas will only benefit you." Yuki didn't want to waste any more words; he was always a man of few words but many deeds.
"Greven."
"Here." A young man stepped forward, looking bewildered.
"Go back and tell the king to select 100 of the most elite scavengers to join me, and to equip them as fully as possible." Yuki thought for a moment, then pointed deeper into the mountains, "While we have time, send another scavenging team to the wreckage of the Machine Race's warship, gather all the race's mechanics, and build as many weapons as we can."
"OK."
"Scarface." Yuki looked at the Scarface man again and said simply, "The rest of you, come with me. This is a rare opportunity. Follow me and learn how to fight again."
"Are we really going to fight?" The Scarface man felt a surge of tension, yet he wasn't entirely uneasy. Having a solid backer gave him a sense of security.
"Of course we have to fight. Do you know what your biggest problem is?" Yuki out and took a Molecular Vibration Knife from his waist. It was a legacy of humanity's glorious era, and to be honest, its technological level surpassed that of those Orcs.
But this knife hasn't been stained with blood in a long time; it's mostly been used as a cutting machine.
"It's not about equipment, strength, skill, or wisdom, but about confidence." He looked up and saw a strange chariot appear on a distant mountaintop. As if on instinct, the people around him scattered like birds and beasts, each seeking cover to hide.
Yuki unmoved, his tone arrogant, as if he were dealing with an ant hiding in the shadows.
"This confidence comes from iron and blood; follow me—"
"With the blood of Orcs, glory will be rebuilt."
Humanity's Destiny seems to have hit rock bottom and bounced back. If other epic-level powerhouses were assigned to this race, they would mostly hide them away and then conquer them on their own.
This isn't difficult for epic-level players; they can simply dig a shelter thousands of meters underground, provide them with enough supplies, and keep them put.
Yuki didn't have this habit. He believed that it was better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish, and that heaven would help those who help themselves. Besides that, he had the most indifferent rational thinking. Since players were bound to their race, it was impossible to let humans just play a supporting role for the sake of the Divine Torch.
Finally, he himself came from an ordinary background and understands all too well what humanity is.
They are cowardly, they are brave, they are fragile, they are tenacious. As members of the same race, certain things deep in our genes cannot be changed, and what we need to do is to draw out these instincts.
Survival instinct, fighting instinct, predatory instinct.
This creates a strange effect: generally speaking, no epic player would waste time playing a nurturing game with a bunch of ants.
But Yuki is different. His team is matched with three races from the start, and he has plenty of time to explore the high-level secrets with Mona Hiyori.
Whether voluntary or forced, the food was fed to them, and with a super strong individual carrying them, they took a bite—
Oh, it smells so good!
"Rod Rhodes, the Orcs exploration teams in the mountains have all retreated. We have won."
Lucy gripped the knife, her armor stained with blood, her eyes filled with excitement.
She was already weathered enough, but there was something new in her eyes, like how she would instinctively draw her sword at the sight of Orcs chariot instead of hiding in a cave.
This change stemmed from the victories in a series of skirmishes over the past ten days. It was far from easy, and many people died. At first, they were timid and hesitant, forcing Yuki to help them, but later they gradually got used to it and began to use tactics.
Not only did they fight to the death, Yuki also used this time to gather resources and craft equipment. As a result, the humans grew stronger with each battle, and more and more people joined the fight.
As the tension gradually dissipated, they began to employ sophisticated tactics such as encircling and attacking reinforcements. Looking back now, the key to this change was Yuki.
With him in command, there's no need to think about suicide or fear the annihilation of the entire clan; all that's on my mind is how to kill the enemy.
"You won. Still find it unbelievable?" Yuki stepped on the corpse of a cloth-clad Orcs, glancing sideways. "Death is the same, the only difference is whether the enemy paid the price. Just as I said, you can do it."
Lucy looked away. The word 'win' was too unfamiliar to her, but what else could the current situation be but a victory? Nearly a thousand powerful Orcs had perished in the mountains, and the rest had fled in disarray. If this wasn't a victory, was it a defeat?
"I... I was very nervous at first, but I gradually got used to it and realized that Orcs aren't so great after all." The girl lowered her head, clutching her blood-stained cloak. "This... this is all thanks to you. We dared to..."