"Look, the Guide has issued a task, calling all players to come and rescue."
Sea Turtle handed the data-slate to his other companions.
"Participating in the rescue gets you 5,000 Contribution Points. Saving one Imperial citizen gives an extra 20-100 points."
"My goodness, the Guide is really going all out."
Ten-times did a quick calculation.
Besides the rescue task reward, there was also the kill reward to factor in.
This task would likely cost over a million Contribution Points.
"War burns money," Warmaster nearby agreed with Ten-times.
And this was just a small-scale rescue operation.
If a large-scale battle like those in the Warhammer world broke out,
Wouldn't it cost trillions of Contribution Points in one go?
"Should we try to break through and take a look?" Wrist-bro suggested. "And communicate with the people inside."
Ten-times quickly shook his head. "Better not. For this set of equipment, I owe nearly a million Contribution Points. If I die, it'd be a huge loss."
"Let's watch and wait. Wait for the Guide to bring people over."
Sea Turtle leaned towards Ten-times's opinion.
His set of perception-type cybernetics wasn't cheap either.
Suddenly, intense fighting erupted in the corridor connecting B-13Y to B-14Y.
A Chimera infantry fighting vehicle rumbled out along the metal corridor.
The Chimera is the most common transport vehicle in the Imperial military.
Popular for its sturdiness and ease of maintenance.
The laser array on top of the Chimera fired continuously, clearing plague zombies trying to get close.
Dozens of soldiers holding lasguns followed behind the infantry fighting vehicle.
They were well-trained, with precise marksmanship and excellent close-quarters combat skills.
Soon, they cleared a path through the zombie tide.
More soldiers charged out along the corridor, setting up simple defensive works along the way, establishing a defensive line.
"Infantry-armor coordination, really good combination and they look like a well-trained army."
Warmaster observed the distant battle and praised.
A group of civilians poured out from the B-14Y area after the army established the simple defensive line.
"They're trying to break out," Warmaster frowned. "Damn it, if only they waited a bit longer. Our reinforcements are almost here."
"They don't know we're coming to support them," Sea Turtle said.
"Right now, both B-13Y and B-15Y are blocked, and the plague zombies are increasing."
"Any sane person would choose to force a breakout. Otherwise, being trapped in B-14Y is a death sentence."
Seeing the False Emperor's lackeys attempting to break out, the Nurgle-Blessed roared.
Driving the plague zombies to surround them.
Intending to stop the breakout with absolute numbers.
Cultists also mixed in with the plague zombies, shooting at the Imperial soldiers, throwing Molotov cocktails and grenades.
Ah! Ah!
A Molotov cocktail exploded near two soldiers.
Instantly turning them into fireballs, screaming horribly.
The gunner on top of the Chimera picked off cultists within the zombie tide.
But there were too many enemies, and they used the zombie tide for cover, making them hard to spot.
Suddenly, two cultists charged out holding satchel charges.
"Fanatics! Shoot them, don't let them get close!"
Imperial soldiers behind cover shouted in panic, telling comrades to focus fire on the two cultists.
The cultists were instantly riddled with holes.
But the satchel charges were still thrown near the defensive line.
Boom!
The explosion blew several nearby soldiers topieces.
Shattered internal organs were scattered everywhere.
Plague zombies poured in through the blasted gap.
Overwhelming the evacuating civilians, tearing at their flesh.
Other civilians were terrified by this scene, screamingnon stop.
The originally orderly formation became chaotic.
"In the name of the Emperor! Mother, I'm coming!"
A soldier who had been pinned down shouted, pulled the pin on a grenade, and took out over a dozen plague zombies with him.
"If it were just the army, breaking out wouldn't be difficult. But escorting civilians... they probably can't break through."
Warmaster frowned, watching Imperial soldiers sacrifice themselves to buy time for the civilians, unable to bear it.
"I can't stand watching this," Twisty turned his head away.
"Damn, does the game's damn developer have to make all the NPC storylines like this?"
Witnessing the brutal and realistic battlefield, Ten-times's heart became extremely tormented.
Warhammer OL's NPCs and storylines are all unique.
If an NPC dies, they're dead.
If you miss a storyline, you miss it; there's no chance for regret.
"We shouldn't just think about leveling up," Warmaster looked at his teammates.
"Life made us forget the original intention of playing games. It's only about leveling, getting gear, competing."
"Games should be worlds where we choose different lives, fulfill dreams that reality cannot satisfy."
"Now I finally understand why Warhammer OL designs every NPC, every event, as unique."
"Perhaps this game wants us to truly experience another life, not just simply level up and get gear."
"Maybe one day, we'll become very, very strong in this game. But we will remember today countless times, remember our cowardice letting innocent people die brutally before our eyes."
"The right to choose is still in our hands now. To charge out and fight bravely for them, or to cowardly stay here, waiting for future self-blame and regret."
Warmaster's words made the players' eyes slightly red.
"You're right. This game shouldn't be just about leveling and getting gear. We should treat it as another life," Sea Turtle nodded. "I choose to fight."
"Count me in."
"Hehe, death just means a few hundred thousand in debt. What's there to fear? Let's charge."
Warmaster looked at Ten-times. "What about you, my brother?"
"Your eloquence is wasted not giving speeches in taverns."
Ten-times stood up, seven ice-crystal-like ethereal shards appearing in his hand.
"Then let's do it. I'll snipe that Plague-Blessed, draw their fire."
"Then we charge over with all our might, tell them reinforcements are coming soon, have them hold their position and wait for rescue to reduce casualties."
Warmaster adjusted his lasgun's power to maximum.
Aimed at the distant Nurgle-Blessed, held his breath, and concentrated.
"Holy Emperor, for your people, protect us."
With the prayer, he pulled the trigger.
The laser cut through the air with a piercing sound.
The struck Nurgle-Blessed let out a painful roar.
The surging zombie tide also fell into chaos.
"For honor! For the Emperor!"
Ten-times shouted, waving his hand.
The seven ethereal shards traced graceful arcs through the air.
Instantly piercing through the cultists and plague zombies in front of them.
Making them fall in swathes like weeds under a scythe.
"Charge over!"
Warmaster shouted.
"Time for a killing spree!"
Twisty's Mantis Blades extended from his hands.
He leaped down from the pipeline, instantly splitting one plague zombie.
Spun and swung his blades, cutting another zombie in half at the waist.
The others aimed their guns and fired.
The five worked together closely coordinated, stabbing into the enemy tide like a spearhead.
The distant Chimera noticed the five-man squad's movements.
Two small Hellfire missiles shot from the rear of the infantry fighting vehicle.
Tracing contrails, they landed in the path ahead of the five.
With the explosions, groups of plague zombies were blown to pieces, clearing a path.
The five-man squad smoothly met up with the besieged Imperial forces.
Captain Aing, commander of the Atoma 101st Light Infantry Regiment, scrutinized the few men before him.
"Who are you?"
Warmaster performed the sign of the aquila. "I am the Armed Chief of the warship Imperial Glory, and a Chosen of the great God-Emperor."
"We came here to tell you, our forces will arrive soon with reinforcements."
"You don't need to rush the breakout, avoid unnecessary casualties."
"Imperial Glory? Reinforcements?" Captain Airen showed a doubtful expression. "You're with the Imperial Navy?"
"You could say that," Warmaster nodded. "Pull back first. Our people will be here soon."
Captain Aing looked at the men before him, then at the soldiers and civilians nearby.
The plague zombies were increasing. The civilians were terrified.
If they forced a breakout, having one-third survive would be considered good.
"Alright, I'll trust you this once." Captain Airen ordered the nearby sergeant, "Withdraw to B-14Y."
Under the cover of the Chimera, the ormation withdrew smoothly, built defensive lines, and resisted the zombie tide.
Entering the B-14Y area, the players found many injured civilians and soldiers lying on the ground, and felt relieved.
If they hadn't appeared in time, Captain Airen would most likely have had to abandon these wounded.
Of course, they weren't condemning such actions.
Aing didn't know reinforcements were coming.
In his mind, the Laicade Station had fallen, Imperial Loyalists were dead or dying, only enemies remained.
In a situation of no external support, necessary cruelty is needed for more people to survive.
Inside B-14Y, there were two hundred soldiers, two Chimeras, and over a thousand civilians.
The civilians huddled in small groups, curling up, either crying or praying.
When Ten-times and the other players passed by, the civilians watched them with fearful yet hopeful gazes.
They all knew these people had broken in from outside.
Soon, more reinforcements would come to save them.
"Is it necessary to make it this realistic?" Twisty said in a somber tone. "The look in these people's eyes... it feels like despair is overflowing. I can't take it."
"Don't say anymore," Warmaster could also feel it, making his mood heavy.
"We will be saved soon. Reinforcements are coming. You must try to stay strong."
Captain Airen kept repeating this phrase to people along the way, reassuring them, trying to boost their morale.
"Hold on, Ganf! You'll be fine. Rescue is coming soon. Hold on."
A voice full of pain came through.
The player squad followed Captain Airen over.
They found several soldiers gathered around a young soldier on a stretcher.
The young soldier's chest was torn open, crimson blood gushing out, unstoppable.
"Captain Airen," the young soldier saw Captain Airen and reached out a hand to him.
"Private Third Class, Ganf." Airen crouched down and took the young soldier's hand.
"Was I brave enough? Can I enter the God-Emperor's realm?"
"I'm so scared. I think I hear those monsters... they... they want to eat me."
The young soldier spoke while coughing blood.
"No, Ganf, you were brave," Aing said. "The God-Emperor is proud of you. You have done your duty. He will kiss your forehead, hold you in His arms. Those monsters cannot harm you."
The Captain's words made the young soldier smile.
Then, he died.
This scene made the five players in the squad feel a pang in their hearts.
This was the Warhammer-style despair and helplessness.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions sounded.
A soldier hurried over.
"Captain, friendly forces are approaching outside."
Airen looked excited, looking at the player squad. "Your people?"
"Yes," Warmaster nodded.
"Move out immediately, link up with the friendly forces," Aing ordered the soldiers.