Chapter Twenty: The Herd in the Tunnel

The commander of the Dragon City clan was named Murong Dragon City, a level 27 biochemical warrior—a rather high level. However, this was his first time commanding over eight thousand troops in combat, so it was inevitable that he would be somewhat careless. The ambush in the tunnel had made him realize just how formidable the Blue and Qimen corporations were. They had prepared army vehicles ahead of time, clearly anticipating such emergencies, while Dragon City’s main force had to advance on foot. The skirmish in the tunnel had cost Dragon City more than a thousand troops outright; though the main force remained intact, Murong Dragon City was still complacent, not realizing that the mission had already begun.

As he stepped out of the tunnel, he was stunned by the sight before him.

The group that had been driving Mercedes military vehicles was now sitting in a circle on a clearing by the bridge, a bonfire burning in their midst—they were having a picnic.

Among them, Potato and Sunwan were the loudest:

“Brother, you’re great, such a good brother, take a seat upstairs, eight horses, bring out the wine…”

Murong Dragon City couldn’t believe his eyes. These people had seemed so formidable just moments ago, and now they were here playing drinking games and feasting. Could they be out of their minds?

The other players were curious too and walked over.

“Brothers, you’re in high spirits, aren’t you?” Murong Dragon City was no fool; this scene was far too abnormal.

Potato’s acting was top-notch, his face flushed as he breathed out boozy fumes: “Hey man, have you eaten yet? We’ve got beer and roasted chicken legs, want some? My hunger level’s at seventy percent now, how about you?”

In Star Wars, players had to eat and drink too; otherwise, when hunger rose too high, they’d die just the same.

Murong Dragon City saw the men and women enjoying their drinks—it really did look like they were hungry. He replied, “Thanks, brothers. We’re good. You all take your time and enjoy.” Then he turned, raised his arm, and shouted, “Brothers, let’s keep going. Go, go, go!”

Wu Hua watched Potato’s serious expression, barely holding back his laughter. Murong Dragon City acted as though he were the supreme commander of Earth, shouting orders and tossing his long hair with what he thought was flair. Many of the female players’ eyes fell on him.

Potato snickered wickedly, “That idiot still thinks he’s cool. He won’t even know how he dies later.”

Sure enough, when the mass of players surged onto the bridge and reached halfway, the bridgehead on the far side erupted with a thunderous roar. The whole bridge trembled. In less than three minutes, a herd of rhinos began to move, charging fiercely toward them.

Having learned from previous experience, the players weren’t as panicked. Murong Dragon City reacted quickly: “Attack!”

The players at the front sprang into action. Energy swords slashed ahead, Controllers unleashed fire and ice, Mechanics deployed small metal shields at the forefront, and the MP5 submachine guns rattled like firecrackers.

But it was all futile. Dragon Battle Starfield’s theory was correct—the Mechanical Guardians before and this wave of rhino monsters were simply impervious, not meant to be fought head-on by players. MP5 bullets hit the rhinos for barely minus three damage; Controllers fared a bit better, their fireballs and blasts dealing around minus twenty.

The herd arrived in an instant, and tragedy struck again. The players at the front, sensing danger, tried to retreat, but there was nowhere to go—people packed the bridge, causing a traffic jam across its twenty-meter width.

The rhinos’ horns weren’t particularly destructive, but their charge was terrifying. Wu Hua, with keen eyesight, saw it clearly: the first player at the front, a Chip Warrior clad in heavy metal armor, was struck by a rhino and sent flying at least ten meters high, letting out a scream before plummeting into the abyss below.

The shrill cries before death chilled every player’s heart, and chaos erupted on the bridge. The rhino herd, like a speeding train, barreled through, and Dragon City’s army was tossed about like straw in a harvest. Many were knocked into the air, their screams echoing, especially the female players, whose piteous voices lingered in the cavern for a long time.

Potato shamelessly began to sing, “Flying forward for love, risking everything to fly…”

Dear Girl started her “speech” again: “So, we’re witnessing the second fierce battle in the survival mission. Dragon City’s main force encountered a mad herd of rhinos on this bridge, and many players were knocked straight to the bottom. Now, let’s interview a Qimen Corporation mission player. Mr. Sunwan, how would you describe these rhinos?”

Sunwan solemnly held up three fingers. “Three words.”

“Which three?”

“Rhino, tough, badass…”

With a click, the microphone fell to the ground this time.

The rhino herd didn’t actively attack people, apparently their AI was very low. After stampeding through like a train, they vanished into the cave.

Murong Dragon City finally understood why Wu Hua’s crew had been drinking—they were using him to clear the path for them. When he turned, that group showed not a hint of drunkenness, all looking sharp as they climbed into their vehicles.

Sunwan honked the horn repeatedly as he drove, “Move aside, move aside, or I’ll ram you straight off the bridge!”

Players dodged everywhere as Wu Hua’s group drove off in triumph. Murong Dragon City trembled with rage, “Shameless, despicable, vile!”

Potato called back from afar, “Thanks, brother, thank you for opening the way for us!” His tone was impossibly sincere.

“I—I—I…” Murong Dragon City was so angry he couldn’t speak. “Don’t let me see you again!”

But Potato couldn’t hear him anymore; the car had already disappeared into the leftmost tunnel.

After the two waves of monsters, Wu Hua’s group encountered no further creatures on their journey, though the vehicle traveled a considerable distance before finally stopping.

Wu Hua made a rough calculation—the distance from the tunnel exit to here was quite long, yet there had been no mission prompts or monsters encountered. He sensed something was off, but couldn’t pinpoint where.

Now, before them stood an ancient elevator, but compared to the harbor’s helipad, it was much smaller, too tiny for the vehicle to fit. The group of thirteen had to crowd together on it.

Dragon Battle Starfield pressed the switch, and the elevator slowly ascended, the rusty machinery’s roar echoing throughout the tunnel. Everyone felt the atmosphere was strange.

“Take out your gear and be ready,” Dragon Battle Starfield ordered.

Potato and Sunwan drew their energy swords, Wu Hua and his crew released the safety on their guns, Wandering in the Rivers and Lakes took out his energy staff, and Su20 donned the special gloves for psychics—everyone looked ready for a fight at any moment.

With a clank, the elevator reached the surface and stopped. The darkness of the cave vanished completely, the dazzling light making it hard to open their eyes. The blue sea appeared once more before them, the azure water gently lapping at their feet.

“Wow, look, it’s a little island!” exclaimed Flying Girl.

Turning, everyone saw a winding path leading into the distant mountains. The mountains were composed entirely of massive red boulders, and beside the path stood a sign engraved with an arrow: “Survival Island, Base Center, three kilometers ahead. Scientific research area, unauthorized personnel prohibited.”

“This is it,” said Dragon Battle Starfield. “Let’s go.”