Cyber Era Witch
Chapter 880 - 714 Mouse Woman’s Decision

Chapter 880: Chapter 714 Mouse Woman’s Decision

"Over three hundred people, riding motorcycles and pickup trucks, marching grandly! The Black Panther Flag is flying high." A traveler gasped breathlessly, already drenched in sweat from running.

"If it weren’t for those Black Panther Society folks, I’d be partying in some villa with beauties right now." Borley muttered to himself.

"Over three hundred soldiers..." Tsuchigumo felt a shadow passing over her heart.

She adjusted her equipment and Ninjutsu tools, tensing her muscles in advance to adapt to the stress response after being hit by bullets.

Borley glanced around, he had 200 gunmen under his command, but in actual combat they wouldn’t last five minutes; the rest were just mouths to feed.

There are only about 20 factory robots that could be used for combat; the others are only good for production maintenance. Tsuchigumo, a close-combat Witch capable of spitting threads, would be killed by stray bullets. Ratman’s wooden sticks could only deal with wild dogs.

What a helpless, defeated group! In contrast, the Black Panther Society could flatten this place just by pouring out bullets.

Sally’s face was filled with fear and confusion, knowing that this place would be completely destroyed.

She wanted the Rat people to settle down and thrive here peacefully and happily. The thought gnawed at her soul, deeper than a stamp could drill.

However, once a conflict with Humans arises, the peaceful vision of the Rat people shatters in an instant, more fragile than foam.

Sally had trusted Matteo, and had brought suffering to Aizu City’s Underground City; she trusted Suzukawa Kiyo, and invited the "Eclipse of the Star". She decided to only trust herself from now on, firm in her belief that she could bring light to the Rat people. But if the situation crumbled, could she not even trust herself anymore?

The last thing she wanted now was to fight with Humans. Senseless fighting would only prolong the suffering, and these Black Panther Society members were also living under oppression and discrimination, right? Maybe she could reason with them?

"We need to figure out a way to deal with them!" Borley decisively rallied the diverse group of over three thousand souls present, shouting loudly to prevent those far away from getting lost. "The Black Panther Society’s people are here to claim lives!"

"I have received signals from those Humans." The plant manager looked up, "They demand we join Zanges, or they will level this place."

"These Black Panther Society people are wantonly killing innocents in Zanges!" A white backpacker wearing sunglasses was terrified. "I came to see the customs of the natives! Who knew these black people were so barbaric! Like cannibals! Right on the street...they slit someone open! Too... authentic."

"Zanges has already been taken down by Ottovan, he surely wants to expand to the lakeside, it’s either fight or run. I suggest fight! And we need to unite! Show those cotton-picking scums some colors!" Borley shouted loudly.

"There must be a misunderstanding! These poor black kids are all naive and innocent! I have donated a total of 400,000 to the well drilling project here, they will protect me," a obese white woman said loudly.

"They will pick out your fat. They are beasts." Borley said viciously.

He surveyed the road for defensive points, but this place was a lakeside plain, flat as a pancake, only a few rocks could be deemed as cover.

Borley had been a soldier under Warlord Keith, at least he could distinguish a slope from a counter slope, and more so realized that there were no defensible positions here.

"We need the industrial park as a cover. Otherwise, we all die here." Borley pleaded with the plant manager.

After observing the situation on the spot, the plant manager expressed denial to Borley’s proposal for cooperation.

"You just threatened us with guns, and now you seek help from the robots. I reject your proposal for cooperation, we are capable of defending the factory. The emotional behaviors of carbon-based life forms only hinder the plan," the plant manager said.

Under the plant manager’s coordination, the Hundred-eyed Giant Industrial Park entered a state of combat readiness. Without the need for alarms or messengers, all messages were conveyed instantly through optical signal exchanges.

Robots lit up red warning lights, took up arms at their posts, and various entrances began to be sealed off.

Travelers outside tried to enter, but were already blocked by a steel wall.

"Wait—" Borley waved his hand vigorously, trying to retain the plant manager, but the plant manager had already returned inside the industrial park’s gates, shutting the mechanical iron door.

Tsuchigumo looked around, her expression tense.

Humans, Rat people, and robots divided, each fighting their own battles.

After dusk, the land was engulfed in darkness.

A few minutes later, only the roaring sound of motorcycle engines echoed in the vast wilderness of Hot Tree Continent, the rumble of the vehicles approaching from afar, and the battle cries of the Black Panther Society members carried through.

Adding a layer of fear to everyone’s hearts.

Among the travelers, the timid had already started to run, panic spreading like wildfire, many who had originally joined under Borley were forced to sneak away with family or friends.

"How far can you run! How fast can you run? There’s no one nearby to help—don’t be foolish! The enemy has vehicles! Staying here is the only salvation!" Borley yelled at them.

The fleeing people, confident that as long as they ran faster than others, they could escape.

Tsuchigumo looked into the distance, only to see fast-moving shadows also spreading out, encircling the lakeside sanctuary from different angles. The fate of those running was either to be crushed or tragically shot.

The electric motorcycles, seen from the side, appeared like specters, with black soldiers riding on them blending even more into the night, making it impossible to see the riders.

"What are you planning to do?" Borley looked at Tsuchigumo.

Tsuchigumo was used to taking orders, and giving her too many choices now only made her feel lost. She missed the past training in Shinobi Village, opening the mission scroll, executing, returning. Whether it was killing strangers, stealing, or being told to eat bugs, it left her unfazed.

Reason pointed out that entering the industrial park was the safest, the iron walls, factory areas, and warehouses formed a complex environment allowing her to fully utilize her abilities.

Emotion urged her to rush to the Rat people’s side to protect the little Mouse Woman Sally.

Both forces were equally strong, pulling her in different directions, both quite persuasive.

"Adapt as needed," Tsuchigumo said. "But I can help attract some hostility for you."

"What?" Borley was confused.

Tsuchigumo shouted toward the direction of the enemies: "Hello, nice to meet you! Mud buddies! I am Tsuchigumo!"

Then she quickly slipped away, disappearing from everyone’s sight, not knowing if she had indeed caught the enemies’ attention.

"Come back and fight! Witch!" Borley cursed, then was forced to lead his hastily gathered gunmen to the side of the industrial park’s station.

He made up his mind to deploy a position around that train to act as a cover, maybe even counterattack and cause casualties to these Black Panther members.

He directed those with stronger combat abilities to surround him, forming his guard; then deployed those with low morale inside the carriages to snipe, and others of moderate level to the rooftop, shooting down at the enemy from a high position.

"Be careful!"

"Prepare for battle!"

"They’re aiming at us! They’re here to kill!"

"Come on, come on... bastards, just a round of strafing..." Borley leaned against the wall of the cargo station alone, observing the approaching Black Panther members.

The members of the Black Panther Society had skin dark as charcoal, bloodthirsty faces, and an aggressive demeanor, many of them wrapped with several human heads, chopped off during the chaos in Zanges City, the blood still fresh.

Whizzing—

Incoming were rocket projectiles!

Members of the Black Panther Society howled fiercely and screamed continuously, with drivers in charge of steering the vehicles while the others at the back shouldered rocket launchers, launching fierce bombardments towards the industrial park, train station, and the Ratman shelters by the lake.

Countless smart tracking missiles dragged their fiery tails and bombed indiscriminately!

Boom—Boom!

After a series of bombs washed over, the entire Lake Shore Sanctuary was bombed beyond recognition!

Hundred-eyed Giant Industrial Park was hit hard, its exterior walls directly blasted into charred deformities! The robots stationed above fell into the crevices, many of their bodies directly scorched by the flames; the industrial buildings within emitted loud banging noises, the shaking foundations causing their structures to become increasingly unstable.

The train at the freight station also suffered heavy damage; the first three carriages and a section in the middle were directly hit and tipped over, their shells shattered, significantly deviating from the track, wobbling and crashing towards the ground, making a tremendous noise! Those hit by the bombs were instantly engulfed by the flames, their screams of burning agony utterly heart-wrenching.

As for the Ratman shelters by the lake, they were utterly devastated, several pits appearing on the ground, the crudely made makeshift buildings splitting apart under the shaking, with Ratmen either blown away or killed.

Borley himself was so shaken that he felt dizzy; he gritted his teeth and sprayed a round of bullets toward the dark figures outside, drawing even more intense gunfire.

Dizzy, he turned to look at his guards beside him; already seven men lay in pools of blood, their lives harvested by bullets without knowing when.

Members of the Black Panther Society continued to fire frantically.

The three leading elites, equipped with advanced Black Panther Armor, impervious to swords and guns, merely swept through in vehicles, staying on guard.

Only the seasoned, experienced elite warriors received these panther head armors symbolizing honor and strength, their performance close to Power Armor, significantly enhancing the wearer’s combat abilities.

"Do as instructed by the people from Black Fire Innovation, test our armored suits! Install according to panel prompts!"

"That hacker named ’Laughing Star’ has enhanced our data defense, but we must still be wary of traces of the Spider Witch."

"Seize the Hundred-eyed Giant Industrial Park, kill all these Rat creatures, capture survivors," commanded the Black Panther Elites swiftly.

Other peripheral members immediately mobilized, massacring scattered troops around them, utterly overpowering the patchwork crowd.

"Waaah—"

"Help! Someone save me!"

"I don’t want to die!" The travelers had barely escaped to this place and had not enjoyed a single night of peace before being shot down by pursuers, their screams of desperate agony unceasing.

The factory manager quickly climbed up to the industrial park tower, firing its forehead-mounted heat melting ray initially used for cutting alloy materials. Now that the prohibition code was lifted, it used this weapon against humans, protecting the robotic homeland.

From its forehead, a long rectangular beam swept across the battlefield, swiftly slicing through a motorcycle.

Boom!

Its engine quickly exploded under high heat, turning the driver above into ashes!

Black Panther Elites swiftly leaned out and targeted the factory manager with their high precision rifles.

A gunshot!

The factory manager’s black silhouette was quickly shot down on the tower, a large-caliber armor-piercing bullet ripping through its body.

"Found the Spider Witch!" another soldier yelled.

On the side of the battlefield, the Tsuchigumo cut into the weaker parts of the enemy formation, wildly swinging its blade-feet, meticulously slicing through their bodies, limbs scattering and blood flowing endlessly.

She then began forming hand seals, attempting to use the remaining energy to split the battlefield, but in the next second, members of the Black Panther Society shifted their fire under the elite soldiers’ command, rapidly focusing on the Tsuchigumo.

The High-Ranking Witch’s physical qualities were still not sufficient to withstand bullets; she quickly retreated but was still hit by several bullets, rapidly diminishing her bodily functions!

Damn it, if this continues, I’ll be captured—Tsuchigumo noticed many Black people approaching with nets and tranquilizing weapons.

Just like preparing to capture a large beast!

Won’t be captured alive! Tsuchigumo licked her molars with her tongue, hiding a deadly poison pill inside her teeth; the Ninja Witch wouldn’t fall into human hands.

Tsuchigumo looked towards Sally at Lake Shore Rat Dwellings—she was completely in shock.

Sally was surrounded by a barrage of bullets; Ratmen around her were killed, while she screamed at the Black people, "Stop it! Stop doing this!"

Everywhere was chaotic; Sally hugged a panic-stricken female rat who cried in her arms. Black Panther members still approached.

"Ratmen’s life is miserable—your lives are miserable too, why not unite?" Sally shouted desperately at them.

"Where is my life miserable!" A Black man raised his gun and shot at Sally, the bullet piercing through her fur and exploding out the other side.