This Game Is Too Real
Chapter 78: Waiting for a Rabbit by the Stump

Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Waiting for a Rabbit by the Stump

"Fuck... where did these people come from?"

Standing on the ruins of crumbling walls, Wild Wind held a monocular wrapped in duct tape and looked towards the construction site nearby.

There were about three to five people there, pushing carts filled with stones and hardened blocks of cement.

They moved quickly, not staying here long, shoveling enough for one cartload and then leaving.

Wild Wind racked his brain but couldn’t figure out where those people had come from, and they even managed to build an outpost right under their noses.

In his memory, Linghu Wetland Park was supposed to be a desolate forest where no birds would even shit, and right in the center of the woods was a dilapidated sanatorium.

Except for some birds, beasts, insects, and snakes that would move there, even hyenas disdained the prey there.

But that wasn’t important.

Those shelters, big and small, popped up like the eggs of mutant cockroaches; every so often, a new batch would emerge. All he needed to consider was how to devour this flock of fat sheep.

"Boss, when do we make our move?"

Standing beside Wild Wind was a man whose left eye was bandaged; he had more than a dozen knife scars on his chest, looking like a centipede.

At least half of them were from brawls, and the other half were self-inflicted stealthily with his knife.

"No rush, we’re just scouting now; it’s not yet time to attack."

Wild Wind handed the monocular to a fellow clansman beside him.

Unlike Badger, no matter the opponent, Wild Wind never underestimated or took them lightly.

Even if there were only three to five people, and they didn’t even have a single gun, he would carefully observe for a long time until he was sure there was no danger, then he would launch an unexpected and swift attack, striving to overpower the enemies in one move, and render them unable to resist in the shortest time possible.

"How about we send a few slaves to probe them out? They’ve been moving stones all morning... I’m worried they’re moving the stones back to fortify their cover."

The hunchbacked man, wearing a steel helmet, leaned in close to Wild Wind and whispered.

He had a large shovel hanging on his back.

On closer inspection, the shovel was not only sharp on one side but also had teeth on the other, and behind the handle was a simple breech-loading smoothbore gun.

Wild Wind thought for a moment, then nodded.

"That might work."

"Let’s send some cannon fodder to test their reality."

The Blood Hand Clan’s dungeon held many captives; these slaves were both their playthings and livestock, and also served as cannon fodder on the battlefield.

For the livestock and cannon fodder, the Looters of the Blood Hand Clan usually didn’t bother to provide them food specifically, but kept them in a partially collapsed sewer, regularly dumping a bucket of slop down for them to fight with mutant cockroaches and rats, enduring the torment of mosquitoes, fungi, and viruses day and night—raising them like guinea pigs.

It continued until their humanity wore off, they went completely insane, and became animals driven by instinct. Then, some of them were selected, armed with clubs and daggers, and promised that if they took over the outpost, they could join the post-war revelry and be accepted as companions.

This was euphemistically called a blood baptism.

Wild Wind sent one of his men back, and the rest waited on site.

On the other side, Elder Fang, ambushed in the unfinished building near the abandoned construction site, frowned as he watched the carts gradually moving away.

Old White squatting at the door was getting restless and couldn’t help but ask,

"Why has no one come yet?"

Elder Fang replied impatiently,

"Don’t ask me, ask Night Ten."

Night Ten also had a worried frown on his face.

"Nothing... I can’t sense it, but there are two mutant cockroaches in the basement, should we go clear them out?"

Wild Wind shook his head.

"No need."

Fang Chang bit his thumbnail, deep in thought.

"The opponents are trickier than we imagined. I’m sure they’ve already discovered this construction site, but they aren’t rushing to act... What are these people waiting for?"

According to his plan, the Looters should have had their sights on this place long ago and would not have spared those brick-moving workers who didn’t even bring weapons.

Even if it were just for revenge, they’d definitely launch an assault!

Thus, the Bull and Horse Squad lay in ambush nearby, using the brick-moving players as bait, preparing to lie in wait.

However, for some reason,

they had been squatting here all day yesterday, and today they had even come early in the morning, but the opponents seemed blind to the activities on this abandoned construction site.

"Could it be that they haven’t discovered this place?" asked Wild Wind.

"Impossible! As long as they aren’t blind, there’s no way they wouldn’t have noticed this place!" Fang Chang said confidently.

While they were talking, Night Ten, who was closest to the window, suddenly became alert and raised his right fist.

"Shh, everyone be quiet... There seems to be a noise nearby."

The three of them immediately fell silent.

Time ticked by, and not only did Night Ten hear footsteps, Fang Chang and the others did as well.

The four of them exchanged glances, stealthily moved along the wall, and reached the window on the other side of the unfinished building.

They saw six bare-chested men not far below them, sticking behind the wall of another unfinished building, and cautiously moving toward them along the narrow alley.

Not only were their clothes ragged, but the weapons in their hands were also a bizarre mix.

There were rusty machetes, clubs with nails embedded, and saws wrapped with wire around baseball bats, looking decidedly wasteland.

Yet these were all melee weapons, not a single gun among them!

Judging by the Looters’ route, they were planning to go through the alley between the unfinished buildings to the construction site entrance, waiting for the next group of survivors hauling stones to arrive and then launching a surprise attack, catching the brick movers off-guard.

However, they weren’t aware that their plan had already been anticipated.

Fang Chang felt a surge of joy in his heart. As he placed an arrow on the bowstring, he gave a look of excitement and affirmation to his teammate next to him.

Old White immediately got the message and gripped his javelin tightly.

Night Ten and Wild Wind took out Molotov cocktails, lighting them with matches.

"Three... two... one, engage!"

"Get them!"

Following Brother Fang Chang’s command, javelins, arrows, and flaming bottles were simultaneously hurled from the third-floor window, catching the group of Looters off-guard.

The worst off was the robust man at the front, whose chest was pierced by a javelin, creating a large hole. Like a deflated ball, he stiffened his legs for a moment, then fell backward into the fire without a sound.

Another Looter got an arrow in his arm, which wasn’t a big problem, but soon another arrow shot straight into his mouth.

The Looters downstairs, struck by weapons falling from above, were thrown into chaos, yelping and shouting, clearly shaken in morale.

But thinking of the dire consequences of fleeing and the verbal promises from those people, they overcame their fear with loud cries and, braving the arrows and javelins raining down, charged into the unfinished building in front of them.

However, in no time at all, they experienced what a real nightmare was like.

These players had no regard for martial morality; they could think of any fancy and tricky moves.

Seeing that they had reached the second floor and were only a staircase away from the third floor,

they hadn’t even begun their battle cry when a smoking can rolled down from upstairs...

Less than two seconds later, a loud bang echoed through the hallway.

The rolling white smoke exploded instantly, the pungent smell of gunpowder wrapped around metal shards, flying wildly in the narrow hallway—a true hell on earth!

The smoke hadn’t even fully cleared.

The Looters, who were lively just a second ago, were all lying on the ground wailing.

The most unfortunate one among them couldn’t even wail; half of his body was blown into a bloody mess, with only his legs still twitching.

"Holy shit... this thing has such power?"

Holding spears and ready to charge, Old White stood frozen at the stairwell entrance, dumbfounded by the sight inside.

"Nonsense, think about how much gunpowder was stuffed into it."

Fang Chang pushed his shoulder.

"Don’t just stand there, go tie them up quickly..."

If they waited any longer, the one lying on the ground would probably be dead for good.

Even if the end for these Looters was to be hanged on the gallows of justice, they had to wait until after collecting the bounty!

...

Several hundred meters away.

The sound of the explosion inside the building drifted far.

Standing on the ruins, holding a monocular, the badger’s expression grew grim.

Although he couldn’t see the situation from the moment those Cannon Fodders rushed into the building, some things could be guessed without seeing them.

Just as he thought.

The entire construction site was a trap set by the Blue Jacket crew!

They deliberately sent people to move stones, seemingly defenseless and harmless, but they had people ambushed all around.

Such cunning tactics!

"Boss, what do we do now?" a man with a scar on his chest asked anxiously.

The badger remained silent, and the scarred man continued,

"I suggest we just storm over there!"

"They’re using bow and arrows and spears and even revealed their positions! With so many guns on our side, why should we be afraid of them!"

The hunchbacked man glanced at him, disdainfully said,

"Are you deaf? Was that explosion earlier fake? They clearly sent people in to be slaughtered! Who knows how many more are hidden inside."

"So what do you suggest we do! Everyone else is scavenging in the north, and we’re just idling here? I say we either storm them or head north too! If we’re lucky, we might still catch a couple of fat sheep heading east; once it starts snowing, there will really be nothing left!"

Just idling here wasn’t realistic.

Badger understood that his brothers also needed spoils to survive the winter; nobody wanted to starve and freeze.

But leaving this place to head north wasn’t realistic either.

The leader had tossed this fatty piece to him to chew on, which was a confirmation of his loyalty, his trust, and a reward. If he messed up like that fool, Brother, the leader would definitely not let him off easily.

"Wait."

Hearing the boss speak, the scarred man was stunned and couldn’t help but ask,

"...How much longer do we wait? It’s already noon."

"Wait until tonight, wait until they crawl into their beds," the badger said sternly, looking at a thin man beside him, and commanded, "Go back there again, bring ten fast-running slaves over, and prepare some Molotov cocktails and needles."

"The rest of you, rest up right here, and conserve your energy."

"Come midnight, let’s give them a surprise!"

...

Outside the north gate of the Outpost Base.

The Cow and Horse Squad, under the envious gazes of numerous players, escorted three prisoners, shackled in hands and feet, and walked back from the direction of the construction site.

Besides the three prisoners, there were also three dead bodies stashed on a cart.

One was blown into a bloody mess by a bomb, and the other two were simply charred, emitting an unpleasant smell.

"Holy shit! Holy shit!"

"This truly is a hardcore game! But for some reason, I don’t dare kill a fish in real life, yet here, seeing blood doesn’t faze me at all?"

"Maybe this is the next-generation technology based on dream interference principles. Visual filters? Emotional desensitization? Not sure."

"Boss is awesome! He wiped out an entire team."

"Other than awesome, I’m speechless!"

From afar, hearing the commotion, Chu Guang approached the north gate and saw the prisoners and bodies being escorted back by the Cow and Horse Squad; his face also registered surprise.

A team of four had overturned a team of six.

These little players had some substance!

However, the shock only lasted for two seconds, Chu Guang went closer to inspect, and quickly understood the situation.

These six weren’t real Looters; they couldn’t find any symbols representing their identity like osseous appliances on their bodies, instead, a word was carved on their face or forehead.

"...Badger?"

Although a few strokes were misplaced, it should be this word.

No surprises, all these prisoners were slaves of the Blood Hand Clan.

But, what of it?

Accomplices of criminals are also criminals, and since they had taken up arms, they must have been aware of the consequences.

Confirming the identity of each one, Chu Guang said nothing extra but pulled out a bag of silver coins from his pocket and handed it to Fang Chang.

Facing these overjoyed small players, Chu Guang nodded with an encouraging tone,

"The refuge will remember your contributions, here are 106 silver coins and 5 copper coins. Besides, there is a total of 1200 contribution points, which each of you will share equally, getting 300 points each."

"Now, send these criminals to the gallows of justice."

"Death will forgive them!"