"Look, Guide has issued a mission, calling on all Players to come to the rescue."
Sea Turtle handed the data-slate to his companions.
"Participating in the rescue will earn 5,000 Contribution Points, and saving an Imperial citizen will grant an additional 20-100 Contribution Points."
"My goodness, Guide is being very generous."
Tenjiro did some calculations.
In addition to the rewards for the rescue mission, the kill rewards also needed to be calculated.
This mission would cost at least a million Contribution Points.
"War burns money." Warmaster, who was nearby, agreed with Tenjiro.
This was only 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 at once?
"Should we break through and take a look?" Wrist Bro suggested, "And communicate with the people inside."
Tenjiro quickly shook his head, "No, I owe nearly a million Contribution Points for this set of equipment. If I die, it'll be a huge loss."
"Let's wait and see. Wait for Guide to bring people over."
Sea Turtle leaned towards Tenjiro's suggestion.
The set of sensory prosthetics on his body was also not cheap.
Suddenly, fierce fighting erupted in the passage connecting B-13Y Area to B-14Y District.
A Chimera infantry fighting vehicle rumbled through the metal passage.
The Chimera is the most common transport vehicle in the Imperial Army.
It is popular due to its durability, sturdiness, and ease of maintenance.
The laser array on top of the Chimera continuously fired, clearing out the Plague Zombies attempting to approach.
Behind the infantry fighting vehicle followed dozens of soldiers holding laser guns.
They were well-trained, accurate with their shots, and excellent in close-quarters combat.
In a short while, they cleared a path through the tide of corpses.
More soldiers rushed out through the passage,
Setting up simple fortifications and forming a defensive line along the way.
"Infantry and tank coordination, they work together so well. It looks like a well-trained army."
Warmaster observed the battle in the distance and praised them.
A group of civilians poured out of B-14Y District after the army established a makeshift defensive line.
"They're trying to break through." Warmaster frowned, "Damn it, just wait a little longer, our reinforcements will be here soon."
"They don't know we'll be supporting them," Sea Turtle said.
"Now that B-13Y Area and B-15Y District are blocked, and the Plague Zombies are increasing."
"Any normal person would choose to force a breakthrough, otherwise being trapped in B-14Y District is a dead end."
Seeing the false emperor's minions attempting to break through, Nurgle Blessed roared.
Driving the stumbling Plague Zombies to surround them.
Intending to stop the breakthrough with overwhelming numbers.
Cultists also mingled among the Plague Zombies, shooting at Imperial soldiers and throwing incendiary bombs and grenades.
Ah! Ah!
Molotov cocktails exploded next to two soldiers.
Instantly turning them into fireballs, screaming in agony.
The gunner on top of the Chimera single-shot the Cultists in the tide of corpses.
But there were too many enemies, and they were hidden by the tide of corpses, making them difficult to spot.
Suddenly, two Cultists rushed out, carrying satchels of explosives.
"They're Fanatics, shoot them quickly, don't let them get close."
The Imperial soldiers behind cover shouted in panic, telling their comrades to focus fire on the two Cultists.
The Cultists were instantly riddled with bullets.
But the satchels of explosives were still thrown near the defensive line.
Boom!
The terrifying explosion instantly blew several nearby soldiers into pieces.
Shattered organs were scattered everywhere.
Plague Zombies surged through the blown-open gap.
Overwhelming the retreating civilians, tearing at their flesh.
Other civilians were terrified by this sight, screaming repeatedly.
The previously orderly line became chaotic.
"In the name of the Emperor, Mother, I'm coming."
A soldier who was knocked down shouted, pulled the pin on a grenade, and perished with a dozen Plague Zombies.
"If it were just the army, breaking through wouldn't be difficult. But if they have to escort civilians, they might not be able to break through."
Warmaster frowned, watching the Imperial soldiers sacrifice themselves to buy time for the civilians to break through, feeling a pang of compassion.
"I can't bear to watch anymore." Twisted person turned his head away.
"Damn it, does this game's awful designer have to make all the NPC storylines like this?"
Witnessing the tragic and realistic battlefield, Tenjiro's heart became incredibly tormented.
The NPCs and plot in Warhammer OL are unique.
If an NPC dies, they are dead.
If a plot is missed, it is missed, with no chance for regret.
"We shouldn't just think about leveling up." Warmaster looked at his teammates.
"Life has made us forget the original intention of playing games, leaving only leveling up, getting equipment, and striving for victory."
"Games should be worlds where we choose different lives, allowing us to fulfill dreams that Holy Terra (Earth/Reality) cannot satisfy."
"I finally understand now why Warhammer OL designed every NPC and every event to be unique."
"Perhaps this game wants us to truly experience another life, not just simply level up and acquire equipment."
"Perhaps one day, we will become very strong, very strong in this game. But we will remember today countless times, remember our cowardice, allowing a group of innocent people to die tragically before our eyes."
"The power to choose is still in our hands now. To rush out and bravely fight for them, or to cowardly stay here, waiting for repeated self-reproach and regret in the future."
Warmaster's words made some of the Players' eyes red.
"You're right, this game shouldn't just be about leveling up and getting equipment, we should treat it as another life." Sea Turtle nodded, "I choose to fight."
"Count me in."
"Hehe, dying is just getting tens of thousands in debt, what's there to be afraid of? Let's go."
Warmaster looked at Tenjiro, "What about you, my brother?"
"It's a real pity your eloquence isn't used for speeches in a tavern."
Tenjiro stood up, and seven Ethereal Shards, condensed into ice crystals, appeared in his hand.
"Then let's do it. I'll be responsible for sniping that Nurgle Blessed to draw fire."
"Then we'll rush over and tell them that support will arrive soon, so they should hold their ground and wait for reinforcements to reduce casualties."
Warmaster adjusted the power of his laser gun to maximum.
He aimed his gun at the distant Nurgle Blessed, holding his breath.
"Holy Emperor, for your people, protect us."
With the sound of prayer, the trigger was pulled.
The laser cut through the air, emitting a piercing sound.
The Nurgle Blessed that was hit let out a painful roar.
The surging tide of Plague Zombies also fell into chaos.
"For honor, for the Emperor!"
Tenjiro shouted, waving his hand.
Seven Ethereal Shards arced gracefully through the air.
Instantly, they pierced through the Cultists and Plague Zombies in front of them.
Making them fall in swathes like weeds under a scythe.
"Charge!"
Warmaster shouted.
"Time for a massacre!"
Twisted person's praying mantis blades sprang from his hands.
He leaped down from the pipe, instantly cleaving a Plague Zombie in half.
He spun and swung his blade, cutting another Plague Zombie in half at the waist.
The others held their guns and fired.
The five cooperated closely, plunging into the enemy tide like a spearhead.
The Chimera in the distance noticed the movements of the five-person squad.
Two small Hellfire missiles shot out from the rear of the infantry fighting vehicle.
Trailing their exhaust flames, they landed in the direction the five were advancing.
Along with the explosions, groups of Plague Zombies were blown to pieces, clearing the way.
The five-person squad successfully rendezvoused with the besieged Imperial forces.
Captain Aing, commander of the Atoma 101st Light Infantry Regiment, scrutinized the people before him.
"Who are you?"
Warmaster performed an aquila salute to the other party, "I am the Armaments Officer of the Imperial Glory warship, and also a God Chosen of the great God Emperor."
"We are here to tell you that our team will arrive soon to provide support."
"You don't need to rush to break through, to avoid unnecessary casualties."
"Imperial Glory? Support?" Captain Aing showed a suspicious expression, "Are you Imperial Navy personnel?"
"You could say that." Warmaster nodded, "Let's retreat first, our people will be here soon."
Captain Aing looked at the people in front of him, then at the soldiers and civilians nearby.
The Plague Zombies were increasing, and the civilians were terrified.
If they were to force a breakthrough, it would be good if even a third of the people survived.
"Alright, I'll trust you this once." Captain Aing ordered the non-commissioned officer next to him, "Withdraw to B-14Y District."
Under the cover of the Chimera troop carriers, the team successfully retreated, establishing a defensive line to resist the tide of Plague Zombies.
Upon entering B-14Y District, the Players found many injured civilians and soldiers lying on the ground, and their hearts were immediately filled with a sense of relief.
If they hadn't appeared in time, Captain Aing would very likely have abandoned these wounded.
Of course, they were not condemning such an action.
Aying didn't know there would be reinforcements.
In his perception, Lykard Space Station had fallen, the Imperial loyalists were almost all dead, and only enemies remained.
In a situation of isolation and helplessness, necessary cruelty was required for more people to survive.
Within B-14Y District, there were two hundred soldiers, two Chimeras, and over a thousand civilians.
The civilians huddled in groups of three or five, shrinking into huddles, either crying or praying.
As Tenjiro and the other Players passed by, the civilians would watch them with fearful yet expectant eyes.
They already knew that these people had broken through from the outside.
Soon, more reinforcements would arrive to save them.
"Does it have to be this realistic?" Twisted person said in a low voice, "The despair in these people's eyes is overflowing, I can't stand it."
"Don't say anything." Warmaster could also feel it, which made his mood inexplicably heavy.
"We will be saved soon, reinforcements are coming, you must try to cheer up."
Aying kept repeating this to the people along the way, reassuring them and trying to boost their morale.
"Hold on, Gan Fu. You'll be fine, rescue is coming soon, just hold on."
A voice full of pain came through.
The Players' squad followed Captain Aing over.
They found several soldiers surrounding a young soldier on a stretcher.
The young soldier's chest was torn open, and crimson blood gushed out, unable to be stopped.
"Captain Aing." The young soldier saw Captain Aing and reached out his hand to him.
"Private, Gan Fu." Aying knelt down and took the young soldier's hand.
"My performance should be considered brave, right? Can I enter the God Emperor's realm?"
"I'm so scared, I think I hear those monsters screaming, they, they're going to eat me."
The young soldier spoke while coughing blood.
"No, Gan Fu, you are very brave." Aying said, "The God Emperor is proud of you, you have fulfilled your duty. He will kiss your forehead and hold you in His embrace, those monsters cannot harm you."
The Captain's words brought a smile to the young soldier's face.
Then, he died.
This scene made the five Players in the squad feel a lump in their throats.
This was the despair and helplessness of Warhammer.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions sounded.
A soldier ran over in a hurry.
"Captain, friendly forces are approaching outside."
Aying's face was excited as he looked at the Players' squad, "Are they your people?"
"Yes." Warmaster nodded.
"Immediately move out and meet the friendly forces." Aying ordered the soldiers.