Chapter 553 It Would Be Better for Us if You Were Dead (1/2)

"...the 'Pigeon' missile destroyed 12 targets with one shot, and the X-16 eliminated 11 targets, which took less than a minute... As long as you can help me collect enough AI cores, I can even help you build one. The unit price of an android army is less than one million silver coins, should you consider it?"

On top of the giant wall.

Ibers, who was overlooking the slums, commented nonchalantly with a smile on his face as if he was watching the excitement.

Originally, he could only stand here and watch those organisms fight from a distance. At most, he could sell them a few weapons that they could afford.

Now I can finally do it in person.

He is very satisfied with this new shareholder. Earning profits for Jushi Military Industry and watching organisms commit suicide are his few pleasures and the meaning of his existence.

Anyway, he doesn't have as many miscellaneous desires as humans, and he is even less interested in consumption, reproduction, art, philosophy and other ways that humans can relieve loneliness.

In the dilapidated and chaotic alleys, moving figures began to retreat. The gang members were frightened by the sudden landing of X-16 on the battlefield.

A few drone assault rifles are their only heavy firepower. With the addition of a few cheap RPG rocket launchers, most gang members only have pistols and iron tube rifles, which are no match for the X-16.

They never expected to encounter the androids from Jushi Military Industry.

As far as most gang members can remember, the towering wall never made a move against them, the gutter rats, because it would do no good.

They couldn't figure out why they could eat a missile falling from the sky, and they couldn't figure out why the respected Mr. Ibbers would throw the expensive android here.

Their lives combined are not worth as much as that guy!

Human life is too short.

It’s so short that you take things you’re accustomed to for granted.

Few remember that Rock City struck them hard a century ago.

"Those little mice have retreated..." Looking at the bottom of the giant wall, Ibers grinned, "Speaking of which, what are your thoughts?"

no respond.

After being left alone for a long time, Ibers looked back and saw that the person was gone. He was slightly startled, then smiled and shook his head.

"Tsk, tsk, impatient guy."

…

[Hidden mission: Discover and destroy gang strongholds (completed)]

[Introduction: An orphanage disguised as an abandoned building is actually a den for gang members to keep and sell slaves. 】

[Reward: 300 contribution points, 1000 regional reputation, 599 silver coins]

[New mission reminder: Investigate the basement of the orphanage and wait for the arrival of alliance troops (in progress)]

A dark, damp basement.

On both sides of the narrow corridor are crooked cells.

Hearing the sound of the door opening and footsteps coming from the door, there were also rustling sounds in the cell, and faces were pressed against the railings and looking out curiously.

There are boys and girls. The older one is sixteen or seventeen years old, which is considered an adult in the wasteland. The younger one is six or seven years old, and they are children everywhere.

The dungeon of the Pillager's Lair is a different style of painting.

In order to sell their "goods" at a good price, gang members generally do not abuse them.

According to Horaka's confession, most of these people are orphans, some were sold here by their families, and some were recruited by guys like Miles.

Most people in the slums know about such a place, but no one cares about it. Even if this trouble is right under their noses, not everyone will encounter it. On the contrary, without those gang members who "maintain order", the situation in the slums may be even worse.

It is a wasteland after all.

Compared to death from starvation and illness, the number of people who were sold was nothing at all, and many times prostitutes also needed such a place to help them deal with the troubles that were unexpectedly born... Of course, this is the one named Horaka The NPC used excuses to justify himself.

Put away the weapon.

Feng Qing walked forward along the narrow aisle and caught a glimpse of a young face looking at her with big round eyes.

The little girl was about eleven or twelve years old. The blue-grey linen was wrapped into a skirt around her body.

Stopping in front of the railing, Feng Qing leaned down with his hands on his knees and smiled friendly at the little girl with round eyes.

"What's your name?"

Perhaps because she looked kinder, the little girl was not afraid of her at all and said in a clear and sweet voice.

"Tangerine!"

"Tangerine...is a nice name."

Little Orange slightly raised the corners of her mouth proudly.

"Uh-huh, Sister Horaka got it for me!"

"Sister Horaka...is she the sister outside with the freckles next to her nose?"

"Yeah!" Little Orange nodded and said happily, "I heard that there was a Orange for a long time, it was Big Orange, but she was adopted by a kind person, so her name was left to me."

It can be seen that she likes this name very much, and she doesn't hate the guy outside at all. She even regards that person as her mother.

Feng Qing felt a little sad.

Perhaps it’s because the NPCs here are more human-like than humans, but this game always feels extraordinarily real in inexplicable places.

"How long have you lived here?"

"A month...about?"

Orange tilted her head. She wasn't sure how long she had been here. After all, no one usually lived here.

perhaps?

Citrus continued in a low voice as he recalled.

"We used to live above, and only children who made mistakes would be brought here... Later, Sister Horaka said that the bad guys from the alliance came and wanted to capture and eat us all. But she let us Don’t be afraid, she said she will protect us and let us hide below for a while and not make too much noise.”

Listening to that childish voice, Feng Qing felt dumbfounded for a moment.

Bad guy...?

But think about it.

There is nothing as convenient as the Internet in the wasteland.

Maybe it means that in the far south, or in the land to the west of the great desert, the alliance may be a symbol of evil.

Seeing that the sister in front of him didn't speak, Orange continued tentatively in a low voice.

"The basement is too stuffy, and I don't know when the alliance will leave... Sister, are you going to take me away?"

She feels that this sister is pretty good.

The person is quite beautiful and the clothes are also very nice.

"Do you want to come with me?"

"Well! Sister Horaka said that everyone will be adopted. The sooner the better, and it will be troublesome if it is too late, so you must be good when outsiders come." Seeing that someone is willing to adopt him, Citrus's eyes sparkled. , stretched out his little hand and counted with his fingers seriously, "I can sweep the floor, mop the floor, wipe the windows, and wipe the table..."

Seeing her counting on her fingers, Feng Qing felt her heart tightening slightly, but she still put on a smile on her face and praised her softly.

"It's great, unlike my sister who can only read poems."

"Poetry?" Orange tilted his head.

"Well!" Feng Qing gently touched her head, "I'll teach you when I get out."

She can read a lot of poems, not just the few lines she carved on the plane for her own entertainment.

Return to the basement entrance.

Glancing at Horaka who was tied next to the cage, Feng Qing sighed and said.

"You, why don't you go down and repent."

Horaka turned pale and pleaded.

"Don't, don't kill me... I've already confessed, and I was forced. If I don't do something for Mr. West, I will be sold to the predators."

"You can argue with the judge about that kind of thing."

Feng Qing glanced outside the corridor window.

Two wheeled armored vehicles were parked not far away from the entrance of the courtyard. The 20mm heavy machine guns on the roof emitted a cold light. Well-trained soldiers quickly controlled the entire area. With the cooperation of small drones, four people Teams went from house to house searching for signs of militants.

The armored vehicle bears the emblem of the First Corps.

There are quite a few people coming, probably a hundred-man team.

Although their military operations in Luoxia Province were mainly focused on maintaining order in the occupied areas, they also went to the front lines to participate in several battles when the players couldn't cope.

The NPC unit, which only has one life, has a style closer to that of a regular army.

A few gangs dare to challenge the alliance's war machine, which is really boring.

"...Looking at this situation, there might be another big event on New Year's Eve." Feng Qing's eyes gradually became excited.

A group of soldiers wearing exoskeletons passed through the main gate, met Feng Qing's eyes, and walked over.

The soldier walking in front opened the visor of his helmet, knocked his right fist on his left chest, and said cleanly.

"The 21st Hundred of the First Corps was ordered to take over this area. Just leave it to us."

As he finished speaking, a line of light blue text was updated on the VM.

[Task: Investigate the basement of the orphanage and wait for the arrival of alliance troops (completed)]

Following the NPC's movements, Feng Qing also put his right fist against his chest and returned the military salute, smiled and said politely.

"Well! I leave it to you."

The captain waved and sent one team to the basement, the other two teams to search upstairs, and the rest to stay in the hall on standby.

Looking at the heavily armed soldiers, Horaka, who was slumped on the ground, looked ashen.

She has no doubt that the Dagger Gang, which used to be all-powerful in the slums, is probably coming to an end this time...

The children locked up in the dungeon were quickly brought out.

What Feng Qing didn't expect was that the dungeon, which didn't look very spacious, actually contained ninety-seven people.

Since the temperature on the surface was much colder than in the basement, and there were no clothes suitable for them in the car, the Alliance soldiers could only wrap them in quilts found in the building, and then hand them over to the refugee home. Professionals take care of it.

The rescued children clung to their quilts and stared blankly at the soldiers wearing exoskeletons. Their faces were full of horror, but they did not dare to make a sound.

Some older girls guessed something, but their faces were also full of confusion about the future.

Looking at Feng Qing standing by the door, Xiao Guoji stopped and whispered.

"Sister...are you from the alliance?"

Even if she wasn't smart, she could guess something when she saw Sister Horaka's expression.

The soldier who took her to the car did not urge her forward, but simply stopped beside her.

Feng Qing knelt down and looked at her, gently touched her head and comforted her softly.

"Don't worry, we won't eat you."

Citrus asked quietly.

"Then, where will we be sent?"

Feng Qing thought for a moment and tried to describe it.

"Well...a warmer place than here, where people will teach you to read, write and count."

Citrus looked a little disappointed.

"Won't someone adopt us?"

Feng Qing didn't know how to answer this question, but looking at the little girl's lonely expression, he suddenly had an idea and said with a smile.

"But sister can come and play with you."

Orange's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Really?!"

"Yes!" Feng Qing nodded vigorously, looked into her eyes, and stretched out her little finger, "Pull the hook."

Although she didn't know the meaning of this, after hooking her fingers together and shaking them, the little girl felt warm in her heart.

She suddenly felt that the alliance was not so scary anymore.

Maybe Sister Horaka remembered it wrong?

After happily saying thank you, Little Orange waved goodbye and obediently followed the soldiers to the armored vehicle outside the courtyard gate.

Watching the armored vehicle drive away, Feng Qing had an aunt-like smile on her face and waved gently.

so cute……

Can I keep one?

Suddenly realizing that his smile was a little off, Feng Qing's face turned red and he shook his head hastily to drive away the strange thoughts.

"By the way... spices, I have to buy some spices to go back to." Muttering to herself, she hurried out of the yard and walked towards the market at the main entrance of the giant wall.

I almost forgot about the real thing!

It's getting dark.

I don’t know if it’s too late to go at this time...

…

As it turned out, it was already too late.

There was a sentry post at the main entrance of the slum, with barbed wire fences and roadblocks erected around the edge. A large number of troops entered through the sentry post.

Without documents, you are not allowed in or out.

Loudspeakers hung on wooden poles continued to shout into the slums, asking irrelevant people to stay at home to avoid stray bullets.

This violent storm came suddenly and quickly without any warning, as if it had been prepared in advance.

Not only the slums were blocked, but the market in front of Jubimen was also cordoned off by the First Corps and completely blocked.

A group of merchants and mercenaries gathered at the entrance of the market, shouting excitedly to the soldiers of the First Corps.

"What are you doing!?"

"We are here to do business! We are not your residents!"

"Are you robbers?"

"That's enough. At worst, I won't do this business anymore. Let me get out of here -"

In a sense, the Alliance's actions broke with the conventions maintained by the City of Stone for more than a century and reached beyond the walls.

Most of these people were carrying weapons, and the atmosphere at the scene was tense for a while.

Just as everyone was cursing and noisy, a loud voice broke the hustle and bustle of the market in front of the gate.

"Quiet!"

After looking around at the excited crowd, Wrench raised his voice and continued.

"We received news that there is a group of evil forces outside the giant wall doing evil. The close relatives of these predators are extremely arrogant. Not only do they commit crimes under our noses, but they also dare to kidnap our citizens and managers on our territory. Order a strict and thorough investigation!”

"Everyone, please rest assured that we will never miss a bad person, and we will never wrongly accuse a good person."

Before he could finish his words, the scene became noisy again. It was obvious that some people were taking the lead in making noise and inciting the emotions of the wastelanders.

"What does this have to do with us! We are not the ones who kidnapped you!"

"This is outside the settlement, and we haven't even entered your home. You are too lenient!"

"Where are the boundaries of the alliance? Why is your territory everywhere—"

"boom--!"

The piercing sound of gunfire silenced all the din.

Looking coldly at the noisy wastelanders, he raised his gun to the wrench in the sky and continued in a cold tone.

"I haven't finished speaking yet."

The machine gun on top of the armored vehicle pointed over from a distance, and the dark muzzle sent a chill down the spines of countless people.

Facing those pairs of murderous gazes, even the most ferocious Wastelanders had no choice but to take the truth of "A good man never suffers the consequences of the present" to his lips.

Surrounding here are not only the heavily armed soldiers, but also the residents of the shelter.

Except for those guys who are equipped with weird prosthetics and don't look very smart, many of them can clearly feel the aura of the awakened ones.

The gang members mixed in the crowd were sweating coldly. Seeing such a serious battle, a hint of ominous premonition arose in their hearts.

Looking at the silence of the crowd, Wrench put the pistol back on his waist without expression and continued speaking concisely.

"We will take care of where the bullet goes."

"Everything within range is our territory."

A large number of armored vehicles came from the north, as well as the No. 1 tanks coming down from the front line. The murderous armors made countless people feel cold hands and feet.

At this time, a centurion wearing a heavy-duty exoskeleton walked up to Wrench and gave a military salute.

“The ghetto has completed its lockdown!”

Wrench nodded.

"Prepare to implement the second phase of the plan."

"yes!"

The centurion stood at attention, gave a military salute, and immediately trotted to the side of the road, signaled for the armored vehicle to start, and led his brothers towards the checkpoint.

The commander of the militia regiment who was cooperating with the operation glanced at the direction of the checkpoint, and then looked at Wrench.

"Isn't it going to take place after the new year?"

"Someone is trying to kidnap the residents of the shelter, and the action is ahead of schedule."

Anyway, the preparations were almost done. It didn't matter if they were a few days earlier or later. In order to prevent those people from escaping to the wasteland, the administrator ordered to start early.

Hearing Wrench's answer, the centurion showed a surprised expression on his face.

Kidnapping the residents of the shelter?

Are those guys tired of living?

"Is she okay?"

Wrench replied casually.

"If you are asking about the people who kidnapped her, they are probably all dead."

Centurion: "..."

After controlling the wastelanders in the market, the First Corps did not immediately check the gang members hiding in it, but only left them a window to surrender, and then focused the action on the slums next door.

The cameras on the giant wall and the drones of the Giant Stone Military Industry had locked onto the residences of the gang leaders early on. The pigeon missiles and 155mm howitzers deployed on the wall were on standby, ready for a surgical cleanup at any time.

Armored vehicles, with the cooperation of the infantry, drove directly into the slums and rushed straight to the strongholds of the major gangs.

According to the manager, first catch the most jumping big fish, then kill a group of medium-sized ones, and the remaining small fish and shrimps will naturally behave themselves.

Not only the First Corps is carrying out the mission, but also the Burning Corps stationed in Boulder City.

Upon hearing the "big job" ordered by the manager himself, the players who were originally busy preparing for the New Year's Eve event immediately put down their work, picked up their weapons and rushed to the assembly point to complete the assembly.

Fighting with aliens is not as exciting as beating the predators?

The last group battle seemed to have happened a long time ago!

In a moment, the Burning Corps has assembled more than 500 brothers.

In the snow, Lao Bai, wearing a power armor, carried a rifle, walked to the front of the team, turned on the loudspeaker, and shouted loudly.

"The wanted information has been updated in the task bar! Divide the 1 million silver coin bonus!"

"Full price if alive, half price if dead!"

Hearing such a generous task reward, the eyes of the players who were ready to go were all green.

It seems that what is hidden in the slums is not gang members, but walking gold coins, breathing bounties!

Noticing the power armor coming over, Quitting Smoking in the team was slightly stunned, and suddenly recognized that the boy was Ye Shi, and immediately screamed.

"Fuck! Ye Shi, how come you, a perception system, are wearing power armor?!"

Unbuttoning the visor of the helmet.

Wearing OD-10 "Dragoon" power armor, Ye Shi glanced at the little brother Quitting Smoking, who was a full head shorter than him, and said with a smirk.

"Hey, my contribution points have long reached the knight level, why can't I wear it? How about I lend you some?"

Quitting Smoking: "Fuck!"

This idea is indeed very tempting, and Ye Shi will probably not urge me to pay it back, but Quitting Smoking thought about it and finally gave up the idea.

One power armor costs one million silver coins. If it was just a little short, he would borrow it, but unfortunately it is more than a little short.

It's better to wait until the contribution points climb to the knight level and save money to buy it yourself.

Looking at the noisy brothers, Lao Bai cleared his throat and shouted.

"We are not new guys anymore, so I won't say any more nonsense."

"Check your equipment and get ready!"

He was responded to by loud and excited cheers.

"Ahhh!"

Although this place is not far from the slums, they are not afraid of hearing their voices. After all, they are not trained functional NPCs and cannot understand the "dialect" in their shelters.

In addition, at the beginning of the operation, the Alliance simultaneously launched electronic warfare against the gangs in the slums and interfered with the radio bands commonly used by the major gangs.

At this moment, the control of the top leaders of the major gangs over the grassroots has been completely paralyzed, and the spies planted in the slums have become decorations. They can only communicate verbally in the chaos, or fight on their own.

The Guards Corps has been collecting and monitoring the communication channels of those gang members for a long time. This work is carried out simultaneously with the infiltration investigation in the slums.

The electronic warfare capabilities of the Alliance were not very effective against the Legion, and they were occasionally suppressed by the Legion, but it was not too easy to bully these minions.

Many gang members could only use walkie-talkies, and they used the civilian walkie-talkies bought on the market.

Faced with the well-trained regular army of the Alliance and the wolf-like players, these stragglers active in the slums were quickly divided and surrounded, and killed one by one.

The banging gunshots were like firecrackers that were played in advance, and the orange-yellow gun flames and tracers shuttled freely in the narrow alleys.

In just one hour, the gang members in the slums were killed and wounded innumerable. There were hundreds of corpses lying in a street alone, and countless people were blocked in the alleys. The mud mixed with snow and water was soaked into dark red by blood plasma.

This can no longer be called a war.

It was a completely one-sided massacre!

Standing at the door of the West Willow Tavern, looking at the two armored vehicles parked on the side of the road, West's face was full of astonishment and horror, and his eyes were bloodshot.

He had expected the Alliance to attack them, but he didn't expect it to happen so quickly, so quickly that he was not prepared at all.

Looking at the troops that had surrounded the place, West knew that resistance would lead to his death, and immediately shouted at the thugs in the bar.

"Put down your guns! Are you crazy? Can these things beat the power armor and tanks outside?!"

The subordinates were all stunned by the roar and became at a loss.

West gritted his teeth, felt relieved, picked up a suitcase and walked out quickly, looking at the soldiers who were targeting him and shouted loudly.

"Don't shoot! Wait! Don't shoot!"

The murderous dagger with two big fists looked at him and said with a grin.

"What? Do you have any last words to say?"

Glancing at the pair of iron pot-sized fists with trepidation, West swallowed, smiled coquettishly, and unfolded the suitcase in his hand.

Inside lay bundles of colorful banknotes!

Some of them are Cr, some are silver banknotes, and the rest are some light brown banknotes. I don’t know where the money is from, but the face value is not small.

"My lord...I beg you to be noble and let go of the small horse. This money will be used as my filial piety to you and your brothers."

Before Murderous Dagger could speak, the Kidney Fighter, who had only his head and limbs left beside him, glared and tightened his grip on the weapon.

"Confused! If I beat you to death, this money is mine too!"

The good dog was startled when he heard this and stopped him quickly.

"Wait a minute, this guy seems to be on the wanted list. He'll be paid full price if he lives, but only half if he's dead!"

The Kidney Fighter was stunned for a moment, then chuckled.

"Yeah, catch him alive! Cuff him!"

Several players immediately stepped forward and pushed the guy holding the suitcase to the ground, ignoring his yelling and yelling.

West, who was pinned to the ground with his hands behind his back and choked on the mud, had a look of embarrassment, regret and despair on his face.

These guys really have no morals at all!

If I had known he would have escaped from the alley...

Continuous gunshots were heard from the tavern behind him, but it didn't last long before the last flickering flame was extinguished.

Before long, he saw another group of soldiers walking towards this side, pressing down Jeff who had previously hid in the safe house.

And it's not just them.

Also captured were the boss of the Dean Gang and the second-in-command of the Poison Gang...

Looking at those familiar faces, West's heart dropped completely to the bottom.

He didn't understand until now.

The Alliance has been keeping an eye on them for a long time, and most likely the route they will take to escape is marked on the map.

The disgraced Jeff was dragged by a piece of power armor and knelt down next to West.

The soldiers seemed intent on classifying them.

With his hands and feet struggling to move, Jeff's Adam's apple moved. He looked at the powered armor standing next to him and said hoarsely.

"Even if you kill me, other gangs will replace us. This won't solve any problems."

"Let me see your leader...that respected manager. We can cooperate. I will help you do the dirty work that is inconvenient for you. Give me a chance!"

Lao Bai, who was standing aside, glanced at the chattering guy and suddenly smiled.

"Cooperation? You think too highly of yourself."

He actually met these people.

That was a long time ago.

Although the alliance did not issue a mission to exterminate these guys at that time, he knew that sooner or later the managers would deal with these people.

Jeff froze.

The man's next words made him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

"You have no value in recycling waste. It would be better for us if you died completely."

"As for the others becoming you."

"I'll send them to stay with you."