His original intention of the Prize-Pool Mission was to get more players to join in and become his canon-fodder, but the Kill-all Guild was now interfering his plan.
A large group of players gathered on the side. They were indignant.
“They are too authoritative! I just want to buy some ammunition, that’s all!”
“What right do you have to forcibly occupy Black Phantom‽”
At this moment, members of the Sky Territory Guild forced their way through the crowd and confronted the Kill-all Guild.
Jade Green Sky then shouted, “What are you guys trying to do‽”
SliceYouUp was expressionless. He did not even bother to explain before he gestured with his hand; his members around him immediately aimed their pistol at Jade Green Sky. This immediately triggered the members of the Sky Territory Guild—they responded in kind.
All the other players were slightly shocked by this scene. They quickly moved backward, lest they got splashed with blood.
Jade Green Sky was hesitant. He had fewer people on his side, so he knew that he would be at a disadvantage once the battle began. He did not understand why the Kill-all Guild suddenly became so authoritative, but he was certain that something fishy was going on. Furthermore, with so many eyes around observing them, the Sky Territory Guild could not act like cowards.
Jade Green Sky and his members glanced at each other, confirming each other’s thoughts.
Fight!
Tension was building on both sides.
Other players stretched their necks to watch the show—two big, famous guilds fighting against each other was not an everyday occurrence.
The battle was on the verge of starting.
Just then, every member in the Kill-all Guild received a notification on their interface.
_____________________
Your reputation with Black Phantom decreased by 10 points.
Current Reputation: -5
Current Relationship: Cold
_____________________
SliceYouUp was astonished!
Chapter 131 - Bloodshed
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Oh My!”
“What’s the matter?”
“How did my reputation drop!”
Players from the Kill-all Guild were all confused. They immediately turned back to look at Han Xiao, only to find him looking in their direction with a look of indifference. This time around, no matter how thickheaded they were, they could figure what was going on. They observed curiously and suspiciously from the side.
SliceYouUp was extremely troubled. How was he to know that such actions would cause Black Phantom’s unhappiness? Wasn’t it normal for guilds to hoard resources in the game? Why was this NPC so intelligent?
The reputation earned these few days was all gone, and it even dropped quite a bit!
The members around him gave him looks of disapproval. It was too late for regret for SliceYouUp. He could sense that his authority as a leader had decreased a level. He was stuck in a very difficult situation, and he could only quickly withdraw from the scene with his men.
The players around him were baffled. They did not know why or how the previously arrogant Kill-all Guild cowered in a matter of seconds.
Jade Green Sky thought that Kill-all was afraid of their Sky Territory.
What’s happening? When did my Guild become this cool?
With no one blocking the way anymore, the players realized there was a Prize-Pool Mission. They finally realized Kill-all Guild’s motive. They were filled with righteous indignation, for that was totally unfair.
“Look at them trying to claim the entire Prize-Pool!”
“Gross!”
After crusading against Kill-all, the players then turned their focus to the Prize-Pool Mission, becoming increasingly attracted to it. Everyone accepted the quest, all wanting a slice of that huge cake.
The Prize-Pool slowly amounted to over 500,000 EXP, and to those players, it was simply an unthinkable sum, to the point that just thinking of it would make them stop breathing.
There were only five people that would be entitled to the Prize-Pool rewards. The ranking depended on the energy expended. Compared to the number of participants, five was undoubtedly a small number.
But the problem was that everyone thought they would be the lucky person. Even though it was almost as unlikely as winning the lottery, there was still that glimmer of hope that shone in their eyes—if they were chosen, it would be like hitting the jackpot.
The players were not even at LV 10 yet. Their combat strength was extremely low, but the good thing about them was that they were not afraid of death. With a pistol, they could deal a bit of damage. At least with everyone around, they could combine their firepower. This was why Han Xiao thought of the quest.
…
The forest of Big Horn Village was vast, and the huge amount of information on the Dark Net helped mark the exact route of the Germinal Organization’s evacuating troops.
Everyone arrived at the place where the trap was marked. Players teamed up and spread out to ambush. Among them, the players from the closed beta were obviously preferred as teammates. Of course, those with a guild would be the most advantageous.
Teaming was the best advantage one could have. Everyone knew that solely relying on one’s efforts alone would never get one onto the list.
Maple Moon was a little down. Every player had a team. She was just a step slower and did not manage to find anyone to team up with.
Han Xiao noticed and called Maple Moon. He took out his modified sniper rifle, as well as several rounds of ammunition, and handed it to Maple Moon. “I’ll lend you this gun, stay by my side.”
Maple Moon clasped her two hands over her tiny mouth in surprise with a cute look of shock. She had thought that this was the benefit of triggering the secret quest. But upon seeing the traits of the sniper rifle, she was stuck in a difficult position. The sniper rifle required an attribute of at least Lv.1 in [Sniper].
Maple Moon pouted. “But I don’t know how to use this.”
_____________________
Black Phantom has imparted the ability [Sniper] to you. Do you want to expend 2000 EXP to learn it?
_____________________
Han Xiao had not taught the gamers about this sniper ability. Maple Moon was shocked and happy at the same time. She agreed without a second thought.
Since Maple Moon was worthy of training, Han Xiao naturally became biased toward her. Of course, this was a secret between them. If other players felt that it is unfair, what can they do but restrain their complaints? In this materialistic society, people without resources had no say!
…
A gust of wind whistled through the forest.
The ambushing players all had nervous yet excited faces. It was the first battle for many of them.
Jade Green Sky brought Sky Territory’s members to camouflage themselves in the forest. It was a must for him to attain one of the top three prizes from the Prize-Pool Mission. He thought to himself, My biggest rival should be Kill-all. First place is bound to be either of us.
On the other hand, SliceYouUp was still extremely troubled by Han Xiao’s extreme drop in reputation, but the quest still had to be done. He took a look at his dejected guild members. “Don’t think too much. Just finish this quest first. We cannot let Sky Territory’s members get ahead of us.”
The passing time was like a sharp knife, killing any warmth in the atmosphere.
Han Xiao took out the report he had gotten from the Dark Net. He took one final look. There were two combat executives in the evacuating troops, Freire and Seiberre. The two of them had once been part of the same elite army squad, each over LV 30, but they were of no threat to him.
Woo woo—
The sound of the engine came from far away. The sniper rifle’s electromagnetic scanner showed the Germinal Organization’s troops on its radar.
Han Xiao reoriented his vis
ion, becoming extremely alert.
Maple Moon followed Han Xiao’s every word and action, sprawling on the ground with the sniper rifle. Suddenly, Han Xiao seemed to have disappeared. He was clearly right in front of her; how could he have vanished from her vision? This made her very uncomfortable.
_____________________
You have entered [Stealth] state. Agility stats +8%.
Your next strike will have a Sneak attack effect.
You have entered [Steady Aim] stat. Your next shot has +15% shooting power.
_____________________
[Night Stalker] had bestowed Han Xiao with many hidden skills, and accompanied with his [Flaming Will], anybody shot was bound to be destroyed.
There was the Little Li Flying Dagger in the past. Today there is my deathly blow. Haha, this sounds so good!
This shot was specially prepared for the executives. Han Xiao held his breath and aimed steadily like a patient hunter awaiting his prey.
The Germinal Organization’s evacuating troops entered the trap and were almost immediately caught off-guard by the many animal traps set up. But they were also puzzled by the animal traps. Was this really a trap?
If this was not a trap, how fierce was the beast in the area to require so many animal traps? And if this was a trap, who would be stupid enough to use animal traps to deal with an armed force? It was so obvious as well.
Freire, the conductor, felt something was amiss. He said in the intercom, “Be careful, there is a possibility of an ambush. Deploy minesweepers.”
The troops slowed their advancement. Carrying the metal detectors, the minesweepers overtook them.
The Germinal Organization had been shifting their bases in massive operations, and many troops had been intercepted. Their enemies were not just from the Six Nations. There were other enemies looking for revenge taking advantage of their current situation. When Germinal was still strong, these enemies did not dare make any move. But now that they were met with such a good opportunity for revenge, they all got excited.
Freire and Seiberre had been caught in an ambush during their journey, and they had all raised their alertness greatly since.
Beep beep beep.
The metal detectors flashed in red, indicating that there were mines underground. At the same time, the scouts also found traces of human activity.
Freire’s expression darkened. “Enemy ambush ahead!”
Just as the Germinal troops were sweeping the field for mines, the players who were hiding in the bushes spotted their enemy as well. The heavily armed Germinal soldiers and armored vehicles looked formidable. The players dared not anger them.
But at the slightest thought of the huge reward-pool, the players were unable to resist. Some jumped out of the bushes immediately, firing their pistols from afar.
The Germinal soldiers habitually wanted to sprawl down and hide, but they realized that the enemies’ bullets were almost going into outer-space. Their aim was just so bad.
“Counterattack!”
The Germinal troops returned fire without hesitation. The submachine guns fired away, the armored vehicles’ machine guns roared, and some heavy firepower guns could be heard, too.
The fierce artillery instantly tore the players running toward them into pieces.
Chapter 132 - A Death God
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“What the hell is this damage!”
“I died instantly when the explosion blast grazed me!”
“My EXP’s dropped so drastically!”
The first wave of players eliminated died tragically, leaving the rest of the players in awe of the Germinal Organization’s firepower.
SliceYouUp gritted his teeth. “Task requirement is to achieve highest damage. Doesn’t matter if you die, just deal damage! Go!”
The penalty in Galaxy for dying was not light to say the least. EXP was deducted proportionally to a player’s level, and the player could only be revived up to a maximum of ten times within six days. With every death, the waiting time before the next revival would increase. After hitting the limit, there would be a temporary ban on the player. Despite all this, it was worth dying once or twice for the Prize-Pool Missions.
The players from Sky Territory also had the same thoughts, and all the other players followed suit and fearlessly, albeit tactlessly, made their attack on the Germinal soldiers, giving the latter a shock.
“All these enemies are rushing to die?” Seiberre was surprised; he had never seen such a fearless army, like a pack of starving wolves, dying to get a piece of them.
Their spirit and momentum were impressive, but in terms of combat ability… they were shamefully pathetic.
“They are just a motley crowd, let’s satisfy them since they want to die so badly!” Freire snorted and promptly commanded the surrounding troops. Since there were mines buried in the forest, the Germinal troops stopped their armored vehicles and started using as their armored vehicles as a temporary base for their counterattacks, killing off waves of players with ease.
“Shit… Can’t even touch them!”
“I already died twice! Goddammit!”
The Germinal troops was dominating the fight. The other players were being massacred, yet they refused to give up in the hope of dealing some damage to claim the quest rewards.
“I will give them a surprise.” Seiberre smirked. He saw absolutely no threat from these enemies. He was itching to toy with them.
Freire frowned slightly. “Don’t go crazy, we are in a rush.”
“Humph! I’m always quick with my kills.”
Seiberre hopped off the armored vehicle. With his strong physical attributes, all he needed was a slight push against the floor with his feet, and he was off dashing toward the players like a cannonball. His foot landed on a player and instantly caused the poor soul’s chest to cave in before the player was sent flying, hitting against a tree with an explosion of blood and flesh. The shooters dealt no damage to Seiberre, since he would dodge way before they could aim. Even if some bullets did hit him, it would be nothing but single digit damage.
Seiberre went on a killing spree like a tiger among the sheep, and the players were desperately trying to retreat. However, Seiberre would catch up and kill them before they could react. Many tried to assess Seiberre’s stats.
_____________________
Seiberre – ?
Level – ?
Class – ?
Threat Level – Extremely fatal
_____________________
Another extremely fatal dude! No one knew what this threat level meant until this moment, but the contrast in skill level was apparent.
The combat strength of a high-level character was indeed to be feared.
Black Phantom and Seiberre have about the same combat strength. This thought flashed across the minds of many of the players.
Seiberre was covered in his enemies’ blood, like a ravaging beast. The scene looked so realistic that it scared some of the more timid players, who quickly adjusted the graphics to PG mode to reduce the gore. Some turned on the recording function to capture this highly bloody scene.
A panic-stricken player fell, and Seiberre, in the midst of his killing spree, laughed as he started to crush the poor player like a cockroach. Suddenly, blood spilled out from Seiberre’s chest, and a gaping hole appeared at the place where Seiberre’s heart was supposed to be.
Seiberre stopped moving, his entire face frozen. Then, he collapsed and fell to the ground without a sound.
“Is he… dead?”
“He just got killed in one shot!”
Everyone was thrown into shock and confusion. How did the blood-lusting monstrous enemy just get defeated in a split second?
Then, the electrical current buzz of a sniper rifle from afar came within earshot.
Jade Green Sky, SliceYouUp, and all the other players that were still alive glanced unanimously in the direction of the rifle. Everyone remembered that it was rou
ghly where Black Phantom was camping.
This snipe kill was by Black Phantom!
“Even such a vicious enemy was killed by Black Phantom in one shot!”
The players all gasped in disbelief. Black Phantom was also extremely fatal in terms of threat level, but this was way more fatal than Seiberre!
Black Phantom was obviously on a higher level than Seiberre, but it was still incredible that the fearsome Seiberre got killed in a single shot. Han Xiao left a mysterious and immeasurable impression on everyone.
Nothing was scarier than a killer who could instantly kill his victims.
Seiberre is very strong in terms of Energy attributes. How could he have been killed instantly? Freire was shocked.
This shot sounds familiar… the ability to instant-kill a Superhuman… Only one person is capable of doing this.
Freire’s face changed immediately.
“Must be the Ghost-level Black Phantom from the Blood Pact Society! Goddammit, why is such a high-level monster finding trouble with us? I thought he only does bounty hunting?”
Black Phantom’s reputation preceded him in the Underground World in these two months because of his amazing stats. He had killed ‘The Raging Bolt’ Bai Jin in an instant. Even the famous Invisible Demon was running for his dear life from Black Phantom. It was no wonder that Black Phantom rose to fame as the best assassin in the Blood Pact Society and his name began to instill fear in many.
The Germinal Organization gave a command long ago, asking its members to avoid direct conflict with Black Phantom. It would be troublesome to deal with this type of super assassin, even for big organizations.
Freire wanted to retreat, and he ordered for it with no hesitation. “All force retreat!”
It was too late!
Han Xiao activated the EMP Disruptor he had buried. Some of the Germinal troops’ armored vehicles were in the effective range of the disruptor, and they broke down immediately, crackling and sizzling with electricity. One third of the vehicles were fortunate enough to be outside of the effective range; Freire’s was one of them.
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