Chapter 90: Chapter 90: The Final Moment
"No, we can’t keep fighting them. If we lose any more people, another wave of independent players could show up and wipe us out."
"So what are you suggesting?"
"We wait. Based on the weather, we should be able to activate the radio telescope at around 9:00. We’ll launch one final assault at 8:40!"
Qian Luobing replied coolly.
"All right. We’ll go all out at 8:40 and take the central control room."
Qian Wei thought for a moment before nodding in agreement.
...
In the southern corridor.
Padoka pulled out a tactical dagger and dug the bullet from his shoulder. He then took out a healing vial, jabbed it into his arm, and injected the contents.
Irafu took a bandage and wrapped Padoka’s wound, then said worriedly.
"Padoka, we’re down to nineteen people. The All Stars Guild has at least fifty, maybe more. If we keep this up, I don’t think we can win."
"Damn it. I thought taking out that bastard Qian Wei would be easy, but I didn’t expect him to be so damn tenacious. And so many of our brothers died."
Padoka clenched his right fist, knuckles cracking.
Just then, the sound of footsteps approached from behind.
"Who’s there!"
Padoka and his men all raised their weapons, pointing them down the corridor behind them.
It was Farina, leading her people. However, she didn’t get too close, stopping at a safe distance.
"Farina, what are you doing here?"
Padoka’s face darkened as he stared at Farina.
’The Star God Guild had always been a bunch of eccentrics. If they were crazy enough to pick a fight at a time like this, they might as well give up on the dungeon entirely.’
"Mr. Padoka, no need to be alarmed. Though we’ve never seen eye to eye, I’m here to propose a partnership."
"You want to team up with me against the All Stars Guild?"
"That’s right."
"And why should I trust you?"
"Because you have no other choice. The situation is clear. If we work together, we still have a chance to win. Otherwise, the All Stars Guild will claim this dungeon."
"Fine. I’ll work with you this one time. But let’s be clear: after we take down the All Stars Guild, I’m coming for you next."
"Same here."
Farina replied softly.
"So when do we make our move?"
"Not yet. We’re not sure if there are other independent players around, and we can’t risk someone else swooping in to reap the rewards. We’ll wait for the All Stars Guild to enter the main hall, and then we’ll follow."
"Agreed!"
Padoka agreed immediately.
...
Time trickled by.
The sun rose over the horizon, its brilliant rays spilling across the land and illuminating the entire world.
Across the rolling mountain range, dilapidated solar arrays whirred to life, feeding a steady stream of power to the observatory base.
Inside the air ducts.
Long Ming stared at the time ticking away on his wristband. It was 8:39. Only 21 minutes until 9:00.
Qin Ying peered down through the vent a few times, asking curiously.
"Mr. Red Ghost, why haven’t they made a move? Do you think they gave up?"
"Impossible."
Long Ming said calmly.
The moment the time on the wristband ticked over to 8:40,
Qian Luobing and Qian Wei charged in from the northern entrance with their subordinates.
Padoka and Farina also charged in from the southern entrance with their people.
The members of both sides scattered, taking cover behind iron crates and metal pillars. They raised their firearms, creating a tense standoff.
A huge battle was imminent.
Just then, Gao Feng spoke to Qian Wei in a low voice.
"Young Master Qian Wei, those two groups really did team up."
"So what? You think I’m afraid of them?"
Qian Wei replied, his face grim.
From behind an iron crate, Padoka taunted them arrogantly.
"Listen up! You’ve already lost! If you know what’s good for you, pull out now. At least you won’t lose so badly. Otherwise, don’t blame us for what’s coming to you."
"Oh? Is that so? A rat that doesn’t even dare to peek its head out has the gall to talk so tough?"
Qian Luobing sneered icily.
"Fuck! You had your chance to do this the easy way. Now you’ll do it the hard way! Light them up!"
Padoka waved his hand, furiously giving the order.
BANG BANG~
Both sides immediately opened fire.
Though neither side’s firepower was particularly intense, anyone who had survived this long was a formidable fighter, and their aim was lethally precise.
"AHH!"
Soon, a player was picked off and collapsed, unwilling to accept defeat.
Inside the air ducts.
Qin Ying said nervously to Long Ming.
"Mr. Red Ghost, they’re fighting."
"I know."
Long Ming remained perfectly calm.
...
At the entrance of a small corridor.
Pilates poked his head out again to glance at the main hall, his live stream commentary brimming with excitement.
"Brothers and sisters, the final moment has arrived! We’ll know who the winner is very soon."
On the stream’s screen, countless comments scrolled by.
"Go, Lord Qian Wei! Take them down!"
"Screw you! Star God Guild will win for sure!"
...
At this moment, the passion of all the players watching the stream was reignited.
「Sinful City, inside the Jiaye Group tower.」
Qin Ye was on the edge of his seat, unable to hold back his anxiety.
"What’s going on? The three major guilds are in their final showdown, so where are Red Ghost and my sister? I haven’t seen them this entire time."
"I’m not sure. Maybe they thought it was hopeless and gave up," Bai Xiu said with some hesitation.
"That makes sense. No shame in giving up."
Qin Ye said, as if trying to convince himself.
...
「In the central hall.」
Both sides began to advance, firing their weapons while also scrambling to pick up guns from the floor.
Clearly, they were all running out of ammo.
Just then, Qian Luobing and Farina began moving at high speeds, exchanging rapid gunfire.
BANG BANG~
Bullets peppered the ground behind them.
CLICK-CLACK~
Just then, Qian Luobing’s magazine ran dry. She immediately accelerated into a forward roll, snatching a submachine gun from the ground and landing in cover behind an iron crate.
Farina didn’t pursue, instead quickly ducking behind a nearby metal support pillar to reload her own weapon.
Just then, Lair darted from cover with a grenade launcher. He moved swiftly, flanking around to get a surprise shot on Qian Luobing.
Adika spotted him immediately, raising his assault rifle and letting loose a controlled burst!
BANG BANG~
The bullets whizzed past Lair.
"Meddlesome pest."
Lair fired a round at Adika.
Adika dove out of the way with a roll.
BOOM~
A violent explosion erupted.
Just then, Bakaen raised his Gatling gun and sprayed a hail of bullets toward Lair.
"Shit!"
Lair’s expression changed drastically. He performed a clumsy dive, rolling behind a metal support pillar. Even so, his arm was clipped by the spray of bullets, and blood gushed from the wound.
...
On the other side, Gao Feng and his men advanced steadily, laying down suppressing fire on Padoka from behind cover.
Padoka was completely pinned down. He wanted to charge, but he couldn’t, leaving him with no choice but to stay put and trade fire.
Just then, Qian Wei glanced down at his watch.
It read 8:55. In theory, they needed to wait until 9:00 for the energy to be fully charged, but that wasn’t an absolute requirement.
He felt the time was right. It was worth an early gamble. Lowering his voice, he spoke to Gao Feng.
"Keep them pinned."
"Right."
Gao Feng nodded, understanding immediately.
