Chapter 552.3: It Will Be Better If You're All Dead Anyway

"She’s fine," Wrench replied casually. "If you’re asking about the kidnappers, they’re probably all dead by now."

"..."

After securing the market crowd, the First Corps didn’t immediately root out the gang members hidden among them. Instead, they left a self-surrender window open, then shifted their focus to the slums.

The surveillance cameras on the wall and drones from Boulder Town Arms Industry had already locked onto the gang leaders’ hideouts. Dove missiles and 155mm howitzers positioned along the perimeter walls stood ready, awaiting the order for a surgical strike.

One by one, the armored vehicles rolled into the slums, supported by infantry, heading straight for each gang stronghold.

As the administrator put it, "Grab the biggest fish first, then kill off a batch of medium ones. The little fry will fall in line on their own."

Executing the mission weren’t just First Corps, members of the Burning Corps stationed in Boulder Town joined as well.

The moment word spread that the administrator had personally ordered a quest, players who had been busy preparing for the New Year celebrations dropped everything and rushed to the rally point with weapons in hand.

What could compare to bashing marauders instead of mutated beasts?

Their last war felt like ages ago!

In no time, over 500 members of the Burning Corps had assembled.

𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

In the snowy field, Old White, clad in his exoframe, carried a rifle and stepped to the front of the formation. Turning on his speaker function, he shouted, "The bounty list has been updated in your quest logs! Split one million silver coins between yourselves!"

"Full price for live targets, half for corpses!"

Hearing such generous rewards, the players’ eyes practically glowed green with excitement.

It was as if the slums weren’t full of gang members, but living, breathing gold coins! They were basically mobile treasure chests!

Spotting someone approaching in an exoframe, Quit Smoking blinked in surprise and suddenly recognized the guy.

"Holy crap! Night Ten, why the hell is a perception type like you wearing an exoframe?!"

Raising the visor of his Dragon Cavalry exoframe, Night Ten grinned and replied with a cheeky smile. "Hehe, I’ve had enough contribution points to qualify as a Knight for ages. Why wouldn’t I wear it? Want me to lend you some money if you’re short?"

"Fuck off!"

It was a tempting offer and Night Ten probably wouldn’t even ask for repayment, but Quit Smoking thought it over and gave up the idea.

An exoframe cost a million silver coins. If he were just a little short, maybe he would borrow it. But he was far from close.

It was better to save up and buy one after ranking up to Knight.

Watching the rowdy players around him, Old White cleared his throat and yelled, "You’re not rookies anymore, so I’ll skip the speeches."

"Check your gear. Get ready to move!"

A chorus of excited roars rang out in reply.

"Awooooooo!"

Though the slums weren’t far away, none of them cared if they were overheard. Gangsters weren’t trained functional NPCs. They wouldn’t understand their language anyway.

Meanwhile, as the operation began, the New Alliance also launched electronic warfare against the gangs in the slums, jamming all commonly used radio frequencies.

At this point, the gangs’ leadership had lost all command over their lower ranks. Their spies planted in the slums became useless, reduced to shouting orders or acting alone amid the chaos.

The First Corps had been collecting and monitoring gang communications for a while now, alongside infiltration investigations in the slums.

The New Alliance’s electronic warfare couldn’t always beat the Army, but against those thugs, it was overkill.

Most of the gangsters used nothing more than cheap civilian walkie-talkies bought off the market.

Facing the New Alliance’s disciplined military and bloodthirsty players, the scattered and untrained slum gangs were quickly encircled, isolated, and taken out.

Gunfire echoed like preemptive firecrackers. Orange muzzle flashes and tracers zipped wildly through the narrow alleys.

In just an hour, the gang members had suffered massive casualties. Just a single street was littered with over a hundred bodies. Many were trapped and executed in tight alleys. The snow-muddied dirt turned dark red with blood.

It wasn’t a war... It was a slaughter.

Outside West Willow Tavern, staring at the two parked armored vehicles, Weast’s face twisted in disbelief and terror. His eyes were bloodshot.

He had expected the New Alliance might eventually strike, but not so soon. He was completely unprepared.

Seeing the area already sealed tight, Weast knew resistance was suicide. He immediately shouted to those inside, "Drop your fucking weapons! Are you insane?! You think you can beat tanks and exoframe with those toys?!"

His men froze, confused.

Gritting his teeth, West made a decision. He grabbed a briefcase and walked outside, shouting at the soldiers aiming at him. "Don’t shoot! Wait! Please don’t shoot!"

Peepo stood nearby, fists like iron cauldrons. A massive grin formed on his face. "What? Got some last words?"

Eyeing those massive fists, West gulped and forced a smile. He opened the case.

Inside were bundles of colorful cash.

Some were CR, some silver coins, and others in unfamiliar brown paper. Whatever currency it was, the denominations looked high.

"Sir... I beg you, please have mercy. Take this as a gift, from me to you and your men."

Before Peepo could speak, Kidney Warrior, who was basically half invisible, glared and gripped his weapon. "Idiot! If we kill you, the money’s still ours!"

Dog Good Names panicked and quickly stopped him. "Wait! I think this guy’s on the wanted list! Full price for him if he’s alive, only half if he’s dead!"

Kidney Warrior blinked, then chuckled, "Oh yeah! Grab him alive! Cuff him!"

Several players rushed forward, pinned Weast to the ground, and ignored his furious protests.

Hands bound behind his back, face buried in muddy water, Weast’s face was a mess of regret, shame, and despair.

Those bastards didn’t play fair at all!

If he had known, he would have fled via the back alleys...

From the bar came a brief burst of gunfire, then silence.

Not long after, another squad marched up, dragging Jeff, the one who had hidden in the safehouse, toward the checkpoint.

They weren’t alone.

The leaders of the Dean Gang, the deputy of the Poison Gang... They had all been caught.

As those familiar faces approached, Weast's heart sank completely.

Only now did he realize, The New Alliance had been watching them for a long time. They probably even marked the exact escape routes on a map.

Covered in dust, Jeff was dragged to his knees beside Weast by an exoframe. The soldiers seemed to be sorting them into categories.

Unable to move his limbs, Jeff swallowed and looked at the towering figure in armor. His voice was hoarse as he spoke. "You can kill me, but someone else will just replace us. This won’t solve anything."

"Let me speak to your superior... Let me speak to your administrator. We can work together. I’ll do the dirty jobs you don’t want to touch. Just give me a chance!"

Old White stood nearby, watching the man ramble. Then he smiled faintly. "Cooperate? You’re giving yourself way too much credit."

He had seen those people before, but it was a long time ago.

Even though the New Alliance hadn’t issued a purge order back then, he’d known it was only a matter of time before the administrator cleaned house.

Jeff froze.

The next second, the words that chilled him to the bone rang in his mind.

"You’re not even worth recycling. It’s better for us if you’re completely dead."

"And as for anyone who becomes like you."

"I’ll send them to join you."