Saving Unpermitted

Chapter 95: Melee

The fire in the factory area lasted for four days without any sign of stopping. As the new elections approached their end, doubts began to emerge within Y City. After four days, the situation showed no improvement, and the staff of the United Government even set up tents and increased security guards. Regardless of how anyone looked at it, the rebellion of the synthetics didn’t seem like a minor incident.

“Now that the factory is burned down, how will my children find work?”

“I still have many valuable items that haven’t been collected. Is the outer wall safe? What if the synthetics break in…”

“Seriously, what is Zhu Sheng doing? He can’t even handle the weapons he created himself.”

The alley was crowded with people. During the election campaign, it had been lively, but now it only brought annoyance. Public restrooms always had long queues, and hot water could only be obtained at specific locations. The United Government had arranged several independent bathing facilities in the city center square, but even with water recycling systems, it was always in short supply. The environment couldn’t compare to the steaming hot bathtubs at home.

Most people were averse to trouble. Since the weather wasn’t hot either, many people chose to reduce their bathing frequency and endured it reluctantly. Sensing the oppressive atmosphere, the itinerant candy and snack vendors were nowhere to be found. The Tang family started selling box meals at reasonable prices, while the Old Fourth continued to fill the void, selling cheap yet tasteless nutritional supplements.

Children no longer ran around. They could no longer buy delicious candies and snacks, so they clutched their clothes tightly and stayed close to their parents. With the collapse of the factory and the city under lockdown, the supply of goods for various businesses ceased. This led to a sharp decrease in the advertisements on the light screens in the city center square, and now the continuous broadcasts only reported on the situation outside the city. The serious tone of the broadcasters made it impossible for people to relax their nerves.

As for those who originally lived in the city center, they closed their doors and windows tightly. They used all their connections to purchase nutritional supplements and preserved food. The more pessimistic ones even bought water purifiers and generators.

The dark clouds in the sky seemed to seep into the land, and an ominous silence spread among the people.

As the central hub of the entire continent, the once vibrant Y City gradually fell into silence. Given the current situation, people were no longer fixated on who would be the leader. Anxiety and fear slowly sprouted, and the most frequently asked question changed from “Who do you support?” to “When will this situation end?”

Four or five days passed, and both small businesses and high-end entertainment came to a halt. The Xia family’s nightclubs decisively closed their doors and securely sealed them with metal shutters.

The handsome host kept repeating on the light screens, “Everything will be alright,” but there was no sign of things getting better. Instead, they seemed to be heading in a worse direction.

“In the recent period, you must control the emotions of the people in the city,” Zhu Sheng said with a serious expression. “Put aside those petty tricks and find every possible way to suppress potential outbursts of riots. Medical supplies, food, and other resources are limited. Once a conflict erupts, the situation will only worsen.”

“Yes.” Yi Ning lowered his head.

“As for how to appease them, that task is entrusted to you. If you can’t even handle this, then don’t bother thinking about being the next leader.”

“…Yes, sir. However, I must clarify, how long will this blockade last?”

“At the shortest, it’s unclear. At the longest, it will be a month. Even synthetic beings consume food and medication. Even if they feed on humans, they won’t last more than a month.” Zhu Sheng didn’t look at Yi Ning as his gaze remained glued to the report in his hand. “On the other hand, the number of people in the city center is currently more than four times the usual amount. The infrastructure and resource pressure are immense. Considering the livelihood of these people, delay is not a long-term solution. Based on the current situation, it will last a maximum of two weeks. As long as…”

“As long as?”

“Nothing.” Zhu Sheng took a sip of his tea. “You may go now and manage those people well. Once the external fire is extinguished, I will personally take a team to provide assistance in designated settlements.”

“Understood.”

For a brief moment, Yi Ning felt a sense of relief. But the next moment, that feeling got stuck in his throat—in that moment, he couldn’t deny his own thoughts.

He had done his best in rescuing people. The one issuing this cruel order wasn’t himself, and he felt a weight lifted off his shoulders.

However, it was really unsightly, he thought in a daze.

The synthetics were indeed racing against time. After burning down the factory, they split into two groups and began attacking the outer defensive wall of Y City.

The unaffected humans wreaked havoc west of the city, while the synthetics utilized their abilities to hurl countless rocks and sandstorms towards the city wall, attempting to destroy the purifiers on the wall. The Y City military attempted to use weaponized purifiers, but due to their short range, they couldn’t reach the players operating from a distance. The inertia of the rocks prevented them from being dispersed by the purifiers.

After a few days, half of the purifiers west of the city were destroyed. As the concentration of the erosion increased sharply, the players’ abilities also became stronger. The alloy protective wall was twisted by metal manipulators, and the foundation was left in disarray by earth and stone ability users. The wall occasionally emitted a grating friction sound, and numerous cracks silently crawled up the base of the wall.

The front of the city was led by the monstrous synthetic leader. The massive creature, accompanied by heavily contaminated synthetics, tirelessly attacked the defensive wall. Those individuals seemed to have lost their sense of pain, repeating the same action regardless of the bullet rain or the immensely powerful purifiers they faced—installing explosives, protecting the explosives, igniting them, and then retreating.

Since bullets were ineffective, the human military had considered using grenades to blow them to pieces. However, when the grenades were thrown, they instantly ignited the explosives on the synthetics side. The explosives hadn’t been properly landed on the ground yet as they detonated directly in the air, nearly throwing the soldiers on the wall off with the terrifying wind blast.

“Mr. Zhu, if things continue like this…”

“The defensive wall has been treated for explosions; this is just a diversionary tactic. Squadron One and Squadron Three will go to the west side of the city to provide support, while Squadron Two and I will stay here to defend.”

“But, how do we defend? Bullets are ineffective against those heavily eroded monsters—”

“Explosives are effective.” Zhu Yanchen issued the order coldly. “Control the explosion point at a distance of fifty meters. The protective wall won’t sustain significant damage. Those synthetics that have been heavily eroded are more dangerous, so it’s better to eliminate them early on.”

“But that monster will go berserk.”

“You will relocate to the interior of the city wall and use long-range launchers to bombard it. The synthetics west of the city haven’t been affected by erosion, so theoretically, they still have an escape route.”

“Is it for deterrence? Understood!” The commanding officer who spoke stole a glance at Zhu Yanchen.

Previously, they were under Zhu Sheng’s command, and Marshal Zhu usually led the synthetics. Now, they were working under Young Master Zhu, and this person seemed to not be as useless as the rumors claimed—Dong Lao wasn’t with him right now.

“For the synthetics west of the city, exercise caution and don’t push them to desperation. The squadron in the front can freely engage and clear them out.”

Zhu Yanchen emphasized once again with a stern tone.

“Once the wall in the west is breached, use the pocket formation as a buffer, then focus on repairing. No matter what happens, those people must not be allowed inside.”

“Yes!”

At the same time, outside the city.

“The power of explosives has been discovered. They will carpet bomb the front of the city. You all retreat from the west side of the city, and I will continue controlling the ‘fake soldiers’ here.” Shu Jun controlled the monster and lowered its head as he gave orders to Chai Xuyang hidden in the dust. “The enemy’s main force has shifted to the west side of the city, and Hu Yan will face significant pressure. The city wall is about to be breached. Your close-range combat abilities will be helpful.”

“…Are you planning to stay here alone?”

“I have witnessed the power of their ammunition. Their attacks alone won’t harm me.” Shu Jun’s voice came out hollow and muffled from the monster’s mouth. “But you all will be in danger.”

“But can you be sure? In your current appearance, you can’t even contact anyone. Isn’t this just your speculation? What if you misjudge…”

“Then you can stay here and accompany me to eat explosives.” The monster grinned, revealing sharp teeth. “I just find it a pity—I can create a scene of carnage myself, but you’re willingly sacrificing yourself for the visual effect. That kind of determination is quite remarkable.”

Chai Xuyang abruptly shut his mouth and obediently led the detachment team to move towards the west.

As a result, as soon as they left the range of the ammunition bombardment, numerous missiles trailing smoke exploded. A cloud of smoke enveloped the front gate of Y City, and the exploding mud spots scattered like a downpour.

If they had stayed there, they would have been blown to bits. Chai Xuyang swallowed his saliva and hurriedly led the team towards the west side of the city—

“Today, we’ll be able to blast open the wall. Be careful and don’t kill anyone. If you really itch for it, capture a few and keep them imprisoned.” Mr. Chai encountered Hu Yan’s operational meeting as soon as he arrived west of the city. “Shu Jun said that with his presence, the humans inside won’t be too ruthless towards us. They will likely focus on persuading us to surrender.”

“If we really surrender, will they let us go?”

“Bullshit! When have we, the Blackbirds, ever surrendered! …Even if they say so, don’t believe them. They’re just luring everyone in to kill us.”

“…Then why should we hold back from killing? They’re being shameless first!”

“Do you think I sympathize with them? But these soldiers are all from Y City. If we kill them, the resistance from the people of Y City will only increase. And don’t forget, Zhu Sheng is inside, waiting to stoke the flames. Do you understand? Compared to a bunch of indiscriminate humanoid weapons, principled resistors are more likely to gain goodwill.”

Hu Yan rubbed his head and felt that he was making a lot of sense. His face even brightened a little.

“Think about it, if the public sentiment outside doesn’t rise, Zhu Sheng will have to deal with the mess himself. The more chaotic it is inside Y City, the better it is for us to act. Being a human, you need to have some foresight—”

“Shu Jun told you all this, right?” Chai Xuyang grimly interjected.

“I just arrived at the critical moment, and what nonsense are you spouting? …Eh? Why are you here?”

“The front gate was bombed, so it’s no use for us to stay there. Shu Jun’s timing is precise; I’m afraid you will encounter big trouble here.”

“Tsk.” Hu Yan clicked his tongue softly. “This couple really started fighting with real guns and knives.”

“What couple?”

“Nothing, never mind. Okay, let’s follow Shu Jun’s arrangements.”

That night, the breach in the defensive wall was successfully opened. The defensive wall west of the city was the oldest and couldn’t withstand the relentless use of numerous abilities. It cracked open, leaving a one-meter-wide gap.

Meanwhile, in the less intense area east of the city, a human team sneaked out to rendezvous with the designated settlement of the synthetics.

No one noticed that within that small team, there was a young man who bore a striking resemblance to Marshal Zhu—Xia Yufeng carried supplies and belongings on his back as he quietly left Y City.

Under the same night sky, at a dark seaside, Luo Duan gently touched the Corpse Parasite messenger that came to deliver a message and fell into deep contemplation.

“Should I intervene?” The whisper of his lover echoed in his mind. “Shu Jun is besieging Y City.”

“I have a feeling something isn’t right.” Luo Duan sighed softly. “With his abilities, he shouldn’t let his own people get eroded.”

“But he wouldn’t joke about war. For the synthetics, once their resources are depleted, there’s no way to replenish them.” The voice continued gently. “There are many unexpected things in this world, aren’t there? Perhaps Shu Jun’s abilities aren’t that strong, and he just wants Zhu Sheng to compromise…”

On the gray sandy beach, twenty-one graves were neatly arranged. Luo Duan hopped off Sigma’s finger and sat in front of one of the graves.

“We can’t act recklessly.” His voice was gentle yet resolute. “Shu Jun might genuinely want war, or it could be a feint to lure Sigma out and join forces with the humans.”

“Perhaps they have already officially joined forces.”

“That’s not possible. I know Shu Jun; he wouldn’t be foolish enough to be deceived by the humans’ sweet talk. After entering , he has always acted together with the Blackbirds and wouldn’t have any true friendship with humans.”

Besides, compared to Shu Jun, he was the one who enjoyed analyzing the storyline of and actively interacted with the NPCs. However, even he, who had “cooperated” with Yi Ning, was merely using him.

“First, send an Alpha Erosion Swamp with sentience to investigate the situation. Given Yi Ning’s temperament, he will definitely try every means to bring the people from the settlement into the city… Since they are enjoying the killing so much, we might as well intervene.”