MMORPG: Divine Mech Hunter

Though the magician was unwilling, he did not dare to defy the will of the deities.

"Young one, you should be grateful for your luck, you should thank the deities' mercy. Our gods are benevolent, not holding your offense against us, we naturally comply. Otherwise, your main army would be utterly defeated, and your two warships would have become our spoils. Kneel, thank the deities, and then you may leave."

Hearing these words, many players hesitated, eagerly looking in the direction of Li Yao.

The entire battlefield was now silent, everyone waiting for Li Yao's decision.

Li Yao was as indifferent as ever, gently shaking his head, "Magician, you're putting me in a tough spot."

"There's nothing difficult about it. You're just a rookie; achieving your current results won't make anyone look down on you. Not anyone can prompt the deities to act," the magician said, though he was already standing from a victor's perspective, feeling superior.

"Do you really think you've won? Clearly, you've misunderstood my intentions," Li Yao chuckled.

The magician froze, then burst into laughter, while the surrounding ogres were even more disdainful.

"Are you crazy? Fine, I'd like to hear how you're troubled."

Li Yao said seriously, "I initially thought the ogres would annihilate us, yet now you're letting me leave safely, even returning the warships. This makes it difficult for me. I originally planned to capture your main city, subduing the ogre clan, but now it's hard to justify such actions."

Boom!

An uproar ensued, with the players in doubt and disbelief, while the ogres laughed uproariously, as if hearing the most absurd joke ever.

Even the magician was dumbfounded, looking at Li Yao, who seemed to be posturing, as if he were a fool.

Given a way out, he still acts like this; would it kill you not to flaunt? Now, not only Li Yao, but they might also become laughingstocks.

After a while, the ogres' laughter subsided, and the ogre sorcerer sneered, "Seems you've gone mad. If you insist on seeking death, we can oblige. Come, let me see the extent of your rookies' prowess."

Li Yao smiled happily, "Now that's more like it. How can war end as child's play? Make sure you survive to the end; when I capture the main city, I won't annihilate you for your earlier words."

The ogres laughed wildly once more, while the players showed discomfort.

Seeing the halted battlefield, Li Yao coldly said, "Who told you to stop attacking? Continue the assault."

The players hesitated, even Momentary Glance and Vast Sky were surprised.

"Brother, it can't be done. Before the losses become too great..."

Li Yao turned his head, looking indifferently at the two, "I hope not to repeat myself. I said attack."

The two were stunned. In such a hopeless situation, to send the guild's main forces to their deaths? Indeed, to them, attacking now, without the warships, seemed suicidal. Capturing the main city was a fool's dream.

Their expressions shifted, and so did the other players'; some began recalling their troops to retreat.

Momentary Glance sighed, "We were too greedy, shouldn't have harbored such unrealistic hopes. But having joined the main force, pledged to follow command and go all out, we will honor our words. Qionghua Guild's legion, attack."

Vast Sky also gritted his teeth, "Am I a man of dishonor? Having pledged to fight at your command, Brilliant Guild's legion, do not withhold the ace army, continue the attack. Even if it comes to the last man, fight on without the command to retreat."

With the leaders' words, though reluctant, they had no choice but to fight on.

In the eyes of many players, the two superguilds seemed insane. How was this different from suicide? After this battle, the superguilds would likely be greatly weakened; weren't they afraid others would take advantage?

As the two guilds continued to charge, the battle resumed. Many players also continued fighting, not for victory, as they felt it was nearly impossible.

But who were they? They were players, and atop the city walls stood not only ogres but also ogre players with mocking expressions. To them, ending things abruptly would be the greatest insult. How could they hold their heads high afterward?

Should they retreat now, they would become the ultimate joke, so they had to fight on, even without hope of victory.

Yet some were wise, quickly withdrawing from tasks, or pulling back their elite troops from the battlefield.

Combatants' faces showed a mien of solemnity, while those retreating had expressions of shame, or smugness, mocking those who fought on.

Li Yao remained silent for a long while, only speaking when no one else withdrew from the battlefield, "Relay my order, all guilds withdrawing from the fight and abandoning tasks will have all their military contributions erased, also stripping them of their main force status."

The order was given, causing an uproar. To those withdrawing, they were already leaving, caring little for losing the main force title. But erasing all past military contributions was a thunderclap out of the blue.

A slew of toy giant dragons gathered in the staff department, not daring to approach the command post, having seen the clear outcome for those before them.

"Hehehe, Prairie Fire, I thought you were a smart one. Didn't expect you to be so unwise. Not only are you refusing to retreat, but you're also making yourself a pariah. I truly overestimated you," the magician shook his head, confidence overflowing, his demeanor now lively.

The current result was precisely what he needed, not defying the gods' will, yet killing Li Yao and his forces, while reviving the two warships. He profited immensely, his words tinged with pride.

Li Yao mocked the magician, "Foolish old fool, with your intellect, how could you grasp my methods? And you've overestimated them; they're merely the dross I've discarded. I still have a living warship, and I invite the magician's guidance."

Everyone was stunned, a third, a living warship, then they stared blankly at the sky.

A terrifying creature, larger than the previous two warships combined, appeared in the sky. Li Yao finally summoned his Void King Insect.

Roar!

A deep, lingering roar silenced everyone as the creature above the aerial battle cried out.

The ripple-like shockwave spread in all directions with its roar.

Pa pa pa pa pa...

The sky seemed to rain, as countless aerial troops below mid-level commanders wobbled drunkenly to the ground, falling like rain, turning into lumps of flesh.

Everyone was stunned by this scene...