This Game Is Too Real

Outside Yavente City, a streamlined research ship is perched atop a logistics building.

The terrain here is elevated, offering a panoramic view that allows one to see the "Tower of the World" several kilometers away, making it a great spot for spectators.

As the pinnacle of the spectator realm, the Academy's prospectors immediately fancied this prime location and occupied it right after advancing from the battlefield to the core urban area.

At this moment, next to the research ship, a prospector clad in an exoskeleton stands behind a sampler mounted on a tripod.

The multi-functional camera on the sampler is precisely aimed at the "Tower of the World," connected to the research ship by a data cable as thick as a python.

Surrounding the busy prospector, five other prospectors wearing exoskeletons stand guard, armed and vigilant.

After all, this is still a war zone.

Even though the war is nearing its end, it's uncertain if something unexpected might arise.

They have to be cautious of all potential threats.

Fortunately, during the period of their data collection, no disruptions occurred.

After the Southern Legion's Teil played his last card, the Alliance dealt with both him and the "anomalous lifeform" that suddenly appeared on the "Tower of the World."

With the victory announcement broadcast, their data sampling entered the final phase.

As the work approached its end, a prospector released his grip on the assault rifle and took out binoculars to gaze toward the "Tower of the World."

Looking at the dark red wreckage that showed no signs of life, he couldn't help but click his tongue and murmur softly.

"It's really just warped..."

Apparently, he wasn't the only one having such thoughts.

Several prospectors standing nearby also had indescribable expressions on their faces, whispering in the communication channel.

"Is that 'Gaia'?"

"Ah... probably, yes."

"Tsk tsk..."

"How did the Southern Legion come up with this? When did they get such astonishing technology?"

"Who knows... but I lean more toward the belief that they didn't even comprehend the technology in their hands."

"Like the Mortal Serum?"

"You mean that virus? Haha, hoping for such a trivial thing... they'd be better off widening their artillery caliber, making it 1000 mm."

"It's not exactly trivial; that thing does have some merit, including this 'Gaia'... we might have underestimated these lunatics."

The vast majority of organisms in nature operate under natural laws, but "Gaia" is different; its very existence is the natural law itself.

Unlike the Prosperity Epoch's academic conception of a "perfect lifeform," "Gaia" is viewed by academia as a "shapeless life form."

Or more accurately, a life form entirely determined by consciousness.

For instance, the indescribable, highly aggressive tentacle monster is based on similar technological principles, manifesting Teil's mental world in the form of carbon-based life.

This may sound incredible, but it indeed happened on Gaia Planet.

That planet itself is the manifestation of "His" mental world.

The Alliance's Institute made a series of conjectures on the origin of Gaia civilization from a social science perspective, but they mostly remained at the conjectural level.

The Academy's research focused more on technological aspects, having unified such phenomena under the category of "Gaia-like lifeforms."

The lair-like entity on the "Tower of the World" building was essentially a type of "Gaia-like lifeform"... though its power was too insignificant, it couldn't even devour a settlement before being crushed by the Alliance.

However, despite being crushed, it still attracted the attention of the Academy's upper echelons.

After all, even for the Academy, this is considered quite a cutting-edge research field, with no reason to appear on the wasteland...

Listening to his teammates' conversation, Song Changfeng, standing behind the tripod, remained silent and meticulously focused on the tablet, reporting the frontline situation to the superior waiting in the rear.

Presently active here is the Academy's "Beacon" team, with him as the team captain.

Unlike the "Alpha" special task force, everyone in the "Beacon" team is either an in-service prospector of the Academy or a bionic, primarily engaged in investigation rather than attack or defense activities.

Incidentally, their previous captain was Zheng Hao, while he was just the vice-captain.

But that guy has been promoted and is now assigned to the Investigation Department, serving in the containment planning group.

In the words of the prospectors, "he's made it ashore."

All in all, compared to other high-risk jobs, the "Beacon" team is considered a promising career.

They not only have the chance to appear in front of senior researchers but also gather scientific experience during missions, accessing high-level intelligence they wouldn't otherwise encounter in a lifetime.

The Academy is different from other places; knowing more actually makes one safer.

Of course, the premise is knowing through avenues permitted by rules.

Every time he thinks about turning 30 soon, a sense of urgency involuntarily arises in Song Changfeng's heart.

He isn't interested in whatever Gaia is about; he only knows he must transition from prospector to researcher before turning 30.

There is an unwritten rule—or pattern—at the Academy.

If someone remains a prospector past 30, their career is pretty much considered over.

In the past century and a half, there have been no exceptions; most researchers have shown extraordinary talent at an extremely young age.

Take Jiang Xuezhou, who was once in his team, for example. He was an E-level researcher as a teenager.

He's not envious of those gifted geniuses, nor does he aspire to climb very high in rank; he just wants to "make it ashore" like his previous captain, Zheng Hao.

If he can become a researcher before 30, he can still strive for advancement.

Even if it's just an E-level researcher, the status is much higher than that of a prospector...

"Suspected Gaia lifeforms have been resolved by the Alliance Army..."

"Yes, the biological activities outside the building have basically stopped... The methods they used are currently unknown, but the life signs and various readings of the observation targets have been covered by new parameters..."

"Alright... We'll clean up here and return immediately."

After ending the communication, Song Changfeng took a deep breath and waved his hand to his teammates around him.

"Data collection complete, let's wrap it up."

Although he couldn't guess the higher-ups' thoughts, from the tone on the other side of the communication channel, it seemed they were quite satisfied with their work.

Perhaps...

A promotion is hopeful?

"Received!"

Hearing the boss say to wrap up, the young men finally relaxed, responding in unison and heading towards the open hatch of the research ship.

Compared to previous tasks, this mission was so easy it was like a perk.

Sitting on the boss's research ship, watching a war film, taking some photos and charts, and then heading home to call it a day—such a lucky break probably doesn't come even once a year.

However, just as everyone was thinking this, there was a sudden ripple in the tranquil air.

"Buzz——"

The speed was so fast that no one could react, and a prospector in an exoskeleton was knocked away as if hit by a train.

The ballistic panels shattered into countless pieces, crashing down the building along with the body like a ragdoll.

Seeing the electromagnetic signal ripples suddenly jumping on the radar, Song Changfeng, standing at the hatch, felt a sudden alarm and shouted loudly.

"Sniper! It's an electromagnetic rifle! Three o'clock direction!"

There was no need for his reminder; everyone had already reacted instinctively, hiding on the other side of the research ship before the second mass bomb came.

Without a moment's pause, Song Changfeng immediately remotely activated the research ship's deflection shield.

Almost simultaneously, the second mass bomb exploded ten meters away, exposing the reinforced concrete on the rooftop!

Fortunately, the bullet's direction was deflected by the shield.

If it had hit a person, the consequences would have been unimaginable!

Looking at the alarming breach, Song Changfeng, hiding at the hatch, felt his heart pounding fiercely.

Who could it be?!

No—

This is not the time to think about that.

Seeing everyone suppressed outside the research ship, he shouted loudly.

"Get up here quickly!"

Seeing the deflection shield open, the four prospectors outside rushed into the door.

In the distance, there were three more bangs, but they only kicked up some concrete fragments and didn't affect anyone.

Seeing all the team members back on the ship, Song Changfeng immediately closed the hatch.

The hatch closed heavily!

Seeing the tightly shut hatch and the well-functioning shield energy slot, his frantic heart finally began to calm down.

Safe now...

As the anti-gravity device engaged, the plasma engine emitted a plume, and the research ship, shield in tow, ascended into the sky.

Everyone sat on the floor, removing their helmet visors, with expressions of lingering fear on their faces.

"Damn it..."

"What the hell just happened?!"

"Little Wang, he..."

"Damn!"

Thinking of the unfortunate young man who met his end, Song Changfeng felt a sharp pain in his heart.

Though their time together was short, the young man surnamed Wang had left a good impression on him; the ending was unexpectedly abrupt...

However, now is not the time for sorrow; as the captain, he has more important matters to attend to...

With his index finger tapping on his neck, Song Changfeng connected to the research ship's communication module and reported with a serious tone.

"...This is the Beacon team... We were ambushed."

"We can't determine how those guys discovered us. But they seem... It's like they know exactly where we are."

The crackling static on the communication channel flowed quietly, as if the device was broken.

Song Changfeng appeared slightly hesitant, rechecking the well-connected icon and finding no anomalies.

What's going on?

Just as he was bewildered, an icy sensation suddenly pierced through his back and burst out of his chest.

He watched in shock as a dagger emerged from his chest, and the four familiar faces shifted from stunned to panicked.

"Cough—"

Song Changfeng wanted to say something, but only coughed up a mouthful of blood, then his vision went black, and when he regained consciousness, he was already lying on the blood-soaked alloy floor.

A stranger wearing an exoskeleton stood in the center of the buffer cabin, their face hidden by a dark silver helmet and black visor, blood dripping from the dagger onto the floor.

As for his four teammates, they all lay on the blood-soaked floor just like him.

Song Changfeng wasn't sure what method that guy used; all he knew was that in an instant, they were completely wiped out.

Optical camouflage...

No, not just optical camouflage!

He suddenly realized what the electromagnetic signal ripple jumping on the radar earlier truly was.

The sniper who fired at them wasn't aiming to snipe them but to cover the teammates boarding the ship...

"You... What the heck are you?"

Song Changfeng desperately reached out his hand, trying to grab that person's leg.

It seemed that his voice was heard, as the person turned to face him.

Without any warning, the blood-dripping tip of the dagger and the toe pointed at him seemed to instantly vanish from his sight.

When Song Changfeng realized, a slight sound already swept past his rear skull.

"Splat—"

No pain.

Song Changfeng only felt his vision roll forward, and then his consciousness completely plunged into a deep abyss...

Meanwhile, at some place thousands of kilometers away in the Wandering Swamp, the Investigation Department's containment plan group.

In a battle command room spanning 200 square meters, dozens of eyes stared intently at the six lost signals on the holographic screen, dead silent.

The man standing at the bottom of the holographic screen had a face as stern as water, his expression unpredictable, leaving others guessing his current thoughts.

At this moment, a B-level researcher cautiously approached his side, lowered his voice to report.

"No signal..."

The man's expression grew even more grim.

Regardless of anything, losing a research ship is a big deal, especially since this research ship was lost under mysterious circumstances.

The Chief Technical Officer will certainly inquire about this matter.

Even though he's the director of the Investigation Department, it's not easy to brush this off.

After a long silence, the man finally sighed in resignation and closed his eyes.

"...Looks like we can only rely on our allies."

The Alliance likes taking things apart.

A research ship isn't just any all-terrain exploration vehicle; it's a means of transportation that can make it to the Moon with one step on the gas.

If it weren't for absolute necessity, he really didn't want to ask those Blue Ground Squirrels for help...

...

People's joys and sorrows do not connect.

At this moment, the entire Alliance Army was still immersed in the joy of the war's victory, unaware of the troublesome situation their allies were facing.

At the entrance of the refugee shelter.

The smiling Debt Giant Eye was carrying a sack, handing out candy to the cute little girls.

Actually, he initially had two sacks.

But on his way here, he got robbed by a bunch of goons, so now he's left with only one.

Looking at those happily munching on chocolate little Kali, he felt an indescribable satisfaction in his heart, as if he himself was the chocolate melting away.

Isn't this far more fun than feeding pigeons at Potato Harbor?!

"Eek—could this guy be a perv?" [Hungry Force]'s face showed a complicated expression.

Standing by her side, [Bow to Hungry Force] tugged her hand.

"Let it go, that guy is Big Eyes."

"Oh, oh, it's Big Eyes..." [Hungry Force] nodded knowingly, looking at her partner suspiciously, "Wait a minute, how come you seem so familiar with him? You guys play together often?"

[Bow to Hungry Force] broke into a cold sweat, hurriedly waving his hands to clarify.

"No, no... There's no need to be that familiar, anyone with a profile on the forum would recognize him."

Seeing his skeptical partner, he placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed her aside.

"Let's go, let's submit our mission quickly, never mind him. Although he doesn't have much integrity, he does have a bottom line."

The fact is certainly true.

Even though numerous suspicious gazes were fixed on this guy, since he didn't make any further or noticeable moves, nobody said much.

And as for other people's thoughts, Big Eyes had long since stopped caring.

Let these goons say whatever they want, anyway his reputation is already flea bite doesn't itch, debt never worries.

Compared to those players with a million schemes in their minds, he definitely still preferred hanging out with NPCs.

"...Eat up, don't hold back, your Uncle Big Eyes has a lot, a lot more."

Looking at those hopeful faces, Big Eyes wished he could turn all the silver coins in his pocket into chocolate and toss them to them.

A slender little girl looked up at him, her shiny eyes sparkling like little stars.

"Uncle Big Eyes... Are you... the Santa Claus?"

She didn't know what the term meant, she just overheard other residents of the refuge referring to him this way.

Debt Giant Eye smiled, about to say don't listen to those Blue Ground Squirrels' nonsense, he'd always walked in openly through the front door, never climbed through a chimney.

However, at this moment, a humorous voice suddenly called out from behind him.

"Santa Claus? No, no, in our place he's usually called a bootlicker."

The little girl paused, tilting her head and silently repeating it.

"tiān gǒu?"

Seeing her mimicking rather well, Construction Site Youths and Bricks' eyes lit up, cheerfully rewarding her with a lollipop.

"Exactly, that's how you pronounce it!"

Without giving Big Eyes any time to react, the little girl joyfully looked at him and mimicked the newly learned "refuge black talk."

"Uncle Big Eyes is a bootlicker!"

The expression on her face was too bright, coupled with the piercing voice, it seemed to create a critical hit effect that hit Big Eyes' heart with indescribable pain.

Pain!

Too painful!

"Hahaha, damn!"

Construction Site Youths and Bricks laughed loudly, while Big Eyes furiously launched a kick at the former's backside.

"I'm gonna kick you!"

Seeing this guy's murderous intent, the construction site guy was also a bit jumpy, hurriedly running aside.

"Oh crap! Brother Eyes, I was wrong! I apologize! I-I-I'll kowtow for you!"

"Get lost!!!"

Throwing away the chocolate, Big Eyes chased madly after the construction site guy, dying to take this goon back to the Springs.

The two ran around the camp twice without stopping, the Intelligence System's physical strength was indeed a bit weak.

Watching the non-stop commotion of the two, the Roll Wash Head shouted with laughter.

"Can't you stop fighting!"

Watching the uproar at the camp entrance, Laplace couldn't help but smile as his lips curled.

It felt as if days like these had been absent for a long time.

For a moment, he seemed to return to much, much earlier days in the City of Dawn.

At this moment, Edge Shoveling from the Death Legion walked in from outside the camp, finally pinning down those two "conspicuous bags."

"Here comes a mission, the command says a researcher in the north died, um, seems like a prospector... Anyway, they're Academy people, roughly the same meaning."

Construction Site Youths and Bricks raised their heads in confusion.

"Academy people? Do they have people here?"

The Roll Wash Head also looked confused, scratching the back of his head.

"Never saw them during the fight, how come they suddenly appear after the battle's over."

Edge Shoveling smiled.

"When are those guys ever idle? Regardless, someone doing tricks on our territory is ultimately a threat, who's gonna come take a look with me?"

Construction site guy and Big Eyes unanimously raised their hands.

Edge Shoveling snapped his fingers.

"Alright, gear up and follow me."