This Game Is Too Real

Rolling red sand tumbles on the horizon, faintly revealing a dead city amid the noisy dust.

The towering skyscraper is broken in half, with remnants that resemble a space elevator embedded mid-way.

The remaining glass curtain walls reflect faint light within the wind and sand, illuminating the desolate alley below.

Unknown dangers lurk behind broken display windows, while mutated hyenas with sharp teeth and claws wander under rusty billboards.

A woman in a cloak stands on a nearby dune, holding a telescope as she gazes toward the skyscraper.

Moments later, a mutated eagle owl with brown feathers and mottled spots flaps its wings and lands on her shoulder.

After meeting its sharp gaze for a moment, she reaches out to stroke the owl's feathers, then tosses it into the sky.

"Kraa—"

The owl screeches, disappearing into the rolling dust.

And the woman in the cloak also vanishes from the dune.

Soon, the wind and sand erase her footsteps, as if no one had ever been there.

This is the Great Desert.

If Falling Leaves Province is a life forbidden zone, then this place is a civilization forbidden zone.

No one can leave any traces here.

No one remembers the name of this street or district, and even if someone does, it's meaningless.

Migrating with the wind and sand are not only the nomads of the Great Desert, but also the undulating dunes.

Today's landmarks exposed on the surface might just become the entrance to the "underground world" by tomorrow. Old buildings standing yesterday might collapse into nothingness in a few days.

The only way to mark this area is with a unique string containing longitude and latitude information.

Although there's no orbital satellite navigation, people living in the wasteland always find alternative methods...

[G1178, A2249]

Dark green floating point numbers flicker on the central control screen of the ATV, swaying with the bouncing vehicle.

The man sitting in the driver's seat double checks the coordinates, and while braking, he removes the assault rifle hanging on the inner side of the car door, pushes open the heavy door, and steps out.

Steel plating covers his entire body, and the heavy armor leaves two pits in the sand as he steps down.

"Attention all units, we have approached the coordinate area... act according to plan."

"Received."

As the man steps out of his ATV, other desert-colored ATVs arrive at their positions.

With a bang, the car doors open, and figures armed to the teeth swiftly disembark from the vehicles.

They wear desert-colored exoskeletons, holding streamlined rifles, with an identity insignia patch hanging on their arms.

The patch depicts a scorpion with a sharp tail stinger, and the Enlightenment Society's symbol is printed on the scorpion's back.

They are called the "Scorpion of the Desert."

As the blade in the hands of the Enlightenment Society, their presence in this desert strikes fear into countless Waste Land Wanderers.

After all, this is a civilization forbidden zone, a basement even below the ground floor.

The Waste Land Wanderers active here don't even dream of possessing exoskeletons, barely able to scrap together makeshift rifles, while their protective equipment is at most a few sets of cobbled-together non-powered armor.

The Enlightenment Society not only possesses black box-produced exoskeletons and light to heavy weaponry, but recently acquired military technology and tactical ideas from the Southern Legion.

This stuff works better than the Awakening.

Whether a legitimate or illegitimate Waste Land Wanderer or mutant organization, encountering this group means getting completely outmatched.

Perhaps feeling the murderous aura beneath the smoke and dust, even the variants hidden within the ruins retract their necks and hide their claws as they watch the armed human soldiers, wary.

Approximately one hundred and twenty soldiers split into three groups, silently encircling the central part of the city block with the half-collapsed skyscraper, then alternate cover and methodically close the encirclement.

Standing on a nearby dune, Malik, the captain of "Scorpion of the Desert," gazes through binoculars, expressionless, watching the severed skyscraper, quietly waiting for something.

Soon, a voice from his subordinates comes through the communication channel.

"...signal emitter located at the top of the ruins, about 100 meters above ground."

Without any surprise at the answer, Malik calmly replies.

"Enter the ruins."

"Yes!"

The squad leader operating drones responds, glancing at a soldier crouching on the ground beside him, who tightens his right fist and efficiently signals forward.

Ten soldiers wearing exoskeletons immediately take the order, swiftly advancing along the wall with their teammates' cover.

Simultaneously, two attack drones with suspended gun barrels silently approach the flanks of the team, joining their assault on the ruins of the skyscraper.

Figures drenched in murderous intent are reflected in the dust-covered glass curtain walls.

A man with a stubble beard approaches Malik, curling a finger around his scarf and squinting toward the skyscraper's remains.

"Radio signals discovered in the no man's land, containing encrypted coordinates; decoded coordinates match the signal source location... What do you think he's doing this for?"

His name is Warren, deputy team leader of the Scorpion of the Desert and Malik's longtime comrade.

"No idea," Malik replies offhandedly, continuing to speak while looking at the skyscraper afar, "But if I had to guess, perhaps he's trying to contact our adversaries... Based on this hypothesis, this guy probably isn't from the Alliance, rather likely a dog kept by the Alliance."

Although the Eastern Empire could also be suspect, those Vellante people aren't too invested in the affairs of the Enlightenment Society.

Instead of remote future benefits or civilization interests, that despotic emperor is more interested in immediate benefits.

Only the Alliance, who wants everything.

In short, there are only a few forces closer to the Great Desert, exclusion method should be enough.

Warren raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Who do you think that dog would be?"

Marik sneered and said coldly.

"I guess it's an old friend, at least someone who knows us, but who knows?"

The Enlightenment Society has not only the Alliance as an enemy, it can even be said that the world is full of enemies.

In such a situation, it's extremely reasonable for a force outside the Great Desert to choose to support a secret organization opposing the Enlightenment Society within the Great Desert.

For example, a group called "Watcher" has emerged in the past two years, always opposing them and often ruining their plans.

Instinct told Marik that the signal tower deployed here was most likely the work of the "Watcher."

Or at least, it was related to them.

Thinking of this, a cruel smile appeared at the corner of Marik's mouth.

The old scores need to be settled properly.

Within less than a minute, the ten-member squad that took action first quickly occupied the entrance of the building, and controlled the security passage with the cover of two drones, advancing upwards along the stairs.

Before long, the squad leader's voice came through the communication channel.

"This is Squad One, we have already controlled the signal transmitter... The facility is powered by mobile power supply equipment, no traces of the sender have been found!"

"These damn rats!" Warren, standing next to Marik, cursed.

Marik's expression was somewhat grim, but he wasn't too surprised.

Mobile equipment power supply, remote activation of the transmitting device... such operations were basic ones anyway.

He would do the same if he were in the same position.

"Think positively, at least the communication equipment and power supply are still there, indicating their connection hasn't succeeded."

Pausing, Marik continued.

"At least we are ahead of the Alliance, perhaps we can take advantage of this opportunity to give them a hard blow."

Upon hearing Marik's idea, a sinister smile appeared on Warren's face.

"A good idea!"

When the Alliance people follow the clues here, they'll run straight into their guns.

This way, not only can the Alliance suffer a silent loss, maybe they can even cause a rift between the Alliance and its own dog.

Marik smiled faintly, not showing any humility, instead, he began arranging personnel deployments.

A force of more than 120 people was divided into twelve squads across three groups.

While dispatching three squads into the building, he instructed the other two groups to quietly hide on the east and west sides of the target building, ready to support and assist anytime.

A net was silently set up, waiting for the prey to walk in!

As for the terminal transmitting the radio signal, after thinking for a while, Marik decided not to disturb it, only arranging an off-road vehicle equipped with electronic listening devices to maintain surveillance of its signal transmission, just in case.

All the preparations were completed.

Marik and Warren turned back to the off-road vehicle, drove it into the abandoned urban area ahead, and hid in a shop window along the street.

Next is the waiting.

Marik believed with the Alliance's relentless attitude toward the Enlightenment Society, they wouldn't miss this clue.

As long as the bait is thrown, catching fish is sure, the difference being whether it's a big fish or a small one.

For this, he didn't mind waiting several days, as long as there's a fish to catch, everything is worth it.

Turning off the off-road vehicle's engine, Marik stepped down, just as a deafening roar echoed overhead.

"Plane! Flying north from the south, should be coming from Lavanka Industrial Zone!"

Warren poked his head out of the window for a glance, an astonished expression on his face but also a hint of relief.

It seems they were quick, but not much quicker than the Alliance.

However, even being one step ahead is faster.

Their men were already hidden in the ruins, that plane should have found nothing.

"It must be scouting... their men should be arriving soon." Retreating from the broken window, Warren turned to Marik standing beside him and said.

The latter evidently thought the same, solemnly nodded, then placed his index finger on the side of his helmet.

"...Attention all units, Alliance people are arriving soon, hide and do not let them find you!"

"Wait until the prey enters the cage before taking action!"

Marik issued a clean, swift command and waited for each unit's response, but the communication channel was eerily silent, only faint buzzing static was heard.

Frowning slightly, an ominous feeling rose in Marik's heart.

Although communication in the Great Desert is extremely unstable and signal interruptions are common, such close distance should not reasonably cause such conditions.

"...This is Marik, attention all units, respond if you hear this! Repeat, respond if you hear this..."

Still no response!

The ominous feeling lingering in his heart had turned into an alarm, and at the same time, sudden gunfire erupted, followed by a deafening explosion.

"It's in the direction of the building!" Warren's eyes filled with panic as he crouched by the window, quickly turning his head to look at Marik.

The latter rushed to the window but didn't look at the skyscraper, instead, he glanced towards the sky against the glaring light.

In the cloudless sky, there floated a barely noticeable white glow.

It was a small parachute!

Something seemed to be hanging underneath the parachute!

Staring at the white glow through the helmet visor, Marik's pupils instantly contracted as he cursed aloud.

"Electromagnetic shield! Damn it! They've already discovered us!"

No—

Wait!

Suddenly realizing something, Marik quickly looked towards the skyscraper filled with gunfire, anger turning into bewilderment and terror in his eyes.

A drop of cold sweat crossed his forehead, trickling into his collar.

Those guys have always been there...

Rather than being discovered by the Alliance people, it's more like those guys were here waiting for them all along! Watching them take the bait!

No time to hesitate!

Marik reached out and grabbed Warren's shoulder, glaring at the bewildered face with bloodshot eyes.

"We've walked into an ambush! Quick! Fire the signal flare! Notify the brothers hidden in the ruins to retreat!"

"Okay, okay... What?! Retreat?!" Warren froze as he loaded the signal gun, looking incomprehensibly at his superior, not understanding what the man was trying to do.

Moreover—

What does walking into an ambush mean?

Weren't they ambushing the Alliance?

No time to explain, Marik snatched the signal gun from his hand, loaded a green signal flare, and fired it into the sky without another word.

A streak of green smoke shot up into the sky, soon blossoming into a dark green glow!

Not caring if others saw it, Marik ran directly back to the off-road vehicle without a word, yanked open the door, and sat in the front passenger seat.

Although unaware of what had gotten into their leader, Warren still followed him back into the car.

In a hurry, he started the engine, looked at the leader sitting in the passenger seat, about to ask a question when the latter urged impatiently.

"Go! Drive!"

Warren tightly gripped the steering wheel and stammered.

"Where, where to?"

Marik's face was dark, growling through clenched teeth.

"Doesn't matter where! Just leave here!"

The gunfire outside grew increasingly intense.

Realizing the situation was dire, Warren dared not hesitate and quickly stepped on the gas pedal.

The engine of the off-road vehicle roared like a monster, the spinning wheels drove the body crashing through the window.

He frantically turned the steering wheel left, attempting to return along the original route to outside the urban area, when suddenly he heard a crisp "pop!"

It was the sound of the window being pierced by a bullet, the last sound he would ever hear in his life.

The supersonic mass bomb instantly shattered the helmet, even smashing through half the seat!

Red and white sprayed out together, Warren's head splattered like a pulverized watermelon over half the cabin.

The off-road vehicle crashed uncontrollably into the roadside.

Covered in warm blood, Marik felt his heart stop, his whole being chilled halfway through.

Almost instinctively, he slammed open the car door and jumped out, crawling and rolling into a nearby window before the second gunshot rang out, shouting loudly in the communication channel.

"Sniper!"

The communication jam continued.

No one could, of course, hear that voice.

Meanwhile, on the dunes eight hundred meters away, a [Desert Falcon] draped in desert camouflage netting had a long, thick Gauss sniper rifle set up in front of it.

The strength of this single shot would force even power armor to avoid it, no matter how high the Awakener level, they'd have to kneel!

"Really craven!" Watching the target hiding in a street-side shop, he gently clicked his tongue, raised his index finger, and turned off the charging capacitor.

That guy probably wouldn't dare come out for a while.

But no worries.

This area is crawling with Desert Army soldiers, he has no chance of escape!

Elsewhere, the fierce fighting in the ruins of the skyscraper continued!

Flashing tracer bullets flew freely through the corridors, occasionally accompanied by loud explosions.

Soldiers with scorpions printed on their exoskeletons had faces full of terror, frantically shooting toward the darkness nearby, while dragging their wounded comrades away from the building.

The scene was utter chaos.

Echoing in the darkness were not only gunfire and explosions but also cursing and shouting.

"This is Group One! We're under attack by unknown armed forces!"

"It's the Alliance people!!"

"Damn it! Our communications system is jammed!"

"Signal gun! It's the signal gun!"

"The captain wants us to retreat!"

"Retreat?! Are you kidding me? They've already surrounded us! Without support, we're all going to die here!"

Fear etched itself on every face, and every dark room caused the soldiers of the Enlightenment Society present to involuntarily tighten the strings in their heads.

Forced to fight individually, they didn't know how many opponents there were, or even how many of their own were left...

The team that first attacked the building was the first to suffer heavy losses!

When the Alliance's aircraft swept through the skies, they were on the rooftop of the ruined building, conducting a dispersed search and setting up defenses, entirely unaware that Alliance soldiers were ambushed right under their noses!

And when they heard the roar of the fighter plane screeching past, the Alliance soldiers hidden in the shadows immediately activated the fluorescent identification bars on their exoskeletons, revealing the weapons hidden in darkness!

Led by the Tarlan Raider, about thirty players from the Desert Army launched a surprise attack.

Using the cover of communication jamming and their prior knowledge of the terrain, they formed teams of three and began systematically taking down nearly forty soldiers of the Enlightenment Society scattered throughout the building!

And by the time that gunshot shattered the silence, the team on the rooftop alone had already lost half its members!

Meanwhile, the others remained completely unaware due to the communication jamming, even after the gunfire sounded!

"I'll fight you to the death!!!"

Finally, a lone "Scorpion of the Desert" could no longer contain the fear within and let out a roar, thrusting his rifle from cover and firing towards the flickering firelight in the hallway.

His finger was almost welded to the trigger, unleashing a storm of bullets like a hurricane towards the nearly indistinguishable figure!

The flickering tracer rounds danced across the sharply defined armor, fast as wind, almost brushing through the roaring hail of gunfire to reach him.

The "Scorpion of the Desert"'s pupils contracted sharply, his mind suddenly sticky like paste, with only one thought remaining—

So fast!!!

He had barely discerned the opponent's movements when the opponent had already reached his face.

But it wasn't over!

The bright knife light struck like lightning towards his face, leaving him to instinctively raise his rifle in defense.

"Bang—!"

The immense force sent a jolt of pain through his grip!

And in that momentary pause, he finally saw clearly the cold glimmer tearing through steel!

It was a blade outstretched like a mantis's sickle!

His pupils were filled with terror.

Yet, before he could react, the sharp glimmer sliced through his helmet without slowing down, "clang," piercing his skull.

"Three."

Having effortlessly dealt with a troublesome "Super Soldier," the player in power armor silently counted the bodies, then kicked aside the breathless corpse.

Watching the bloody scene, the Enlightenment Society soldiers hiding behind cover nearby panicked one by one.

Fearful of meeting the same fate, they hastily readied their weapons, launching relentless attacks towards the fierce figure.

The tracer rounds stuck to the power armor felt more like tickles, only the armor-piercing rounds fired by rocket launchers posed any real threat.

But dodging those was easy enough.

Especially in these straightforward corridors and hallways.

Faced with the chaotic firepower, the player grinned wickedly, casually flicking the blood from the Mantis Knife, then charged ahead without hesitation!

At this moment, the "Little Scorpions" facing him were scared out of their wits, unable to maintain their almost collapsing morale, they turned and fled in panic!

The bloody slaughter continued.

Not only was there fighting inside the building, but outside as well!

The "Scorpions of the Desert" ambushed on the east and west sides of the skyscraper's ruins found themselves as prey rather than hunters, trapped in a cage, dying or fleeing under the Desert Army's torrential attack!

Dozens of off-road vehicles scattered like birds and beasts fleeing towards the desert outside the city, only to be blown up by anti-armor missiles before reaching the city's exit.

The soldiers left behind, seeing no hope for escape, faced with mounting casualties, finally threw down their weapons in despair and raised their hands in surrender.

In close combat, where they had never suffered before, they now encountered a formidable challenge!

And for a certain second or third-tier army that had played a subsidiary role throughout the "Southern Barbarian Invasion" expansion pack, this time they finally got to bask in some glory!

Although the fight looked impressive thanks to the help from some solo players, the majority of the battle was fought by the army's own players.

Looking at the thirty-plus prisoners hunched with hands on their heads against the wall, the Tarlan Raider's face glowed with a pleased smile.

"Haha! Damn, that felt good!"

After sitting on the bench for so long, it was finally time for me to show off!

…

(Thanks to the leader "Save me, God of Fire" for the reward!!!)