Chapter 809
Chapter 809
Meteor Rock Guild had split up into three groups to gather up all the participants within the vast Griffith Park together.
Although there was a considerable number of Players amongst them, given the situation, they had no choice but to bear with it and work together.
These people had been fighting by themselves all around the park. Thus, when they grouped up, their combat power instantly increased by a large margin. However, the number of mutants also gradually rose.
Meteor Rock Guild and the hundred plus Awakened ones and Players that they rescued charged up a mountain. They relied on the observatory there to resist the mutants’ assault.
There were still 15 more minutes before the system revealed Aderick’s location.
“I am Lun Tai, the acting Guild Leader of Meteor Rock Guild.” Lun Tai gently cleared his throat, a solemn expression on his face. “Now, I will tell everyone what we know about this instance dungeon’s current situation.”
The Team Leaders for the tens of teams there stood before him.
“We don’t have much time. That’s why we could only do our best to gather up those inside this park. According to what I’ve heard so far…” Lun Tai considered before continuing, “There should be a total of 18 teams, 121 people altogether. As for the areas outside this park, there should still be other teams. But since they chose not to head into this park, I believe that, be it their strength or courage, they would be below satisfactory. There is no need to worry about them.”
The 18 Team Leaders there exchanged glances and nodded. They felt lucky.
If they weren’t inside the park at that very moment, there would have been no chance to join forces.
The number of mutants was simply overwhelming. Additionally, their strength seemed to be growing with time. On their own, it was just a matter of time before this tsunami-like number of mutants engulfed them.
“I know that there are Awakened ones and Players here. There might even be some grudges between you fellows in the past. However, in this instance dungeon at least, I hope that you can put it aside. It doesn’t matter who killed who in the past, who snatched what items from whom, or how you fellows would kill each other when you meet again in the next instance dungeon. Here, at this very moment, we need to sincerely join forces, otherwise… everyone here will die.”
“I’m not trying to scare you.”
Lun Tai saw several of them frowning and continued, “You all know that something has gone wrong with this instance dungeon, but you are probably still in the dark as to what exactly changed.
“Simply put, a team has obtained the quest item and initiated a hidden quest line. They took the place of the monster created by the system to become this instance dungeon’s BOSS. The power he possesses allows him to control the alien genes that were inside the meteorite and create a massive mutant army. Those are the mutants that you fellows encountered earlier.
“Because of his ability to infect others, the number of mutants is dependent on the number of ordinary humans in Los Angeles. In other words, it could go up to millions or tens of millions.”
The faces of the Team Leaders there darkened slightly.
Earlier, they had already sensed that the number of mutants was gradually increasing. They also had a foreboding feeling about it. But upon hearing that number from Lun Tai’s mouth, there was no way they could remain completely unfazed.
“However, there is no need to worry too much. As I have said, as long as we work together, there is still a chance of winning.” Lun Tai shifted the direction of the topic. “At present, it would seem that not everyone infected would immediately mutate. We speculate that it should have something to do with the individual’s body. Meanwhile, there are only 10 more minutes left until the system reveals the BOSS’ location. Once we receive the coordinates, we will set off right away and decapitate the leader before all the NPCs transform into mutants.”
“Ten minutes?” An old man with white hair frowned. “The system is silent right now. How do you know it will give us the coordinates in ten minutes?”
“That’s right. Why is it that only your team knows more?”
“Did the system give a prompt to your team alone?”
“Tell us! If you want us to risk our lives, you need to be clear with us!”
Several of the Team Leaders started talking at once, asking questions.
“There is no need for you to know that.” Lun Tai coldly swept his eyes across them all. “Every guild has their own secrets. I believe the same is true for you all. And let’s be clear. We are just working together. You are not risking your lives for me. You are risking your lives for your own sake. If our Meteor Rock Guild did not come rescue you fellows, would you still be alive right now? Would even half of you be left standing? If you want to live, fight alongside us. If you are unwilling, it’s very simple…”
Lun Tai pointed out the window. “If you think that you would be risking your lives for us and become cannon fodders, you may leave anytime.”
Outside, the sound of gunfire could be heard at all times. They were occupying a small building in the observatory. And even though it was the most durable one, the mutants scattered about would occasionally charge at their location.
With the exception of the Team Leaders here, whom Lun Tai had brought to the top floor to discuss the situation of the instance dungeon, the other members were currently following the lead of the rest of the members of Meteor Rock Guild. They were split up amongst the various doors and windows and fought to stop the attacks.
Thankfully, there were no longer any live humans inside Griffith Park. Time was needed for the mutants to reach their position. Due to that, they had a relatively easier time defending.
However… this was with over 100 men working together to defend the place. Should any team choose to leave this building, they would likely stand no chance of surviving.
In truth, Lun Tai himself was feeling troubled.
If possible, he really did not want to do this.
In most of the instance dungeons they participated in the past, whenever there was a need to work together with others, they would let Jiang Long make contact with the others. Lun Tai would never reveal himself. Thanks to the partnership between them and Meteor Rock Guild, Jiang Long’s China branch managed to score a considerable number of points, becoming the strongest one within Starfall Guild.
Two months ago, Lun Tai made a firm decision to give up on the partnership between them and Jiang Long.
In the beginning, due to their lack of strength, they needed to attract a certain number of Awakened ones to join their faction to ensure that they could complete the hidden quests. That was true for many of the instance dungeons they had participated in. But when their strength had been developed to a sufficiently high level, continuing to carry Starfall Guild along with them would not be worthwhile.
At any rate, in most of the instance dungeons they participated in, they could – relying on the strength of their guild alone – smoothly clear it and earn themselves a lot of points. Why should they hand over a portion of the points to help Starfall Guild expand?
Naturally, the Star Sand deal that they had negotiated before this was still in effect. The 10,000 points obtained from selling Jiang Long the Star Sand every month was no longer a huge sum for the current Meteor Rock Guild. However, should they cut off this deal as well, it would be difficult for them to maintain a friendly relationship.
When they worked together in the past, the one that stood out would always be the China branch of Starfall Guild. Thus, very few people would know about the existence of Meteor Rock Guild.
At present, however, Lun Tai had no choice but to step forward, summon the other teams and become the organizer.
If possible, he had hoped that they could hide themselves and not have his team be known too much. But the current situation had left him with no other options.
“Cough…”
The Team Leaders who spoke up earlier revealed awkward expressions. Looking at one another, they let out a few dry coughs and fell silent.
“No one objects, right? Good.” Lun Tai nodded. “Then, let’s hurry up and make arrangements for our next course of action. Firstly, give me a rough layout and strength of your teams.”
After a moment’s hesitation, the Team Leader of the small team with one male and three females cleared his throat. He was the first to speak up.
“Buck’s Harem Guild, four members, our skills…”
…
“I… holy shit!”
Roddy’s eyes bulged and he turned to look at Qiao Qiao, who was beside him.
Mutants in the surrounding area would rush towards the observatory sporadically, but the 100 plus participants there – now united – were able to stop them. As for the members of Meteor Rock Guild, they only needed to oversee the situation for now. They would only take action during critical moments.
At that very moment, Roddy and Qiao Qiao were standing at a corner side of the rooftop, observing the situation of the battlefield.
Just now, the system had given them a prompt.
[Prompt: A Player has initiated a hidden quest. Gene Proliferation: Devour the embryo inside the alien meteorite and obtain the Species Lord status.
[The system’s protection period has ended. Now announcing the coordinates for the Species Lord’s location.
[Current quest: Kill the Species Lord.]
Following the prompt, the coordinates for a place appeared on everyone’s personal radar.
However, the place was located far away from the urban area of Los Angeles. It was over 50 kilometres away in the northeast direction, a mountainous area.
“This… so far?!” Roddy swore furiously. “Damn it! We had assumed that, even if he isn’t around the zoo, he wouldn’t be too far away. But now, we have to bring so many people with us…”
Qiao Qiao’s face was also somewhat contorted.
If it had been just them, the members of Meteor Rock Guild, they could have boarded the Tidal Fighter. This distance would not have been an issue and they would be able to fly over in an instant.
The others on the other hand, would have their hands full just facing the nigh unlimited number of mutants. Not to mention, there was still Aderick, the former titan from Zero City.
Bringing all of them across a distance of over 50 kilometres… it would most likely end up killing them as well.
“Roddy, gather up in front of the main entrance.” Lun Tai’s voice came from the guild channel. “Prepare to set off!”
“This is just… fine, understood!” Roddy gritted his teeth and leaped down the rooftop.
Quickly, everyone gathered at the entrance.
Although mutants would still appear from time to time, they were incapable of threatening them. Three Thunderstorm Tanks had been brought out to defend their surroundings.
“I said it before, we need to sincerely work together. So, we will first show our sincerity.” Lun Tai smiled as he looked at the expressions of surprise, envy and excitement on the faces of the three Team Leaders there.
“Dawn’s First Glimmer Guild, Firebone Guild and Moonlight Lizards, each of you take one. Naturally… after this instance dungeon is over, you need to return them to us.”
“Of course! Of course!”
The Team Leader of the Moonlight Lizards was a short, middle-aged man. He quickly walked forward to stand before the Thunderstorm Tank closest to him. Reaching out with his hand, he stroked it for a while, his body nearly trembling.
Since the destruction of Zero City, the high-level guilds from the world of Awakened ones had been badly damaged. These three teams had around 20 men and their strength was quite good. Even so, a high-grade item like the Thunderstorm Tank was something they had only ever seen. They had never gotten to use one before.
And while Lun Tai did mention that he was just lending the Thunderstorm Tanks to them temporarily, to be returned after this instance dungeon was over, to be able to temporarily use a Thunderstorm Tank inside an instance dungeon was already an unexpected stroke of fortune.
“There are also weapons and ammo.” This time, Lun Tai addressed everyone there. “If the ranged weapons on you are not good enough, or if you do not have enough ammo, come get it.”
Lun Tai then brought out a pile of energy-type weapons from his storage gear, piling them up at his feet. “One team at a time. Take turns and refrain from making a ruckus! Buck’s Harem Guild, just now, you were the first to tell us about your team. You fellows get to pick first.”
Under the envious gazes of everyone present, Buck led his three female team members towards Lun Tai. With a wide smile on his face, he took the highest-grade energy weapon there and the corresponding ammo.
The second team, the third team…
Soon, all the weapons and ammo there had been split up.
All of those who had obtained the firearms there stroked the new weapon in their hands, a smile on their faces. At the same time, they were secretly feeling shocked.
This Meteor Rock Guild was not only strong and in possession of great resources, but they were also very generous.
All things aside, the three Thunderstorm Tanks alone was terrifying enough. For the average guild, even having one would immediately give them a great boost in power.
But why… have they never heard of this guild before?
“All taken?” Lun Tai looked around. “Then, let’s head out. Dawn’s First Glimmer Guild, Firebone Guild, you two use your Thunderstorm Tanks to pave a path forward. Moonlight Lizards, you guard the rear. The other teams, follow my previous arrangements and advance under the cover of the tanks. Our objective… Rosemont Preserve!”