Players Invade Cyberpunk

The events that followed proved Mann's thoughts correct; they actually incited half the city's populace in Watson District to rebel against Huang Ban.

This was a miracle Night City hadn't seen since Johnny Silverhand blew up Huang Ban Tower.

Moreover, the situation continued to intensify as the number and activity range of these mercenaries expanded.

It was because of this that Mann unintentionally revealed a bit about Li De to them.

Since Li De had likely been abandoned by the New American government, Mann saw no point in remaining hidden and downtrodden for a lifetime.

Of course, Mann never intended for Li De to work for Horizon Corporation; that would be a fool's errand. He simply hoped this guy could step out of the illusion called the American dream.

Li De's thick lips moved slightly.

Actually, he felt a bit of regret after firing the shot, thinking he shouldn't have gotten involved in this mess; the fleeting moment of goodwill nearly exposed him, which wasn't his usual style.

If it were the old Li De, even if an entire family were executed in front of him, he wouldn't risk exposing himself by meddling.

Finally, he tucked the pistol back into his belt, his tone filled with fatigue and age.

"Everyone changes, Mann, I'm no exception."

Mann pulled out triangular sunglasses from his pocket and put them on: "What if Miles calls you now, asking you to be her dog for New America, would you go back?"

"....."

Li De closed his eyes and did not answer.

But not answering was an answer in itself.

For Mann, Li De's attitude was enough; he turned and walked towards the alley's exit, speaking sideways.

"Forget it, I'm leaving. Consider today's incident a debt—drinks—that I owe you. Next time at the bar, don't keep avoiding me."

".....maybe there won't be a next time."

"Then I'll plaster the town with notices looking for a Solomon Li De, New American Intelligence Bureau agent, how about that?"

"....."

"Hahahahaha...." Mann laughed and left, "Just kidding, do as you like, anyway, I owe you a drink."

————

The rain continued to fall, the roaring thunderstorm causing the windows of every household in Night City to tremble incessantly.

But compared to the thunder, residents on the outskirts of Night City could also hear the strange sounds coming from Evil Land World, as well as the frequent flashes on distant hills.

In contrast, the firefight near the Horizon Office seemed more like child's play.

Faced with the long-planned night assault by the Night Wanderers, players and workers were nearly caught off guard. Fortunately, the sentries Dakota had stationed in Evil Land sent the message back in time, preventing a disaster.

And the high-strength foundation ring beams constructed for the industrial base, along with the piled prefab slabs and steel, became trenches and fortresses for players to hold.

"Ah hahahahahaha!!!"

Newbie players, bored from too much bricklaying and ready to log off and get up, didn't expect to encounter a monster siege event so soon; their excitement was palpable, each eager to charge into the enemy with a bag of explosives, transforming into Atomic Captain for a major attack on the Night Wanderers.

Jing Luo Joy was ecstatically operating the heavy machine gun allocated temporarily by the office, firing at the Night Wanderers climbing up the mountain, while Jing Luo Angry reluctantly served as an assistant, pulling the ammo belt.

"Awesome! Awesome! Wow, I never knew shooting could feel this amazing!"

Though they've tried the Superdream firearm training and exchanged a couple of Horizon corporation universal rifles, the feeling was completely different from firing a heavy machine gun.

At this moment on the battlefield, controlling the machine gun made Jing Luo Joy feel like the master of the field, wherever the muzzle pointed, enemies crumbled and crawled, like a fortress dominating the world and all nations coming in homage.

Jing Luo Tear served as the observing eyes, calculating the time precisely; when the countdown hit zero, he kicked Jing Luo Joy, who was shooting merrily.

"Move! Five minutes are up! Quickly switch positions, it's my turn now!"

Although most player's activities were concentrated inside Night City, Lin Miao's true base had always been the distant Stone Ridge Mountain; he never gave up on its development or future player group activity plans on the battlefield.

For instance, during sudden operations, newbie players lacking weapons could form an impromptu machine gun squad with a few acquaintances: go to the weapons warehouse to pick up a heavy machine gun, 800 rounds, requiring at least a primary and secondary machine gunner and an ammo handler.

Although the numbers were more than halved compared to a real-world machine gun squad, most players only needed to focus on combat, with logistics handled by designated personnel.

And due to the presence of cybernetic enhancements, players' load-bearing and operational abilities were far superior to reality.

Jing Luo Joy, kicked out, was unwilling but obeyed the agreement of firing one round per person; he had no choice but to obediently join Jing Luo Tear to relocate the heavy machine gun.

They moved the gun away from the concrete prefab pile, and soon after, several programmed grenades emitting a deadly whine fell right into the previous firepower position, blasting the high-strength concrete into pieces.

Machine gunners on the battlefield are the hottest targets, but they die just as quickly. Once your firepoint is exposed to the enemy's view, in mere minutes you'll be blown sky-high along with your cover.

Snipers, tanks, grenade launchers, mortars, even grenadiers and RPGs—there are simply too many things that can take you down.