Chapter 37 - Kawaii

While he was still struggling for survival in the game, various large guilds had already occupied bases in different regions and were expanding their territories from these bases as foundations.

At the same time, they had started executing a plan called ‘Hummingbird,’ deploying drones and setting up large ground communication stations in the airspace and on the ground of various regions, aiming to achieve broad signal coverage and to realize intercommunication within the game as soon as possible.

But that wasn’t surprising, after all, the large guilds had a lot of people and resources.

They had unified command, unified coordination, and could concentrate a large number of combatants to tackle tough challenges, collect a variety of weapons, and distribute them to the best users.

Su Mo even saw Mechas in a post by an elite player from the Brotherhood.

Genuine Mechas, even though they looked a bit rough on the outside.

But they were indeed the real deal, and Su Mo felt his blood boiling at the sight.

Besides, other than discussing the progress of these large guilds on the forums, if you scrolled down, it was all recruitment ads.

All the guilds were recruiting like crazy.

Some even spent a fortune to buy ad space on the front page of the forum, pinning their posts to the top.

“Starlight Guild offers high rewards for top-tier front-line pioneer players!

Whether your expertise is in programming, biology, mechanics, etc., we want you all!

In addition, there is no cap on remuneration, with the recruitment of the most top-tier combatants; bring your combat data and footage for evaluation.

As long as you’re strong enough, name your price!

Important things to say thrice, welcome the most top-tier combatants for evaluation!!

One more thing, if the record is made with heavy weapons, don’t bother submitting it!

We’re looking for well-rounded combatants, we don’t lack weapons and equipment!!!”

Inside this post, there were already millions of comments.

“Requesting to join the guild!”

“Seeking refuge!”

“Guys, disperse, the recruitment standards of this guild are too strict.

They’re asking for real-world professional certifications for programming expertise and even graduation from prestigious universities.

The requirements for combatants are even more ridiculous; one has to take down two or three Zombies with a melee weapon.

TM, when I see a Zombie, my legs are trembling, shooting them is barely manageable, but only a fool would go toe-to-toe….”

“Don’t listen to that idiot above, I joined the guild, and the benefits are really sweet!

With social security and housing fund, a monthly salary of 1000+; I’m white-collar level, haha!!”

Su Mo continued scrolling through thousands of posts, all about recruitment.

A strange look appeared on Su Mo’s face.

He finally understood why Chen Xin of Wuji Guild had been so keen on recruiting him.

It wasn’t just him; all the guilds were recruiting front-line combatants.

It seemed that with the rapid expansion and development, the elite casualties had been severe, and there was an urgent need for reinforcements.

Knock knock~

A crisp knocking sound interrupted Su Mo’s thoughts.

He walked to the door and opened it; a delivery person, panting, handed over the takeout to Su Mo.

“Sir, your takeout.”

“Thank you.”

Su Mo took it, closed the door, and returned to the computer.

He ate his takeout while browsing the forum, finding it more and more interesting.

The strongest Monster he had found so far was a Type II Mutant Monster, which reportedly exceeded the normal scope of cognition.

It had terrifying levels of radiation on its body; conventional weapons were nothing more than trash before it.

Some would even become paralyzed just by getting close.

Additionally, its body’s tissue density was abnormally high, capable of withstanding high heat and heavy blows.

Moreover, they possessed a type of thermal radiation energy and could release it in different forms.

It was essentially a nightmare-level large bio-weapon carrier.

However, it was said that whether it be Type I or Type II Mutants, large-scale surrounding and killing was not advised.

The horde tactic, which players took pride in, was not only ineffective against them, but could even lead to worse outcomes.

For example, the post that Su Mo was currently reading, the leader of a small guild was lamenting on the forum just how stupid the people they recruited were.

Their guild had occupied a small town, and there was this adorable girl in the guild.

She led a bunch of burly guys to surround and attack an elite monster, but her team got wiped out.

Then the girl went back to the guild to shake up some recruits and kept leading people to their deaths.

As luck would have it, I wasn’t online at the time.

By the time I logged in, almost everyone in the guild had died.

But that wasn’t even the worst part.

The worst was that the elite monster, after absorbing enough “spark,” evolved into a Type I Mutant.

The whole town was ruined, and I could only flee with my people, like a dog who lost its home.

Attached below was a photo of a haggard middle-aged man with a beard.

However, in the corner of the photo, there was a girl with big eyes who looked quite cute, making a ‘Y’ sign with her hand.

Countless players replied to the post.

“Identification complete, she’s definitely a cute girl.”

“Such a clumsy and adorable girl, if the OP doesn’t want her, I’ll take her.”

“Is this the start of the legendary love-hate Mary Sue drama?

I’m in love!

I’m in love!”

Su Mo shook his head helplessly.

After a player was killed by an opponent, the “spark” power on their body would be absorbed by the victor.

The more a mutant absorbed, the faster its injuries healed, and it might even evolve, becoming more terrifying.

But if too few people went to attack, they would likely get taken out due to insufficient firepower.

So now a very annoying issue arose, which was that choosing teammates was extremely important.

A strong combat team couldn’t afford to have too many weak links; otherwise, they would not only hold the team back but might also lead to their own demise.

Su Mo browsed the forums for quite a while, and only stopped to rest as the day lightened.

At three in the afternoon, Su Mo returned to the Star Game Cafe, full of energy.

“Good afternoon, Mr.

Su Mo, same spot as usual?”

Xiao An greeted Su Mo with a bright smile as he walked in.

“Yeah.”

Su Mo swiped his card and went upstairs.

Xiao An watched Su Mo climb the stairs, somewhat spellbound.

“Stop staring, he’s already upstairs.

It’s time to switch shifts, and you should log on too.”

Xiao Kui popped up from behind and cheekily said to Xiao An.

“Okay.”

Xiao An replied with a smile.

Meanwhile, Su Mo returned to his private room.

He skillfully lay down in the game cabin and slowly closed his eyes.

When Su Mo opened his eyes again, he found himself on the third floor of the sports arena; however, just after logging in, Su Mo frowned slightly—he sensed that something was off.

The safe zone was usually quite noisy, but now it was ominously quiet.

He vigilantly surveyed his surroundings to ensure there was no danger.

Then, little by little, he walked towards the glass partition in front, carefully looking down from the edge.

At that moment, in the center of the stadium, thousands of players were crouching, holding their heads.

Ten fully armed players, all with rifles, were aiming at the contained players.