Chapter 36

Chapter 36: The Day People Awaited the Return of Heroes

The barrage was sent by the Digging Maiden herself.

She no longer felt any joy or sorrow; one word could describe her mood, and that word was 【numb】.

At this moment, no one understood the feeling of heaven and hell better than she did.

Not long ago, she was still thinking about how to attach herself to Bai Fu’s side to achieve mutual benefits, and was fantasizing about becoming a major content creator in the gaming industry. But before she could even feel happy about it, her fate and Bai Fu’s fate both took a drastic turn, heading downward.

What does it mean when everything falls apart!

The Digging Maiden wanted to cry but had no tears.

What could she do? She could only sit on the ground, just like other players, staring blankly at the pickup truck driving away.

She wondered, when Yi Shui saw off Jing Ke, what were the feelings of those who watched Jing Ke depart?

Is this our final farewell?

Maybe there’s still a one-in-a-million chance for Fu Fu to survive?

You’re only daring to say one-in-a-million, doesn’t that mean you don’t actually believe there’s any hope at all?

Damn it, the plot planner really should be damned!

Mom, I hate knives, even if they’re the kind that burn themselves to save the world.

Actually, if used well, knives can make the plot more dramatic. It’s just that they came too suddenly and quickly, right when Bai Fu’s story seemed to just begin.

Yes, it came too fast, just like Bai Fu’s pickup truck now, so fast that no one had time to react.

In the live stream opened by Pai Da Xing, Bai Fu, sitting in the driver’s seat, revealed only a cold profile. Her hands firmly gripped the steering wheel, pressing the accelerator to the floor.

No one knew when the passage through the Bug Tide would disappear, so her only task now was—

Speed up, crazily speed up!

Road signs in the way? Knock them down!

Fences blocking the path? Knock them down!

Amoebas blocking the way? Knock them down!

In less than a few seconds, the pickup truck rushed out of the settlement, like a straight spear piercing through the gap in the Bug Tide.

This massive movement caught the attention of the amoebas chasing after the players, and they immediately changed their target, surging toward the pickup truck like a tidal wave.

“Fire! Fire quickly!”

Pai Da Xing shouted, directing the players who had climbed onto the pickup truck with him. Their guns were taken from Xia Shi.

Instantly, dust flew under the wheels, and gunshots erupted inside the cabin.

However, the number of bugs was overwhelming, and a few scattered shots couldn’t change the situation. As the path ahead of the pickup truck began to be blocked, everyone watching felt their hearts tighten.

If there were only one or two amoebas blocking the way, the pickup truck could easily crush them. But with tens or hundreds of them, the pickup truck’s power was utterly insufficient to break through.

And once the pickup truck stopped, everyone on board would be surrounded by countless amoebas.

【Death】

The word suddenly popped up.

The spectators’ hearts raced like the pickup truck’s engine, almost leaping out of their chests.

But before they could express their thoughts, the amoebas surged forward as if they had entered a time-stopped realm, all frozen in place.

What happened?

Could it be a bug glitch?

How could it be… Oh my god, look!

BOOM!

The roar shattered the cold night. The next second, the pickup truck fiercely pierced through the Bug Tide, launching into the wilderness after crossing a slope.

It… flew?

Even those inside the pickup truck, including Pai Da Xing, were stunned until the pickup landed, crushing an amoeba, splattering blood on the windshield. They finally reacted.

“We made it! Haha, we made it out!”

The players on the pickup, the viewers watching the livestream, and Yago and Xia Shi all cheered loudly.

How did you do it? Why did those amoebas suddenly stop moving?

I know, look at the device Fu Fu just took out; it’s exactly the same as the one Seven used to attack us!

Everyone focused on the spherical device that Bai Fu had just taken out of her pocket.

【Spiritual Energy Restrainer】: Use spiritual energy impact to immobilize targets within a 20-meter radius (remaining uses: 1)

Trying to block my way?

Bai Fu’s eyes were filled with killing intent.

This road is indeed a path to death, but she is the one spreading death!

【You killed a Type II Amoeba, contribution 100%, after level adjustment, gained 270 experience points】

【You killed…】

“Behind the left rear, an amoeba is trying to attack the tires, send it on its way.”

“There are three amoebas on the right, find a way to take one out, otherwise, the door won’t withstand their collision.”

Bai Fu calmly directed.

Her face remained stern, showing neither joy nor panic. It was this calmness that attracted people most.

Fu Fu is awesome!

Digging Maiden, don’t slack off, come out and watch the divine scene!

We can’t die, we absolutely can’t die!

If earlier everyone thought Bai Fu might not return alive, now their courage grew slightly larger.

Perhaps, there really is hope?

Players began taking action.

On-site players intensified their attacks against the amoebas.

Brothers, put more effort in. No weapons? Fine, use stones! Just keep pulling in more amoebas so Fu Fu can stay safe.

Off-site players rushed to the official account to plead, asking them not to write Bai Fu off, regardless of whether it would work, they started spamming to show their stance.

This united front moved Yago and Xia Shi.

Human emotions, pure and beautiful, are more precious than gems!

The Digging Maiden was also moved by the passionate atmosphere. She stood up swiftly and charged towards the residents of the scrapped cooling plant, who were still in chaos.

Fu Fu risked her life to save these people. Whether Fu Fu survives or not, she must ensure these people stay alive and understand what Fu Fu did.

Fu Fu might not care about fame, but she can’t let Fu Fu’s sacrifice go unnoticed.

“Stand still, no running around. When will you all evacuate to the temporary shelter?”

“You, sitting here waiting to die, have you ever thought about someone risking their life to drive out and lure those amoebas away with themselves as bait? Get up!”

“Get up, do you think it’s fair to Bai Fu’s efforts?”

The Digging Maiden’s appeal initially faced some resistance.

“Who are you? Why should I listen to you? Bai Fu saved us, not you.”

Bang!

At this moment, Xia Shi stepped forward and fired a shot into the sky.

She blew on the gun barrel, “Do as she says. Anyone who disagrees can talk to me.”

…

For a moment, even the most rebellious members of the evacuation team became obedient.

Your logic is solid, you’re right!

On the way to the temporary shelter, these evacuees looked up at the direction Bai Fu’s pickup truck had left.

Can we really lure the Bug Tide away?

After breaking free from the Bug Tide’s encirclement, the situation didn’t develop as the players hoped. The sound of the pickup truck was the biggest source of mockery, constantly attracting amoebas to charge at it. But the real problem was the pollution sources randomly distributed in the contaminated zone.

Bai Fu had to remain highly focused to avoid crashing into the pollution sources, which greatly slowed down the pickup truck’s progress. Once the pickup truck slowed down, the amoebas attracted by the sound could reach it.

A single amoeba’s impact wouldn’t damage the pickup truck, but continuous attacks by many amoebas would be different.

If this continues, the door will be knocked off, and if an amoeba sprays poison inside the car, it’ll be over.

This distance isn’t far enough. If we drop the bait here, the attracted amoebas will still affect the scrapped cooling plant.

The players watching the livestream were anxious.

At a critical moment, the Conversion to Me Fu stepped forward.

“I’ll stay behind. I’ll try to delay the amoebas as much as possible, keep going!”

Bai Fu stared at Conversion to Me Fu for a while, her eyes fluctuating, then accepting the fact, her expression returning to calm.

“Let’s hope we meet again someday.”

“We will!”

Conversion to Me Fu smiled, revealing his white teeth. He found an opening and jumped off the vehicle.

“Come on, you bugs, attack me!”

Under his call, most of the amoebas that had been trying to intercept the pickup turned and charged at him. Seeing this, he ran in the opposite direction of the pickup.

While escaping, he couldn’t help but glance back at the pickup a few times.

Hang in there, everyone, this is my last wave!

Conversion to Me Fu was the first to jump off, but he wasn’t the last. After him, other players followed suit, jumping off the vehicle as human baits when their ammunition ran out.

One, two… Until only Bai Fu and Pai Da Xing were left on the pickup.

“How far are we from the scrapped cooling plant?”

“About 5000 meters,” Pai Da Xing answered instantly after checking the map.

Bai Fu shook her head. “That’s not enough. The influence range of the bait is about 5000 meters. Using it here would still affect the scrapped cooling plant. We need to drive another 500 meters.”

Pai Da Xing agreed with this analysis, but the only issue was that the vehicle might not last that long.

His gaze passed through the windshield, locking onto the group of amoebas that had appeared at some point.

There were twenty-something or thirty-something of them?

With so many amoebas attacking simultaneously, the vehicle would soon be wrecked. It was time for him to step in, but with his current strength, could he hold off the amoebas even for a minute?

He might have had a chance when he was at full health, but after getting injured during the battle with Yulia, he hadn’t fully recovered. Thus, the likelihood was almost zero.

So unlucky.

Pai Da Xing’s heart sank.

It wasn’t enough time for Bai Fu to drive the vehicle away, and he felt that the mission “Bug Tide Invasion” might not be completed.

“I’ll do it.”

“Huh?”

When Bai Fu spoke, a huge wave rose in Pai Da Xing’s heart, and the players watching the livestream were also shocked.

Hey hey hey, don’t do this, don’t give us hope and then suddenly stab us in the heart.

Save me, someone save me!

Wow, why can’t this broken car fit more people?

I can’t bear to watch anymore.

Bai Fu, who was momentarily monitoring the livestream, secretly smiled. Actually, she deliberately drove the vehicle towards areas with more amoebas. After driving for so long, it was time to return to the laboratory to collect the enhancement potion.

Although she could wait until after dropping the bait to return, doing it then wouldn’t be as impactful or moving as sacrificing herself now.

This distance is perfect. I’ll leave the Spiritual Energy Restrainer for Pai Da Xing to ensure he can safely deploy the bait and complete the “Bug Tide Invasion” mission.

Bai Fu continued, “We’ve come this far with fearless courage, to lure the Bug Tide away. Now that success is within reach, how can we let personal survival stand in the way of seizing this opportunity?”

These words made Pai Da Xing, who had countless thoughts in his mind, involuntarily open his mouth, but he couldn’t say anything.

“I’m sorry.”

He heard Bai Fu say.

“I added a burden that should have been mine to your shoulders, but… let me be selfish one more time.”

Bai Fu shook her head and said with a middle school attitude.

If you think this burden is too heavy, just simplify the problem. This isn’t about saving anyone; it’s just for me. Use the bait on the amoebas!

Bai Fu forced a smile, handing over the bait and the Spiritual Energy Restrainer to Pai Da Xing.

Then, she stopped the vehicle, opened the door, and jumped out.

“Come on, you fearless bugs, come on!”

In the darkness, Bai Fu’s voice was especially clear.

Pai Da Xing still couldn’t speak. He felt his eyes blur, damn it, this was the first time he was moved by an NPC in so many games!

He had an impulse to jump out of the vehicle and face the vicious amoebas together with Bai Fu.

But he knew he couldn’t. Doing so would nullify all of Bai Fu’s efforts, and with his strength, he couldn’t save Bai Fu either.

All he could do was move to the driver’s seat and start the pickup truck under the game’s prompt.

Charge, for Bai Fu, charge forward!

“I’ll be back, I will definitely be back!”

Ah ah ah, whoever blocks the way will die!

The inner shout intertwined with the pickup truck’s roar, like a burst of music, breaking through the barriers of amoebas and the boundaries between the game and reality.

In the rearview mirror, Bai Fu’s figure gradually faded further and further away, until she completely disappeared into the night, as if she had never existed.

Hurry up, Pai Da Xing, hurry up!

I won’t sleep tonight, ah ah ah, even at this hour, Bai Fu is still apologizing to us. Can’t she be a bit more selfish?

I’m crying.

She is the true hero!

To succeed, we must succeed. We can’t let Fu Fu’s hopes be dashed!

Watching the exploding barrage in the live stream, Bai Fu’s heart relaxed a little. When she saw the amoebas she had intercepted stop and rush towards the direction Pai Da Xing had left, her heart relaxed completely.

Next, all they needed to do was wait, and the threat of the Bug Tide to the scrapped cooling plant should be over. After all, the bait Nine dropped was actually in the center of the scrapped cooling plant. The reason it attracted so many amoebas was because many of them followed the noise blindly.

Now, with the bait dropped elsewhere, most of the amoebas wouldn’t gather at the scrapped cooling plant.

What a relief.

Thus, except for some players being numbed by the plot, a world where everyone is happy was born!

Bai Fu punched a sneaking amoeba, and there was no need to delay any longer. She turned and ran towards the scrapped cooling plant.

Minutes later, a pickup truck charged through the night.

As soon as the vehicle stopped, Pai Da Xing stumbled out.

“Big Sister Fu, Big Sister Fu, I’m back, where are you?”

He kept searching, but there was no sign of Bai Fu in this vast wilderness.

Is this how it ends?

Filled with sadness, the screen was flooded with cries. Only by looking for optimism in the narrow gaps could one find a few hopeful messages.

Without a body, without clothes, maybe Fu Fu is still alive?

PS: Thanks to Shangxin Ci and Shengqi Bai Ma 1408 for their donations.

New week, seeking monthly votes for chasing reads.

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