Translator: AnubisTL
The entire truck was crimson red, adorned with white stripes and the letters "TNT."
It didn't look like the terrifyingly destructive TNT one might expect; instead, it resembled a model or prop.
But the explosive force of over 6,000 such high-explosive TNT blocks stacked together would be unimaginable.
After all, a single block of high-explosive TNT was enough to collapse a residential building!
Chen Jiang grinned with satisfaction.
"Load it up," he ordered.
Soon, they neatly arranged the square TNT blocks inside the heavy truck.
Thanks to the space bracelet and Mechanical Wing, this wasn't strenuous labor.
Even with all 6,000 blocks loaded, the massive truck was only half-full.
Next came a crucial step: sealing the truck's cargo compartment.
It's well-known that explosions are far more powerful in sealed environments.
At the same time, they added a few extra ingredients to the mix.
For instance, they tossed massive amounts of scrap rebar into the heavy truck's cargo bed as if it were free. The spear-like rebar would transform into skewers during the explosion, impaling insect race players and roasting them over the flames like grilled grasshoppers.
In addition to the rebar, any sharp metal fragments, small stones, steel balls, and other visible objects were hurled into the cargo bed as if they cost nothing.
Soon, the sun began to rise slowly.
By the time the sun had fully risen, it was 5:38 AM.
After a night of relentless labor, what was likely the largest suicide truck in history was complete. Standing in the sunlight, it seemed to declare to the world:
Big isn't necessarily best.
But big definitely has the most visual impact!
By now, the heavy truck's cargo bed was packed to the brim. The top was sealed with multiple layers of tarpaulin, the best they could manage under the harsh conditions.
Even so, when the first rays of sunlight struck the coal-dust-covered, grimy heavy truck, Scar Dog couldn't help but straighten up, wipe the sweat from his brow, and murmur in a daze, "This must be the closest I've ever been to God. I can even feel my legs trembling."
Li Hao's face was stiff, barely daring to breathe deeply. He knew better than anyone the destructive power of the device before them.
If it detonated, he suspected the entire wilderness might be vaporized into the sky.
Chen Jiang glanced casually at Li Hao without speaking.
Li Hao was crucial to his plans; the man couldn't die.
In future encounters with mechanical race cities, Chen Jiang could simply send Li Hao in to map the area in 3D, instantly revealing population densities.
Then, they could launch pinpoint strikes, making the whole operation ridiculously efficient.
If only Li Hao had appeared sooner, Chen Jiang thought.
Of course, a larger caliber would be even better. Who cares about population density? Just blanket the entire city with a single shell.
Declare the end of the world.
Even Buddha couldn't save them then. We'd blast the heavenly palace to smithereens.
"Now we just wait," Chen Jiang said, clapping his hands lightly. He tilted his head back to watch the rising sun. As the sun climbed higher, the air gradually grew dry and stifling again.
Fortunately, the armored vehicle had air conditioning.
They needed to wait until eleven o'clock that night.
According to Brother Gun'er's intel, that was when the insect race Queen Mother would reproduce. All insect race players would be gathered in the sky pit, guarding her, preventing any stray movements.
This is absolutely fantastic!
Such a momentous occasion as childbirth deserves a proper gift.
Let's send 6,666 high-explosive TNT charges—a lucky number, after all.
Let the celebrations be explosive!
Meanwhile, on the mechanical race's side...
Feng Jiutian stood on a desolate mountain peak, head bowed in shame, his face flushed with guilt. Before him, an elderly figure with temples streaked with silver and eyes that flickered with electronic red light spoke sternly.
"Never speak such childish words again."
"The fate holder of the mechanical race carries a heavy burden, one that cannot be contained by mere weapons."
"We possess far more powerful armaments than this."
"The mechanical race does not lack for weapons. Do you understand my meaning?"
"I understand," Feng Jiutian murmured, his voice barely audible. "I apologize, Elder. I acted impulsively."
"Hmm, not entirely impulsive. Youthful fervor is natural."
"But while you may afford to lose, the mechanical race cannot."
"In the Ten Thousand Races Arena, momentum is everything. A race that loses its momentum is destined for extinction."
"We lost yesterday. Today, we must win."
"And we must win decisively, crushing our opponents."
"Yesterday, that human player slaughtered 140,000 alien races, didn't he?"
"Today, we will slaughter 200,000!"
"I've granted you full access to all Meat Valleys in your vicinity. Set sail immediately. You'll likely need to make several runs today."
Feng Jiutian froze, instinctively looking up in shock. "Elder, I..."
"What 'I'?" The Elder on the screen feigned displeasure, a smile playing on his lips. "The mechanical race's honor was tarnished yesterday. We must reclaim it today."
"But what about the future race kill rankings?"
"That's not your concern."
"Oh, and send out a global speaker message. I've already dispatched three global speakers to your location."
"We can't let a human player continue to ride roughshod over the mechanical race."
"Understood!"
Feng Jiutian nodded emphatically, his eyes gleaming with suppressed excitement. After the transmission ended, he punched the air with a triumphant fist, his eyes flashing with the thrill of impending revenge.
"It's time the world remembers the name Feng Jiutian!"
"The humiliation of yesterday will be completely washed away today!"
Meanwhile, Chen Jiang lay back in his armored vehicle, enjoying the air conditioning and resting up for a major operation that night.
Suddenly, a voice boomed in their ears:
[Global Speaker!]
[Mechanical Race Player Feng Jiutian: "Chen Jiang, you killed so many aliens yesterday, yet today you've barely managed to kill twenty thousand? What's wrong?"]
"What's wrong? Already giving up?"
"Is it you, Chen Jiang, who's withered, or are all human players this weak?"
"Today, I wonder if you'll be as lucky as yesterday and snatch the top spot on the race kill rankings from me?"
Tsk.
Scar Dog, hearing the voice, glanced out the window with a peculiar expression. He saw a massive truck bathed in sunlight, radiating a unique allure. Pinching an unlit cigarette between his fingers, he muttered, "First time I've seen someone offer their face for us to punch."
They had already planned a major operation for tonight. The exact kill count was uncertain, but they aimed for at least 180,000.
After all, according to Brother Gun'er, the insect race players swarming in the air were only a fraction of their forces. Many remained hidden in the sky pit, along with vast numbers of insect race player larvae. Though these larvae posed little combat threat, killing them still counted toward the kill rankings.
A rough estimate of the insect race players swarming overhead alone put their numbers at over 100,000. Adding those in the sky pit, 180,000 was a conservative estimate.
In this situation, Feng Jiutian's deliberate provocation was practically offering his face for them to punch.
Tsk.
Leaning back in the driver's seat, Chen Jiang couldn't help but grin slightly at the taunt. He shook his head without responding, his eyes narrowing as he drifted off to sleep.
Let him gloat for a while.
(End of the Chapter)
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