Chapter 143

Jiliwala, pull your pants.

Just as everyone stood in strict formation, a twisted, distorted sound came from the spatial tunnel, making the atmosphere even heavier; even Chen Shicheng couldn't help swallowing, ready to activate the Demon‑slaying Formation at any moment.

It's coming, everyone get ready!

Song Bingyuan stared intently at the tunnel, raised his right hand, and said, "Attack… hmm?"

As the first wave of monsters leapt out of the tunnel, he issued the attack order, but after seeing the monsters' appearance, his aura dropped several levels, and his tone sharply turned harsh.

Chen Shicheng's eye twitched, and his restless fingers calmed.

The others did not hesitate, launching their attack immediately, and the monsters that everyone had been defending against fell in a huge mass at once.

How to put it, they're very weak! These monsters are shorter than an adult's waist, their bodies a blue‑purple hue, so skinny that each rib is visible; they wear a tattered cloth of unknown material around the waist as clothing, and their weapons are simple wooden sticks.

Add the pointy ears and bulging eyes, and aside from the wrong color, they look exactly like the legendary Goblin.

Moreover, Chen Shicheng's sharp eyes noticed, in the gaps of the attack, that the monsters in the rear row had no weapons at all, merely clutching stones to throw.

Monsters that an ordinary person with a weapon could defeat one‑on‑one couldn't possibly destroy a town—perhaps it's the foul stench that spreads as they appear? Of course, this is only Chen Shicheng's conclusion based on his own strength; the others do not share this view.

"Xiao Wang, what does the data comparison show? This shouldn't be a domestic monster species, right?" Song Bingyuan asked without turning his head.

A member of the Cultural Tourism Bureau Logistics Department at the back of the crowd held a tablet, frantically cross‑checking; a moment later he shouted excitedly, "Found it! This is a monster from the Russian side, species name Icefield Goblin, possessing the skills Hunger Endurance, Cold Resistance, Rapid Reproduction."

"Get to the point—what are the level and population numbers?"

"Level varies; currently the highest observed is a level‑25 Goblin King, and the population can reach tens of thousands."

"Damn!"

As if to confirm the data's accuracy, the second wave of Goblins leapt from the tunnel already included high‑level Goblins.

Not only had their height and build changed noticeably, but their gear was now iron; the Wolf Fang Club they wielded blocked most attacks, and after a roar they charged toward us.

Behind it, Goblins continuously emerging from the tunnel followed, their numbers swelling, forming a sizable force; the players' attacks could no longer achieve instant kills.

After Song Bingyuan struck down that high‑level Goblin, the players steadied their formation while retreating, trying to trade distance for attack frequency.

However, this tactic is merely a stopgap; the Cultural Tourism Bureau Logistics Department of C City, newly established, even with strong state support, has an average level of only ten.

Moreover, the headcount is pitiful; otherwise they couldn't attend the Closed Beta player recruitment fair.

If members of other guilds weren't also here, the defense line would likely have been pulled back outside the stadium.

And in the spatial tunnel, more Goblins kept emerging, meeting the players' attacks without caring about damage, Waa— shrieking wildly as they continuously charged.

Blending into the crowd, Chen Shicheng kept observing and found the situation seemed rather bleak. Low‑level Goblins are easy to handle; low‑rank Closed Beta players recruited can wipe out most, but slightly higher‑level Goblins, thanks to their Defense Power, already cannot be dealt effective damage.

Moreover, the high‑level Goblins wear equipment of unknown quality, and even some level‑seven or eight players cannot quickly slay them.

Only the highest‑level players can use Skill to swiftly kill such Goblins.

The problem is the numbers are too few; facing an already sizable Goblin force, these senior players are like two or three kittens. Moreover, limited True Essence forces them to retreat to meditate for recovery after use; even with Elixir assistance, they need time before re‑engaging, causing the defense line to keep falling back.

Just as Chen Shicheng could no longer hold back, the intercom on Song Bingyuan's body suddenly rang.

"Calling Cultural Tourism Bureau Logistics Department, C City XX garrison reinforcement has arrived, awaiting orders!"

"Finally, they're here!"

Song Bingyuan quickly took out the intercom, "Quick, set up a defense line around the stadium outskirts, we'll withdraw immediately; the troops should be ready to fire at any moment."

"Yes! Sir!"

The soldiers, swift as thunder and wind, said nothing after receiving the order and immediately convened to act on it.

Soon the outer defense line was completed; after informing Song Bingyuan, the players inside the stadium began orderly withdrawing under his command.

Chen Shicheng, being among the highest‑level present, was placed at the rear, covering the lower‑level players.

While escorting them out through Stadium Gate No. 3, he glanced outside and thought, "This damn is really our team."

Outside, no pedestrians were visible; instead, sandbags formed defensive works, equipped with various light and heavy weapons, and dozens of armored vehicles were parked behind.

Because this is the city center, otherwise even tanks and missiles would likely appear here.

The soldiers behind the fortifications, rifles in hand, stood in strict formation; though it was their first time facing in‑game monsters, each wore a resolute expression, staring intently at the gate they guarded.

"All units, prepare to fire!"

As Chen Shicheng's group entered the fortifications, the commander ordered fire; countless bullets converged into a steel torrent, forming a dense fire net, and the Goblins that surged out fell like wheat being reaped, piece by piece.

Of course, just as novice players cannot affect high‑level Goblins, standard firearms inflict only negligible damage on them.

Some Goblin mages even used Magic Wand to raise shields, bringing their Goblins inch by inch toward the fortifications.

Goblin warriors were even simpler; bullets striking their gear only sparked a few flames, serving as a hindrance, and only heavy machine guns could harm them.

Having no choice, Song Bingyuan could only disperse all high‑level players to the six stadium exits to assist the troops in clearing these high‑level Goblins.

Chen Shicheng was assigned, together with a youngster no older than twenty, to Gate No. 4.

(End of Chapter)