Chapter 83: This Is the Player

Zhao Jun, though also in the fierce battle, was jolted back to clarity by the sudden easing of pressure.

He didn't know who the other was, but it was clear someone was helping him!

After a shot forced back the goblin warrior's warhammer, he seized the moment, turned his head, and his gaze collided with another player amid the chaos.

Unlike the other players he had met before, this pair of eyes carried absolute seriousness and resolve.

And following that gaze, he saw even more players.

The same excitement, the same fierce fight, the same life‑risking struggle.

When a crowd stands with you, even misfortune becomes something to rejoice over, especially in this blood‑pumping moment.

In the thrill, Zhao Jun let out another shout and charged toward the enemy.

His heart thumped, as if something inside was wildly turning.

His foot jolted; he gripped the gun barrel with both hands and thrust forward forcefully.

In a daze he saw a faint blood‑red aura emanating from his body, and the shot in his hand unleashed greater damage.

What began as a probe turned into a real attack; the blade's edge wrapped the tip, exceeded the attack range, and pierced the goblin warrior's undefended heart.

He slightly opened his mouth, about to savor the subtlety, when a box popped up in the lower‑right corner of his view.

【Congratulations, player has mastered the combat skill: Direct Stab】

"What?"

Meanwhile, on the other side, Fu Le seized the chance to open the opponent's panel.

Although incomplete, it was enough to discern the basic information.

【Nickname: Qiang Bing Bu Qi】

【Level: Lv. 2】

So a player has reached level 2 this quickly?

Impressive!

Ji Ming couldn't hold back and clapped again.

Since he first saw Qiang Bing Bu Qi mowing down a horde of goblins, he locked one of his screens onto him.

Although his combat power might not rank in Sunlight City, among the current players he is unquestionably a battle god.

He sliced through foes like cutting fruit, rescued players everywhere, and the goblins he killed brought riches from all sides.

If he hadn't boldly struck, the first wave of nearly a hundred players would likely have suffered over half casualties.

No wonder he rose to level 2 so fast; with so many monsters handing out experience, how could it not be quick?

Need not say more; he's definitely an SSR, an absolute treasure player.

Ji Ming opened a new page, ready to lock in the game's first achievement.

But his gaze inadvertently caught another player's death notice, and he suddenly remembered.

Right, that "just want to die" guy hasn't been heard from in ages; he can't have…

He quickly searched the holographic map, only to find that this death‑seeking brother…

…had already run to the Training Arena?

Huh?

Players don't know the developers' intentions, and now they're too lazy to find out.

During the fierce fight, Ai Ge kicked a goblin that tried to bite him away, then thrust a gun backward.

In the "EXP +3" notice, his eyes reddened as he searched for enemies, yet he couldn't find any nearby goblins for ages.

Standing upright and looking closely, he realized he was at the outer edge of the battle.

And among the outer ruins, a few pairs of eyes seemed to be hidden.

One player appeared to notice his gaze, sticking out a ridiculous pot‑lid head and glancing at him.

Ai Ge glanced at his panel and couldn't help a silent laugh,

"Society, you strong brother," he thought, "why are they all cowards…"

After a thought, he still swung his hand.

"Even the goblins are about to lose; are you still hiding out there?"

"Come out, let's all fight Sand City together!"

Having said that, he turned and rushed back into the battlefield.

"Damn, does this kid look down on his strong brother?"

He retracted his protruding head, and the self‑proclaimed Qiang Ge spat out a disgruntled retort.

"It's just goblins, huh? How is that any different from the village's stray dogs?"

Cursing, he shouldered a two‑handed greatsword and walked out.

His left hand instinctively patrolled his pocket, but found nothing.

"Ugh, this damn game doesn't even have a single…"

He huffed out two angry bubbles, lifted his chin, turned back, and pointed.

"Support the daring to death, starve the timid; those inside, dare you follow me for another round?"

But the ruins remained silent, only a myriad of mixed gazes.

Seeing no one speak, Qiang Zi glared.

"What's up? I, Qiang Ge, have over a hundred thousand fans online, the Qiang family's iron supporters countless; for something like this, would I still deceive you?"

The players still said nothing, because…

"It's precisely because we follow you to just lie around and eat experience that everyone ends up so unlucky, okay!"

"Dammit, how could I have believed that spirited youngster's classic line?"

He tilted his head and waited a moment, Qiangzi clicked his tongue.

"Alright, I'll go alone."

"Remember, when the sun sets behind the western mountain you're unworthy; when the eastern mountain rises again, who are you?"

Clicking his tongue, he really did go alone, shouldering a blade toward the battlefield.

In the ruins, the players stared at each other; they had all been hunted by goblins, some even having died once.

Watching the swarming goblins on the battlefield, each one's face turned ghastly, their minds filled with images of their own or comrades' deaths.

But…

And those bold enough to come here to spectate couldn't possibly have no resentment and expectation.

"Be sharp; sticking with me to farm points is fine."

"Let's go, let's go."

One by one, spurred—or perhaps deceiving themselves—they also joined the battlefield.

Moreover, reports of a large goblin horde to the southwest of the armory spread across the public chat.

Especially after someone screenshot the 【Gunner's Weapon】 panel, the Level 2 rating instantly blew up among all players.

"Why are we still cruising the battleship? As long as it's a goblin, we have to go help the arena!"

【Stop being a recluse, log in quickly, everyone's going shark‑crazy!】

Consequently, the number of players kept increasing, and they could revive after death; the goblins' numbers kept dwindling, and each death meant another slash.

With this attrition, the scales of victory truly tipped toward the players.

A lone berserk goblin warrior is hard to sustain, and berserk goblins are hard to become a force.

When the last goblin was cut down by a player, the massive battle that should have occurred days later finally ended.

"How's it?"

Dragging his badly injured leg, Fu Le leaned on his rifle stock searching for the other squad members.

Ai Ge covered their bleeding arm, inhaled sharply and laughed a little.

"It's okay; I saw other players say that as long as you exit combat and teleport back to the Great Holy Seat, you'll automatically recover health."

Wu Li lay weakly on the ground beside them, his entire back, armor and flesh split open.

"Think about it, similar real‑world injuries would definitely hurt more than this; this game still has a bit of Asahi's feel."

Fu Le nodded, intending to check on the temporary teammate Mai, but instead saw another figure carrying a gun.

"I just saw you all, impressive."

"Long weapons line both sides, with a sword‑shield in the middle; isn't that the concept of General Qi's Mandarin Duck Formation?"

Lord Zhao leaned against the nearby wall; the HP recovery from the stat boost upon reaching level 2 kept him in good condition.

"You can call me Gunner; you three, what should I call you?"

Fu Le was about to speak when he saw everyone's expression change.

A golden square rose from the bottom of the view, framed by countless fireworks.

【Congratulations player·Seeking a death: First to discover the Novice Village!!!】