Chapter 1771: Heroic Figure

Matri Doretti's face was on the "Ember Maiden," and the District Government had already been nailed to the pillar of shame. At this point, smashing the pot and breaking the pieces would tear open more than just a single crack!

The government player's grip loosened slightly.

At that moment, Xu Huo, who was being pressed to the ground as the fuse of the incident, smiled at him and said, "Please perform ten backflips."

This was the special item "A Request Not Easy to Refuse." The item's effect depended on the target, so Xu Huo himself wasn't sure if it would work.

But in the next second, he was pulled up by the player in front of him. After forcibly breaking free from the other's grasp, he expanded the "Cube Space" to the maximum range he could control. Without looking back at the player who was now flipping backward, he dodged the interception of the other two players and plunged straight into the crowd.

Without taking hostages or pushing ordinary people forward as shields, Xu Huo casually found a spot among the crowd. The ordinary people, who had been stunned just a moment ago, now instinctively gathered around him. An elderly man even spread his arms to protect him from the front, shouting at the government players, "If you want to kill him, you'll have to step over my dead body first!"

The government players who arrived later stopped in front of the crowd. Only then did they realize that the red-eyed people standing before them were filled with hatred and anger.

A player frowned and took a step forward, but another young woman rushed up to block them, demanding loudly, "You can kill one person, but can you kill all of us?"

"What are you doing?" the frowning player scanned the crowd. "That's an Outer Zone player. His goal is to stir up trouble in Zone 019, and now you're protecting him? How ridiculous! Don't forget who usually protects you? Who do you rely on to live peacefully in Zone 019?"

These words sparked public outrage. Even the other players standing behind him felt it was inappropriate, but they didn't have time to stop him.

However, the young woman showed no fear. "Zone 019's peace today is the result of the joint efforts of everyone in the entire district. Players protect us ordinary people, but the wealth we ordinary people create also supports the players!"

She paused, took a deep breath, and then said in a louder voice, "Don't forget, one hundred and thirty years ago, if it weren't for the sacrifices of us ordinary people, where would Zone 019 have gotten the money to train you?"

"Did so many people die just so you could boss ordinary people around with your strength?!"

Clearly, she wasn't the only one who thought this way. As her words faded, voices of agreement gradually rose from outside the square. Scattered sounds quickly converged into a deafening chant:

"Go back to the Government Building!"

"Bring out Matri Doretti!"

...

Those who had managed to gather in front of the District Government over the past two days as the incident escalated were mostly people with some connection to the mining disaster, especially the elderly. So when they saw the "Ember Maiden," they felt more empathy, pitying the dead while also suspecting that their own relatives or friends had been murdered.

At this moment, the government players' handling attitude became crucial. Facing people with frayed nerves and deep suspicion of the government, high-handed suppression would only backfire.

Seeing the anger rising among those surrounding the District Government, the government's higher-ups had no choice but to order the players to retreat. Yet, as the players watched the people they usually protected treat them like enemies, they naturally felt bitter. Unable to let it go, some wanted to secretly vent their anger.

The player who had spoken to the young woman earlier slowly backed away while subtly gesturing inward. A small item had just landed in his hand when a man in a Zone 019 military uniform appeared beside him and grabbed his shoulder.

The player was instantly immobilized. Turning back in fury, he was shocked to see the military man beside him and then lowered his head in fear.

"Go back," the military man said without even looking at him, gently patting his shoulder with a white-gloved hand.

The player quickly retreated with his companions from the square. The military man stood before the crowd and declared loudly, "The government will give everyone a clear explanation of this matter. I, Zheng Shijiu, guarantee it with my own life and reputation!"

His straight military uniform was like an unbreakable spine, and the black-gold medal hanging on his chest, representing the highest honor of Zone 019's military, seemed to radiate his conviction, shining with undeniable light. A man like this, just standing there, felt as unshakable as a mountain.

The crowd quieted down. Someone began to call his name, and as they did, tears started to flow.

"Zheng Shijiu is a heroic figure in Zone 019," a player said, coming up behind Xu Huo. "For the past hundred years, he has experienced thousands of player attacks, large and small. Especially when Zone 019's strength wasn't enough to maintain order, he was severely injured many times while saving people, losing both legs and one hand. Below his knees and below his left shoulder, everything is metal prosthetics."

"When he was a child, he was in several car accidents. Passersby at the scene and in the hospital donated blood to save him. That's why he treats ordinary people differently from other players."

The person behind him finished speaking and then melted back into the crowd. Xu Huo didn't turn around, just kept his eyes on the military man ahead.

A moment later, after Zheng Shijiu had calmed the agitated crowd, he said to Xu Huo, "As long as what you say is true and you don't deliberately cause trouble for Zone 019, I can guarantee that no one here will be able to harm you."

The crowd parted, and someone gently pushed Xu Huo. "Mr. Zheng is trustworthy. If he says he'll protect you, he will definitely keep you safe."

Xu Huo looked up toward the Government Building. Few people were visible there. Even the players who had just returned had disappeared, and not a single government official was in sight. Only Zheng Shijiu stood before the crowd—the posture was already very low. Even if the building was now packed with players from all sides, the situation probably wouldn't change anytime soon.

"Your district overestimates me," he said, hinting at something. "A C-grade player, how could I trouble so many A-grade players?"

In reality, nearly a hundred A-grade players had already gathered inside the Government Building. Of course, they weren't there to deal with him. The earlier malfunction of the smart system had probably scared the District Government, and these players were on standby in case the armed robots broke down, preventing anyone from exploiting the situation to stir up conflict.

"We can talk openly. This machine can ensure that your conversation with the government is broadcast live to the entire district." Zheng Shijiu turned and pointed to a huge square Message Collection Terminal that had moved out of the Government Building. Rows of indicator lights flashed on its black metal casing, and the holographic projection eye installed in the center had already turned toward the crowd.

(Chapter End)