Chapter 805: Chaotic Night
Xu Huo hadn't gone far, just to the exit of the underground parking lot. He sliced a speeding, unmanned car in half, kicked a player who had been sent flying toward the lot back out, then moved a broken streetlamp pole from nearby to block the entrance, sticking a "Do Not Enter" sign on it.
Not only the passenger, but also the several players still locked in a standoff nearby saw his actions. One of them immediately sneered, "And who do you think you are? You say don't enter, so we don't enter?"
Xu Huo didn't say anything, just made a "please" gesture.
He stood behind the streetlamp, seemingly unaware that this was a provocation. His expression didn't change, let alone show any sign of wariness.
That player was angered into a laugh. "If I weren't busy right now, I'd teach you a lesson about what a beating from society really means!"
Xu Huo turned and walked away.
That player's opponent didn't hold back his mockery. "Look at you, the other guy didn't even fight you and he already knows you're a useless fool!"
This player was clearly easily provoked. He actually broke away from his team and charged toward the underground parking lot. But just as he reached the horizontal streetlamp, he suddenly stopped, staring at Xu Huo a few meters away with a deep, heavy frown.
The sky was dim, and several nearby streetlamps had been knocked out, so it was actually darker outside than in the parking lot—at least, that's how it should have been, and how it was when the two sides had come to this area a few minutes ago.
But now, the lights in the underground parking lot had gone out at some point. The ramp down was plunged into darkness. The player who had been peeking around earlier had also vanished, leaving only Xu Huo standing ahead. Half his body was hidden in the shadows, his face barely visible, but he was more like a dangerous signal, glaringly warning people not to approach, or the consequences would be unpredictable!
This player immediately chickened out. Instinct told him to retreat, but at that moment, the person who had provoked him used an item to send him sliding into the underground parking lot!
The darkness from all sides soaked in like water. The player, stunned, felt it hard to breathe. He clawed at his neck while trying to run back, but when he turned around, the place he had come from was also a sea of black. The streetlamps, the street view—everything was gone. Reaching out, he could only grasp at a liquid that seemed to have thickened!
In just a few seconds, his mouth was forced open, and the viscous substance squeezed down his throat. Just as he was about to choke to death, he caught a glimpse of Xu Huo appearing ahead, with the streetlamp behind him!
Forgetting everything else, he rushed over, bent down to get out from under the streetlamp, and then fell to his knees, vomiting violently.
He hadn't swallowed anything real, so what came up was just stomach acid. But his appearance startled both his companions and his opponents. From their perspective, he had only been inside for a few seconds before running back out, without even fighting Xu Huo. Yet he came out looking like this!
A steel cable flew over and pulled the young player away. After catching him, his companion pressed for answers. "What just happened? What did he do?"
The player, now crying and drooling, quickly waved his hand. "Don't ask... let's go... he's probably a Mental Evolver..."
Mental Evolvers weren't numerous among the countless players, but anyone who could survive long-term in the game had at least evolved a killing move. Ordinary players could also resist some mental interference, but if their strength wasn't enough, they would likely die at someone else's hands at a lower level.
Xu Huo dared to pull this in a public place; it wasn't blind confidence, and they had just learned their lesson.
Zone 009 was currently packed with players, and there was no irreconcilable hatred. It wasn't worth losing your life over a moment of pride.
The young player's side decisively retreated. A few seconds later, the other group also withdrew.
Peace returned outside the parking lot.
Xu Huo looked thoughtful. He stood there for a moment before turning back.
The player who had been throwing trash put the lid back on the bin and obediently followed him back to the car.
After all, it was the capital safe zone. Although there were small-scale fights, large-scale building demolitions hadn't happened yet. Apart from the two groups that had fought their way to the parking lot, the night was relatively calm.
The next morning, as soon as it was light, Yan Jiayu crawled out of her sleeping bag to exercise. Ordinary fitness equipment couldn't keep up with her physical abilities anymore; her dumbbells were custom-made from other districts.
She also had a standing meditation session.
Seeing how busy she was, Xu Huo went out to buy breakfast.
The electronic screens on the street were broadcasting the violent incidents from the previous night. At least fifty ordinary people had been caught up in player fights and died. The government had opened several parks, urging those camping on the roadside or living in their cars to squeeze into the parks. They also publicly announced that the capital safe zone was temporarily locked down, with no one else allowed in.
"Might as well stay in the wilderness," someone grumbled, but they were helpless. The players responsible for city security had already started driving people away.
When Xu Huo returned with breakfast, the streetlamp he had placed outside had been removed, and several players in uniform were already in the underground parking lot.
People could take their personal belongings, but those who had driven in were not allowed to take their cars.
"Is there any justice!" the passenger shouted unhappily. "How are we supposed to leave without our cars?"
Many people gathered to protest, but today's players weren't having it. After firing a warning shot, someone stood on a car and said, "This isn't a negotiation. Everyone must relocate to the parks by noon. If you don't want to go, we can give you a ride!"
The players didn't care, but the ordinary people present could only swallow their anger, pack their bags, and go with the flow.
The passenger cautiously sidled up to Xu Huo. "Big brother, are we leaving?"
Xu Huo glanced at him. "What do you think?"
The passenger went to grab his bag.
Yan Jiayu munched on a meat bun and asked Xu Huo, "Where are we going next?"
"Let's check out the mall," Xu Huo said. "The safe zone has dedicated player shops that sell items and potions."
The passenger followed behind them. "Big brother, big sister, what about me..."
Yan Jiayu waved her hand. "Goodbye."
The passenger was a bit reluctant to leave now, but he wasn't tactless enough to force himself on them. He shouldered his bag and merged into the crowd.
Soon, Xu Huo and Yan Jiayu left the main group and headed for the player mall.
The player mall itself was run by players. The fact that it was still open meant there wasn't much genuine stock inside. Only some low-level items were on display; everything else could only be purchased through electronic screens.
Yan Jiayu had a particular fondness for potions of various flavors. She bought a large pile and even specially purchased a jelly potion blind box. She eagerly tried a flavor, and a second later, her expression twisted. "Tastes like canned herring..."
Xu Huo chuckled and handed her a bottle of water.