ctnovel Chapter 51 Bridge Blockade Operation
Chapter 51 Bridge Blockade Operation
boom!
Nott, his body wreathed in golden-red flames, landed with a thud at the last spot where he had left a trace of spiritual energy, creating a shockwave of electricity beneath his feet.
"...That gloomy aura has disappeared; it seems the other party has also noticed the problem."
He frowned, and the scars on his face became even more menacing. Then, his aura surged, instantly dispelling the layers of weakening effects on the Spectral ...
Rank Boost E: All attributes are increased by 1.3, and the base success rate of negative buffs from lower ranks is reduced, the effect is weakened, and the duration is shortened.
Besides this trait, Master-level players have significantly higher stamina and coordination attributes than Expert-level players. These two attributes affect abnormal status resistance, evasion rate, and critical hit rate. As a result, if an Expert-level player tries to fight against a Master-level player, they will find that they can neither hit nor control the opponent, while the opponent's attacks will be critical hits every time, making it extremely difficult.
Of course, challenging opponents of higher levels does happen, but only those with exceptional talent, powerful innate traits, or those who have fused with high-level spirits have the opportunity to consider such things. For ordinary people, when they encounter an opponent of a higher level, they should just run away without thinking.
"Attention everyone!"
After briefly closing his eyes to sense the situation and confirming that he had lost track of the assassin, Nott pulled a communicator from his pocket—the enemy had escaped, so there was no point in remaining silent on the radio. Besides, the team's communications hadn't malfunctioned this time; he was probably just being paranoid.
Upon activating the communication, Nott issued a stern order: "Immediately cease the pursuit mission and execute the fourth contingency plan: seal off Munger Town!"
This was a last resort, a desperate measure. Munger Town was, after all, the territory of the neighboring city of Emerald Wind, and Heavenly Capital City didn't want to risk offending its neighbor by causing a major disturbance here. But what the Cloud Dwelling City spy took away was far too important, so much so that Nott still hadn't figured out how he had managed to get his hands on it.
In short, when faced with two evils, choose the lesser. After all, Cuifeng City won't directly start a fight over this. At most, they'll just pester you like a leech in diplomatic settings, demanding benefits.
Hearing a series of "yes," "understood," and "received" replies from the other end of the communicator, Nott's mood finally improved slightly. He then put away the communicator, his arrogance rising again, and decided to personally go to a checkpoint he thought the other party would pass through to ambush them...
"Lord Nott! Lord Nott!"
One of Nott's men suddenly came running from a distance, stopping breathlessly in front of him: "I...we found what appears to be signs of corrosion on 'Mesh's' corpse, and we might need you to come and confirm it in person..."
— "Mesh" is the code name of the commander of the army ant company.
"What did you say?!"
Upon hearing the word "erosion," Nott's pupils constricted, and his aura intensified. With a powerful leap, he transformed into a golden-red afterimage and headed straight for the central radio station.
Half a minute later.
"There are indeed traces of being corrupted by that kind of power..."
Having witnessed firsthand that "Network's" cause of death was indeed the "Erosion" phenomenon he knew so well and feared, Nott suddenly flew into a rage. His aura involuntarily surged, and the emanating pressure made those around him tremble: "Dark Raven, how dare you!"
The spy "Dark Raven" from Yunqi City stole a meteorite fragment containing a strange power. This power has not yet been mastered by any other city-state besides Tiandu City. Who else could have killed Net Eye if not him!
Oh right, it seems like it could also be that guy from a while ago who ambushed and attacked a processing site, killing three expert-level guys...
"Could it really be that person?!"
Nott was startled and immediately snapped out of his rage. That guy was the culprit who had forced the city lord into a passive position and changed his plans. Could it be that he had run into him today?
Let me think about what he looks like... Hmm, his clothes aren't particularly special, and the aura he exudes seems to be the "Shield of Flow." The Pokémon beside him is a large white ball, but judging from his ability to escape using threads, it might be a Bug-type Pokémon's cocoon or something else.
And his appearance... Oh right, that person had concealed his face beforehand, with white bandages wrapped around his face...
Wait!
White bandage?
He immediately recalled the incident a few days earlier that had shaken his confidence in the security of communications in Tiandu City; one of the perpetrator's distinguishing features was a white bandage wrapped around his face!
"Okay, okay!"
Nott laughed in fury—so it turns out that the same person caused both incidents?
Moreover, that person came from Yunqi City, which means there is a high probability that Yunqi City has not only learned about Tiandu City's core plan, but also cracked its own communication system, and can hack in at any time to send false instructions.
Wouldn't that mean the capital city has been completely sieveged?
The moment he reached this conclusion, Nott's murderous intent reached its peak—and was then forcibly suppressed.
Maintaining composure and thinking without being swayed by emotions is a skill he honed on the battlefield over a decade ago. While it can sometimes lead to moments of exasperation and even laughter, it's incredibly useful.
"That doesn't make sense either. If he were truly such an important figure, how could Yunqi City allow him to participate in such a dangerous operation, especially one targeting something they already possess?"
After pondering for a moment, Nott took out the communicator again.
"...Everyone, cease execution of the fourth contingency plan."
He sighed, his voice filled with intense resentment and bitterness: "The other side possesses capabilities beyond intelligence gathering, making continued pursuit too risky, and they have most likely already left."
"Mission failed. Prepare for evacuation."
After sending the last command, Nott flashed his sword and, amidst the astonished gazes of his subordinates, crushed the communicator in his hand into pieces.
"grown ups,"
One of the subordinates hesitated before asking, "Are we really...?"
"Yes, really."
Nott waved his hand: "Just consider the mission a failure. Retreat however you normally would, understand?"
"No, I don't quite understand. Those people are clearly at a disadvantage right now..."
"Our communications may have been compromised."
Nott's tone turned solemn: "From now on, don't say or do anything more. Just obediently lead everyone to evacuate."
"Uh, where are you going?"
"...Get me a car, and call a few more members of the investigation team."
Nott gazed into the distance, a sinister smile spreading across his face: "I'm going to ambush them at the gates of Cloud Nest City!"
"No matter which route they take, their final destination is still Yunqi City. If that troublesome black market manager dares to show his face, I'll kill him too!"