ATPnovel Chapter 120: They can't handle this version.
Chapter 120: They can't handle this version.
Before the special operations captain could finish speaking, and before the fingers of the surrounding team members could even be on the trigger, the scene before them caused everyone's brains to freeze instantly.
"Arrest?"
Jiang Ming seemed to have heard a funny joke, a perfunctory smile curving his lips. His eyes lightly swept over the pointed, dark gun barrels. "Officer, I suggest you save your bullets for those big guys behind you. Don't waste taxpayers' money on us."
"What do you mean?!" A sense of foreboding welled up in the captain's heart.
Jiang Ming did not answer, but simply raised his left hand and snapped his fingers crisply in the air.
"Smack."
It's like a television signal suddenly being subjected to strong magnetic interference.
Under the gaze of dozens of eyes, the figures of Jiang Ming, Wang Yang, Li Bin, and the other six people suddenly began to distort and blur.
A ripple like water spread through the air, and then the brightly colored human figures seemed to be forcibly erased by an eraser, leaving only a void of air.
Where are they?!
"Holy crap! This is unbelievable!"
The special operations team members in the front row were so frightened that they retreated one after another, pointing their guns wildly in the air.
"Thermal imaging! Activate thermal imaging now!" the captain roared, reaching for the button on the side of his helmet.
However, the screen showed a ghastly green color, with no human-shaped red spots whatsoever.
Don't bother.
The sound actually came from outside the defensive line behind them.
The captain turned around abruptly.
Just a hundred meters away on the second floor of the mall, on the GG sign, the man carrying a giant sword was squatting on the "30% off" sign, tossing a still-bleeding lizard heart in his hand.
The fat guy was making faces at them and then patted his butt in an extremely annoying way.
"Goodbye, officers!" Wang Yang shouted at the top of his lungs.
The next second, the group turned and disappeared into the shattered glass facade of the mall, vanishing completely into the dim shadows of the building.
"Chase them! Chase them!" The captain slammed the walkie-talkie to the ground in anger. "Seal off all exits of the mall! Don't let a single fly out!"
But this was clearly futile.
Capturing a team of Awakened Ones, whose average attributes far exceed human limits and who possess stealth and counter-surveillance capabilities, in a complex terrain resembling a steel jungle is no less difficult than catching flies with chopsticks.
……
Half an hour later.
The incident occurred on the top floor of a high-end hotel, two kilometers away from the scene.
The floor-to-ceiling windows here overlook half of the city, and the leather sofas and expensive mahogany desks have now become a temporary resting place for Jiang Ming and his companions.
"Whew—that feels great!"
Wang Yang sank into the six-figure Italian sofa, casually tossing the shield covered in lizard saliva onto the Persian carpet. He then reached into the nearby liquor cabinet and pulled out an unopened bottle of special-edition liquor. "This is what a human life is like," he muttered. "Was that dilapidated building even habitable?"
"Drink less, don't mess things up." Li Bin was fiddling with a laptop he'd taken from the desk, his fingers flying across the keyboard. "Go check the room's internet password."
"How is it?" Jiang Ming sat on the windowsill, wiping the bloodstains off the black iron sword.
"It exploded."
Li Bin turned the computer screen around. "The whole internet is in an uproar. Our fight at the intersection just now was live-streamed, and now all ten of the top trending topics are about us."
On the screen, several bolded and red headlines were alarming:
A mysterious team of superheroes has appeared! They single-handedly defeat a prehistoric behemoth!
Modern firepower is failing? Cold weapons are the answer?
"An official special operations team was helpless; a mysterious passerby delivered the fatal blow!"
"Doomsday or Resurrection? Experts Claim These Mysterious Figures Are Special Agents of Bureau 749..."
"The comments section is even more interesting."
Li Bin pushed up his glasses and clicked on a comment below a video.
[How much did these special effects cost? They look so real!]
[The idiot upstairs, that was a live broadcast! I was there in person, I almost peed my pants when that freak headbutted the armored vehicle!]
[I was there too, and I peed myself!]
[Get lost, you weirdo upstairs!]
That guy with the giant sword is so handsome! I want to have his babies!
[Is this a cultivator? Definitely a cultivator! Did the government already know?]
[Stop kidding, those are Awakened Ones! I've read online novels, this is definitely global datafication! The next step is the era of high-martial arts! My day is finally coming, Long Aotian!]
"It seems everyone is quite receptive." Jiang Ming was not surprised by this.
In this age of information overload, people's threshold for accepting unusual things has long been raised by various film and television works.
"There's even more important news." Li Bin's expression turned serious as he pulled up a map. "This is a 'distribution map of anomalous areas' compiled by the all-knowing netizens. It's not just here; similar 'regression' phenomena have appeared all over the world."
Jiang Ming leaned over and took a look.
On the map, countless red dots are scattered all over the world, but the most concentrated ones are in the city where they live.
"The authorities have issued an emergency notice," Li Bin said, pointing to a pinned news article. "They are urging all citizens in distress to seek refuge in designated civil defense facilities after escaping danger. At the same time... they are also recruiting 'people with special abilities'."
"Recruit?" Wang Yang scoffed. "Recruit us with a gun pointed at us like that?"
"That's inevitable," Jiang Ming said calmly. "When faced with a power that is beyond their control, the first reaction of those in power is always fear and suppression. Only when they realize they can't suppress it will they consider cooperation."
He stood up and walked to the pile of spoils he had just acquired.
The Thunderhorn Flame Bull's single horn, the complete fire-resistant cowhide, the Ironclad Giant Lizard's claws and carapace, and that incredibly elastic cow tendon.
These items, casually piled on the expensive mahogany desk, exuded a primitive and bloody aura, clashing with the surrounding modern and luxurious decor.
"No matter how chaotic things are outside, improving our strength is the only way forward."
Jiang Ming picked up the unicorn horn, which was still faintly crackling with electricity, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. "The so-called safe zones nowadays are no different from paper in the face of a real beast tide. Only with a tough weapon in hand can you stand tall."
"Brother Jiang, what can we do with this horn?" Wang Yang leaned closer, looking expectant. "Could you get me an electric axe? That bull was so cool when it was electrifying."
"Giving it to you would be a waste." Jiang understood and gave him a look. "You're a tank, what do you need to deal damage? Just take the hits."
He turned to look at Zhao Yanzhi, who had remained silent.
Although Zhao Yanzhi didn't dare to ask for it, his eyes kept glancing at the beef tendon, and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down, clearly showing that he was also extremely tempted.
Jiang Ming toyed with the Thunder Horn in his hand, then his gaze fell back on the nicked Black Iron Horse-Slaying Sword beside him.
This sword has been with him for a while now; the blade is badly bent and the body is covered with fine cracks. Although the materials are good, it's starting to struggle with simple physical attacks against elite monsters of level 10 and above.
Good steel should be used where it's most needed.
Jiang Ming made up his mind.
This lightning horn is currently the only elemental material available. While using it to make a bow for Zhao Yanzhi could enhance ranged firepower, in this unpredictable period, concentrating the strongest resources on oneself, the absolute core, is the optimal choice.
"Bring the battery pack over there," Jiang Ming said, pointing to the corner.
Li Bin immediately handed over two heavy lithium battery packs, as well as several high-voltage ignition coils salvaged from abandoned cars.
Jiang Ming took a deep breath, placed the Black Iron Horse-Slaying Sword that had been with him for a long time flat on the table, and then pressed the lightning horn that was still crackling with electricity onto the spine of the sword.
"synthesis."
As soon as Jiang Ming had a thought, the familiar light blue light instantly enveloped the entire mahogany desk.
To others, it was just an incomprehensible "magic trick," but in Jiang Ming's view, it was a frantic recombination of countless complex data streams.
The dark red lightning horn disintegrated in the light, transforming into the purest, most violent lightning element, which poured wildly into the cracks in the sword. The high-voltage ignition coil and lithium battery pack were disassembled and fused together, becoming a sophisticated energy conduction circuit that attached itself to the hilt and guard like blood vessels.
"Sizzle—"
The air was filled with the smell of ozone, and fine blue arcs of electricity danced around the ball of light, like a bunch of irritable little snakes.
"That's making a lot of noise." Wang Yang shrank back. "Brother Jiang, this thing won't explode, will it?"
"Shut up." A fine layer of sweat appeared on Jiang Ming's forehead.
The level of this synthesis is significantly higher than before.
The core material from a level 10 elite monster was forcibly fused into the Black Iron Horse-Slaying Sword, and the rejection reaction was more intense than expected.
"Give me... Ning!"
Jiang Ming gave a low shout and pressed his hands down sharply.
The light suddenly contracted, then exploded, turning into specks of purple light that dissipated.
A brand-new greatsword lay quietly on the table.
The originally dark and rough sword blade has now become longer and thicker, with a dark purple metallic luster throughout.
A winding lightning pattern is inlaid in the center of the sword's spine; that is where the essence of the lightning horn lies.
The sword guard has been reshaped into the form of a bull's horn, with faint electric arcs flickering at both ends.
【Thunder Prison - Horse-Slaying Sword (Blue - Rare)】
Attack power: 55-70
[Trait 1: Thunder Enchantment (Adds 35 points of lightning damage to attacks; damage is doubled against wet or metal armor targets).]
【Characteristic 2: Paralyzing Strike (30% chance to trigger a strong electric current on a critical hit, paralyzing the target for 1.5 seconds).】
【Characteristic 3: Overload Execution (Active Skill: Consumes stored electrical energy in the sword to unleash a lightning-fast sword aura, dealing 200% area damage. Charging Time: Lightning-induced charging takes only 1 second; external power supply charging is based on power output.)】
Weight: 15kg
[Note: This is no longer a sword; it's a thick, electrified high-voltage power line. Strength required: 20 points.]
"Blue is rare?!"
Jiang Ming gripped the sword hilt with one hand, and a tingling current flowed from his palm throughout his body. Instead of causing pain, it excited all the muscle cells in his body.
"A fine sword."
He waved his hand casually.
"Sizzle!"
A pale purple afterimage remained in the air, and before the leather sofa next to it could even touch the blade, a large section of it was scorched by the overflowing electric current.
Looking at the majestic Thunder Sword, Zhao Yanzhi felt somewhat disappointed that it wasn't his turn, but more than that, he was awestruck.
In Jiang Ming's hands, this sword was a deadly weapon, and the team's safety level skyrocketed.
"Don't worry, I'll get you the right materials later." Jiang Ming seemed to have read his mind, casually making a promise, and then turned his attention to the remaining materials.
That complete piece of Thunder Horn Flame cowhide.
This thing is large enough to make two pieces of armor.
"Su Xiaoxiao, Xu Shishi, come here."
The two girls exchanged a glance and obediently stepped forward.
"You guys are fragile. Even though you usually hide in the back, if you encounter a fire-breathing monster like that, even a small aftershock could kill you."
Jiang Ming spread out the cowhide and threw in a few pieces of the remaining ghost-faced spider shell as lining.
"synthesis."
The light flashed again.
A few minutes later, two dark red leather vests and two cowhide armors appeared on the table.
Although the design is simple, even somewhat resembling a bulletproof vest, the flowing dark red sheen on the surface reveals its extraordinary nature.
Lava Leather Armor (Fine)
Defense: 18
[Trait: Fire Resistance +20 (Immune to regular fire burns, reduces fire magic damage by 50%).]
[Lightweight: Does not affect Agility attribute.]
"Put them on," Jiang Ming said succinctly.
Holding the leather armor that still smelled warm, Su Xiaoxiao's face was flushed as she whispered, "Thank you, Brother Jiang."
Xu Shishi simply put it on and moved around for a bit, finding it was indeed so light it felt like she wasn't wearing anything at all, and immediately beamed with joy.
As for Wang Yang...
"Brother Jiang, what about me?" Wang Yang stared longingly at the remaining scraps on the table. "Don't I get any?"
"Your fat is the best armor," Jiang Ming retorted, but still tossed him one of the bull-back armor pieces. "Here you go."
"Hehehe." Wang Yang muttered as he put on the leather armor, feeling secretly pleased with himself.
After dividing the spoils, Jiang Ming walked to the French windows and looked at the sky gradually darkening outside.
Most of the city's neon lights were off, with only a few "return zones" in the distance still emitting flames and thick smoke.
Sirens wailed incessantly, and searchlights from helicopters streaked across the night sky.
This world is collapsing and rebuilding at an alarming rate.
"Where to next?" Li Bin closed his laptop. "Although we might be teleported back to school and then to the other world after midnight, we still have five hours of free time."
"The authorities are definitely looking for us through surveillance cameras," Zhao Yanzhi added. "I just saw several drones hovering around nearby."
Jiang Ming was silent for a moment before speaking: "Free time. Go do whatever you want."
……
night.
23:59.
As Jiang Ming, who was in stealth mode, watched the armed special forces members park armored vehicles on the familiar school playground, he sighed helplessly.
As expected of an official, their mind works incredibly fast.
The version I couldn't figure out during the day, I figured out how to keep up with the version by night.