Players Invade Cyberpunk-Chapter 634 - 204: Valerie Is Dead Already—Was This Your Choice, Idol?

This battle was both easy and difficult for the players to win.

It only took three days to defeat the aggressive Chaotic Blade Association, much faster than the originally planned 5-6 days. However, this also increased the intensity of the operation by several levels. Many people had less than 12 hours of rest in three whole days, and the harsh environment and high-intensity battles nearly maxed out their DEBUFF status.

The battlefield expenses were ridiculously high, practically burning money like paper.

The total weight of the fired ammunition was over ten tons. On average, the main combat players fired off dozens of magazines, and after many trench battles, a layer of steel casing covered the floors.

The thrill of a round of rocket fire was satisfying, but that single barrage alone cost hundreds of thousands of Orokin, according to cost calculations.

And then there's the pile of destroyed robots from Great Mount Pill and EMP attacks; those all cost money too.

You might say it's the players' money being spent?

NO!

It's not their own money they're spending now; it's their company's money, and 80% of that belongs to Lin Miao.

Moreover, many materials and electronic components can't currently be produced within the players' industrial system. They must be purchased externally from other companies, and the outflows are real gold and silver.

Severe injuries were counted as deaths, with a total of 472 players killed and over a thousand from the Chaotic Blade Association eliminated, not including the wounded, with an average KDA of 2.5.

Only through such fierce battles could the biomass just barely exceed the break-even point.

Lin Miao was somewhat relieved to use prosthetics of the same model to make up for the lack of biomass when resurrecting players, otherwise, his reserves couldn't withstand such consumption.

If this battle lasted more than a week, Lin Miao could declare bankruptcy on the spot.

As for the seized items, a large number of automated weapons belonging to Huang Ban, the scrap cyber implants from the Chaotic Blade members, multinational-branded rifles, and miscellaneous calibers of bullets were nothing but junk for Lin Miao. They would ultimately be used to recover the Orokin soon to be distributed to players or dragged to Dog Town to be entirely disposed of.

The truly valuable item was that giant crab.

Due to damage to the movement system, Great Mount Pill could no longer be controlled properly. Even after Valerie deactivated its attack mode, it couldn't be recovered normally; it had to be left stationary on-site.

Lin Miao walked up and tapped one of its legs, taller than a human, marveling at the complex mechanical structure.

"This thing must cost tens of millions, right?"

Such an oddity he had only seen in sci-fi movies before.

"2500W Orokin."

Valerie, following behind Lin Miao, said,

"This machine and the weapons were originally ordered by the Oregon Republic and were temporarily reassigned for another use."

"Wouldn't they be furious over there?"

Lin Miao was curious. Even if they were a small government, this would be akin to trampling on their dignity, right?

"They'll restock to fill the gap."

Valerie said helplessly,

"Compared to the tens of millions in weapons and equipment, securing the water plant you are building would be an acceptable trade."

"And it can also keep thousands of Chaotic Blade members as Huang Ban's dogs, to be unleashed to bite military technology when necessary..."

"A well-laid plan, but I wonder how your special operations director will explain this to Mizuki when she gets back."

"She's doomed."

Valerie said gleefully,

"Even if she's part of the upper echelons, she can't bear such a level of loss. Huang Ban is never merciful, internally or externally."

The thought of Albertson, that woman, dying before she does, made Valerie exhilarated.

"However, I must remind you, Miss Meizhi won't let this slide."

She knew full well that even with Albertson's liquidation, there was no chance for her return to Huang Ban. The loss of Great Mount Pill would mark everyone involved in this plan with negligence charges, with Albertson as the primary offender and Valerie as an accessory.

So, sharing a bit of insider information to secure a path of survival was only logical.

"To my knowledge, there's been some recent news from the Huang Ban's Neon headquarters, and Huang Ban Lai Xuan has recently returned to Huang Ban."

"Huang Ban Lai Xuan? That rebellious youngest son of Huang Ban Sanlang's, weren't they said to have a terrible relationship?"

Lin Miao remembered this guy, choosing to head a gang instead of enjoying his life as a wealthy heir, probably had too much fake liquor.

If their roles were reversed, Lin Miao would revel in a life of debauchery until the end, not battling against a rich father.

"What difference does it make if their relationship is bad?"

Valerie chuckled,

"People there in East Asia are all the same. After all, he's the youngest son of Huang Ban Sanlang. It's not like they're going to have Hua Zi, his daughter, inherit the family business? He's an old relic."

Valerie was disdainful of Huang Ban Sanlang's patriarchal mindset.

"Besides, as they say, every carrot fits its hole; Huang Ban is their family's private property. Night City is their North American foothold. Rumors within the company suggest that Huang Ban Lai Xuan could very well be assigned here for grooming. With this massive blunder, if Miss Meizhi doesn't want to be replaced quickly, she'd certainly look to turn the situation around. You better take care, Mr. Lin."

"Huang Ban's power isn't just this machine before you. A slight misstep dealing with such a behemoth, and you'll be devoured without a trace left. Moving between several massive corporations as you're doing is practically courting death."