Chapter 358: Toywar (Four)
Chapter 358: Toywar (Four)
At 3:00 AM, Jin You Supermarket’s first floor, Frozen Food Section.
The Dairy and Chilled Beverages Counter stretched in a straight line against the wall, its edge hovering roughly one meter above the ground. Feng Bu Jue and Wang Tan Zhi, Vanguard members, strode along this precarious ridge.
From their perspective, the path wasn’t particularly narrow—about as wide as a rope bridge that could accommodate two people walking abreast. To their left loomed frosty low-temperature display cases, where neatly arranged cartons of milk resembled buildings lining a street. To their right yawned a sheer cliff, its drop nearly a meter (over ten times their height), plunging into darkness.
Artificial light from the refrigerated cases illuminated the area, though the bulbs weren’t designed for optimal visibility. Shadows swallowed most corners. Standing at the counter’s edge and peering down, one could clearly see the Classic Nintendo Strike Team below.
The Nintendo Toys, aside from larger units like R.O.B (who advanced like heavy artillery), rode atop 8-Bit Tanks.
There were three tank models. The first was the Nes (Nintendo Entertainment System), a square design with a slightly narrower base than its upper half, painted white on top and gray below. Cartridges slotted horizontally into the machine. The second was the FC (Family Computer), smaller than the Nes, with a red-and-white shell and vertically inserted cartridges. The third, the Xiao Babaw—a classic case of a knockoff usurping the original—was entirely black with a golden logo (two boxing gloves colliding), featuring a unique circular reset button and a self-closing dust cover. Its size fell between the Nes and FC.
Currently, about thirty to forty 8-Bit Tanks advanced in a V-formation. Nes and FC models split evenly, while a lone Xiao Babaw trailed at the rear, piloted by Mario and Luigi.
The tanks were operated via handheld controllers, though their power source remained a mystery.
“Your reconnaissance skills are sharper than mine—can you spot anything further ahead?” Feng Bu Jue asked, walking ahead without turning around.
“I’m looking,” Wang Tan Zhi replied, straining his eyes. “But I’m not seeing anything yet.”
“To be honest, we’re in a dangerous position,” Feng Bu Jue said. “It’s logical for scouts to hold high ground for better visibility, but…” He paused. “Being exposed near this light source, perched so high with no cover… If a sniper spots us—”
“Right!” Wang Tan Zhi blurted. “And Bei Ling knows you have [Artemis’ Embrace]. She’ll target me first!”
“What worries me more,” Feng Bu Jue continued, “is that we’ve fallen into a predictable plotline from the start. We’re becoming cannon fodder for the Classic Faction.” He frowned. “This ‘Take the Lead’ directive is basically suicide.”
“What does that mean?” Wang Tan Zhi asked.
“If Si Yu and Bei Ling are treated this poorly in the Novel Faction, I’m overreacting,” Feng Bu Jue mused. “But I suspect… the System is giving us ‘special attention.’”
“You mean the Npcs’ hostility is all the System’s doing?”
“No, it’s broader than attitudes,” Feng Bu Jue said, waving a hand. “The System controls the ‘momentum’—how easily players gain resources or face obstacles.”
“So… you’ve got a grudge against the System?”
Feng Bu Jue sighed. “Ignorant question. Let me explain—it reminds me of a forum thread: ‘Scenario Hidden Rules Explored.’”
“Reliable?”
“It’s just one player’s observations, not an academic paper,” Feng Bu Jue replied, adopting a mentor’s tone. “You need both practice and critical thinking.”
“What’s the content?”
“There were unverifiable hypotheses,” Feng Bu Jue explained. “One mentioned that in challenge-based kill games, the ‘underdog benefits’ rule applies. For example, if Player A (stronger) challenges Player B (weaker), the System grants B momentum or hinders A’s gains. If B challenges A, the scenario remains neutral.”
“So the defender always gets the advantage?” Wang Tan Zhi summarized. “If the challenger is stronger, the defender gains perks. If weaker, the defender still isn’t worse off.”
“Exactly. If this rule exists,” Feng Bu Jue said, “our passive opening as the challenger makes sense.”
“Wait… does that mean the System thinks we’re stronger than Xiao Ling and Rain Sister?”
“Hmph. I could handle both alone.” Feng Bu Jue’s calm response stunned Wang Tan Zhi.
“Yeah, you’re second on the combat leaderboard, but that’s arrogant!”
“Finished your gossip?” a voice boomed.
They turned to see Mr. Gamewatch—a 2D character—materialize on a milk carton. His ability allowed free movement across flat surfaces. “Report any anomalies?”
“Nothing,” Wang Tan Zhi gestured outward. “No Toys in sight. Just darkness beyond the front shelves.”
“We crossed the ‘danger line’ three minutes ago…” Mr. Gamewatch muttered. “Stay alert. Signal us if anything happens.” He slid down the counter’s surface like a shadow.
“Roger, boss!” Feng Bu Jue mock-saluted.
“A clear hint,” Wang Tan Zhi noted seconds later.
“Soon, we’ll—” Feng Bu Jue’s words drowned in a sudden roar from below: “Enemy attack!”
Wang Tan Zhi’s heart raced. Feng Bu Jue turned to the source—Diddy Kong, bouncing atop an Nes and pointing upward.
Rat-tat-tat! A rhythmic clatter erupted.
From behind high shelves in the southwest, several Lego Helicopters emerged, each carrying a Mini Figurine.
“Fine, 8-bit tanks as transport… but Lego planes?!” Feng Bu Jue exclaimed, struggling to process the absurdity.
“Slow advance! Hold formation!” Mario barked. “Large-scale Toys, protect the flanks! Long-range Units, counterattack!”
Donkey Kong charged forward, pounding his muscular chest in a primal roar.
Pew-pew-pew! The helicopters opened fire, hurling Lego bricks.
Samus and Mega Man retaliated quickest, raising their Shock Cannons. Beams of energy lanced forward—beyond any Toy’s plausible capabilities.
“These weapons defy physics!” Feng Bu Jue muttered.
“Let’s retreat before they spot us!” Wang Tan Zhi urged.
“Agreed.” Feng Bu Jue leaped off the counter’s edge, his [Moon Step] skill neutralizing the fall. Wang Tan Zhi followed, scaling the shelves effortlessly.
But as they neared the ground, Novel’s high-speed ground forces surged from a nearby ice cabinet—
A sea of pitch-black Gundams flooded the aisle.
(End of Chapter)
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