Chapter 360: Toywar (Six)
Chapter 360: Toywar (Six)
Optimus Prime immediately turned to Jazz. "This task will be your responsibility, Jazz. Depart as soon as this meeting concludes", he said, then shifted his gaze. "Nightbeat, you and Jazz will go together. Watch each other's backs." He paused briefly before continuing, "Before we move to the next topic, there's an urgent matter we should resolve first."
As he spoke, Optimus Prime directed his gaze toward Mario and the two players. "Gentlemen, please step forward and take your places among us."
Feng Bu Jue and Xiao Tan exchanged glances, their options limited. Then they moved forward together.
Once they stopped, Optimus Prime asked, "May I have your names?"
"Mad Bu Jue."
"Wang Tan Zhi."
They each provided their in-game nicknames.
The Transformers showed no particular reaction to these names, as if they were merely hearing two ordinary designations. This was obviously system-regulated behavior, entirely expected. Generally speaking, in any online game, player Ids never influence Npc interactions. Take those bubblegum games from certain countries in one universe, for example—even if your nickname was "Shit", the starter village Npc would still greet you with a smile: "Ah, so you're 'Shit'? What a wonderful name."
"Based on Mario's report, I've largely ruled out the possibility that you are Novelspies", Optimus Prime stated. "But that doesn't mean I believe your earlier claims without proof. Unless you can provide concrete evidence of these 'two formidable and malevolent threats,' I won't be convinced."
"That won't be difficult", Feng Bu Jue replied seriously. "I expect you'll encounter them on the battlefield soon enough. Their size should be similar to ours, they'll have humanoid forms, and they can wield various weapon equipment from their bodies. Most critically... their intelligence is remarkably high. To put it frankly, any Novelcommander you've faced before would seem primitive compared to their cunning."
"I see... Then what about you two?" Optimus Prime pressed. "Who are you, and why have you joined Classic?"
"Because my admiration for you flows like endless rivers, like the Yellow River overflowing its banks and impossible to contain!" Feng Bu Jue declared with a straight face, his shamelessness fully on display.
Next to him, Bumblebee let out a dry chuckle. "Exactly how do you intend to insult our intelligence with this answer—or is it to showcase your audacity?"
"Alright, alright... Let me be honest. We are travelers from another universe. For certain reasons, we must fight them to the death", Feng Bu Jue explained. "So... since they've joined Novel, by the logic of 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend,' that makes us allies. My words are half-truths, but this ambiguity makes them all the more believable."
"Hmph... So you want to use us to eliminate your deadly foes", Megatron sneered through gritted teeth.
"You could interpret it that way", Feng Bu Jue admitted. "But... you must admit, this creates a win-win situation."
"No", Red Alert countered darkly. "Only if you prove genuinely beneficial to Classic would that be true. But if you two turn out useless..." He let the words hang before adding with a sinister chuckle, "Personally, I'd suggest offering you as bargaining chips in negotiations. Perhaps once those two 'formidable and malevolent threats' get what they want, they'll stop interfering in this war."
As his words faded, Xiao Tan whispered to Feng Bu Jue, "This one's practically a master of scheming..."
"Hahahahaha!" Feng Bu Jue suddenly burst into loud laughter.
The Transformers froze, puzzled by his sudden outburst. Only Xiao Tan understood clearly—this was pure bluffing. Feng Bu Jue was using the laughter as cover while his mind raced to devise a new scheme.
After five or six seconds of laughter, Feng Bu Jue's expression shifted to smug arrogance. "Alright... I forgive your ignorance and rudeness", he declared. "Though this might sound boastful, circumstances force me to reveal: in my universe, I was the final apprentice of the legendary strategist, Mr. Aaron Smith." (Note: Aaron Smith was a pseudonym used by the American Directors Guild from 1968-2000 for directors wishing to disassociate themselves from certain works.)
"Wait... I've never heard of this before..." Xiao Tan thought to himself. "These Npcs obviously aren't stupid—this extra backstory might backfire..."
"I've served as a scout, spy, warrior, and aide. I've participated in and commanded large-scale military operations..." Feng Bu Jue continued confidently, spinning his tale. "However, as a newcomer unfamiliar with your universe's battlefield conditions, and having been used as cannon fodder, I've yet to demonstrate my true capabilities."
"Hmm..." Optimus Prime caught the implication. "While this sounds like bragging to me... I admit we did misjudge you initially." He considered this briefly. "Since you've spoken so boldly, here's what I'll do..." He turned to Jazz and Nightbeat. "Jazz, Nightbeat, when you head to the Lego House, take these two interdimensional guests with you. Let's see if they can actually contribute."
"Understood", Jazz immediately agreed without question, his loyalty to his leader absolute.
Optimus Prime shifted his gaze to Feng Bu Jue and Xiao Tan. "Jazz and Nightbeat are exceptional scouts. I hope you two live up to your claims of intelligence and combat prowess—don't become burdens to them."
As this dialogue concluded, both players heard a system prompt chime in their ears.
[Side Quest Activated]
They opened their menus to see a new subtask had appeared beneath their original side quest: [Assist Jazz and Nightbeat in scouting the "Lego House"].
"I've given you this opportunity. I'll assign you appropriate roles based on how this investigation concludes", Optimus Prime declared.
Red Alert added maliciously, "If you mess up, that role will definitely be 'negotiation bargaining chip'... Hehehe..."
"Can you stop following every speech from a superior officer with a threatening comment and that creepy laugh?" Megatron unexpectedly interjected with a rare sarcastic jab.
Meanwhile, at the neutral zone, five meters from the Lego House's entrance, four members of Novel had already arrived.
These four collectible figures were all swordsmen.
The first wore a scarlet kimono, with long orange hair and a cross-shaped scar on his left cheek. His waist bore a Reverse Blade Katana.
The second was dressed in an ink-green kimono. He had green algae-like hair, wore a black headband, and bore a vertical eye scar on his left eye. Three great swords hung at his waist.
The third wore a black European military uniform, his chestnut-colored hair cut short. His youthful face bore no scars, and besides his sword, he carried a Rocket Launcher on his back.
The fourth wore dark blue light armor, with golden hair cascading over his shoulders. Tall and handsome, he bore the Radiant Sword across his back.
Compared to Feng Bu Jue's limited intelligence, Bei Ling—also a tactician player—had acquired vastly superior information as a member of the Novel faction. She had thoroughly questioned the war's background and key details, including the complex relationships between combatants and neutral forces. Thus, she could deduce: after tonight's ambush, no matter the outcome, Classic would certainly act upon learning about the Lego helicopter's participation.
Therefore, Bei Ling had decisively dispatched the Honor Guard Unit assigned to her and Si Yu by the Lich King. She ordered them to the Lego House to seize the moment.
She reasoned that whether for scouting or negotiation, Classic wouldn't send low-ranking grunts to the Lego House. Deploying commander-tier characters was far more likely. Thus, with the Honor Guard Unit's strength, capturing a live prisoner shouldn't be difficult. Even if they couldn't extract direct information about Xiao Tan and others, they could at least learn something about their status within Classic.
Of course, Bei Ling had also considered the possibility of Feng Bu Jue and Xiao Tan themselves visiting the Lego House. Thus, she issued another order to the Honor Guard Unit: should they encounter those two humanoid figures from the opposing faction, they were to eliminate them on sight...
(End of Chapter)
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