This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist

Rita had no intention of hiding and playing it safe.

Since the penalty for this task was so severe, the rewards for completing it were bound to be substantial, given the fairness of this game. The "languages of all races" was likely just the final ranking reward; there would probably be other valuable items as well.

Her plan was to find a secluded, safe spot, use a sniper rifle for some long-range shots, and try to take advantage of any opportunity for a last hit. If she couldn’t get the last hit, she would at least rack up some damage stats. Whether the task was judged by the final blow or based on overall contribution from damage output, she wasn’t going to let the chance slip by.

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Unfortunately, Rita’s plans quickly fell apart.

She searched around but couldn’t find a suitable place for a sniper to operate. Not only were the shops in the market small, mostly just one-story buildings, but more importantly, after the mechanical race transformed into combat mode, the first thing they did was destroy the shops around them.

In less than two minutes, the entire market had turned into something resembling an arena. Nearly half of the players, like Rita, were flying in the air, scattered around, both fighting and subtly trying to stick together for safety.

Meanwhile, the mechanical race had already begun to gather, forming ranks.

The largest of them, the leader of the group, was nearly as tall as the stone walls of the market, its towering form over ten meters high. At the center of its chest was a massive round energy core, filled with icy blue "water flows," within which were floating several precious minerals.

Rita immediately made a decision—when the game ended, she needed to take at least ten different types of precious minerals back to BS and sell them to Eclipse Vanguard for their research.

[B801717 (Combat Form) Level 15 Energy: 100% | Awakening: Wrath | Taboo: Reset, Eliminate | Weakness: Energy Core Destruction]

What kind of treasure series was this B8017? It had so much rebellion in it.

The enormous size alone was imposing, not to mention it was a Level 15 combatant. One after another, the mechanical race units gathered behind it. Rita involuntarily held her breath.

Just then, a familiar female voice rang out, speaking in the Oak Owl language. "All players!"

Rita looked toward the voice. It was Maple Syrup!

Lania Kaia, aka Maple Syrup, was flying at the forefront, facing B801717. Her orange-red wings unfurled, immediately scattering the cold, murderous intent radiating from B801717.

She scanned the various races of players present, and when her eyes paused on Rita, she raised her wrist and subtly pointed to the acorn on it.

Rita immediately understood and opened the battlefield chat channel.

None of the players were fools. Seeing others open their chat channels one by one, Maple Syrup quickly joined the conversation.

[Lania Kaia·Maple Syrup]: 8017 market, we must cooperate.

[Lania Kaia·Maple Syrup]: Focus all efforts on eliminating them. During the fight, no attacks on other players. Agreed?

[Blazing Flame·A-Pie]: What if someone attacks?

[Lania Kaia·Maple Syrup]: I’ll have my daughter curse the traitor.

[BS·Rita]: Didn’t you say we weren’t involved?

[Lania Kaia·Maple Syrup]: Look, she’s here.

Rita, who had momentarily lost her senses and acted impulsively, now found herself thinking, "I shouldn’t have talked to Maple Syrup."

It was clear now—High Tower’s once gentle and nurturing figure had been twisted by the world battlefield into something far darker.

[Lania Kaia·Maple Syrup]: I’ll buy your cursing slots.

[Lania Kaia·Maple Syrup]: One player betrays us, I’ll buy one slot. If a hundred players betray, I’ll buy a hundred.

[Lania Kaia·Maple Syrup]: This market has 2187 players. Even if 2000 players betray, I’ll buy 2000 slots.

[Lania Kaia·Maple Syrup]: How’s that?

[BS·Rita]: No problem.

[Lania Kaia·Mistblade]: Let’s talk price.

[Lania Kaia·Maple Syrup]: Sure.

[BS·Rita]: Fine.

Normally, Maple Syrup and Rita would have at least bickered with Mistblade a little, but given the urgency of the situation, neither of them had the time for idle chatter.

For Rita, she actually preferred having Mistblade handle the negotiations, even though she couldn’t be sure Maple Syrup wouldn’t betray her. But after considering Maple Syrup’s sharp tongue, Rita was certain she’d try to lowball her. It was possible that after the haggling, Mistblade’s share would be a better deal for her.

[Lania Kaia·Maple Syrup]: Anyone else have something to say?

No one replied, but the players in the 8017 market made their stance clear through action—they all gathered behind Maple Syrup.

By now, everyone knew that Rita had stolen Winter Sea Frenzied Shark’s [Ancient Curse] just a few hours ago, making it a public fact.

Since Maple Syrup had vouched for Rita and Rita herself had agreed to the proposal, no one in the 8017 market had any objections. Killing other players was something that could happen at any time, and if they didn’t take care of the mechanical race rebellion, this Divine Game would be a failure.

Nobody feared that Maple Syrup and Rita would go back on their word.

During the fight, it was all about winning, even if the methods were dirty—it could be seen as strategy. But making a public promise to get over 2000 players to cooperate was a bold move. If Maple Syrup went back on it later, she would have lost all face.

Not to mention, Maple Syrup’s title was "Fiery Wine Enthusiast"—her reputation was built on a foundation of strength.

Of course, there was another important reason why everyone obeyed so willingly—Maple Syrup had the highest combat power on the field.

Once all the mechanical race units were assembled, the lead B801717 spoke in the Oak Owl language:

"It seems you’re ready. This will be a fair war."

The nearly thousand massive mechs stood in the other half of the arena, and Maple Syrup, her spear crackling with lightning, pointed it directly at B801717.

"Enough talk," she said, and then charged straight toward the mechanical race, heading for B801717.

B801717 bellowed, "Kill!"

When the lightning spear struck B801717, all the players felt the surge of battle lust ignite within them.

Even though Rita immediately realized that this adrenaline-fueled feeling wasn’t quite like her usual self, she couldn’t help it.

It must have been some kind of skill from Maple Syrup.

Rita quickly boosted her stats, activating all of her enhancement skills, before drawing her rifle and taking aim.

She aimed at a Level 9 mechanical race unit, but didn’t use any skills that drained all her mana, like [Full Price for Life].

This would be a long, drawn-out battle, nearly an hour’s worth. She needed to make sure her mana reserves lasted. She also needed enough mana left for emergency healing.