The act of killing before entering Bloody City is fundamentally different from killing within it. The former is often a forced action, largely involuntary, with many psychologically repulsed by and fearful of death. The latter is a proactive act, disregarding all laws and consequences, prepared to face sacrifice and death. Whether for good or evil, those who come to Bloody City with such a mindset hold a significant psychological advantage.
When Hong Lang revealed Shen Yi's history of killing before Bloody City, it signified that Shen Yi had experienced real bloodshed, unlike many who were forced into the city to face life-and-death trials and were still adjusting psychologically. Naturally, this would change in higher difficulty areas, but in this low-difficulty zone, few could remain unmoved by Shen Yi's background.
The group hastened through the woods towards Arnhem Bridge. Occasional German soldiers encountered along the way were easily dispatched. After the battles in Arnhem town and by the river, the primary mission was nearly complete. Shen Yi's strategy had maximally reduced danger, making their journey relatively smooth so far.
They could see Arnhem Bridge in the distance, ablaze with gunfire. The 2nd Parachute Battalion was fighting desperately for the bridge. Historically, they had secured the north end of the bridge but were unaware that this would be the extent of their progress.
Wen Rou, stopping first to observe with binoculars, confirmed, "The path ahead is clear of enemies. The Germans are mainly concentrated at the south end of the bridge, clashing with the 2nd Parachute Battalion. The Germans surrounding the town have fully occupied it. We've avoided them by taking this detour, leaving the adventurers who broke southwards in a tough spot, caught in a pincer attack. The good news is that those adventurers have drawn the Germans away from Arnhem Bridge towards the forest to face the main force of the 1st Airborne Division."
Hong Lang asked, "So, we just need to walk a bit further to complete the main mission?"
Wen Rou nodded affirmatively.
Hong Lang, excited, said, "Damn, it feels good to complete a mission this easily for the first time!"
Jin Gang added, "If it weren't for Shen Yi's suggestion to gather and find a detour, this mission wouldn't have been so easy."
Hong Lang rolled his eyes, "I'm not giving him bloody points as thanks. That guy ended up just talking and not firing a single shot."
Wen Rou laughed, "Leaders are like that," and glanced at Shen Yi, "The head of a killer."
Ignoring the double meaning, Shen Yi said, "Let's meet up with the 2nd Parachute Battalion. Also, ask who's willing to stay for the optional mission."
Surprisingly, many adventurers chose to stay for the optional mission. This was due to their smooth experience in this mission, where none of the 22 adventurers had died since regrouping. The high reward of 4,000 bloody points and a skill point for the optional mission was a major factor in their decision.
Skill points are used to increase skill proficiency. Active skills gain proficiency with each use, while passive skills can only be improved with skill points. Mutant skills require proficiency increases.
The upgrade of skills depends on proficiency, and higher levels require more points. Initially, upgrading a skill might need 400 points, then 800, and so on, with the requirements increasing each time. One skill point directly adds 1,000 points of proficiency, invaluable for hard-to-train or psychic-intensive special skills.
Shen Yi's Insidious Healing and Psychic Detection were both at level 2, achieved through a month of uninterrupted use and training. Using these skills consumed his psychic energy; he could only use them six times a day, requiring five hours to recover. Excluding sleep, he could only improve by 20 points a day. It took a month to reach level 2 and an additional 200 points of proficiency. He even developed the habit of waking up at night to use the skills.
A skill point would significantly boost Shen Yi's abilities.
Many, like Shen Yi, desperately needed skill points. After discussion, 21 out of the 22 adventurers decided to stay for the optional mission, with only one opting to leave.
Surprisingly, the timid fat man also chose to stay. Shen Yi asked why he didn't leave. The fat man replied that following them might earn him extra bloody points, giving him a buffer for future mission failures.
Wen Rou disdainfully said, "I don't understand how you passed the novice mission."
Hong Lang joked that the novice mission also had group stages, and the fat man probably got lucky with competent newcomers carrying him. Otherwise, with his capabilities, he would've failed at the first hurdle.
The fat man nodded, unfazed by Hong Lang's words, his thick skin evident.
Shen Yi was somewhat puzzled by this
.
Is it really so?
People with abilities often share a common mindset: it's not the lack of ability that frustrates them, but the lack of effort. It's okay not to be skilled, but it's not okay to not try. Someone like the fat man, who is both incapable and unambitious, puzzles Shen Yi. Why would any newcomer willingly take on such a burden?
However, Shen Yi didn't want to pry into others' privacy and simply commented with a smile, "It's a wonder he's survived this long."
"It's just good luck," Hong Lang remarked somewhat begrudgingly.
"Sometimes luck is a skill," Shen Yi replied, shrugging. "But it's unreliable. It can offer unexpected benefits when unprepared, but it can't be relied upon in times of desperation."
Everyone laughed, agreeing with his reasoning.
Regardless, even if the fat man openly admitted to just wanting to coast along, no one would push him away. This was a team cooperative mission, after all, and even the smallest ant is still meat. An extra gun is always good to have.
With 21 people choosing to stay for the mission, they reorganized their responsibilities, with Shen Yi emerging as the leader.
After walking a few dozen meters, the Bloody Crest indeed prompted: Main mission complete. You can now choose to return or complete the optional mission.
The first step of the optional mission: Meet with Colonel Frost of the 2nd Parachute Battalion.
Originally, there were two bridges in Arnhem, and the 2nd Parachute Battalion's task was to capture and hold at least one. However, during the battle, the Germans had already destroyed one bridge.
This forced the 2nd Parachute Battalion to immediately seize the other road bridge, losing the element of surprise and facing a direct confrontation.
Colonel Frost, commander of the 2nd Parachute Battalion, was at this moment fiercely fighting at the north end of the bridge. Facing him, hordes of German soldiers and their intense artillery fire pinned down the 2nd Parachute Battalion, who, despite being elite soldiers, lacked heavy weaponry and were at a disadvantage in positional warfare.
Paratroopers are generally more suited for behind-enemy-lines raids rather than frontal, large-scale airborne operations.
Especially when dropped into an area heavily surrounded by enemy forces, Montgomery's attempt to create a miracle resulted in sending the best of the Allied forces to their deaths, marking one of the biggest blunders in the career of this legendary commander.
"Urgent call, urgent call, this is the 2nd Parachute Battalion, I am Colonel Frost. We have secured the north end of the Arnhem Bridge, but the Germans have heavily fortified this area. Their firepower is overwhelming. I need support, I need support!" Colonel Frost shouted into the radio.
German artillery rained down like torrential rain, exploding on the ground and creating large craters. Intense gunfire from the German soldiers filled the air with fiery streaks, snatching lives indiscriminately.
"Agh!" a paratrooper yelled as a shell exploded near him, blowing off one of his legs. Yet, he was still alive, shouting hoarsely.
The situation was rapidly deteriorating. The 2nd Parachute Battalion, initially on the offensive, was now stuck in a stalemate with the Germans, and it seemed only a matter of time before the Germans would counterattack and potentially wipe them out.
"I need bomber support!" Frost continued to yell, almost frantic. His troops had suffered nearly a third of casualties in just a few hours of combat. The German onslaught was relentless, bombarding the paratroopers with artillery and tanks.
The Allied air force had launched another operation to aid the paratroopers, but the German anti-aircraft fire was too intense. Many planes were shot down before even reaching the Arnhem area. Those few that managed to reach the bridge dropped their bombs hastily and retreated, having little impact on the overall situation.
Now, German planes circled overhead, their bombs wreaking havoc on the 2nd Parachute Battalion's positions, complemented by the 150mm artillery's ruthless assault on the soldiers.
The response came through the radio: "Colonel Frost, we regret that under these circumstances we cannot provide more support. We need your brave fighting to capture and hold the bridge until the arrival of the ground forces of the Corps."
"I need fire support, tanks, artillery, not orders! You bastard, tell your superiors that if this continues, we'll all be dead on the battlefield within a day!"
"I will relay your needs, but I must remind you, Colonel Frost, don't hold too much hope. From the moment you received your mission, you should have been prepared to fight in harsh conditions."
"Yes, to fight in harsh conditions, not to die in them!"
There was a pause on the other end, followed by a single phrase: "May God bless you."
The communication cut off.
"Damn it!" Frost cursed, stomping his feet in anger.
"Colonel Frost, where's our main force?" Major Ralph, the deputy commander, shouted at his superior.
Frost replied helplessly, "They didn't land in this area but got stuck in the forest south of Oosterbeek. I don't think we can expect any reinforcements, and the Allied air force can't provide us with more air support."
"SHIT!" Ralph cursed angrily. "So we have to fight alone?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Oh God!"
As if in response to this prayer, a soldier hurriedly reported, "Colonel, a small unit has appeared behind us. It looks like they're our people."
"Reinforcements have arrived!" Both commanders rejoiced.
However, upon realizing that the "reinforcements" consisted of only about a dozen people, both commanders fell silent again. It seemed to be just a group of scattered soldiers who had managed to converge here.
Hong Lang approached decisively, "Which one of you is Colonel Frost? We are a combat squad directly under the 1st Airborne Division, sent to support the 2nd Parachute Battalion."
"I am," Frost stepped forward. "How many people did you bring?"
"Twenty-one."
"Only 21? That's not even enough to fill the gaps in the enemy's teeth," Frost said with a bitter smile.
Ralph coldly remarked, "We need at least 2,100 soldiers, not 21. Government promises are always discounted... cursed bureaucrats!"
Shen Yi chuckled to Wen Rou, "It seems we're not highly regarded."
Wen Rou scoffed, "Even the most basic enhancement is enough to surprise them. We'll show them we're worth more than 2,100 soldiers."
A ding sounded, signaling the official start of the optional mission as the adventurers reached Arnhem Bridge.
Mission: Capture and hold the bridge for ten days and eight hours.
Team Bonus Mission: Protect the lives of Colonel Frost and Major Ralph. 500 bloody points awarded for each survivor.
20 bloody points awarded for each surviving soldier of the 2nd Parachute Battalion.
Rewards for this mission are team-based and will be distributed based on contribution.
Killing fellow adventurers during the optional mission disqualifies one from team reward distribution.
The highest contributor can access special item rewards.
Special reward value depends on the following condition: For every 10% contribution ratio over the average of surviving adventurers, the reward level increases by half a grade, with a base reward of no grade.