The tense atmosphere of an impending storm began to spread on the streets. After the emergency evacuation notice was issued, the reporters who had originally surrounded the police station also left the scene in a panic. However, a few bold ones chose to stay, ready to catch any big news that might unfold.
"Is it because the military can't stand it anymore and is ready to take action?" George's face looked a little grim. If this were true, it would only highlight the incompetence of the police.
"Probably not," Merlin replied. "It's still within control for now, and such a big show of force likely means something more dangerous is coming." He pointed to the armed helicopters circling in the sky and the F22 Raptors flying overhead. "This kind of armed configuration is enough to launch a small war."
"Buzz..." At that moment, a large vehicle approached from across the street. It was a modified M1 main battle tank. The arrival of this tank seemed to heighten the alertness of all the soldiers on guard. They all raised their weapons, ready to attack at any moment.
George looked confused as he witnessed the scene before him. Too many strange things had been happening lately. First, Iron Man began appearing frequently in the Middle East. Then, the gaming platform suddenly emerged in New York. The existence of Gwen as Spider-Man and the Lizard Man was already enough to overwhelm him, but now things had escalated further. Such a bizarre situation unfolded right in front of him. The whole world felt like a powder keg, ready to ignite and explode, spreading chaos throughout New York.
"Boom!!!" A violent explosion suddenly startled him. Looking up, he saw an F22 fighter jet engulfed in flames, exploding mid-air. But what left George stunned was the sight of the attacker.
"What... what is that?" he stammered, staring in shock at the massive mecha chasing the F22 fighter. The machine spread its wings and hovered behind the remaining jets like a predator playing with its prey. Then, it accelerated, leaping onto another fighter jet, and another fiery explosion illuminated the New York skyline.
Before George could process what he was seeing, another loud noise erupted. This time, it wasn't an explosion, but a massive black jet fighter dragging a huge red and blue robot through the middle of the Empire State Building. The steel giant dwarfed the humans in the building, who seemed like mere dolls beneath it. Ambulances, pickup trucks, sports cars, tanks, police cars—under George's stunned gaze, robots began rising from the street, engaging in battles with each other. Everything around them seemed like a mere model to these titans.
"Chief George..." A police officer emerged from the station, walking up to George, who was still dazed.
"What's wrong?" George asked, sensing something ominous from the officer's expression.
The officer hesitated for a moment, clutching a report, then gritted his teeth and said, "We've just received several police reports..."
"An Osborne Industries plutonium transport truck was stolen on Thirty-Sixth Street."
"At the same time, the two suspected lizard men we've been tracking were spotted atop the Osborne Industrial Building."
"We've also found traces of Spider-Man heading towards the Osborne Industrial Building."
"The military has issued an emergency evacuation order. Alien creatures, code-named Transformers, have invaded the Security Bureau and stolen a crucial national energy source. Besides doing our best to evacuate the civilians, we must also find a way to recapture the energy, code-named the 'Cosmic Cube.'"
"In addition, it seems players have received some sort of mission, and they've started pouring into the streets."
Chaos! What a mess! Everything was spiraling out of control in New York. Lizardmen, Spider-Man, alien Transformers, players... it was as if all sorts of monsters, ghosts, gods, and snakes had made a pact to descend upon the city at once.
"Merlin, go with the evacuated crowd first. The entire city isn't safe anymore. Stick with the police and follow them to a safe place," George instructed, letting out a long, heavy sigh to release the frustration building up inside him. He turned back to Merlin, then headed to the police station, grabbed his gun, and left with the rest of the officers. The air was thick with tension as the rapid blaring of sirens filled the streets. Police cars sped away from the station, some rushing toward designated evacuation zones, while others raced to chase down criminals.
From the passenger seat, George glanced in the rearview mirror at Merlin, who was smiling and waving goodbye. That sight, at least, brought him some relief. Only after George and the others were out of sight did Merlin lower his hand. He looked out at the distant battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron, and a sly grin crept onto his face.
"Start casting, Sol (Rockstar Subsystem/AI)," Merlin commanded. The platform for this game had been set up; it was time for the NPCs and players to enter.
"Delivering."
While Manhattan was thrown into chaos by the Transformers' battle, the area around the Osborn Industrial Building remained relatively calm. Connors and Peter had their sights set on the Canary launcher atop the tower. But just as many people tuned in to watch the live battle unfold online, a slight vibration rippled through everyone's mobile phones.
In Brooklyn, within the notorious Black Red Scarf gang's territory, three burly black men wearing red headscarves casually strolled down the disorderly streets, cigarettes dangling from their mouths. Their eyes darted around, scanning the pedestrians as they passed by.
On the disorderly streets, three strong men wearing red headscarves were lazily walking with cigarettes in their mouths, their eyes constantly scanning the pedestrians.
"Ding!"
Suddenly, as if on cue, all three of their cell phones chimed simultaneously.
"What now? The boss probably wants us to buy more herbal medicine again," muttered the fierce-looking bald man as he pulled out his phone, visibly annoyed. But when he saw the pop-up message, his expression shifted to one of surprise.
"Evolve?"
The companion next to him echoed in astonishment.
[R-Star Platform Announcement]
Seeing that it was from Rockstar, the three men immediately perked up. Everyone in New York was familiar with the Rockstar platform, but becoming a player required more than just desire—it needed a bit of luck too. After all, who wouldn't be tempted by the unique vehicles and weapons it offered?
[New Humanity!]
[Do you find the human body too fragile? A disease, a knife, a baseball bat, a stray bullet, or a sudden explosion… any of these can send you to meet God—or Satan.]
[Evolution is the driving force of everything, the most powerful force in the universe, and the only eternal truth.]
[A transformation is coming. On the evening of August 4, 2008, a heavy rain will sweep across the entire New York City.]
[Bathe in this rain, and you will shed your frail human form and complete your evolution.]
[By embracing evolution, you will no longer be plagued by disease or lost limbs. You will become a stronger, more perfect new human.]
[Natural selection, survival of the fittest!]
[Lizard Man or Human?]
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