Chapter 179: Life and Death
Arnel's head suddenly exploded, and warm blood splattered all around.
Gianluan abruptly stood up, but before he could move, another orange light shot towards him, almost at the same time.
In front of him, a pale yellow energy shield formed, wrapping his body within it.
The bullet was slightly slowed, but it still penetrated the shield, hitting 'Gianluan' in the abdomen, blood splattering everywhere.
"Master!" a servant beside him exclaimed in shock.
Gianluan pulled her body in front of him as a shield.
Almost simultaneously, another bullet flew over, piercing through the servant's back, and she collapsed in a pool of blood.
Gianluan rolled and crawled, hiding behind the sofa, shouting loudly, "Guards! Magel, where are you? Get over here now!"
Clatter~!
A man wearing iron armor led a group of guards rushing over.
They lifted him up and dragged him to the middle of the hall, away from the windows.
"We have people searching the surrounding area," the guard said directly.
Gianluan took out a potion and downed it, angrily saying, "It's Wu Heng, it must be him! I want him dead! Send people to kill him now!"
Bang~!
Another gunshot rang out, startling everyone.
In the courtyard, someone let out a scream. A guard who was searching had his forehead pierced through, and he fell backward, dead.
Bang~!
Bang, bang, bang~!
Gunfire continued to echo in the courtyard, and the well-equipped guards fell one after another.
No one could pinpoint the attacker's location, as if the punishment came from the night sky.
They were randomly killing everyone here.
Everyone quickly searched for cover, and no one dared to expose themselves outside.
Even the shouting 'Gianluan' had closed his mouth.
It seemed that his side was now the one at the mercy of others.
...
On top of a nearby building.
Wu Heng observed everything happening in the distant manor through his binoculars.
When he realized that one shot hadn't killed 'Gianluan,' he felt a wave of disappointment.
If he had killed him directly, he could have retreated by now.
The yellow shield that protected him.
It was clearly a high-level magic item or artifact, capable of even blocking sniper bullets.
"It's good to be rich, not dying like that."
In this world, as long as you're not dead, you're fine.
A few potions or a healing item could restore injuries.
There was no chance of wounds worsening and leading to death.
Wu Heng glanced again through the binoculars at the opposite building.
There was no turning back now; today, he had to die.
"Hunter One, keep eliminating the target," Wu Heng instructed Hunter One, then turned to the Big-Head Skeleton beside him and said, "Charge in, leave no one alive."
Rumble~!
A loud, harsh sound of bone friction suddenly echoed from the street below.
The dense, piercing noise made everyone feel uncomfortable.
Skeletons, like a surging tide of white bones, flooded out of the alley and spread in all directions.
They began charging toward the opposite building.
The skeletons climbed over each other, leaping over walls, and smashing through the sealed iron gate.
Under the terrified gazes of the guards, they rushed into the courtyard and began slaughtering.
In an instant, the sound of wails and battle erupted.
From time to time, deafening gunshots rang out.
Gianluan, protected by many guards inside the building, looked at the surging tide of bones outside and felt an overwhelming fear of impending death.
Why is this happening?
Why are there so many undead in the city?
Why hasn't the 'Iron Guard Knights' patrolling the city arrived yet?
I have money, I have items.
Even though I'm old, I can use a few artifacts to keep living; I can't die here.
"Hold on, the Iron Guard Knights will be here soon. I give them so much money every year; they won't just let me die," Gianluan, no longer his usual calm self, saw the similarly anxious guards, and his heart sank further, "Protect me, and I'll give each of you 10 gold coins. Protect me, and you'll have endless money."
The battle in the courtyard had already ended.
All the guards had been overwhelmed by the skeletons.
The skeletons, with their hollow eye sockets, turned in unison, staring at the interior of the building.
"Form a battle formation, defend, hold on until the city's knights arrive," the guard captain coldly ordered.
Everyone quickly formed a battle formation, placing 'Gianluan' behind them.
They began fighting off the skeletons pouring into the building.
...
Outer district.
A group of several hundred people marched quickly through the dim streets, all clad in armor with swords, their movements clanking.
Some people standing by the roadside didn't move out of the way.
They simply watched as the group passed in front of them.
In Rentam City, gang wars were nothing unusual.
There were countless small and large gangs.
Every day, gangs were destroyed, and new ones emerged.
Especially small gangs, a few new ones would spring up daily.
But gangs that had been established for a while and reached a certain scale were rarely provoked.
The White Wolf Gang was one of them.
Not only was it established early, but it also had complex ties to the inner district.
"Sister-in-law, the gang was just starting to develop, and now we're in direct conflict with the White Wolf Gang. It might cause some losses," a gang leader quickened his pace, coming closer to persuade her.
He spoke rather tactfully.
Given the strength of the Spikes Gang, going up against the White Wolf Gang was like smashing an egg against a rock.
The only ones who would be destroyed were themselves.
Even if you're going crazy, pick an opponent at your level. Don't crash into a wall directly.
Wen Mansa, dressed in a brown leather jacket, her fiery red hair tied back, her face cold and serious.
How could she not know these things?
But her master had been wronged, and tonight, they had to destroy the White Wolf Gang; what else could she do?
She glanced at the people next to her.
These were the helpers Wu Heng had given her—four skeletons that looked a bit dimwitted, wearing round helmets, along with some strange equipment being pulled by a cart.
The long object supported by a four-legged iron frame had a chain attached on one side.
It seemed to be some kind of long-range weapon from her master's homeland.
Her expression unchanged, she spoke sternly, "I've already arranged everything. The White Wolf Gang will be destroyed, and tomorrow our Spikes Gang will be a renowned name... Don't worry, I'm not stupid enough to risk my own life. Everything is arranged by the inner district."
Hearing that it was arranged by the inner district, the leaders and members nearby were stunned.
They immediately understood what their sister-in-law meant.
Someone from the inner district wanted the White Wolf Gang destroyed, and they were just the muscle. Everything was set up.
Although they still had some doubts in their hearts, the team had already come this far, and they could only grit their teeth and push forward.
"Alright, we'll follow Sister-in-law," someone said.
Wen Mansa allowed herself a confident smile, "After tonight, everyone will receive a hefty reward."
"Thank you, Sister-in-law!"
The group continued forward.
As they approached the alley ahead, several eyes hiding in the darkness immediately focused on them.
At the same time, tamed beasts on the rooftops took flight into the sky, circling above the group.
They had been spotted.
With such a large group approaching, it was hard to escape the eyes of the rangers.
Creak~ Clatter!
In the distance, the doors of several buildings opened.
Members of the White Wolf Gang quickly filed out.
A large crowd gathered in the alley ahead.
The White Wolf Gang leader, Garwan, squeezed to the front, eyeing the group with scrutiny, "Spikes Gang! Are you out of your minds, coming here to cause trouble?"
The White Wolf Gang was an outer district gang, while the Spikes Gang operated outside the city.
In terms of strength and numbers, they were not even close.
Since the tamed beasts had spotted the Spikes Gang's movement, the White Wolf Gang had already gathered a large number of men.
They outnumbered the Spikes Gang.
Seeing the Spikes Gang come here, they could only assume they were insane.
"Garwan, surrender, and I'll spare your brothers," Wen Mansa said sternly.
"Haha!"
The members of the White Wolf Gang were stunned, then burst into laughter.
Garwan's gaze fell on the fiery red-haired, voluptuous woman and said coldly, "Wen Mansa, 'Roche' wanted to send you to keep me company for a few nights, but then he disappeared. Didn't expect you to be so eager. I'll be sure to enjoy your body thoroughly. You're quite a woman."
"You're courting death!" Wen Mansa's face twisted in anger.
"It's you who's courting death. You dare interfere in inner district matters, and now you're backing that little brat who just became a captain? You really are out of your mind."
Garwan raised his sword, saying coldly, "Brothers, don't hurt that little wench. Tonight, I'll have a good time with her and take care of Roche's woman."
Hahaha~!
The White Wolf Gang burst into laughter again.
They drew their weapons, swaggering as they moved forward.
Then, they broke into a run, charging toward the enemy who had no sense.
Facing the fierce momentum of the White Wolf Gang.
The members of the Spikes Gang began to show fear and despair.
Their eyes darted around as if looking for a way to escape.
Bang~!
Suddenly, a deafening explosion rang out.
A member of the White Wolf Gang who was leading the charge had his shoulder explode, with an entire arm blown off at the shoulder.
Warm, sticky blood splattered onto the others nearby.
Everyone stared in terror at the scene before them.
But before they could react, another explosion sounded, orange flames flashing, and another member had his chest blown open, flesh and blood splattering everywhere.
Bang, bang, bang~!
The heavy machine gun roared like an angry dragon, spitting orange flames.
Bullets spread like a giant net.
Sweeping through the alley full of people.
Wherever the bullets passed, bodies were torn apart, and people fell in droves.
The White Wolf Gang members howled in terror and fled.
Even Wen Mansa and the members of the Spikes Gang were horrified, watching as the weapon spewed fire and the White Wolf Gang fell like cut wheat.
How could there be such a ferocious weapon?
Wen Mansa quickly snapped out of her daze.
Wu Heng had a gun, a tool of great power, and what they saw now was simply a larger version, with even more devastating power.
...
Inner district.
Wu Heng observed the battle at the manor through his binoculars.
The skeleton army had surrounded the building and launched an attack inside.
It seemed that the people inside were still resisting.
Despite being so outnumbered, they had managed to hold out until now, indicating that there were skilled fighters among the guards.
At that moment, the ghost 'Glenda' flew out of the building, saying, "They're all hiding inside, trying to hold out until the 'Iron Guard Knights' arrive."
Holding out until the Iron Guard Knights arrived.
That was indeed a good plan.
After all, this was the inner district, where the Iron Guard Knights maintained security.
The situation here must have already drawn the knights' attention. If they hadn't come yet, they were probably gathering their forces or making other preparations.
"Let me take a look," Wu Heng said.
Glenda entered his body, and the scene was synchronized to his mind.
The interior of the building was in chaos, with bodies and shattered bones strewn across the floor.
Gianluan's injuries had already healed.
He was protected by several guards, and judging by their combat skills, they were likely high-level.
One of them stood out in particular.
A burly figure clad in silver armor, wielding a longsword engulfed in crimson flames. With wide, sweeping strikes, the flaming blade slashed through the approaching skeletons, burning them to ashes.
He constantly gave orders to the others, seemingly fulfilling the role of captain.
It was because of him that the battle's pace had slowed down.
Preventing the fight from ending earlier.
Wu Heng released 'Glenda' once more.
He turned to the Big-Head Skeleton beside him and said, "Give the order for a full assault."
...
Inside the building.
Gianluan, protected by numerous guards, leaned against a corner of the wall.
Although he wasn't injured.
His face grew paler as the skeletons kept attacking.
Earlier, he thought Wu Heng had come for revenge.
After all, the records showed that Wu Heng was also a necromancer and possessed strange and deadly equipment.
But now, it seemed he had provoked an even more powerful necromancer.
How could a newly employed adventurer command such a vast army of undead?
It must be a powerful, old necromancer with deep resources.
Could it be this kid's mentor?
Damn, the intelligence from the guild was unreliable; this kid clearly had a powerful backer.
No wonder Yazde and Arnel both failed.
All the previously confusing pieces now made sense.
But there was no time for regret.
At this point, there was no way to resolve things peacefully.
They could only hold out.
After all, this was the inner district, and with such a large-scale attack, the Iron Guard Knights would arrive quickly.
As soon as the battle became chaotic, they would have a chance to escape.
After that, they could make further plans.
"You, you guys hold on, and when we get out, I'll pay you more," Gianluan continued speaking, hoping they wouldn't abandon him.
Bang~!
Suddenly, a loud explosion echoed.
Four towering giants, nearly three meters tall, clad in iron armor with arms extending past their knees, broke through the defense line.
Their massive arms swung wide, sending both the surrounding guards and skeletons flying.
They smashed heavily into the walls on either side.
With empty eye sockets scanning the room, they immediately charged toward 'Gianluan.'
The guard captain stepped forward to block them.
Bang~!
He was instantly knocked away, crashing into a bookshelf behind him.
Gianluan, terrified, turned and ran toward the stairs.
However, after only a few steps.
A giant claw from the ceiling grabbed him and lifted him toward a gaping mouth.
Gianluan struggled desperately, shouting, "Save me! I'll give you money, 50 gold, 100 gold! Whoever saves me, hurry!"
Crunch~ Crunch!
The sound of bones breaking echoed.
Gianluan's body was torn in half, his blood and organs raining down.
At the same time, the giant skeletons formed a circle and killed the guard captain.
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