Chapter 120: Standby

As a Super Warrior standing in the center of the storm, Zhou Liming’s life had only changed slightly.

For example, the squad formed by him and Huang Dazhuang would no longer perform city patrol duties like other squads, but would instead guard the station. After all, their popularity in Xiang A City was too high now; the tens of millions of people in the city were their admirers. At a time like this, it was impossible to carry out normal patrol work; if they appeared on the streets, wouldn’t they be surrounded by crazy people?

As a member of the Super Warriors, this title actually covered everyone who had undergone Genetic Modification by Fierce Beast genes, but there were only two stars: Zhou Liming and Huang Dazhuang.

The members of X Squadron all knew Zhou Liming’s background. The ability to kill a Level Five Fierce Beast with one move was far beyond what they could achieve, so they would only be envious, not jealous. As for Huang Dazhuang, there was even less to say; he was an honest and simple person in life. As long as you didn’t go too far, he would always have a silly smile and wouldn’t take things seriously with you. But once he entered a combat state, his madness was enough to shock everyone.

But the people in X Squadron knowing didn’t matter much, for X Squadron represented only one team.

The number of squadrons the whole country currently possessed was increasing at a speed of almost two or three per day. There were already nearly a hundred squadrons, and the number of people was close to six thousand. They didn’t think that Zhou Liming could represent them or represent the title of Super Warrior. So, without a doubt, only one or two out of ten people were convinced.

While becoming stars, they naturally became enemies in the eyes of others, and it was inevitable that they would be viewed with some hostility.

Zhou Liming naturally didn’t know this. In fact, he didn’t even know that he had been molded into a superhero, representing the future hope of the country. His life was still very simple; he could sleep until whatever time he wanted, move around freely, and didn’t have to attend all sorts of messy small meetings. In short, everything was as he wished.

Of course, although Zhou Liming had this privilege, he still got up on time and ate on time like the others. The only difference was that he didn’t need to go out on duty.

Actually, staying in the station, his modified physique didn’t need training, so it seemed a bit boring. Even playing on the computer wasn’t very interesting. With the recovery in the rear, the internet speed wasn’t very fast yet, and games often disconnected. But even so, for the games that survived, no matter how trashy they were, the servers were packed to bursting by people. Wanted to get in? You had to queue.

What was even more annoying was that these were clearly games with item fees. In this environment, item fees weren’t enough; they also added time fees, on a monthly basis, with no hourly cards.

The ridiculously high prices for items in the mall, the ridiculously high monthly cards…

But the unemployment rate was too high now, and there were too many people with nothing to do all day. Many lost people needed a place for entertainment and venting. Compared to bars and nightclubs, online games were undoubtedly much cheaper and longer-lasting. Under the economic crisis, they were barely within their bearing range. It was these situations that caused the internet era to reach its peak again.

Due to issues with the focus of state institutions, private servers appeared one after another, openly collecting monthly fees, and yet they were still packed with people.

It was no exaggeration to say that as long as it was a game, as long as you set up a server, you just waited to count money.

It seemed that under the great disaster, people should work hard to build their future homes together, but in fact, only a few people thought so. The current situation was almost a series of negative news, as if it were the end of the world. Many people who had lost themselves, or who wanted to act like ostriches, could only choose games to numb themselves, casting aside everything from the outside world and immersing themselves in this virtual world.

Actually, Zhou Liming could understand this reasoning. With the city in chaos and not daring to go out casually, watch TV? With only one national channel, what was there to watch? So, the virtual world naturally became people’s first choice. Here, one could discard panic, discard confusion, and discard everything one didn’t want to remember. Here, one could also vent, letting out one’s panic and trampling the corpses of countless enemies underfoot.

At least that was what Zhou Liming was doing now; having nothing to do, he turned on the computer and then hacked and killed in the game.

“Damn it!”

Looking at his character being killed because it froze, and dropping several pieces of equipment, Zhou Liming couldn’t help but curse out loud. He quit the game somewhat angrily, looked at a pack of cigarettes on the computer desk, hesitated for a moment, then picked one up, lit it, and started smoking.

For bored or depressed people, cigarettes were definitely a good thing; whether you were happy, angry, sad, or joyful, it could share the burden with you.

Zhou Liming originally didn’t know how to smoke, but in just a few days, he had learned.

Having stayed at the station for a few days, this seemingly free life made him feel irritable, because he was not destined to be a homebody; he couldn’t stay home even if he wanted to. He still longed for some exciting things; even fighting with Fierce Beasts was better than his current life.

Pushing the door and leaving his quarters, Zhou Liming walked to the rooftop and looked at the hazy distant view of the early morning. Unknowingly, he had played games all night again.

The squads assigned to patrol were leaving in all directions, heading to the areas they were responsible for. The city had been very quiet these past few days; not even a single Fierce Beast had come to cause trouble, so naturally, there was no need for Zhou Liming to worry. According to the plan, if Fierce Beasts were discovered, Zhou Liming would be the one to solve it; this was the best opportunity to increase his personal fame.

Zhou Liming didn’t know what it felt like to be admired by thousands, but that feeling must be great, right?

To put it plainly, Zhou Liming was still very excited when he knew he had become a hero. With the mentality of a young man, who didn’t crave being the focus of everyone? At least Zhou Liming hadn’t reached the state of seeing through the world; he liked the feeling of being worshipped by everyone, like stars in the past, where people would scream wherever he went. Yes, that feeling would definitely be good.

“Beep, beep, Zhou Liming, City District Nine.”

Lian Ruixue’s voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Zhou Liming’s wandering thoughts.

Right now, what Zhou Liming wanted to hear most was Lian Ruixue’s voice, because there was finally something to do. He replied that he received it, then took off his shirt, spread his wings, and soared into the sky, flying towards the city.

District Nine was the closest to the east and also the area with the highest frequency of Fierce Beast appearances.

At this moment, a Tentacle Beast appeared. Its body was not very large, about the size of an adult ox, but from its name, one could already know its characteristics. Around its neck grew a circle of small tentacles like fleshy whiskers. When it ran or moved, these small tentacles would tremble, which was somewhat disgusting.

Judging by its appearance, if you looked down on it, you would definitely regret it. In the rating, the Tentacle Beast was a fourth-level Fierce Beast, and its strength was extraordinary.

On the Frontline, there were still many loopholes, which was why there were always Fierce Beasts that weren’t stopped and successfully entered the city. The Tentacle Beast was a Fierce Beast between carnivorous and herbivorous diets. It had appeared before, breaking into hotels and restaurants to eat a big meal, and then walking away under the watchful eyes of everyone.

There was no way; its skin was too thick. Bullets and Missiles couldn’t harm it. Besides watching it leave with wide eyes, what could be done? Usually, this was also the time when the owners of these restaurants and hotels were unlucky; they could only consider themselves unlucky and treat the day’s business as a total loss.

But this time was different. The city possessed Super Warriors, and everyone would shout and call for the hero in their hearts as soon as they found a Fierce Beast appearing.

When Zhou Liming arrived at District Nine, the people below were already shouting Zhou Liming’s name.

This Tentacle Beast also looked somewhat panicked at the tsunami-like shouts, seemingly unable to figure out what was going on, but this couldn’t change its target. It was a Sichuan restaurant ahead; the rich fragrance inside made it secrete a lot of saliva, constantly dripping from its mouth. Especially the smell of chili, which drove it crazy; as long as it smelled this scent, it couldn’t resist the temptation.

Because the Frontline notified in time, this Tentacle Beast hadn’t caused any destruction yet. When Zhou Liming saw it, it was already less than a hundred meters away from the Sichuan restaurant.

“Look, our hero is here!”

The people who had been looking up at the sky discovered Zhou Liming immediately, then screamed and burst into a round of applause.

Undoubtedly, Zhou Liming’s arrival instantly made the Tentacle Beast a supporting character and made Zhou Liming the main character in everyone’s hearts. On the streets, inside the buildings, there were excited people everywhere; they clapped, cheered, and waved constantly at Zhou Liming. Especially the screams of some young girls overwhelmed the voices of others.

Zhou Liming’s pictures were all over the streets now; young and somewhat handsome, and a national hero, he was definitely the Prince Charming in the hearts of countless girls.

The Tentacle Beast seemed to sense Zhou Liming’s presence. The powerful aura made it suddenly stop in its tracks. It then looked up at Zhou Liming hovering in the air and let out a warning roar. Somewhat similar to an ox’s movement, its front hooves pawed at the ground, shattering the concrete surface of the street. Its tail swayed slightly, and its two eyes emitted a frightening glow. Especially its tentacles, which rose up without wind, looking eager to make a move.

Zhou Liming crossed his arms and slowly descended vertically. He soon hovered a few meters above the street surface, staring at this Tentacle Beast.