Chapter 110: ch-107
After thousands of comets streaked across the sky, a dense array of mushroom-like parachutes began descending over Los Santos, carrying vehicles and players alike.
"Buzz buzz!!!"
The roar of engines and the synchronized descent of parachutes brought an army of Liberty City players into the city. Carrying a mix of madness and hope, these players had arrived to face the crisis head-on.
Rockstar provided the platform, but over time, Liberty City players had organized themselves into guilds and clubs, forming tight-knit groups. Unlike the chaotic Lizard Incident, they now operated with coordination and purpose. These alliances allowed them to pool resources and work collaboratively, ensuring they were prepared for anything.
Los Santos, previously shrouded in darkness and despair, erupted into a cacophony of noise and light as players flooded in. Excitement and chaos followed their arrival, transforming the once-silent streets into a battlefield teeming with energy.
The grim, hopeless city became alive, though the chaos was now more intense than ever.
A loud bang echoed through a street. An infected body fell to the ground, its chest pierced by a precise shot. Unlike before, this time the creature didn't regenerate but instead turned into a charred husk, crumbling to ash.
The Blade Warrior, clad in a black trench coat and sunglasses, holstered his pistol and inspected the remains.
"Their defense is stronger than ordinary vampires," he muttered, observing the hardened black shell of the infected.
"Qiang!"
A flash of cold steel lit up the street. Blade swung his silver sword in a graceful arc, and all the infected surrounding him instantly turned to ash.
Nearby, a tall black mech swept through the street, wielding a long red metal staff like a reaper's scythe. Infected bodies were sent flying as the mech cut them down in droves.
In front of the mech, a man in a red suit and hood fought tirelessly with a blind stick—Daredevil.
Further down the street, a black motorcycle roared past. John Wick, dressed in his signature suit, rode a Hellcat with deadly precision. His green-haired beagle, Duke, followed closely, crushing infected bodies under its paws.
"Woof woof!" Duke barked, stopping in front of a dark, decrepit house.
John pulled over, gripping his rifle tightly. "Something in there, Duke?"
The dog barked twice, then charged through the door without hesitation.
John followed cautiously, gun ready.
"Da da da..."
Gunfire echoed from inside the house, mingling with Duke's barking and a guttural roar. Moments later, the commotion stopped, and John emerged with Duke, calm as ever.
"Let's check the next place," he said, mounting his bike again.
The arrival of Liberty City players dramatically shifted the battlefield dynamics. The chaos was intense, but their coordination from past experiences—particularly the Lizard Incident—helped them adapt quickly. Players armed with Heart Changer modules began wiping out enemies systematically, though their confidence occasionally led to deadly ambushes by hidden vampire aliens.
Horn and Nalin, armed and alert, made their way down a dimly lit corridor. Horn gripped his electromagnetic rifle, while Nalin adjusted the detective glasses on his face, hands hovering near the flying knives at his waist.
"Something's coming," Nalin whispered, his enhanced vision catching movement in the shadows.
Before Horn could respond, a dark figure lunged from the corridor.
"Phew!"
Nalin's flying knife whizzed through the air, striking the creature mid-flight. It dissolved into ash before it could reach them.
"More incoming!" Nalin shouted, throwing three more knives to eliminate a group of enemies. But one alien managed to evade his attacks and charged straight at Horn.
Horn, seeing the creature's approach, raised his rifle and fired an electromagnetic pulse. The shot hit its mark, obliterating the alien.
"Behind you!" Nalin shouted, throwing another knife.
Horn turned just as a vampire alien's fangs neared his neck. Before it could land the fatal blow, a plasma blast struck the creature, sending it flying.
Horn and Nalin spun around, searching for the source of the attack.
A faint ripple in the air materialized into a towering figure.
"Predator," Horn muttered, his voice filled with both awe and caution.
After clearing the aliens in New Mexico, the Predator had returned to Los Santos, drawn by the city's chaos. He gave Horn and Nalin a brief glance, plucked a silver flying knife from the wall, and vanished back into the shadows. Moments later, another alien fell to the ground, its body pierced by the Predator's knife.
Horn and Nalin stood still for a long moment, wary of any further threats.
"One of my knives is missing," Nalin muttered, realizing the Predator had taken it.
"Consider it payment for saving our lives," Horn said, patting him on the shoulder.
The two continued cautiously, but when they stepped onto the street, they froze.
The once-quiet streets were now bustling with activity. Mechs, vehicles, and convoys swept through, clearing infected bodies with surgical precision. Specialized silver weapons and purple light devices ensured no threats remained.
Horn, who had been tense moments ago, felt his fear melt away. "Looks like we're not alone anymore," he said, a small smile breaking across his face.