403: Chapter 445 Escaping the Bamboo Village?

Inside the Control Room.

No. 1379 and the Chief Steward looked at the large characters displayed on the screen in front of them, equally shocked.

"How... how is that possible?" An "unbelievable" emoticon appeared on No. 1379's screen.

The Noble Lords actually couldn't even modify an earthworm, a creature so low it couldn't be any lower?

That's impossible!

Earthworms weren't even involved in any critical processes of the [National Fortune Game].

With the Noble Lords' authority, it should be impossible for them not to be able to modify it.

In the back, Fama was the first to lose his composure. "Tike, let me try."

With a flash, he arrived in front of the Control Room.

Then he began attempting to use his authority to modify the attributes of some plants and animals that wouldn't affect this Beast Attack at all.

Previously, such operations were always successful, but now he simply couldn't modify anything.

On the Control Room screen, the large characters "No permission to modify" were still displayed.

"What on earth is going on?"

Noble Fama refused to give up and kept trying, but the results were exactly the same.

Unable to modify meant unable to modify.

"Calm down..."

Seeing that Noble Fama was about to completely lose his cool, Noble Tik quickly stopped him.

"Tike, how can you expect me to be calm?"

Fama said in a low voice.

"You know very well what it means if we don't have the authority to modify..."

Tike remained silent.

It meant they could no longer control this [National Fortune Game].

Although they weren't in complete control before, their authority was vast.

But now, they could only watch like spectators, letting the [National Fortune Game] run on its own without being able to interfere at all.

However, this wasn't the most terrifying part.

The most terrifying part was that it meant the true mastermind behind the [Game] might have awakened.

At the beginning of the [Game], these god-level existences felt trepidation because they had no idea where the [Game] originated from.

They couldn't understand the underlying mysteries of the [Game].

This meant the [Game] was produced by an existence with a higher level of civilization than theirs.

However, after a long time, their fear of the [Game] gradually faded.

They even found it quite interesting for a while, as they had gained some authority and could select civilizations from various planets to play the game.

In the end, the game became their chessboard and battlefield.

When these God-level Civilizations had conflicts or clashes of interest, they were all resolved through the game.

Whichever side held the stronger chess pieces—the contestants—would gain the benefits.

This was also why these few Noble Lords cared about contestant prospects.

After countless games, the cosmic territories they controlled became smaller and smaller, almost hollowed out by other nobles.

So they began frantically selecting contestant prospects, trying to pick a good chess piece that could help them win everything back.

However, a huge change had now occurred in the game, and they could no longer interfere...

They were afraid.

Would this game from a higher civilization also treat them as chess pieces?

That initial fear emerged once again in the hearts of the nobles.

No! It should be said that it was even more terrifying than before.

Because they had personally controlled the game and knew that everything inside was merely a source of amusement for people of a higher dimension...

Inside the Control Room, Fama flicked his sleeves and flew away, leaving only one sentence: "I'm going to check other places..."

"To see if it's just our side having problems, or if all 108 Domains are having problems..."

Noble Fama quickly departed.

The Control Room fell silent.

A doubt lingered in their hearts: why would such a thing suddenly happen to a game that had been running normally for so long?

At the same time, they looked at An Ke in the live broadcast.

Facing the Level 20 Beast Attack animals arranged by the [Game], could the prospect they valued really survive?

"I have a feeling that this change in the game is related to An Ke," Noble Dainike murmured.

"Impossible. How could a contestant from a low-level civilization affect the game?" Qieno didn't believe it at all.

"I also think it's impossible," Noble Fude echoed.

"I expect An Ke won't even survive this Beast Attack."

Neither No. 1379 nor the Chief Steward spoke.

Judging from the current situation, An Ke indeed couldn't survive this Beast Attack.

What did An Ke have to deal with Level 20 creatures?

Inside the live broadcast.

Several waves of attacks from the Speedy Snow Rabbits were neutralized by An Ke's group.

However, although they were neutralized, the Blazing Fire Bear was significantly injured.

Both its paws were swollen beyond belief, and there was a serious flesh wound on its left thigh.

The surface was a bloody mess, bright red.

The Blazing Fire Bear even had difficulty supporting its massive body.

"Ex-Excellency An Ke, this time it's 30 rabbits..."

On the high slope, Kata's voice continued to carry a sense of despair.

The suicidal attacks of these rabbits were too terrifying; as soon as one wave was blocked, the next wave's numbers increased.

Currently, many of the main forces were feeling exhausted.

After cursing 8 rabbits to death in a row, Old Crocodile was now finding it hard to speak.

The consumption was too immense.

If he cursed two more to death, Old Crocodile would completely lose his combat effectiveness.

And relying on his physical body, he couldn't withstand even one suicidal attack from these rabbits.

The situation for Little Scar and Jingang was also not optimistic.

The former's giant transformation also placed a huge strain on his body.

As for Jingang, one of his claws was already broken, and his feathers were in disarray.

He could no longer take flight.

With this suicidal attack by 30 rabbits, it was feared that some animals would die.

The White Goose Contestants all looked despairing.

When they dealt with the Locusts, some contestants had already died.

Let alone helping An Ke withstand a Beast Attack that belonged to him.

Even if they all wore powered armor like Xiao Mei, they probably wouldn't be able to hold out until the end.

Who knew if the numbers would keep increasing, reaching over 100 rabbits in a single attack?

Oufu swallowed hard and staggered toward An Ke's direction.

His left leg had been bitten off by a locust while fighting them.

That's right! It was bitten off and gone.

Fortunately, he had the help of the Golden Silk Spider, or he would have been dead already.

"Ex-Excellency An Ke, maybe we should give up on Bamboo Village..."

"With 30 rabbits performing suicidal attacks this time, it's simply impossible to block..."

"It would require lives to fill the gap..."

"Even if we do, there might be another wave, and the number in the next wave will only be greater..."

At this moment, An Ke's hair hung down in strands, matted with sweat and blood.

Because he hadn't cut his hair for a long time, the hanging hair covered An Ke's face.

Even so, he looked more disheveled than ever before.

Outside, in the live broadcast room.

People all over Dragon Country covered their mouths with worried expressions, and some emotional ones even had tears welling in their eyes.

From the time An Ke entered the [National Fortune Game] until now, this was the first time they had seen him so bedraggled.

Now, everyone in Dragon Country just hoped An Ke would choose to leave...

...

Although An Ke giving up on Bamboo Village meant there would be no rewards for this Beast Attack challenge.

But the people of Dragon Country still hoped An Ke would give up on Bamboo Village.

Because life was the most important thing.

As long as the green hills remain, there's no fear of lacking firewood.

Besides, An Ke had already secured enough rewards for the Dragon Country Masses.

Now, the average lifespan of the entire Dragon Country population had reached a staggering 170 years, and everyone even had two revival coins on them.

There was absolutely no need to worry about leaving this world due to an accident before a natural death.

In terms of daily life, electricity had been fully restored throughout Dragon Country; even with a 6-hour power outage at night, the quality of life was still hundreds of times higher than before.

Furthermore, there was heartening news: at the end of this new month, the distribution of some fruits, vegetables, and meat would be opened... this meant that the unpleasant nutrient reagents were slowly exiting the stage.

Dragon Country was developing toward a beautiful future.

And the fact that Dragon Country could get back on track was all because of An Ke.

It was his hard work that brought hope to Dragon Country and caused the national fortune to soar.

An Ke had already done enough; he didn't need to risk his life anymore.

They also had no right to ask An Ke to continue risking his life...

In the Dragon Country High Command meeting room.

"I hope this kid can think of himself for once and give up on protecting Bamboo Village..." the Dragon Country Commander said in a heavy voice.

"Yes! He has already done well enough..."

"Even if this Beast Attack doesn't help Dragon Country get a reward, no one will blame him."

"..."

At this point, even the Dragon Country High Command hoped An Ke would choose to retreat.

Because no one could see any possibility of a turnaround.

Continuing to persist would only lead to total annihilation.

This Beast Attack was too perverse...

To be precise! It was Dragon Country's Beast Attack that was too perverse.

Countries like Beacon Country, A San, Philippines, South Korea, and Bear Country, although their Beast Attacks were also much stronger than before.

But they were within an acceptable range.

For instance, the Kimchi Country, which had obtained the S-rank [transcendent gene core · Overwhelming Thunder].

They had already withstood this Beast Attack.

The Camp's integrity was as high as 70%, currently sitting firmly in second place.

First place was Dragon Country.

However, at this moment, the Kimchi Country live broadcast room had already begun celebrating first place.

After all, in their view, it was impossible for An Ke to hold out for much longer.

They estimated that with this wave of 30 rabbits, An Ke would choose to retreat.

As long as he retreated, with the destructive power of these rabbits, they would surely damage the Camp's integrity to below 70%.

By then, their Kimchi Country would be number one.

As for An Ke not retreating?

It would be even better if he didn't retreat.

Judging from the current situation, the main animals like Jingang, Old Crocodile, and Little Scar simply couldn't withstand this wave of attacks.

By the end of the defense, An Ke's strongest lineup would be shattered.

Would they still be afraid of encountering An Ke?

"Jin Sisi, do you regret it now? Hahaha!"

Jin Sisi was the female athlete who had publicly supported An Ke in the live broadcast room before.

At that time, she had even incited a wave of public condemnation against her throughout Kimchi Country.

However, Jin Sisi herself had ignored it and continued to publicly support An Ke.

Now the Kimchi masses finally seized the opportunity to ruthlessly mock this former national goddess.

"I bet she's hiding in the bathroom crying right now."

"Hahaha! Serves her right! That's what she gets for fawning over foreigners."

"It's retribution for someone like her to shed tears."

"She doesn't even dare to come out and speak now, I'm dying of laughter."

"..."

The Dragon Country Masses only felt vindicated.

Isn't it just that Dragon Country has a temporary advantage?

Is there any need to lick their boots?

South Korea is the king who can stand tall until the end.

Didn't you see that Jin Xiaoxiao obtained the S-rank [Overwhelming Thunder]?

And just as the Kimchi masses were gloating.

Jin Sisi finally appeared.

She came on and immediately posted a "pinched" picture, then added the text: "Sorry! It took a while to find the picture."

The South Korea live broadcast room immediately overheated with rage!!

...

Everyone in Dragon Country, as well as foreign friends, hoped An Ke would give up.

An occasional failure was nothing.

Even contestants like Kata and Oufu were advising An Ke to give up.

If An Ke didn't leave, he would only be buried in this Beast Attack.

"What... what should we do?"

"I feel like Excellency An Ke won't give up..."

"Do... do we have to stay here with him?"

"...Staying here is equivalent to being buried along with Dragon Country!"

"..."

Many White Goose Contestants already felt like retreating and had the urge to leave.

After all, they carried not only their own lives but the fate of their entire country.

If An Ke died here, Dragon Country would suffer losses, but they could still start over.

But if these people died here, White Goose would be finished.

If that happened, they might become the sinners of White Goose.

"Maybe... maybe we should just leave on our own?"

"Leave? Where are you going?"

Oufu suddenly scolded his teammates: "I've lost a leg and even I haven't thought about leaving.

You people have only suffered some minor injuries, and you're thinking of leaving?"

"Oufu!!" An older White Goose Contestant stood up.

He shouted, "If we die, White Goose is finished!"

Oufu sneered and said crossly, "If Excellency An Ke hadn't helped us withstand the attack of the Locusts,

we would have been finished long ago."

"In our time of peril, Excellency An Ke reached out a helping hand, and now that Excellency An Ke is in trouble, we're just going to walk away?"

"In the face of matters of national importance, what do any personal feelings matter?"

The older contestant roared.

"Do you think I don't know that An Ke was kind to us?"

"But... but I still have a family."

This sentiment spoke to the hearts of many contestants.

Yes! They still had families!

By staying here, they were dragging their families into the grave with them.

In an instant, many contestants made up their minds to leave.

Oufu wanted to say something more.

But just then, An Ke, who was in front, laughed softly. "Go ahead!"

"Those who want to leave can leave now; I won't say anything.

Because your choice is not wrong..."

"Of course! If you leave today, then all previous ties end here."

Oufu froze and looked at An Ke.

The dripping wet hair obscured An Ke's face, making it impossible to see his expression.

With these words from An Ke, those White Goose Contestants who wanted to leave no longer hesitated and immediately walked away.

Some even tried to persuade Kata.

"Dog Tycoon, you're their only contestant, you should at least preserve some hope."

But Kata didn't even spare a glance for that contestant and remained resolutely where he stood.

Quite a few White Goose Contestants were caught in hesitation; some finally gritted their teeth and chose to stay, while others chose to leave like the rest.

Including Oufu, only about 20 White Goose Contestants remained.

"Excellency An Ke, please do not hold a grudge against White Goose..." Oufu walked behind An Ke, leaning on his mechanical exoskeleton, and said respectfully.

An Ke laughed lightly. "Why should I have a grudge? Aren't you all still here?"

"The choice you made is not wrong, and their choice is not wrong either.

As long as you can bear the consequences of your choices in the end."

Kata smiled. "Excellency An Ke, it seems we won't have a chance to meet in the real world!"

"Heh~ actually, it's quite good; I can save myself a gift of 10 billion..."