CHAPTER 1575: CHAPTER 1575: I’M JUST HERE TO LEND A HAND

"How does it feel having your neck stuck?" Xu Huo looked at Xie Song with a twisted amusement.

"Xu Huo, don’t think you can do whatever you want just because you’re a Super Evolver. Consider the consequences..." The word "consequences" hadn’t even left his lips before the spatial blade advanced towards his neck. Surrounded by blades on both sides, movement was impossible unless the prop or spatial power was completely breached.

"Everything Wants to Slice" is a Rank-A prop, not easily destroyed but can be disarmed by other props. As a precaution for such an event, Xu Huo specifically used the walls of the meeting room as the framework for the secant line. Naturally, even if the prop was disarmed, it wouldn’t matter. His spatial blade might not be powerful enough to destroy advanced items, but in this scenario, it was a sufficient supplement, especially given the environment where these advanced players’ spatial props had largely failed.

"Don’t move," Xu Huo warned out of duty, stepping out from behind the old man, his gaze sweeping across each player as he lowered his voice, enunciating clearly, "I’ll only say this once. Anyone who makes a move next signifies a declaration of war against me. Consider the consequences carefully before deciding. It’s uncertain what will become of the military and Special Defense Department, but I can guarantee the person who acts will definitely die."

Anyone else saying such words would seem absurd—an inexperienced Rank-C Player warning a behemoth like the government not to declare war against him?

These words were historically uttered by the military and Special Defense Department to outsiders, yet today, the tables had turned against them!

Nevertheless, everyone present, including the previously overly confident Xie Song, understood that the silence outside the meeting room indicated that Xu Huo was already in control of the situation. The frustrating part was they couldn’t confirm if he had inside collaborators because, based on the data reported by the Special Defense Department, his strength had long surpassed that of typical C-level Players. Unlike the Special Defense Department and the military, who relied heavily on supplemental evolution potions and instance grinding to become advanced players, who knew what props he had acquired in the game?

"Why not tell us what you want? We’re all here today to negotiate," said the elder sitting at the head. Unlike the elderly in the back row who were merely blocked by three secant lines, he was trapped by his neck like the players around the meeting table, forcing him to keep a straight back and extended neck, not daring to move.

"I’ve heard enough of what you had to say a moment ago." Xu Huo raised his hand, releasing the secretary in the corner, signaling them to vacate the chair as he sat down at the table, facing everyone with candor. "Frankly, I don’t have much interest in your internal power struggles. Such shifts are normal, and nothing remains unchanged forever."

"But you must have a bottom line."

"I have strong affection for Zone 014 and faith in the government; otherwise, during the Super Props incident, I wouldn’t have cooperated with the Girl in the painting to lure away some advanced players."

As he spoke, his fingers lightly tapped the conference table, white sand emerging from the tabletop like diligent workers, rising and fortifying until becoming a winding white wall.

The external crises are unpredictable and uncontrollable. Everyone, whether sacrificed or survived, has contributed to Zone 014. Simply being seated here, how are you gonna defend against advanced players?

"Wanting to dismantle the bridge before crossing the river—those sitting in positions deciding a country’s future raise doubts about whether Zone 014 has any prospects."

Regardless of whether these people seemed contemplative or defiant, Xu Huo no longer paid them any heed, instead reaching to touch the base of the wall, causing several grains of sand to drift around his fingers.

With the loss of several grains of sand, the wall began to collapse from the middle, spreading like water before completely disappearing.

"You were the one in contact with us in Sea City." The military elder seated at the back suddenly spoke, "Can I assume the Super Props are still in the hands of you or your friends?"

Xu Huo chuckled, "How can you be sure what you saw then was definitely a Super Prop?"

The situation now differed from when they first entered the game—lacking understanding. The Girl in the painting controlling the paper of the entire city was an unattainable feat for them. With the acquisition of advanced items, they gradually realized some Rank-A props could achieve similar effects.

Super Props aren’t necessarily visibly better than Rank-A props.

Besides, sometimes acquiring props relies on a bit of luck, so one can’t really say whether what appeared in Sea City was a Super Prop or some other Rank-A item.

The people in the meeting room wore varied expressions, yet from Xu Huo’s face, they couldn’t glean any clues.

But the military elder wasn’t seeking a definitive answer; he merely aimed to determine whether Xu Huo was the strategist who initially turned the tides.

"Regardless of whether it was a Super Prop, your contributions in Sea City remain indelible."

At that time, not many had the courage to deploy a prop amidst a myriad of advanced players, risking possible death.

The Super Props in Zone 017 have yet to surface.

"I represent all the survivors of Country X in thanking you!" The military elder stood and formally saluted him.

Xu Huo also stood up.

Silence enveloped the meeting room for a few seconds before the passive player characteristics one by one began to dissolve on those forcibly seated. They refrained from taking any actions for now, having been forewarned.

Their involvement in Sea City’s operation was mere cooperation, many hadn’t even encountered danger—they were close to resolving the crisis. Still, many perished, and if it weren’t for that pivotal pursuit, saving Sea City was uncertain.

Though the external environment wasn’t as dire as in Zone 017, having an E-level player toy with high-level players from outside was enough to earn respect from those present purely on that merit.

"Surely you have a reason for coming here," the aged leader at the head was tired, sweating profusely, casting a sidelong glance at Xu Huo. "Speak up, everything is negotiable!"

Xu Huo locked eyes with him, "Unfortunately, I’m not the one negotiating with you today. When those outside finish their work, someone will come to find you."

The elder’s face twisted, his hands gripping the table edge furiously.

"Calm down," Xu Huo reminded him and the players in the conference room, "I’m only here to help out, not to make a mess..."

Before he could finish speaking, a player seated at the opposite end of the table abruptly raised a remote; by forcefully pressing it, they watched as the meeting room walls began to turn transparent, they snarled, "Nobody has claimed responsibility for the Sea City event; say whatever you like. I want to see if you’re truly that formidable!"

The others present, filled with hope or desperation, strained to witness the situation outside, only to have their hopes dashed upon seeing players suspended by their necks, clustered in groups.