Chapter 63: The Uses Of Life Jackets And Goggles
A light screen popped up in front of the players in the Parking Plaza.
On the map, besides tall mountains, there was a winding river, and the instance mileage was a full 30 kilometers.
It sounds like it’s reached in an instant, but this isn’t driving—it’s going down to drift.
Sharp bends and canyons aside, there were even ten-meter-high waterfalls midway; falling down there would leave you scattered in pieces.
Just looking at the display map made the back of their heads feel cold.
Once the vehicle entered, the roof would disappear, transforming into a small boat form.
The vehicle’s weight, stability, and defense became crucial. After all, a vehicle that falls apart on impact couldn’t possibly last to the end.
The team defaulted to selecting the highest-level vehicle, or the captain could choose manually, with 5 minutes for discussion.
Yu Jiang’s team didn’t need to consider; they directly used Yu Jiang’s Level Four Vehicle.
“I’ll drive. You all watch the movements of nearby teams. If anyone tries to crash into us, take them out directly. Pure Love Cockroach Spicy Spicy, take the front passenger seat and be ready to take over driving the vehicle at any time.”
In this instance, the captain could grant team members permission to drive the vehicle, but it was limited to driving only.
The in-vehicle configurations and attached functions were all disabled in the instance.
It was said that players brought vehicles into the instance, but it was more like the instance projected a new vehicle corresponding to the stats, with even the interior in an initialized state.
“Don’t save anyone on the road. As long as they don’t die from falling, they have a chance to exit the instance.” Yu Jiang still gave a reminder, afraid someone in the team might instinctively soften.
Pure Love Cockroach Spicy Spicy: “Got it!”
Lightning Mage King: “Where you point, I strike!”
Strawberry Candy: “Okay!”
They nervously and excitedly waited for the countdown to end, and the scene around the players changed.
Opening their eyes again, following the team, everyone was already seated in the vehicle projected into the instance.
Tall mountains on both sides, with few trees, mainly low wild grass and shrubs; jagged mountain rocks pressed toward the middle, the space was very wide, but visually gave a strong sense of oppression.
Both megalophobia and thalassophobia kicked in.
The water surface under the vehicle was completely calm at this moment—or more precisely, stagnant, like it had been paused, with even the river channel no longer flowing.
[Players wearing ‘Life Jacket’: If you accidentally fall into the water, the life jacket will protect you from damage, but you cannot launch attacks, or you’ll lose the life jacket’s protection!
Vehicle damaged? As long as you’re persistent enough, you can float to the finish line wearing the life jacket.
(Life Jacket: No matter how I do it, you just say the mission isn’t complete!)
[Players wearing ‘Goggles’: Here, your vision won’t be obstructed. You can enjoy the scenery on both sides to your heart’s content while bravely forging ahead, living up to the beautiful views and the torrent!]
The two prompts instantly caused a huge uproar.
Players who bought life jackets and goggles at the Swimwear Shop had their hearts racing with excitement.
This was a sure win!
Having a life jacket meant being invincible in the water. Even if you couldn’t outcompete others, you could preserve your life to the finish line, avoiding the three-day ‘Nothing Gained’ punishment.
Some were joyful, others worried. Players who didn’t buy supplies, or who spent 499 crystal coins in the Swimwear Shop on self-retracting vehicle roof Sky Curtain but skipped the swim gear, were all dumbfounded now.
“Holy shit! Who said swim gear was an intelligence tax and useless? Come out, I’ll beat you to death!”
“I’m such an idiot, really. I had the money but believed swim gear was useless. Does anyone have extra swimwear? I’ll trade a Intermediate Universal Component Card!”
Others angrily stared at teammates who had agreed not to buy back then but were now wearing swimwear themselves.
“You bastard! I treated you like a friend, and you treated me like an idiot, secretly buying supplies yourself!”
“You said not to buy, so I had to buy myself. Anyway, if I fall, I can still reach the finish line. If you want to slack off, go ahead; I don’t care.”
The race would start in 2 minutes, and some teams were already infighting.
United teams seized the opportunity for final preparations, discussing strategies and sizing up surrounding opponents.
Then there were players who hadn’t found a team and were randomly grouped by the instance.
They weren’t familiar with their teammates and had little tactical communication.
These players actually didn’t aim for rewards; completing the mission and surviving was good enough.
Those with swimwear just lay flat; those without discussed walking at the back if needed, not racing for lane with others.
The lively discussions among players contrasted sharply with the silence of the water and mountains, creating a strong dreamcore vibe.
Countdown 00:59
Yu Jiang noticed several nearby teams looking at them.
Even though the vehicle shape had changed, the vehicle color remained, defense and shield came along, and overall it was a size larger than other vehicles.
The vehicles of nearby teams looked like toys in comparison.
Clearly, they were driving the Level Four Vehicle everyone had seen before.
Yu Jiang’s team was Team 6. All four had equipped swim gear. Strawberry Candy didn’t have enough crystal coins and only bought goggles; Pure Love Cockroach Spicy Spicy bought the swimwear. They decided to swap for now.
“Swimwear is better, but what if…” Strawberry Candy still had concerns.
“I’m the substitute driver; goggles are more useful for me.” Pure Love Cockroach Spicy Spicy said, “Defense is up to you now.”
“Got it! As long as I’m on the vehicle, I won’t let you take any damage!” Strawberry Candy said firmly.
On the silver-gray vehicle of Team 5 to the left, the driving captain ‘Ying Yue’ scrutinized Yu Jiang’s four, and probed,
“Which one of you is the Big Shot on the Leaderboard?”
People from Team 16 behind also chimed in,
“Yeah, Big Shot, no need to hide. Reveal who it is in advance. This is our first time seeing a Level Four Vehicle; that car is really cool.”
Generally, the captain drove, though there were exceptions—if the captain’s abilities weren’t suited for driving, or to avoid being targeted.
Especially for Big Shot teams clearly not wanting to reveal real info, the driver might not even be the captain.
The colorful-dressed woman in the front passenger seat could be a candidate too; she had no weapon on her waist yet dared to give the swimwear to a teammate.
The driver looked sneaky, more like a Sneaky Player.
If Pure Love Cockroach knew what they were thinking, she’d definitely say not carrying a weapon was to avoid embarrassment.
If her weapon was as cool as Cleaver Brother’s two axes or Kuang Kuang Kuang’s bow and arrow in the Friend Channel, she’d have brought it out!
Captain Jiang also said to draw weapons only on command; her weapon was too unique and memorable. They aimed not to lecture Martial Virtue.
“What Big Shot? We’re all regular players.” Yu Jiang remained composed.
“Being modest.” Ying Yue smiled, “Please go easy on us later. We just need to reach the finish line. As for rewards, great if we get them, no big deal if not, as long as we avoid punishment.”
His tone was very natural and friendly, but in the unseen depths of his eyes, a flash of determination passed swiftly.
Not rob? Impossible.
Even if Team 6 Strictly Guarded with zero info leaked, and no one could guess who the Big Shot was or their skills, they wouldn’t be targeted? Naive.
Ding—
With the crisp ringtone, the race officially began.
The water surface at the starting point surged rapidly.
