Chapter 99: So This Is How You're Playing It? Fine, I'll Just Kill Myself!

Lin Mu, dressed neatly, sat in his chair, awaiting the appointed hour. He opened his personal information panel.

[Name: Lin Mu]
[ID: 9527L-LM002837]
[Attributes: Strength: 23
Constitution: 35
Agility: 14]
[Physical Condition: Health: 100
Energy: 100
Hydration: 99]

With such physical prowess, who could best him in a duel? No techniques needed—just fists landing true.

A beam of light whisked Lin Mu away, depositing him atop the arena. Above the base, a screen appeared, broadcasting the events unfolding on the stage.

“Huh? Was there a golden coin just now? Why is he in there again?”
“No coins, I think. Maybe it’s a battle between captains.”
“Could be, but how strong is our captain, really?”

When it came to weaponry, they were certain Lin Mu would be victorious. Shu Xin watched the screen, the corner of her mouth twitching. “I don’t think there’s any need to worry. With his gear, the opponent doesn’t stand a chance.”

Lin Mu indeed carried no weapons, but there was no rule against defensive equipment.

Upon the arena, the Yaqi convoy sent a bald fighter, his head tattooed, radiating ferocity. Yet, seeing Lin Mu, he faltered, then shouted loudly.

“He’s armed! He’s cheating!”

[After inspection, the opponent’s gear is defensive equipment and does not violate regulations.]

The bald man, trembling, pointed at Lin Mu. “He’s covered in spikes—aren’t those weapons?”

Lin Mu wore a bulletproof helmet—nothing remarkable. But his upper body sported chainmail, densely covered in three-centimeter spikes, a modification crafted with his free fabrication skill. His lower half was clad in leather armor, with three thin iron plates layered at the thighs, calves, and knees. Each plate bristled with spikes, three centimeters long, while those on the knees featured barbs. These barbs were installed not only at the knees but also at the elbows, each three centimeters in length.

[The opponent’s attire is classified as armor and conforms to regulations. The match countdown begins.]

“You cunning man from Huaguo, I’ll show you that armor is useless! I’ll break your neck and drink your blood!”

Spikes? Endure them and it’ll be over soon.

Lin Mu waved his hand at him. “I’m looking forward to it. I hope you can hold out.”

Santianmaru’s mouth twitched as he shouted, “His gloves must be weapons!”

[After inspection, the opponent’s gloves are defensive gear and not considered weapons.]

“But they have spikes!”

[The spikes are for increased friction, not classified as weapons, and their length is only one millimeter, insufficient to qualify as weapons.]

Fine, so this is how it’s played? Might as well let him kill himself!

Santianmaru wanted to cry—how could anyone fight under these circumstances?

Back at Lin Mu’s base.

“Wait, you can do that?”
“I just want to know, has our captain always been like this?”
“Does this count as exploiting the game’s loopholes?”

The team members felt as if they were meeting Lin Mu for the first time. This strategy was... inhuman.

Lin Mu cared little about that. He had prepared this gear long ago, originally as a novelty, a decoration. The display rack was already set up on the second floor. Who would have thought it would become so useful now?

Lin Mu looked at his opponent with a ferocious grin, then attached a mask to his bulletproof helmet, sealing it tight.

As the match began, Lin Mu advanced step by step toward his adversary.

Santianmaru’s legs trembled as he watched Lin Mu—there was no way to attack. All he could do was watch helplessly as Lin Mu reached for him.

Lin Mu seized the man’s arm, pulling him close. The spikes relentlessly pierced his opponent’s back.

A scream tore through the air—excruciating pain!

A glove studded with tiny spikes pressed against his face, the mild sting distracting him.

Rip!

Lin Mu’s glove swept across his opponent’s face, coming away with flecks of blood and flesh.

Lin Mu raised an eyebrow, impressed by the effect.

The battle proceeded utterly one-sided, witnessed by both convoys.

Within the Yaqi convoy—

“Damn! Damn! That man from Huaguo is utterly wicked!”

As the captain, Yamamoto Bridge was livid. That outfit was clearly a weapon—how could it not count?

This was favoritism! This was indulgence!

But no amount of rage could help him; he dared not protest further. Reading the words on the panel, he felt powerless.

They accused him of being unreasonable?

Whose defensive gear could inflict such grievous harm?

He could already foresee his convoy’s fate, and hoped Lin Mu would spare his life. He’d survived this long and had no wish to die.

The battle ended—Lin Mu was victorious.

Everyone had anticipated this outcome. With such nearly cheating attire, losing would have been truly bizarre.

The projection didn’t end; the entire Yaqi convoy was teleported over.

[The winner has two choices: first, make the losers your captives; second, have them become your subordinate convoy.]

“Sir, we are willing to serve as your subordinate convoy and secure more supplies for you. Please trust in our abilities,” Yamamoto Bridge pleaded, dropping to his knees and prostrating himself.

The others followed suit.

Captives...

They had never kept any captives; after using them, they discarded them in the wilderness. What they enjoyed was seeing others helpless.

But when it was their turn, true fear gripped them.

Lin Mu had always planned to make them his subordinate convoy, intending to dispose of them when they were of no further use.

“No problem. From today onward, you are my subordinate convoy.”

[Selection confirmed. Both parties will leave the battlefield. Please choose your spoils upon return.]

A flash of light, and Lin Mu was back in his vehicle.

A panel appeared before him.

[Supplies: 0%-I----80%]
[Vehicles: 0-I----21]

He gasped. Wasn’t this excessive? Even as a subordinate convoy, he was still taxed? Unbelievable, utterly unbelievable—why not take 20% from those people instead?

But he couldn’t change this, only decide how much to take himself.

He certainly didn’t need their vehicles; those should remain for their use. As for supplies, he’d leave them plenty, since they needed to survive.

He settled for taking just 70%.

After clicking confirm, a wooden chest appeared before him.

Lin Mu placed his hand atop the chest, about to open it when he paused.

Wait, weren’t supplies previously stored in the vehicle core? Now...

“001, move this chest onto the open ground outside.”