Apocalyptic Wasteland Simulator

Chapter 228 - 223: Bank Guard, Tragic!
As the taxi smashed through the gates of the Central Bank, Chen Pingchuan and his team didn’t waste a moment. Gripping Porcupine’s sturdy arm, Chen Pingchuan pulled the grinning giant along with him, who seemed to be enjoying his leader’s unique attention. Lilia, her lips slightly parted, used her telekinesis to carry Wei Hao. The four of them rushed inside at incredible speed, right on the taxi’s tail.Ten seconds after they burst in, the external defense door of the bank finally slammed shut with a deafening BOOM! It sealed perfectly against the ground, producing a massive, earth-shaking rumble.

The moment he entered, Chen Pingchuan was struck by the lobby’s opulence. Sparkling crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, illuminating the entire hall as if it were day. The surrounding decor exuded an air of noble luxury, a stark contrast to the battered, smoking taxi that had just crashed nearby. Already assembled and waiting for them were three phalanxes of guards, standing on high alert.

The guards on the left were easy to identify; their prominent beastly features marked them as Beast Tamers from the Blood Beast Alliance. On the right stood cyborgs implanted with mechanical prosthetics, their human forms almost entirely replaced with various weapons. The central phalanx was composed of what looked like Genetic Warriors, but something about them was off. They wore custom silver alloy armor and wielded energy firearms, but the eyes visible beneath their helmets were unnervingly numb and lifeless, not quite human.

The leading bank security commander stepped forward, his booming voice echoing through the hall as he first stated the bank’s position. ”You criminals, listen up! This is a branch of the Southern Alliance’s bank! It does not belong to Hantan City, and I don’t care what grievances you have with them. If you retreat now, we will let your actions be bygones.”

He then lifted his chin slightly, his gaze filled with contempt and menace. ”However, if you dare to touch anything here, I promise you, there will be no place for you to hide anywhere in the Southern Alliance’s territory. Now, tell me your choice. Life, or death!”

Ren Qiang had already received a notice from his superiors about a group of criminals heading toward the Central Bank. Although he hadn’t seriously believed they would target this location, he had made emergency preparations just in case. He never expected them to be so decisive. He had activated the bank’s defense system the moment he saw them, but they had still managed to slip through in the narrow gap before it closed, leading to the current standoff.

”I choose to have you all die!” Chen Pingchuan cackled, his figure flashing as he shot toward the enemy.

Unwilling to be left behind, Porcupine roared and charged after him, aiming directly for the phalanx of Beast Tamers—after all, he considered himself a mutated Beast Tamer of sorts. His enormous size made the ground tremble with every step. Meanwhile, Wei Hao formed seals with his hands and chanted dramatically. A mysterious power surged from his body and instantly enveloped the cyborgs. He didn’t actually need the gestures to use his abilities, but he thought it looked exceptionally cool. With a light wave of her hand, Lilia made the very air seem to solidify. Debris, rubble, and any other loose objects on the floor floated into the air and then launched like cannonballs toward the Genetic Warrior phalanx.

Seeing that Chen Pingchuan’s group had no intention of backing down, Ren Qiang’s face grew stern. ”You’re asking for it! Kill them!”

At his command, the cold-eyed guards behind him raised their weapons. Instantly, a volley of laser beams and metal slugs tore through the air, colliding with the incoming stones in a shower of sparks and deafening explosions.

The phalanx of Beast Tamers swarmed Porcupine, wielding an array of melee weapons like energy blades, laser knives, and oscillation daggers. They surrounded him, aiming for his vital spots. Porcupine swung his massive arms, batting away the energy blades, but the smaller, faster oscillation daggers managed to cut into his flesh. Blood gushed from the wounds, and his movements began to slow. Still, he roared defiantly. Any enemy he managed to grab was instantly torn to shreds, but against so many opponents, his enormous body was no match. In just a dozen seconds, he was covered in new wounds.

Wei Hao focused all his power on maintaining the gravitational suppression of the cyborgs. Their sheer numbers and the high resistance of their mechanical bodies were far beyond his expectations. While he managed to slow their advance, he couldn’t inflict any actual damage. Lilia’s telekinetic barrage met a similar wall. The armored Genetic Warriors were too durable; her projectiles of stone and debris shattered against their armor, blasted apart by their energy weapons. With each failed attack, Lilia’s telekinetic energy was rapidly draining.

From the moment the fight began, Chen Pingchuan’s team was severely outmatched and suppressed.

The only one faring relatively well was Chen Pingchuan himself. He was fighting Ren Qiang, who had the strength of a level-six fighter. Chen Pingchuan wasn’t quite level six yet, but thanks to his well-rounded, all-arounder stats, he was able to hold his own.

However, the desperate situation of his teammates did not escape his notice. Seeing them completely suppressed, Chen Pingchuan was forced to multitask during his fight with Ren Qiang, stealing moments to activate his ”Light-fingered Trick” skill. It was only because of this that his team could barely hold on against the overwhelming enemy force.

Ren Qiang was becoming incredibly frustrated. The kid fighting him had the audacity to ignore him, constantly monitoring the wider battle while they dueled. To make matters worse, Chen Pingchuan would periodically produce grotesque items in his hands—a beating heart, a severed mechanical arm, a length of slimy intestine. Fighting him was unnerving, and Ren Qiang felt deeply humiliated.

Fueled by this insult, Ren Qiang unleashed his strongest attacks every time Chen Pingchuan’s focus wavered. The effect was clear. Several times, his blows sent Chen Pingchuan stumbling back, spitting blood, his body on the verge of collapse. And yet, moments later, he would be back on his feet, as vigorous as ever.

”What in the hell are you?” Ren Qiang screamed, his eyes bloodshot as he glanced at his fallen comrades. He was filled with a terrifying mix of anger and fear.

But Chen Pingchuan wasn’t faring well either. As time dragged on, his complexion grew increasingly pale. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.

Suddenly—