Chapter-51

Merlin scrolled through the news, noticing that most headlines revolved around the Rockstar platform and the chaos it had sparked. People were imitating in-game vehicle stunts, with tragic consequences like the over-burning car incident in Brooklyn. That particular crash, which ended in a fiery explosion, was a failed attempt to replicate one of Merlin's own stunts. The car had spiraled out of control, killing everyone inside.

The emergence of various players and the rise of limited-edition vehicles had also caught Merlin's attention. His miniature electromagnetic pulse (EMP) transmitter, once a novelty, had become a critical tool for law enforcement during high-speed chases. Although there were fewer than tens of thousands of players in Apple City, only a select few could afford the exclusive vehicles. However, even beginner players could earn enough through missions to afford an armored skeleton horse, offering them some degree of protection in the chaotic battles against other players and the police.

After sifting through the news, Merlin yawned, feeling the day's exhaustion finally catching up to him. He knew he needed to rest—tomorrow promised to be eventful. As he prepared to sleep, a thought suddenly struck him. He quickly retrieved his camera, imported the day's photos onto his computer, and sent them to the Daily Bugle. Seeing the successful upload, he switched off the light and drifted off to sleep, satisfied with the day's work.

The next day at the Aviation Military Base, F-22 Raptor fighter jets lay dormant on the tarmac, resembling falcons gathered together. Suddenly, one of the F-22 Raptors began to tremble, its internal electronic systems lighting up on their own. A series of beeps echoed within the cockpit as a red, scanning virtual projection appeared on the control panel, displaying crucial information.

[The Fire of Cybertron]

Ten thousand years ago, the AllSpark fell into Earth's atmosphere. The pursuing Decepticon leader, Megatron, was struck by a meteorite, causing him to crash in the North Pole, where he was subsequently frozen in the polar ice.

In 1913, the AllSpark was discovered in the upper reaches of the Colorado River in North America and is now stored in Sector 7.

In 1934, Megatron was secretly excavated from the ice by Sector 7, codenamed NBE-1, and is currently housed at a research facility beneath the Hoover Dam.

[Mission: Awaken the Decepticon Leader Megatron]

Seize the AllSpark, the only remaining source of Cybertron's power, rule Earth, and build a new Decepticon stronghold.

Note: Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots, is leading his team to the location of the AllSpark. Players must arrive as soon as possible.

The mention of "Leader Megatron" and the "AllSpark" made Starscream's spark race with urgency. Seeing this unexpected message on the internet, he quickly contacted his ally.

"Barricade, Barricade, where is your little pet now?" Starscream's voice was filled with tension as he reached out to Barricade. In their last encounter, Barricade's minion had managed to infiltrate Sam's cellphone, effectively tracking their movements.

"They're heading toward the Hoover Dam," Barricade quickly responded.

"It's true!" Starscream's spark surged with determination. Without hesitation, he powered up his engines and took off into the sky, sending out a rallying call.

"Decepticons, assemble!"

Gwen had been chasing the chaos-causing criminals in the sky since early morning. However, with the increasing number of strange flying vehicles and advanced weapons, she found herself struggling to keep up. Even the Lizardman, who had been causing trouble, had to be put aside for the time being.

"Huh... This can't go on like this. It seems I can only ask Merlin to help upgrade my equipment," Gwen muttered to herself as she squatted atop the Times Square building. She watched as various vehicles like the Deroso, Super Combustion, Turaldo, and Tyrant flew through the city. The never-ending sounds of sirens and explosions on the streets below only added to her headache.

Fortunately, not all the police were incompetent, and not all the players were causing havoc. Many were just having fun, and some were even trying to act as superheroes. But without exception, they all had super-performance vehicles and advanced equipment. Gwen couldn't help but feel that as Spider-Woman, it was too pitiful to just swing around with her web-slinging. She should be keeping up with the times, perhaps with a cool spider tank.

For this, she knew she could only turn to Merlin, who ran a modification shop.

"Well, it would be nice if Iron Man wasn't off in the Middle East," she sighed tiredly. Just as she was about to shoot her web to continue chasing the criminals, a voice suddenly made her pause

Gwen had been chasing the people who caused chaos in the sky early in the morning. However, with the increase in the number of strange flying vehicles and weapons, she gradually became unable to keep up, even putting the lizard people trouble aside for the time being.

"Huh... This can't go on like this. It seems I'll have to ask Merlin to help upgrade the equipment." She squatted on the top of the Times Square building, watching the Deroso, Super Combustion, Turaldo, and Tyrant vehicles flying through the city. The never-ending sound of sirens and explosions on the streets gave her a headache.

Fortunately, the police aren't all mediocre, and not all players are here to rob or cause trouble. Most are just having fun, with some even acting as superheroes. But without exception, they all have super-performance vehicles and equipment. As Spider-Woman, Gwen felt it was too miserable to just swing around on webs. She needed to keep up with the times and get a cool spider tank.

For that, she could only turn to Merlin, who runs a modification shop. "Well, it would be nice if Iron Man didn't go to the Middle East," she sighed tiredly. As she prepared to shoot webbing and continue chasing criminals, a voice suddenly made her pause.

She saw a photo appear on the big screen in Times Square, published by her number one fan, the Daily Bugle. The photo shows her pulling out a gun while chasing a criminal, with the caption: "This thing is much easier to use than spider silk." Gwen was speechless. She glanced at the watermark below: [Caelus_Lee Note]

Not long after the photo was shown, data and photos of the atomic gun she was holding were displayed, followed by an interview with her father, George, and Merlin.

"In order to curb the chaos in New York, I worked hard, sleepless and foodless, and finally perfected the atomic energy gun technology."

"For the stability of New York, and for the safety of Uncle George and the police who protect us, I am willing to equip the police with atomic guns to fight criminals."

"I am swore I will eliminate the evil in this city!"

"Okay!!!" As soon as Merlin finished speaking, cheers erupted from below, and then Chief George, looking pleased, stepped forward to speak.

"This kid even stopped his studies for the sake of New York's stability and the safety of its citizens. I angrily reprimanded him for this behavior some time ago."

"But now... I just want to say I'm sorry. He did it for us..."

"We will select a Thunder Tactical Team specifically for this purpose to deal with players who cause chaos in New York..."

Gwen was stunned, looking at the interview on the screen. Merlin's face was full of indignation and justice, making her expression turn a little strange. She remembered that Merlin had made an atomic energy gun a long time ago and had even given her the one she was currently using. As for working hard and forgetting to eat and sleep... well, there were just a few days when he was pulling her along to study the serum. The rest of the time, he was either sleeping, getting food and drinks from her, or lounging at his modification shop. She often found him lying on the sofa, leisurely eating snacks, drinking Coke, or modifying his motorcycle and a yellow Chevrolet.

"Does this count as an endorsement of the atomic energy gun?" she gritted her teeth and muttered, deciding to visit Merlin that night to demand an endorsement fee.

That afternoon, amidst the news about players flying all over the city, a sudden temporary evacuation order was issued in Manhattan. The military quickly set up a cordon on the street and stood ready. Various armored vehicles drove into the streets, and special operations soldiers jumped out, taking positions behind the makeshift cordon, all looking solemnly ahead as if waiting for some huge monster to appear.

"Whoosh, whoosh..." In the sky, several F22 Raptor fighter jets roared past, while armed helicopters slowly floated around the cordon, their propellers turning steadily. The cordon wasn't far from the police station, and Merlin and George, who were being interviewed, could clearly see the scene unfolding.

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