People are in Star Iron; who says they're just NPCs?

Chapter 136 Bronya's Decision

The whole incident wasn't too complicated, and Cocolia couldn't possibly recount the details of how Lin Li bullied her, so she quickly sorted out the whole story.

After listening to Cocolia's account, Bronya's many doubts were resolved. For example, why Cocolia suddenly ignored advice and gathered the Silver Iron Guards to launch a large-scale attack on the Rift, and why she gritted her teeth and wanted to arrest Lin Li in the morning, but then withdrew the arrest warrant in the evening.

"Has Beloborg reached a critical juncture of life and death?" Bronya murmured to herself, feeling utterly lost.

"If what Lin Li said is true, the cold wave and the rift were both disasters caused by the star core, and we did not encounter the arrival of Lin Li and his group, or they did not intend to meddle in our affairs."

Then Belleburg will be destroyed because of my incompetence and gullibility; this city that has stood for seven hundred years will eventually become everyone's graveyard!

Cocolia's tone carried a hint of lingering fear; she had almost become a sinner against this planet!

“But what if Lin Li is lying?” Bronya, having never faced Lin Li directly, still harbored doubts about his words. “Lin Li is too strong. I was completely powerless against him; my life and death were in his hands. He had no reason to lie to me.” Coco

Liya now completely believes Lin Li's words.

“A man like him, who owns a world, wouldn’t be interested in a mere Belloberg. I can sense that his greater interest lies with us.”

“Us?” Bronya didn’t quite understand what Cocolia meant. “Yes, his interest is us, or rather, his beauty.”

"Including me?!" Bronya pointed her slender finger at herself, her eyes shining with disbelief.

“His condition was that the two of us... the two of us serve him together, and then he will save Beloborg.” It was so difficult to say that Cocolia didn’t dare to look Bronya in the eye after she finished speaking.

"You agreed?" Bronya felt her throat go dry; she really hadn't expected things to develop this way. "I'm already in this situation, so agreeing to him doesn't matter."

However, I can't decide for you what to do, but I don't want to refuse him directly, so I told him to wait until the Berloberg disaster is over before talking about you, and he agreed.

"So, this is why you wanted to break off our relationship in the first place?"

"Hmm... I don't know what decision you will make. Anyway, I was just your adoptive mother, and I haven't fulfilled my role as a mother. So please don't call me that anymore!"

That being said, Bronya was someone she had personally taken in and raised from an orphanage in the lower districts; how could she not have feelings for her? At that moment, she also felt a pang of sorrow.

However, if the two of them were to truly serve Lin Li together, then this identity would no longer be appropriate to be made public; at least verbally, it would need to be changed.

“Mother...no, Lady Cocolia, please don’t say that. I have always regarded you as a true family member, and even now, I believe that you have set a good example for me.”

You have always groomed me to be the next Great Guardian of Beloborg. As the Great Guardian, isn't it our duty to protect this city and every citizen of Beloborg?

For this we are not afraid to sacrifice our lives; if we can sacrifice our lives, what is the harm in merely...serving a man!

Bronya looked extremely serious. She didn't believe that Cocolia was simply submitting herself to someone; she was saving the city and the planet!

When she changed her address from "mother" to "Lady Cocolia," it signified that this resolute young woman had made a decision about herself.

To be honest, it was not easy for the girl to make this decision. She had never been in a relationship before and didn't even know what it felt like to love someone.

It's incredibly unfair for her to trade her own happiness for Belloberg's future, but it's her responsibility as the next Great Guardian, and she's aware of that.

Moreover, the current High Guardian, who raised her, has already set a good example for her! Cocolia truly sacrificed herself to save this city!

Last night, Bronya was still very confused and even quite bothered by Cocolia's humble attitude towards Lin Li, calling him "master".

Now that she knows the truth, she feels that Cocolia's image in her heart is greater than ever before. All the misunderstanding and doubt have turned into respect for her at this moment!

Admittedly, Cocolia is not perfect either, and she almost made a terrible mistake because she was bewitched by the Star Core, but her sacrifices for this city are equally indelible!

For people like them, dignity and honor are more important than life itself.

But she sacrificed her dignity, serving a man in a way that could be described as lowly, all to atone for her mistakes and save the city from destruction.

This spirit was enough to move Bronya and make her make the same choice as Cocolia.

Cocolia didn't force Bronya to make such a sacrifice, but based on her understanding of Bronya, she roughly knew what choice Bronya would ultimately make.

Cocolia wasn't surprised by her change of heart. She walked up to Bronya, stroked her hair, and sighed softly, "Bronya, you're a good girl. I'm the one who's sorry."

“Guardian, this is our duty, isn’t it?” After making her decision, Bronya became much more composed.

Cocolia opened up about everything, her inner conflict was resolved, and she gained Bronya's understanding. The last trace of gloom in her heart was swept away, and she was now full of fighting spirit.

“You’re right, this is our duty! Put these things aside for now, and go assemble the elite Silver Fortress Guards to be on standby.”

"Even with Lin Li's help, we cannot let our guard down. The final battle cannot be without the people of Beloborg!" "Yes, Guardian!"

In the NPC world, Lin Li watched Cocolia and Bronya's confession, and especially after seeing Bronya make a decision, he felt quite wonderful.

Instead of showing his face at Cripperburg, he turned his attention to the lower area where Firefly and the others were. With a flash of light, he teleported directly to Firefly's side.

Now that Cocolia's side is settled, there's no need to waste any more time in the lower zone. Let's gather our elite forces and prepare for a full-scale attack on the Star Core!

When Lin Li appeared beside Liu Ying, she had just woken up. The moment she saw her beloved's handsome face, her eyes shone with a flicker of light.

Then he couldn't help but cup Lin Li's face and kiss him.

Chapter Two is here! A new month has begun, please vote with your monthly tickets!!!

Chapter 137 Pre-Battle Preparations

Lin Li never expected that he would be touched and kissed so soon after arriving. Feeling Ying Bao's tenderness, he immediately turned the tables and responded to the girl's gentleness as if no one else was around.

"Hey you two, is it really necessary to be like this so early in the morning?" Yingbao and Xingbao were sleeping on the same big bed when Danbao's movements woke up March 7 next to her. The cute pink-haired girl couldn't help but complain.

By now, the complicated and ambiguous relationship between Yingbao, Xingbao, and Lin Li is no secret to March 7. Although it was surprising at first, they gradually got used to it.

She was a very adaptable and easygoing person. After getting used to it, she wasn't as afraid of Lin Li anymore and even dared to take the initiative and joke around. Lin Li released Yingbao's pink lips and reached out to pinch Xiao Sanyue's rosy cheek: "Do you want a kiss too?"

"I don't want to!" March 7th immediately turned her head away from Lin Li, but her face unconsciously flushed a little red. "If she doesn't want to, I do! Come here for a kiss!" Xingbao was awakened by the noise of the group and also snuggled up to them.

After playing around with the girls for a few minutes, everyone quickly got up and gathered at the clinic. This was Lin Li's first appearance in front of Natasha and Seele.

"Who is this gentleman? How did he end up in the clinic?" Xi'er asked, her eyes unconsciously turning wary as she saw Lin Li walking out of the room with Yingbao.

Natasha had just prepared breakfast when her gaze fell upon her with a hint of scrutiny.

They were all formidable individuals, and it was hard for them not to be wary that a man had infiltrated their clinic without their prior knowledge.

"His name is Lin Li, and he's also one of our partners. He stayed in the upper district yesterday to gather intelligence and just came to find us this morning." March 7th was enthusiastic and cheerful, and had the best relationship with Xi'er, so she quickly helped explain.

"That's right, I don't know what's wrong with this guy, he always appears and disappears like a ghost, but he's really quite capable." On the other side, Hiluva nodded and casually made a comment about Lin Li.

After fighting together in Rivet Town last night, Seele and Natasha had developed a great deal of trust in the pioneer team, and with their endorsement, they didn't press Lin Li for details.

"Gathering intelligence in the upper district? Mr. Lin's sudden appearance at the clinic must mean he has made some important gains?" Natasha, the clinic's only doctor and one of the leaders of [Earthfire], quickly grasped the key point with her maturity and composure.

"There is indeed good news, let's talk while we eat!" Lin Li naturally led Xingbao and Yingbao to their seats, his calm and composed demeanor making it seem as if he were the master of the house.

The others also took their seats and began eating their breakfasts.

Lin Li arrived later and hadn't originally been served a portion, but Natasha brought out another one. Luckily, she had prepared extra when she made breakfast.

What exactly is the good news Mr. Lin mentioned?

"The leader of the City Builders, the Great Guardian Cocolia, has lifted the arrest warrant for us and agreed to join forces with us to seal the Star Core." Lin Li swallowed a mouthful of congee and dropped a bombshell.

Cocolia has been manipulated by the Star Core and is hunting down the Pioneer Squad—this is an established fact, and [Earthfire] is aware of this. Everyone is racking their brains trying to persuade the Silvermane Iron Guard's higher-ups to oppose this bewitched Great Guardian.

So you're saying she went from being a major villain to a good person?

This shift in allegiances was a bit too arbitrary!

It wasn't casual at all! Lin Li spent an entire day bringing her to orgasm nearly ten times before he finally managed to seduce her! "Didn't you say Cocolia was bewitched and influenced by the Star Core? How come she changed her mind so quickly?" March 7th blurted out, her face full of...

Unbelievable.

"Of course I convinced him!" Lin Li shrugged.

"The Great Guardian is so easy to talk to, and you were able to convince him?" March 7 looked at Lin Li suspiciously, feeling that his expression seemed a bit off.

"I'm quite eloquent; you should try it sometime." Lin Li gave the pink-haired girl a half-smile. "No way!" The girl instinctively sensed the inappropriateness in Lin Li's words.

"What's the basis for Mr. Lin's statement? After all, you were the ones who accused Cocolia, and now you're the ones saying you want to cooperate with her. Changing your story so drastically in just one day makes it hard for [Earthfire] to trust you."

Natasha, standing to the side, spoke again. The composure and calmness displayed by this doctor with an exceptional figure caught Lin Li's attention.

She was also a girl Lin Li had marked in the NPC world, and Lin Li was already looking forward to meeting her there. "I don't have any evidence; it's a verbal agreement between me and Cocolia."

If one had to find some corroborating evidence, the fact that the Silvermane Iron Guards broke the seal on the upper and lower levels and re-entered the lower level to defend against the Rift Monsters would be seen as a manifestation of her change of stance.

“Without concrete evidence, it’s hard for [Earthfire] to trust the Silvermane Iron Guards. After all, they’ve already abandoned the lower districts once, and I don’t recommend you blindly believe Cocolia’s words.” Natasha shook her head.

“That’s right. Although the Iron Guards have returned to the Lower District, we will not forget that they abandoned the people of the Lower District!” Seele’s expression was very displeased.

Although the Silver Forbidden Iron Guards have redeployed their defenses to the lower district, a rift has already formed between the lower district and the Iron Guards, and it will not be easy to mend it in a short time.

“I am confident that I can control the situation. Of course, I understand your distrust. It takes time to mend the rift, and I will not force you to believe them immediately.”

With the Silvermane Iron Guards' cooperation, we are not lacking in combat power. [Earthfire] doesn't need to come with us; you can stay and guard the lower area.

When the decisive battle begins, the commotion will be huge, and the lower-level areas will also be affected. You must be prepared for disaster prevention and relief.

Lin Li wasn't particularly concerned about whether [Earth Fire] would participate in the final battle. With the regular army of the Silver Forbidden Iron Guard helping to clear the way, the strength was already sufficient. After all, this pioneering team would receive Cocolia's full support.

"It's good that Mr. Lin understands." Natasha nodded and didn't say anything more.

"Sister Hilva, are you coming with us or staying here?" Lin Li turned to the relatively silent blonde woman. "I've studied star cores for so long, I certainly won't miss the chance to see them in person. Besides, I still have a score to settle with Cocolia."

"Well!" Hiluva chose to believe Lin Li without hesitation.

"Alright, let's set off after we finish eating!"

The atmosphere in the clinic fell silent for a moment, with only the occasional clinking of cutlery.

After breakfast, the pioneer team set off, and Natasha and the others saw them off at the door. At this moment, March 7th saw that Seele was also fully armed and walking over.

"Seele, what's wrong?"

“Although I don’t trust Iron Guard, you helped us last night, so I consider you my friends. This time, I’ll just consider it helping a friend!” Xi’er Fanshuang shrugged.

Chapter 138 The Continuous Barrage of Firepower in the NPC World Before the Decisive Battle

"[Earthfire] needs to stay behind to protect the lower areas, so we can't send a large number of people. But we will never forget your kindness in helping us. Seele will act with you as our representative!"

She's the most capable fighter in our [Earthfire] faction, she'll definitely be of help to you.

I originally wanted to go with you, but there are so many patients here who need treatment that I can't get away. I can only wish you a safe and successful trip!

Natasha smiled gently and offered her sincere blessings.

"With Miss Xi'er joining us, our chances of winning are even greater, and we will definitely triumph!" Although he didn't care whether they contributed any manpower or not, Lin Li would still say a few nice words if someone helped him.

"Don't worry, with Lin Li here, we'll definitely win!" Xingbao clenched her fist beside her. After a brief exchange of pleasantries and farewells, Lin Li and Liuying led the way towards the upper area.

"Is Lin Li really that amazing? You all believe in him so much." Xi'er walked beside March 7, her eyes full of doubt.

"Hmm...he is indeed quite capable, but...March 7th's feelings towards Lin Li have always been complicated." "But what?"

"He's just not a very proper person. Ugh, let's not talk about that. Let's hurry up and move on, don't let him hear us. He's petty!" March 7th glanced at Lin Li at the front of the line and whispered.

"Little March, what are you muttering about?" Lin Li could hear even the slightest sound of Bronya opening the door, let alone behind March 7th.

"It's nothing, it's nothing, let's go, let's go!"

This time, Lin Li didn't return to the NPC world, but instead accompanied them back to the Upper District, where they met Bronya and Cocolia in Crepper Castle. The atmosphere wasn't very harmonious at first; Seele already didn't have a good impression of the Silver Guards, and Sylva and Cocolia...

Celebrating a holiday.

Cocolia had once ordered the capture of Firefly and the others, and while others couldn't tell, Firefly was a smart girl. She had already sensed that Lin Li's method of dealing with the Great Guardian was not quite right.

Persuade? More like seduce!

This Great Guardian has most likely become one of everyone's sisters, and Yingbao is a secretly jealous little thing—it's no wonder she's not exactly friendly. However, with Lin Li mediating, everyone maintains a semblance of harmony. Regardless, sealing the Star Core and saving Beloborg is...

This is the top priority; everything else can wait.

To seal the star core, the first step is to find it, which would normally be a difficult problem for everyone, since the Rift Realm is fraught with danger and few people venture deep into it, and no one knows exactly where the star core is.

Even Silva, an expert who once studied star cores, only knew a general location: in the snowfields north of Beloborg.

But this time, with Lin Li, a contestant who has the ability to see the stars, he not only knows the exact location of the star core, but also plans out a relatively safe route.

Seeing him sketching and drawing on the blueprints with such confidence, the girls present couldn't help but be drawn to him.

When Lin Li is serious and focused, he is indeed quite charming. He is already very good-looking, and when he is focused, he has a reserved temperament, which makes Yingbao and Xingbao somewhat eager to win him over.

They've been in Belleburg for the past few days and have been eating vegetarian food for several days, so they're both craving it.

Seele and Hilva were mainly curious about Lin Li, wondering how this elusive guy could become the leader of the pioneering team, and what kind of abilities he had.

Bronya's feelings towards Lin Li were even more complicated. She knew about Lin Li's unknown side and what price they would have to pay for his actions against the Star Core.

As part of the price she would pay in the future, Bronya carefully observed the man, hoping to learn more about him.

My first impression was actually not bad. Putting aside his ambiguous relationship with the Great Guardian, he is indeed very handsome and charming. At least I won't be at a disadvantage in this regard, which is good news to some extent.

Lin Li drew up the route map and finalized the specific battle plan, deciding to launch the general offensive tomorrow.