The Creators: From Night City

The rocket propulsion system gives the car huge kinetic energy, allowing it to ride the wind and waves, like a dry land meteor across the vast and relatively flat desert, straight into the herringbone Solano Mountain Raceway.

What awaits it next is a high mountain climb at an angle of nearly 45 degrees, and a descent on the top of the mountain at the same 45-degree angle.

Natalie took drugs for this moment.

Under the huge propulsion force of the rocket device, the "Son of the Badlands" showed no sign of slowing down and rushed directly up the inclined and raised hillside. The metal tires gripped the rough mountain, providing not-so-strong grip and continued to drive forward.

This is the advantage of rocket propulsion. It does not require strong grip, and the thrust from the rear will directly prevent the car from falling due to tire slipping.

Rather than gripping the ground and providing anchoring support, the tires of the Badlands Tracker serve to stabilize the road in conjunction with the thrust.

The engine speed can hardly keep up with the speed of the car.

The current situation is that the car is flying in front and the wheels are chasing it desperately below.

Chapter 413 Wasteland Rush 9

As the old saying goes, it is easier to go up the mountain than to go down.

The same principle applies to this game.

The "Son of the Badlands" was like a wild boar with its butt on fire, rushing forward all the way. When it crossed the top of the mountain, Natalie finally released the switch of the rocket thrusters. Even so, the car still wanted to fly into the sky like a monkey.

But the heavy racing car surged a few meters into the sky before being embraced by gravity again and falling to the earth.

Next came the swooping downhill section of the race.

Faced with the steep mountain wall, Natalie simply grabbed the rocket propulsion switch and continued to accelerate. After all, after crossing the mountains, the aftermath of the "Ha Da Bo" had been blocked by the mountains and visibility had returned to normal levels.

Fortunately, in addition to the rear wing, the "Son of the Badlands" also has two flexible windbreaks on both sides of the body. In this environment, Qiwei controlled them to rotate slightly, adjusted to a suitable angle, and barely suppressed the upturned front of the car.

Of course, in a dimension that no one could see, the airflow in front of the car spontaneously spread out to the sides and above the car. This was also the reason why the diving 'Son of the Badlands' did not cause the front wheels to lift off.

It is precisely because of this multi-pronged approach that the 'Son of the Badlands' can maintain a terrifyingly high speed even when going downhill.

However, Arasaka's 'Dragon Chase' was clearly more suited to this terrain. As the car climbed the hill, it stepped on the accelerator to the fullest, using the Sorano Mountains' uphill track as a natural takeoff pad to soar into the sky. In mid-air, it maximized the power of the anti-gravity device and flew directly to the finish line like a hawk.

Beneath it lies the Laguna Bay, which is impounded by a dam. Compared to others that race around the winding bay coastline, this racing car practices the geometric common sense that 'the straight line is the shortest distance between two points'.

The embarrassing thing is that this place has already left the wind zone of the Hadron Collider. Unless Jiang Bing intends to make a sudden move, it will be difficult to interfere with it by using drastic airflow control methods.

[Vincent: Minister Qiwei, who will reach the dam first in this situation?]

[Qiwei: Without a doubt, Arasaka's car.]

Vincent pounded the control panel in anger, as if he saw his dream of getting a promotion, a raise, becoming a minister, and winning the title of Brown, Poor and Beautiful being ruthlessly shattered before his eyes.

[Vincent: These Japanese, when they can't win, they resort to cheating, just like the Tiger Claw Gang.]

Natalie concentrated on controlling the car and sped along the rugged bay coast, but the distance between the two was quickly narrowed and she soon overtook him.

【Jiang Bing: Don't be discouraged, there is a solution.】

[Jiang Bing: Since it can fly over from the sky, we can also rush over from the water.]

[Jiang Bing: Qiwei, calculate the direction of the windbreak and tail fins now. Natalie will activate the rocket-assisted deflagration mode to assist the 'Son of the Wasteland' in achieving a close-range flight.]

As a veteran hacker, Qiwei calculated the feasibility of this plan almost instantly.

Qiwei: Boss, after calculations, even with the tail and windbreaks, the 'Wasteland Child' would need to accelerate to at least 435 km/h to glide close to the water's surface. If we're not careful, there's a risk of sinking or disintegration.

If you ask who values ​​the desire to win the championship the most, Natalie is definitely at the top of the list.

Natalie: Then drive to 435 km/h!

Jiang Bing: Don't worry. When I designed this car, I set a maximum speed limit of 700 km/h. I also added some material to the bottom of the car. As long as you and Vincent can handle it, you can safely engage the rocket-propelled paddles.

Natalie naturally agreed, but Vincent was not very confident. However, as a wanderer, he definitely had the courage and determination to give it a try.

【Vincent: I'm fine! 】

As the boss, Jiang Bing gave the other party reassurance in time.

[Jiang Bing: Don't worry, the trauma team is on standby at the finish line.]

[Qiwei: The best sprint route has been given.]

At the starting station, Proudrev Hunter and his partner Susan are performing a question-and-answer session.

Susan raised the microphone and asked in a pretentious manner, "Mr. Prodroreev, what do you think of the current situation?"

Prodrorev cooperated by frowning, looking bitter and resentful. "It's clear now. If the Arasaka team continues to slide like this, they will definitely be the first team to reach the finish line."

Susan began to pick controversial points and asked, "So, do you think that the Arasaka team's 'Dragon Chaser' using this ~uh~ driving method is illegal?"

"That's a good question," Prodrorev said, sounding expert. "There's really no relevant rule in the FIA ​​regulations regarding this. Arasaka exploited a loophole this time. In principle, this situation should be considered as a car remaining airborne for an extended period of time, as the car itself doesn't have flight capabilities."

"But the specific judging criteria will depend on the judgment of the race organizing committee." Prodrorev adjusted his tie and added, "But it's likely the results will be counted as valid. At most, future races will add a rule about a certain amount of time the wheels are off the ground."

"This race has been incredibly eventful. Dear viewers, it looks like the Arasaka team has already secured the championship. But don't worry! Betting is still open on other teams' rankings, the number of player deaths, and the number of vehicles that can complete the race within the allotted time. If you're confident in your judgment or want to take advantage of this opportunity to make a killing, call the number at the bottom of the screen to place your bet."

The female host was very excited when talking about her business.

"We are affiliated with EGBA (European Gaming and Betting Association) and support mortgages against real estate, stocks, and even virtual assets. Loans can be issued in as little as three minutes, and you can even place bets directly with your physical property. We are a great companion for our viewers."

"This chick has been chattering away for a long time, but it's all nonsense. I don't think Anti-Entropy will necessarily lose until the last moment." Jack said with a look of impatience. He tilted his head back and took two gulps of wheat juice he got from the Anti-Entropy team's logistics team, then complained to Old Wei beside him.

"I think you're worried about the thousands of euros you bet. Speaking rationally, the Son of the Badlands is indeed doomed." Lao Wei's deep voice was as calm as ever as he analyzed rationally.

"You placed a bet too, why is there no reaction at all?" Jack complained.

"I was just expressing my support and attitude. After all, I've made a lot of money recently thanks to [Anti-Entropy]." Lao Wei's emotional intelligence is as high as his prosthetic transformation technology.

Jack wanted to say a few more words when he suddenly heard the audience's exclamations.

On the screen, the 'Son of the Badlands' suddenly did a reverse drift, abnormally heading in the opposite direction of Laguna Bay.

"Has the 'Son of the Badlands' chosen to give up?" Susan immediately questioned.

As the drone camera zoomed out, Prodrove watched as the 'Son of the Badlands' did another beautiful drift and aimed the front of the car at the dam across from Laguna Bay, and an absurd guess emerged in his mind.

"Could it be that the 'Good Come Again' team is planning to drive directly across the water? Oh my god, if that's the case, it would undoubtedly be extremely crazy! Crazy! Insane to the core!!"

The onlookers were in an uproar again.

Natalie couldn't hear any of this nonsense. She just took a deep breath and pursed her lips, which were trembling slightly with excitement under the potion. Under the gaze of Vincent, who was lying on the ground waiting to die, she stepped on the accelerator and slammed the paddle of the rocket propulsion device to the bottom.

The next second, under the gaze of millions of people, the tail nozzle of the "Son of Badland" opened fully, emitting a nearly 20-meter-long diamond-shaped shock wave of light and dark, propelling the car towards the blue Laguna Bay.

Chapter 414 The Competition Ends

In just a few hundred meters of acceleration, the speed of the 'Son of the Bad Land' kept increasing wildly, rapidly, and violently, as if it would never stop increasing! increasing! increasing!

Before touching the water, the airflow surrounding the car body changed direction, lifting the car's head slightly.

Then, all four wheels left the ground and the 'Son of the Badlands' officially took off.

The huge acceleration in a short period of time made Vincent's blood rush up, the blood vessels in his forehead throbbed, and he had difficulty breathing due to the pressure of the load. Even a large area of ​​blackness began to appear in front of his eyes.

In fact, Natalie locked the rocket propulsion paddles and entered the "detonation" mode. The explosive speed had reached an astonishing 623km/h. At this speed, the front of the "Son of the Badlands" rubbed against the air, and it was constantly making shrill cries like a ghost.

The sound caught the attention of the Dragon Chasing racers in the sky. They stared at their competitor, who was like a rocket, in stunned silence.

There are experts too!

The car streaked across the bay like a meteor, and its long and narrow wake split the sea surface as it passed by, like Moses parting the sea, creating sustained waves nearly 10 meters high.

The hot rocket tail flame instantly vaporizes the surface water, and as the car passes by at high speed, a steam cavitation channel with a diameter of about 15 meters is formed on the water surface.

The people of Arasaka were dumbfounded, and Jack was happy.

Meanwhile, Lucius Lane, the mayor who was secretly staying in Dogtown Gem Blue, jumped up from the soft sofa as if he had been stabbed in the butt by an electric drill, staring intently at the scene on the holographic screen that was like a rainbow piercing the sun, and stood there in a daze.

You know, relying on his knowledge of the inside story, he bet heavily on the Arasaka team to win the championship. If the 'Hao Zai Lai' team that emerged from the opposite direction really won the championship, although he would not go bankrupt, he would be seriously injured. At least most of the 'hundred thousand snowflake silver' he got from 'Ten Years as a Clean Magistrate' would be lost. This would make him more uncomfortable than killing him.

More importantly, there is no way to explain to Arasaka.

In the hall specially prepared by Bao Shi Qing for the 'Pink House', all the customers participating in the gambling game put down what they were doing almost at the same time, like geese being grabbed by the neck, staring intently at the progress of the game. Among them were gamblers who had invested heavily, and they all whispered, "Prayers."

But reality does not change according to human will.

'Badland Son' skimmed across the water all the way to the last straight final sprint section of the dam.

The track where the major teams used to chase each other and show off their skills was now particularly deserted. The "Son of the Badlands" was currently too far ahead, leaving all competitors behind, resulting in a complete lack of the sense of urgency that was seen in previous races.

Natalie endured the burning sensation caused by the overheating of the prosthesis, and did not bother to wipe the black blood that flowed out of her nostrils due to the backlash of the toxins. She forced herself to suppress her mental fatigue, maintained a state of high mental concentration, and gripped the steering wheel tightly, with no intention of letting go of the rocket propulsion paddles that had little fuel left, until all the fuel was used up.

She knew that if she didn't do this, in the event of a collision, the car would be like a high-explosive incendiary bomb.

The 'Son of the Badlands' basically flew at a low altitude along this straight path on the dam.

The crazy friction between the metal fluid tires and the high-strength concrete floor of the dam even sent out a string of sparks, which carried the car forward at a rapid speed until the fuel was exhausted and the dozens of meters long flame column gradually disappeared. Only then did the desperate charge launched by the "Son of the Evil Land" come to an end.

However, the flight along the way still accumulated enough speed and inertia for the car, which resulted in the 'Son of the Badlands' being dragged through the final sprint section by inertia.

Emitting a large amount of smoke and dust, the tattered-looking racing car finally stumbled across the finish line. Amidst the lively atmosphere with lights flashing like a white curtain and the audience cheering like waves, the first ones to rush to the champion car were not [Anti-Entropy] or the FIA ​​staff, but the trauma team staff who had been waiting for a long time and were ready to go.

Natalie, still looking energetic as she sat in the main driver's seat, excited about winning the championship, barely managed to unlock the door from the inside. With the help of the trauma team, she wanted to stand up and greet the audience, but she didn't expect her legs to go weak as soon as she got out of the car and she fell directly to the ground.

The rapid reaction prosthetic components were overloaded all the way, and the erosion of her body by the "Power of the Four Spirits" had long made her overwhelmed. As soon as she relaxed her mind, she was instantly pinned to the ground by various side effects.

Compared to her, Vincent, who was in a depressed mood in the passenger seat, seemed to be fine.

The trauma team immediately lifted the two men onto the hovercraft without further ado, and soared into the sky under the gazes of the surrounding audience, organizers, and even the staff of [Anti-Entropy] who were accustomed to it.

This kind of thing happens so often at the Wasteland Rally that it's almost become a routine. Everyone has gotten used to it and continues to cheer.

But the incorruptible mayor of Baoshiqing was not in the mood for this.

His face was ashen as he stared at the close-up of the 'Son of the Badlands' on the big screen with hatred, his heart filled with reluctance to see the Euros who were about to leave him.

However, as a successful political being, after he calmed down, the first thing he considered was how to report to Arasaka.

So he waved his hand to disperse his men and contacted Arasaka immediately.

"Susan Abernathy, I don't know if you have seen the result of the game now." The mayor lowered his voice, but he could not suppress the anger in his heart.

"Of course." A hoarse female voice replied.

"Then why didn't Arasaka's team win the championship?" the mayor demanded. "You promised me over and over again that this would be perfect, but now it's like this. I think you're no better than the Director of Special Operations."

"Watch your words, our beloved mayor." The other party's words were sarcastic, but understandable.

"I will report the racing failure to the board of directors. There's no need for you to be sarcastic here. But you, our beloved mayor, must have lost a lot this time." As the director of the special operations department of the Arasaka Night City branch, Susan Abernathy obviously knows a lot.

"Are you spying on me?" Facing the opponent's killing stick, Lucius Lane subconsciously looked around and shouted angrily.

"Arasaka can know all the secrets of Night City if he wants to," Abernathy replied mysteriously.

"Humph~ Does that include that [Anti-Entropy] who came in and stepped on you, Arasaka?" The mayor immediately fought back, choking the other party so that he was almost speechless, while secretly adding fuel to the fire.

Chapter 415: Yunding Incident

As a high-ranking official in the Arasaka Violence Agency, Abernathy was not afraid to lose face. "It's just a small, insignificant organization. Because of this incident, they've successfully attracted the company's attention. Just wait and see, these Badlands scum will soon disappear from Night City."

"If you don't want to be like them, Mayor Lucius Lane, you'd better pay more attention to the proposal regarding the replacement of the rapid reaction force's equipment and technical support upgrade."

As the mayor gasped heavily, suppressing his anger, the other party hung up the phone decisively.

The mayor, who lost the gambling game, quickly left with his team, leaving only the blue-eyed gentleman in the corner, holding a glass of celluloid with a meaningful smile on his face.

He took off the special earphones used to receive the short-distance return signal from the monitoring capsule, fumbled with the ring on his finger, and dialed a number.

The call was quickly connected, and Jiang Bing's voice came from the other end: "What's up, the Uncrowned King of Night City? You need me again to maintain peace in Night City."

"Your words are always so sarcastic." Mr. Blue Eyes has long been accustomed to his partner's temper and sharp tongue.

"I have a piece of news about Arasaka and our beloved mayor. I believe you will be interested..."

………………

"Killing a person is easy, often only requires one bullet, but killing a purely political creature often requires more.

Only by destroying his image, destroying his power, breaking his support, and destroying his foundation can we completely eradicate him.

Violence and brains are inseparable, what will you choose?"

Mr. Blue Eyes' words still echoed in Jiang Bing's ears.

But this did not disturb his action of loading bullets into the cylinder of the revolver in his hand.

Russian roulette, it is not certain whether this game originated in Russia, but it is indeed an excellent form of entertainment and gambling.