Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 722. Things are not looking good.
"What?! His Excellency Akechi is personally leading elite troops to rescue us?!"

This sudden news exploded like a thunderclap on the communication channel.

The three combatants, who were barely holding their own with the help of S.A.S ...

When they sent out the distress signal, they did indeed harbor a secret expectation—it would be a lie to say they had no thought of asking for help, just like a desert traveler who would chase a mirage even knowing that an oasis might be an illusion.

But they understood even better the ironclad survival rule of the Arasaka Group: on the scales of value, they, as frontline soldiers, could never compare to a fingernail of a strategic talent.

The heavy breathing of their companions came through the encrypted channel. All they wanted was clear tactical instructions—even if it was to activate the self-destruct program to take the enemy down with them, or to order them to commit seppuku like ancient samurai so as not to leave any traceable clues.

These war machines, cultivated by the company, always yearn deep in their souls for someone to give meaning to their sacrifices.

But what came through the communicator at that moment was the sound of the hacker replanning the route and the metallic clanging of the tactical team preparing their weapons.

His Excellency Goro Akechi not only took over the mess caused by their out-of-control actions, but also had to personally go to this place to confront the military technology personnel.

This is truly something they have done to deserve such a favor.

Lord Akechi is a person highly valued by Oda Sandayu, who serves Miss Hanako. Even the most foolish person could easily distinguish the difference in value between Lord Akechi and them based on the comparison between the two. In this situation, it is truly remarkable that more important people are risking their lives to come for the sake of their reckless and foolish actions.
A short, static noise suddenly came through the channel, as if someone had accidentally let slip an excited tremor.

This rescue operation, which defied all tactical logic, reminded them of a story from their long-forgotten history lessons: when Oda Nobunaga crossed the line of fire to rescue Akechi Mitsuhide, he probably also broke the common sense between the monarch and his subordinates in the same way.

Although the traitor who was saved eventually lit the signal fire to kill his master at Honnoji Temple, the surging emotions in their chests at that moment were infusing their blood with a feeling more violent than anything else—

"Gentlemen," His Excellency Akechi's characteristically calm voice suddenly broke through the communicator, "prepare to receive the coordinates. Remember, your value is never recorded in the casualty report."

Despite sharing the same surname, 'Akechi,' this contemporary samurai, who was willing to go to hell for his subordinates, was as dazzling as the moon compared to a firefly compared to his infamous ancestor.

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

The response burst forth almost from the depths of their chests, carrying a trembling tone bordering on religious fanaticism. Their surging hearts were now completely boiling over. The exhilaration that had been ignited by Lord Mingzhi solidified in everyone's hearts like molten steel, forming a mark called "loyalty."

The team has already lost two members, but the remaining ten members are more united than ever before.

The same coordinate data flickered on their tactical goggles, and their breathing synchronized into a neat rhythm in the encrypted channel, as if invisible threads were weaving their nerve bundles together.

In a moment when no words were spoken, a certain understanding spread like a virus within the ranks—

Goro Akechi, this lord who was willing to risk his life for his ant-like subordinates, was a lord worthy of their wholehearted loyalty. They absolutely could not let him down, they absolutely had to achieve merit for him, and they absolutely had to elevate his status to an even higher position! They had to return to his side.

Driven by a near-hunting-instinctive excitement, Li De, who was coordinating the pursuit with military technology personnel, keenly noticed a subtle change in the escape posture of the three Arasaka agents ahead.

After they had defeated two of their own men in their first encounter, these remnants of the army realized the vast difference in strength and adopted a conservative retreat strategy.

After a seven-minute chase, Li De, with his years of experience, had completely analyzed their modus operandi—from their usual choice of cover to the inevitable tactical pauses every second. Knowing their habits, Li De took over command of the entire encirclement operation from Yarman.

According to his physical fitness calculations, accurate to the second, even if these agents were equipped with the latest sports-enhancing prosthetics, such a high-intensity escape would soon push them beyond their physiological limits.

Considering Arasaka's usual practice of implanting micro-bombs under the skin, Li Dezheng used precise positioning to block the enemy's potential suicide counterattack in its infancy.

Just as the hunt was about to end, Li De suddenly noticed something unusual.

The three agents, whose tactical movements had been stiff with fear, suddenly became fluid and efficient. Their chaotic attempts at counterattack disappeared, replaced by an unsettlingly professional coordinated retreat—like puppets being manipulated by invisible strings.

This transformation was by no means spontaneous. Li De's prosthetic eye contracted slightly, and the intuition honed over many years on the brink of death was ringing sharply within his skull.

What they suddenly gained was not courage, but a higher level of tactical guidance. Every evasive maneuver precisely corresponded to the blind spots of military technology, and every change of direction was precisely timed to hit the weak points in the encirclement.

This textbook-level tactical proficiency is completely different from before. The only reasonable explanation is that a commander is conducting real-time micromanagement through an encrypted channel, and that commander is exceptionally skilled. Even with obviously limited communication and the inability to access monitoring satellites, he is still able to perfectly direct personnel actions based on the limited information available.

This level of skill indicates that this is definitely not a simple character.

"Prepare for engagement," Li De ordered, while simultaneously becoming more cautious in his actions.

Arasaka's support forces have likely already begun their deployment. Judging from their performance, they should be able to receive support soon. In that case, we need to be wary. These Arasaka agents are quite capable. If another twenty or thirty of them arrive, we might not be able to escape, not to mention the unknown commander is also present.
"call out!"

Just when Li De was about to receive reinforcements for his troops at the front, the enemy reinforcements arrived sooner than he had anticipated.

Before a sharp whooshing sound and a bullet faster than sound could arrive, Li De had already made a tactical maneuver, rolling on the ground to avoid the sniper bullet that was supposed to hit his upper torso.

'The support time is faster than budgeted, but judging from the actions of the first three, this shouldn't be the case. Was it intentional, anticipating my guess, and thus arriving ahead of schedule?'

Li De's heart sank; this was not good news.

(End of this chapter)