Chapter 80: The Hidden Gunman

The game was still ongoing.

In this selection match, the most watched teams, aside from the Gaohé squad emerging from the airport, were those occupying P City Hill, led by Yang Hao. Gaohé and Blood Wolf’s team were already considered seed teams in this battle royale tournament; many spectators knew them well. But Yang Hao’s group had appeared suddenly mid-game, and few people truly knew their background.

Since the safe zone no longer covered the airport, Gaohé’s team had blocked another group at the west bridge and then remained relatively inactive. In contrast, Yang Hao’s squad was constantly stirring things up. Though there weren’t many people near P City Hill, its high altitude and wide visibility made it easy to spot movement in the surrounding flat terrain.

Even more crucial was that Yang Hao’s team included two expert snipers.

So, during this period, any team spotted by Yang Hao’s squad could not find peace. Imagine: you’re walking along or locked in combat with another group, when suddenly a sniper bullet comes from miles away and takes down your key player—what would that feel like?

Because of the distance, most victims of Yang Hao or Zhu Ziyuan’s headshots didn’t even hear the gunfire. Those struck out of nowhere must have been furious—surely swearing under their breath.

What’s more, the next several safe zone updates kept P City Hill within the circle, making Yang Hao’s position even more advantageous. Anyone running from the toxic zone or trying to enter the circle was met with a warm greeting from their snipers.

For players targeted by Yang Hao’s group, the gaming experience was anything but pleasant; many were so frustrated they wanted to smash their mouse. Especially those wearing level-three helmets, yet still getting headshot by the 98K, were left utterly bewildered.

If not for the tournament staff maintaining order at the venue, chaos might have erupted already.

As for the audience in the broadcasting studio, they watched the group atop P City Hill with a mix of amusement and exasperation. Wasn’t this a bit too much? While others were fighting intensely, these guys didn’t even bother to announce themselves—just a sudden bang, and someone was eliminated. Wasn’t that downright unscrupulous?

What left the viewers even more speechless was Yang Hao and Zhu Ziyuan’s penchant for kill-stealing. Every time someone knocked an opponent but hadn’t finished them off, Yang Hao and Zhu Ziyuan would silently snatch the kill away. Anyone would find that infuriating.

With their sniping and kill-stealing, plus previous eliminations, Yang Hao’s team now had the highest kill count in the match.

No one could say anything against it. Ultimately, it came down to their strength; few other teams could pull this off.

This selection match, thanks to the arrival of Yang Hao and his three teammates, had devolved into chaos for a time.

The audience was delighted, but those who fell victim to the snipers were far less pleased.

“Is it them again?”

Gaohé’s team had left the west bridge and just entered the circle. Seeing Yang Hao’s kill notification flash across the screen once more, they frowned.

By now, there were just over twenty players left in the game. Not only Gaohé’s squad, but all remaining teams, saw Yang Hao’s ID refresh on the screen and felt their hearts skip a beat.

Counting from earlier to now, Yang Hao’s kill tally must have surpassed fifteen already.

Don’t underestimate that number—it’s terrifying! And that’s just Yang Hao’s kills, not even counting Zhu Ziyuan’s. If you totaled them up, their combined kills would certainly be staggering.

As the safe zone shrank, the remaining players gradually realized the threat posed by the group atop P City Hill. Yang Hao’s squad had drawn the wary attention of all.

The next safe zone update did not include P City Hill. Yang Hao’s luck had run out.

Many players sighed in relief; had the circle stayed on the hill, that team would have been unbeatable.

Yang Hao, however, wasn’t disappointed. Though the spot was good, staying there forever was dull—like practicing marksmanship in single-player mode. Yao Cheng and Zhang Tian had long since grown bored.

If you gave Yao Cheng a motorcycle now, he’d probably ride it to the clouds.

If those killed by Yang Hao knew he thought of them as target dummies for shooting practice, they’d probably be spitting blood in rage.

Single-player target practice? That’s some next-level mockery.

Regardless, it was time for Yang Hao’s team to descend the hill.

The toxic zone’s countdown wasn’t particularly long or short, but waiting until the last moment to enter the circle risked becoming everyone’s focus of attack.

Aside from themselves, they had no allies in this match. Surrounded on all sides—enemies everywhere!

They knew full well: though they’d just killed many, they’d also stolen plenty of kills, and plenty of players were waiting to settle the score.

This time, they didn’t drive down. A vehicle would make them too conspicuous, a target for multiple teams.

The four split into two groups, slipping quietly down different paths.

Noticing their maneuver, the director Old Jiang paused, silently observing with renewed attention.

Moments later...

Not far from P City Hill, two teams encountered each other and were locked in fierce battle.

The location was right at the edge of the safe zone; the toxic area hadn’t closed in yet. The team outside the circle wanted to get in, but the team inside was blocking their entry.

Rat-a-tat-tat! Thud-thud-thud...

Gunfire erupted from both directions.

A new battle began.

Spectators watched the back-and-forth exchange and were thoroughly entertained. After all, onlookers always love a spectacle. The bigger the commotion, the better.

No doubt, the audience in the first-floor hall now only lacked some sunflower seeds. If someone set up a stall with snacks, peanuts, drinks, and beer, it would surely be packed.

After all, a true crowd needs some munchies to be complete.

Just as the two sides were locked in intense combat, several distinctive gunshots suddenly rang out.

Coincidentally, players from both teams went down.

At first, seeing their opponents fall, each side felt a surge of joy.

But soon, they realized something was off.

The gunfire didn’t seem to come from either of their positions.

Moreover, none of their weapons were equipped with suppressors.

Where had those silenced rifle shots come from?

While they puzzled over this, another volley of shots came from a different direction, and the previously downed players were quickly finished off.

Watching the kill feed update on the screen, the teams finally understood.

There were others!

However, by the time they tried to locate the newcomers, they only glimpsed two figures slipping quietly out of sight.

It was already too late to fire back.