Chapter 76: Chapter 76 Chaos Battle Begins
Editor: Noodletown Translations
This was the first time Mu Fan touched a real mecha. His emotions were hard to calm as he caressed the metallic control panel, looking at the true manifestation of the virtual mecha from the Battle Net. His fingers brushed over the familiar 208 keys, and his palms even slightly sweat. This wasn’t nervousness, it was excitement!
“Power restored!” The officer, seeing the voltage return to normal, didn’t think further and quickly issued the command, “Mecha assault!”
“Initiating countdown, 15 seconds, 14 seconds…”
Black’s voice suddenly echoed in the cockpit, “I have taken over the control system of this mecha, Mu Fan, take off!”
“Take off!” Excitement gleamed in Mu Fan’s eyes as he pressed the start button with one hand.
“Mecha self-check program initiated, energy reserve at 100%, mecha body integrity at 85%, Warning: firepower weapon missing!” Mu Fan paid no attention to this reminder and smoothly pushed the mechanical lever, refreshing a set of maneuver setup keys.
The last RX-16 in the Mecha Storage surprisingly moved first, with seven seconds remaining on the countdown. The mechanic operating on the mechanical arm behind couldn’t help but be stunned, then loudly shouted, “The gun! The gun isn’t installed yet!”
Upon hearing the shout, the officer turned and felt his face nearly explode with fury. Who is the mechanical master of that mecha? Once found out, they’ll be put in confinement! However, time was too tight now, so he glared intensely and issued the final command through the loudspeaker, “Take off!”
And so, under the officer’s fierce gaze, and the stunned eyes of the mechanics on the platform, this mecha actually raised its Heavy Shield and boldly strode out first!
The two RX-16 mechanical masters at the front had just started, and they saw the combat screen displaying the mecha of Mu Fan taking a step off the storage platform, unable to hide the amazement on their faces.
“Marcus, did you take the wrong medicine today? Where’s your gun?” As the voices of the other two mechanical masters echoed in the cockpit, Mu Fan quickly realized they were talking about the soldier who’d been knocked out and put in the escape pod.
With no other option, Mu Fan directly activated voice silence.
“That guy silenced his voice.”
“Awesome!”
The two mechanical masters looked with admiration as the sword-bearing and shield-raising mecha disappeared from their sight, and they hurriedly followed.
The exit of the Mecha Storage was already open, a corridor as high as ten meters, and Mu Fan carefully maneuvered the mecha forward.
With the mecha’s first step, Mu Fan felt something off, a reflection of real gravity. When the mecha’s foot hit the ground, he could feel the feedback in the cockpit, even though it was filtered through layers.
This real feedback sensation caused the entire cockpit to be in a state of constant subtle movement, a completely different feeling when compared to the Battle Net, even if it was just this minute difference.
Virtual, real!
“Mu Fan, get accustomed quickly. The passage is 120 meters long, the exit is on the hillside’s back, you don’t have long-range firepower, so you’ll need to evade quickly once out.” Black, seeing the slightly distorted route Mu Fan was taking through the on-board view, reminded him.
“Understood!” Mu Fan’s powerful muscular control ability was perfectly showcased at this moment!
Although he lacked the super high coherence he had in the stable conditions of the Battle Net, his extremely strong physical prowess was finally able to play a massive role.
Every button on the console even had varied feedback strength, and Mu Fan forced himself to quickly adapt his muscles to each area.
The combat screen showed they were about to exit the passage.
“Mu Fan, execute drill maneuver 17—launch evasion!” Black’s voice came through.
Mu Fan swept his right hand, synchronizing three groups of four keys! The RX-16 mecha executed a slow sink maneuver, shield held at the front, legs bent, yet the airflow from the legs indicated the hydraulic components were already at 100% load.
Crouch, shield charge! He leaped out.
The mechanical master of the number one RX-16 mecha behind was stunned at the sight. Was this still his comrade? To have such awareness and proficiency as he approached the exit, had Marcus been hiding his skills all along?
“Carey, what are you doing? Why haven’t you moved?” Suddenly, the voice of a teammate came through the channel, and Carey, startled, continued forward, replying in wonder, “Did Marcus hide his skills? His movements seemed like I felt when watching the instructor?”
“You’ve regressed, get ready, we’re almost there, prepare to cover!”
A meticulous defensive posture, followed by the two RX-16s charging out of the passage, each standing shielded on either side.
“Why is Marcus continuing to charge ahead?”
“Why is he ignoring tactical cover!?” The two mechanical masters were somewhat angry, completely lacking team awareness. What is wrong with this guy today? It was irresponsible for the life of his teammates.
Little did they know that as Mu Fan charged out, he immediately rolled down due to Black’s alert from a surveillance camera showing mechas starting to attack Jiahe Avenue’s No. 4 Manor, the residence of the Fowen family!
When just one mecha rushed out, it didn’t draw much attention, but when subsequent RX-25 artillery mechas appeared, it finally caught the Star Thief Group’s attention, and thus, accompanied by a small escort ship’s artillery, a direct crossfire broke out between the military and the Star Thieves.
“Fire support! RX-33 deployed!” Two close combat mechas concentrated energy on their Heavy Shields, activating the fire protection mode, as five RX-25s arranged in a line to directly blast the sky with firepower.
By the time the escort ship realized the military had officially started their counterattack, it was too late. Three RX-33 Air Combat mecha, trailing blue flames, soared into the sky.
Coordinates aligned, datalink corrections made, fire control synchronized! A triple-spiral concentrated fire strike! These three air combat mechas fully displayed their air combat A-level prowess with a standard military unified assault technique, demonstrating their presence.
The hawk-type air-to-air active missiles, combined with beam gun’s triple-spiral pinpoint shots, fiercely tore through the side armor of the small escort ship, and after a maneuver turn, another round of comprehensive fire shot towards the ship, with high-pressure internal combustion rounds piercing into its interior. As a fire cloud burst out, the crew aboard the escort ship was wiped out, and it exploded in midair.
Well done! The Major within the base watched the screen with a surge of excitement.
“Hmph! Unreliable Wen family, cruiser fire cover, 2nd District Star Thief Group Reaper mecha, deploy!” Upon learning that one of his small escort ships had been destroyed, Poison Scorpion’s smile faded, and he coldly issued orders.
A group of tan mechas, with scythe-like arms and six-missile racks on their backs, were dropped from the air.
Mu Fan, who was charging downhill, had no time to coordinate with the military for now. A temporary feed had appeared on his screen, showing several mechas rampaging through the city’s center. The sudden resistance from Fowen Manor caught these mechas off guard, but soon, infuriated by anger, they began their assault, with fires pouring mercilessly onto the manor’s energy shield.
The entire manor was like a leaf swaying in a storm, on the verge of collapse!
Wait for me!
Mu Fan silently whispered to himself, adjusted his direction, and shot straight towards the manor like an arrow!
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PS: Thanks to reader “Occupy One Her” for the 200-credit reward! Thanks to reader “Everywhere Kiss $” for the 100-credit reward!
Thanks to readers “Yesterday’s Beauty,” “Huan Qianyun,” and “Soviet Armored Infantry” for the 10-credit reward!
(Side note: The climax of the first volume officially begins, is this adventurous mecha truly Mu Fan’s ride?? I wonder if any observant readers have picked up on any hints.)