harleyscars Page 42
Page 42
If BlueCardwood knew about their experience at this moment, it would be enough material for popcorn movies for the next four or five years. The silver-white mechs were running at full power, each swing of their arms like a giant hammer, and the Reunion Movement members, who lacked proper protection, were instantly smashed away.
They were thrown high into the air like rag dolls, then slammed back down by gravity. Those who were lucky managed to land smoothly after several impacts, suffering at most a few broken bones and slight displacement of internal organs; while the unlucky ones crashed directly to the ground with a dull cracking sound, twitched a couple of times, and then died.
Of course, that wasn't the worst of it—the worst were those who crashed into Rhine Labs' predetermined route. As several mechs trudged past with heavy steps, the sounds of fruit breaking echoed one after another, their silver-white mechs stained crimson with blood, leaving behind marks of a death march.
Occasionally, someone would dodge the mechs and attempt to flank the Rhine Labs forces—but high-energy lightsabers, rapid-fire guns, and laser beams would immediately follow. This was the Colombian army's consistent tactic—after all, their ethnic composition lacked divine beings or powerful bloodlines.
If weak humans want to shake the monsters that have emerged from the epic, they can only rely on stronger weapons.
"Large numbers of enemies ahead!"
"Prepare explosives!"
"Filling complete!"
A small team quickly loaded anti-personnel grenades, and with eighteen crisp "bang" sounds, eighteen red lotus flames bloomed on the street ahead, instantly wiping out the aggressive Integration Movement, leaving only burning fragments of clothing and the smell of cooked egg white in the air.
"11 o'clock position, rooftop—Warlock!"
"Archers squad, 2 o'clock!"
Mon3tr's keen senses ensured that no ambush went undetected. While the endless array of ground units couldn't stop Rhine Labs' advance, these creatures capable of conjuring powerful spells were extremely dangerous—if there were enough of them and they coordinated perfectly, taking down a mech in one go was not impossible.
Whenever Mon3tr reports a location, Kane immediately flattens it—by bombarding it with faster and more powerful spells, turning high-rise buildings into giant balconies. Occasionally, when there is crossfire, Mon3tr will also help deal with it—she opens her cherry-like mouth smeared with lipstick and suddenly spews out a ball of dark green energy, a single breath capable of destroying a high-rise room.
Their unstoppable offensive was only temporarily halted when they encountered the Sarkaz team.
Several squads of Sarkaz mercenaries blocked their path. Compared to the Reunion Movement, which lacked any tactical awareness, they were clearly smarter and quickly devised a strategy to deal with the Rhine Labs mechs.
The smooth road was precisely destroyed by the warlock's explosives, and the houses that collapsed in a specific direction completely blocked the way. Changing direction to find another route would waste a lot of time—enough time for pursuers to catch up.
"Yinling Yiqi Temple Wuju is (nine) humph, although they defeated Victoria's kittens, the Colombians don't seem to be anything special."
Several seasoned Sarkaz captains carefully observed Rhine Lab's configuration—similar to the Sarkaz they frequently clashed with: strong offensive capabilities, with bursts of firepower comparable to a meticulously planned Sarkaz warlock's strike. However, their defense and close-quarters combat were far inferior—their stamina couldn't support the steel armor, let alone withstand dozens of attacks with their bare flesh; they lacked the ability to carve a bloody path through enemy lines.
The Sarkaz are very experienced in dealing with these kinds of enemies—simply lure them into or force them into narrow terrain, and use dense fog or sandstorms to obscure their vision. To avoid confusion and friendly fire, their pace will naturally slow down. At that point, release Riftbeasts and Claw Crabs to draw the initial fire and disrupt their formation, and then it's time to cut them down.
"Look, those big guys they rely on the most don't dare to move."
Several Sarkaz squad leaders formed a makeshift command post, using binoculars to observe the movements of Rhine Lab—and sure enough, the small, white-painted "Steam Knights" stopped in their tracks when faced with the collapsed road. After all, if they fell in, they would likely never be able to stand up again. As long as their mobility was restricted, they would simply be large targets and steel coffins, which could be dealt with in a few rounds of spell bombardment.
These details were revealed by Captain Garsen – supposedly, this is how Victoria's much-hyped Steam Knights were completely annihilated by the Royal Army.
"Wait, what are they trying to do?"
Before the squad leader could arrange the next wave of warlock bombardment, they saw several mechs slowly retreat, then accelerate towards the giant crater—were these guys crazy? The crater was so big that even the most agile scouts couldn't jump over it unless they were equipped with jetpacks commonly used by the Ursus army.
Wait a minute?! A jetpack?!
Not all Sarkaz are as technically proficient as Nasti, especially these "poor relatives" who have never left Kazdel, but their skillful battlefield experience still allowed the squad leaders to deduce the development of the situation.
The Rhine Lab mechs, having reached the space required for maximum acceleration, began to sprint, their engines roaring through the streets, their crimson lights indicating they were overloaded. Reaching the edge of the pit, they leaped with tremendous force, the massive silver-white mechs soaring over ten meters high at incredible speed—at this speed, the distance they could leap… well, still not enough to clear the trap. So, the Sarkaz side… *splat!*
As the silver-white mechs emitted brilliant blue flames from their back devices, they instantly propelled themselves a second time in the air—they had been traversing and following the rooftops of buildings, not using bridges to move forward!
boom!
Several silver-white mechs fell directly into the menacing Sarkaz ranks, and a few who couldn't dodge in time were instantly crushed into pieces. Faced with these behemoths flashing with dangerous red light, even the brutal and bloodthirsty Sarkaz mercenaries couldn't help but feel fear.
"Wow, it really flew! Boss, when can I pilot one? I want to try it too!"
Mon3tr watched the mechs crushing the Sarkaz defenses step by step, her eyes shining like stars. Her previous philosophy was to maximize efficiency, considering the human form a burden; now, thanks to Kane's will, although she had lost her beastly claws, she had gained the hands to wield tools.
Now, it seems she has found a way to have the best of both worlds.
"That will have to wait for subsequent optimizations and upgrades. The current mech suit is completely restrictive for you."
This is not Kane deceiving Mon3tr—these mechs can be quite effective against grunts like the Reunion Movement; if they face the high-end combat forces of various Terran countries… the Inner Guard can directly infect them and turn them into part of Ursus; the Yan Kingdom's Imperial Guard can probably use kung fu to smash them like toys; the Silver Spear Pegasus can pierce through them in one charge; as for the Victoria Steam Knights… they can be described as “strict fathers.”
The Colombian military also couldn't figure out how the much larger and heavier Steam Knight could achieve sustained aerial combat!? Could that thing really fly?
All I can say is that the pre-civilization technology that the Beast Lord Aslan passed on to Victoria was incredibly advanced.
Colombia's foundation is still too shallow—compared to the humanoid monsters of other countries, they can only imitate other countries to build their own high-end combat power.
But Kane believed this approach was a dead end. Colombia possessed abundant technological resources; which major technological power would use its most advanced materials and technologies to create spears and shields for close combat?
Once Kristen has thoroughly researched the high-energy physics of the previous civilization, Kane plans to work with her to design even more advanced weapons; while other countries are still deciding the outcome of battles based on the number of troops and warships, Kane will crush their pride with a controlled Originium Storm.
He had already witnessed this shift in tactical thinking.
Back to the present—the rest of Rhine Lab used jetpacks to cross the giant crater, while Kane, carrying Mon3tr, flew directly into the air. Mon3tr even had the leisure to stick his head out and launch a surprise attack on those trying to snipe them—a Prism Tower that can lock heads while flying in the air, are you scared yet?
"Sarkaz swearing! A few metal shells and you're all scared out of your wits! Get out of my way, watch me!"
The Sarkaz captains were pushed aside by a tall figure. Even among the Sarkaz, this man was considered quite burly, but judging from his attire, he wasn't a Cyclopes. From the way the other Sarkaz addressed him, it wasn't hard to tell that this person was none other than Garzan, the leader of all the Sarkaz mercenaries.
Garsen glanced at the mechs on the battlefield, curled his lip in disdain, shouldered his greatsword, and charged into the fray. His speed was completely disproportionate to his size; he was like a whirlwind, instantly reaching the nearest mech and slashing down with his black greatsword!
Although the mech's combat system detected the attack, the pilot was powerless to stop it. The black blade pierced through the metal armor; a little deeper and it would have sliced the pilot in two.
"Hmph, see that?! These things are no different from armor, just more fancy! You can hack them through if you keep going!"
Seeing their defenses breached with a single blow, the Sarkaz, who had initially considered retreating, regained their fighting spirit, seemingly realizing that these creatures were not difficult to deal with. But Garzan would never tell them that he possessed a powerful bloodline that granted him extraordinary strength and magic; and that his weapon was a divine weapon personally bestowed by the Regent and crafted by the Sarkaz's greatest artisans.
After reading his "mobilization speech," Kane shook his head.
"This kid is really strong, but it's a pity he's not very bright."
Knowing he was defeated, the pilot inside the damaged mech stopped trying to fight back—he activated the self-destruct program, and the back of the silver-white mech suddenly exploded, ejecting the pilot violently. He rolled twice on the ground before finally settling down.
The mech, now pilotless, abandoned its defenses and lunged forward, pulling Garsen firmly into its embrace. As the dangerous red light grew increasingly blinding, a deafening explosion rang out, and the expensive mech was reduced to ashes.
"Director, the data has been saved."
With the help of his companions, the pilot on the ground quickly got up, put on his equipment, and handed the data storage unit in his hand to Kane—which contained complete combat data of the mech he was piloting.
Rhine Lab is a company, and every action must be taken to secure sufficient profit. This operation aims to obtain the doctor's blood to develop a cure for Oripathy, and also to test the combat performance of the mechs—after all, Rhine Lab rarely has the opportunity to participate in large-scale warfare, and such an opportunity cannot be missed.
Chapter 100 Natural Disaster Strikes
"Damn Sarkaz swear words! I'll chop your heads off and crush them!"
Just as Kane handed the data storage unit to Mon3tr for safekeeping, the smoke was dispersed by the airflow, and Garson, who had been caught in the mech's self-destruction, let out a roar—surprisingly, he had actually survived such an explosion? How could the Sarkaz have such incredible resilience? No wonder they were able to survive and breathe despite the attacks from various nations and races of Terra.
Kane's gaze swept across the area, revealing that it wasn't just Garsen's power alone. Three black energy chains extended from the tip of the warlock's staff in the distance, all pointing towards Garsen. Red energy coiled around his torso like armor, providing both protection and enhanced strength. This "three-protect-one" tactic wasn't impossible on Terra; certain special Originium Arts and drugs could indeed unleash human potential, elevating speed and strength to a new level, not to mention simple defensive spells—Saria could fight while simultaneously protecting and healing.
“Ahhhhhh——!!!”
Garson roared like a wild beast, charging forward like a caged animal, each step shattering paving stones and kicking through broken walls. With the force of a tiger descending a mountain, he could probably crush a mech in one fell swoop.
"As the saying goes, king against king, general against general—I've already sparred with Talulah, the dragon girl, and as for you... Mon3tr!"
"okay!"
Several mechs ahead initially intended to converge and intercept Garsen's charge, but at Kane's command, they immediately scattered as if targeted by a terrifying force. Garsen, charging forward, was overjoyed to see the white mechs clear his way—since these fools had made way, he wouldn't hesitate to take the commander's head! The fate of a seasoned Sarkaz warrior charging unimpeded into battle should be emphasized in the military textbooks of the Terran nations.
As the mechs made way, a slender, dark green figure slowly stepped forward. All the Sarkaz present saw her—a thin, frail little girl named "Feline"? Ha, it seems these so-called intelligent people really trust technology—some mercenaries who had left Kazdel knew that many external nations possessed unique technologies, much like the sorcery passed down through generations of Sarkaz.
Some technologies do possess magical powers, but at most they can create a situation where two warriors of equal strength can overwhelm each other, not allow a cub to hunt a behemoth; can this little brat really defeat the enraged Garsen? If she can't win in one blow, Garsen's blade will definitely cut her into pieces and throw her into the air.
The Sarkaz were focused, anticipating what would happen next—to see how this bloodthirsty madman, Garzon, would slaughter his enemies.
Twenty meters, ten meters, five meters—close combat!
Throughout the entire ordeal, no one else from Rhine Labs made any other move, as if they truly intended to leave Mon3tr to die.
Garsen suddenly appeared in front of Mon3tr, and his black greatsword slashed down—he intended to cleave the man in front of him in two!
clang!
The expected sounds of flesh tearing and bones breaking did not occur, nor did any splattering blood or internal organs appear. Only a crisp clang of metal on metal reached everyone's ears. Mon3tr, which should have been cleaved in two, now held its hand aloft, two sharp blades extending from its back, foldable and razor-sharp like the forelegs of a praying mantis.
They appeared thin and light, yet they easily blocked the fierce strikes from Garsen's Originium Arts.
"Tsk, what an impolite guy."
Mon3tr's keen senses, amplified in her human form, made her even more sensitive to malice. The hideous creature before her was so repulsive it made her nauseous. To vent her anger, Mon3tr swung her claws to deflect the opponent's blade, then spun around at superhuman speed—the extraordinary speed bringing unparalleled power—and delivered a powerful spinning kick straight at Garsen's wide-open chest.
boom!
The towering Sarkaz was kicked away like a cannonball, crashing violently into the ruins of the building. Bricks and broken walls rained down, burying Garsen, whose fate was unknown.
"Heh, the Sarkaz's talent is indeed outstanding, and your Originium Arts are also very powerful. But in the face of true numbers, they are nothing."
Kane shook his head, seemingly lamenting Garson's futile attempt to shake a tree.
Time passed by, but the stone tomb remained completely still.
"leader……?"
"Galsen!?"
The Sarkaz mercenaries around him shouted into the rubble, trying to wake their leader and hoping he would do something more; but in the end, he did not respond.
"Yay! Home run!"
Mon3tr stood up straight and raised his hands high—his wide, long sleeves hung down as always, making him look especially cute.
"A home run is hit with a bat, but this was kicked with your foot... well, that's a world-class goal."
"Oh."
Kane ruffled Mon3tr's hair as a reward, his fingers clearly feeling the smoke and dust – it seemed they had dragged this out for far too long.
"keep going!"
Kane's orders broke the deadlock, and the remaining Sarkaz began to put up a last-ditch resistance, while the Rhine Labs continued their advance.
Ultimately, Kane and his group arrived at an entrance/exit in Chernobog. At such a crucial juncture, the Reunion Movement's control was surprisingly weak—because surviving refugees and military/police forces, desperate for a chance to survive, frantically stormed the entrance, making it difficult to stop them even with a large force. Therefore, the Reunion Movement simply didn't control the entrance/exit, figuring that the city's inhabitants couldn't possibly be completely evacuated, and they had enough "sacrifices."
"Director, to ensure mobility, we've already discarded all our land vehicles. From now on, we'll have to rely on our own two legs."
Chernobog was in chaos, with damaged roads and piles of debris making it nearly impossible for the vehicles to move, so the team had long since abandoned them. Now, as they ventured into the wilderness, they became all the more important.
"It's not far from here to Longmen, it'll take some time to get there... What I'm worried about is the pursuers behind us."
Kane looked back. He was standing at a high vantage point with an excellent view—a steady stream of Integrative forces was surging toward them like iron filings drawn by a magnet, including many officers and their subordinate units.
Will the pursuit stop once we leave Chernobog? Probably not—Kane's many abilities have aroused the greed of those behind Talulah, and the hunt will not end unless they feel pain.
"Hoo—Mon3tr, link with me."
"Boss, what are you going to do?"
Mon3tr was somewhat surprised. She was currently standing next to Kane, and their "wireless connection" was already strong enough to reinforce each other. If they switched to a "wired connection," they would truly become one—what did Kane intend to do with such powerful computing power?
"I'll teach them a lesson—it'll also avenge what we did today. Come on!"
Mon3tr naturally obeyed Kane's command. Her slender, crystalline tail extended towards Kane's lower back—where the two were joined.
As Mon3tr's tail connected to Kane's body, everything between them began to be shared. Kane took all of Mon3tr, and her expression and eyes suddenly became empty, as if her soul had been ripped out—in reality, because all the computing power had been given to Kane, she was no longer able to think for herself.
Back in Tremont, I gave it my all and only managed a basic opening move—now, let me see how far I can go!
Yes, what Kane needs to do is simple—try to see if he can control the natural disasters themselves.
He reached out his hand toward the sky, then clenched it—as he thought, the chaotic thunderclouds in the sky suddenly became violently agitated, flashing and roaring, yet constantly gathering toward a center.
Kane stretched out his other hand, making a half-turn motion in the air. With his will—the previously chaotic thunderclouds began to flow, coalescing into a massive vortex cloud in one direction, under one will. Dark clouds rolled in, and torrential rain poured down.
Natural disasters are the most awe-inspiring sight in Terra, bringing destruction and robbing everything in their path, turning prosperous cities into wastelands; but even more awe-inspiring are these "controlled" natural disasters. When the most violent forces of nature are brought under control, people instinctively feel their own insignificance. Throughout history, this power has been called "miracles."
Kane clenched his fists into a hammer and raised it high. The thunderclouds in the sky fell silent instantly; the flashes and roars vanished, as if all was still—but this was the final calm before disaster.
"Smash it down!"
Kane slammed his hands forward, and with him plummeted a colossal cataclysmic event from the sky. A bolt of lightning, seemingly capable of annihilating everything, roared down, followed by hurricanes, torrential rain, lightning, and meteors.
Ursus's defenses against the northern cold crumbled before it; almost instantly, several city blocks were completely crushed. The storm swept everything away, leaving only empty foundations and broken tree trunks. The mobile city blocks, designed by countless artisans and scholars and forged from thousands of steel blocks, were even pierced through by this cataclysm—yes, the very center of the cataclysm was empty; the massive mobile cities were completely breached, molten iron continuously sinking, eventually revealing the underlying Terran land.
Kane, the mastermind behind all of this, has led the Rhine Life team into the wilderness.
He wasn't sure who he was targeting—it could be all the Reunion cadres, or it could just be peripheral members; in the worst-case scenario, there might not be any Reunion members there, just some pitiful Ursus refugees.
Regardless of merit or demerit—Kane has achieved his goal. This attack is enough to shake any nation on Terra, and even Ursus, known for its military might, cannot ignore such an attack. As for chaotic organizations like Reunion, no matter how brave and fierce their members are, they would have no courage to pursue Kane after witnessing this attack.
"Rhine Lab... I'll remember you."
Gazing at the sea of fire in the distance, even Talulah, a member of Drak, felt a burning sensation; she looked at her hand holding the sword—it was trembling involuntarily, though she dared not call it a thrill of excitement.
"Sister Talulah, what is that...? Is that a natural disaster? No! No!"
"Ino! Calm down! We're alright, we're still alive!"