Legend's End

A colossal explosion, unprecedented in scale, occurred off the western coast of the Pacific. The resulting heatwave even impacted the urban areas of Hong Kong, sending countless citizens fleeing their homes like startled birds and rushing towards the kaiju shelters scattered throughout the city.

The epicenter of the blast was located three kilometers west of the Shatterdome, now completely shrouded in smoke and dust, making it impossible to see what was happening within.

At this moment, Jiang Tianzheng was filled with regret.

Although Mike, piloting Kunlun, had made numerous mistakes during the Jaeger's initial activation, his subsequent combat prowess had sent Jiang Tianzheng into a frenzy of joy. Perhaps Mike could join his long-planned "Savior" operation, but it was too late now.

He not only regretted the potential loss of an excellent pilot but also regretted not discovering this pearl buried in the mud earlier.

"Rescue teams, can you reach the vicinity of the explosion site?" Jiang Tianzheng asked into the communicator. A pilot from a Zhi Gan Nu helicopter immediately responded affirmatively.

"Maintain a safe distance from the battlefield," Jiang Tianzheng continued his instructions. "Search carefully for survivors; perhaps Kunlun's pilot is still alive."

Though the chances were slim, it was worth a try. Mike might have used Kunlun's back to shield against artillery fire, then fallen into the water, and all pilots knew how to swim.

The helicopter circled near the mushroom cloud. Before long, more and more rescue teams arrived, but they were still helpless against the smoke column filled with toxic gas.

Just then—something emerged from the smoke.

As expected, it was the crimson Shandong, looking rather battered. His right hand was severely injured, and his entire body was blackened by gunpowder.

"..."

Through the communicator, Lin Yin remained silent. She simply and steadily guided Shandong towards the base.

Jiang Tianzheng didn't want to disturb Lin Yin. He knew she needed to stay calm above all else, so he refocused his attention on the smoke column, hoping for some miracle.

"Rosen... he's alive."

Lin Yin's voice suddenly came through the communicator, weak yet firm.

"Rosen?" Jiang Tianzheng couldn't help but ask. "What does this have to do with Rosen?"

"Because the one piloting that Jaeger... is Rosen."

As if summoned, movement came from the smoke column again—even Shandong stopped and looked back.

Thump... thump... thump...

The heavy footsteps echoed on the seabed, kicking up sprays of water like waves.

As a red light flickered on, the giant's silhouette gradually emerged from the smoke—

Kunlun—he was still alive.

Rosen had no idea how he managed to pilot Kunlun out of the smoke. Exhausted, body and soul, he moved forward step by agonizing step. With every step he took, Mike's anxious voice could be heard from behind him.

Finally, Kunlun walked out of the smoke column, and the cracked panoramic display returned to clarity.

He couldn't help but collapse onto the launch platform, and Kunlun knelt down with him. He saw countless rescue helicopters approaching from the horizon. The sensors in the cockpit received connection signals from the helicopters. However, the communicator was broken; all Rosen heard was the crackling of static.

Kunlun's body tilted forward, and the view on the display instantly shifted to the clear blue sea. To prevent the cockpit from flooding, Rosen strained his arms forward. After the Jaeger completed its stabilizing action, it gradually fell silent. Both he and his pilot had no strength left to stand.

Rosen felt someone pulling him off the launch platform. Without a doubt, it had to be Mike. Then, his vision began to blur.

When Rosen's consciousness returned again, he found himself lying on top of Kunlun. The cold metal beneath him gave Rosen a strange sense of security. Helicopters in the sky began to land nearby, and strong winds whistled past Rosen's ears.

Rosen suddenly remembered his favorite simulation combat game. This was the scene he always saw while waiting to respawn after failing a game.

"It's over..."

A voice reached his ears, mixed with Mike's characteristic tone of despair. Rosen could almost picture the look of frustration on Mike's face in his mind.

"Oh, God... this is completely ruined," Mike stammered on.

Rosen couldn't help but reply, "Not entirely."

"Huh? Rosen, you're alive?!"

"Of course..." Rosen intended to speak, but a wave of drowsiness washed over him without warning.

So, he could only pull at the corners of his mouth, forcing a smile.

"I think our game has just begun."

Rosen then lost consciousness.

Volume One—The Pinnacle of Kunlun

The End.