United

——June 18, 2043, 4:10 AM——

Despite his words, Sun Zheng Tang knew the immense pressure on Rosen's shoulders at this moment.

Rosen was facing a Generation 8 Kaiju, and Kunlun held no advantage in performance. Even Sun Zheng Tang wasn't confident he could win if he were piloting it, let alone Rosen—if he remembered correctly, this was Rosen's first time piloting a Jaeger against a Kaiju.

Not long after the Chinook helicopter ascended, the perilous scene of Kunlun and 'Gecko' trading blows came into Sun Zheng Tang's view. They fought fiercely for a long time, neither gaining a clear advantage. Kunlun seized an opportunity first, slamming its elbow into 'Gecko's' spine. A cluster of spikes on the Kaiju's back immediately snapped off. However, 'Gecko' retaliated. The tips of its foot suction cups suddenly extended into several sharp claws. With a sweep of its forelimb, Kunlun's thigh armor erupted in sparks, leaving several deep gouges.

What the hell is this thing? Sun Zheng Tang marveled inwardly. The 'Gecko' before him resembled a chameleon, a dog, and even a bit like a dinosaur, possessing traits and abilities from multiple creatures simultaneously. This Generation 8 Kaiju was simply too terrifying.

His worry for Rosen intensified.

Seeing that close combat offered no advantage, Kunlun immediately created distance and sprinted toward the nearby port. 'Gecko' pursued relentlessly, and another fierce battle ensued at the edge of the docks. Kunlun's outer armor was heavily damaged under 'Gecko's' dual assault of claws and acid, its silver surface becoming pitted and scarred. But Kunlun also gained something: the battlefield shifted away from Hong Kong's urban center, moving towards the outskirts, and the destruction caused by the intense fight lessened.

Amidst their violent struggle, stacked shipping containers lay scattered like toys.

But 'Gecko's' strength ultimately surpassed Kunlun's—

It wrapped its tail around a gantry crane, 30 meters tall. After a piercing screech of tearing metal, this machine weighing thousands of tons was lifted by 'Gecko'!

"What the fuck?!" "WTF?!" Sun Zheng Tang in the helicopter and Mike in Kunlun's cockpit exclaimed in unison, their faces contorting in shock. Even Rosen's expression changed drastically!

The Kaiju roared and swung its tail, sending the massive metal object hurtling towards Kunlun like a meteorite!

If it hit directly, not only the Jaeger but even an iceberg would be severely damaged.

Kunlun retreated rapidly while reactivating the Cloud-Mist High-Pressure Magnetic Storm Ring in its right wrist—

Rosen roared!

"All out!"

The meteorite was almost upon them as Kunlun raised its right hand once more!

Vwoom————

BANG!!

A powerful current, tens of millions of volts strong, instantly pierced the metal—as arcs of electricity surged, the immense repulsive force pushed both combatants away!

Kunlun crashed to the ground, sliding nearly 300 meters; 'Gecko' wasn't faring any better. The Tekkai projectile directly struck its face, a reptilian visage. Corrosive saliva sprayed in all directions, and smoke billowed across the chaotic, dilapidated dock.

"Damn it..." Rosen muttered to himself, sitting in the helicopter.

Sun Zheng Tang then noticed blood trickling from the corner of Rosen's mouth, indicating that Kunlun had not emerged unscathed from the clash of magnetic force and kinetic energy.

Kunlun staggered to its feet on the dock, its right arm severely deformed. Its overall speed had visibly decreased.

However, 'Gecko' was in worse shape. Its protruding snout was caved in, and its eyes darted around erratically, clearly not yet recovered. Kunlun seized the advantage, grabbed a pair of metal shipping containers, about fifteen meters long, and delivered a powerful blow to 'Gecko's' face, leaving the Kaiju disoriented.

Kunlun then took a few steps back, creating distance. The tip of its left hand began to deform—the I-19 Ion Cannon beneath was about to unleash its might!

"There's hope!" Sun Zheng Tang's face lit up with joy.

The Ion Cannon's power far surpassed conventional weaponry. No living creature could survive its potent high-energy ion impact—even a Kaiju would perish after a few hits.

Kunlun seized the precious opportunity and fired the first shot.

The blast struck the Kaiju's back directly. Spikes from 'Gecko's' dorsal ridge flew everywhere, then embedded themselves in the ground like swords. Its surface skin was stripped away, revealing charred tissue beneath. The immense shockwave from the plasma explosion sent shipping containers flying like styrofoam, and the air filled with the scent of roasted meat.

Surprisingly, 'Gecko' was still not incapacitated.

While the cannon was recharging, 'Gecko' charged forward. It opened its elongated maw and clamped down on the Ion Cannon's muzzle, pressing its body forward. Kunlun lost its balance and was immediately dragged to the ground!

"No!" Rosen's face turned grim. "The Ion Cannon is broken!"

Screeeech—

The sound of metal being corroded by strong acid echoed from 'Gecko's' mouth.

Rosen felt a searing pain in his left arm. Without a doubt, Kunlun's left hand was now melting like wax under the corrosive acid.

Turning the tables. A spark of inspiration struck Rosen. His weapon was now in the Kaiju's mouth; wasn't this the perfect opportunity to attack?

Without hesitation, Rosen gritted his teeth. Kunlun's left hand reshaped itself, returning to its palm form—the Chain Sword on its wrist guard immediately extended, piercing through 'Gecko's' lower jaw!

Kunlun's left hand yanked back forcefully—'Gecko's' jaw split into two halves. Countless streams of mucus and blood clung to Kunlun's left hand, pulled from the Kaiju's mouth, dripping wetly onto the ground.

'Gecko' let out a soul-wrenching scream, thrashing on the ground in agony, on the verge of losing control!

"That actually worked?!" Countless people watching the scene exclaimed in disbelief. Just moments before, they had believed Kunlun was doomed, but unexpectedly, the Jaeger's pilot had executed a stunning reversal!

Jiang Tianzheng was also watching, his expression a mixture of astonishment and excitement.

He was now one hundred percent certain the rumors were true—Rosen had not been defeated by his repeated failures. This past year had not been wasted.

This move is definitely not in the operation manual, Jiang Tianzheng thought. When it came to tactical skills for dealing with Kaiju, perhaps Rosen was no less skilled than the veteran pilots.

He might be qualified to join the plan.

On the large screen, Kunlun shook its body, shedding the acidic substances clinging to it. Then, it strode towards 'Gecko.'

Although both of Kunlun's hands were severely damaged, its left hand corroded beyond recognition with only the Chain Sword still attached to the gauntlet, and its right hand twisted and deformed, threatening to cease functioning at any moment. However, all it needed to do now was hold 'Gecko' at bay—

Shandong was rapidly approaching, Tianshan had landed from the shallows, Luoyang's systems had finally stabilized, and even Hengduan and Taihang were advancing towards the location.

6 against 1!

This was going to be an encirclement attack!