Return

When Xiao Shou and Xie Yushan exited the interface and climbed out of the simulation pods, they found the Chiori sisters watching their battle screen outside.

The battles in the virtual world were broadcast live onto the screens above the simulation pods.

"Brother Xiao Shou, Sister Yushan, you were amazing! You took down Shanlan so easily!"

"My sister and I just piloted Mount Tai against Bladehead, but we lost. We got beaten up almost the entire time!"

Chiori Mina came over and spoke to Xiao Shou and Xie Yushan dejectedly.

In truth, Xiao Shou had indeed underestimated himself, as well as Xie Yushan.

They had certainly benefited from Mount Tai's superior performance specifications when fighting Shanlan just now.

But that was not the case against Bladehead. A Category 3 monster was on an entirely different level from a Category 2.

Moreover, Shanlan in the virtual world had seemed somewhat rigid. If it had been the real thing, Mount Tai could still have won in the end, but it would not have been nearly so easy.

Bladehead's performance specifications were no worse than Mount Tai's.

Xiao Shou had assumed Mount Tai won through firepower, with its electromagnetic particle cannon and Mo Dao.

But in most battles against monsters, combatants met each other head-on at close range.

The electromagnetic particle cannon's power was undeniably immense, but it had limitations.

It was unsuitable for close combat, and its energy ammunition was limited.

The Mo Dao could be considered a single-use weapon, though it had rendered great service this time.

But it had already been damaged beyond recognition. It could still be used after two or three repairs, but over time, it would truly become no better than a fire poker.

It was also incredibly expensive. The special materials were one factor, but the main issue was how difficult it was to manufacture.

After all, the Mo Dao was a lost Chinese cold weapon.

Even after several experts had worked together to restore it this time, it was only an imitation.

Its forging process was extraordinarily complicated.

Whether this Mo Dao could even be used a few more times remained uncertain.

In truth, the most important reason they had gained the upper hand against Bladehead was that stretch of hand-to-hand combat.

Those opening punches from Mount Tai, which had seized the initiative, had accomplished a great deal—especially that punch empowered by rocket thrusters.

Its damage was absolutely substantial, no less than an electromagnetic particle cannon blast.

Their combat experience came entirely from Xiao Shou's years of street-fighting experience and the combat training Xie Yushan had received in the military.

They were not novices.

But the Chiori sisters were still young and had previously been nothing more than high school students.

Making them go through that battle had been too much of a stretch.

Xiao Shou and Xie Yushan simply offered the Chiori sisters a few words of comfort.

They were all mech pilots. Some things could not be avoided; all one could do was accept them and persevere.

The lives and safety of an entire nation rested on your shoulders.

What could you do? Run away?

If one day,

the monsters attacked again,

and you were given a choice,

would you choose to flee desperately among the crowd,

or die or triumph inside a mech?

This was not a multiple-choice question.

Was it?

Over the next three days, Xiao Shou, Xie Yushan, and the group of prospective mech pilots continued conducting virtual battles in the simulation pods.

Not only did their neural drift connection values stabilize, they also honed many combat techniques.

This sort of practical combat experience was far superior to tactics discussed only on paper.

It was indeed a gain for Xiao Shou and the others.

Having opportunities to train was naturally a good thing. Otherwise, trying to train only after the monsters arrived would be a little too late.

But time was limited in the end. General Jonathan had said from the start that the special training would last three days.

Naturally, that had to be carried out strictly.

This was not the home of some kind-hearted aunt where you could stay an extra two days whenever you wanted.

They had gained a great deal over those three days.

The release of laser technology, neural drift connection techniques, and practical combat experience against monsters.

Oh, and a pair of little fangirls from Sakura.

For some reason, the chatty Chiori Mina and the quiet Chiori Miyuki had grown very attached to Xiao Shou and Xie Yushan.

Maybe it was simply a matter of first impressions.

Xiao Shou did not dislike them, though. They were only two children.

At that moment, Chiori Mina looked at Xiao Shou and Xie Yushan with reddened eyes, seeming ready to burst into tears at the slightest word.

Chiori Miyuki beside her also looked downcast. Quiet did not mean cold; she was merely introverted and shy.

"Brother Xiao Shou, Sister Yushan, you must come visit us in Sakura! Mina will be your guide when you do!"

Watching the Chiori sisters board their private jet and leave, Xiao Shou could not help but sigh.

Sakura truly was a country of extremes.

Some people made your teeth itch with hatred.

Yet others made you pity them from the bottom of your heart.

Xiao Shou and Xie Yushan also had to prepare to return to the Shatterdome base in Dalian.

Thankfully, they would not have to take a civilian airliner back this time.

After negotiations between PPDC headquarters and Nation Z's military, headquarters had been permitted to send a helicopter to take Xiao Shou and Xie Yushan to Dalian.

See? That was the difference between the leaders on both sides.

Chuanpu, look at them.

Xiao Shou boarded a plane once again.

He realized that he was simply doomed to a life of hard labor.

Running back and forth without a moment of rest.

He had once naively thought he was coming here for a vacation.

Who could have expected that he would spend three days fighting little monsters...

"Wait! Wait!"

Just as the helicopter was about to take off, Dr. Herman hurried forward and stopped them.

Xiao Shou was somewhat touched, thinking Dr. Herman had come to see them off.

But then, uh, he got on the helicopter...

"Dr. Herman, what is this?"

"Oh, I'm going to Nation Z with you! The laser weapon installation will begin with Mount Tai. Commander Mao Shucheng has already agreed."

Hearing this, Xiao Shou was somewhat surprised. Mount Tai seemed to have no room left to mount another weapon.

Could they be replacing the Mo Dao with a laser?

No way!

That was exactly what they were doing. The laser weapon was tentatively being fitted onto the Mo Dao.

The Mo Dao's blade could not withstand wear and tear.

Every repair cost Mao Shucheng a huge handful of hair.

He was worried sick.

The luxuriant hair he had once taken pride in was now nearly a bald patch.

The craftsmanship for this single Mo Dao nearly matched half that of a mech.

Now that they had a better replacement, why not use it?

Headquarters was certainly efficient. They had directly arranged for Dr. Herman himself to come oversee the installation.

It seemed General Jonathan's words had not merely been polite formalities.

He was dependable—when something happened, he really showed up!