Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 29 - Revised: Chapter 29 Mecha Ambush

As soon as the three energy cannons appeared with the [Anger], they spewed out frenzied tongues of fire. The advantage of height allowed [Anger]’s firepower suppression to be fully utilized. The distance of a few dozen meters was too close for the Mecha. The energy bullets, like three colorful ribbons, danced in the air, swaying up and down with [Anger]’s movements, completely enveloping the unsuspecting Mythical Beast Type Mecha.

[Antenna]’s electronic attacks had already started before [Anger] launched its assault. The communication signals in this area were completely disrupted, covering the Mythical Beast Type Mecha’s mechanical computer, weapon lock, radar, and other systems. For half an hour, [Antenna] was the king here!

Nine Warrior Pioneers formed crossfire from the left and right. When the frenzied torrent of energy bullets from [Anger] forced the Imperial Mecha to dodge, the Pioneers’ firepower also sealed off the areas on both sides of the Beast-shaped Mecha.

This sudden strike led to three Imperial Mecha being destroyed head-on in an instant. Although these Mythical Army Mechas were seasoned combat veterans, after all, Mechas are Mechas. They could ignore the energy gun in the hands of Federation soldiers but not the Anti-armor Energy Cannon. That only three were destroyed was their best outcome given the sudden assault and their quick evasion reflexes developed through long-term warfare. Without those reflexes, the number of destroyed Mechas would have at least doubled.

The evasion direction chosen by these Beast-shaped Mechas was not the sides blocked by the Pioneers but straight ahead. Deprived of coordinated communication, the remaining six Beast-shaped Mechas made their choice in an instant: they all charged at [Anger]. This heavily armed Federation Mecha posed too great a threat, and it had to be eliminated or forced out of the fight as quickly as possible.

As for the other Pioneers, they didn’t care much. The Mythical Army had taken out many of these kinds of Mechas. Compared to the exclusive Beast-shaped Mecha [Demon Tiger], the standard Federation Pioneer Mecha was nothing. If the [Demon Tiger] got close, the Pioneer’s weapons would be rendered useless. The [Demon Tiger]’s claws could easily tear open the Pioneer’s cockpit, turning its power system and operator into a bloody mess.

The soldiers of the third squad began to retreat. In the battleground where Mechas clashed, infantry were always cannon fodder. Their role here was done; now, their goal was to preserve themselves as much as possible.

Caleb crouched, using both hands and feet to crawl behind a slope, keeping his head low as energy bullets zipped overhead. His last task during the retreat was to detonate the fusion hand grenades buried under the shallow soil when the Beast-shaped Mechas reached the midpoint of the slope. His gaze scanned the woods behind the slope, and he was stunned by a bizarre sight.

The dilapidated Magic Beast Type III Mecha that all the Federation soldiers found incredible was doing something entirely uncharacteristic of its pitiful exterior—transforming. With a stream of flowing light sliding over its surface, the whole Mecha seemed to melt. A few seconds later, an exact replica of the Mythical Army’s Beast-shaped Mecha formed. If Caleb hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn’t have believed it was the same rundown Mecha belonging to Fatty Lieutenant Tian Xingjian.

”This is just too despicable,” Caleb thought, feeling sweat trickling down. He had never understood why the Deputy Company Commander operated a Mecha inferior even to ordinary soldiers’ until now. He realized that this guy was an expert in all sorts of sneaky tricks, always up to no good.

The shout from the reconnaissance squad leader Torick reached his ears: ”Bomb! Quickly!”

Caleb snapped out of his daze and hurriedly activated the remote control in his hand. A massive explosion ensued, sending dirt skyward, and a crater formed on the hillside. An Imperial Beast-shaped Mecha’s mechanical leg was blasted, rendering it immobile. The others sustained no damage but had their aggressive charge interrupted.

Caleb was also sent flying by the shockwave. As he tumbled down the slope, his gaze never left the transforming Mecha. Amidst the rising dust and smoke, the disguised [Demon Tiger] crouched low, swiftly moving around the slope and into the smoke. Though he lost sight of it, Caleb could imagine the disguised Mecha mixing into the panicked Imperial Mechas, and the chaos it would cause to the Mythical Mecha team.

Caleb felt a cramp in his stomach. This despicable and cunning Fatty was downright unscrupulous. Watching the disguised [Demon Tiger] sneak in didn’t resemble an assassin but rather a fox covered in chicken feathers, sneaking in to steal chickens, making him want to howl with anger.

The five [Demon Tigers] of the Mythical Army seemed unaffected by losing half their force. After a brief moment of distraction, they almost immediately recovered, moving more swiftly and decisively. They gave no indication that their communication coordination system had been cut off. Unhesitatingly, they advanced on the Federation Mechas. Their routes zigzagged unpredictably, making it nearly impossible to determine their next move. Their speed was so fast that the Federation soldiers could only see afterimages.

The Federation Mechas subconsciously aimed and fired, but their shots landed behind the speeding [Demon Tigers].

[Anger] became the primary target for these Beast-shaped Mechas. Naturally, the nine Warrior Pioneers flanking [Anger] weren’t going to let these Mechas threaten [Anger]. They quickly adjusted their firing strategy, cranking their firepower to the maximum, frantically shooting straight ahead.

A dense barrage formed in front of the Federation Mechas, and any Mecha daring to cross it would face utter destruction.

But the five [Demon Tigers] didn’t stop. The first one leaped up, prompting the Federation Pioneer Mechas to instinctively aim and shoot at it simultaneously. They made a mistake; although the airborne [Demon Tiger] got its mobility system damaged, the remaining four [Demon Tigers] exploited the momentary gap in the barrage, darting forward with lightning speed, moving in unison—a result of long-term coordinated combat.

[Anger] was forced to retreat, while the nine Pioneers rushed to intercept. Despite their frantic cannon fire, they couldn’t stop the charging [Demon Tigers]. These four [Demon Tigers] leaped in like cheetahs closing in on antelopes, their powerful and agile bodies erupting with tremendous force. They jumped up, their specially structured sharp claws tearing open the reinforced cockpits of two Pioneers, creating a gory mess of metal, machinery, and blood.

”No!” The remaining Federation Mechas roared in fury. Two comrades had been killed despite their advantageous position. This was unacceptable, and they screamed in sorrow and rage, redirecting all energy to their firepower, firing madly.

The [Demon Tigers] evaded through the barrage, their energy shields flaring as they were hit by shots. Under such fierce fire, they scattered, retreating slightly, using the terrain and the fallen Pioneer Mechas as cover, biding their time for another strike.

”Maintain formation! Fall back!” Torick ordered. The Federation Mechas needed to focus on defense now. Only by creating distance could they ensure safety. These Beast-shaped Mechas were natural-born killers, skilled and ruthless in close combat. Their mechanical technology was simple yet effective. If they got in close, the Pioneers would have no chance to dodge their attacks.

[Anger] had retreated to a safe distance, its firepower readjusted and intensified. With [Anger] providing suppression, the Federation Pioneer Mechas followed Torick’s order, forming a semicircular defensive formation in front of [Anger].

”Buy time, cover the Deputy Commander!” The Federation Mechas received Torick’s command. They all saw that behind the four [Demon Tigers], another identical Mecha had stealthily blended in, lurking in the shadows, eyeing the four [Demon Tigers] menacingly.

”They’re done for!” All the Federation soldiers said this in the communication channel.

Torick watched the unsuspecting four [Demon Tigers], a mocking smile curling his lips. They didn’t know what was coming—the most shameless, vile, cunning Mechanical Hunter had arrived.