Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 30 - Amended: Chapter 30 The True Enemy, The Real Contest

Under Torick’s lead, the Federation Mechas quickly disengaged from the enemy, though it cost them two comrades. However, they did not give the [Demon Tigers] any chance for close contact afterwards.

The so-called Mecha Hunter, often described as the most despicable, shameless, cunning, and unscrupulous, was trembling.

”Damn, we’ve met experts this time!”

Seeing the movements of these [Demon Tigers], Tian Xingjian was sure that these soldiers from the Mythical Army were at least ten times more dangerous than ordinary Special Soldiers. Their Mecha operation skills were extraordinarily refined and ferocious, honed through life-and-death combat on the battlefield, and aimed solely at killing, exuding a chilling murderous aura. Ordinary Mechas couldn’t compare in terms of speed and strength when these [Demon Tigers] closed in. In the midst of gunfire and artillery, they relied purely on maneuvering to dodge long-range attacks, a level of training that even the Federation Special Soldier training program had never considered. No wonder legends said that Energy Cannons and missiles were ineffective against these Mechas. If not for tricking them initially and having [Antenna] disable their Mechanical Computers, forcing them to manually control their Mechas, the outcome would have been uncertain.

Originally confident in his skills after six months of harsh training in the gravity room, Tian Xingjian now felt only half as confident after witnessing the combat of these ordinary Mythical Army [Demon Tigers].

This remaining confidence stemmed from Tian Xingjian’s unique combat techniques. His skills had helped him repeatedly defeat powerful enemies in the war simulation network. During training in the gravity room, his speed greatly improved, leading him to believe that he could outpace even the [Demon Tigers] due to his naturally quick hands.

However, his own Mecha combat had a major flaw compared to the enemy: he hadn’t undergone the trials of blood and fire. The calmness, precision, and accurate judgment needed in life-and-death battles under gunfire usually require countless battles to develop. He was essentially a novice who had fought only a few times in the war simulation network.

”Damn it, don’t think about it! I’m fighting with all I’ve got today, whether horizontally or vertically. If I die, I’ll just sleep; if I kill one, it’s worth it. If I kill two, it’s a profit.” Tian Xingjian began to imagine himself as a ruthless villain, being cruel to both enemies and himself.

During recent battles, he noticed an inexplicable part of his nature. Normally timid, he would dodge danger whenever possible. But when he couldn’t, he would turn reckless, becoming more excited the more intense and dangerous the battle became, almost hysterical like a stimulated madman, with thoughts only of killing. He felt like he didn’t fear anything, breaking rules and going all out, even suspecting he might have a split personality.

A minor stimulus could drive him mad. During wartime, it might be okay, but if stimulated into madness in peacetime, he might kill a few people, leading to severe consequences.

The schizophrenic Fatty slowly maneuvered his Mecha towards the [Demon Tiger] in front of him. Torick’s cover allowed him to slip in easily, while continuous gunfire blocked the four [Demon Tigers]’ assault directions, forcing them to dodge and look for opportunities, completely unaware of the stealthy presence of the disguised [Demon Tiger].

Tian Xingjian’s target was deliberately controlled by the Energy Cannon. The soldiers of the Special Recon Unit paid special attention to this [Demon Tiger], pushing it back anytime it advanced slightly. Meanwhile, the other three [Demon Tigers] unknowingly distanced themselves from it.

The opportunity arrived! When the trailing [Demon Tiger] was forced back by gunfire once more, [Logic], who had been hiding nearby, silently appeared at its side. The prey had no time to react, thinking it was a companion, albeit puzzled by the unconventional movement. Due to communication system interference, he couldn’t verify this [Demon Tiger]’s identity. These thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, too quickly to ponder further. As he was thinking, this companion used its claw to dismantle his Mecha’s power system.

”This isn’t our Mecha! How is that possible?!” The [Demon Tiger] pilot was furious and terrified, unable to comprehend how his Mecha’s power system was so easily destroyed by the disguised [Demon Tiger]. Could it be that the Mythical Army’s exclusive Mechas had been compromised?

The [Demon Tiger] soldier felt extremely wronged, both resentful and helpless. Watching the despicable disguised [Demon Tiger] sneak towards other companions like a weasel stealing chickens, his rage caused him to faint.

After taking down the first [Demon Tiger], Fatty was excited. He hadn’t seen this type of Mecha before, but [Logic]’s scans analyzed all the data thoroughly, enabling Mecha expert Tian Xingjian to deduce the structure from the blueprints and data. Knowing the structure allowed [Logic]’s special mechanical arms to dismantle any Mecha quickly.

An ambush doesn’t necessarily require weapons. An Energy Cannon ambush might kill one but would expose oneself due to the cannon’s sound and the Mecha’s explosion. Moreover, these Mechas were useful; acquiring a complete Mecha was part of the combat plan. Given the excellent opportunity, not procuring one to enhance strength would be a crime.

Silently, Tian Xingjian used his Mecha’s hind legs to push the extremely aggrieved Mecha into a crater. The [Demon Tiger] Mecha Soldier, who had just awakened from fainting, passed out again, feeling as if he had been turned into a chicken by the weasel-like stealing disguise.

[Logic] filled the position of this [Demon Tiger], jumping around, striving to play the role.

Under the fire cover of the Federation Mechas, Tian Xingjian quickly approached another nearby Mecha. As firepower was more concentrated, Federation Mechas found defense easier, while the remaining three [Demon Tigers] felt increased pressure, with more intense incoming gunfire and less room for maneuvering. They focused entirely on Mecha control, struggling to dodge the gunfire, their hands almost cramping, leaving no attention for other matters, let alone noticing their companion had been kicked into a crater by a despicable character.

The second Mecha couldn’t escape the same fate. After losing its power system, it was pushed into a crater by the experienced weasel Tian Xingjian.

The overall situation was decided, and there was no suspense in dealing with the remaining two [Demon Tigers].

Fatty was very pleased, almost effortlessly taking down two Mythical Mechas. At this moment, he even found his initial caution laughable. This complacency made him let his guard down for a split second. Unbeknownst to him, as he prepared to launch the final attack, the [Demon Tiger] leader had already spotted him. Despite the heavy gunfire, the [Demon Tiger] pounced fiercely, its body on the ground bursting with immense power. It advanced rapidly and appeared before Tian Xingjian in an instant. With a sharp sound, the [Demon Tiger]’s claws deeply embedded into the back of [Logic].

Tian Xingjian quickly turned around. The Mecha rolled forward along with the [Demon Tiger]’s claws. The back of [Logic] was where the external simulated armor was mounted, and its hardness was not like that of biological dual state metal. In such close combat, the energy shield was completely useless. A deep claw mark appeared on its back as [Logic] rolled. Though the wound was not fatal, it was enough to give Tian Xingjian a fright. If he were piloting an ordinary Mecha, the force of that claw would have been enough to destroy the Mecha’s action system.

Tian Xingjian broke free from the [Demon Tiger]’s claws. His left hand yanked the joystick, while his right hand flew over the keyboard. [Logic] quickly responded, its rear legs kicked hard, and it shot forward. However, the [Demon Tiger]’s movements were not slow. Almost simultaneously, this Mecha stuck to [Logic] again.

The two battling [Demon Tigers], one real and one fake, were like true kings of the jungle fighting to the death, raising clouds of dust with their roars.

”Can’t shake it off!”

Cold sweat abruptly broke out over Tian Xingjian. This [Demon Tiger] was far stronger than he had imagined.

[Logic]’s speed increased to its limit with an emergency stop and change of direction. The violent manoeuvring made Tian Xingjian dizzy. The [Demon Tiger] did not give up the chase. Having much more combat experience than Tian Xingjian, the squad leader anticipated [Logic]’s move before it happened.

Too inexperienced, a cold smile appeared at the squad leader’s mouth. This Mecha didn’t even perform a feint; such a direct change in direction could be easily judged by any soldier of the Mythical Army. The [Demon Tiger] kicked its rear foot, launching its claws, almost catching the back of the disguised [Demon Tiger].

It was still impossible to shake off. Tian Xingjian could almost feel the piercing sharpness of the [Demon Tiger]’s claws. Both his hands became a blur, changing the joystick’s position twelve times in an instant. His speed increased from ten to fourteen movements per second. His right hand rapidly issued commands to over a dozen parts of the Mecha through the keyboard. Every joint’s power adjustments were precise to the extreme.

[Logic]’s tail suddenly whipped the [Demon Tiger]’s head, its body slid to the right in a drift-like motion, avoiding the [Demon Tiger]’s sharp claws. Immediately, the power was transmitted perfectly to [Logic]’s hind legs, and the Mecha moved laterally in a peculiar drifting motion. The booster placed by Tian Xingjian at the Mecha’s rear suddenly activated, propelling the Mecha forward to the left with a ”whoosh”.

The [Demon Tiger] could no longer stop its forward momentum. Helplessly, it watched as the slippery disguised [Demon Tiger] escaped its control with an incredible maneuver. Without any feints, relying solely on the Mecha’s performance and the pilot’s skills, the squad leader of the Mythical Team felt disheartened. Like a cheetah that lost its prey after a 300-meter sprint, he suddenly felt exhausted. His Mecha fell to the ground due to inertia, unable to rise again. The scanning sensor on the Mecha’s head shattered by the disguised [Demon Tiger]’s hard mechanical tail, and the already damaged control system was completely paralyzed.

Defeated, in less than half an hour. A squad of Mythical Mechas was defeated by an ambush of an equal number of Federation Mechas. Although the soldiers of the Federation Mecha were considered unworthy by the Mythical Army, this planned ambush led the arrogant [Demon Tiger] squad step by step into the trap.

The other [Demon Tiger] could not escape either. Federation Mechas had already surrounded it. [Anger]’s fierce firepower obliterated this Mecha’s ability to resist, breaking its foreclaws.

Four destroyed, six disabled, the Mythical Army faced an unprecedented defeat.

The Federation Mecha Soldiers cautiously surrounded them, opening the hatches of those disabled [Demon Tiger] Mechas. All the Imperial Mecha Soldiers inside had chosen to commit suicide; shoving their personal handguns into their mouths and pulling the trigger. Bone fragments, mixed with blood and brain matter, splattered across the whole cockpit. All six Mechas were the same, without exception. There were no other methods of suicide, and no one surrendered.

One Mythical Soldier had not yet committed suicide when the hatch opened. He only held the gun in his mouth. Upon the hatch’s opening, he gave the wary Federation soldiers a peculiar smile before pulling the trigger.

Tian Xingjian retrieved a handbook of the Mythical Army from the squad leader’s pocket.

On the first page, Rule number one: Defeat is death.

A chill crept up Tian Xingjian’s back. These Mythical Army soldiers were ruthless to themselves as much as to their enemies. They never compromised, much less surrendered. One failure meant the loss of life. They would resolutely and cruelly kill themselves. These pursuers were comparable only to a platoon of Federation Mecha soldiers. This special force, structured as a division, was a formidable monster. Tian Xingjian hesitated to imagine further. Such enemies were the real threat.

On future expeditions, how many such enemies would there be?