Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Don’t Push Fatty to His Limits

The Imperial soldiers, who were in a panic due to the sudden explosion at the base, were preparing to gather their troops when suddenly someone shouted amidst the chaos, ”Enemy attack! Enemy attack!” Before the words had even faded, energy bullets and mechanical missiles blossomed everywhere amid the frightened crowd. Imperial soldiers without mecha protection fell like harvested wheat under the fierce bombardment, with severed limbs and blood soaring high into the air, casting a shower of blood across the sky.

After a few seconds of shock, the crowd scattered in all directions. In such an attack, the human body was incredibly fragile, and the gory scene drove most to flee immediately, escaping the hell that claimed lives every second. Some soldiers, seemingly scared stiff, stood frozen, staring in panic at the scattering crowd around them, oblivious to the blood rain falling on their faces. In the center of the crowd, a soldier, only a teenager, stood there with blood rolling down his youthful face, eyes full of terror and body trembling. Someone among the fleeing crowd was calling his name continuously, but the young soldier only showed confusion, as if he didn’t recognize anyone. Just as the calling person prepared to pull him away, a missile precisely landed on the soldier, and with a loud bang, all that was left was flesh and blood falling like hail amidst the smoke.

Several Imperial Mechas in the crowd became the primary targets of the Federation’s firepower. Within just a minute, three [Three-headed Dogs] and two [Holy Armor 22] were destroyed under the concentrated fire of the energy cannons. The only remaining [Three-headed Dog] and three [Holy Armor 22] were also under heavy fire, relying solely on mobility to desperately evade, with their destruction being merely a matter of time.

The five [Demon Tigers] led by Tian Xingjian were almost ready to stop and watch the show. At that moment, Fatty’s sixth sense, just as he was relaxing, sent a warning. Concentrating his gaze, he saw two human-shaped mechas emitting dangerous signals slowly walk out from the skyrocketing flames within the base.

This was a type of Imperial mecha that Tian Xingjian had never before seen in his twenty-two times of fleeing experiences. Short and thick mechanical legs with two tracks, an eight-meter-tall body with heavy external armor indicating its defensive capabilities, and large-caliber energy cannons on each side of its wide, flat head, making it look menacing. Its broad shoulders had several small holes, and its two mechanical arms were unusually long—combined with its short legs, it resembled a gorilla. In one of its mechanical hands, it held a three-meter-long alloy blade, the faint blue glow revealing it as an expensive ion light saber.

An alloy ion light saber meant that any foe struck by it, unless equipped with especially hard and thick alloy and covered with ultra-thick composite external armor, would be sliced open like tofu. Energy shields provided no defense against such non-energy weapon attacks.

Tian Xingjian activated Logic’s scanning function, frantically pushing the power to the maximum. He already saw the emblem on the chests of these two mechas, a fierce symbol representing the Mythical Army’s Heavenly God. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. If he couldn’t analyze the structures of these two mechas quickly, the consequences would be unthinkable. He regretted not planting a few more bombs to destroy these two mechas directly. He knew what these two mechas were because of a brief mention in the materials on the Mythical Army sent over by Rashid:

[Vajra], a humanoid single soldier mecha exclusively used by the Mythical Army, with body size and weight between medium and heavy mechas. Made of a new type of superhard alloy, it was fast, powerful, and had strong attacks, with no Federation mecha able to match it in close combat, and its ranged attack firepower equivalent to a heavy mecha.

The data on this mecha was simple, but these few words were obtained at the cost of several Warrior Pioneers and two [Anger]. Though not all these mechas were destroyed by [Vajra], [Vajra] played a decisive role in that battle, where a Mythical Special Forces unit with only one [Vajra] crushed a fully manned Federation Special Soldier Camp.

[Vajra] was not indestructible. Its terrifying aspect was that its pilots were chosen elite soldiers of the Mythical Army, possessing the best mechanical control technology and the richest combat experience. The team driving the [Demon Tigers] already demonstrated shocking control skills to Tian Xingjian, so he could only imagine the level of these Mythical Soldiers piloting the [Vajra].

[Demon Tigers] were fierce beasts, but [Vajra] were demons.

Tian Xingjian really wanted to shout ”Retreat,” but if they lost their current advantage, and the enemy regrouped relying on the base ruins for defense, it would be over. The escaping team arriving here at ten o’clock wouldn’t be able to board the transport ship smoothly. Moreover, even if they tried to run now, it was uncertain if they could escape these two [Vajra]; pursuit cases where retreating troops were picked off one by one during unsafe withdrawals were repeatedly discussed in reconnaissance training camps, and he couldn’t afford to make this mistake.

”We can’t run, we can’t win in a fight, what should we do!” Fatty wanted to hug someone and cry, having gone through so much, just about to succeed, only for these two gorillas to appear.

The only resources they could utilize now were Logic and the five [Demon Tigers] still in stealth.

”Damn it! Life and death are fated, wealth and honor lie in the heavens. With [Antenna]’s electronic attacks, combined with [Demon Tiger]’s ambush, and [Anger’s] firepower, I’ll risk clinging onto one, dragging for a few minutes, and maybe I can take one down! Let’s go for it!” Tian Xingjian, after reaching extreme fear and returning to his unyielding nature, began to exhibit a split personality again. Maybe it was because he hadn’t witnessed [Vajra]’s power first-hand, or maybe it was his craving for the nearly attained victory, but Fatty kept mumbling nonsense about braving dangers for wealth and honor, people risking their lives and coming out on top, never dying for ten thousand years, while issuing new combat orders.

The remaining [Three-headed Dog] was suddenly destroyed by concentrated firepower. Besides [Vajra], it was the only factor that could change the situation; it had to be eliminated first. Out of the other three [Holy Armor 22], one was destroyed, another lost its mobility, and only one remained struggling under the fierce barrage.

The [Vajra] 079 and 051 of the Mythical Army walked unhurriedly. They were not in a rush for two reasons: first, these Mythical Soldiers didn’t even care much about their own lives, let alone the lives of their non-Mythical Army comrades. Second, they were still a considerable distance from the Federation Mechas, so they couldn’t reveal [Vajra]’s speed advantage too early; they needed to wait until they were close enough to launch a sudden strike, a tactic that had proven successful in their past battles.

What annoyed [Vajra] was that those cunning Federation Mechas seemed to know their plan and suddenly retreated collectively, like a group of terrified rabbits, running while firing back. However, their accuracy while fleeing was so poor that even if [Vajra] were ten times larger, they would still struggle to hit it.

Just as the two [Vajra] abandoned their disguise and prepared for a full-scale assault, a battered Federation [Magic Beast Ⅲ] Mecha dashed out of the woods on the right, with five [Demon Tigers] from the Mythical Army chasing behind it. The two [Vajra] chuckled simultaneously, thinking, ”Even such a mecha can be air-dropped behind enemy lines; the Federation must be at the end of its rope.”

Perhaps noticing the two [Vajra] ahead, the escaping battered mecha hesitated for a moment, looking uncertain. However, with the five [Demon Tigers] rapidly approaching behind, the mecha panicked and decided to bypass the [Vajra] from a fifty-meter distance to the left.

[Vajra] 079 didn’t think twice, quickly took a few strides, and blocked the battered mecha’s path. The mecha operator seemed desperate, wildly swinging its mechanical arms and howling like a child fighting, causing [Vajra] 079 to laugh so hard his stomach hurt.

With an ion light saber in hand, 079 prepared to split the battered mecha in half from top to bottom, like chopping down sugar cane. This method was [Vajra]’s favorite way to kill, bringing a thrill of unrestrained violence.

However, the battered mecha was less than ten meters away from [Vajra] when it was finally pounced on by the fast-approaching [Demon Tigers]. The horde of beast-shaped mechas, like starving wolves, tore open several large holes in the back of the [Magic Beast Ⅲ], shredding its circuits and causing sparks to fly. The battered mecha twitched a few times before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.

Seeing his ”toy” taken away, [Vajra] 079 was slightly annoyed, cursing, ”These wolf cubs!” However, with communications disrupted, he hadn’t warned the [Demon Tigers] in advance, so he let it slide. There were still a bunch of Federation Mechas not far away, firing at them cluelessly.

The two [Vajra] signaled the [Demon Tigers] to join the formation. They were ready to rely on the Mythical Mechas’ unique high-speed to charge directly into the Federation Mechas’ formation. With the addition of the five [Demon Tigers], the two [Vajra] were confident they wouldn’t let a single Federation Mecha escape.

Believing they had reached a safe distance, the Federation Mechas formed a defensive formation that allowed for a quick escape at any moment. Their firepower became increasingly dense and accurate. [Vajra] 051 waved his hand, signaling for an all-out advance. His [Vajra] began to accelerate, its short, thick mechanical legs demonstrating a speed completely incongruent with their shape. The two separate tracks rotated rapidly. This newly developed mixed-drive system by the Empire combined track movement with human-shaped mechanical legs, providing both stability and speed. In just an instant, [Vajra] 051 advanced hundreds of meters, and the Federation Mechas ahead were in total disarray. The threat from their firepower was almost negligible.

didn’t notice that the Federation Mechas, who were well-coordinated in their schemes, had focused all their firepower on 079, preventing him from starting immediately and delaying him for a few seconds on the spot.

Following beside 051, making him subconsciously feel that all Mythical Mechas were charging together, were only the five [Demon Tigers].

[Vajra] 079 was furious, almost jumping with rage. Those Federation flies were desperately blocking him with firepower. No matter how strong the defense, it couldn’t withstand such dense firepower! Watching the five [Demon Tigers] and 051 charge ahead, he had no choice but to dodge the intense barrage of fire.

The expert at playing dead, Tian Xingjian, moved. Although the mecha’s scan was only 85% complete, this was the only chance. The Federation Mechas’ firepower could only buy them this moment. The battered mecha, lying on the ground like a dead dog with sparks flying all over, quietly lunged towards the [Vajra] from more than ten meters away on the right-rear side. The suddenly activated thrusters produced a powerful counterforce, propelling it like a missile skimming the ground. The distance of ten-plus meters was almost nothing for a mecha; [Vajra] 079 only felt a shake before a pair of battered mechanical hands clamped tightly on the arm holding his saber.

[Vajra] 079 was startled but quickly realized it was the dead [Magic Beast] making a sneak attack. The Mythical Soldier inside sneered, swiftly maneuvering the mecha with a sudden flip and leaping into the air, kicking out repeatedly with its thick, short legs directly at the battered mecha’s front.

”Damn it, so fast!” Tian Xingjian cursed under his breath, pulling the control stick. With a swift input from his right hand, [Logic] swung along Vajra’s arm, using the momentum to dodge two mechanical legs, just like a monkey hanging from tree branches, swinging back and forth, clinging tightly to Vajra’s mechanical arm.

had never seen such a shameless fighting style before. This ragged mecha, sticking like a stubborn plaster, was infuriating! Seeing that time was running short to join the battle on the other side, 079 twisted his wrist, and the ion light saber drew a strange arc toward the underside of [Logic]’s elbow.

This sudden strike brought a cold sweat to Tian Xingjian’s forehead. Almost within 0.1 seconds, he quickly abandoned control of Vajra’s arm, using the rebound force to leap into Vajra’s embrace. [Logic], like a tattered sack, weakly clung to Vajra’s body, its legs winding around Vajra’s waist in an extremely awkward and obscene manner.

Fatty was determined to stick to Vajra like a stubborn plaster to the end.

Furious, Vajra 079’s vision filled with stars. His hands joined together, gripping the reversing ion light saber, and he aimed it at his own abdomen with a decisive, fierce, and lightning-fast move, intending to pierce both the tattered mecha clinging to his chest and himself straight through.

”Damn it to hell!” Fatty, almost out of breath, flailed his hands and feet spasmodically, the control stick swinging wildly. His fingers frantically pounded the keyboard, causing [Logic] to slip down just in the nick of time, landing on the ground with a thud. The ion light saber’s tip dragged a spark across [Logic]’s back, leaving a deep gash, slicing the simulated external armor in half, narrowly missing vital components.

The ion light saber stopped just ten centimeters away from Vajra’s chest compartment. The Mythical Soldier’s control skill left Fatty, who had hoped the blade would pierce through, in utter astonishment.

Without a moment’s pause, Vajra’s wrist flipped again, and the blade turned towards [Logic]’s head.

Watching [Logic] sitting on the ground, the Mythical Soldier inside the cockpit grinned cruelly. Let’s see how you dodge this!

”Screw you! If you won’t let me live, I’m not one to be bullied!” Fatty, driven to desperation, finally snapped. Since the sneak attack had begun, it had only been a few dozen seconds, but he’d already skirted death several times. Cornered, Fatty’s eyes flashed with ferocity. [Logic]’s arms tightened, clinging to Vajra’s legs like a sloth, and its head rammed forward, forcefully knocking Vajra to the ground. Then, with a sudden burst of strength, [Logic] grabbed Vajra’s ankles and swung him up.

”I’ll tell you! This is an Eighth Generation Mecha! A specialized Magic Beast for loading and unloading!” Fatty shouted and ranted inside the cockpit, [Logic] swinging the dozens-of-tons-heavy Vajra into the ground with a massive crash, dust filling the air as the immense weight of the alloy created a large crater.

”When it comes to strength, my [Logic] is way stronger than your damn gorilla!” Fatty roared in fury. He swung again, causing the ground to tremble, and sending Vajra’s light saber flying far away. The Mythical Soldier inside the cockpit was knocked unconscious on the first impact, left with no chance to fight back.

But Fatty didn’t care!

Today, I’ll have my fill! Bully me, try to make me piss my pants! I’ll beat you to death, you damn dog!

Amidst the dust, a ragged mecha went berserk, swinging a pitiful Vajra around like a windmill, smashing it like a mad tiger, hysterically!

Finally, the thoroughly battered and barely alive Vajra disintegrated after several dozen violent slams. Staring dumbfoundedly at the two mechanical legs in [Logic]’s hands, Fatty was stunned for quite some time before coming back to his senses.

From afar, the Federation Mecha squad, which had completed their battle through sneak attacks and ambushes, collectively went mad. It had taken a group of them half a day to take down one, highlighting just how tough these mechas were. Yet they were no match against a berserk Deputy Commander who, despite piloting a ragged mecha, had forcibly dismantled a Vajra. What kind of monster was this Deputy Commander?

Vajra 051 died a death even more unjust than 079. When Fatty grabbed 079, 051 had already charged over a hundred meters. Vajra’s incredible speed only made him faster. He felt like a fierce tiger, while the Federation Mechas ahead were mere sheep. The adrenaline rush thrilled him. Killing was the duty of all Mythical Army Special Soldiers. They were warriors born to kill!

Full of bloodlust and passion, just when he was at his most fervent, all the previously scattered firepower suddenly converged on him. Although Vajra had strong defenses, the enemy had [Anger] providing specialized long-range fire support, and other Warrior Pioneers whose firepower was strong enough to rival regular medium-sized mechas. So, 051 chose to move erratically, sneering as he did. As long as he and his five Demon Tigers got close, these Federation Mechas were trash. Close-quarters combat was the Mythical Army’s specialty. While many countries had started equipping their mechas for close combat, the true experts who had never left the battlefield for hundreds of years were the Mythical Army! People thought Demon Tiger was the Mythical Army’s special mecha, but in reality, Demon Tiger was a product the Empire was gradually phasing out. The true close combat mecha was Vajra.

A missile came whizzing at him. Due to the intense fire, Vajra had no time to adjust his steps. 051 sneered, firing a decoy round from a small hole in Vajra’s shoulder. The incoming missile, like a magnet, was drawn into the decoy round’s spinning vortex, exploding mid-air. The fragments and shockwave from the distant explosion were insignificant to Vajra.

051’s smirk grew warmer. He could imagine the dumbfounded faces of the Federation Mecha pilots in their cockpits. Though Vajra wasn’t the best mecha in the Myth, it was a standard-issue mecha exclusively for the Myth, gradually replacing Demon Tiger with its superior speed, defense, and combat prowess. It also had more powerful long-range firepower!

With his left thumb pressing the energy cannon button on the top of the control stick, the energy cannons on either side of his head roared fiercely! Larger in caliber, faster, more powerful than standard energy cannons! Two unsuspecting Warrior Pioneers frantically dodged, but the near-missing energy bullets still sheared off half their shoulders.

”Hahaha! Federal idiots, stunned, aren’t you?” 051 inside Vajra laughed wildly, the Federation Mechas’ panicked reactions filling him with pride. He wanted these Federation Mechas to remember Vajra’s terror, even as ghosts.

His triumphant laughter lasted a mere two seconds before stopping abruptly. Five Demon Tigers suddenly pounced, bringing Vajra crashing to the ground, their sharp claws furiously attacking the mechanical legs. This was the only spot the Federation soldiers, lacking mecha structural analysis, could target. Vajra’s other parts had armor too thick to penetrate. As 051 roared, pushing Vajra to swing the ion light saber to fend off the hyena-like Demon Tigers, he realized that even a soon-to-be-obsolete mecha, a Demon Tiger’s specialized claws could still prove its worth. A mechanical leg’s hydraulic system was damaged from the fierce assault, unable to support Vajra’s massive body.

As the Demon Tigers retreated, the flashes of lethal cannon fire enveloped the half-kneeling Vajra.

The battle was over. In the sky, the sound of transport ship engines roared. The Federation Mechas gathered around Tian Xingjian, seemingly having no more enemies nearby.

As everyone looked up to the horizon, an energy bullet struck a Demon Tiger with a crisp clang, followed by another. The bullets struck the energy shield, sending ripples of blue waves. The Federation Mechas immediately formed a defensive circle. But there was no large-scale firepower as expected.

One stubborn bullet after another was shot from the forest, one after the other. Finally, an Imperial Soldier holding an energy rifle emerged from the jungle. He advanced while firing at the same Demon Tiger, knowing well that his rifle couldn’t harm it and that any mecha there could easily send him flying. Still, he relentlessly approached his identified enemy, shooting steadily, stubbornly, and resolutely.