Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 1471: Chapter 14: Duel to the Death (Part 2)

”Hamshik, this way!”

A dark green Chuckna ”Little Antelope” reconnaissance mecha dashed from the slope below the highway onto the roadbed, ran along the road for fifty meters, and then sped up the small hill on the other side of the road.

At the moment the ”Little Antelope” disappeared, another ”Scavenger” all-purpose support mecha also jumped onto the road, took a few large strides, and dove into the forest where the Little Antelope was.

These two types of mecha are the standard reconnaissance mecha for the Chuckna Mechanical Infantry Armored Camp.

The Little Antelope, standing at only three meters tall, is a highly agile, extremely stealthy special reconnaissance mecha built for the Eighth Generation, capable of approaching within one kilometer of the target area, conducting precise scanning, and guiding long-range strikes. Meanwhile, the Scavenger all-purpose mecha, standing at just 4.20 meters tall, is a support mecha integrating firepower attack and electronic warfare.

In an armored division with exceptional mobility, reconnaissance teams composed of Single Soldier Mechas, electronic, heavy, and medium-sized mechas possess not only strong long-distance reconnaissance capabilities but also formidable combat abilities. This makes it unnecessary for this type of mecha. Hence, these two mechas are specifically designed for the Mechanical Infantry with weak movement and intelligence-gathering abilities.

During long-distance reconnaissance away from the base, these mechas, despite their weak combat abilities, possess strong stealth capabilities and often provide crucial intelligence for the Mechanical Infantry. Therefore, within the Mechanical Infantry, gaining the piloting qualification for these two mechas, paired together to perform long-range reconnaissance missions, signifies being the finest mechanical warriors of the infantry.

Zeng Xu, piloting the Little Antelope, awaited his partner Hamshik in the woods, then silently advanced toward the direction from which the sounds of cannon fire and explosions had just emanated in stealth mode.

Half an hour ago, Zeng Xu’s Chuckna 334th Mechanical Infantry 2nd Regiment followed behind the bandit army, taking over the defense area at Mabry Cathedral southeast of Frenso Town. Two camps of the bandit army had just executed a quick maneuver there, cutting off the retreat of the Suss 241 Armored Division 2nd Regiment, annihilating the regiment, and forcing two regiments of the Suss 179 Armored Division to retreat toward the center of Frenso.

Having followed the bandit army for over twenty kilometers of counterattack from Half Cloud Ridge, the 3342 Regiment maintained a position at the forefront of all Chuckna Forces. Thus, they had the clearest view of the bandit army’s First Armored Division counteroffensive.

That battle was practically fought right under the eyes of the 3342 Regiment.

They watched as those green Single Soldier Mechas utilized two battalions of power to penetrate the three armored regiments of the Suss division. They watched as they executed maneuvers, cuts, annihilations, and pursuits with the precision of a steel knife slicing through tofu.

After the battle ended, the soldiers of the 3342 Regiment were left dazzled.

Ordinary infantry were perhaps only excited about the bandit army’s powerful attack capabilities, but for Zeng Xu and these mechanical warriors, it was the bandit army mecha pilots’ formidable close combat skills that truly inspired their admiration.

Previously, having a Level 9 Mecha Warrior in an armored division was akin to a superstar. Yet now, almost all the individuals piloting these green mechas in the bandit army displayed prowess on par with Level 9 or even higher during combat. Once they closed in, regular Western Alliance Mecha Warriors were akin to chickens and dogs.

Zeng Xu had heard tales of these mecha pilots from the Mars Free World within the bandit army. In the past, he believed them to be absurd rumors; now, he has become a staunch believer and promoter of these legends.

The Mabry Cathedral District is now in ruins. The 3342 Regiment is stationed there, assisting the bandit army in cleanup and defense. To the rear left of the defensive line is Bargosa’s farmstead occupied by the bandit army’s armored company, while the right and front are the current engagement zones between the bandit army and the enemy’s outer units.

To ascertain the combat situation around Mabry Cathedral for better executing their mission to guard the retreat for the bandit army, Regiment Leader Deng Changqing dispatched all the reconnaissance soldiers and the only three reconnaissance mecha teams in the regiment.

Currently, Zeng Xu and his partner Hamshik are tasked with exploring the outer areas of Frenso Town, comprised of farms, wooded areas, and small communities, to circle to the south of the battle zone and ascertain the current situation.

Originally, Zeng Xu thought the entire battlefield had been compressed by the bandit army to the west and northwest of Bargosa, with no presence of Western Alliance Forces south of their own position and the farmstead where the bandit army’s armored company stationed. Yet unexpectedly, as he and Hamshik headed southwest less than five kilometers, they heard sounds of combat ahead.

Zeng Xu signaled Hamshik, and the two of them carefully jogged through the forest opening along the gently rising ridge, one behind the other.

A few minutes later, they stopped on the hillside and looked down.

This is a mountain recess resembling a sofa. The stretching hills on both sides and afar, illuminated by the afternoon sun, alternated between light and shadow. The slender, tall trees in hues of red, yellow, and green, stood in ascending layers. Not far on the cliff face hung a snow-white waterfall, its splashing water cascading down the verdant cliff and plunging into the dense forest below—a breathtaking sight.

However, Zeng Xu and Hamshik were in no mood to admire the scenery now. Instead, with the appearance of several Black Mechas, cold sweat crawled up their backs.