From BOSS to Canon Fodder: She is Currently Out of Service!

Chapter 14: Chapter 8: Rookie or Veteran? (Part 2)

The combat instructor from my past life always said, the only way for a Mecha Master to improve is through brutal training combined with high-intensity real combat. Battling with experts can unleash your potential, but if you spend too much time with beginners, that’s unfortunately a sign of trouble.

From Z Zone to V Zone, she won fifty-six consecutive matches in three hours, but the credit points earned barely just reached five thousand. It’s crucial to realize that from a poor planet to the lowest Level Nine planet, immigration fees and spaceship ticket costs add up to over four hundred thousand. This doesn’t even include insurance, guarantees, or deposit fees...

The deposit and guarantee fees essentially prove that you have the capability to live on this planet without relying on Alliance assistance...if you lack even this, you’ll be sent back to your place of origin. Su Jiameng scratched her head, thinking this interstellar system is an absolute scam.

Of course, aside from the initial costs being rather ridiculous, the basic living expenses are fairly reasonable, and the cost of living isn’t high.

She was relaxing in the rest area waiting for her tournament grouping when she received a message. It stated, roughly, that her record-breaking winning streak allowed her, per the regulations of the Mecha Combat Tournament, to submit one thousand credit points and choose an area to compete in, with the understanding that her current winning streak would be nullified if she chose this option. However, should she lose her first match, she would be sent back to V Zone, and the credit points would not be refunded.

Su Jiameng agreed without a second thought. Given her Z1 was really holding her back, she chose a conservative option: H District. She thought her approach was cautious, but the tournament evaluators didn’t see it that way. A rookie Mecha Master advancing from the lowest Z Zone to V Zone in just three hours is a noteworthy feat in itself.

But those unaware of the situation actually dared to challenge H District...it was like courting death—did she really understand her abilities? In the control room, some meddling technician pulled up all of Su Jiameng’s battle records, selecting only the ”Spectacular Replays,” showing such crisp and clean technique that left viewers in awe. If she were to switch to a better mecha, she might just survive in H District.

Su Jiameng wasn’t a fool; entering H District, of course she’d switch to a slightly improved mecha. Compared to these standard mechas, she preferred her own customizations. But with limited time now, customizations were out of the question.

She opened the list to see which mechas she was eligible to use for free at this stage, deliberated, and chose a mecha named Z12 Jackal. It was a new generation mecha, albeit with good maneuverability, with extendable mechanical wings at the back that could be used for flight or detached as weapons. Although its flight altitude wasn’t high, among new mechas, it was considered relatively advanced.

What Su Jiameng appreciated more was its transformation ability, capable of assuming both humanoid and beast forms. It certainly had its fair share of shortcomings, but compared to other new mechas, the Z12 Jackal was quite decent. However, while Su Jiameng thought so, people in H District disagreed.

Every mecha used by the Mecha Masters here was so flashy it could blind you.

The dirt-gray body of the Z12 Jackal was unbelievably lackluster compared to those dazzling machines, like a total bumpkin! Su Jiameng clutched the Mecha Space Hub of the Z12 Jackal, waiting in front of her match room. The crowd in H District was leagues more than in Z Zone, and the rules changed somewhat. She could learn about her opponent’s details before the match even started.

”A modified K3 Green Wolf, its combat effectiveness must be decent...” In the virtual network, mecha rankings ascend from Z to A, indicating strength.

Letters indicate strength and mecha series, while numbers denote the rank of the mecha within the series: the larger the number, the higher the combined statistics. As for the ”Green Wolf,” it refers to the mecha’s appearance. Beasthood mechas generally can switch forms, a distinct advantage. In reality, however, the lowest rank is F, with 3S being the highest.

Su Jiameng roughly calculated her opponent’s capabilities, frowning inside. She wasn’t expecting to lose, but she didn’t want to return disappointed. The modified K3 Green Wolf had impressive combined data, showing that its master wasn’t an amateur in mecha. Unleashed, it could make for a prolonged fight. But she’s concerned that the pilot isn’t the same person who customized the mecha, presenting a skill gap lesser than expected.

Previous matches barely counted as warm-ups—she hoped this opponent could stand longer, otherwise things would be downright depressing.

As these thoughts crossed her mind, the signs began the countdown. Clearing her mind of distractions, Su Jiameng adjusted her breathing rate to put herself in peak mental condition, ready for the match. Compared to Z Zone, the crowd in H District was something else, with over forty thousand spectators for one match. Considering the H District match ticket costs 2 credit points, winning a match would be quite profitable.

The modified K3 Green Wolf was indeed intimidating, its over-thirty-meter frame imposing immense pressure. As thousands of spectators watched Green Wolf enter the arena, their cheers grew louder and louder. The mecha master’s nickname was K3, and his style resembled that of the Green Wolf: clean, swift, fierce, and combative! Once he set his eyes on a target, exploiting weaknesses was lethal!

He had plenty of admirers, many fans coming to watch the matches just for K3. His record in H District was remarkable, with thirty consecutive wins. If he won one more today, his earnings would increase by four percent—how could anyone resist?

The crowd was fervently hoping K3 would charge forward, tearing the enemy apart, especially upon noticing the rival was merely a rookie driving a Z12 Jackal, fanning their fervor even more.

Of course, those brimming with such emotions were K3’s fans, while others randomly tuning in were dissatisfied. They spent 2 credit points for an exciting match, not a one-sided massacre! A match concluded in half a minute—what a waste of credit points! How did the arena even organize these matches! Facing an audience overwhelmingly anticipating defeat, Su Jiameng felt helpless.

Both parties stepped into the ring, where a robotic referee briefly introduced the Mecha Masters’ nicknames and battle records before flying aside to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Simultaneously, a few hundred floating cameras activated to capture the match from every angle!

[H District 3321 Beast Gladiator Arena Match 23, officially—begin!]

H District marked a crucial turning point. Earlier zones could simulate the battlefield based on both sides’ preferences, but later zones offered simple gladiator arenas, with a few obstacles at most, leaving little room for complex, one-on-one mecha battles which weren’t much to behold.

This time, the battlefield was crafted based on both mechas’ types: a ground strewn with scattered rocks, full of obstacles. This environment rigorously tested a Mecha Master’s evasive and adaptable capabilities, revealing the pilot’s proficiency in an instant.

Both mechas were in beast mode, possessing an advantage in such terrain, but obstacles were abundant, affecting speed and judgment.

However, this small battlefield posed no problem for Su Jiameng; to her surprise, her opponent’s initial speed was significantly hindered, but quickly stabilized, demonstrating impressive consistency. His thirty-match win streak clearly wasn’t fluke.

K3 Green Wolf was adept at ambushes and delivering surprise attacks; its prowess in close combat was exceptional, but its ranged capabilities were somewhat deficient. After modifications, mid- and short-range Hotline Particle Cannons compensated for this shortfall. In contrast, Z12 Jackal was decidedly mediocre, something Su Jiameng had to admit.

Nonetheless, the power dynamics between Mecha Masters hinged not on mechas, but on absolute piloting skills! That K3 wanting to beat her should practice for another decade or so! Spectators anticipated a half-minute match conclusion, but to their shock, even with such complex terrain, the Z12 moved as though divinely aided, maintaining its highest speed with no decrease.

Meanwhile, the K3 Green Wolf was constrained by its size and pervasive obstacles, though still maneuvering flexibly, its speed dropped to 60-70 percent of usual, reducing the speed gap between them.

Whether in close combat or remote attacks, the seemingly fragile Z12 Jackal consistently managed to evade danger. Under the Hotline Particle Cannon’s bombardment, a quarter of the area’s obstacles were obliterated, boosting K3 Green Wolf’s speed. Yet Su Jiameng remained unperturbed, her hands swiftly in control, a smile playing at her lips.

The audience was amazed by Z12 Jackal’s terrifying piloting skill, yet the undeniable disparity between the mechas seemed set on determining the match’s outcome—or so they thought. As a competitor, however, K3 felt victory wasn’t assured.

From the onset, something felt awry, a sense of being restrained, unable to unleash his full potential...an impression of having his moves preemptively plotted, performing actions the opponent was anticipating.

The two mechas battled fiercely from the ground to midair, giving the spectators an unforgettable show. As Z12 Jackal appeared to falter, K3 Green Wolf seized the opponent’s mid-fall gap to unleash the Hotline Particle Cannon, aiming to end the match.

As spectators and K3 assumed the match’s outcome was sealed, the descending Z12 Jackal suddenly altered direction mid-air, accelerating with unprecedented swiftness, shifting direction ten times in two seconds. The Hotline Particle Cannon missed and hit half the arena, Z12 Jackal boldly transformed mid-air, humanoid, severing the caught-unaware K3 Green Wolf into three parts with its dual-wielded wings!

”The match is over, Beibi!”

As Su Jiameng finished her move, she swiftly transformed, gliding to the ground, landing simultaneously with the now-scrapped K3 Green Wolf, the crowd frozen. None could fathom how the once victorious K3 Green Wolf was triumphed over last minute! Even more astonishing, the Z12 Jackal was mid-transformation, using emergent dual hands to slice, reverting partially in the process...

The entire feat spanned less than a second...in that time, it transformed, drew the wings, cut, and returned them, reverting back. A mere blink, and the previously imposing K3 Green Wolf was defeated.