Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 81: Revised: Chapter 41 Low Ridge Jungle Operation (6)

The camouflaged [Demon Tiger]’s upper half kept a vigilant lookout, while its claws deftly pried open the hatch of the genuine [Demon Tiger] below. The Mythical Soldier, who had already drawn his sidearm, didn’t even get the chance to fire a shot before he was silenced.

”Brother, better to die early and reincarnate!” the kind-hearted Fatty remarked. Noting the blood on [Logic]’s claws, he dug at the ground and, when the other mechas weren’t paying attention, pulled a bomb from his mecha’s toolkit and stuffed it into the power system of the [Demon Tiger], cramming it in until it could hold no more before swiftly slipping off into another part of the jungle.

Russell, the target of this operation, must be brought out of here!

As Fatty disappeared into the jungle, the mecha attacked by an ally was discovered by its companions. The bizarre manner of its death made the remaining four [Demon Tigers] too scared to scatter, huddling back-to-back in a cross-shaped defensive formation, nervously scanning their surroundings.

”Boom!” With a thunderous roar, the jungle now contained four more [Demon Tigers], blown to smithereens.

Tian Xingjian quickly returned to the site of the jungle battle and covertly reverted [Logic] to its original form. He hurried over to a nearby [Holy Armor 22], nudging it with his foot, ”Stop playing dead and get up!”

The thoroughly battered Single Soldier Mecha remained motionless. Fatty aimed [Logic]’s energy cannon at it and threatened, ”I’ll count to three. If you keep playing dead, I’ll really fire this cannon!”

The [Holy Armor 22] reluctantly moved and got up, asking, ”Who are you, and how did you know I was pretending to be dead?”

Fatty sneered inwardly, ”Damn, playing dead is my talent. Compared to my acting skills, you’re just an amateur!”

He didn’t waste words on the Imperial Single-Person Mecha and coldly said, ”Know what professionalism is? I was born to play dead! Russell, right? Hurry up and follow me!”

Russell was utterly shocked. How had this wreck of a mecha discovered him? Everyone’s attention had been fixated on that heavily protected [Du Fu’ai]’s Private Mecha!

”How did you know I’m Russell? Who the hell are you?”

Fatty angrily retorted, ”I’m your daddy! Even if I told you who I am, would you recognize me? You’ve got little skill but a lot of nonsense. Move it!” [Logic]’s hand shoved, and another kick sent the [Holy Armor 22] stumbling. Fatty cursed under his breath, ”Like a curious baby, aren’t you grown? Damn, keep stalling, and I’ll blast you and cut off your dick to report back!”

Imperial Admiral Russell, seeing no other option, had to shut up and obediently follow the wrecked mecha deeper into the jungle.

Back at his sniping position, Tian Xingjian had a wide field of view. The Imperial Guard Company had [Du Fu’ai] surrounded, but hiding behind [Du Fu’ai] was a [Holy Armor 22] that seemed to be protecting him. During the fiercest of the battle, [Du Fu’ai] intentionally or unintentionally shielded the [Holy Armor 22] with its body. Fatty took note immediately.

As the battle worsened, the guard company seemed unable to escape. This [Holy Armor 22] fell with a stiff posture during an energy bullet explosion near it, enraging Fatty to the point of shouting, ”Professionalism, damn it! You’re posing like you’ve been violated!”

These clues were enough for Tian Xingjian to deduce that Russell had to be inside this Single Soldier Mecha trying to slip by. Fatty had no good feelings toward this Imperial Great General. If it weren’t for this guy, he wouldn’t have had to escape more than 20 times so painfully?

The two nearly dismantled mechas wandered like lost souls in the jungle. Fatty had already picked a route, but it required extreme skill to navigate. Known for his composure and resolve, Russell was on the verge of collapse.

Russell could pilot a mecha, but that was twenty years ago! His current fumbling couldn’t keep up with the pace of the wrecked mecha ahead, cramped hands falling behind. The moment he slowed down, the wrecked mecha delivered a slap. Although landing on the mecha, it jarred Russell in the cockpit.

No revenge, no Fatty! The forward command had ordered to bring him back alive if possible; otherwise, kill him on the spot!

”I’ve been merciful by not shooting!” the kind-hearted Fatty thought, savoring the thrill of his punches and kicks all along the way.

The Mythical Army had been drawn away by the Fierce Tiger Special Soldier, so Fatty took advantage of this. His route paralleled the retreat path of the Fierce Tiger Special Soldiers because the Low Ridge Jungle was swarming with stragglers. Meeting Federation forces would be fortunate; encountering Imperial deserters would be unlucky. Fatty could escape alone, but how could Russell keep up?

When the agonized Russell finally followed Tian Xingjian up a ridge, he looked no different from his battered mecha.

From the ridge, Tian Xingjian could see the Sixteenth Armored Division’s Special Reconnaissance Group’s rendezvous point, where a fierce battle was underway.

The Fierce Tiger Special Soldiers weren’t much faster than Fatty, fighting and running while escorting the guard company.

The Imperial Guard Company was nearly annihilated, and Stewart didn’t treat the grenade as his provisions. The Fierce Tiger Special Soldiers, along with [Du Fu’ai] sprinted madly, leaving the Guard Company’s mechas as cannon fodder. Even so, the Mythical Mechas were hot on their heels, so upon seeing the temporary defensive formation of a Special Forces Group, the exhausted soldiers were overjoyed!

But upon seeing the Special Forces Group’s Warrior Pioneers spread out in a surrounding formation, the Fierce Tiger Special Soldiers almost cried.

Are these Special Reconnaissance Soldiers? Did they just survive death or just experience an earthquake? Why do they appear like a parade of beggars?

The Fierce Tiger Special Soldiers’ thoughts were irrelevant as hundreds of the Special Reconnaissance Group’s Warrior Pioneer Mechas swiftly executed interlocking tactical moves.

These mechas were so broken that some collapsed mid-run as if scattered gears rolled off, and others started smoking after being touched by the Mythical Mechas. What brought tears to the Fierce Tiger Special Soldiers was that the mechas didn’t give up. They bravely interlocked and interlocked again, and bands of battered metal cut the pursuing Mythical Mechas into pieces.

As both sides tangled into a mess, the tearful Fierce Tiger Special Soldiers stood dumbfounded. These guys weren’t beggars; they were hooligans!

These mechas would play dead after taking a hit, then spring up to strike. Stealing chickens, touching dogs, surprise attacks, sneak attacks, heart-piercing strikes, monkey peach theft, striking from afar, old man pushing a cart — all sorts of dirty tricks in full display!

Collapsed, who are these bastards?