Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 277: Revised: Volume 4 Chapter 42 Circumstances Make a Hero_4

Fatty seized an opportunity, controlling the [Vajra] to reach out and grab one of [Mad Dragon]’s arms, grinning fiendishly, ”You were right.” After speaking, the massive body of [Vajra] took a step to the right, forcibly dragging [Mad Dragon] off balance. Immediately following, [Vajra] turned and swung [Mad Dragon] over its back, slamming it fiercely onto the ground, producing a loud crash.

As dust flew, the spikes on [Mad Dragon]’s body were violently bent into hooks from the impact, carving several deep grooves into the earth, and the immense inertia caused it to uncontrollably slide forward.

Fatty was thrilled, leaping up as [Vajra] stomped down on the still-sliding [Mad Dragon] like a pouncing frog. Zola sneered, [Mad Dragon]’s arms pushed against the ground, making the mecha leap skyward in an incredible maneuver while its arms threw rapid strikes at [Vajra]’s face like meteor streaks.

In Zola’s perspective, the rising [Vajra] was at the point where its old strength had been used up and new strength hadn’t yet formed, making it impossible to dodge his punches. However, amidst the chaos, Fatty quickly crossed [Vajra]’s arms in front of its face, bent its elbows, and activated the boosters on its rear. The entire [Vajra] shot forward like a massive metal shell, crashing into [Mad Dragon] and knocking it to the ground once again.

”Don’t you care about James’ life?”

Amidst Fatty’s shameless yelling, [Vajra] once again leaped up in the same frog-like manner, with an evident intent to stomp on [Mad Dragon] for satisfaction.

”Save it! If he dies, we die together!” Zola was not swayed by the threat, and [Mad Dragon], lying on the ground, flipped backward to stand up, striking at the lower limbs of [Vajra] with both arms as it jumped. Simultaneously, the energy cannons on its body glowed red, signaling the imminent firing. Renowned for recklessness, Zola was determined to fight desperately.

”Stop!”

Zola heard James’ voice near his ear. He hesitated slightly, and his hands froze momentarily. In that split second, [Mad Dragon] was struck on the shoulder by [Vajra]’s twin fists, hitting with the force of a mountain. Reflexively, Zola manipulated the mecha to abruptly retreat, intending to escape [Vajra]’s control, but James’ voice rang out again:

”Stop, cease!”

Zola’s retreat paused and [Vajra] took advantage of the opening, landing a punch on his left shoulder. The mechanical arm let out a crisp sound and was forcefully broken by [Vajra].

”Don’t dodge, let me hit!”

Drunk on success, Fatty was ecstatic, once again mimicking James’ voice. This time Zola finally understood that all these antics were orchestrated by the shabby [Vajra] in front of him. Infuriated, he gritted his teeth, disregarding the mechanical arm reaching for his cockpit, and thrust his right hand rapidly into [Vajra]’s chest. Concurrently, the energy cannons on his waist and shoulders gathered explosive energy—thinking he might as well perish together with the despicable opponent.

Of course, Fatty had no intention of perishing with anyone. Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, he immediately leaped back, casually grabbed a mecha wreckage, and hurled it at [Mad Dragon] before sprinting away with dust billowing, retreating faster than he had advanced.

In the distance, all onlookers were stunned, falling into a daze watching the fierce combat. Everyone acknowledged that the fighting skills of these two mechas were exceptionally high, and the battle was intensely captivating. However, what was unbelievable was that such shrewdness and brazenness existed in a duel between such experts, particularly the shameless and despicable [Vajra].

Bonnie turned her head, both amazed and amused, never having imagined that the performance of [Vajra] could be pushed to such an extent, nor did she ever think that Fatty could be so sleazy.

Thinking about Fatty’s usual lecherous visage, Bonnie hesitated internally, wondering if she should approach him. Wasn’t she just walking into the lion’s den?

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Milan sat at the lab bench, head tilted, staring blankly at the holographic TV screen.

On the holographic TV, a wartime special program called ”Hero” was being broadcast. The program brought together all the outstanding commanders and heroic deeds from the war of national defense, explaining battle strategies and current human society’s renowned military experts and commanders to the audience. It consistently ranked at the top in viewership, becoming the premier show of the Leray Federation.

No matter how obscure one was previously, appearing on this program, jointly produced by the military, government, and Leray’s largest media company Wallar, would instantly turn one into a household name.

This interactive program had dispatched war journalists to every intense battlefield, allowing audiences to witness the most authentic and thrilling combat footage and news reports. Combined with interactive prediction contests featuring super grand prizes and clue rewards with hefty sums, every Leray resident considered the daily broadcast of ”Hero” a paramount part of life.

Since the outbreak of the war of national defense, ”Hero” had aired over sixty episodes, one per week, each featuring a Federation hero, with a week-long interactive contest and in-depth battlefield reports. Consequently, at least sixty federal soldiers had become protagonists.

People cheered for these heroes, eagerly discussing their deeds.

The latest episode of ”Hero” featured a division commander from the Leray Federation’s 25th Armored Division. This handsome commander, Haji, graduated from the Leray Central Military Academy at the young age of twenty-six and was known for his charm, wit, and deep understanding of battle situations. During the Lucerne Offensive, he led his armored division to forcibly break through multiple enemy barricades, paving the way for the victory at East Valley City.

However, Haji wasn’t Milan’s concern. She focused on the minute-long clip that appeared at the end of the show, starting with a portrayal of a POW’s daring escape across a thousand miles, followed by a battlefield recording of an attack on an advance base outside New Rome, finishing with a screen showing a blank silhouette with three words:

”Who is he?”

Months earlier, this question had already become the hottest topic in the Leraydemocratic Federation. The mysterious platoon leader had become an unnamed hero in the hearts of all Leray people. Speculations about the hero’s fate varied - some said he became a general, some claimed he was still on the front lines, others believed he had fallen in battle, while some asserted he had retired.

Nevertheless, regardless of the theories, this mysterious hero had become a pillar in the hearts of Leray Federations’ citizens, a symbol of the war of national defense. Clearly, ”Hero” revisited this topic not merely to stir public interest again.

There was only one reason behind ”Hero”’s intent—it meant they were ready to reveal the answer!

Milan stared blankly at the television, bewildered by the sudden appearance of such content. Could it be... something had happened to Fatty who had been missing?

The TV show ended, transitioning to the opening of the news reports.

Milan dropped the experimental tools in her hand in despair, biting her lip and slumping weakly against her chair.

Ever since Fatty left, her heart followed him. Every day, a sense of panic engulfed her again. This waiting, truly, was a cruel torment. Especially when she realized she could never be apart from him.

”Fatty, come back even if you lose some skin, or I’ll make sure you pay!”

Unable to focus on the experiment any longer, Milan hurried out of the lab, deciding to call Nia. After completing a round of lectures, Nia had left the Air Force, becoming the star reporter of the ”Hero” program. Perhaps she might know something about Fatty’s whereabouts.

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Just made it before midnight.

(To be continued. For updates on the story, please log in to WWW.CMFU.COM, more Chapters available, support the author, support original reading!)