Counterfeit Hero

As Fatty gently moved the control stick, his right hand performed a three-key combination on the virtual keyboard. On the virtual screen, after the Mecha completed an arc-shaped surge, its body suddenly and bizarrely lifted from the ground, with its right leg whipping out like a lash.

The warriors in the audience all watched, wide-eyed.

”Do you remember the technique I mentioned yesterday about the excessive inertia use in the Absolute Kill Stream?” Fatty finished his operation, stood up, and said, ”After an arc-shaped surge, use the C2 key with the A1 key, leveraging the Mecha’s excessive inertia, and the C6 key for a twisting turn. This will naturally give the Mecha an upward leap. At this moment, kicking out will provide better control over power, speed, and angle than kicking after an abrupt stop. This technique can be applied not only in this formation but also in others.”

”Damn it!” A warrior gritted his teeth and said to his companion, ”I knew there was a trick to why Tony’s moves were so fast during our last fight! I asked him, but the bastard wouldn’t tell me! Now that I’ve learned it too, let’s see how I’ll handle him next time!”

”Handle him?” His companion shook his head with a bitter smile, ”Tony’s hand speed and skills are about the same as yours. Even if you learned this today, he’s already mastered something new by now. In the end, you still can’t beat him!”

The warrior bit his lip, stood there staring blankly for a while, then gave himself a hard slap, ”Why didn’t I see this coming earlier? It’s just training, if I had gritted my teeth and pushed through, I wouldn’t have to complain... So, do you mean we’ll always be trailing behind Tony?”

”Who says?” His companion snorted, ”Did you forget the bandit army regulations? By passing assessments and accumulating military merit, you can be promoted to the Main Force Group or even the Core Team. Just the other day, didn’t that Second-level Mecha Commander from the Black Dragon Sect in the 5th Group get promoted to the Special Forces Camp of the 3rd Group?”

”Special Forces Camp?” the warrior stuck out his tongue, ”That place is full of Mecha Commanders and selected Mechanical Knights from the major schools. They’re all monsters. Can we even compare with them? I’d be thrilled if I could just get into the Special Forces Camp of our 8th Group.”

”Why can’t we?” His companion clenched his fist and said, ”Watch, one day, I’ll earn enough military merit to get in by killing enemies!”

”Your chance might come soon. I heard that the Three Major Schools have been beaten so badly by the Northern Alliance that they can’t lift their heads. Their main force has essentially been crippled,” the warrior said mysteriously, ”Now, the Northern Alliance is eyeing our bandit army. Recently, lots of Northern Alliance Mecha have been spotted around the 3rd Group’s defensive line. I’m afraid...”

”Chance my ass!” His companion said angrily, ”You think I don’t know about this? My intel is even better than yours. The Northern Alliance has deployed four Armored Groups and seven infantry groups towards Puluo Town. The guys in the 3rd Group have already claimed the first battle all to themselves. The new modified Combat Mechas have been allocated entirely to the 3rd Group. The 4th Group has only equipped one Special Forces Camp with them. By the time it’s our turn, the game’s already over!”

The warrior stared dumbfounded, hanging his head in dejection. Silence ensued. After a while, even those who had been eavesdropping nearby let out a long sigh.

”Okay!” Fatty waved his hand, shooing off a Mech Knight who had successfully simulated the control technique and was standing on stage grinning foolishly, ”Such little progress! This afternoon’s Mecha training, everyone can practice this technique...”

As he was speaking, the automatic door of the waiting hall opened, and Belchi, wearing a white anti-dust suit, rushed in. Standing at the entrance, despite his old limbs, he jumped up and down, waving frantically at Fatty.

”That’s all for today.” Fatty’s eyes brightened, and he quickly instructed before sprinting off.

Today was the day the bandit army’s secret weapon, the ”magnetic instrument,” would be finally assembled.

*****************************************************

Mars Planet.

The 800-meter wide Resource Road No. 3, like a winding dragon, broke through the mountain ranges and stretched straight from south to north.

Without the large-scale application of Mechas in human society, it would be hard to imagine that this permanent road, tens of thousands of kilometers long, made of magnetic metal strips, high-strength concrete, and metal blocks, was accomplished by human labor.

It connects Oslo Port, Central City, and further to Infantry Port. Along this route, numerous agricultural zones and small gathering areas are scattered around.

Alex Chuck, driving a silver-white Combat Mecha named ”Boxing King,” climbed a small hill.

Looking far into the distance, a few kilometers ahead of the hill lay the junction of Resource Road No. 3 and Resource Road No. 2. Hundreds of auxiliary roads unfurled from the main road like colorful ribbons, winding with various arcs around the massive interchange structure.

Chuck raised his eyebrows. He knew that from here, a turn onto Resource Road No. 2 and then heading northwest for another 1,200 kilometers would take him to Puluo Town.

The light of the Constant Star shone on the land. Near and far, the fields of various crops swayed quietly in the breeze, peaceful and serene. From the small hill, solar sails, wind turbines, and the distinct domed houses with their unique retractable roofs, lightweight yet sturdy, could be seen scattered across distant farms.

”This is truly a hateful and barren planet.” Chuck jumped off the Mecha, removed his white gloves, breathed in the fresh air, and said to the few military advisors gathered around him, ”From Oslo Port to here, nearly 3,000 kilometers of journey, nothing but desolate mountains, dirty gathering areas, and monotonous agricultural zones. This planet deserves to be destroyed.”