[1] Deep Within the Main Core
The space of the Crystalline Scar's main core resembled a metallic dome frozen in time.
All around, countless crystalline fragments floated, each one pulsing faintly with threads of light—like the remnants of dead stars.
Lin Yaoheng and Baita stepped inside, their boots landing on a suspension bridge pieced together from irregular crystal slabs. Beneath it stretched an abyss of black energy, vast as an ocean.
At the far end of the bridge floated a massive oval-shaped core—semi-transparent, with streams of light flowing within it like a galaxy adrift.
Hermes' voice came low:
> [Confirmation] — Target identified as the Core of the Crystalline Scar. Fusion recommended to restore the Advanced Tactical Module and expand the mech's close-combat adaptability.
Lin Yaoheng narrowed his eyes and approached.
When his fingertips touched the cold crystalline membrane, an overwhelming flood of information surged into his mind—images, coordinates, tactical data, enemy configurations… everything compressed into his perception at impossible speed.
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[2] Fusion
In an instant, the HUD display was reconstructed. At its center appeared a dark-red icon for the Tactical Analysis Module, semi-transparent and flashing faintly.
Hermes:
> [Module Status] — Not fully authorized. In a borderline usable state. Some functions require subsequent core data for completion.
Lin Yaoheng could clearly feel it—like an extra "calm, observing eye" had appeared in his mind, automatically capturing every subtle flaw on the battlefield.
"Even a half-finished product is enough," he muttered.
Baita glanced at him, then pulled from her pack the mysterious metal block they had picked up earlier in the wasteland.
"Do it now—forge it into a weapon that fits Roar."
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[3] The Critical Blade
Beside the bridge, a crystalline pedestal lit up automatically, transforming into a makeshift workbench.
Lin Yaoheng pressed the metal block onto it while Baita controlled the external arm cutter, shaving away excess metal with precision and preserving the alloy's central spine.
After half an hour of grinding and high-heat tempering, a short blade proportioned to the mech's arm length took shape.
Its spine was thick, the edge streamlined; the entire weapon was dark gray, with the blade's rim glowing faint red under heat.
Hermes:
> [Binding Complete] — Mech Close-Combat Secondary Weapon: Critical Blade (Initial Tier). Feature: Blade-edge temperature can synchronize with High-Heat Sub-Effect, enhancing cutting performance.
Lin Yaoheng lifted the blade in the mech's hand, feeling a familiar weight and extension—as if it had always been part of Roar.
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[4] Intruders
The moment fusion was complete, Hermes' tone sharpened:
> [Warning] — High-speed aerial units approaching from the perimeter. Model unknown, but their flight formation matches a standard hunting array. Estimated contact: 40 seconds.
Baita instantly pulled up the external feed—three fast-moving light points tearing through the upper clouds, their exhaust trails drawing scorching lines across the HUD.
Lin Yaoheng's eyes narrowed. "Let's see how this new toy performs."
He tapped the trigger key for the Tactical Analysis Module.
The field of vision instantly tightened into a razor-sharp lock-on line—Hermes' voice synchronized with his heartbeat:
> [Weakpoint Designation] — Target Unit #2: Inner side of propulsion ring cooling port. Disabling it will cause propulsion imbalance, forcing it out of formation.
On the HUD, the target's propulsion ring was circled in bright crimson, a pulsing dot marking the precise strike point.
Lin Yaoheng smirked. "Alright—let's make it the first to bleed."
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[5] Aerial Hunt · Opening Move
Roar's rear propulsion rings flared with blinding white fire, the blast tossing nearby floating crystals aside.
Lin Yaoheng shoved the control stick forward, launching the mech into the air to meet the oncoming trio head-on.
The air tore into roaring sonic shockwaves, and the interplay of light and shadow in the sky formed deadly trajectories.
His eyes stayed locked on the marked propulsion ring like a predator sighting the kill spot on its prey.
Hermes:
> [Recommendation] — Maintain High-Heat Sub-Effect. Combined with the Critical Blade, it can sever key structures in a single strike.
Lin Yaoheng's lips curled. "Let's see its first kill."
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[6] Just Before the Fall
The three enemy silhouettes closed to under two kilometers. The roar of their energy pulses made the air itself shudder, and the light along the horizon seemed to split into countless blades.
Baita's voice was cold and steady: "Yaoheng—either kill them all, or we die here."
Lin Yaoheng: "Then not one of them leaves alive."
Roar's twin wings fully spread, a burning steel predator diving into the clouds.
The battle would ignite in the next second.