[1] The Silent Boundary
The glow of the Crystal Scar's main core gradually contracted into a flickering rift, like the eyelid of some colossal creature slowly closing.
The surrounding air temperature plummeted. The heat-distribution overlay on the HUD displayed a massive hollow zone—an area where both heat and sound had been drained away into absolute stillness.
Baita frowned. "The drop in temperature is too fast—this isn't natural."
Hermes: [Confirm—This zone is under an Anti-Heat Field. Any high-temperature source entering will be forcibly cooled to an inert state within thirty seconds.]
Lin Yaoheng gripped the control stick. "That means someone's waiting to hunt us."
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[2] Light Opening in the Shadows
In the distance, from the center of the Anti-Heat Field, a pitch-black silhouette slowly rose.
It towered more than twice R-01's height, with long, slender limbs. Its outer armor was plated in hexagonal obsidian segments, each reflecting the Crystal Scar's glow in a ghostly blue.
The most disturbing part was its head—a ring-shaped photonic iris that slowly rotated, its internal beam narrowing into a razor-sharp targeting crosshair whenever it locked onto prey.
Hermes's tone carried coldness for the first time: [Imperial model designation: Obsidian Head Hunter. Specializes in eliminating Class-A and above rogue units—including R-01.]
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[3] The Hunter's First Step
The Obsidian Head Hunter didn't charge. Instead, it raised its right arm.
That hand wasn't solid—it was made of countless retractable blades, forming a segmented chain-sword.
The moment the chain blades unfurled, a deep vibration hummed through the air—
And in the next instant, it closed a five-hundred-meter gap at near-imperceptible speed, its chain blade grazing R-01's left wing and leaving a long white scar.
Lin Yaoheng's eyes chilled. "Baita, prep battlefield interference."
Baita: "Three seconds of disruption—after that, you're on your own."
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[4] Pushing Tactical Marking to the Limit
Hermes: [The Anti-Heat Field will nullify your high-heat side effect. Recommendation—prioritize structural damage. Target: knee joint's reverse-torque locking shaft.]
Lin Yaoheng: "Copy."
R-01 dove sharply, the Critical Blade sweeping in a low arc toward the Hunter's left knee.
But the enemy seemed to have predicted the strike—the chain blades flipped, clamping the weapon between two of its segments.
The shock ran from hilt to arm. Lin Yaoheng grunted as the HUD showed the blade's temperature rapidly dropping.
Hermes: [High-heat effect down to 10%. Continued lock is pointless!]
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[5] Breaking the Counterhunt
Baita's drones spread out overhead, releasing clouds of micro metallic chaff, scrambling the Hunter's spatial targeting.
In the brief three-second opening, Lin Yaoheng cut blade power, yanking free and rolling R-01 under the chain blades.
Hermes: [Window—two seconds.]
Lin Yaoheng roared, "Plenty!"
The Critical Blade swung in a reverse horizontal slash, carving into the armor seam on the Hunter's right knee—
With a metallic crack, the joint snapped, forcing the Obsidian Head Hunter onto one knee, its photonic iris contracting to a pinpoint.
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[6] Killing Intent Unspent
Hermes: [Damage rate: 22%. Not enough to disable combat capability.]
Lin Yaoheng: "Then we keep going—until it can't move."
But the Hunter didn't retreat. Instead, it tilted its head upward, and from the depths of its iris, a thin red beam flared to life.
Hermes analyzed instantly: [Warning—High-density particle beam charging detected. A hit will sever R-01's main core instantly.]
Baita's voice shot up in pitch. "Yaoheng, you can't take that head-on!"
Lin Yaoheng chuckled low. "Who said I would?"
R-01's wings folded tight, the frame skimming the ground into the Hunter's blind angle—charging straight toward the center of that ring-shaped eye.
—The battle had only just begun.