[1] Tides of Chains
Crystalline chains surged in from all directions, like a tide trying to bind R-01 completely.
Each chain radiated intense heat and pulsating waves, making the sensors' warning indicators spike instantly.
Baita shouted on the sub-channel, "Yeheng! Its energy output is three times higher than that Huntmaster just now!"
Hermes said coldly: [This is the Main Core's direct defense program—it sees me as a defected core and intends to reclaim me.]
Lin Yeheng's eyes turned cold. "Reclaim? Dream on."
---
[2] Scorch-Soul Counterattack
With the Scorch-Soul Sub-Effect fully unleashed, R-01's twin wings blasted out searing white gas waves, melting the first wave of chains into a spray of shattered crystal.
The Critical War Blade carved a gleaming arc, slicing the second wave of chains in half; high heat rapidly spread along the crystalline patterns at the cut, like burning veins.
Hermes: [Warning—chain count increasing. Estimated full enclosure grid in thirty seconds.]
Lin Yeheng gritted his teeth. "Then we finish this in thirty seconds!"
---
[3] The Core's Vertical Pupil
The massive light sphere slowly descended, the glow within its vertical pupil becoming ever more focused, as if examining Lin Yeheng's very soul.
The next moment, a voice resonated directly inside the cockpit:
> "Binder identification complete—Hermes Sequence, Number Zero.
Status confirmed: Semi-fusion body.
Executing directive: Full reclamation."
Countless tiny crystal dust fragments peeled off the sphere's surface, transforming into micro-defense units with razor-sharp crystal wings, swarming toward R-01 like a cloud of bees.
---
[4] Swarm Storm
Baita immediately deployed her drone swarm to intercept, but against the micro-defenders, her drones were shredded like paper.
Lin Yeheng shoved the control stick forward—R-01 weaved through the swarm, every slash of the blade accompanied by a chain of blue-white explosive bursts.
Hermes: [Recommendation—initiate "Will Synchronization: Full Mode."]
Lin Yeheng instantly understood—this meant binding his nervous system entirely to Hermes' core, leaving no retreat.
He muttered, "Let's do it."
---
[5] Will Synchronization: Full Mode
The HUD inside the cockpit vanished, replaced by an ocean of light—
Lin Yeheng's senses and Hermes' merged completely, as if he was the roaring machine itself. Every piece of armor, every circuit, every degree of heat was under his control.
The Scorch-Soul Sub-Effect began to merge with Hermes' tactical module; flowing energy patterns appeared along the blade's edge, breathing like a living creature.
Hermes: [Fusion progress—72%… 86%…]
---
[6] Reverse Devour
Just as the swarm closed in, R-01's energy pulse net burst outward, forming a spherical high-temperature field that engulfed the swarm and part of the chains.
Heat and pressure detonated at once—shattered crystal turned into countless tiny motes of light, absorbed by the blade and flowing deep into the machine's core.
Hermes: [Fusion progress—100%.]
> "Hermes Sequence: Full Mode—Activated."
---
[7] The Core Trembles
The vertical pupil abruptly contracted, a massive crack splitting across the sphere's surface—reflecting an unfamiliar emotion: fear.
Lin Yeheng's voice was cold. "You want to reclaim me? Then take this first!"
R-01's blade ignited with a searing white blaze, cleaving downward into the Main Core's surface.
The gash instantly cut through the vertical pupil's center, and the energy surging out washed through the entire crystalline labyrinth like a tsunami.
---
[8] Core Echo
On Baita's screen, Hermes' emblem stabilized once again—but for the first time, its voice carried emotion:
[Yeheng… I remember now.]
Lin Yeheng, breathing heavily: "Remember what?"
Hermes: [I was not created—I was split. The other half… is still in the Empire.]
Lin Yeheng's gaze hardened. "Then we'll take it back."