Tempest of the Stellar War
chapter-393

Zone E…

Arbiter team against Owl Egg United Kingdom team. Unquestionably, the strength of Arbiter had drawn many observers. Half the teams would rather face Atlantis than go anywhere near Arbiter. Their reputation for cruelty was well known.

At that moment the score was 2-0. Two of Owl Egg's members had died in battle.

Half of all the fighters did not have Arbiter's bloodthirst. They fought so ferociously that the opponent did not even have time to surrender. To Arbiter, they wanted to scare their opponents witless!

The last match was just starting. The Arbiter captain, Olivios himself, made an appearance. The Owl Egg United Kingdom team members lowered their heads. Nobody was willing to fight this one. Whoever went up was putting their life on the line. The only way to live was to surrender now, but to dodge the fight meant giving up one's military career.

Shi Long gritted his teeth. Olivios' aura could be keenly felt throughout the huge arena. It was as cold as the freezing depths of hell.

"Captain… How about surrendering?"

The members' eyes were downcast. They were unwilling to give up, but their bodies shivered in terror, heedless. Nobody was willing to go up against the Death God.

Shi Long mulled over it long and hard, but finally shook his head. He was of the royal family in the Owl Egg United Kingdom, and represented the family's honor. If he gave up without a fight, it would be a huge blow to him, and to the entire family.

Shi Long chose his strongest Magic Stone Gen IV, a defensive heavy mech. He was willing to forgo attacking capabilities for an impenetrable shield. He just had to endure five minutes before surrendering. Nobody could fault him for that.

Olivios' choosing hand was on the control panel, cycling through the mecha constantly. Apparently he had decided to utilize a random mech.

A normal mech from the Mondo Republic, the Rafael Gen III. This gave Shi Long a glimmer of hope, and also gave the Owl Egg team members hope.

But a minute after the battle had started, the team had was shocked yet again.

The titanium blades had pierced directly into the cockpit! On the big screen, the light that indicated Shi Long's life status extinguished. He was dead on the spot.

Broken shield!

Only one move was needed. The mech did not matter to Olivios. It was simply a tool for killing.

"What are y'all doing in a daze? Go and save lives!" the paramedic leader shouted.

Although they knew it was hopeless, appearances had to be kept up. They rushed over, using their emergency tools to open the mech cockpit…

Everybody vomited.

What was the expression "bones ground down to dust"?

What was the expression "reduced to a ball of flesh and blood", a red hell?

Shi Long had disappeared entirely, dissected by the huge titanium blade. His life had evaporated. There was nothing more to save, it was just a pool of red.

ROAR!

On the viewing platform, the Owl Egg United Kingdom representatives stood up as a body. Protest! Wanton and purposeful murder!

But…

"Silence! The objection is baseless. According to the rules, when one knows one's ability is insufficient, one can choose to surrender."

Faced with the gory scene, the IG judges were also queasy, their eyes shifting around. But they had to declare Arbiter's win. Arbiter had always been thus, clamoring for both a name and their opponents' lives.

To the Arbiter members, this was a negligible matter. They found the shock of the others laughable. Why join IG if you were scared of death?

Nobody could stand against the mighty Arbiter Republic!

Kong Zhan's curious resignation had sparked chaos. The Silver Snake team members had raised protests, but the judge had overruled them on the basis of a lack of evidence.

At this time, General Masu of the Silver Snake Coalition put a stop to this. He surmised that Kong Zhan had realized Wang Zheng's true level from some source and seen things that he should not have. Sometimes, seeing more was not necessarily a good thing, especially when one's ability was insufficient.

The Silver Snake Coalition's only hope had been to throw a dud against Wang Zheng and win the other rounds, but they had not foreseen that the Solar System's other team members were not weak either. However, a chance remained. Although they were behind, Wang Zheng had still been removed.

The next fight was for match point. It was the Solar System's turn to go first.

Lear's gaze flashed. Achilles was a little uncertain as well. In one glance, anybody could see that Kong Zhan's abilities were considerable. How could he become so terrified? Although Wang Zheng was strong, he was not that strong!

Regardless, Wang Zheng's image had improved further.

"Zhang Runan, I leave this match up to you."

His meaning was understood. Everybody should get a chance to test themselves, and Lear and Achilles did not object. Nobody was sure of what to say. Nobody wanted a walkover. The opportunity to fight was, of course, best.

Zhang Runan did not hesitate. Win or lose, she would throw herself in willingly on the leader's command!

Wang Zheng was sitting calmly, as though unconcerned about the result. IG looked like a war, but could actually change the fortunes of many. An evenly matched fight yielded not just experience, but also confidence. One could discover one's weakness on the battle field. One who lacked battle experience would never improve.

Within the Solar System team, too many people were lacking. The Silver Snake team was fertile training ground.

Over at the Silver Snake Coalition side, the vice-captain, Shang Yue, frowned. Neither Achilles nor Lear had been sent, but instead the ugly girl Zhang Runan. Where did the Solar System get their confidence from?

From the side, the technicians quickly delivered the collected data on Zhang Runan. From their simple infographic, it was clear at first look. A strength type Ability X user, but not of a high level.

"I've got this one!" Shang Yue took the initiative.

Against a strength Ability X, Shang Yue had 100% confidence in emerging victorious. Besides, the Silver Snake Coalition must had this!

Shang Yue nodded and stepped forward, choosing the Fallen Angel Generation III.

The mech with the most attack power was most suitable for him.

Strength type Ability X?

Apologies. He too was a strength type Ability X user. Furthermore, in rank, he had the confidence that he stood above all strength type users in this iteration. top-class D rank!

Rumble…

The battle began.

Zhang Runan had chosen the Aslan Heavy Cavalry H, a mech suited for attack, but with light defensive capabilities.

"Asking for death."

After entering the mech, Shang Yue's heart was bursting with rage. In front of the members, he had maintained a modicum of respect for Kong Zhan, because the Kong family was highly placed in the Silver Snake Coalition. In truth, he was seething fit to burst. Silver Snake warriors put death before dishonor. No matter the reason, Kong Zhan had thrown their pride in the dust.

This rage could not be vented on Kong Zhan, so he had to channel it on the battle field. Not his opponent's lucky day.

Fallen Angel Generation III VS Heavy Cavalry H.

Both were strength type Ability X users, and clashed immediately in a frontal, explosive impact.

A clash with no other hidden moves!

Bang! Sparks flew, and both mecha shook. The titanium blades crossed, creating even more blinding sparks. Neither side held back, immediately bringing their strength ability to bear.

BOOM!

After a few short seconds, both exerted together, leaping backwards.

"Die!"

Shang Yue had switched on the mech's loudspeaker with a roar. Although they had seemed evenly matched in a clash, it had simply been a test of abilities. Zhang Runan's strength ability's shortcomings had been firmly grasped in the clash. She was a low-class D rank, close to a mid-class. At this age, it was not bad, but against a top-class D ranker, she could not compare. He need not bring more strength to bear. Simply following her lead, and bringing his familiarity to bear, he could subdue the opponent.

Maxed out!

Zhang Runan's face was grave. Her forceful probes seemed to be hitting a wall… No, it was like going up against a mountain!

Following closely, Shang Yue unleashed a few strong attacks. After testing her strength, he directly crushed Zhang Runan. He had thought the Solar System team were strong, but they were merely average!

They must have used some underhanded tricks to leave Kong Zhan in such a state!

As a fellow strength type, and having done a stint at Academy X, Zhang Runan was clear that her opponent's level was a cut above hers, and not something she could match.

From their short exchange, it was apparent that Zhang Runan's Ability X was weaker by a huge margin. Since they had the same ability type, this spelled the end for her.

Lear glanced at Wang Zheng. He believed that Wang Zheng had been aware of this, but he had still sent Zhang Runan. Why?

Breakthrough in battle?!

What a naïve hope! This was a classic last-minute preparation. But looking at Wang Zheng's composed figure, Lear began to fret. He detested these unreadable types. What was going on in Wang Zheng's brain? A lousy Ares College student and a country bumpkin, taking it in unconcernedly. Luo Fei's defeat had not ruffled him one bit.

This was something entirely unheard of for someone of Wang Zheng's age. Unless he was born with it – a natural optimist?

Lear was caught up in the contradictions.

On the battlefield, the ability gap was clear. It had to be said that Zhang Runan's curious fighting style was creating some complications for her opponent. Her movements flowed well, firing without pause. There was an artistry to her gunfire, and this enraged Shang Yue even further. His next moves were even harder, his beam saber slashing wildly.

But sheer creativity could not hold him back forever. Zhang Runan breathed out lightly. To lose or to reveal her trump card? What should she choose?

Her appearance had always been an insecurity to Zhang Runan. It had come to the point where she would not be willing to exert to that extent if it was not a matter of life and death. Especially not when it would be seen by others.

Only…

With a deep breath, Zhang Runan's eyes flashed with determination.

BOOM!

The longer Shang Yue fought, the better he became. Especially against such an ugly girl. Destroying her was practically doing everyone a favor. "Being born ugly ain't your fault, but showing that face to the world is a heinous crime!"

In battle, all forms of verbal insult were acceptable. A fighter who could not master their state of mind was an immature one.

Undoubtedly, Shang Yue's taunt was toxic.

As expected, Zhang Runan stopped running. Brandishing her long gun, she rushed towards him. The crowd was surprised. How could Zhang Runan fall for such a trick, and break her own good rhythm? Going head on against such an opponent was folly.

But the ghost of a smile appeared on the corner of Wang Zheng's mouth. Some things just had to be done. At least they had the privilege of choice. He thought back to the days when Bonehead had trained him. He had no choice then.

BOOM…

With a deafening sound, both mech fighters were thrown back a step by the explosion. The crowd was stunned. This must be a dream. In an instant, the two had actually become of the same ability.

A battle breakthrough? You must be joking, this ugly woman was actually concealing something?

Both fired up again at the same time, moving simultaneously. Yet before Shang Yue could make his move, Zhang Runan's rifle had already burst forward as fast as lightning, completely unhindered by the previous impact.

What a fearsome recovery speed!

And from a woman!

BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM…

The silver spear stabbed so quickly, it looked like a stream of mercury. This left everybody stunned. Were they seeing correctly? This was the strength of the Solar System substitutes?

This rare spear skill, and from a woman…

As strength-types, women could not compare to men. Perhaps this female barbarian was an exception. Her stature was huge, and she sported a huge bulk under those clothes.

Shang Yue's rage built. He? Have less strength than a woman???

This was not just a question of strength. Zhang Runan's understanding of melee combat was in a class of her own. Those with martial foundations like Lear and the rest recognized this. In their words, Zhang Runan was a genius indeed.

She had actually learnt so much from the world of painting.

Blam blam blam… after eight stabs, Shang Yue had been reduced to a turtle in its shell. His shield broke after taking 13 piercing blows, and his beam saber had been knocked away. The Fallen Angel mech had been nailed to the wall with a final stab.

An attack with the fury of a storm that left the entire spectator platform silent.

After half a beat, the discussion resumed. This female barbarian had really turned the whole place upside down.

Of course, there were a few jibes as well. Such a monster would only be loved by other monsters. She was ugly enough as it was. Combined with that strength, even ghosts would run from her.

It seemed like she did not need to fight. She just had to show her face to frighten her opponent to death.

Shang Yue had been promptly extracted from the cockpit by the paramedics. He had actually lost to a woman.

And an ugly woman, at that!

At this moment, everyone was looking at Zhang Runan's mech. The cockpit door opened, and a female fighter descended, her clothes clearly huge.

Everyone's jaw, with the exception of Wang Zheng's, dropped. This…

This… was a female tyrannosaurus!!!