Chapter 24: A Kick

Li Hao finished the match. Luo Bi, that guy, still had some improvement, but his old habits remained unchanged; he only cared about fighting his own way, completely disregarding his opponent. This was a strength, but also a weakness. Meeting was fate; as for whether this guy could understand it, that was up to him.

Ding-dong...

A friend request?

In the past, Li Hao wouldn't have cared, but after all, he had just finished fighting Luo Bi, so he opened it subconsciously. Sure enough, it was Luo Bi. Li Hao revealed a faint smile and clicked confirm.

"Second Brother?" Luo Bi sent a message. Although he felt it could only be Second Brother, Second Brother had disappeared for five years—could it really be such a coincidence?

Luo Bi was still a bit apprehensive. A reply came from the other side: a fist. This was the symbol of their Earth Gang back in the day.

Luo Bi was ecstatic. Sure enough, it was Second Brother, still as cold and aloof as ever.

Li Hao didn't say much and entered matchmaking. He needed to finish quickly; it was awkward to go too hard on one of his own, and it was quite a waste of time.

Ding-dong, opponent matched.

Puppet (USE) vs Tuoleisi · Beast God A-level Military Academy (ROM)

At this moment, Zhuang Zhou had already pinned a post in the special zone, and his livestream room was open. The ID was—Puppet God Super God Special Session.

Note: I am a small streamer, I only watch Puppet God.

Zhuang Zhou was somewhat well-known in the USE Xuni Qu and Zhenshi Qu. His previous analysis videos were very well-made, especially that screenshot of the Armor Tiger, which was particularly imposing and had become a screensaver for many people. If it appeared in the Mecha Tournament, he would truly become a god instantly. Everyone hoped that Puppet could keep going up and continuously break through.

Zhuang Zhou actually didn't have much confidence; after all, he was a first-time streamer, a newcomer with no resources and no promotion. However, he didn't care; his original intention was just to provide a livestream room for people who liked Puppet.

"Hello everyone, I am the Pirate King of Kepler. I am currently a student in the Journalism Department at Tianjing Mecha Academy. I have been following Puppet God for a long time. Everyone, please show your support."

Zhuang Zhou was still a bit nervous. Usually, it would be good for a newcomer to have a few dozen or a few hundred people.

... 3 people, 3 roommates. Damn it, it was even more miserable than imagined. Even with Zhuang Zhou's decent mental fortitude, he felt a bit discouraged.

Couldn't even break into double digits?

"Holy crap, Zhuang Zhou, did you not unlock the settings? A buddy of mine said he couldn't get in?"

"Ah, I forgot!"

Zhuang Zhou scrambled to click on the permissions so that non-followers and non-friends could also enter.

Then, the number of people in the livestream room skyrocketed. Looking at the numbers, the roommates in the dorm were also stunned. In just a few minutes, it had actually broken through sixty thousand...

"Holy crap, Zhuang Zhou, you're about to take off."

"Quick, quick, keep rambling, don't stop! You're a streamer now. Holy crap, the first streamer from our dorm has emerged."

Zhuang Zhou was already somewhat well-known and had a distinct style. He had followed Puppet early on, which everyone knew. Once the livestream room appeared, almost everyone followed without hesitation, especially after Puppet God's super-god operation just now, which was a stunning strike. What else was there to say? Fan!

Meanwhile, over on the Mars side, the "Huonan Livestream" popularity had also directly broken through one million. There was no helping it; once the replay video came out, Huonan was directly slapped in the face. As a former professional soldier, this slap was quite hard, but Huonan didn't change his expression. "Everyone thinks I was wrong, but actually, I wasn't. What I said was completely correct. Come, everyone has the replay video. Look, were Luo Bi's movements beautiful and cool? But he was finished off by the opponent's 'Swallow Returns' in a second. Why?"

Huonan paused, his face full of confidence and a smile. "Flowery fists and embroidered legs. After Luo Bi used the Death God Three Short Knocks, he was already out of strength, yet he forced out the 'Swallow Returns'. It was actually a spent arrow; it was purely for show. At that moment, any strike, as long as one could react, would win. I can only say this was a fight between two noobs. Some viewers think this match was so exciting? Then you haven't seen the Xuni Qu. In a battle between true experts, where are there so many laborious operations? Back and forth—do you think this is a vegetable market? Close-quarters combat is about finding flaws and killing in one strike. Don't over-maneuver, because on the battlefield, you might be taken down directly by a Sniper because of such maneuvering. Therefore, fast, accurate, and ruthless is the way to go. This is the one thing we Mars do best. Earthlings and Moon People still have too many bad habits; they like to show off. Here it comes, Tuoleisi, very good, it's time to prove it. I don't need to introduce Tuoleisi too much, right?"

Tuoleisi, a first-year freshman at the ROM Beast God A-level Military Academy, was a highly anticipated newcomer. He was in the top three of this year's preparatory academy and was specially recruited by Beast God. The Beast God Academy liked the ruthless and crazy drive in him. He had already rushed to over 1300 points, though of course, the score was far from representing his true strength.

The EMP Hall in Tianjing was also buzzing with discussion. Without a doubt, at this moment, everyone was on Puppet's side. Even if Puppet wasn't an Earthling, he was definitely on the USE side. His mecha usage was extremely biased toward the USE style, and it was even a retro style.

"This Tuoleisi is super fierce. It's said he used to be a Mars underground cage fighter who has seen blood. He was discovered because of his good skills."

"Mars cage fighting? That's known as the most brutal fighting competition in the Solar System; people often die."

"The Mars Federation's system is different from ours, especially the gray areas, which are almost completely unregulated. These people are truly ruthless. Mars wants to win the S11 championship this year."

"Puppet must win!"

"Ah, look, our school's Journalism Department has opened a Puppet special livestream..."

A Youyou stood alone in a corner, quietly watching the lively discussion around her. Puppet—she had heard of him. A player from the Xuni Qu who later ventured into the Zhenshi Qu, currently maintaining a winning streak, having fought against capable Warriors from all Four Great Federations.

But why did he have to use the Armor Series?

Wouldn't a stronger mecha be better?

The two Mobile Suits were already prepared.

Arena, Puppet vs Tuoleisi.

Armor Dragon vs Sky Wolf V6

This wasn't the first time Puppet had faced a Sky Wolf V6, but last time he used the Heavy Armor Armor Tiger. Now it was the Armor Dragon. Without the power suppression of the Heavy Armor, how would the Armor Dragon fight?

"Dear viewers, this is not the first time Puppet God has faced a Sky Wolf fighter. Last time he used the Armor Tiger, using strength to overcome technique. This time it's the Armor Dragon fighter, with increased mobility but decreased suppression. In terms of mecha performance, the Sky Wolf fighter still has a slight advantage, but our pilot is Puppet God. I believe the battle will end within a minute," Zhuang Zhou said. He wasn't bragging; Zhuang Zhou didn't think Tuoleisi would be much stronger than Stein.

On the other side, Huonan also made a prediction. He also believed it would end within a minute. "The Armor Dragon's flexibility is a bit better than the Armor Tiger's, but it's more fragile. Everyone might say Stein lost a bit miserably, but this is different. Stein is a famous player, and his moves have been used in the Mecha Tournament. The same moves being thoroughly studied and countered is a given. To be honest, I think this Puppet is problematic; he might be deliberately targeting us Mars. But this time the opponent is Tuoleisi. Tuoleisi has no data for them to refer to. I assert that within a minute, Tuoleisi can finish him off!"

It was unknown if the EMP officials did it on purpose, but both of their livestream clips were pinned simultaneously.

The two Mobile Suits entered a state of readiness. The two sides fighting didn't have that much history; they just happened to meet. Fighting the USE, Martians had an innate psychological advantage. As soon as they entered the battlefield, the Sky Wolf V6 roared and charged toward the Armor Dragon, not even using laser harassment, just pure close-quarters attack. What surprised Tuoleisi was that timid Earthlings usually pulled out lasers to shoot while running, but this one didn't. Not pulling out a gun was one thing, but not even drawing the Titanium Blade?

Is this guy an idiot?

Giving away points?

Tuoleisi had no reason to refuse. With heavy control and the engine roaring, the Sky Wolf V6 soared into the air and pounced on the opponent.

Such aerial maneuvers actually had very large flaws. The Martians were slightly worried; after all, Puppet wasn't a noob. Such a big opening?

But even ordinary people thought of it, so how could Tuoleisi not know? He was testing him on purpose, leaving a flaw at high altitude, but at this instant, the opponent's Armor Dragon still didn't react?

When the distance between the two was instantly five or six meters, the Sky Wolf fighter suddenly dropped, landing early. After landing, all four limbs exerted force, the engine erupted, and it catapulted toward the Armor Dragon fighter like lightning, the Titanium Claw already popped out.

The entire set of movements happened in a flash of lightning, and the Armor Dragon fighter finally moved. He was retreating!

Tuoleisi bared his teeth. Trying to run at this time? Too late. Lie down for your master!

Boom...

The two mechas crossed. The Sky Wolf fighter tumbled and fell to the ground. How was its own Titanium Claw stuck in its own body???

Tuoleisi felt his head buzzing. Even the ninety percent effect of the Real Mode was enough to make him dizzy. But he gritted his teeth, forcibly focusing his attention. Just as the Sky Wolf fighter was sparking and trying to pull out the Titanium Claw, the Armor Dragon fighter had already arrived in front of him. At this moment, Tuoleisi was in despair.

A huge shadow of a foot filled his vision.

Boom...

The head of the Sky Wolf fighter was stomped into the ground.