"I choose the Jormungandr , I only need speed , speed is also the romance of the boy !!! We don't need slow Mech !!! Only speed is the true path " Tatsumi said.
Meanwhile, at GAO INDUSTRIES, one of the top mech designers and manufacturers, their young master, Rick Gao, was also searching for an opponent.
[Searching for player...]
[Player found]
[Mr White , beginner]
With surprise in his voice, Gao exclaimed, "Oh a beginner ... mmh is been a while , maybe he just received is pod ... " with a smile on his face.
[Please choose your mech...]
"I'll stick with my usual Aegis with my custom configuration" Gao announced.
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[Ae-001: Aegis - 001-ver.RG]
[Rank: Bronze]
[M.C : the Attacker]
[Armament: SMH-GUN, SWORD, SHIELD , MACHINE GUN]
[Power: 4/10]
[Maneuverability: 7/10]
[Consumption: 5/10]
[Output: 5/10]
[Special features: Transformation]
[Resume: AEGIS, a versatile mech manufactured by Gao Industries, is known for its well-balanced design, providing slightly enhanced defense capabilities compared to [ S-001: The Strike ] . It comes equipped with an automatic machine gun, a shield, and a sword. Renowned for its adaptability, it holds a respected position within the mech community.]
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[Match starting in 3... 2... 1... GO]
[Terrain: Mountain]
Tatsumi was amazed by the realism of the terrain, feeling fully immersed in this virtual environment as the Jormungandr moved slowly, its footsteps echoing against the rocky walls on a particular hill.
He could feel the environment—the air, the echoes, the sound of water—all of it as if he were truly there.
Suddenly, an alert sounded through the cockpit:
[Alert! Enemy spotted 300 meters from your position.]
"Finally!" Tatsumi cheered with a big grin. "Bring it on, I'm totally not prepared! But it's okay! Ha ha ha !" he laughed like a madman.
He was sure he would lose, but losing was fine. After all, it was his first virtual match, and he didn't expect anything special from himself unless he were the protagonist of a novel.
And He had a strong feeling that his opponent came from a powerful family.
The young masters from influential families were allowed to have their pods six months earlier than others, for the modest sum of 9,000 SC...
However, Tatsumi was unaware that his opponent had acquired their pod not just six months earlier but much earlier than that...
==================================
"Mmm, bad choice, Mr. White" Rick Gao mused.
"The Jormungandr isn't a mech for beginners, but who knows? Maybe he can prove me wrong..." he said as he approached Tatsumi with surprising speed.
The Aegis was known for its defense, but Gao Industries had created a different model for their young master, equipped with a transformation feature.
This functionality allowed the Aegis to transform into something resembling a fighter jet octopus.
[Alert! Enemy spotted 100 meters from your position.]
"All right, dear White, show me your worth!" Rick exclaimed as he took control of a middle joystick.
The Aegis sped towards the Jormungandr , firing a barrage of shots at Tatsumi, who quickly took cover behind a boulder.
"Not bad, not bad... Great reaction. What about this?" Rick said as he circled around Tatsumi boulder , peppering him with shots.
The boulder didn't hold for long, leaving Tatsumi exposed.
Rick, hovering in the air, whispered, "What are you going to do now?"
The Jormungandr, now exposed with its green body resembling a forest, had a slender but muscular frame, showcasing its power.
It raised its head, featuring red eyes that locked onto the Aegis, as if saying, "Come down if you're a real man!"
"Ha ha ha! Seriously? I'm game for your duel!" Rick exclaimed with a wild grin.
The Aegis, previously in the air, began its descent to the ground, shifting into its humanoid form.
It sported a sleek purple , well-balanced bod , wielding a sword in one hand and a machine gun in the other.
He tossed his machine gun to the ground and grabbed a shield from his back.
In the cockpit, Rick activated the speaker and said, "I accept you challenge ! Let our duel be a lesson for you !" Pointing his sword at Tatsumi, who stood facing him.
==================================
[Alert! Enemy spotted 100 meters from your position.]
Tatsumi, upon reading the alert, looked around but found no one in the vicinity, except for a strange purple octopus-like creature in the sky heading towards him.
"A PURPLE OCTOPUS IN THE SKY??? WAIT, HOW?!" he exclaimed in his cockpit, surprised.
He had never expected to engage in an aerial battle for his first fight, especially since he had no long-range weapons at all.
The octopus-like creature fire on him, catching Tatsumi off guard for a few seconds.
But he quickly took cover behind a rock , didn't wanting to give up easily.
The ennemi relentless attack even destroyed his spot.
"F*ck!! I've been had!! Ha ha ha!!" Despite the impending defeat, Tatsumi laughed.
He had learned an important lesson: Never go into battle without long-range weapons.
" Then I only have one solution left ...." Tatsumi said with a smile.
Then the Jormungandr looked up at the octopus-like creature, as if saying "Come down and fight!" The enemy seemed to understand the provocation.
As the enemy willingly accepted the challenge, it began its descent, smoothly transforming into its humanoid form.
Tatsumi couldn't contain his amazement and muttered in awe, "Absolutely fantastic! But seriously, the whole transforming thing... I WANT THAT TECHNOLOGY!"
The Aegis, now on the ground, pointed its sword at Tatsumi, activated its speaker, and said, "I accept your challenge! Let our duel be a lesson for you!" It aimed its sword directly at Tatsumi, who faced it.
Facing the Aegis on the ground, Tatsumi couldn't back down after his provocation. He activated his speaker and responded, "Ha Ha Ha, thanks for the lesson, but I don't plan on losing that easily," as he put his S.A.M.S on guard, ready to face the challenge.
Tatsumi had learned that the M.C [The Attacker] long lance action consisted of light thrust, heavy thrust, light sweep, heavy sweep, counter, and block.
Which was quite straightforward for a combination, but the enemy could anticipate the next attacks, while Tatsumi was unfamiliar with the Aegis's moveset.
Rick, facing Tatsumi and observing his unyielding determination, flashed a sly grin and playfully added "What if I told you that if you win, I'll give you anything you want?"
Tatsumi, fueled by both excitement and determination, responded with a glint in his eye, "Anything I want?? Well then, prepare to be amazed, 'cause I'm not backing down!"
With adrenaline coursing through his veins, Tatsumi made the first move.
He initiated the long lance combo by thrusting forward with his mech, aiming for the Aegis's chest. The sharp tip of his lance moved swiftly, seeking to strike his opponent before he could react.
But who was Rick? He was not the newbie there .
With a quick pull of the trigger, the Aegis moved its shield in front of Tatsumi lance, deflecting it off its intended path.
In a swift counterattack, Aegis swung his sword towards Tatsumi Jormungandr, aiming for its side.
However, Tatsumi's Jormungandr had a more powerful striking force than the Aegis, causing Rick to stagger backward, his sword missing Tatsumi side.
The sheer force of the blow created a shockwave that reverberated through the virtual battlefield, shaking the surroundings. Tatsumi seized the moment and prepared for his next move.
Tatsumi unleashed a powerful sweep attack by holding down the left joystick trigger, simultaneously pressing the crotch pedals to make the Jormungandr crouch.
With a mighty sweep, he struck the Aegis, sending it sprawling across the virtual battlefield. Rick struggled to regain control of his mech, clearly caught off guard by Tatsumi's unexpected move.
Rick slammed on the gas pedal, firing up the rear thrusters, regaining control of his mech with a grin in his face.
"Well, well, looks like somebody's got some surprises" he declared through the cockpit speaker. "Time to get serious!" With that, he sent his Aegis hurtling toward Tatsumi.