/Tatsumi's POV/
I observed Emi's actions and her reluctant posture as she spoke.
"Then we will go ahead," Emi said, but his mech movements were not very convincing.
It seemed like she was hesitating, moving backward and forward as she glanced back at Tatsumi.
Otto, who was right beside her, encouraged Emi to follow him. "Come on, Emi, we need to go!"
Emi replied with a reluctant tone, "O... k," as she cast one last glance toward Tatsumi before moving forward.
I observed the strange situation , letting out a sigh.
" It's always been like this .... " i murmured to myself.
(Why do you behave like this, sister...?) I thought to myself, feeling conflicted about my own sibling.
(Mmm," family" . I don't really understand the meaning. I've never really had a 'family'...) Tatsumi's inner thoughts reflected his complicated relationship with the concept of family.
Tatsumi stared into the void, in the direction where Emi had just left. His gaze was vacant, devoid of any expression or emotion.
"Meh, it's not like I care about friendship or family in this life," I said, my tone indifferent.
My blank stare started to transform into a passionate gaze as I thought, ( There's no point in crying over a simple family matter. Who needs that when we have MECHA? HA HA HA !!! ) with a greedy smile.
I couldn't stop myself from laughing uncontrollably, paying no attention to the warning signal flashing on the interface,
[Enemy detected at 30 M].
"HA HA HA HA HA!!" I keep laughing with a manic smile.
But my laughter was cut short when a voice, a voice i didn't wanted to hear, echoed behind my S.A.M.S.
"TATSUMI!!! I'M HERE !!!" The voice penetrated the jungle, sending shivers down Tatsumi spine.
I REALLY didn't wanted to hear that voice, but i couldn't forget that i was in this for the money.
"Yeah, I'm only here for the economic benefit," I thought to myself, nodding repeatedly.
(And for the damage I will cause, hmm? Well, as long as I stay discreet and put everything on Rick's back, I'm okay!) I thought, rubbing my hands together with a sly grin.
Rick, with his three-colored STRIKE that was an aesthetic disaster, waved his hand obnoxiously to announce his presence.
The mere sight of that monstrosity made me feel like I was going to throw up. I couldn't help but think, ( I want to puke, it's too ugly! )
The STRIKER ver B was a true abomination, and I couldn't fathom who would design something so hideous. I couldn't wait to get it out of my sight.
Rick who was now in front of me , asked, "So, what's the plan ? How do we proceed? Share the details."
I paused for a moment, my expression turning sour when I saw the Strike so close. I couldn't take it anymore.
Even if it had god like stats, the aesthetics were, well, I'd rather not say. I couldn't bear to continue, all because of the color issue.
So, I finally gave in, my frustration and disgust evident as I shouted, "I'm done!"
Rick was left dumbfounded, unable to grasp the suddenness of my decision.
Then asked, a hint of confusion and worry in his voice, "Why? Did I do something wrong?"
I replied coldly, my frustration and disgust evident, "Your mech is just too ugly, I can't stand it."
He sighed in exasperation and desperation, raising three fingers with his S.A.M.S and said, "3 million SC! I'll give you all my allowance for the month!"
"COUNT ME IN!" I said with a smile, my eyes gleaming with the prospect of 3 million SC.
"Ha ha ha! That's my friend. So, what's the plan?" said Rick, not surprised by Tatsumi super rapid quick fast shoot response.
Then I spoke with a lot of motivation, my eyes gleaming with money signs. "Listen carefully! Here's the plan I've come up with..."
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/ Back at the battlefield, Julien's POV... /
"Show me your next move, JULIEN!!!" Ryan taunted, his words laced with arrogance, challenging me to fire the mini-gun.
However, I could read his movements like an open book. I noticed his godly modified STRIKE crouching to the right, which was bound to throw off his balance.
Even though I was aware that the mini-gun had a 2 to 3-second delay before it launched the first salvo, and he would likely dodge it.
I glanced around, scanning for potential cover or hiding spots.
(But who am I !? I'm the leader of the commoners! I can't back down from this taunting challenge!) I thought with a smirk, pressing the trigger on the joystick.
As I launched the first salvo, just as I had predicted, Ryan executed a precise dodge to the right, performing a swift slide that destroyed a bush in his path se cachant derriere des arbres.
"Julien! Give up! You can't beat me! I'm second in rank, and I've got a superior S.A.M.S" Ryan boasted with arrogance echoing through the jungle.
"Rankings don't matter on the battlefield, Ryan..." I replied with an amused tone.
"And you know what? Your mini-gun, which you kindly offered to me, can still kill you," I added, continuing to fire and destroying the jungle, leaving a pile of trees on the ground.
(I apologize to the trees...) I thought in silence, seeking forgiveness from the tree god.
Annoyed, Ryan responded, "You and your mini-gun! You really think that can stop me, Julien? Come on, give it your best shot!" as he dodged a tree that was about to fall on him
" Ha ha ha, of course! Let me show you what my mini-gun can do!" I replied with confidence.
Taking a deep breath, I shouted in my cockpit, "Charge module: EXTRA BIG COMMONERS MINI GUN. Password: IF YOU CHEAT!! I CAN CHEAT TOO."
[Please be patient, charging the module....]
Suddenly, the mini-gun that Julien had supplied underwent a remarkable transformation. The once-compact weapon morphed into a massive sphere of radiant light, from which emerged four luminescent orbs, configuring themselves into four distinct exit tubes.
The newly transformed mini-gun emitted a pulsating, futuristic hum, signaling its readiness for action. As it whirred to life, the barrels of the four exit tubes began to spin rapidly.
Julien S.A.M.S was now armed with the formidable [ Extra Big Commoners Mini Gun ] a custom-built weapon designed to humiliate the nobles.
"HEY !!! that's cheating!" exclaimed Ryan
"Ryan, you always underestimate the commoners. It's not cheating; it's adapting and overcoming," I said , refusing to yield to Ryan's accusation.
"Adapting? Overcoming? You call that an adaptation? With this massive minigun, I think that's a Gold-ranked weapon !!! " Ryan retorted with an angry scowl, his frustration showing clearly.
I remained calm , as i replied "Sometimes, you've got to bring out the big guns to level the playing field..."
"Level the playing field? Stop this nonsense, Julien!" Ryan's voice escalated.
"Nonsense? Hmph! Coming from the one who started cheating first!" I retorted, not one to back down from the argument.
I said, "It's over, Ryan... it's our victory."
As I pointed the oversized minigun where Ryan's S.A.M.S should have been, and with a pull of the trigger, the four barrels of the minigun began to rotate.
Soon, a barrage of gunfire erupted from the powerful weapon as i swung it from right to left , creating a cone-shaped barrage of fire.