"What, Ethan entered the cockpit?" Eliot exclaimed in disbelief. "That's not possible! Without the combat suit and helmet, you can't connect to the Sympathy System, and you can't start the mech."
Complaints arose from the other students as well. "What was the point of the simulation classes if he's just going to do this?" "Trying to show off like this is just causing more trouble." "That wild man from the surface doesn't get it!"
At that moment, Ethan was completely oblivious to his classmates' grievances. Upon seeing the 'Tanuki Power' Behemoth, he had acted without hesitation, rushing directly into the cockpit. His decision to stay and fight, rather than flee, wasn't about seeking glory. It was a strategic choice made after his 'Barrier-Breaking Eye' revealed another lurking Behemoth—a 'Si'—concealed behind a mountain to the northwest, stealthily advancing in a cunning manner.
Ethan believed that his chances of survival would be higher piloting the mech against a pincer attack from two Behemoths. Otherwise, even if he managed to escape the immediate area of the Behemoth's charge, the swarm of parasites would still pose a lethal threat.
Knowing he was a 'Natural Resonator,' Ethan had connected to the mech 'Bai Long' back in 'Flower City' without even entering the cockpit or donning a combat suit. Without wasting time, he went straight to the point. Now seated in the pilot's position, he placed his hands on the floating sensors and relaxed his body, recalling the state he was in when he connected with 'Bai Long.'
Ethan cleared his mind, allowing no stray thoughts, and focused on sensing the presence of the mech. Moments later, he seemed to hear laughter in a trance, followed by a flurry of images. Several of these images struck him profoundly.
He saw 'himself' dining with his wife and child in a tent, with what appeared to be evening outside, but there were two suns in the sky! He witnessed 'himself' fighting a wild boar that resembled the 'Tanuki Power.' He also saw 'himself' standing before two graves, one small with a wreath placed upon it. In the last image, he saw 'himself' plunging into an endless sea of beasts.
Through these images, Ethan experienced joy, rage, sorrow, and a sense of valiant despair in the final scene. "Let me... avenge you!" he whispered.
Ethan's eyes snapped open as the cockpit's electronic voice announced, "Sympathy System online. Neuronal connection stable. All restrictions lifted. Mech, activated!"
A burst of light appeared before Ethan's eyes as the panoramic windows came online. Though inside the cockpit, he could see the surrounding landscape as if he were outside. The ground lay beneath his feet, the forest spread out like a green carpet, and the once towering mountains now seemed like small hills he could easily climb. He felt like a giant!
On the ground, Cedricl cried out in amazement, "Look, it's moving. The mech is moving!"
Eliot had already noticed as 'Black Thunder' roared back to life, lights flickering on across its frame, and the hum of energy and mechanical motion filled the air. With a buzz, 'Black Thunder' rose from its kneeling position. However, sparks flew from its left arm, indicating severe damage.
Yet, Ethan had managed to restart 'Black Thunder,' which was astonishing enough to leave everyone speechless. "Am I seeing things?" "Did that wild man just start up the mech?" "How did he do that?" "This defies science!"
Those who had been complaining about Ethan were now dumbfounded, as if witnessing a miracle.
Inside the cockpit, Ethan, through the holographic display, saw the damage to the mech's left arm and knew it was unusable. His fingers tapped rapidly on the floating sensors, checking 'Black Thunder's' ammunition reserves and weapon status. The results were quick to appear: 'Black Thunder's' Divine Might rifle had only one magazine left with 23 bullets, and there were three missiles remaining in the chest missile bay.
Additionally, 'Black Thunder' was not equipped with close-combat weapons like swords. Its weapons were its arms and fists, which were much larger than those of standard mechs. The 'Super Torque' system installed in 'Black Thunder's' arms provided the mech with explosive power and destructive force. Hidden jet systems in the elbows could further amplify the impact force when needed. The pilot was supposed to be adept at various fist techniques, hence the lack of bladed weapons.
After the inspection, Ethan activated his 'Barrier-Breaking Eye' and saw the 'Si,' resembling a water buffalo, retreat a few steps to the northwest. It was clearly gathering strength for a charge. Simultaneously, the 'Tanuki Power' had already reached close range. The system calculated that impact would occur in two seconds.
At that moment, under Ethan's control, 'Black Thunder' leaped into the air, rolling to let the 'Tanuki Power' pass beneath it, missing its target. Almost at the same time, a thunderous crash came from the northwest as the 'Si' burst through the mountain and charged out, colliding with the 'Tanuki Power.' The two Behemoths crashed together, shaking the ground violently and knocking Eliot and the others to the earth.
Meanwhile, 'Black Thunder' landed and slid forward before swiftly turning around. The chest armor opened, and three missiles streaked out, striking the 'Tanuki Power's' head and the 'Si's' flank. The explosions quickly expanded into fireballs that swept the area in a wave of flames.
'Black Thunder' didn't stop its assault there. With one hand, it raised the Divine Might rifle and fired the specialized bullets for Behemoths. The bullets, trailing fire, drew clear trajectories through the air and disappeared into the smoke and flames.
A student shook his head, "Couldn't he wait for the Behemoths to emerge before firing? This random shooting is just a waste of ammo."
In the cockpit, Ethan's red eyes scanned the surroundings, with flecks of silver light emerging. He maintained his 'Barrier-Breaking Eye,' allowing him to see through the smoke and fire. With the computer's assistance, he locked onto the 'Tanuki Power's' head. In his vision, the red glow of the 'Tanuki Power' was fading, and the numbers beside it were decreasing rapidly. Each bullet inflicted damage ranging from two to three hundred points, and the 'Tanuki Power's' vitality was now below four thousand!