Sky-cracking Rider

The cries of alarm filled the stands, and many people were so frightened that they stood up, ready to run at any moment.

"Ah! It collided—it's collided!"

Squadron Leader Chekhov's mouth hung open, caught off guard and severely startled.

To laymen, it's a spectacle; to professionals, it's all about technique. Both were veteran pilots, with eyes as accurate as laser rangefinders. If Big Bear Squadron Leader hadn't been busy talking to Chen Fei, he would have likely made the same predictive call as "Devil Pepper" Irinei Rusios.

A violent storm of metal and flames covered an area roughly the size of two soccer fields, and suffocating thick smoke billowed into the air. Around four of the outdoor spectator stands near the main runway were affected.

Fortunately, the organizers were well-prepared. Not only had they created a protective barrier with alchemical artifacts, but supernatural power users and spellcasters were also ready to protect the stands, providing double insurance.

Active elemental energy traced runes and intricate lines in the air, forming a barrier that flickered in midair, blocking the debris, flames, and smoke.

Without these protective measures, this iteration of "The Abyss Coliseum" could have potentially turned into a deadly tragedy with numerous casualties.

-

Following the horrific collision, the "Dark Angel" aerobatic team could no longer continue their planned flight routine.

Four F-14 "Tomcats" with variable-sweep wings landed with profound sadness, and the pilots who had lost a colleague consoled each other tearfully.

In high-speed flight, a millimeter's error is a tragedy, and such accidents are not uncommon in the aviation industry, especially during high-risk aerobatic performances where the likelihood of accidents is significantly high.

Nevertheless, stunt pilots continuously pushed the limits, fearlessly performing in the face of death, controlling their aircraft in bold displays in the sky.

Ambulances and fire trucks quickly filled the crash site, which was more a formality than anything else. Beyond the frantic activity, there wasn't much they could do. The pilots who couldn't eject in time were obliterated upon impact, beyond any hope of survival.

After a brief pause, the next aerobatic team took to the stage.

Perhaps due to the previous incident, the pilots performed more conservatively, sticking to standard flying postures rather than relying on thrilling and highly complex maneuvers to capture the audience's attention.

"Is that it?"

Squadron Leader Chekhov, entering his "Sage Mode," looked utterly unimpressed.

The young men and women from the "Genuine Fragrance" squadron were even more reckless in combat than these aerobatic teams.

"They're here to perform, not to fight in real combat; you can't have such high expectations! If you want to see something truly spectacular, you'll have to wait a few more days."

"Devil Pepper" Irinei Rusios rolled her eyes, clearly seeing it as just a show not to be taken seriously!

"Haha! Interesting!"

"Rookie" Chen Fei was quite amused, diligently following with his binoculars the aircraft performing various maneuvers, watching non-stop.

This was his first time at "The Abyss Coliseum" to watch an aerial show, and he wouldn't have had access to it if not for Boss Hanna securing the invitations.

"Just watch, Rookie. Don't ever use these useless tricks in real combat!"

Chekhov didn't forget to turn around and warn Chen Fei against adopting any improper tactics.

Your life is your own. Being too focused on showing off could turn a stunt into a blunder.

Big Bear Squadron Leader might've been unreliable in everyday matters, but when it came to this, there was no questioning his authority.

As a "Big Mouth Monster" of Turboprop Aircraft, the demands for tactical maneuvers were even greater than those on the jet-powered MiG. Most tactical moves for combat aircraft were originally developed in propeller-driven models, while modern jet-based tactics are much more straightforward, heavily reliant on tactical weapon performance.

The pursuit of extreme maneuverability, attack, and defense using Crystal Jet is an entirely different matter.

"Understood!"

Chen Fei, who could directly copy the predictive trajectory answers, certainly wouldn't stray off the path, crashing headlong into the enemy's attack route would just be foolish!

The commanders of the "Genuine Fragrance" combat flight squadron never hid their skills, always ready to teach every last trick to their team without reservation. The pilots shared their experiences openly, which helped the team's overall combat prowess have few weak spots, fighting fiercely and unabated in corporate wars.

Even someone as new as Chen Fei could achieve rapid growth in a short time.

-

The second day of the Air Show week.

As the crowd from Jiu Defense exited the outdoor stands, they were suddenly blocked by someone.

"Mr. Hoffman, do you have any grievances this time?"

Hanna Gagel recognized the leader of the group; they had clashed just two days before.

To be precise, it's better to say they had just fought.

The group was from the Hanuman Air Service Group, standing amidst the scattered crowd with cold faces, apparently having waited for a while.

Those who come with ill intentions aren't kindly visitors.

The boss of the Hanuman Airborne Group, Laimen Hoffman, said through gritted teeth, "It's not about grievances. Since we're all in this industry, let's settle the dispute in the way of our trade."

"What? You still want to initiate a corporate war?"

Boss Hana raised her eyebrows, suppressing a grin.

An air service group that couldn't even count as a military contractor, merely a small military team using air service operations as a means of income, had no right to initiate a corporate war. The Blue Star Global United Defense Committee wouldn't even accept it.

Any military contractor with air power could annihilate this presumptuous so-called air service group in a matter of minutes, let alone Jiu Defense equipped with an air crew base.

So, when Chekhov and his men lashed out at their opponents, they did it with overwhelming force and without any psychological pressure, without any fear of retaliation.

The powerless underdog's barking didn't even qualify to be heard.

"Hehe, let's settle this with what we do best, a duel!"

Step forward Laimen Hoffman, the owner of the Hanuman Airborne Group, who handed over a letter solemnly.

"A challenge letter?"

Hanna Gagar originally thought the other party would purely follow its instincts; their minds heated, they would recklessly seek to brawl again.

But now, this paper envelope she held told her this was just pretense.

For a small group like the air service group, action would have sufficed, but they had to put on airs.

"Hanuman Airborne Group officially challenges Jiu Defense's 'Genuine Fragrance' Combat Flight Squadron to a decisive battle with fighter jets," Hoffman declared boldly, unmindful of the astonished eyes around him.

"This is truly a death wish!"

"Devil Pepper" Irinei Rusios looked emotionless at the personnel of the Hanuman Airborne Group, like she was looking at the dead.

Most of the pilots in the "Genuine Fragrance" Squadron had seen blood. Their records included multiple shoot-downs, with a good number of them being Aces, and more than one double Ace. Their actual combat strength was incomparable to that of regular corporate pilots, well-known in the air crew bases of the Xingdu Kush Mountain area.

Such a trivial air service group dared to provoke, clearly unaware of what death spelled out.

Death - one horizontal, one slant, one turn...

Forget it, better teach them a lesson!

Boss Hana handed the envelope with the challenge letter to Squadron Leader Chekhov.

"'Peanut Butter', it's all yours."

The extremely busy boss of Jiu Defense didn't have time to bother with such minor matters, as Major Chekhov was more than capable of handling it.

"Hehe, a piece of cake."

Squadron Leader Chekhov thought the same, also without opening it; he flicked it nonchalantly back and forth in his hand, sizing up the others and said with a teasing smile, "You better think this through. This could get people killed, and you need to sign an agreement taking full responsibility for your lives. Our 'Genuine Fragrance' Squadron won't handle the bodies!"

A patronizing and dictatorial manner like a lord who dictates death but not burial.

With Chekhov's experienced eye, he instantly identified the pilots in the group, including the boss Laimen Hoffman. There were only six in total, the rest being logistics personnel.

If he only counted the regular flying pilots, minus the boss, well, that curry-scented guy looked too frail, probably just a reserve pilot, most likely.

Meaning the whole Hanuman Airborne Group had but four actual pilots, barely making up a small flight team.

Is that all?

Not even enough for the 'Genuine Fragrance' Squadron to pick their teeth! Enjoy new stories from My Virtual Library Empire

The brazen challenge from the opposite side was rather easy to see through.

It was an attempt to step on the name of 'Genuine Fragrance' Combat Flight Squadron to gain fame and fortune.

Or perhaps they had accepted benefits from a rival of Jiu Defense, trying to turn a bicycle into a fighter jet.

The actual reason could be one or the other, or possibly both.

"This Hanuman Airborne Group is not that simple."

Chen Fei sharply sensed something unusual.

The constant targeting of the growing Jiu Defense wasn't the first or second time, making it hard not to think of 'conspiracy theories.'

"Exactly, there's something fishy!"

"Devil Pepper" Irinei Rusios heard Chen Fei's mutterings and immediately nodded.

An air service group that couldn't even be considered a full military contractor invited to the Abyss Coliseum certainly meant something was up.

"Farewell!"

With the goal of his visit accomplished, Hanuman's boss Laimen Hoffman bowed with a fist and palm salute and turned to leave with his group, not staying to snag a few more bitter words.