Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!

After thorough discussions within the team, the unanimous decision was to opt for the reliable "All-around Model" Mecha as the choice for the second battle.

Catherine raised no objections to the result.

In fact, regardless of whether they had chosen the airborne "Vanguard" or the flying "Sentinel," she would have remained indifferent.

There is no absolute right or wrong in such strategic selections, much like a game of rock-paper-scissors—attempting to dominate often entails the risk of being countered.

Indeed, when there is a disparity in frontal combat power, taking risks can often yield greater rewards.

The All-around Model mecha is undoubtedly stable and, even when facing "Sentinel" model mechas, can offer some resistance.

However, such a mediocre choice is doomed to never produce a miraculous victory.

Ultimately, it was clear that her teammates held neither high expectations for her nor greater hopes for achieving ultimate victory.

Avoiding radical choices, seeking not achievement but mediocrity, was likely their biggest pursuit at the moment.

Such a hidden mindset might even be something that they themselves failed to realize.

But it didn't matter—she and Bai E would be their backbone.

With one victory after another, perhaps they would eventually shift their mentality naturally.

Until then, it was up to them to adapt and reflect...

As the one-hour preparation time came to an end, an alert sounded in the Drop Pod.

The chosen warrior, bearing the blessings of all teammates, donned the outer protective suit resolutely and stepped out of the Drop Pod, heading toward one of the numerous parked mechas on the adjacent open space—

An identical "All-around Model" mecha as the one used in the previous match, named Singer.

The previous Singer that entered the competition was, of course, still lying in the maintenance hangar, far from being repaired in the brief hour provided.

Yet no participating faction would ever prepare just one mecha per type—a basic test of industrial capabilities required for any competing nation.

If the contestant ended up on the battlefield without a usable mecha... that country's defeat would be entirely predictable.

The mecha returned to the battlefield.

Two mechas, vastly different in size, moved slowly through a towering primeval jungle.

Even though both sides had advanced information on each other's vanguard positions, the fundamentals of concealment and scouting remained a head-to-head contest of skill.

An initial advantage from a single well-placed shot—even just one shot—could prove decisive.

Especially against a "Sentinel" model mecha with long-range sniping capabilities; the closer the encounter, the more significant the advantage gained.

The cautious exploration of teammates in the forest no doubt kept each Bauhinia soldier waiting in the rear on edge.

Based on the vanguard intelligence, this map's terrain inherently favored the "Sentinel" model mecha.

Their team had not chosen the countering aerial "Vanguard" model. If the opponent truly selected the "Sentinel" model, then the seeds of victory or defeat in this stealth phase of the search had already been planted, understandably raising concerns.

Yet, the things people worry about tend to unfold just as feared.

The audience, who could simultaneously see both sides' perspectives, watched as the red and blue markers representing the two mechas on the competition map slowly drew closer, their hearts racing.

It wasn't just the contestants who had vanguard intelligence and tactical analysts; some spectators outside also excelled in theoretical analysis.

The strengths and weaknesses of both sides' mecha selections had long been a hot topic displayed all over the live chat.

And now, it seemed the most concerning mecha choice scenario had indeed come to pass.

On a map most advantageous for long-range "Sentinel" model mechas, the enemy nation selected this model, while their own team seemed oblivious, advancing slowly through the forest as if entirely ignorant.

The enemy's "Sentinel" mecha advanced laterally for some distance before halting. It stood motionless like a spider weaving a web trap, quietly waiting for its prey to willingly step into the snare.

The stark contrast heightened anxiety over their own warrior's situation.

"Don't go—They've already set up a perfect sniping position!"

"What kind of decisions is their tactical analyst making? Isn't this obviously a sniper-favored terrain? Fine, being unfamiliar with the map in Match One was forgivable, but choosing 'All-around' for the second match—are they expecting the opponent to be mindlessly handing out free points?"

"Just stall them, don't go charging forward unnecessarily. On a map like this, 'Sentinel' needs to claim points to win. If they don't control the terrain, it's a loss for them too."

"How do you stall them? Let them calmly set up traps and deploy defensive gun emplacements to push forward?"

"Stop arguing! They're getting closer! Let's see if our player can respond!"

"..."

A frigid bullet emerged abruptly from deep shadows.

It tore through the air, carving a path of destruction, scattering endless fragments of leaves and broken branches.

Before catching sight of the enemy amidst the gloom of the forest, a single explosive armor-piercing round had already drilled fiercely into Singer's right arm.

Shattered steel fragments sprayed in all directions; only now did the mech pilot's expression turn to shock.

'Sniped!'

This was the first thought that surfaced in his mind.

'The damaged area is the left arm—the least critical for combat performance.'

'Judging by the impact force, the enemy is using the Thunder Dragon Empire's standard-issue weapon, Thunderbird. The Thunderbird's primary armament can fire every 2.7 seconds at its fastest. Two consecutive shots are required to penetrate the Class-A armor protecting the chest cavity.'

'Its attack power is not particularly strong, but the Thunderbird's defensive capabilities are above average. Engaging in long-range exchanges with it would put me at a disadvantage! Close combat is now completely off the table.'

Analyzing the incoming trajectory and assessing the impact damage instantly, the mech pilot formulated his next moves based on the available data.

'Boost the engine's power output, but only at decisive moments.'

'Discard all unnecessary weapon loads. Carry just a single alloy combat blade for close quarters—it will suffice!'

In the critical second he finalized his plan, numerous external weapon modules unlocked and were abandoned on the spot.

Many mid-range and short-range heat-based weapons were resolutely discarded as well, leaving only small-scale bombardment missiles capable of inflicting mild disruption at mid-to-long range for deployment at a pivotal moment.

'Charge!'

Through mental control, a volley of decoy flares erupted instantly around him, their dazzling light blinding vision sensors while guiding interference missile radars astray, granting Singer a shroud for its advance.

The one-armed mecha burst forward, emerging from the blinding light in a fearless dash toward its foe.

Then came another shot...

"Boom!"

From the icy void beyond the falling leaves, the barrel's tunnel exuded a chilling menace.

Just as Singer broke from the flares and interference, another shot from the heavy weapon struck. The already-damaged left arm shattered completely on impact...