20: Joint attack

Just as the small fleet of "Dark Destruction Legion" was wantonly clearing out the Galaxy Beast in the void.

Inside the Black Tide, a monster, fully 200 meters long and covered in thick scales, was rapidly approaching.

Its head was triangular, and its scarlet eyes flashed with a fierce, vicious light.

As its body twisted, it didn't appear clumsy in the slightest; like an agile fish, it wove wantonly through the black slime, getting closer and closer to the fleet.

This undisguised attack was quickly detected by the sensors on the main starship.

"Warning! Unknown creature detected approaching, energy peak exceeding 1000 crystals!"

"Warning! Detected..."

A sharp, blaring alarm sounded, and rapid red lights flashed on the indicator panel.

"It's here!"

Everyone's expression turned solemn.

An energy fluctuation exceeding 1000 crystals could only be a B-rank or higher Galaxy Beast.

"All railguns charge, target locked, prepare... fire!"

An Yu ordered without hesitation.

Over a dozen starships turned simultaneously, each piece of energy ore converting into kinetic energy, and a destructive power began to brew within the cold gun barrels.

"Hey, taste some of my power!"

A captain on a frigate flashed a hint of fanaticism in his eyes and slammed the fire button.

In an instant, terrifying energy beams shot simultaneously toward the rushing monster.

The opponent seemed to have no intention of dodging, stubbornly charging head-on through the cannon fire.

"Direct hit!"

A few crew members' eyes showed a hint of joy.

Generally speaking, weaker B-rank Galaxy Beasts cannot withstand a direct hit from railguns, and even the powerful ones would sustain significant damage.

If they didn't have to engage in close combat, that would obviously be for the best.

Boom!

One of the crystallizations of human civilization displayed its terror in this moment; the dense cannon fire destroyed everything in its path, and even the viscous Black Tide was cleared away for dozens of kilometers in an instant.

"Wrong, the energy peak hasn't weakened. Activate Ion Shield to maximum power, immediately!"

As the Commander, An Yu looked at the sensor data feedback, her expression changed instantly, and she immediately ordered through the communicator.

Almost simultaneously, a deep black ray appeared from the flames of the explosion, crossing the starry sky and striking directly at a frigate that couldn't dodge in time.

Bam!

The light blue Ion Shield flickered violently and dimmed, dense cracks beginning to spread, teetering on the brink of collapse.

"Warning! Shield depletion at 20%..."

"Warning! Shield depletion at 40%..."

"..."

The control console blared frantic alerts, finally stopping at 90%.

Although Zhang Huaiyuan's modifications to the shield were targeted against corrosive abilities, the sheer force of pure kinetic energy was already terrifying enough.

"Seventh Squad, please report your situation immediately, repeat, Seventh Squad..."

"Received, Commander. Seventh Squad is temporarily safe. Remaining shield energy is less than 10%, reboot will take thirty minutes, requesting support."

The Seventh Squad captain on the frigate caught his breath slightly and reported quickly.

"Adjust formation, frigates one through three are responsible for cover."

While adjusting the strategy, An Yu looked at the Galaxy Beast being focused by fire, her pupils constricting slightly.

"How is that possible!"

In the dissipating sparks, the 200-meter-long monster was almost completely unharmed. It curled its body, and its gray-silver scales flickered with a strange luster; aside from some scorch marks, there wasn't even any blood.

"To actually withstand the combined railgun fire of over a dozen starships—could it have already completed its evolution!"

Zhang Huaiyuan was equally shocked. He activated his ability again to look, but found that other data remained unchanged, only the original ability "Hard Armor" had changed to "Semi-Dragon Armor."

Its effect provided strong resistance to physical attacks while also offering slight resistance to special attacks.

"It still falls within the B-rank category, but it has already evolved somewhat. Can a mere B-rank Galaxy Beast withstand railguns... well, that makes sense... after all, the weapons and equipment used by these mercenary groups are obsolete models discarded by the Empire over a hundred years ago."

"It seems that once this is over, it's necessary to take another trip to the Imperial Mining Zone. Perhaps I can use my ability to steal some of the latest technology."

While Zhang Huaiyuan was deep in thought, An Yu made arrangements once again.

"This Galaxy Beast's scales have strong defensive capabilities; attack its abdomen and vital points. Aside from necessary personnel remaining behind, everyone else is to equip Titan II Mech and prepare for battle."

Titan II Mech belonged to an old model from 120 years ago in the Empire and was one of the mecha with the strongest frontal assault capabilities among widely circulated equipment. The entire "Dark Annihilation" had fewer than 300 of them.

Standing 17 meters tall, its surface defense alloy was half a meter thick, providing astonishing defensive power. It was also equipped with various powerful weapons, including high-penetration electric spikes capable of crushing G4-grade alloys, and five-meter-long kinetic cutting blades. An ordinary C-rank Galaxy Beast struck head-on would die on the spot.

Of course, the downside was that this mecha's transmission system was harder to control than the average model.

If the operator wasn't skilled enough or lacked sufficient physical fitness, it could easily become a clumsy target.

Following the order, the spaceship's hatch opened.

The two small nuclear reactors on the mecha let out a deafening roar, driving these war machines as they charged toward the B-rank Galaxy Beast, the "Bone-Eroding Giant Lizard".

"Roar..."

Seeing this, the "Bone-Eroding Giant Lizard's" scarlet eyes became even more frantic. It suddenly accelerated and whipped its tail; the thick tail moved with the speed of lightning, instantly striking the few Titan II Mech at the very front.

But the people of "Dark Destruction Legion" were experienced warriors. Seeing they had lost the initiative, they didn't retreat but advanced, gripping their kinetic cutting blades with both hands, reactors instantly set to maximum power, and struck with the force of a mountain-splitting blow!

Clang! Clang!

Amidst the clashing sounds of metal on metal, five Titan mecha were sent flying by the powerful impact.

However, the "Bone-Eroding Giant Lizard" also had a brief pause due to the inertia of the collision.

"Now is the time!"

Without needing to communicate, dozens of Titan II Mech quickly retracted their kinetic cutting blades, switched to pitch-black chains, and flung them violently toward the monster in the center, locking its thick limbs and restricting its movement.

"Well done!"

Meanwhile, An Yu activated "Wind Spirit Power," instantly accelerating to the optimal position, her hand-held, transcendentally-modified sniper rifle aiming at the creature's scarlet eyes.

A flash of heartache crossed her face. The next moment, a bullet shimmering with transcendent luster was chambered, and she lightly pulled the trigger.

Bang!

Amidst the crisp gunshot, a cyan trajectory instantly tore through the void.

The "Bone-Eroding Giant Lizard," restricted by the joint effort of dozens of Titan II Mech, only had time to lower its eyelids before hearing a faint sound of impact.

The bullet carrying the transcendent power easily pierced through its eyelid and exploded violently!

"It's over!"