99: A deafening roar shook the wasteland; a colossal beast's rampage shattered the test.

Chapter One Hundred and Two: The Apocalypse Roars Across the Wasteland, Giant Beasts Launch a Fierce Raid on the Test

Early the next morning, at the wasteland testing grounds west of Dawn City, the morning mist had not yet fully dissipated before it was torn asunder by the roar of a torrent of steel.

Several falcon fighter jets streaked by at low altitude, carving out a security perimeter above the testing grounds. On the ground, dozens of Magneto Shock Trooper armored vehicles were deployed in a fan shape, their muzzles aimed at the surrounding wilderness. Inside a temporary observation deck, researchers stared intently at various data monitoring instruments, their fingers tapping rapidly across keyboards.

Dressed in military green fatigues, Lin Zhou stood at the very front of the observation deck, his gaze falling upon the behemoth in the center of the testing grounds—the apocalypse tank prototype.

The chassis was crafted entirely from Vibranium Alloy, appearing dark gray with heavy armor plates covered in streamlined anti-slip patterns. On the turret, twin-linked magnetic storm main cannons resembled the fangs of a giant beast, their muzzles flickering with pale blue electrical arcs. On either side of the hull, the barrels of Laser Anti-Aircraft Guns rotated slowly, remaining vigilant against aerial threats. All-Terrain Tracks crushed the ground, leaving deep ruts in the wasteland and exuding an overbearing aura of total domination.

"Commander, all systems of the apocalypse tank prototype have been debugged, energy is at 100% charge, requesting to begin live-fire testing!" the voice of the Test Commander came through the communicator.

Lin Zhou raised his hand and said in a deep voice, "Commence testing. First round: test-fire the magnetic storm main cannons. Target—the reinforced concrete markers three kilometers away!"

"Received! Charging magnetic storm main cannons, preparing to fire!"

The apocalypse tank's turret rotated slowly, aligning the twin-linked main guns with the distant targets. The blue current at the muzzles suddenly surged, emitting a 'sizzling' sound as if thunder were brewing within.

"Fire!"

With the command given, two thick beams of magneto energy surged from the muzzles like dragons, tearing through the air and slamming into the targets with world-destroying power.

"Boom—!"

The violent explosion was deafening, and billowing thick smoke rose into the sky. When the dust cleared and everyone saw the state of the target area, they all sucked in a breath of cold air—the reinforced concrete target, originally ten meters thick, had been blasted into a massive crater twenty meters in diameter. The steel and concrete within the crater walls had been completely melted by the high temperature, turning into glass-like residue.

"The power of the magnetic storm main cannons exceeds expectations! A single shot is equivalent to ten heavy armor-piercing shells; a twin-linked volley can penetrate the shells of all active Mutants and military fortifications!" the Research Team Leader shouted excitedly, his voice trembling.

Lin Zhou nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. "Second round of testing: Laser Anti-Aircraft Guns. Target—the aerial drone swarm!"

The order was given, and the Laser Anti-Aircraft Guns on both sides of the apocalypse tank activated simultaneously. Several red laser beams shot into the sky like sharp swords, instantly locking onto twenty high-speed drone targets.

"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—!"

The laser beams hit their marks with precision, and the drone targets exploded one after another, turning into balls of fire in the sky. Not a single one escaped the lock-on.

"The Laser Anti-Aircraft Gun multi-target locking system is operating normally. It can attack ten aerial targets simultaneously with a fire rate of three times per second!"

Thunderous applause erupted in the observation deck. The researchers embraced in celebration; three years of hard work had finally borne fruit at this moment.

Lin Zhou was just about to order the third round of all-terrain driving tests when the emergency alarm from the skynet satellite suddenly blared in the command channel:

"Commander! A large-scale abnormal energy reaction has been detected fifty kilometers southeast of the testing grounds. It is suspected to be a swarm of Deep-Sea Behemoths from the Skeleton Serpent! Count—three! They are approaching the testing grounds at high speed!"

Lin Zhou's expression changed abruptly, and he snapped his gaze toward the radar screen. On the screen, three massive red dots were moving rapidly. Wherever they passed, swarms of Mutants on the ground fled in all directions, as if encountering apex predators.

"Damn it! The Skeleton Serpent actually has its sights on our testing grounds!" Chen Hao's voice came through the communicator, laced with fury. "The Eastern Army Group's fighter wings have taken off for support and are expected to arrive in ten minutes!"

"There's no time." Lin Zhou clenched his fists, his gaze falling back onto the apocalypse tank, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes. "Notify all personnel at the testing grounds to enter defensive fortifications immediately! apocalypse tank, engage the enemy! I want to see if this steel beast can tear apart the deep-sea monsters of the Skeleton Serpent!"

Receiving the order, the driver did not hesitate to steer the apocalypse tank toward the direction of the approaching Deep-Sea Behemoths. The tracks ground over the wasteland, emitting a sky-shaking roar like an awakening steel monster.

A few minutes later, three massive black shadows appeared on the horizon.

Leading them was a Deep-Sea Giant Octopus thirty meters long, with hundreds of thick tentacles flailing like steel whips; the suckers on its tentacles could easily tear through steel. To the left was a Lava Demon Fish, its body covered in magma-like scales, constantly spitting high-temperature fireballs. To the right was an Iron-armored Sea Lizard, its hard shell as tough as a heavy tank's armor, and the sharp claws on its limbs could easily rip through rock.

"Roar—!"

The three Deep-Sea Behemoths let out deafening roars upon seeing the apocalypse tank and charged simultaneously.

The Deep-Sea Giant Octopus's tentacles struck first, lashing out at the apocalypse tank like several bolts of black lightning.

"magnetic storm main cannons, aim for the Deep-Sea Giant Octopus's head! Fire!" Lin Zhou issued the command through the communicator.

The apocalypse tank's turret rotated rapidly, and the twin-linked magnetic storm main cannons glowed blue once more. Two energy beams struck the Deep-Sea Giant Octopus's head with precision, the massive impact flipping it onto the ground. The soft flesh of its head was charred black by the current, emitting bursts of pungent burning odor.

Seeing this, the Lava Demon Fish spat out several fireballs, hurling them toward the apocalypse tank.

"Laser Anti-Aircraft Guns, intercept!"

Red laser beams instantly shot toward the fireballs, shattering them one by one. At the same time, the apocalypse tank's tracks suddenly accelerated, ramming toward the Iron-armored Sea Lizard.

"Bang—!"

With a loud crash, the apocalypse tank hit as if striking a giant boulder. The Iron-armored Sea Lizard was knocked back repeatedly, and a crack was actually smashed into its outer shell.

"Now! magnetic storm main cannons, attack the crack on the Iron-armored Sea Lizard!"

Two magneto energy beams shot out again, drilling precisely into the crack. The Iron-armored Sea Lizard let out a shrill scream of agony as its massive body crashed to the ground, its internal organs beneath the shell completely destroyed by the current.

Seeing their companion's miserable death, the Deep-Sea Giant Octopus and the Lava Demon Fish became even more frenzied. The Deep-Sea Giant Octopus's tentacles wrapped around the apocalypse tank's turret, attempting to flip it over, while the Lava Demon Fish circled to the rear, constantly spitting fireballs to attack the tracks.

The apocalypse tank's driver remained calm in the face of danger and activated the Magneto Shield. A pale blue energy barrier enveloped the hull. The Deep-Sea Giant Octopus's tentacles were instantly repelled by the current upon touching the shield, and the Lava Demon Fish's fireballs were also blocked outside, unable to cause the slightest damage.

"Rotate the turret, finish off the Lava Demon Fish!"

The apocalypse tank's turret forcibly broke free from the entanglement of the tentacles, and the magnetic storm main cannons aimed at the Lava Demon Fish's belly—its weak point. Two energy beams shot out, blasting a large hole in the Lava Demon Fish's abdomen. Magma-like blood gushed out, and it soon fell silent.

Seeing the situation turn dire, the remaining Deep-Sea Giant Octopus tried to turn around and flee.

"Trying to run? Too late!"

Lin Zhou barked coldly. The apocalypse tank's Laser Anti-Aircraft Guns changed direction, and several laser beams shot toward the Deep-Sea Giant Octopus's tentacles, severing them one by one. The magnetic storm main cannons then delivered the fatal blow, completely ending its life.

When the Eastern Army Group's fighter wings arrived, only the corpses of the three Deep-Sea Behemoths and the proudly standing apocalypse tank remained at the testing grounds.

Lin Zhou walked down from the observation deck to the side of the apocalypse tank, gently stroking the cold armor plating. This sudden attack, far from ruining the test, had become the most perfect combat validation for the apocalypse tank.

"Pass down my order: the apocalypse tank is to enter mass production immediately! Within three months, form the first Apocalypse Tank Division!"

Meanwhile, in an undersea base deep in the Pacific Ocean, Candle Dragon watched the footage of the three Deep-Sea Behemoths being destroyed on the screen and violently smashed the wine glass in his hand.

"apocalypse tank..." His voice was full of resentment and anger. "Lin Zhou, you think this can stop me? I want to see if your apocalypse tank can withstand the wrath of the 'Lord of the Abyss'!"

He turned and pressed a red button. Deep within the base, a massive incubation chamber slowly opened. Inside, a behemoth whose size far exceeded all previous giant beasts slowly opened its crimson eyes.