Newcomer

Typhon

The front line of the Resistance's struggle against the IMC.

Chen Nuo looked at the Vanguard-class Titan (BT-7274) in front of him and let out a long sigh of relief. He took out a Titan battery from behind him, leaned forward, and installed it into the slot on BT's side.

As the battery power flowed in, BT seemed to come back to life.

The sound of metal turning echoed from various joints of its body, followed by a low AI mechanical voice.

"Power at two-thirds. Data core re-initializing. Visual systems—online."

However, as BT prepared to stand up, the damage from previous battles caused it to wobble, and it knelt back down again.

"Adjusting focal length."

The visual module in the center of the cockpit emitted a soft blue light, quietly gazing at Chen Nuo as if verifying his identity. After a moment, it asked calmly,

"Are you alright, Pilot?"

"How should I put it... I'm alive, so I guess that counts as alright."

Chen Nuo shrugged. Physical exhaustion was nothing compared to psychological fatigue; being alone on an alien planet facing the IMC's encirclement was a feeling you had to experience to understand.

"Introduce yourself. Let's get to know each other."

Although Chen Nuo had known BT for a long time, this was indeed their first formal meeting.

"I am BT-7274, a Vanguard-class Titan of the Resistance SRS Marauder Corps. You may call me BT."

"Hello, BT. I'm Nuo."

"My systems are restarting. Having three batteries would accelerate the process. I will wait here..."

Before BT could finish, Chen Nuo had already pulled out the remaining batteries and inserted them into its body.

Chen Nuo had collected all the titan batteries long ago and had even studied them for a while. Unfortunately, with his current level of technology, analyzing the structure of a Titan battery was still quite difficult.

The main issue was the lack of sufficient equipment support.

Even so, Chen Nuo had benefited greatly from studying the titan batteries.

"Accelerating restart. Please wait a moment."

BT corrected itself, and a hint of joy could be faintly felt through its otherwise emotionless voice.

"It's fine, I'm not in a hurry."

Chen Nuo sat down on a nearby rock.

No IMC soldiers came to disturb them; he had already cleared out all enemies within a radius of several kilometers.

The primitive terrain of this planet was very suitable for his solo operations.

Previously, IMC drones would circle overhead broadcasting messages, but after Chen Nuo shot down over a dozen of them in a row, they didn't dare to send drones so easily anymore.

After waiting for a while, BT completed its system restart and initiated self-repair functions.

BT contained nanomachines for body repair, and its key components were constructed with structures similar to memory metal.

It had been trying to repair itself before, but due to insufficient energy, even the AI had been forced into dormancy, causing the repair work to stop midway.

"Full power!"

BT shouted in its usual tone.

The repair power reached its limit. While no change could be seen on the surface-damaged alloy plates, the internal circuits and key components were rapidly mending.

This was enough for BT to stand up and take its XO-16 Chain Gun in hand. Standing nearly six meters tall, it truly lived up to the name of a titan, exuding an overwhelming sense of pressure.

"Pilot, a neural link must be established before we can continue."

BT crouched down and opened the cockpit, inviting him in.

"Please embark when ready."

Chen Nuo did not hesitate and stepped in. He was very familiar with the interior of the cockpit, as it was similar to the simulation pods he had used before.

Although he was just a rifleman, Chen Nuo had been a Pilot candidate in the past and had undergone the relevant training.

If nothing had gone wrong, Chen Nuo would have become a formal Pilot after a few more battles, though his titan certainly wouldn't have been BT. A Vanguard-class Titan wasn't something a rookie like him would normally get to Pilot.

Chen Nuo touched the cold, hard steel plates inside the cockpit before turning to sit in the Pilot's seat.

The hatch closed, and BT stood up, saying,

"Protocol 1: Link to Pilot."

"Establishing neural link..."

Chen Nuo's Pilot helmet began a wireless neural connection with BT. The sensation was somewhat like using a Braindance—his consciousness felt like it was detaching from his body.

"Neural link complete... Rifleman Chen Nuo, you are now confirmed as the acting Pilot of BT-7274."

This time, BT's voice echoed directly in Chen Nuo's mind.

"Protocol 2: Uphold the Mission."

"Pilot, we must uphold the mission. Orders are to resume Special Operation 217 and rendezvous with Major Anderson."

"Protocol 3: Protect the Pilot."

As the words fell, Chen Nuo's visual senses synchronized perfectly with BT. The cramped, enclosed feeling of the cockpit vanished, and the view outside began to present itself clearly.

"Check and confirm all weapons and equipment."

Chen Nuo moved BT's body, familiarizing himself with this steel frame.

Whether it was because his neural link with BT was too perfect or because of Chen Nuo's own exceptional talent, there was none of the neural blocking or poor synchronization his instructors used to talk about.

"Checking... Vortex Shield is in good condition and functional... Rocket pod is operational... Primary weapon control link re-established..."

However, the signal fluctuations from BT's activation caught the IMC's attention. A Brute Titan was being deployed from orbit to investigate the source of the signal.

"Detecting enemy titan signal."

BT's warning voice sounded.

Chen Nuo had expected this. To break through the IMC blockade, facing an enemy titan was only a matter of time.

"It's time for revenge, isn't it, BT?"

"Revenge refers to the act of retaliation against a person or group that has previously caused harm. By that definition, Pilot, you are correct."

BT remembered being surrounded and losing its previous Pilot. The titan's core began to heat up instinctively.

Chen Nuo walked along the stream toward the source of the enemy signal.

Before long, a sonic boom echoed from the sky.

An IMC Brute Titan descended from above.

"Resistance titan detected..."

The IMC Pilot was about to report to superiors when eight rockets roared toward him. He quickly shut his mouth and activated his shield to defend.

However, his reaction was a bit slow. The shield only caught half of the rockets; the rest slammed into the Brute Titan's energy field, instantly draining its defensive capacity.

It would take over ten seconds to recharge.

But Chen Nuo clearly wouldn't give him that chance. He dashed forward and tackled the Brute Titan to the ground.

The 40mm cannon, with a barrel larger than an adult's head, was aimed at the cockpit. Amidst the IMC Pilot's terrified screams, the rounds tore through the armor, crushing the Pilot inside into a mess of flesh and blood.

The entire combat process was smooth and seamless.

It was impossible to imagine that this was Chen Nuo's first time piloting.

"Enemy titan down. Well done. Our combat efficiency rating has increased."

BT clearly hadn't expected that Chen Nuo could dispatch an enemy titan so easily on their first time working together. This was nothing like a mere rifleman.

However, taking down one enemy titan was merely the beginning of this war. BT could detect signals from more enemy recovery units heading their way.

"Pilot, we need to rendezvous with Major Anderson as soon as possible. It is our only chance of survival."

BT marked Major Anderson's location, which was over a hundred kilometers away.

"Understood. Proceed according to protocol. You take over for now; I need to catch some sleep."

Chen Nuo hadn't had a proper rest in days. With BT here now, he could finally feel at ease.

"Copy that, Pilot. Transferring controls."

BT scanned the nearby signals and confirmed there would be no enemies for a short while.

Chen Nuo closed his eyes, and his consciousness sank into the Pure White Space.

With a major battle ahead, he wanted to see if there was a powerful version of himself he could rely on.

Time flowed differently for the Chen Nuos of different worlds, but miraculously, they could always gather together.

"A newcomer is finally here!"

Titan Chen Nuo looked at the Chen Nuo dressed as a knight in front of him and pounced impatiently. But soon, after absorbing all the memories, he pushed the Chen Nuo in his arms away with a look of disgust.

Tsk, another weakling. When will I ever become a Deus Ex Machina and crush an asteroid with one hand?

"Hey, that's uncalled for. I'm not that bad. At least I have potential for growth. You need to take the long view and not be so short-sighted, okay? One day when I become a god..."

The Chen Nuo from the Goblin Slayer world was a bit displeased and put his arm around Titan Chen Nuo's shoulder.

"When you become a god, can you survive a shot from a Planet-Killer Cannon?"

"...Mine is a fantasy world, it's about willpower."

"You know that, then. Even if you become a god, how much power can you actually give me under the conflict of different world rules? And how long will it take for you to reach godhood anyway!"

Titan Chen Nuo said irritably.

This Goblin Slayer Chen Nuo was even worse than Cyber Chen Nuo. After all, their worldviews were similar, and much technical knowledge was transferable.

All Goblin Slayer Chen Nuo could bring him was a body that was slightly stronger than an average adult's.

Ever since Goblin Slayer Chen Nuo realized what kind of world he was in, he had been consciously training his body.

There were results; after all, his world contained supernatural factors, so even for an ordinary person, the physical limit was higher than in other worlds.

But it was still only slightly higher than a normal adult's.

After all, Goblin Slayer Chen Nuo had limited talent and resources, and he hadn't undergone systematic professional training. He had only learned a bit of Breathing Style and some swordsmanship through his status and connections.

With this level of strength, by the usual standards of the Goblin Slayer world, he was only at the level of a rookie Porcelain rank.

But things were different now. With the power of four Chen Nuos combined, Goblin Slayer Chen Nuo's talent and aptitude had quadrupled. Given a little time to develop, his strength would undergo a heaven-defying transformation.

However, in that world dominated by gods, being too strong wasn't necessarily a good thing.

If you attracted the attention of the gods and they rolled a "Critical Failure" destiny die for you, you'd end up like the Sword Maiden—captured by a Goblin's sneak attack and tortured for three days.

But if you didn't have strength, your end wouldn't be much better either.

The Goblin Slayer world was not a peaceful place.

The noble estate where Goblin Slayer Chen Nuo lived had already been harassed by monsters over a dozen times this year, resulting in the deaths of several guards.

When Goblin Slayer Chen Nuo turned sixteen next year, he would have to fill one of those vacancies.

"Alright, enough of that. It's just you left."

Cyber Chen Nuo raised his hand. Titan Chen Nuo stepped forward and high-fived him, completing the synchronization, and then immediately went offline... Night City.

When he opened his eyes again, Chen Nuo saw a bulge under the blanket and said somewhat helplessly,

"Stop it, Lucy."

"..."

After some tossing and turning, Lucy lay exhausted in the bathtub, chatting with Kiwi. She learned from her that Sasha had rejoined the team. Lucy was quite concerned about her.

It was a woman's intuition.

After showering and changing into fresh clothes, Chen Nuo was browsing the messages sent by Sasha.

The plan was proceeding smoothly.

Information about the Project Cyberskeleton cybernetic implants developed by Arasaka Corporation had been transmitted to Militech through cyberspace.

Chen Nuo had two reasons for choosing Sasha to help.

First, she had been relatively free lately. Having her help with something was better than her sending private photos to Chen Nuo every day.

Chen Nuo was certainly happy to admire beautiful photos, but since Lucy had been a bit sensitive lately, it was better to slow down for now.

Second, Sasha's hacking skills were excellent, and she was more adept at handling corporate-related business. Also, her background was cleaner than Lucy's, so there was less worry about causing a chain of trouble.

Militech moved quickly. Based on the Fixers Sasha was monitoring, it was estimated that the corporation had already begun contacting them.

After all, it concerned their arch-rival, Arasaka Corporation. Having suffered a strike from them not long ago where a newly developed prototype was stolen, Militech was eager to settle the score.

(Focus on Faraday. The other Fixers probably don't have the guts to get involved in a fight between two corporations.)

Chen Nuo sent a message back to Sasha.

And indeed, only a Fixer like Faraday—greedy, short-sighted, and lacking a sense of the big picture—would choose to accept such a commission from Militech at any cost.

(Faraday? Maine has been getting along quite well with him lately and has taken many of his commissions. Could it be...)

Sasha trusted Chen Nuo's judgment, which made her even more worried.

She didn't want Maine's crew to get dragged into this when the time came.

(Hard to say. Just keep a close eye on him so you don't get sold out by Faraday.)

(Would you have the heart to watch me get sold out?)

(Of course not. You're the little cat I rescued.)

Chen Nuo caught Sasha's direct flirtation and tossed it right back into her heart, making her heart flutter. She smiled so happily her eyes curved, leaving Rebecca nearby looking completely bewildered.

Maine, sitting opposite them, sensed the scent of spring and gave a motherly smile, though on his rugged, large black face, it was actually a bit of an eyesore.

(Hmph, don't forget you still owe me my reward.)

(I remember.)

Chen Nuo replied. He certainly wouldn't let Sasha work for nothing, but this Miss Kitty refused to take money, which was a bit of a headache. Debts of gratitude were the hardest to repay.

Maybe he should just give himself to her as payment, hehe.

"Nuo!"

Lucy's voice came from the bathroom, giving Chen Nuo a start.

"Come here and help me dry my hair."

"Coming!"

Chen Nuo took a deep breath to calm down. He was scaring himself over nothing.