Silicon Invasion

“Archer Three!”

Archer Three, like Warrior Seven, is a third-generation machine independently developed by HG. It's a basic humanoid weapon platform. Unlike Warrior Seven, which leans towards close combat, Archer, as the name suggests, focuses more on long-range support firepower.

In the early exploration of Maikan, humanity's gunpowder kinetic weapons performed poorly in the alien world, leading to the birth of mechs. However, in subsequent close-quarters combat, people discovered that ranged weapons could sometimes achieve miraculous results.

Thus, mechs began to be equipped with ranged weapons. However, long-range artillery like recoilless rifles were inherently heavy. Even as people continued to streamline them, removing many components originally intended to protect the user, their mass reached a bottleneck. Once that value was reached, unless humanity made new breakthroughs in materials science, it couldn't be reduced any further.

Heavy long-range weapons could sometimes become a burden, especially since silicon-based beasts were usually very agile. In close combat, even the slightest delay could lead to irreparable consequences.

Therefore, the Limei Federation was the first to propose the concept of long-range artillery mechs, and under this concept, developed the Eagle series. HG was not to be outdone and quickly launched the Archer series to compete with the Eagle series.

Archer Three is the third-generation version of this series after continuous improvement. It is 8.0 meters tall, with an unladen mass of 25.2 tons, and its armor, like the Eagle V, has 80mm of special metal armor.

As a relatively early third-generation machine, the differentiation between close combat and long-range artillery mechs was not as significant as imagined. The height was similar, and the mass differed by only a few tons, which meant that sometimes they could even fill in for each other's positions.

In fact, Luo Rui was more skilled at using Warrior Seven than Archer Three, but he was specially recruited into the school through the long-range artillery mech assessment. This point would eventually be exposed.

So, in order to avoid unnecessary trouble in the future, Luo Rui decided to be cautious and defeat his opponent with a long-range artillery mech.

“Young man, let us enter the novice tutorial together!”

Luo Rui frowned. Although he knew that the AI was only different in terms of voice packs, he always felt that the neutral voice made people feel more at ease.

The novice tutorial is the fastest way to understand an unfamiliar program. The school's simulation combat program probably took into account that students in related majors would have prior exposure to similar programs, so it thoughtfully included a skip option.

However, Luo Rui did not skip this process, but quickly scanned it. Afterwards, he discovered that, like a game with a private server, the student's simulation combat program was almost 99% identical to "Ace Pilot."

“Very good!”

Luo Rui nodded. This was the best outcome. There was no need to waste extra time adapting to new details. Perhaps this was also intentional on the part of GJ. The rumors that countries around the world were popularizing mech pilot operations through games or other virtual programs were not unfounded.

After familiarizing himself with the operation interface, he entered the actual combat phase. Unlike "Ace Pilot," where the virtual opponents were only different in terms of mechs, the school's simulation program could even choose silicon-based beasts as opponents.

Out of curiosity, Luo Rui chose a silicon-based beast as the simulated enemy. The battle loaded quickly, and Luo Rui discovered some more differences at this time.

In "Ace Pilot," after the battle loaded, the mechs would appear on a long electromagnetic catapult, which was very cool. You could even buy skins for this catapult.

The school's simulation program did not have this catapult, but only a simple fixed frame. In front was a door. When the countdown ended, the fixed frame released, the door opened, and you could walk out.

Luo Rui thought for a moment and felt that this might be to maximize realism. After all, electromagnetic catapults were common in TV and anime, but humanity still had some way to go before completing one.

The door opened. Although the opponent was a silicon-based beast, Luo Rui still performed a tactical dodge. At the same time, various observation devices began to work.

Temperature, wind force, and even humidity were all fed back onto the screen. The arena was still the familiar colosseum, and Luo Rui also saw his opponent this time.

Matching database...

Ulf, quantity: one.

The image of the silicon-based beast was very familiar, even too familiar, after all, this was the only silicon-based beast he had ever encountered at close range.

Ulf!

The opponent in the novice tutorial's combat exercise was actually Ulf!?

Luo Rui didn't know whether to say that Ulf's combat power was too weak, or the school's simulation program was too hellish. Luo Rui thought for a moment and felt it was the latter.

Although the combat power of a single Ulf was indeed worrying, that was relative to other silicon-based beasts. Ulf itself was a silicon-based beast with a threat level of D. If it was a pure novice who had just completed the novice tutorial, who only knew simple stretching exercises, and couldn't even walk properly, facing Ulf would be no different from delivering food.

For decades, humans, either actively or passively, have encountered a wide variety of silicon-based beasts. Through a systematic calculation formula, authoritative institutions have graded them one by one. This is the threat level.

Threat level is a concept proposed in recent years, and it is also the knowledge that Luo Rui learned in class this afternoon. Currently, there are six threat levels from A to F. Threat levels are divided into the concept of single and group. For example, Ulf has a single threat level of only D. But as the number increases, their threat level will continue to rise, even reaching A.

A level is a very remarkable level, but in terms of gold content, the gold content of group A level is slightly lower, after all, most silicon-based beasts can rely on the theoretical number to reach this threat level, even the weakest F-level mechanical bee is the same.

And the kind of silicon-based beast that can reach this level by its own strength is quite rare. The Sky Overlord that Luo Rui encountered before is a new member of them.

Ulf's virtual intelligence is very powerful, simulating Ulf's expression and reaction vividly. After walking out of the isolation door, it quickly left the spot and then vigilantly checked the surrounding situation.

The steel giant five hundred meters away in the arena without any obstructions was too conspicuous. Ulf let out a low growl, did not rush up immediately, but instead circled around the outer wall.

Luo Rui had some understanding, perhaps this novice challenge was not as hellish as imagined. Ulf was too cautious by nature, and its size and number were not dominant. If it was a mindless brute, the novice might have a hard time, but if it was simulated according to their personality, Ulf would probably not take the initiative to start a war. If there were no venue restrictions, they might have already run away.