The Lightning Z Gundam faced a frontal assault from the 100mm "Fury" energy cannon mounted in the Raider Gundam's mouth, designed with the concept of the Multiple Phase Energy Cannon.
It must be said that the technicians of the Atlantic Federation's LOGOS in the Allied Forces were truly remarkable.
In such a limited space, they managed to install such a high-powered energy cannon comparable to a Beam Cannon.
Issues like heat dissipation and energy supply seemed nonexistent at this moment.
Meanwhile, the sides, top, and bottom of the Lightning Z Gundam were under attack from a set of 125mm "Ram Horn" twin-linked high-power long-range beam cannons equipped on Olga's Calamity Gundam.
As well as the 337mm "Road of the Dead" plasma piercing rocket launchers held in its hands, and the 115mm "Beetle Type-II" twin-linked Ram Horn Cannon Assault Shield System.
Plus the 580mm "Siren Beast" Multiple Phase Energy Cannon mounted at the center of its chest.
The only one that might be considered less impressive was Shani's Forbidden Gundam.
However, the massive, gleaming scythe it wielded was, even by the standards of this era.
A weapon sharp enough to split hairs, capable of cutting down one or two Gundams with ease.
Thus, the Lightning Z Gundam piloted by Wang Hu was trapped as if in a cage surrounded by sharp blades on all sides.
No matter which direction he turned, the three ace pilots were waiting, sharpening their blades.
Eager to claim Wang Hu's head and return for rewards.
Despite their usual bickering and insults, when it came to coordination in crucial moments.
Not a single extra word was needed—they naturally found their positions in team combat.
This seamless combination attack was far superior to the one led by Creuset with his four aces.
No wonder Kira had been at a disadvantage and brutally beaten when fighting them alone.
"Heh heh heh, die.The three aces were clearly satisfied with their tacit coordination.
Their eyes brimmed with pride, eagerly awaiting the downfall of Wang Hu.
The renowned and long-celebrated strongest Natural.
But how could Wang Hu possibly comply and meet his end here?
What seemed like an impenetrable cage always had its flaws.
The window to victory that ordinary people couldn't grasp, or even if they saw a glimmer of hope.
They couldn't seize it!
Yet Wang Hu firmly grasped the skirt of the Goddess of Victory, ready to lift it and explore what lay within.
Timing!
That was the key to victory.
Though the three aces' attacks seemed to cover every angle with flawless coordination.
Forging a path through impossible adversity.
Was precisely the brilliance that only an Ace like Wang Hu could achieve.
With just a quick glance, Wang Hu knew what he had to do.
Forward! Forward!
Only forward lay the way out.
The three aces' attacks arrived in sequence: first Clotho, then Olga, and finally Shani.
So, don't be intimidated by the terror before you. Just think calmly at the right moment.
There was truly only one opponent Wang Hu needed to confront!
The Lightning Zeta Gundam moved with astonishing speed, powered by the bio-computer installed by East Asian Alliance technicians within its frame.
Combined with Wang Hu's exceptional piloting skills and the Zeta Gundam's notoriously delicate skeleton that made maintenance crews grit their teeth, the cold mechanical humanoid weapon seemed to come alive, transforming into a genuine extension of its pilot!
Executing a gravity-defying backbend maneuver, the Lightning Zeta Gundam narrowly evaded the beam torrent spewed from Clotho's mouth.
Under the horrified gazes of the three enhanced pilots, Wang Hu breached the defenses and closed in on the exposed Raider Gundam.
"You bastard!"
No one had ever dodged his attack in such a manner before. Clotho couldn't comprehend where Wang Hu found the audacity to advance instead of retreating when faced with danger.
This defied humanity's instinctual fear of peril!
But seeing Wang Hu's rock-hard fist raised before him, Clotho didn't have Atlantic Federation time to ponder further.
He attempted to reactivate the energy cannon mounted on his mobile suit's mouth—the most lethal weapon at close range.
"BOOM!"
His plan was sound, but Wang Hu gave him no opportunity.
Burning with pent-up fury over the Atlantic Federation's meddling that caused countless unnecessary casualties among his East Asian Federation comrades, Wang Hu's straight punch landed on the Raider Gundam's mouth faster than Clotho could press the trigger.
Had the Raider Gundam been a living being, its yellowed teeth would have been sent flying everywhere.
Did you think Wang Hu was finished?
Of course not.
With savage force, he seized the Raider Gundam's left arm, gripping its joint and applying military combat techniques designed to disable human limbs. Though the Raider was a machine, its joints mirrored human anatomy—equally fragile compared to the resilient PS Armor protecting its exterior.
"I'll kill you, you bastard!"
Inside the cockpit, Clotho had just recovered from the impact of Wang Hu striking his mobile suit's face. The violent shaking nearly made him vomit, and when his vision cleared, he discovered one of his machine's arms hanging limp.
Roaring with rage, Clotho—a hardened veteran who survived the hellish enhanced human laboratories—swung his remaining functional right arm, bringing the wrecking ball weapon down toward Wang Hu.
"Clotho, you son of a bitch!"
Yet for the first time, Wang Hu—who never dodged and always advanced—chose to evade.
Remember the trio's coordinated attack earlier?
Wang Hu had exploited timing gaps, engaging head-on to make Olga miss completely.
But Shani, swooping from behind with his scythe, still had an opportunity with the Forbidden Gundam.
While Wang Hu was overwhelming the Raider Gundam, Shani's gleaming scythe silently reflected the Lightning Zeta Gundam's silhouette, thirsting to slice through Wang Hu's flesh.
Ultimately, Shani's scythe never reached its intended target.
Instead, it collided with his ally Clotho's wrecking ball—at the precise moment the blade should have cleaved through Wang Hu.
As if Wang Hu had eyes on the back of his head, the Lightning Z Gundam deftly dodged aside.
The next moment, the two junior aces' attacks—originally meant for Wang Hu—ended up violently colliding with each other instead.
Does this look familiar?
Of course it does, because it was a perfect reenactment of Clotho and Olga's initial assault.
The only difference was the players involved. This time, Wang Hu used Clotho and Shani...
To achieve the exact same outcome!
He accomplished what those two had attempted but failed to do!
"Get out of my way, Shani!"
Retracting his chain hammer, Clotho snarled at his comrade while quickly inspecting his weapon.
He discovered several spikes on the hammerhead had been sheared off by Shani's scythe.
Despite his hot-tempered and rough demeanor, Clotho unexpectedly proved to be someone who cherished his arms.
His heart aching but unable to truly turn against his teammate, Clotho glared around with tiger-like eyes searching for the culprit—Wang Hu.
Similarly, Shani's scythe hadn't fared much better than Clotho's hammer.
Examining the sawtooth-like gashes along his scythe's blade, Shani felt intensely bitter.
He too was determined to settle scores with Wang Hu. Never since his debut had he suffered such humiliation, and Shani simply couldn't swallow this disgrace.
So where was Wang Hu, now fresh in Shani and Clotho's minds?
The Calamity Gundam—covered in gun barrels—was unleashing frenzied attacks.
So consumed was Olga in his assault that he hadn't the mind to check on his comrades Shani and Clotho's situation.
"When did he get here?!"
For the first time realizing the limitations of human vision, Olga neither detected how Wang Hu had closed the distance...
Nor could he keep up with the attacking Wang Hu's movements.
Since his Calamity Gundam was purely designed for long-range firepower, the Atlantic Federation Army's LOGOS designers had chosen an extreme solution to maximize its artillery capabilities.
They hadn't even equipped the Calamity Gundam with a single Beam Saber!
This meant if the Calamity couldn't suppress enemies with ranged fire...
Once opponents closed in, it would be completely defenseless.
Normally, with Olga's skills paired with this machine...
Theoretically few could ever approach it, and even those capable pilots...
Would usually be intercepted by Olga's two teammates!
But now Wang Hu's slight maneuver had drawn both Clotho and Shani away from Olga's side.
Thus the Calamity Gundam met its tragedy—both shoulder-mounted cannons were severed by Wang Hu while dodging the Lightning Z Gundam's slashes.
Having them cut off was bad enough...
But more infuriatingly, Wang Hu casually caught the severed cannon barrels...
And proceeded to chase Olga while wielding them as weapons. Within mere blinks of an eye, before his two comrades could rush back to support...
Among the three proud Gundam creations of the Atlantic Federation Army, the Calamity became the first to be declared combat-ineffective.
With all its armaments destroyed—even the chest-mounted Scylla Multiple Phase Energy Cannon pierced through by Wang Hu's blade—
What could Olga possibly use to fight Wang Hu now?
His bare fists?
Witnessing their nominal leader's machine reduced to such pitiful state...
Neither Clotho nor Shani.
Their minds not yet addled by drugs, both felt a sense of unease.
They weren't afraid of ending up like Olga; in fact, it would be better if Olga died.
At least then, they wouldn't have to face the punishment from the blond man afterward, spared from that living hell of an existence.
What troubled them was that they could still personally help Olga find release.
But when their own time came, who would be there to help them?
Launch a kamikaze attack and pin their hopes on the enemy?
As Clotho and Shani were thinking this, Olga had the same thought.
So, without hesitation, he charged straight toward Wang Hu.
(End of Chapter)