Chapter 206: A Coordinated Barrage
Among the two Multi-legged Tanks, one was engaged in close combat with a Hidden Player, while the other maintained a cautious distance, observing the situation.
From the more distant Multi-legged Tank, a Communicator Android disembarked.
The Hidden Player seemed to be on guard, engaging in a tug-of-war with the Smasher it had grasped, yet it showed no significant movements.
However, this stalemate would not last long. The surrounding area was still under threat from Shadow Players, and the Mountain Boars showed no signs of stopping.
“Defense Officer, is everything alright?”
“…Ah, you’ve come down. Is everything fine over there?”
“No problems. There’s still one left.”
The Communicator Android rushed over to the defense team, who were hesitant to act.
“First, we need to buy some time.”
With those words, the Multi-legged Tank that had been on standby sprang into action. It secured the Smasher to both arms, positioning it like a spear as it charged forward.
“Regarding the earlier arrow attack, how many times can it be used?”
“Y-yeah. Probably two or three more times, depending on the person.”
The Hidden Player, clearly wary of the charge, released the Smasher it had been holding and dodged the incoming attack.
“I see. What’s the firing interval? Can we shoot consecutively?”
“The next shot? …Well, if we focus, we could manage one shot every ten seconds.”
The Strategic AI, Cosmos, sought input from the multiple Tactical AIs, Wederia, that were providing backup, exploring the possibilities for defeating the Hidden Player.
“If we can apply pressure to the barrier or Magic Barrier with blunt attacks or charges, and combine that with your penetration attacks, we might be able to temporarily dispel the Magic Barrier.”
The phenomenon of Pierce, a magical technique used by the hunters, was highly effective in achieving penetration.
How had the humans of this world countered the formidable threats that routinely equipped themselves with magical barriers? The answer lay in the technology of Magic.
Through various inquiries, it became clear that this magical technology had developed primarily for combating monsters. The Pierce technique likely targeted exceptionally tough and resilient monsters.
If we could somehow weaken or dispel that magical barrier, even the hunters might be able to land a hit.
If we had personnel skilled in Pierce specifically for combating Soul Butterflies, we could have countered effectively. However, the inability to deploy such personnel was precisely why assistance from the Paraiso was sought. Such is the way of things.
“Indeed. Even if we can’t defeat it outright, if we can make it perceive us as a threat, it might flee. Can we synchronize our timing?”
While discussions continued, the Multi-legged Tank was engaged in a fierce battle. The Hidden Player swiftly swayed to avoid a horizontal swing of the Smasher, while the other Multi-legged Tank leaped in to deflect the scythe attack.
Though the scythe appeared fragile, it withstood the impact of the metal Smasher without issue. Its resilience was impressive, supported by incredible strength.
“I need you to synchronize the approximate timing for the shots. We’ll handle the fine-tuning.”
“Right… That’s all we can do. I trust you. We can abandon the village, but we must protect the villagers.”
If we fail to repel the threat, it would likely turn into a retreat while protecting the villagers. It would be ideal to fortify the village, but if the Mountain Boars charged in, the village would be ravaged. A mere barrier would be of little consequence.
The only silver lining was that the roads were well-maintained. We could escape while being escorted by the Multi-legged Tanks, crammed into carts. Without the road’s upkeep, we would have had to flee on foot.
“If we can drive off the Hidden Player, evacuation should be safe. Now, let’s plan the attack—let’s say, three minutes from now. We’ll call in three of our troops. Let the countdown begin.”
“Hey, you all heard that! Make sure to synchronize perfectly! If there’s even a slight delay, the power will diminish drastically—do not be late!”
“Y-yes, understood!”
The strategy was set. The weapons to be used included the main cannon, secondary cannon, and anti-air gun of the Multi-legged Tanks. B, currently hunting Shadow Players atop a rocky outcrop, would also launch an attack at the same moment. Additionally, two Quad Missile Launchers equipped on the Multi-legged Tanks would be utilized. They would launch in ground mode, then synchronize in the air before diving in.
Four Communicator Androids, including one currently in the creation meeting, would use portable rocket launchers. The warheads would be anti-tank shells, with expectations for their penetration capabilities.
The Multi-legged Tank A leaped back significantly. Simultaneously, it fired its main cannon as a form of suppression. C continued to engage, pinning the Hidden Player in place.
The main cannon shell was blocked by the magical barrier, rendering it ineffective, but it could disrupt the enemy’s stance. Taking advantage of the opening created, A and B launched ground missiles from their missile launchers.
A total of 16 missiles were fired from the four Quad Missile Launchers. They spiraled in the air, gaining speed while synchronizing for their descent. Thanks to the accelerated dive from above, their entry speed surpassed the speed of sound.
All attacks would coincide with this missile strike. Immediately after, shots using Pierce would follow. If possible, we would unleash a barrage from the main and secondary cannons.
The two Multi-legged Tanks facing the Hidden Player maneuvered to funnel it toward the target location, ensuring it couldn’t make significant movements during the attack. Ideally, we wanted it to grasp the Smasher again, just like before.
“One minute until the attack. Initiating countdown.”
“Alright, prepare for firing!”
The Communicator Androids shouted as they readied their rocket launchers.
“57! 56! 55! …”
The hunters nocked their arrows.
“30! 29! 28!”
The safety mechanisms of the rocket launchers were disengaged. Above, missiles had accelerated to subsonic speeds, tracing circles in the sky.
“10! 9! 8!”
“Ready!”
The five hunters drew their bows. Simultaneously, they infused their arrows with the intent to pierce, channeling the power of Pierce.
“5! 4! 3!”
The missiles began their descent. The sound of the supersonic missiles echoed, but the noise would only reach them after the attack concluded.
Multi-legged Tank B temporarily halted its assault on the Shadow Player, aiming all its turrets at the Hidden Player.
“2! 1!”
“Fire!”
The arrows were released. Almost simultaneously, the four Communicator Androids pressed the launch buttons, igniting the rocket motors of the warheads. With a blast of backfire, the shells shot forth from the tubes.
Multi-legged Tank A swung down the Smasher while unleashing the main cannon, secondary cannon’s Gatling Guns, and anti-air laser guns at close range. C leaped back from the spot, simultaneously unleashing all its shells and laser fire.
Every attack struck the Hidden Player with precision, within a tenth of a second of the planned timing.
The impact of the Smasher.
The 16 missiles diving from above at supersonic speeds.
The main cannon shell launched at an initial speed of 5,000 m/s.
The bullets sprayed from six Gatling Guns, two per tank.
The anti-tank shells fired by the four Communicator Androids.
The intense heat rays from the laser guns.
All of these were thwarted by the shimmering magical barrier, yet the power of each attack was undeniable.
The timing of these attacks was slightly staggered, continuously applying pressure to the barrier.
And then, the main attack struck.
Pierce, consuming magic power, interfered with the phenomenon of “penetration.”
The first arrow was blocked by the still-effective magical barrier, losing its power. However, this created an opening.
A hole opened in the magical barrier.
Into this breach, four arrows with penetration attributes pierced through.
The Hidden Player’s outer skin was tough, but not enough to resist the force of Pierce. The arrowheads embedded themselves, breaking through and burrowing into its interior.
As if to add insult to injury, bullets from the Gatling Guns surged into the newly opened wound.
This all transpired in less than a second.
There was no way the main cannon could recharge in that brief moment.
The Hidden Player, surprised by the breach of its magical barrier and the injury to its internal organs, arched its back dramatically.
Approximately three seconds after the concentrated assault, the Multi-legged Tank fired its main cannon, but it was already neutralized by the recovered magical barrier.
However, perhaps realizing the threat posed by its opponents, the Hidden Player spread its wings wide and took flight, veering away from the village.
The hunters, their tension finally broken, collapsed to the ground.