Episode 206: Simultaneous Fire
Of the two Multi-legged Tanks, one was engaged in close combat with the Hidden Player.
The other was observing the situation from a slight distance to provide support.
From the Multi-legged Tank that was further away, a Communicator Doll disembarked.
The Hidden Player, perhaps wary, hadn’t made any significant moves, though it maintained a tug-of-war using the Smasher it held.
However, this stalemate wouldn’t last long.
Shadow Players were still infiltrating the area, and the Mountain Boars showed no signs of stopping.
“Defense Officer-dono, may I have a moment?”
“…Ah, you’ve come down. Is everything alright over there?”
“No problem. There’s still one more.”
The Communicator Doll approached the defense force, who were hesitant to act, and addressed them.
“First, we need to buy time.”
With those words, the Multi-legged Tank in standby mode began to move.
It fixed the equipped Smasher to both arms, assumed a thrusting stance, and charged.
“That bow and arrow attack you used earlier, can it be used multiple times?”
“Ah, yes. Probably two or three more times, depending on the person.”
The Hidden Player, as expected, seemed to dislike the body blow, releasing the Smasher it had been holding to evade the charge.
“I see. What’s the firing interval? Is it possible to fire continuously?”
“The next shot? Well… if I focus, I can manage one shot every 10 seconds.”
Strategic AI ＜Cosmos＞ consulted with multiple Tactical AIs of the ＜Wedelia＞ class, exploring the possibility of defeating the Hidden Player.
“Apply pressure to the Barrier, the Magic Barrier, with striking attacks or body blows. If we can coordinate your Pierce attacks with that, we might be able to temporarily eliminate the Magic Barrier.”
In the phenomenon of ＜Pierce＞, the magical technique called Pierce used by these hunters was extremely effective.
How did the people of this world confront threats that were equipped with Magic Barriers as a matter of course?
The answer was the technological system known as ＜Magic＞.
Through interviews and investigations, it became clear that this magic technology had developed in response to Monsters.
The Pierce magical technique was likely aimed at extremely hard and sturdy Monsters.
If they could somehow weaken or eliminate that Magic Barrier, even the hunters might be able to land an attack.
Incidentally, if the personnel who specialized in Pierce for dealing with Soul Butterflies had been available, they could have countered the threat.
However, because those personnel couldn’t be deployed, ＜Paraiso＞’s assistance was requested. Such is the way of things.
“I see. Even if we don’t defeat it, if we can make it perceive us as a threat, it might run away. Can you coordinate the timing?”
Even during the discussion, the Multi-legged Tank was putting on a grand performance.
The Hidden Player swiftly swayed to avoid the horizontal sweep of the Smasher. The other Multi-legged Tank jumped in to deflect the scythe attack launched without a moment’s delay.
The scythe might look fragile, but it withstood direct hits from the metal Smasher without issue.
Its toughness was impressive, but so was the strength supporting it.
“Please coordinate the approximate firing timing on your end. We’ll make the fine adjustments.”
“I see… Is that all we can do? Ah, I believe in you. We can abandon the village, but we must protect the villagers.”
If they failed to repel the enemy, they would have to conduct a fighting retreat while protecting the villagers.
It would be ideal to hold the village, but if those Mountain Boars charged in, the village would be trampled. A few barriers wouldn’t stop them.
The only saving grace was that the road was well-maintained.
They could pack the villagers into wagons and escape, escorted by the Multi-legged Tanks.
If the road hadn’t been maintained, they would have had to move on foot.
“If we can defeat the Hidden Player, the evacuation will be safer. So, the attack will be—let’s say, in three minutes. We’ll also call in about three of our soldiers. Let the countdown begin.”
“You all heard that! Coordinate the timing perfectly! If you’re even slightly off, the power will be drastically reduced. Don’t be late!”
“Y-yes, sir!”
The plan was set.
The weapons to be used were the Multi-legged Tank’s main Cannon, sub-Cannon, and all anti-air Cannons. B (Beta), who was currently hunting Shadow Players on the rocky mountain, would also attack at the same time.
Furthermore, they would use the two 4-連ミサイルランチャー equipped on the Multi-legged Tank. They would launch them in anti-ground mode, and after coordinating the timing in the air, they would have them dive down.
Three Communicator Dolls, including the one being created in the meeting, for a total of four, would use their personal portable rocket launchers.
The warheads would be anti-tank Grenades, hoping for Penetration power.
Multi-legged Tank A (Alpha) leaped backward significantly. At the same time, it fired its main Cannon to provide support.
C (Gamma) continued the engagement as is, pinning the Hidden Player in place.
The Cannon Shell was blocked by the Magic Barrier and didn’t have any effect, but it could disrupt the enemy’s stance.
Using the opening created, A (Alpha) and B (Beta) launched anti-ground missiles from their missile launchers.
A total of 16 missiles were launched from the four 4-連ミサイルランチャー. These would circle in the air to gain speed and then dive down in sync.
Due to the accelerating descent from above, their impact speed would exceed the speed of sound.
All attacks would be timed to coincide with this missile strike.
Immediately after that, a Pierce shot.
If possible, a follow-up with rapid-fire from the main and sub-Cannons.
The two Multi-legged Tanks facing the Hidden Player used the surrounding obstacles to drive it toward the target point.
They needed to prevent it from moving its body significantly at the time of the attack.
If possible, they wanted it to grab the Smasher again, as it had done before.
“One minute until the attack. Starting the countdown.”
“Alright, prepare to fire!”
The Communicator Doll shouted while holding the rocket launcher.
“57! 56! 55!…”
The hunters nocked their arrows.
“30! 29! 28!”
The rocket launcher’s safety was released.
In the sky, the missiles accelerated to subsonic speeds, drawing circles.
“10! 9! 8!”
“Take aim!”
The five hunters drew their bows.
At the same time, they placed Pierce on the arrows, pouring their will to Pierce into them.
“5! 4! 3!”
The missiles descended.
The group of missiles that broke the sound barrier resounded with a roar, but that sound would only arrive after the attack was over.
Multi-legged Tank B (Beta) also temporarily ceased its attack on the Shadow Players.
All of its Turrets were aimed at the Hidden Player.
“2! 1!”
“Fire!”
The arrows were released.
Almost simultaneously, the four Communicator Dolls pressed the launch buttons, igniting the rocket motors of the warheads. Releasing backblasts, the Grenades shot out of the tubes.
Multi-legged Tank A (Alpha), while swinging the Smasher, fired its main Cannon, the Gatling Cannons of the sub-Cannon, and the anti-air laser Cannons at close range.
C (Gamma) jumped backward from its position, simultaneously unleashing all of its Cannon Shells and laser Cannons.
All attacks struck the Hidden Player at the planned time, with no more than a tenth of a second’s deviation.
The impact of the slammed-down Smasher.
Sixteen missiles diving from above at supersonic speed.
The main Cannon Shells fired at an initial velocity of 5,000 m/s.
The bullets sprayed by a total of six Gatling Cannons, two per Multi-legged Tank.
The anti-tank Grenades fired by the four Communicator Dolls.
The high-temperature heat rays from the laser Cannons.
Everything was blocked by the shining Magic Barrier, but the power of each attack was guaranteed.
Those attacks slightly staggered the timing of their impacts. This applied continuous pressure to the Barrier.
And then, the main attack pierced through.
Pierce interfered with the phenomenon to “Pierce” itself, consuming Magical Power.
The first arrow was blocked by the still-effective Magic Barrier and lost its power.
But that opened the way.
A hole opens in the Magic Barrier.
Four arrows with the Penetration attribute pierce through it.
The Hidden Player’s carapace is tough, but not enough to resist Pierce.
The arrowheads pierce the carapace, break through, and dig into the body.
As if to add insult to injury, Gatling gun bullets fly into the wounds that were opened.
It all happens in less than a second.
Naturally, the main Cannon cannot be reloaded in that time.
The Hidden Player, perhaps surprised that its Magic Barrier was broken and its internal organs were damaged, leaned back greatly.
Approximately three seconds after the direct hit of the concentrated attack.
The Multi-legged Tank fires its main Cannon, but it is neutralized by the already recovered Magic Barrier.
However, perhaps realizing that its opponent is a threat.
The Hidden Player spreads its wings on its back with a rustle and flies off in a direction that bypasses the village.
The hunters, their tension released, collapsed on the spot.