Ironclad: How can hand-crafted knight belts not be considered genius?

[Jump!]

Authorize!

The electronic authentication sound effect rang out loudly!

As the key comes into contact with the unlock area of ​​the drive, a dazzling red light begins to flash at the core of the drive.

Mechanical locusts made of data jumped out of the actuator and hopped around Jiangning.

The violent tremors sent the automated soldiers surrounding Jiang Ning flying, knocking them to the ground.

Clara stared in disbelief at the scene before her that defied all reason.

Schwarz's computing core was operating at high speed, continuously analyzing the anomalies before him.

"Henshin!"

Jiang Ning raised his hand, and the key traced a green data stream across his chest before being inserted straight into the slot on the left side of the drive.

[Progrise! (Program upgrade!)]

The driver panel popped open automatically, and the data stream transformed into a black armor base. The giant mechanical locust leaped toward Jiang Ning, transforming into a green exoskeleton armor.

"Rising Hopper!"

"A Jump into the skys turns to a Rider Kick!

(A soaring leap, a knight's flying kick!)

Everything was accomplished in the blink of an eye.

Zero-One "High Leap Locust" stands tall and straight, with sharp, scarlet compound eyes and a data force field surrounding its body that enables high-speed calculations and high-frequency maneuvering.

"An unknown extra-domain maneuvering system has been detected."

The level of danger is being recalculated...

Schwarz's computing module flashed rapidly, and various data of 0 and 1 were being continuously recorded and analyzed.

"Nonsense!"

Jiang Ning's figure flashed, and he arrived in an instant.

A strong gust of wind struck from the side!

Jiang Ning sidestepped into Schwarz's right arm blind spot, his leg armor carrying immense force, delivering a precise, crisp, and swift high-speed kick.

boom--!

A dull, metallic crack exploded!

Schwarz's massive alloy body lurched violently, and fine cracks instantly appeared on the old outer armor, causing the pipes to vibrate and spill out large amounts of electrical sparks.

As the two forces collided, Schwarz's mechanical arm let out a mournful cry of unbearable strain.

Schwarz immediately retaliated, his other hand's heavy mechanical armor deforming and disintegrating, releasing a mechanical claw that flew towards Jiang Ning.

The mechanical claw hurtled through the air with a sharp sound as it tore through the wind and snow. Its alloy tip locked onto Jiang Ning's torso, and a purple gravitational magnetic field was generated between its palms.

Om-!

A light green flash of electricity crackled through the data.

Jiang Ning did not retreat or resist head-on; he merely took a half-step to the side, his body fitting perfectly into the gap at the edge of the mechanical claw's attack, shifting position almost like a blur.

The ferocious claw strike grazed the edge of the armor and missed, crashing heavily onto the frozen ground behind it.

The hard, frozen ground instantly cracked open, revealing spiderweb-like patterns, and shards of rock and ice flew everywhere.

Before the failed mechanical claw could be retrieved, Jiang Ning had already closed in on him.

This is the advantage of the Zero One Knight System – the moment you make a move, I can predict, dodge, and counterattack.

Without giving Schwarzro any chance to regroup and launch an offensive, Jiang Ning swung his arms rapidly, unleashing a barrage of high-frequency attacks on the gaps in Schwarzro's armor that had just been kicked open.

Each punch landed precisely on the cracks in the Schwarzkopf armor, the pipe joints, and the weak points in the power connection.

It wasn't a brute-force collision, but a targeted breach of the defenses after analysis by "Zeya's" computing power.

Schwarz's massive body trembled repeatedly, and the machine continuously emitted blinding sparks. The underlying computing power was interfered with by external forces, causing it to become disordered.

The core computing power has skyrocketed, but for "Zea" behind Zero One, it's nothing more than a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

For the first time, Schwarz's computational program, which had been running smoothly for centuries, was completely crushed in a battle of computing power.

—This battle is doomed to defeat!

Almost the instant he reached this conclusion, sparks of electricity began to emanate from Schwarzkopf's body.

The roar of machinery operating under overload reverberated throughout Schwarzkopf's body.

"The protocol operation has been approved."

Execute the ultimate annihilation mission—no cost whatsoever, wipe them out completely!

The load-bearing capacity of the body parts was completely eliminated from the calculations. After witnessing Jiang Ning's combat power, Schwarzro knew the dangers he posed.

If Jiang Ning's previous impression of him was that he was just an outsider with unknown information and purpose, and that he posed a high risk.

Therefore, Jiang Ning is now an uncontrollable super bomb, which could bring a devastating disaster to the entire Belleburg at any time!

Whether it's to protect Clara or to uphold the "protect Beloborg" command in the logic code, he must completely eliminate Jiang Ning here to prevent future troubles!

"Oh? It's turned red temperature?"

Jiang Ning chuckled lightly, his figure flashed, and he distanced himself from Schwarz, arriving on the snow a few meters away from Schwarz.

"Want to play a game of tag? I'll go with you!"

As he spoke, Jiang Ning raised his hand and pushed hard into the key in the driver slot.

"Rising-Impact!"

The fluorescent green data stream, mixed with dazzling electric light, gradually converged on Jiang Ning's legs.

Schwarz's crimson mechanical eye suddenly contracted, and the terminal processor's assessment of Jiang Ning's danger level had already exceeded the highest limit, reaching an unprecedented level.

All of Schwarz's energy was compressed and condensed at the cannon muzzle in his hand, and he gambled almost all of his body's power on this energy cannon shot.

He and Jiang Ning, one of them must die.

"Annihilate them—execute!"

The crimson light bloomed like a cross, and Jiang Ning slightly bent his knees, but the smile beneath the mask remained unwavering, his confidence undiminished.

Just before the energy cannon was about to strike Jiang Ning, a petite figure in red suddenly rushed between the two, spreading her arms to separate them.

"Stop hitting!...Brother Jiang Ning, Mr. Schwarz!"

Clara didn't understand! Why couldn't they sit down and talk it out? Why did they have to fight?

Clara's voice trembled uncontrollably, and crystal tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Potential dangers", "Storage instructions"...

These words were too abstract and unrealistic for this innocent and kind-hearted little girl from the lower class.

She didn't want to see two people who were good to her fighting, and she didn't want anyone to get hurt because of it.

The best solution she could think of was to stop them like this, since Mr. Schwarz would never hurt himself.

But Clara overlooked one thing.

Schwarzkopf's bombardment was fueled by all its energy, accumulated over half a day. How could it be so easy to withdraw?

While Jiang Ning was still in a daze, Schwarzro's hand cannon had already accumulated to its maximum energy limit.

A flash of red light, carrying the power to destroy everything, and the energy cannon shot rapidly toward the unsuspecting Clara.

Clara stared at the approaching red dot of light, her eyes wide with disbelief, but she could only watch helplessly as the energy cannon flew toward her.

Finally, the energy bomb exploded with a deafening roar, and the ever-expanding energy aftershocks, like a black hole, devoured everything around it, while the scarlet light illuminated most of the underground world.

Gravel flew everywhere, and the air fell into a deathly silence.

"I...killed Clara...?"

The red light emanating from the core of Schwarz's head dimmed involuntarily, as he struggled to accept his tragic reality.

But as the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, the figure in red still stood on the blank snow.

Clara's eyes were tightly closed, and her body was trembling uncontrollably, yet there wasn't a single sign of injury.

Conversely, a distant, abandoned mine was completely leveled, reduced to rubble and debris.

"Damn... you lump of iron, you really know how to cause me trouble..."

Jiang Ning's weary voice came from the other side, and the shimmering golden data stream gradually dissipated from his body.

The Zero One armor disintegrated automatically, and Jiang Ning knelt helplessly on the ground.

Having witnessed everything, Izzy rushed forward and helped Jiang Ning up from the ground.

Just now, at the critical moment...

Jiang Ning promptly withdrew his attack, removing the "Gaoyue Locust" key and replacing it with the "Shine Locust" key.

The near-light speed amplification allowed Jiang Ning to intercept the energy blast just as it was about to hit Clara, and, guided by "Zea," quickly teleported him to the deserted, abandoned mine.

Even so, the burden of the key and the intense mental stimulation left Jiang Ning completely drained. Leaning against Izzy, he barely managed to stand.

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