Ark Chess Player.

Mr. Lin is not skilled with a sword.

It's because he has something he's better at.

Broadsword technique, a targeted personnel-killing sword technique with a fan-shaped range of 60 degrees, a kill radius of 25 meters, and a maximum range of nearly 100 meters.

Like harvesting wheat, a clear zone was swiftly cleared in front of him. The Reunion Movement's thugs lay dead and wounded, howling in pain.

Lin Lu held the bare hilt of the sword to his forehead, paying homage to the weapon, and placed it beside the lumberjack's corpse.

"Monster, monster!!"

During the unrest and the unification movement, people were shouting and yelling.

At first, Lin Lu thought someone was cursing him, until he heard a buzzing noise and new data coming from the data-driven spiritual domain.

The Yokai MKII drone is equipped with a small, fireable gun and a remotely controlled casting unit. It is quite lightweight and sturdy, and can withstand a significant amount of Originium Arts, classifying it as a two-star danger. While it may not cause substantial damage to armored individuals, it still poses a considerable threat to ordinary personnel.

Eight quadruple-winged, armored, coated drones took off, their black barrels aimed at Lin Lü, and their red signal lights flashing.

"Why does the Reunion Movement have such good equipment?!"

Hoshiguma gasped, increasingly confused by the things that were happening around her.

Rhodes Island is a pharmaceutical company, yet it has the option of providing military support in trade cooperation.

Claiming to be an advisor and doctor of Rhodes Island, he possesses extraordinary strength and judgment, and is tactically no less capable than Chen, the leader of the Lungmen Special Inspectorate.

The Reunion Movement, once a completely ineffective underground organization, can now easily deploy hundreds of armed personnel. Judging from their armor and weaponry, it seems they have a stable organization providing them with the necessary military resources. Where did they obtain this sophisticated equipment...?

"Doc, be careful."

Klose's attention immediately shifted; she reloaded her crossbow and fired at the drone in the distance.

But what Kroos didn't expect was that the sorcerer hiding in the shadows had been waiting for her, just waiting for the moment she peeked out.

Eight Yokai drones, combined with the simultaneous fire of the Stealth Mage, forced Kroos to abandon aiming and shift her position. The cover she had been using was instantly destroyed; the dense bullet holes, coupled with the corrosive Originium Arts, created a burst of firepower powerful enough to riddle a person with holes.

"Doctor, I can't launch an attack."

"It's alright, leave it to me. Klose, go and support the Kingkiller and Amiya."

"But Doctor, how are you going to solve this?" Klose pressed her communication headset, narrowly dodging the relentless bullets. "You don't have any ranged equipment."

"I have my own way."

Lin Lu smiled faintly, took the Ark Driver out of his coat pocket, and held it against his waist.

The chassis of the Ark Drive popped out the belt, tightly binding Lin Lu's waist and fitting him perfectly.

"This card will do the trick on you."

Lin Lu took out a card from the class card box and tapped the card surface lightly with his finger.

He inserted it into the central slot of the Ark Driver with his backhand and pushed the side handle with one hand.

"Sniper"

A mechanical female voice came from the Ark Driver. Unlike the cold, robotic voices of the past, this voice was full of girlish charm.

Vanguard, Sniper, Guardian, Caster, Defender, Medic, Specialist, Support – the insignia for each class lit up sequentially from the Ark Driver. Finally, the Sniper class insignia shone with its brightest light to date, blazing like a torch.

The symbol for the central core has been changed to a sniper emblem. Unlike before, there is now an additional line of text above the sniper icon.

“ANTIRAIN”.

Just as Lin Lu sensed something was wrong, the Mirror Originium Arts of the Ark Driver had already activated, unstoppable and unstoppable. A dazzling golden light shot into the sky, and raging flames rose up, obscuring Lin Lu's figure, leaving only a blurry outline in the curtain of fire.

Images flashed through Lin Lu's mind: he had once been somewhere with a group of girls in strange costumes, fighting their way through a brutal battlefield, constantly defeating all sorts of mechanical monsters and completing mission after mission. He had once tried to make coffee for the girls in a café, only to be laughed at by them, who said, "Commander, you're so clumsy! You can't even grind a bean properly!" He had once helplessly watched a girl make her sacrifice, surrounded by enemies on all sides—

Lin Lu unconsciously uttered a name.

“M4a1…”

Chapter 175 Humanoid Control (Third Update)

“Antirain M4a1”

A clear female voice came from the Ark Driver, accompanied by waves of air that surged in all directions, and a curtain of fire transformed into countless raindrops of fire.

Hoshiguma raised her shield to block the flames, and she was surprised to find that the fire had no ignition source, yet it still emitted a real heat.

Like the flames of revenge, it burns something to ashes.

Hoshiguma quickly shook off the flames wrapped around the Hannya. The Hannya, which had not been damaged during the battle with the lumberjacks, was now burned with a black mark.

As the curtain of fire dissipated, amidst a sea of ​​flames, a graceful young woman stood in the eye of the storm.

Long, jet-black hair cascaded down to her waist. A black rectangular box, covered in mud and dust, was strapped to the back of her military-green tactical uniform, its ends bound with black cloth by ropes. Metallic black armor connected to gauntlets, with green conductors on the back of her hands, their light patterns connecting her fingers, now radiating a deep, eerie glow. The hem of her skirt, where tactical tools and magazines were stored, was stained with a mixture of mud and blood, as if she had just rushed from another battlefield.

"...Dr. Lin Lu?"

Hoshiguma tried to call out, because the place where the girl appeared was exactly where the Rhodes Island doctor was.

"It's me, you haven't mistaken me for someone else."

Lin Lu responded, a faint trace of bewilderment lingering in his clear, stern brown eyes.

As the Mirror Originium Arts materialized and projected the virtual data of the Class Card and Ark Driver into reality, his fragmented memories surfaced in his mind. Although it was only a few images, the information within them astonished him, even leaving him bewildered.

M4a1 is not an operator currently under contract with Rhodes Island.

No matter how hard Lin Lu tried to recall, he couldn't remember that Rhodes Island had such a person.

Surprisingly, Lin Lu's fondness for this person was no less than that for Amiya.

Remember this Lungmen defense operation? Before Lin Lu set off, Kroos had told him something:

"Due to the overload of the Ark Drive, some corrupted data has been recovered and cannot be formatted."

...This is probably the class data that was recorded before the Ark Driver was destroyed, belonging to the former Lin Lu.

"So you're a girl?" Hoshiguma exclaimed in surprise. "Wait, your voice didn't sound like this before. And this gun you're holding, this is..."

Hoshiguma's gaze involuntarily lingered on the gun in Lin Lu's hand, unable to look away.

As an inspector of the Lungmen Guard Bureau, Hoshiguma was a veteran of countless battles and had seen a lot of things. This was certainly not the first time she had seen firearms.

Hoshiguma knew that the gun was a uniquely designed mid-to-long-range weapon, said to have been first discovered by the Lateranos, thus becoming one of the symbols of Laterano. While the gun's firepower wasn't particularly outstanding, it gradually became the weapon of choice for most Lateranos because it suited their habits better than melee weapons.

However, this was the first time she had ever seen a firearm of this caliber in Lin Lu's possession.

Hoshiguma had witnessed Blacksteel International's mercenaries using short-barreled firearms, held and aimed with one hand, and also seen the submachine guns commonly used by Laterano couriers who wreaked havoc in Lungmen. It was said that the larger the firearm, the more precise the Originium Arts required to control its operation. The wielder needed to treat the weapon as an extension of their arm, accurately sensing the propulsion of the ammunition, and using mental energy to activate the firing pin.

It's easier said than done.

Hoshiguma had tried it in the shooting training room of the Lungmen Guard Bureau. After a long period of continuous activation of Originium Arts, her record was barely hitting the target three times. As for how many bullets she fired in total, she paid for far more than the training limit herself after the day ended.

“Star Sir, being distracted on the battlefield is quite dangerous.”

Lin Lu quickly bent down, turned around and came to Hoshiguma's side to remind her.

Hoshiguma finally realized what was happening and quickly raised her Hannya. Her attention had been focused on Lin Lu, and she hadn't expected the eight armed drones to be swarming towards her. No, to be precise, they were heading straight for Lin Lu; she'd been used as a shield!

"you……"

As soon as Hoshiguma opened her mouth, a dense barrage of projectiles locked onto her.

The Yokai MKII drone's gun barrels spat out tongues of fire, and brass cartridge cases cascaded out like a waterfall. Small bullets continuously struck the swirling Hannya, producing a series of muffled thuds like a torrential downpour, sparks flying and illuminating the night sky.

"You'd better hide behind me! Don't worry, you're safe with me here."

"Hoshiguma shouted coldly, increasing the speed of her Hannya's rotation to block all the attacks," she said.

Superintendent Chan once told her that when she was scared, standing next to Hoshiguma could give her courage.

She possessed a reassuring power that momentarily stunned Lin Lu.

For a long time, it was always Lawyer Lin who protected others, but this time it was his turn to be protected.

“Really reliable.”

Unconsciously, Lin Lu's lips curled into a slight smile. He exhaled and set up his assault rifle. The extended stock of the M4A1 rested against his soft shoulder, its presence undeniable. Lin Lu's left hand supported the thicker, heavier barrel, a familiar sensation returning to his palm, as if he had lifted it countless times before.

For a moment, he felt that the shadow of his past and his present self had merged into one, like cobalt blue pupils opening within brown eyes.

"Focus firepower on the T!"

Lin Lu suddenly opened his eyes, feeling a heat emanating from his chest, allowing him to fully perceive every detail of the gun in his hands, achieving perfect harmony between man and weapon. He listened to the sound of the armed drone unleashing bullets, listened to the sparks flying from the Prajna, until the perfect moment arrived—now!

When the monster drone had to stop momentarily due to overheating of its barrel, Lin Lu, who was half-crouched, suddenly sprang up with a fluid and natural movement. He kept his upper body low to maintain his center of gravity, his finger on the trigger, accurately hitting the armed drone with 75% of the enhanced bullets, calling out its names one by one.

Because the M4A1 uses a direct gas-operated design, it relies heavily on the gas produced when the propellant explodes. Golden cartridge cases ejected from the chamber, the muzzle flash fiercely illuminating Lin Lu's calm and collected face, making his features appear somewhat cold.

Lin Lu didn't need an auxiliary sight; his data-driven spiritual domain had already drawn a straight line between him and the target. A crosshair, which didn't exist in real life, appeared before his eyes. Wind speed, bullet drop, the drone's movement rate and direction—all the data that would affect his hit on the target appeared in his mind.

Each time Lin Lu pulled the trigger, it was as if he were deciding his fate, sending the bullet to the core of the monster drone.

It was destined to happen.

Chapter 176 Despicable Tactics

"Doctor, the Kingslayer and Miss Nightblade have successfully escaped from the battlefield. Finn, the Lungmen Guard, and I are building a defensive line. Please give us your instructions."

—Amiya's voice, mixed with the static of electricity, came through the communication headset.

"You and the Kingslayer hold the line. Let Nightblade go to the rear to heal his wounds and await further news from me."

Lin Lu's voice was clear and pleasant, calm and composed, and his speech was forceful.

Amiya blinked curiously, unable to recognize whose voice it was for a moment.

But she quickly realized that the doctor had used the Ark Drive.

Which operator will it be this time?

Amiya seemed lost in thought. She shook her head, refocusing her attention and concentrating on blocking the Reunion Movement's offensive.

"The defensive strategy is in danger of being breached."

Lin Lu said in a deep voice, skillfully changing the magazine and causing the approaching Reunion Movement light armor soldier to stumble. Three bullets accurately pierced the opponent's helmet, spurting a spray of blood on the back of his head. The opponent's limbs convulsed violently before he collapsed to the ground.

“We’ve held out for an hour. My operators are wounded and exhausted.” Lin Lu’s voice was tinged with anger. “The original defensive strategy was to stop the enemy’s attack and wait for the Lungmen Guard Bureau to come to our aid to surround and annihilate the Reunion Movement. But now… where are the people from the Lungmen Guard Bureau? Tell me, Inspector Hoshiguma.”

"..." Hoshiguma couldn't refute it. She opened her mouth, then lowered her head.

"I'm sorry, I'm not blaming you. I'm just... a little irritable."

Lin Lu let out a breath. He understood Hoshiguma's predicament, but his operators needed treatment and rest.

The current predicament between Rhodes Island and the Lungmen Guard is that they are on the defensive, with Lungmen right behind them, leaving them with nowhere to retreat. But if things continue like this, everyone's stamina will eventually run out, and even the Kingslayer can only choose to dodge in the face of sheer numbers.

Once trapped in enemy territory, they will eventually be exhausted, defeated, and die.

"..."

Lin Lu pondered the intentions of the Reunion Movement in this operation, his thoughts racing.

The war is now urgent, and the situation is constantly changing, making every minute and every second crucial.

Clearly, the Reunion Movement's night raid tonight wasn't a full-scale offensive. While the number of personnel present appeared large, it was actually less than a tenth of the total number used in the Chernobog siege. Otherwise, Lin Lu would never have risked sending Operations Group A4 and Operations Reserve Group A1 to build a defensive line; instead, he would have used Rhodes Island ships as a base and relied on Rhodes Island's military forces for a powerful breakout. As for Lungmen? More than whether Lungmen would fall to the Reunion Movement, Lin Lu was more concerned about the safety of his operators.

Could the Reunion Movement's idea be the same as I anticipated? To wipe out the Lungmen Guard's defenses through a night raid, bleeding the city dry until it loses the power to resist.

Lin Lu thought it over and it seemed increasingly likely. According to the information provided by Hoshiguma, the Reunion Movement had deployed some of its forces to the wealthy districts, successfully drawing the attention of most of the Lungmen Guard Bureau personnel and preventing them from supporting other areas. As a result, the region near the Fourth District, Rokuhei, was subjected to a fierce attack. If this area were to fall, the Reunion Movement would gain even greater benefits.

Once the foreign arrival zone is captured, the reunification movement can sever Lungmen's credibility with the outside world, reducing the number of foreign tourists and visitors from other countries.

In short, the Reunion Movement's intention is to sever Lungmen's connection with the outside world, casting a shadow of chaos over this trading city-state.

Lungmen's financial industry will suffer a devastating blow, and not only that, it will also allow them to project the power of the Reunion Movement to the outside world.

"No, that's not right..."

It's not just that; there's something else he didn't expect, something else he inadvertently overlooked.

Lin Lu sensed something was off, as if there was a thorn hidden inside, but he couldn't see it.

Think about it more carefully, and consider it thoroughly.

"careful!"

Hoshiguma turned around and stood in front of Rin, blocking the blade of the avenger who attacked from the shadows.

If Lin Lu can get the Kingkiller and Yato to carry out decapitation strikes, then the Reunion Movement can certainly do the same.