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...
Imperial Scale's acceleration was higher than ZK-37's. She trailed closely behind, steadily closing the distance.
Like a shark locking onto its prey, ready to strike.
Throughout the entire run, Derek Su simply held the control stick with both hands, leaving everything to Imperial Scale.
But he already had a good idea of what she was planning.
ZK-37 and ZK-53 had blocked him and Stella earlier, forcing Stella to use the risky "pineapple maneuver" to overtake.
Imperial Scale hadn't said a word at the time, but she had clearly taken note of it.
So what was she going to do now?
He didn't have to wonder for long.
The second stage of the Brana Ruins Advanced Race was a narrow gravel track filled with tight turns, only wide enough for two or three Mecha Girls side by side.
There were two types of terrain: concave sections enclosed by rock walls, and convex sections with bare ground and pits lining both sides.
Right now, they were entering a convex section with pits on both sides.
On this stretch, getting knocked off the track basically meant elimination.
The pits had no slope, just sheer vertical walls about two meters high.
To get back onto the track, you'd have to reverse out and start over.
Trying to climb out directly was impossible and would even earn a warning for damaging the track.
...
Inside the cockpit, ZK-37 watched Imperial Scale trailing behind in the rearview mirror.
"Master, are you sure that's a top-tier Mecha Girl? Her start wasn't even faster than mine, and I don't feel any psychic fluctuations."
Her driver hesitated.
By now, nearly all professional drivers had mastered launch techniques.
And that technique best reflected a Mecha Girl's acceleration and overall performance.
Derek Su was The Magician, the very founder of that technique.
There was no way he hadn't mastered it perfectly.
Yet even so, he hadn't taken the lead at the start.
In the second stage, starting position was crucial. If you didn't secure a good spot, you could easily get forced off the track by combat-type Mecha Girls.
So was it that The Magician didn't want to fight for position?
No.
It could only mean the Mecha Girl's performance wasn't enough to secure it.
But why would The Magician bring a Mecha Girl with insufficient performance into the Brana Ruins?
As that thought crossed his mind, he steered ZK-37 into the turn.
At that very moment.
Boom!
A deep, furious engine roar erupted from behind.
Like a lion suddenly enraged, unleashing a savage roar.
Both the driver and ZK-37 stiffened, their eyes widening as cold sweat broke out across their backs.
In the rearview mirror, Imperial Scale, who had been calmly trailing behind, suddenly surged forward with overwhelming momentum.
And ZK-37 was mid-turn.
As a blocker-type Mecha Girl, her chassis was long.
She couldn't drift like speed-type or technique-type units and had to control her speed carefully.
Otherwise, she risked flipping.
So her cornering speed wasn't high.
Imperial Scale's sudden acceleration caught her completely off guard.
Watching the black vehicle closing in, ZK-37 tried to reassure herself.
She was a blocker-type, a combat Mecha Girl with high Impact Resistance and Stability.
Even if hit in her weaker side, she might not flip.
If anything, the attacker might get knocked off the track instead.
However...
Boom! Crack!
The impact was violent, metal shattering on contact.
Imperial Scale's black front slammed into ZK-37's side like a warhammer.
ZK-37's vision went dark, pain exploding through her midsection.
A massive force lifted her chassis and sent her tipping toward the pit.
Her driver panicked, slamming the accelerator in a desperate attempt to push through the turn, but the wheels only spun, making the rollover worse.
He yanked the control stick, trying to stabilize her, but it was useless.
Imperial Scale pulled back slightly, her front completely unharmed, then floored the throttle and rammed forward again.
Boom!
That second hit was the final blow.
ZK-37's vision blurred, the pain nearly knocking her unconscious.
Only then did she realize how wrong she had been.
Imperial Scale wasn't lacking in performance at all.
She had deliberately stayed behind, waiting for the perfect moment in the turn.
And what terrified her most was this.
When two Mecha Girls collided, there should be equal reaction forces.
Imperial Scale should have been knocked back.
After all, ZK-37 wasn't fragile.
She was a combat-type with excellent Impact Resistance and Stability.
To speed-type and technique-type Mecha Girls, she was like a moving wall.
Yet when Imperial Scale struck her, there wasn't even the slightest sign of recoil.
At that moment, she finally sensed the psychic fluctuations coming from Imperial Scale.
But as her consciousness faded into darkness, she never understood what her special skill had done.
ZK-37 eliminated.
Imperial Scale glanced coldly at the overturned ZK-37 lying in the pit.
"The first."
She checked the time. Thirty seconds had already passed. Four and a half minutes remained.
She needed to move faster.
...
The audience watching the big screen was stunned.
There had never been a shortage of collisions in past Brana Ruins races.
But someone as ruthless as Imperial Scale was a first.
Two hits, and a semi-trailer ZK model had been smashed straight into a pit.
It was unheard of.
"Damn! That's our boss! So cool!" Tunbao was so excited he flipped over in his seat.
He wished he were the one smashing ZK-37 on the track.
Purple Lightning watched Imperial Scale leave ZK-37 behind and move on to hunt ZK-53. She winced slightly, then turned to Blazing Wind and Lingwind, who were staring wide-eyed in disbelief.
"That hit was so hard... Imperial Scale must be hurting, right? She really goes through a lot..."
Lingwind and Blazing Wind stared blankly at Purple Lightning.
Whether Imperial Scale hurt or not was one thing.
But ZK-37 was definitely in agony.
"I'll notify the medical team to wait at checkpoint two." Absolute Shadow took out her phone and sent a message, then clicked her tongue. "ZK-37 shouldn't have blocked the road. Now look, she's out of the race and injured. Why provoke Imperial Scale?"
...
In the medical team's temporary ward.
After treatment, Stella was basically fine.
Or rather, she hadn't been seriously hurt in the first place, just a few aches that would have faded with some rest.
But the medical Mecha Girls had given her a full top-tier treatment anyway.
A bit excessive.
Now she sat there hugging a TV, grinning foolishly.
"That rebel king's actually pretty good~"
Her eyes sparkled.
A loud boom came from the screen.
Imperial Scale had just sent the twelfth Mecha Girl off the track.
These were all the combat-type Mecha Girls who had blocked her earlier.
Whatever Imperial Scale's intention was, it felt like she was getting revenge for Stella.
...
Second stage, Brana Ruins track.
"You're good at crashing?"
Boom!
"Sixteenth."
"You're good at crashing?"
Boom!
"Seventeenth."
...
As time passed, fewer and fewer Mecha Girls remained in Imperial Scale's path.
But the moment five minutes were up, she immediately stopped chasing the remaining targets.
Those Mecha Girls, already terrified by her relentless pursuit, quickly cleared the way.
They thought she had simply had her fill.
In reality, she had judged that continuing would risk her chances of winning.
Even when venting, she knew when to stop.
Control returned to Derek Su.
So... Imperial Scale really is a gentle and kind Mecha Girl.
Derek Su's face was pale as he gripped the control stick, his legs feeling weak.
Thankfully, piloting only required issuing commands.
He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and floored the throttle.
With the track now completely clear, they shot forward at full speed.
Soon, Gray Castle's massive silhouette appeared at the end of the track.
Sand swirled as the two contenders closed in.
No words were spoken.
Only killing intent surged between them.
A storm of battle was about to erupt.
Gray Castle watched Imperial Scale approaching in the rearview mirror, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
Come.
Only a true king
is worthy of wearing the crown.
...
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