It was a sharp weapon, cutting through the air like an arrow.
As it flew toward them, a strange thought suddenly flashed through Bai Ming's mind:
"Though I am aged, my arrows remain sharp—peerless, capable of taking the enemy leader's head amidst ten thousand troops!"
No!
What am I even thinking?!
This was not the time for poetic nonsense—this was life or death!
Reacting at almost the same moment was Dan Heng, standing in front of her. His calm posture and the steady rhythm of his breathing revealed his training as a martial artist. Unlike Bai Ming—whose reflexes came from sheer, chaotic experience—Dan Heng's senses were razor-sharp, honed through discipline.
A faint gleam appeared in his hand, twisting into the shape of a long spear.
It was jet-black, forged from what looked like dark iron. But up close, it was clear that wasn't true—the spear's tip was a steel blade marked with strange, threadlike patterns. At the midpoint of its shaft floated a glowing core of light, connecting two separate segments as if magnetically fused.
Dragon-like engravings coiled around the weapon's length, emanating a mysterious, ancient energy.
It was a perfect fusion of technology and tradition.
However—
Before Dan Heng could act, a blur of motion shot past him.
Bai Ming.
"Everyone, be careful!" she shouted, gripping the baseball bat she'd found earlier and charging straight toward the source of the attack.
Clearly, her plan was simple—smash that flying weapon before it could reach them.
But in her haste, Bai Ming forgot something crucial:
Her [Battlesuit: White Comet] was still active.
A third-generation Valkyrie Battlesuit—officially rated B-Class, but in truth far stronger than most would expect.
The instant she moved, it triggered [Time-Fracture Dodge].
The world seemed to slow, and in the next heartbeat, Bai Ming collided directly with the incoming weapon.
A violent explosion erupted.
Thick smoke and shimmering dust filled the air, swallowing everything.
"Bai Ming!" cried March 7th, eyes wide with panic.
That blast… if Bai Ming had taken it head-on, there was no way she could—
"Wait," Dan Heng said, raising an arm to stop her.
"What are you doing?!" March 7th's voice trembled with urgency. "She got hit! We have to go help her!"
"That's not necessary, March."
"How is it not necessary?!" March 7th glared at him. "That thing exploded right in her face! If you don't move, I swear I'll shoot you with my bow!"
Dan Heng sighed softly. "It seems I overestimated your patience."
Before March could argue further, a familiar voice came from within the smoke.
"Ow… that really hurt…"
The figure that stumbled out was unmistakable—Bai Ming, clutching her head and coughing through the haze.
"Huh?" March 7th blinked, frozen. "You're… okay?"
Dan Heng lowered his arm with a small nod. "I told you."
March immediately rushed forward. "Bai Ming!"
She crouched beside her, scanning her up and down with exaggerated concern. "Are you missing any parts?! If something fell off, say so! Maybe the Space Station has spares!"
"Uh…" Bai Ming scratched her cheek awkwardly. "Pretty sure everything's still attached?"
"Ehhh—?!" March 7th stretched out the sound in disbelief, waving her hands. "How can you be fine? That thing looked like it could blow up a mech!"
"About that…" Bai Ming hesitated. "I kind of… caught it. With my face."
March 7th stared blankly. "You what?"
Bai Ming wasn't joking.
Thanks to [Battlesuit: White Comet], she'd survived. Instead of blocking with her bat, she'd met the weapon head-on—with her face.
To her surprise, she was still alive. The Stigmata [Rowland (Bottom) ★★★★] had activated, granting her a powerful protective effect while her HP was high. But she could tell—it was a one-time thing. The protection was gone now.
March 7th pinched her own cheek, half to make sure she wasn't dreaming. Then, with genuine confusion, she asked:
"So… your face is that thick? You can block a missile with it?"
"Eh?! That's not what happened at all!" Bai Ming waved her hands frantically. "It was my armor! Not my—"
Before she could finish, a thunderous roar echoed across the battlefield.
The ground trembled.
From the distance, a towering figure charged toward them—half-man, half-horse.
A centaur.
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A/n: While I am a new translator, I have a Patreon! While it may be a bit empty right now both this and the other book on my page has advanced chapters posted on patreon. Set up for my web novel will be 2 chapters for every book a day and if you go to my patreon you'll see the set up there.
patreon.com/deadlygoober