A Core Ship From The Start Chapter 842

Chapter 842: Chapter 588 Special Training Chapter 842: Chapter 588 Special Training When Duanmu Huai brought Jiezi back to the Minerva, everyone was shocked. After learning of Jiezi's ordeal, the female pilots aboard the Minerva were outraged, nearly out of their minds with anger. Had Duanmu Huai not already killed that guy by slicing him in two, they might have charged out to take revenge themselves.

After all, that act was unthinkable. Although Duanmu Huai had stopped it, had he not… that guy named Asakim had truly gone too far.

But regardless, Jiezi had returned safely, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

As to why that guy had targeted Jiezi… well, Duanmu Huai couldn't be bothered to ask, and no one else knew either. But the man was dead, which meant no more problems.

So you see, solving the creator of the problem is just the same as solving the problem itself. After all, curing the disease should mean treating both symptoms and root causes, but as long as the root cause is dealt with, it's no big deal if the symptoms are not, right?

The repair work on the Minerva was progressing smoothly, and Captain Talia had also received the next command from PLANT.

“Sink the Archangel?”

Upon hearing this, Luna Maria exclaimed in surprise, and Captain Talia nodded.

“Yes, according to our reports, PLANT considers the presence of the Archangel to be a very noticeable unstable factor, thus demanding that we must crush it.”

“Indeed… Those who can't grasp the situation could cause trouble if they show up on the battlefield of a major war.”

Shin Asuka muttered under his breath in agreement. The previous battle was just a minor skirmish between the Earth Federation, Oub, and the Minerva. If these people rushed out into a real battle between the Earth Federation and PLANT, the chaos and trouble they would cause would be an even bigger headache. From this perspective, the command from PLANT was not that surprising. Before, they were unaware, but now, knowing of this bunch of lunatics with considerable combat strength, they certainly couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

And the people aboard the Minerva also had a bone to pick with the Archangel and were itching for a chance to strike!

“According to PLANT's intelligence, the Archangel will soon be heading towards Oub. We will intercept it on its course and destroy it!”

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Huai raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Soon, the battle meeting ended, but as Duanmu Huai was about to head back to his room to rest, someone blocked his path.

“Sir Judge, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“It's quite unexpected for you to come to me.”

Looking at Shin Asuka in front of him, Duanmu Huai was somewhat surprised. Although he knew Shin Asuka, they weren't close. Or to be more precise, aside from Ann, who was quite forward, the people from the Tribunal generally kept their distance from the Minerva's crew. Mary was busy organizing her writing materials, Lumiaire never left her room, Ogis always followed Duanmu Huai around and ignored everyone else…

Moreover, Duanmu Huai wasn't much interested in men. If it were Yaz or Jiezi, he might be interested in teasing them. But when it comes to men, Duanmu Huai preferred not to waste his time.

“So, what do you want from me?”

“Please teach me how to fight!”

As he spoke, Shin Asuka bowed to Duanmu Huai.

“Me, teach you?”

“Yes, we'll be the main force in the upcoming confrontation with the Archangel, so I hope to learn how to counter the Freedom Gundam!”

“Shouldn't you be asking Captain Quaddro instead? He tied with the Freedom Gundam before.”

“I did seek advice from the captain, but he said that when it comes to close combat, you are stronger.”

“… You're not wrong about that…”

Duanmu Huai sighed quietly. As Shin Asuka had said, Duanmu Huai was unbeatable in close combat aboard the Minerva. Regrettably, his winning rate wasn't very high, and that's because–his outline-highlighting gunmanship was simply too anxious to watch, and since many mecha battles were fought at a range, for Duanmu Huai, this was truly… quite a challenge.

Of course, once he got into close combat range, Duanmu Huai could go into Musou mode.

But outside that range, he would be in despair.

This was another reason why Duanmu Huai disliked mechas–his marksmanship was just no good.

“Alright, it's just for fun. How much you learn will depend on your skills.”

“Yes———-!!”

Soon, the two arrived at the training room and entered the simulation for practice. Shin Asuka was still piloting his Impulse Gundam, and as for Duanmu Huai…

“Sir Judge, would you like to switch to another model?”

Facing the opposing girl-style pink Zaku, Shin Asuka just felt… it was truly hard on the eyes.

Zaku was fine, but why paint it a girl-style pink?

“Why switch? Isn't this color really cool?”

“Cool… you think?”

“Why don't you try changing your mecha's color to this? I guarantee your combat strength will skyrocket.”

“Uh… I appreciate the thought, but are you sure that's okay?”

No wonder Shin Asuka was worried–after all, Duanmu Huai was using a mass-produced Zaku, which had almost all of its equipment removed, including the shield and gun (he couldn't hit anyone with a gun anyway), and held only a Beam Ax in his hand, with two boosters added to his back. Clearly, this Zaku had no defense to speak of; it was a model focused solely on speed.

Purely in terms of data, the mass-produced Zaku was definitely inferior to the Impulse Gundam.

“All right, a real man should pilot a Zaku. If it weren't for giving you face, I would have even considered piloting a wrecking ball. Let's get moving!”

A wrecking ball seems a bit insulting, doesn't it…

Hearing Duanmu Huai's response, Shin Asuka silently complained in his heart. However, he quickly maneuvered the Impulse Gundam to grip the ship-slicing knife in its hand, aiming at the enemy before him.

“So, here I come…!”

Before he had finished speaking, the Impulse Gundam tightened its hold on the ship-slicing knife and charged towards the Zaku in front of it, swinging the sword directly at the waist of the Zaku!

And at the same time, Duanmu Huai also made his move!

The jet device behind the Zaku burst forth in an instant, reaching maximum speed. The next moment, Shin Asuka saw the opposing girl-pink Zaku rushing straight toward him as if prepared to meet its end together with him, not even caring about the ship-slicing knife that was about to hit it!

Seeing this scene, Shin Asuka gasped in shock. At that moment, the girl-pink mecha before his eyes seemed to transform into a terrifying beast, baring its fangs in an attempt to tear him to shreds. This fear and trembling from the depths of his heart forced Shin Asuka to speed up, swinging his sword directly ——– and then, he struck nothing but air.

He was a step too late!

Although Shin Asuka's reaction was quick, Duanmu Huai's speed was faster. He directly broke through the attack range of the ship-slicing knife and entered the close-quarters combat range of the Impulse Gundam. Then, the Zaku grabbed the beam ax and swung it at the chest of the Impulse Gundam, striking directly onto its armor.

“Die!”

Accompanied by Duanmu Huai's roar, the beam ax forcefully split the Impulse Gundam in half the next moment, simultaneously declaring the end of the duel.

“Haah… Haah…!!”

Exiting the simulation space, Shin Asuka was sweating profusely. He had never experienced such a simulated battle; although he had also trained with Captain Quaddro, Kamyu, Fei, and other trump card pilots from Isekai, even with Captain Quaddro, Shin Asuka only felt danger.

However, the feeling of fighting Duanmu Huai was completely different.

The moment Duanmu Huai's beam ax came down, Shin Asuka felt as if the blade had struck his own body. Even now, as he reached out to touch his chest, it felt like there was a faint pain there… He didn't know whether this was just his imagination, or…

In any case, at that moment, Shin Asuka felt the arrival of death so vividly that he was now sweating profusely, as if he had truly escaped from the jaws of death.

“How does it feel?”

“…Sir Judge, you weren't like this before…”

Shin Asuka watched Duanmu Huai with lingering fear. He had fought Duanmu Huai before and, although he always lost, the pressure from the opponent had never been as intense as just now. To be honest, the mere aura that Duanmu Huai had just released was enough to make Shin Asuka's nerves taut, to the point of panic.

Upon hearing Shin Asuka's question, Duanmu Huai shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands.

“Previously, I was just playing with you guys. Since you want to train, I have to be a bit more serious. Shall we continue?”

“Ah, yes! By all means!”

“But this way, it's my time being wasted. Do you have any compensation?”

“This…”

Hearing Duanmu Huai's words, Shin Asuka didn't know what to say for a moment, but Duanmu Huai seemed to have an idea, his eyes lighting up.

“Right, I have an idea. Let's make a bet.”

“…A bet?”

“That's right. Minerva is about to set off to search for the Archangel, isn't it? As long as you can land a hit on me before we encounter the Archangel, then you win, and I won't ask for any compensation.”

“And… if I lose?”

“Hehe…”

Hearing Shin Asuka's question, Duanmu Huai chuckled with a meaningful look as he eyed him.

“That's simple. I'll paint your Impulse Gundam in girl-pink, then draw a portrait of Luna Maria on its chest, and you'll go out to fight Freedom Gundam like that!”

Hearing this, Shin Asuka felt all the hairs on his body stand on end.

He wants me dead for sure!!!

“I, I will do my best!”

In that moment, Shin Asuka made a firm decision in his heart.

No matter what, I must win!

If I lose, it really is the end of me!!!

Chapter end

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