The surroundings of the battlefield were enclosed by towering walls. Instead of seats, the spectator stands were filled with countless low-priced holographic projection devices arranged in neat rows. The battlefield itself, in the center, spanned an area roughly the size of ten football fields.
Suspended above the battlefield was a holographic camera. Suddenly, the device scattered light particles in all directions, forming a massive, spherical blue holographic projection within seconds. This spherical image was remarkable, offering a front-facing view from any direction.
Gu Ya sighed deeply. If not for the bounty mission, he truly wished he could bring his sister here. Youyou would surely jump with excitement. Youyou, I swear, I will save you! With this thought, Gu Ya hurried towards the designated contestant rest area.
Just as Gu Ya left, a man and a woman approached. They wore identical uniforms with a milky white base and deep blue trim. On their chests were emblem stickers that read "Hecheng Society." The man was about 175 cm tall and slender, while the woman was a head shorter and slightly overweight.
"Did you see that young man just now?" the man asked.
"Yes, why?" the woman replied.
"Ling Ling mentioned he doesn't have a mecha. She also instructed us to go easy on him if we end up fighting him," the man said.
The woman scoffed, "How easy is 'easy'?"
The man chuckled, "At least knock him unconscious, right?"
...
Following the directional signs, Gu Ya passed through the entrance beneath the spectator stands, navigated a long corridor, and circled the entire battlefield. After twenty minutes of walking, he finally arrived at the contestant rest area behind the battlefield. To be precise, it resembled a colossal mecha hangar.
The walls soared into the sky, reaching nearly 80 meters high, making the thick main support beams of the ceiling appear minuscule. Beneath the ceiling, numerous mechs of various colors and heights were parked. There were tall, robust red mechs, slender black ones, and stout green ones. Each mecha was equipped with different weapons in their hands or on their backs, including firearms, close-combat curved blades, mechanical gauntlets, and even some strangely shaped, unidentifiable weapons.
Around the feet of every mecha, five or six people were gathered. One person wore a pilot's uniform, while the others were in work attire, presumably the mecha's pilot and maintenance crew.
Gu Ya continued walking inward. Just then, several more mechs flew in from outside the hangar. Mechs were also moving within the hangar. Many ultra-miniature drones flew overhead, delivering supplies to various teams. The entire hangar was in a state of disarray, a chaotic blend of mecha engine sounds, commander whistles, shouts, laughter, fights, and arguments, all mixing together to overwhelm Gu Ya.
Despite this being a mecha bounty battle, everyone's expression was serious. They were all deeply invested in this fight because of the incredibly tempting one-million bounty!
Gu Ya simply walked along, observing, not daring to speak to anyone. As he walked, he saw system light screens analyzing every mecha and every part. A voice continuously echoed in his mind: [Experience +1] [Experience +1]... His experience points had now accumulated to 387, with over a hundred more needed to level up.
Gu Gu finally reached his designated spot in the most inconspicuous corner of the hangar. On the wall hung an electronic sign that projected holographically: "Jude Without Armor." If not for this sign, no one would have suspected that this poor student in a school uniform was a mecha pilot.
All the mecha parking spots were filled with various tools and spare mecha parts, exuding an otherworldly technological feel. Only Gu Ya's area was bleak and empty, with him standing alone. A male mechanic beneath a neighboring mecha noticed Gu Ya and, after observing him for a while, walked over.
"Jude Without Armor, is that you?" the male mechanic asked.
Gu Ya nodded.
"Ha!" As Gu Ya expected, the male mechanic let out a loud laugh. It seemed everyone's first words upon seeing him were mockery.
"You've got guts," the male mechanic remarked, then returned to his team, introducing the peculiar youth to his teammates. All members of his team cast him looks of pity, as if he were mentally challenged.
"It doesn't matter. Mock me as much as you want. I'm going to win, I'm going to save Youyou!" Gu Ya thought, suppressing his anger. His sister's cute, innocent face once again surfaced in his mind. She was an orphan and had now been captured by a mecha pilot. If not for the twists of fate, who would have chosen such a life?
Just then, an ultra-miniature drone flew into the hangar and suddenly projected a holographic image. Simultaneously, a stylishly dressed, refined man in sunglasses was projected, his cheerful voice broadcasting: "Okay! All you mecha pilots who dominate the mecha fighting arena! I am your host for this bounty battle, your old friend Joe!"
"The mecha bounty battle, held twice a year, begins in one hour!" The host's voice was incredibly loud and rousing, eliciting cheers from almost everyone, their voices seeming to shake the ceiling. The half-human-sized drone in the air mimicked covering its ears, looking quite adorable.
"I believe you have all been preparing for this battle for over half a year! You've prepared thoroughly! Some of you are already itching to get started!"
"No need for more talk. Settle old scores and get your revenge!"
"As always! It's okay to fight to the death!"
"Who told you guys you're underground mecha pilots, hahaha!"
"The one-million bounty belongs to the ultimate victor!"
The hangar erupted in excitement once more. Gu Ya sat quietly in his seat, undisturbed by the tremendous clamor. At this moment, his inner world was consumed by a single thought: how to defeat the enemy! Everyone else had been preparing for half a year, while he had only received the news yesterday. Gu Ya felt like he was trying to fight a great demon with a willow branch. Despair, fear, and tension washed over him, as if a vast black hole lay beneath his feet, ready to swallow him.
He had considered giving up, but the thought of Youyou's obedient face, and her calling out "Brother!" made Gu Ya's heart ache. He could not afford to lose. If he lost even one match, Youyou's hands would be gone!
The host continued speaking: "All 85 mecha pilots for this battle are in place. I will now release the list for the first round of eliminations!" Immediately, the projection of the large man in sunglasses disappeared, replaced by a battle information table for each contestant. Gu Ya looked up, nervously searching for his name. As expected, on the last line, as the 85th participant, it read: "Jude Without Armor."
Soon, the contestant information table shrunk to one side, while on the other side, a bracket-style tournament tree appeared. The names of various mecha pilots flashed rapidly within the 85 boxes.
"Stop!"
"Stop!"
"Stop!"
...
Everyone in the hangar shouted in unison, their voices growing louder and louder. Finally, the host exclaimed with excitement, "Stop—!" The information in the tournament bracket abruptly halted, with all 85 mecha pilots matched with opponents. Only one mecha pilot remained without an opponent.
"As always! Last year's champion, Chang Lang of Hecheng Society under Tianxuan Group, automatically advances!"
Before Gu Ya could find his match details, the host announced again: "Alright, then, for the first match, let's see which two mecha pilots will face off!" As soon as the host finished speaking, the tournament bracket disappeared, replaced by two rectangular boxes. The information within the boxes flashed rapidly, displaying each person's details.
"Stop—! Hahaha!!!" Gu Ya's eyes widened instantly.
"Then, hmm? Is this..." the host's voice turned doubtful, speaking softly: "Jude Without Armor!" It's me! I'm in the first match! Gu Ya abruptly stood up.
"Vs. Li Ding of Hongzhu Chamber of Commerce! Hahaha!"
"The competing parties, please proceed to the battlefield through the contestant通道!"
"We'll see you on the battlefield!"