Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 2060: Battle potential (2)

Intelligence gathered indicated a staggering 5,500,000 parasites within Mei City. This figure wasn't derived from a simple photographic estimate by the Exquisite Floating Balls; such a casual approach would be irresponsible, treating the lives of Cloud Peak's people as mere trivialities.

Instead, this number was the result of meticulous, multi-stage reconnaissance, precise identification, and rigorous analysis.

Despite Mei City's ruined state, numerous structures remained standing. The parasites, naturally, did not confine themselves to open areas for easy counting. Many were concealed within these buildings. A superficial exterior survey might suggest only one or two million parasites.

The actual figure of five million five hundred thousand was an estimation achieved through comparative analyses and even strategic provocations designed to lure them out.

Currently, a significant concentration of parasites congregated at the city's periphery, with even more lurking in shadowed urban corners, yet to reveal themselves. Xia Lei was patiently awaiting the opportune moment for their full emergence.

As the engagement commenced, these creatures would erupt from their hiding spots, swarming outwards. Simultaneously, the magic crystal cannons would unleash their devastating barrages.

The annihilation-type magic crystal cannons, possessing the longest range, were tasked with bombarding the city's core. Other magic crystal cannons were strategically positioned in surrounding areas, creating layered firing zones.

Presently, Cloud Peak utilized level-six magic crystals to power the annihilation-type magic crystal cannons. Considering that the average level of post-apocalyptic evolvers barely reached five stars, this was an exceptionally extravagant deployment.

During the initial, most ferocious salvos, observers noted vast sections of the city being cleansed of parasites. The spectacle was both profoundly shocking and immensely satisfying. The elimination of parasites in each bombarded zone signified the demise of hundreds of enemies, igniting an almost uncontrollable surge of excitement in this life-or-death confrontation.

Later, due to variations in firing rates, the coordinated volley fire of the different magic crystal cannons ceased, diminishing the visual impact somewhat.

"Deploy the musician's manufactured treasures onto the battlefield," Xia Lei commanded from her vantage point, gazing down upon Mei City, her orders transmitted via the Battle Contribution Medal.

In response to her directive, legions of imposing or robust mechanical units advanced onto the battlefield, accompanied by Cloud Peak's affiliated soldiers, who signaled the beginning of their coordinated assault.

Among these formidable mechanical entities, those with a degree of familiarity with Cloud Peak would readily recognize the War Fortresses.

Yet, the War Fortresses deployed now bore little resemblance to their predecessors.

The earlier War Fortresses had been acquired from the Resistance Zone; Cloud Peak lacked the indigenous technology and industrial capacity to produce such advanced technological artifacts. In the initial stages, the maintenance and rudimentary repairs of these War Fortresses presented Cloud Peak with considerable operational challenges.

The situation gradually improved as specialized talent began to join their ranks. Under the personal leadership of Le Dayuan, a figure of true master-level expertise, the research focus pivoted from magic crystal weaponry to the development of mechanical fortresses. Today, Cloud Peak's prowess in this domain had not only surpassed the Resistance Zone but had cemented their position as the undisputed strongest.

Currently, over fifty distinct types of War Fortresses were engaged in the battle! Twenty of these were original designs, meaning they were improved iterations that adhered to the established design philosophy. The remainder included the humanoid combat robots, akin to Gundams, that only Ye Zhongming could pilot with perfect mastery; the 'Metal Storms,' specialized for long-range suppressive fire; the 'Shanmen'-type functional robots, characterized by their robust chassis and immense strength, designated for direct assault roles; and entirely novel designs that broke away from previous conceptual limitations, abandoning humanoid forms altogether to emulate the blueprint of Big Yellow and become pure close-combat mechanical beasts.

While Cloud Peak's War Fortresses were still some distance from an explosion of multifaceted innovation and technological breakthroughs, and their variety had not yet reached a state of widespread diversification, this comparison was made relative to their own advanced trajectory. In contrast to other factions, Cloud Peak's technological achievements in this arena were already considerably ahead of the curve.

The deployment of the War Fortresses onto the battlefield was met with deafening cheers. Beyond their combat capabilities, which far outstripped those of ordinary evolved individuals, the psychological impact these colossal combat machines generated was equally significant.

The imposing figures and their every strike were visible to all nearby evolvers, a potent psychological stimulant. The gruesome spectacle of severed limbs and organs splattered by their attacks seemed to fuel the frenzy of the evolvers fighting alongside them.

Following their range assaults, the long-range combatants descended from elevated positions, joining the ranks of soldiers pushing forward. At the vanguard of the engagement, numerous evolvers had already breached the defenses of Mei City.

"V3-type grenade rocket launchers, ten volleys."

Xia Lei issued another directive. Behind the spearheading forces in every sector, countless one-meter-long rockets, trailing vibrant flames, ascended. They arced toward Mei City, reaching their apex before rapidly disintegrating into three smaller, thinner projectiles during their descent, scattering like petals upon the parasite masses. Explosions erupted instantly, their fiery hues varying: some transitioned from fiery red to dense black, others displayed an icy blue, a deep green, or a yellow-orange.

This weapon, instrumental in battlefield contributions and long a staple at Cloud Peak, had now entered its third generation. The cost of each launcher had naturally escalated, and the attribute-infused split rocket warheads were also costly. However, Cloud Peak had amassed substantial battle merit through its Battle Contribution Medals. Even after upgrading to purple-grade, they could still procure vast quantities of this highly effective armament. This time, Cloud Peak deployed a total of 8,000 units, with each rocket launcher provisioned with 50 distinct rockets.

Under Xia Lei's command, the eight thousand V3-type grenade rocket launchers unleashed ten consecutive barrages. With each split warhead yielding three rockets, a staggering two hundred forty thousand potent projectiles detonated within Mei City. Numerous small mushroom clouds billowed, momentarily eclipsing the destructive power of the magic crystal cannons.

Even if each rocket accounted for a solitary parasite's demise, an astonishing 240,000 parasites perished in that single instant.

From Xia Lei's vantage point, it was evident that in specific zones, the parasite population had indeed thinned considerably.

Yet, no trace of a triumphant smile graced her features; instead, her brow remained deeply furrowed.

"Deploy the Thunderbolt Electric Insect Nets, initiate airdrop of self-destruct gene soldiers, air force troops stand by!"

Xia Lei's voice climbed in intensity. Within her visual range, over a dozen Exquisite Floating Balls, which had been maintaining an aerial watch, commenced a swift descent. Upon reaching approximately two hundred meters above the ground, ventral hatches opened, releasing hundreds of small, dark spheres. These began to emit a glow as they plummeted. Thousands were dispersed unevenly over Mei City. At roughly fifty meters from the surface, they detonated with a 'bang,' transforming into expansive, electricity-laced black nets that descended upon the parasite swarms below.