Genius Mechanic: Chapter 243.1

Asta Contaminated Zone(Star Domain Tournament: Start)

243.1: Forced Retreat

Proofread by Cloud Chip Cake

“KID is using brute force suppression—!” The commentator’s voice was excited. “KID is going for brute force suppression with only two mechas!”

【What the fuck KID?! They just snatched a kill?!】

【How was that shot fired? Was it KID’s Control and Artillery firing together?】

The pace of the changes on the field was too rapid. First, Sink provided long-range assistance to suppress the situation at the pit bottom, making it a 3v2 to drive away YGY’s Stealth. Then, KID’s Control teamed up with their Artillery to forcibly snatch CTR’s Guardian mecha point right under the noses of the other mechas.

The points-grab mechanism didn’t consider the total damage output a mecha deals to an eliminated target. Instead, it considered which mecha landed the finishing blow. Previously, KID’s Artillery had been dealing damage outside the chaos of the battlefield. Without cover and not moving to higher ground, its firepower, though strong, didn’t pose an obvious threat to the other three teams…

Who would have thought KID was waiting for the last wave? They were waiting for the three teams to exhaust each other, strengthening the presence of Sink and Lucy to draw attention to KID’s dual-control core… all while keeping Trace, their strong assault force, in reserve for the final push.

“KID’s core isn’t dual control; they’re using the dual control to attract the attention of other teams. The goal is to make others lower their guard against Trace!” The commentator quickly analyzed. “Trace currently has the strongest attack capability among all of KID’s mechas. While Lucy was being suppressed by other teams, she acted as Trace’s eyes. KID is employing a dual-line parallel strategy!”

On the first line, KID’s Sink used long-range Energy Cannon shots, alongside KID’s Stealth, who served as a coordinate target, to make it a 3v2 and eliminate YGY’s Stealth at the pit bottom.

On the second line, while the other teams assumed the fake Trace played by Qingf had entered the pit bottom, Trace secretly closed the shooting distance, cooperating with Lucy to violently suppress the teams on higher ground.

“This kind of strategy only works for ambushes. It can’t be used too early or too late. KID has been waiting for the perfect timing!” The commentator was increasingly in awe. It was rare to see such a blatant and unexpected scheme. Even with the broader perspective from being outside the field, they almost fell for KID’s ploy—let alone the three teams influenced by prolonged battle information on the field. “And it’s incredibly difficult. They had to completely fool YGY.”

If YGY had discovered the fake Trace, they would have immediately reported its position to the higher ground, and YGY would have swiftly ambushed Trace.

Yet, from the start of KID’s strategy to this point, the two mechas from YGY at the pit bottom failed to detect the fake Trace. This tactical oversight allowed KID to pull off this clever switch, achieving a seamless maneuver.

【The difficulty’s insane right?】

【Yes ah! If Sink and Qingf had been even slightly out of sync, or if there had been any deviation in the cannon fire or positioning, YGY would’ve noticed immediately!】

The livestream’s perspective switched to KID-Sink. The red-and-white mecha was hiding near a transport entrance. There was a subtle difference in visibility between the upper and lower levels. The mechas in the chaotic battle on the middle-upper levels couldn’t see him, and neither could the mechas fighting at the pit bottom…

The red-and-white Medical mecha was not holding its usual control weapon but instead aimed an Energy Cannon with special patterns on its barrel at the bottom of the third mining pit. The Energy Cannon, quickly charging to 100% output, unleashed a beam of fire that sliced through the screen of sand and gravel, piercing straight through the space in front of KID’s Stealth mecha, Qingf, and precisely hitting the remaining mecha, YGY’s Guardian, at the bottom.

【…A blind shot?!】

【This tactic isn’t something an average team can pull off, right? Who else can manage this kind of ultra-long-range Energy Cannon attack?!】

【How did it hit? Weren’t his teammates still at the bottom?】

The livestream audience was astonished. The commentators switched to Sink’s perspective. When the monitoring camera focused on the bottom, no mechas were visible in the Medical’s crosshairs—only the faint outline of a conveyor belt. The red-and-white mecha adjusted its position, aimed the long-range Energy Cannon again, and locked onto the mecha at the bottom.

“Medical mechas have weak attack power but fast charging speeds. According to the data, the weapon Sink is using is designed for long-range damage amplification, simulating the attack rhythm of an Artillery mecha,” the commentator explained, keeping the focus on Sink’s position. “Look, he achieves 100% charge in a very short time, but this charging time would only allow an Artillery mecha to reach 30%-40%. He’s using the weapon’s power and charging speed to create the deceptive illusion of an equivalent attack.”

The eliminated YGY Stealth mecha would only assume that the Artillery was launching consecutive attacks at 30% charge. Coupled with Trace’s movements at the top, in the sandy environment, they would naturally believe that Trace was attacking them.

Sink’s attack angles were synchronized with Qingf, who was acting as his eyes. At the same time, KID’s Guardian and Tank, also positioned at the bottom, served as his additional eyes.

The livestream’s perspective swept over the battlefield, and the audience suddenly noticed that Yao, Yan, and Qingf were standing in a triangular formation, acting as blind targets to provide their long-range sniper, Sink, with three coordinate points to lock onto the enemy.

【Wait, how familiar does he have to be with the Artillery mecha to perfectly simulate a similar attack rhythm?】

【While simulating, he’s also using the radar coordinates of his three teammates to target the enemy mechas. This hit rate is just too overpowered!】

KID fans, after their initial shock, quickly caught on—KID wasn’t worried about this kind of blind shot at all!

In the Dawn Galaxy Competition, KID’s Artillery mecha had never hesitated to fire at their teammates. Using the radar as a targeting point might seem risky for other teams, but for KID, it’s standard practice. KID mecha pilots were highly adept at dodging Trace’s cannon fire… Let alone the fact that Sink himself was an exceptional mecha pilot. Even if Sink’s shot went astray, the rest of KID could still dodge it.

【It used to be Trace firing, now it’s Sink firing. I’m still not quite used to it.】

【Am I the only one noticing how similar Sink’s and Trace’s actions are? Artillery mechas have completely different attack rhythms, right?】

【Sink must be incredibly familiar with Trace to replicate Trace’s attack rhythm under the pressure of strong teams.】

KID’s offensive continued. Ying Chenlin aimed at the battlefield at the pit bottom, firing shot after shot at YGY’s Guardian mecha with the assistance of his teammates, constantly calculating the opponent’s depletion in his mind. “We still need 15 more minutes here. Can you hold on up there?”

“They’re not getting away.” You Su locked his scope on the mechas retreating from the upper ground. Disorganized artillery fire surged toward him, but he deftly turned and evaded it. Adjusting the direction of his Steel Wind Cannon, his entire mecha altered its dodge mid-dash with a buzz.

“You Su! You Su! Someone’s at the upper-left!” Theo, who had been holding back his frustration for a long time, finally got a chance to fire freely. His urging voice repeatedly echoed in You Su’s mind.

You Su shifted positions and noticed an increase in artillery fire targeting him, disrupting his charging time.

Glancing outward, he was choosing a new sniping point when he caught sight of an ally mecha’s coordinates shifting.

During Ying Chenlin’s charge, his gaze fell on the radar. Noticing Lucy’s movement trajectory, he immediately felt reassured.

… No need to worry. They had a very reliable teammate.

“Focus on Trace! Ignore the other mecha pilots—prioritize taking him down,” DAJ’s captain immediately ordered. “While all of KID’s members are supporting the pit bottom, take their mecha points.”

In the Star Domain Championship livestream, the dense firepower at the higher ground drew the audience’s attention.

The commentators focused on the two red-and-white mechas moving across the screen. Lucy, uncharacteristically agile, no longer cowered under the oppressive pressure of the stronger teams. She swiftly navigated between conveyor belts, with long-range strikes from the other teams grazing her mecha’s shoulders, yet her movements didn’t slow in the slightest.

The calm female pilot ran steadily, scanning the faint enemy mecha signals on her radar. During her earlier chaotic evasions from heavy concentrated fire, she had memorized all the locations of nearby transport hubs, conveyor belts, and floating mining devices. These points were now marked as special yellow indicators on the newly established map on her radar.

As a Control mecha pilot, keeping pace with the shifting strategies of her complex teammates was no longer a challenge. To provide the most effective support in the Star Domain Championship filled with powerful teams, she couldn’t just wait for her teammates’ commands—she had to actively search for breakthrough points.

For example, analyzing skirmish spots and the trade-offs of the benefits, attempting to exchange minimal losses for the most advantageous offensive directions for her team’s Artillery mecha.

The Enhancement Cannon’s secondary quicksand effect played a crucial role in the suspended sand-filled magnetic field. She repeatedly used the Enhancement Cannon to disrupt the high ground’s vision, creating blind spots for those attempting to target her and You Su’s mechas. By exploiting these brief blind spots, she provided You Su with the perfect aiming opportunities.

After being repeatedly outmaneuvered, DAJ and YGY couldn’t stand it anymore, abandoning their siege on the retreating CTR.

Once Trace and Lucy’s positions were confirmed, the artillery of both teams simultaneously turned to target the mechas moving within the battlefield.

The red-and-white Artillery mecha’s Steel Wind Cannon let out a resonant hum as it fired. The entire mecha leaped into the air, soaring to higher ground. As the perspective rose, KID’s Artillery pilot, Trace, grabbed the edge of a conveyor belt with one hand. While he used the belt as cover, countless artillery blasts rained down on the conveyor above him, causing the entire structure to sway precariously with loud rumbling sounds.

“Trace is caught in crossfire from two teams! He doesn’t have a suitable offensive position!” the commentator exclaimed. Just as they finished speaking, KID’s Control mecha pilot, Lucy, suddenly reappeared in the midst of the firestorm. Utilizing the Enhancement Cannon, she created whirlpool-like sand blind spots and came to an abrupt stop at a specific location. “Lucy has moved to that spot—wait, this position can provide Trace with a clear field of vision!”

【Lucy is amazing!】

【Such a skilled and adorable pilot from KID!】

Trace’s Steel Wind Cannon charged again, and within seconds, the charging process was complete. As mecha pilots from other teams concentrated their fire on him, he spotted Lucy’s position. Seizing the moment, he released his grip, raising the cannon sharply during his descent. At its apex, the Steel Wind Cannon fired at the retreating CTR mechas, blasting one of them off the conveyor belt.

【Firing mid-fall!?】

【This KID Artillery pilot is way too bold!】

The entire mecha plummeted downward. Just before it hit the lower level, Trace activated the boosters on his feet. Although the boosters couldn’t sustain flight amid the magnetic field, the sudden propulsion reduced his fall’s speed. After firing the shot, he once again grabbed a conveyor belt’s edge with one hand, swinging the mecha toward a transport port and retreating to safety underground.

KID, with its dual control and a toolman Stealth mecha, clearly lacked the offensive firepower of the other three teams, nor did they excel at direct assaults.

Yet, KID abandoned traditional evasive tactics and boldly leveraged the chaos caused by Trace and Lucy at the higher ground to escalate the melee to a climax.

The audience was utterly stunned by how KID could adopt such an aggressive approach—especially without a front-line Tank or Guardian for protection. Initially dismissed as a weak team relying on underhanded tricks to muddle through, KID’s precise operation and combat capabilities left everyone in shock. Could the Dawn Galaxy really produce such a strong team?

The astonishment wasn’t limited to new viewers. Long-time fans of the Dawn Galaxy and KID watched, captivated, as the team’s mechas demonstrated impeccable coordination.

【KID is so strong now.】

【I never imagined this would work!】

In the VIP box at the Asta arena, another leader of the Dawn Galaxy turned to Li Jingyan, who was calmly observing the match, and remarked, “Has KID become stronger? During the Galactic Championship, their coordination was proficient but still a bit rough.”

“It’s been two years since the Dawn Galaxy sent teams to the Star Domain Championship,” Li Jingyan replied, watching the livestream with a trace of pride in his gaze. “Gale and Black Crow have been steadily improving over the years. YDS is a team on the rise. And KID, now restructured, has made remarkable progress. These four teams have all made tremendous leaps in the past two years.”

The Qiu Jin Black Hole, the Coria Joint Cleanup… the recent Star Alliance Special Mission.

They just hadn’t had the opportunity to showcase their abilities to the outside world, but that didn’t mean their abilities remained stuck at the level of the Dawn from two years ago, teams inferior to the others in every way.

What was the level of the competition in the Dawn Galaxy? They had been internal battles all the way through, with no comparisons or clear concepts.

But so long as they made it to the Star Domain Tournament and faced more opponents, they’d know the growth of their galaxy’s mecha pilots and understand how much Dawn currently differed from the teams of other galaxies.

When the Dawn leader heard Li Jingyan say this, they responded, “You’ve also been thinking a lot over the past two years.” 

In the several livestreams, Gale and Black Crow were evenly matched with strong teams from the Star Domain, YDS retreated under attacks from two sides, and KID performed exceptionally in the third mining pit… The figures of the mechas appeared in the livestreams. Only by stepping onto the stage of the Star Domain Tournament could strong teams from Dawn find opponents of equal caliber, and the weaker teams realize the gap. This was the only way to steadily improve the Dawn Galaxy’s overall level in team battles.

“To make the Dawn Galaxy stronger, it doesn’t depend on us. It depends on these mecha pilots.”

Li Jingyan said, “Moreover, we’re not that weak. Our mecha pilots are very strong too.”

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