Chapter 48: Ambush

Clang!

The severed hatch, along with part of its original frame, was kicked forcefully from the outside, crashing onto the corridor floor.

A raucous howl erupted as seven or eight pirates surged impatiently into the passage, only to be met by a hail of tightly-packed bullets!

Thud-thud-thud!

The bullets tore mercilessly into enemy flesh, bursting crimson mist into the air. The resistance on board was far fiercer than the pirates had anticipated.

Those pirates who had not yet entered the boarding chamber ducked back behind the walls flanking the entrance. Two smoke grenades spun into the corridor, quickly filling it with thick, choking clouds.

Next, four or five explosive grenades were lobbed in, rolling to a stop at the feet of the shield-bearing warriors at the front line.

"Grenades!"

The shield bearers gripped their energy shields tightly. The powerful shockwaves nearly hurled them away. Immediately, their comrades behind them crouched down and braced their backs, combining their strength to resist the violent blast of the grenades.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

From the depths of the smoke came ominous, thunderous sounds that shook the floor, as if some monstrous creature was about to emerge.

"Open fire!"

With vision blocked by the smoke, they could neither see the intruder nor aim precisely. At the command, the warriors could do nothing but pour fire blindly into the swirling haze ahead.

Uncertain where to shoot? Then cover the area!

A towering silhouette emerged within the smoke, all firepower converging on its form. It raised an arm to shield itself—sparks flew wildly as bullets struck, ringing out with the sharp clang of metal on steel, not flesh.

It was not a man but a walking fortress.

The towering figure was Tradon Viller. He had activated his supernatural ability, his entire body transformed into living stone. He looked as if he wore a suit of rock armor—more like a moving stone giant.

Tradon Viller charged through the smoke, crashing into the twin crimson energy shields at the front.

Crash!

The energy shields buckled beneath his immense strength. The two shield bearers were flung aside, toppling seven or eight comrades in the rear.

The pirates surged in behind Tradon Viller, howling as they smashed against the defensive line.

“Fall back!” Mitchell Fran barked, issuing the command. There was another hatch behind them.

The warriors retreated while firing, their fierce barrage pinning the pirates down. The pirates dared not expose themselves, sheltering behind Tradon Viller’s massive frame.

Two rockets, trailing fiery tails, slammed into Tradon Viller. Fired by two E-class gunners, the rockets were enhanced with their skills, forcing Tradon Viller back five or six steps, opening up the distance.

The defenders withdrew behind the second hatch, which slammed shut. This was a larger compartment, filled with ample cover. Each warrior dove for shelter, preparing for a second round of resistance.

They had set up numerous remotely-detonated mines at the doorway—Han Feng’s suggestion. He had sensed from the start that bottling the enemy in the corridor was unrealistic, so he’d advised establishing a second kill zone here, stocked with explosives.

Outside the hatch, the pirates were trapped. Tradon Viller raised a stone arm and pounded his fist against the second hatch.

Clang!

The high-strength alloy door buckled under the blow.

Clang!

A second punch sent the hatch flying. Tradon Viller strode into the compartment, met at once by two more rockets fired by gunmasters.

The pirates swarmed in behind him, fanning out to either side.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The explosives detonated in a roaring inferno. Shrapnel and fire tore through the space, claiming lives in an instant. Severed limbs and carnage littered the deck, the agonized screams of pirates echoing without end.

The Hunter warriors fired desperately, striving to tear the enemy to pieces. At that moment, it was do or die—no one spared a single bullet.

Suddenly, four figures burst from the pirates’ ranks, darting toward the defenders. Their movements were agile and unpredictable, weaving through the hail of bullets with curved sprints. In a blink, they closed to within thirty meters, nearly upon the defensive line.

Among the pirates, besides their leader, there were four D-class martial artists—a dire threat to those defending.

Mitchell Fran drew his rapier. This time, Yordan Piris summoned a D-class Shadow Panther. The beast joined Mitchell Fran in the charge, while Yordan Piris hung back to harass the enemy from the rear.

Han Feng glanced at Tifa, cautioning her, “Be careful.”

Tifa nodded and advanced to meet a pirate martial artist wielding twin daggers. Three defenders and a panther faced four enemy martial artists.

Tradon Viller, shrugging off the hail of bullets, had already taken out a heavy-weapon gunner who had inflicted heavy casualties on the pirates.

Han Feng gripped his longsword and squared off against Tradon Viller. He was the strongest on the entire ship—only Han Feng stood a chance against a C-class mutant.

Warrior against warrior. General against general.

“Heavenly Flying Sword Style Ultimate: Soaring Dragon Flash!”

Han Feng wasted no words. He opened with his secret technique—no feints, no probing, just an all-out assault.

He could sense his opponent’s formidable energy, but not its precise level. Rather than test the waters, he struck without warning, seeking to catch his foe off guard.

Tradon Viller raised both arms to block.

Clang!

Han Feng’s blade swept across Tradon Viller’s arm—not the spray of blood or severed limb he’d hoped for. His lightning-fast draw produced nothing but scattered stone fragments and a shallow gash a few centimeters deep. For the stone-armored Tradon Viller, such a wound was trivial—he would heal in moments.

Tradon Viller grinned, swinging a fist the size of a basketball.

Han Feng flashed behind his opponent, kicking hard at Tradon Viller’s knee. The joint buckled, and Tradon Viller staggered, losing his balance.

Han Feng’s sword slashed at his foe’s neck—“Deadly Backstab,” a passive skill that increased his physical critical rate by ten percent when attacking from behind. This time, the strike landed a critical!

Greyshear swept across Tradon Viller’s neck, sending up a shower of stone chips and sparks.

But the attack was fruitless. Han Feng sprang off the giant’s broad back, swiftly opening the distance. He couldn’t help but feel exasperated—his adversary’s physical defense was monstrous, nearly unbreakable.

[Detection: Host is engaged in combat with an enemy above host’s level. Activate Scan function? Scanning will consume 100 diamonds.]

“Scan?”

[The Scan function provides information on the enemy. The smaller the level gap, the more detailed the data. If the level gap is too great, information will be limited.]

“Activate!”

A formless wave enveloped Tradon Viller, who remained entirely oblivious.