I hope everyone had a great experience during the New Year.
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The missiles still had to continue their assault. From the sky, one after another, missiles swooped down and blasted the thick ice cover that encased the Frost Beast into shards and debris. However, the Frost Frost Ice Spirit persisted. Layers of ice caps rapidly refreezed, layer after layer, as the number of these icy spirits was considerable, all casting the same freezing ability.
"Trying to rely solely on relentless firepower to break through these ice caps?" The prominent observer watching the battle shook his head and remarked, "That's unrealistic. The speed at which the Frost Frost Ice Spirit forms these ice caps is swift, and it's quite easy for them to do so. To deplete the energy of the Frost Ice Spirit with missiles alone, how many would that take?"
The Militarum understood this all too well. The missile bombardment was not merely about consuming the Frost Ice Spirit's energy; it was a calculated test of the ice caps' defensive strength.
"These ice caps…" a scientist observing the scene said, "Their thickness is comparable to reinforced concrete. Their defensive power is formidable."
"Reinforced concrete?" Cyrus and the other scientists raised their eyebrows. Bombarding it with missiles seemed ineffective, indicating that a more powerful weapon was necessary.
"Railgun, prepare to fire." Cyrus hesitated briefly before issuing the command.
The Railgun was already primed; all that remained was for Cyrus's signal. Its massive barrel pulsed ominously as it aimed at the Frost Beast ten kilometers away.
This did not escape the observer's notice. Due to the recent battle with Ann, the cannon's sheer power was striking, especially after it destroyed three Battle Treants in quick succession. The weapon's reputation spread rapidly throughout the square. The Legendary Musketeer wielded an extraordinarily long-range weapon, capable of striking targets over ten kilometers away, instilling fear in many.
"Is it ready?" Iris also monitored the Railgun intently.
As the cannon prepared to fire, her eyes narrowed slightly. She hadn't seen Sebastian's battle with Ann and Baroque in person, only glimpses through video. She remembered the Lord of the Ice Moon Holy Land reminding her that this weapon's power was particularly noteworthy.
"Let's see just how powerful this weapon really is," Iris thought, a mix of wariness and curiosity in her mind.
Suddenly, a faint whine echoed as a metal shell shot out from the cannon's barrel. It sped directly toward the center of the Frost Beast, specifically, the thick layer of ice covering its front.
The Frost Beast and the Frost Frost Ice Spirit immediately tensed, their eyes fixed unblinkingly on the incoming projectile. In just over two seconds, the armor-piercing shell was near, its speed undiminished.
Poof! It struck the ice cap with devastating force. The high-velocity impact generated astonishing kinetic energy, piercing through the ten-meter-thick ice in moments.
Once through the ice, the bullet's remaining momentum carried it forward, breaking through the Frost Beast's thick fur and into its fat layer before finally halting inside the flesh. The impact left the Frost Beast seriously injured, nearly collapsing to the ground. Its body was battered, trembling from the tremendous force.
Everyone gasped at the sight. Few had imagined the Railgun's power could be so immense, barely hindered by the ten-meter ice cover and the Frost Beast's resilience. Even Iris was momentarily stunned, a flicker of awe crossing her face. She understood that without that thick ice barrier, the Frost Beast would have been instantly slain.
"Thankfully," she thought, "the Frost Frost Ice Spirit recently awakened this ice-shaping ability, thanks to the treasure given by the Master."
This was a key advantage of planetary lords of immense power; through various treasures, they could enhance their species' abilities far beyond normal limits.
A wave of regret rippled through the plaza. Many supporters of Sebastian felt disappointed. After all, he was the only freshman, hailing from a small, isolated region, which made him feel like an underdog. Like Augustus and Iris, born with immense innate powers, they had always stood high above others. Naturally, many harbored favorable feelings toward Sebastian.
"It's a pity," Huo Kong shook his head. "Sebastian's Legendary Musketeer, there's nothing more he can do now. This match is practically over."
Huo Kong's sentiment was shared by others. Despite Sebastian's use of two of the most powerful weapons, the situation was hopeless. The remaining Frost Beasts would eventually succumb to the freezing cold. The battlefield was nearing its end.
With the extreme cold intensifying, the Musketeers and Pilots would eventually freeze to death, marking their inevitable defeat.
"It's time to consider surrender," one prominent figure declared. "Getting into the top four is already an achievement and breaks the record for the strongest freshman ever. There's no shame in retreating now."
Another nodded in agreement. "The future is limitless."
"Exactly," a third added with a smile. "The Group Star Council probably won't undervalue Sebastian's talent compared to the winner. His potential is extraordinary, creating a new, peculiar race with endless possibilities."
Many influential figures exchanged praise. The Musketeers and Pilots intrigued everyone.
On the Astra Militarum's side, Lando and Cyrus exchanged glances, both sensing a hidden smile in each other's eyes. The Railgun strike wasn't about testing or intimidation; its true purpose was to create an opening in the ice cap.
"If we drill a hole first with the metal shell, the Frost Ice Spirit won't be able to patch it quickly," a scientist analyzed. "Since the ice cover is produced in one solid block each time, it's limited by its ability, rather than an unlimited capacity to generate ice anywhere at any moment."
Using this insight, the Astra Militarum devised a clever tactic. First, they used the Railgun to breach the ice cover, then followed up with a different weapon, something they hadn't used before: a Ground Penetrating Bomb.
Originally designed to attack underground fortresses, the Ground Penetrating Bomb was rarely used against surface enemies. The enemy's underground bases were few and weak, making such weapons unnecessary until now.
Ground Penetrating Bombs relied on immense kinetic energy to penetrate deep into the ground. When two objects of sufficient mass collided at high speed, they produced devastating destruction. Without a reinforced shell, the missile could deform or shatter, but with one, it could withstand the impact and drill inward.
The missile's depth depended on its weight, shape, impact angle, and velocity. Its casing was made of high-strength, deformable alloy, with a heat-resistant layer on its surface. When launched, it would maintain integrity upon impact, continuing to bore downward, powered by its enormous kinetic energy, guided by its sharp warhead. Additionally, a delayed fuse prevented accidental detonation, only triggering after reaching a certain depth.
While less powerful than the Railgun, the missile's area damage and self-propelling capabilities made it a strategic choice. The cannon's single-target devastation was unmatched, but the missile could attack multiple points or penetrate underground defenses.
Suddenly, a missile shot from a fighter jet, appearing no different from standard ordnance, a long, oval shape, unremarkable to the untrained eye. But this time, it was a Ground Penetrating Bomb called the ASM-A-1 Tarzon, following a pre-set trajectory to plunge into the opening created by the cannon shell.
"I see," Iris realized immediately, this was the Astra Militarum's ploy. They aimed to exploit the opening by letting the Tarzon pass through.
"Such a cunning tactic!" she thought, recognizing her oversight. The enemy had seized a small gap to their advantage.
But she wasn't overly worried; losing one or two Frost Beasts wasn't critical. The number of creatures was vast. She quickly ordered her reinforcements: three Frost Beasts to block the rear of the opening.
As the Tarzon reached the breach, it drilled into the ice with relentless force, shattering layer after layer. The ten-meter-thick ice cover was no match for its power. In moments, the missile completely penetrated the ice and slammed into the Frost Beast behind it.
Boom! A deafening explosion erupted. Even with its tough defenses, the Frost Beast couldn't withstand the blast. The low-yield missile tore into its flesh, exploding thick fur and fat outward, exposing internal organs. The beast was gravely wounded.
Seeing this, Iris exhaled softly, a flicker of relief. Her greatest fear was Sebastian unleashing some hidden trump card. Luckily, that didn't happen.
Sebastian's history of surprises was well-known, especially the Railgun in their previous duel with Mok, which had instantly banished Mok's Great Ghoul to the shadow realm. It had shocked everyone.
The two new units, musketeers and pilots, remained enigmatic. No one knew precisely what they could do, leaving room for even more terrifying weapons to emerge. Even Svananóg wondered silently: Could Sebastian's musketeers possess something beyond the legendary tier? It seemed unlikely, but the possibility lingered.
"It's hopeless," many muttered, shaking their heads. Though they praised Sebastian's ingenuity, defeat was imminent.
"If he'd been born a year or two earlier," Someone lamented, "there might have been no suspense left in this championship."
"Not necessarily," Huo Kong replied. "I've heard Augustus still has his strongest trump card up his sleeve. Once played, it could shock everyone!"
"Let's keep watching," another said. "Sebastian has already impressed us all by reaching this stage."
Meanwhile, on the Astra Militarum's side, Lando and Cyrus exchanged victorious grins. The ASM-A-1 Tarzon Ground Penetrating Bomb wasn't their real secret weapon, only a precursor to what was truly coming next. And soon, an unforgettable moment was about to be etched into Iris' memory.