32: Chapter 28: Countermeasures 32: Chapter 28: Countermeasures The first day of the competition proceeded as scheduled, Luo’er and another team competed vigorously for a final spot.
They were on the brink of victory, hence Luo’er was appearing somewhat nervous, worrying that any wrong decision could lead to a failure.
According to the tournament committee’s task arrangements, they were supposed to lay an ambush for an Otherworldly convoy that was passing by, and take down the central target within the convoy.
The convoy was equipped with the most elite Knights and Mage forces from the Otherworld military, rendering their target impregnable.
It was a contest between Earth’s technology and Otherworld’s magic, aimed at testing the response ability of the vanguard units when encountering the Otherworldly army in the Otherworld.
During the competition’s preparation phase, five people gathered to discuss their strategy.
However, only three of them were actually doing the discussing as Cheng Ziang and Baiyue were essentially free-riding.
“How do we fight this, just the five of us?
The opponents have fifty Knights alone, over twenty Mages, plus a variety of followers.
There are possibly over a hundred of them.” Hu Daoke spread his hands and said with a somewhat frustrated tone.
“Moreover, we can’t put all of our combat power into ambushing the target as the competing team is eyeing us like a tiger.
Therefore, whoever can first take out the other team will already be halfway to success.” Facing a situation where they were short-handed, Luo’er seemed to be quite worried.
“What if we set up an explosive magic array directly on the ground and blow up the target along with the carriage into the sky?” Tangmo suggested.
“Nope,” Luo’er rejected her proposal, he flicked in the air to open the image of their target information, and zoomed in on the carriage that was their target, “The carriage has defense runes carved on it.
They wouldn’t be so stupid as to ride in a carriage without any defense!”
In the image provided by the organizer, you could clearly see that the carriage had beautifully curved reliefs etched on it.
These were not mere decorations but runes that drove the defense magic.
Somewhere in the carriage, there was likely an inlaid Magic Crystal that provides maximum magical output for the Defense Runes.
In the Otherworld, the simplest way to maximize the power of a magical array and runes is by inlaying a Magic Crystal.
This crystal, which hails only from the Otherworld, contained strong magic power that was distinctly different from the atmospheric magic power in the air, and was therefore known as mineral magic power.
For a Mage, the use of magic required a process from gathering to release, i.e., absorbing atmospheric magic power from the air into the body, then converting it through a medium for release.
This process required spells, and was also related to a Mage’s aptitude.
The higher the aptitude of the Mage, the faster and larger the magic absorption and release, and consequently, the stronger the magic released, and vice versa.
Also considering magic resistance, the part of the magic power that runs through a Mage’s body inevitably is lost, which influences the Mage’s body.
Therefore, mages with higher magic resistance must not use too strong magic to avoid causing damage to their body due to loss.
Magic Crystals, as a source of mineral magic power, have no such restriction.
Once this mineral is activated, it can release the maximum magic in the shortest time.
Unlike atmospheric magic, mineral magic power can only be outputted through a magical array or runes.
Before outputting, activation should occur which involves carving an output symbol on the Magic Crystal, so that after inlaying, the magic power of the Magic Crystal can be directed into the symbol or magical array, and become effective.
“This rune…” As a star student in magic theory class, Tangmo was immediately attracted by the runes carved on the carriage, and she began to examine it with a furrowed brow.
“Did you notice anything?” Luo’er asked expectantly.
“It’s a level two defense rune, which can only resist attacks from light weapons!” Tangmo drew on her knowledge from Magic Theory class and replied earnestly.
“How did you figure that out?” Hu Daoke couldn’t resist asking.
Luo’er wanted to ask too, but he didn’t have the guts.
It only has one path flowing through all the function areas without any branches.
It’s a very stable configuration but doesn’t output much magic power, and it can’t maximize the power of the Magic Crystal.” Tangmo pointed at the runes on the image and spoke earnestly, almost like a teacher to everyone else.
“I don’t quite get it…” Hu Daoke scratched his head, looking quite embarrassed.
“Imagine it this way, one lane on the road is just three meters wide, no matter how many cars there are in the car park, they can only drive one after another.
If there’s an issue with the road, then all cars have to stop.” Luo’er pointed at the Rune and explained patiently.
“That’s such a stable method?
There is only one path, if the Rune route is damaged then it wouldn’t work!” Hu Daoke crossed his arms and commented.
“Didn’t you remember what was taught in class before the exam,” Luo’er sighed, “It’s normal for a Rune to fail, but the real concern is disorder in the Rune.
If the magic power circulation becomes disorder due to damage, that would be a big problem.
The more branches in the Rune route, the more likely for the magic power circulation to become disorder…”
“What happens if the magic power circulation becomes disorder?” Hu Daoke asked.
“If the magic power circulation becomes disorder, it changes the nature of the Rune.
A defense Rune could instantly turn into an explosive Rune and blow up the target it’s supposed to protect.
You idiot!” Finally having had enough, Cheng Ziang interjected coldly from the side.
“I didn’t ask you!” Hu Daoke barked back stubbornly.
“That’s enough you two, we’re getting a bit off-topic!” Luo’er interjected to break up the argument, speaking helplessly.
“So you’re saying that if we use heavy weapons, we could just blast the target right into the sky?” Hu Daoke slapped his fist as he spoke.
“It’s not that simple, even the Knights in their heavy armor accompanying the convoy can give us a run for our money, let alone getting close to the target,” Luo’er stated, flipping to another photograph.
“This is a defensive rune of the first level that combines both physical and magical resistance, capable of withstanding firing from small to medium caliber Earth weapons,” Tangmo explained, pointing at the rune carved onto the knight’s chestplate.
During magic classes, teachers would enlighten students on the strength of Earth weaponry that every level of defense rune could resist.
It was a valuable conclusion derived from the two Otherworld wars.
The knights of Otherworld were usually from the nobility.
Therefore, while ensuring the defensive capabilities of their armor, they also carved auxiliary runes.
These included chilling runes for summer days and heat runes for winter, which would be activated according to the external temperature, ensuring the comfort of the armor wearer.
Furthermore, some would even carve extremely rare weight-reducing runes, allowing themselves to be agile even in heavy armor.
This anti-gravity rune, which originated from the Dwarf Race, was extensively utilized in the anti-gravity furnace of the dwarves’ airboats, a piece of Otherworld black technology that Earthlings greatly coveted.
“As for these heavily-armored knights, Moumou, with your magic abilities, are you confident of piercing their armor?” Luo’er inquired.
“I can, but if there are too many, I may not be able to handle it,” Tangmo hesitated before responding.
Luo’er sighed, opening the weapons panel to check the equipment that the organizers had prepared for them.
Upon opening the ammunition column, Luo’er was suddenly intrigued.
“Anti-magic bullets!” Luo’er exclaimed excitedly.
This was a type of rune specifically designed to combat magic.
Through the rune etched onto the weapon, it could nullify the Magic Array and even magic at the moment of contact, hence breaking through the enemy’s defensive magic.
Even though the weapon panel held this type of ammunition capable of counteracting magic, to date, Earthlings still hadn’t mastered the pattern of anti-magic runes.
Their understanding only remained stagnant at the level of explantation within some books from Otherworld.
“I think I have an idea!” Luo’er mentioned, pulling out his 7.62X39 anti-magic bullet for use with his rifle.
After flipping through a few showings, he pulled out an RPG-7 grenade launcher equipped with anti-magic projectiles.
Holding the RPG launcher, Hu Daoke was unable to hide his fascination, satisfyingly examining it.
The shell was marked with an anti-magic rune, and a magic crystal was embedded at the tip as an explosion and rune activation button.
a blind etching, right?
The rune pattern is definitely not viable,” seeing the rune on the projectile, Tangmo showed a troubled expression, complaining disdainfully.
“Make do with it, considering that the college hasn’t figured out the pattern of the anti-magic rune themselves.
Consider it as a new concept weapon,” Luo’er jokingly said.
“Here’s my plan,” Luo’er stuffed the magazine into the ammo bag, speaking seriously.
“We’ll split into squads according to the three-one-one principle.
Baiyue, find a sniping spot on high grounds to keep tabs on the competition teams and look for an opportunity to assassinate target.
Cheng Ziang, you’ll be in charge of tracking the opponent, striking when they’re alone.
Moumou and I will provide cover fire to attract enemies.
Little Ke, your task is to lie in ambush near the convoy, always ready to attack the target carriage.”
Luo’er spoke and continued to call up another grenade launcher from the weapon library.
“This launcher is loaded with a cloud obliteration bomb.
Use the anti-magic bullet to pierce the target carriage, and then use this cloud explosion bomb to blow them into the sky!”
Due to the restriction of firepower in the competition, Luo’er handed the most powerful weapon to Hu Daoke, while the rest had to rely on modest weapons to resist the force of hundreds of enemy soldiers.
“Let me do it…” Usually carefree, Hu Daoke seemed unusually tense at the rare significant task.
“It’ll be fine, Little Ke,” Tangmo jumped up and patted his head, comforting him, “Moumou and I will draw all their attention, and all you need to do is to do your job well.”
“Okay, I’ve got it!” Hu Daoke nodded, still a bit uneasy, yet felt much more reassured in his heart.
“If no one has any objection, then let’s set out.
Our goal is to achieve victory in this competition and purse the championship!” Luo’er declared, standing up and raising his fist.
“Champion!” Everyone’s hand were stacked onto his fist, and they asserted resolutely.