Mission 4 begins in a massive and ruined city. What once were monolithic structures that towered over the biggest castles in Eostia now lay in ruins, crumbling against the passage of time and whatever had happened here.
It was also here I truly saw true strength.
The Strength of a Gundam
Enemies are an enormous amount of Mobile Armors called Death Army. They are big, slow yet powerful in numbers.
The Astray Shrike is too weak for this fight.
Fortunately in this mission, I have the most powerful helper to date.
The Shining Gundam and Kowloon Gundam.
The Shining is arguably the strongest MS I have ever encountered. At the first MA it found, it casually delivered a singular punch. A punch so strong it's torso was cut in half by sheer force. Said MS then proceeded to throw the MAs around like a bunch of toys. It went on a rampage, searching and destroying anything in its path.
The Death Army fought back but nothing they threw can even slow down this monster of a unit. Beam Weapons splashed off its superheated backhand, deflecting it back to the sender. Charging into melee merely hastens the speed of their destruction in the hands of this monster.
The Shining Gundam was unstoppable.
Meanwhile, the Kowloon Gundam is untouchable. Faster and a wide amount of arsenal, the Kowloon Gundam combines speed and brutal melee combat in taking down the Death Army MAs.
Together, these basically soloed the entire mission on their lonesome with me in tow as their scout.
It was humbling.
Humbling to see that there are still heights beyond human reach that I can still look forward to. To climb and improve oneself, achieving much more than before.
One day, I promise.
I will be as strong as the Shining Gundam.
Mission 4 also became my grinding spot for Ace points and Credits.
My biggest haul in repeating the mission a couple more times is the Astray reaching level five.
I can now develop the Murasame. A mobile armor for space and aerial combat.
The Murasame is arguably my best MS/MA for now. With its size and powerful weapons, grinding Mission 4 became an easy chore.
Practicing bombing runs is pretty fun. Especially when the Shining and Kowloon decided to ride the Murasame and drop on any poor survivors of the bombing runs.
This grind is fun.
"The annual competition?"
"Yes. I think you should enter." Marion said to me as we took a break in our training.
It's already night since we started at sunset. We are currently on the outskirts of the city, in a nearby woods.
"With the way you are improving, I think it's better for you to enter. Gain experience and get some live combat." She shrugged while seated on my side on the log.
I nodded to her in agreement. Getting a wider range of exposure to combat is a must in order for me to improve my swordsmanship. The festival might actually be fun this year instead of just doing piles of equipment maintenance.
"I'll think about it." I replied to the female knight.
"Then better think ahead. This year's competition will be huge." Marion mused as she looked up the stars, her eyes reflecting the night sky.
"Oh, what makes you say that?" I asked her curiously. The annual competition is normally just a competition for the knights and daring swordsmen to showcase their skills in hopes of earning the prize.
"Well, there are many big names that are going to enter this year." Marion said with a coy smile.
"First of all, the Arcturus heir is debuting in the competition."
"Next up is the infamous queen of mercenaries herself, Mai."
"Lastly is the leader of the rising Black Dogs, Vult."
"These are just the few confirmed rumors I know of but it looks like this year's competition will be a sight to see."
"With those so many big names, why would you even suggest for me to enter?" I asked her in wonder.
As much as I like the reward, the cons outweigh the pros. With those so many big names, fighting one of them will be inevitable. I prefer obscurity over infamy. Clashing against even one of them will surely gain attention to himself.
"A gut feeling."
My mind blanked.
"Huh?" She suddenly chuckled, my face must have become ugly from what I just heard.
A gut feeling? Really?
Stifling her giggles, she elaborated. "I don't know why but I think you needed this and well... you do." I frowned at what she just said.
"What do you mean?" She sighed at my question. A very tired sigh.
"I don't know how or why but Mika, you are surpassing me." She revealed as she looked at me straight in the eye. A hand soon found itself on my head, softly ruffling my dark hair.
"Day by day, you're leaving me behind the dust, Mika. You are just too talented and skilled. I don't think I can still keep up with how fast you are progressing." She sadly said, her expression becoming sullen.
"But-"
"I'm struggling you know, struggling to keep up at your pace. With the way you are improving, I'm sure you will even surpass Lady Claudia or perhaps Lord Levantine." She smiled as she cupped my face.
Lies.
My skill and talent is a lie.
All of them are just products of a shortcut. A higher power I can't even understand fully.
It's all a lie.
"So take this chance, spread your wings and see how far you can fly." She finally said with a proud smile. "I'm just happy that I became a part of this journey of yours."
"...You'll be a great mother someday."
*Slap*
"You just have to ruin the mood don't you!" Looks like my efforts in changing her mood succeeded.
Spread my wings, huh?
And so the wheels of fate began turning.
In Feoh, a certain heir toiled daily. Honing and improving her skill in the sword, to bring honor and glory to her dying house.
In Ansur, a redheaded girl and mercenary partied with her fellow mercenaries. They celebrate as they survive another day in their deadly profession. Meanwhile, the young redhead's mind goes to a certain man. One day, she will stand beside him.
In another part of Ansur, a man of greed and lust plotted. His heart is filled with discontent and hatred. He wanted change and he shall have it, one way or another.
In the next month, these threads of fate will intersect.
How will the dice roll? Who will Lady luck favors? And what shall happen to them?
No one will know until the time comes.
Chapter End
Questions:
Shining Gundam and Kowloon Gundam buffed?
- Domon and Master Asia, enough said.
Murasame Buffed?
- It has to be done to accommodate it's MA form. For an MA, it's weapons are actually pretty tame compared to other MAs.
Next Arc
- A Tournament Arc
Will Mika get a Gundam?
- He's close. The Murasame can be upgraded to another MS, a very powerful and Gundam-like MS.
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Mobile Suit Gundam: Blood Price
FanfictionHumanity is a curse. Everything they knew is nothing but selfishness and destruction. They are cancerous to the system. We shall change it. We will suffer no more. - Corrupted AI of the World System