Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!
Chapter 917 - 917: 648 Tactics

Just as Catherine had predicted, the moment the three Sentinel Model Mechas from the Bauhinia side appeared, the faces of the five Legendary Mechanics on the opposing team turned ashen.

"Cunning Bauhinia people!"

"They're trying to disperse our forces to buy time for that guy!"

Chasing one after another, that's undoubtedly just handing them an advantage.

If they can't win two-on-one, who has the confidence to beat that mysterious pilot one-on-one?

Or even just delay him?

Looking at the scattered positions of the three Sentinel Model Mechas on the other side, before any teammates can arrive, the one trying to hold them off alone will likely be cut down by the mysterious pilot.

If they all group together to pursue, there's no doubt the target being chased will turn and flee.

If they choose the wrong target and, after a certain distance, try to get closer to that mysterious pilot, it will likely come at a significant cost.

No one expected that even in the final match of five versus two, they would find themselves in such a predicament right from the start.

All this is simply because the mysterious pilot they're up against is skilled in the "Sentinel Model," a type of mecha that's extremely difficult to master.

As they watched the two white and black mechas standing guard amid the three scattered Sentinel Model Mechas, one of the crimson mechas took a bold step forward.

"I'll go find Catherine; as for the rest, I don't care."

The white all-around model mecha is undoubtedly piloted by Catherine, whereas the black Mountain Foothills-type Mecha... it's probably a cannon fodder teammate trying to provide a bit of protection for Catherine and can be ignored.

If I hold Catherine one-on-one, then the remaining four of them versus one, whether they win or lose, has nothing to do with me.

Even if they lose in the end, they have no reason to dock my commission.

After this match, I have to return to being the Carefree Pirate King.

"..."

Watching the easiest job being snatched, the remaining four fell silent.

Staring at the three identical Sentinel Model Mechas standing apart, one of them gritted his teeth and made a decision, "The four of us will form two teams and each pursue one. Whether or not we catch the real one, we won't waste too much time, and two people together won't be easily picked off quickly."

It's not surprising they're so cautious; the strength their opponents displayed in the previous duo match was truly daunting.

...

Seeing the situation indeed developing as she initially expected, a slight sense of joy appeared on Catherine's face.

When choosing between fully splitting up or grouping together, they chose the most moderate approach—

pairing up and then pursuing.

"In a moment, the two of us will join forces and first take out the mecha charging at us!"

In an outnumbered fight, it's crucial to reduce their numbers as soon as possible.

"Mm." Bai E responded, but gazing at the scattered mechas, he couldn't help but feel something was odd.

The opposing side might be chasing the three Sentinel Model Mechas, but their routes... don't seem direct.

Something seems off.

Catherine remained tense, merely edging closer to one side with Bai E.

"Let's wait for them to move further away before we take action."

She didn't expect such a simple strategy to delay them for long.

As soon as Bai E acts, they'll realize they were duped.

Before that, attack the one advancing towards them two-on-one, and at the same time, approach the direction of one of the pairs to catch them off guard.

During this brief window of time, maximizing gains is the general idea behind her plan.

However, as the pilot charging at them reached a slightly ambiguous danger zone, he suddenly halted.

Simultaneously, the four mechas also stopped their pursuit of the Sentinel Model Mechas.

Initially scattered, they ultimately formed a tightening pocket towards Catherine and Bai E.

An eerie voice smugly echoed over the Thousand Stars Commerce Alliance's channel, "Why should we chase him?"

Instead of seeking out the hidden mysterious pilot, they'd rather use the strength of all five to eliminate Catherine first.

Never mind if it seems timid, five-on-one is undoubtedly easier than five-on-two.

If the other intervenes, he'll naturally be exposed.

If not, after they take out Catherine, they can slowly target him.

Time is on their side; it's their opponents who should be anxious.

As the pocket tightened, Catherine immediately understood their plan.

Plans had changed, but it didn't stop her from reacting promptly.

"They probably haven't discovered you, they just want to take me out first. I'll draw them away, you see if you can take one down."

Their encirclement still had a distance, with Catherine escaping first, the opponent might conveniently take out the "Mountain Foothills" piloted by Bai E.

And that, is the opportunity.

As soon as she finished speaking, Catherine fiercely charged in a direction.

With the encirclement tightening, if she doesn't break out now, there won't be another chance!

And, indeed, Catherine's suspicion was right.

Once she moved, the opponent's encirclement immediately adjusted.

Like a bag inflated by the wind, warping into an irregular shape.

Moreover, two mechas approached Bai E from behind, with a cruel smile on their lips as they looked at the lone mecha in the middle of the field.

"Die!"

The two mechas casually raised their weapons, launching a lethal blow at the massive, heavy black mecha.

"Clang!"

The deafening sound echoed in everyone's ears, and the two confident mechas intending to strike and then withdraw were startled to feel an immense force feedback from the mecha's transmission system.

Even a lion uses its full strength to fight a rabbit.

Even against slightly lesser pilots, these two Legendary Mechanics didn't hold back at all.

Their attacks were launched in two extremely tricky angles, and with their silent understanding, even a Legendary Mechanic at the same level would find it hard to handle.

And now... their coordinated attack was actually blocked simultaneously by a single spear from the opponent?

The sudden scene caught everyone's attention, even the three mechas chasing Catherine all turned back to see what had just happened.

They saw the Vanguard Shield Mecha, which should have been finished in one blow, using a spear to parry the attacks from the two allies at the same time.

Then with a sudden push, the terrifying power forcefully drove the two cooperating mechas back.

Everyone jolted with a shiver.

A certain speculation raced through the minds of these Thousand Stars Commerce Alliance Legendary Mechanics—

The one piloting this Mountain Foothills-type Mecha, is the mysterious pilot?

But how is this possible!

Sentinel Model and Mountain Foothills-type Mechas, these are two completely different realms!

Could this mysterious pilot truly be omnipotent?!