Chapter 1: The Stranded One with Black Hair, Section 7

Dagger.
Or rather, a weapon.
Moreover, it’s a standard weapon equipped on every magic mecha.
Yet, in the understanding of humans on the planet Xieke, no one has ever used it in mech battles. Not only that, but even standard mercenary combat manuals never teach the skills to use this weapon.
Perhaps for humans, this weapon exists only as a last resort or as a tool for cutting small objects. Just as they call it specially…
“A personal survival blade.”
But today, right in front of OldBuick’s team, this mech weapon, which no one had ever mastered, shone with brilliance for the first time. Its brilliance even overturned all their preconceptions.
Because the one using it now was a special person…
Black hair.
“Clang!!”
The magic mecha made no pre-battle preparations. Its damaged body hadn’t even stopped from its horizontal rotation when a purplish-red light slashed out with tremendous inertia. A high-pitched sound tearing through the air rang out immediately. To everyone’s astonishment, a small dagger held in an inverted grip struck hard against the long sword that Moni hastily raised.
There was no fierce collision, no intense battle. Just this small dagger exerting an unbelievably powerful force. Under this force, Moni’s massive body was forcibly pushed upward. Amid the roar of the magic mecha, it was like a bulldozer leaving deep grooves in the desert. Dust rose violently from the friction between its feet and the ground, creating a haze.
Upward thrust, downward press, horizontal slash, vertical swing, diagonal cut…
In an instant, the movements of the magic mecha seemed to be completely free from physical constraints. Far from being clumsy, it moved with agility as if embroidering. Countless tiny, seamless movements unfolded one after another, forming a complete sequence of strikes. In less than ten seconds, it delivered dozens of slashes in a row. The clanging sound never ceased. Although Moni’s physical condition was much better, he was completely suppressed and unable to move, forced into an endless state of defense. The long swords held tightly in his mechanical hands swayed back and forth like banana leaves in the rain, emitting pained sounds.
Stab!!

The small dagger suddenly spun in his hand. The magic mecha’s forward momentum halted abruptly, and immediately afterward, a bolt of lightning, like a viper’s fang, pierced into Moni’s throat.
“Impossible!!” UncleBuick was shocked, his eyes wide open. The scavengers around him also let out synchronized cries of surprise.
They simply couldn’t believe what they saw.
“Crack.” Moni’s long sword suddenly made a sharp sound before breaking in two and falling to the desert. The break was as smooth as a mirror, as if it had been polished countless times. The massive mechanical body swayed briefly before standing firm again. Then, there was no movement at all. The red electric eyes on its steel head flickered a few times before dimming.
“Clang.”
The dagger was swung horizontally again, cutting down another head, which fell lifelessly into the sand. Then, amid a loud mechanical roar, flames erupted from the engine behind the magic mecha. The broken right hand holding the dagger also disintegrated in the flames, turning into scattered parts.
Even a powerful magic mecha couldn’t withstand such intense combat. After just a few dozen seconds of fierce action, it finally gave up and stopped moving altogether.
Yet, as the lowest-tier model of a magic mecha, its performance had already proven its worth. In fact, even UncleBuick, who had purchased it, had never expected such a fierce battle.
As they watched the figure step down from the magic mecha, everyone cheered at once.
Indeed, no matter where they were, humans always had a fighting spirit. In this century of highly developed magic civilization, an excellent warrior was almost a target for all factions. Their value could no longer be measured in money.
“Good boy, you’re truly formidable. Come in. I’ll hold a celebration party for you tonight.” UncleBuick patted the black-haired man’s shoulder, his fat face stretched in a smile, looking as happy as if he had won a huge prize.
The black-haired man maintained a humble smile, calmly accepting everyone’s praise. His gaze, however, fell on the broken mecha not far away.
“Mr.Buick, what do you plan to do with that thing?”
“What?” UncleBuick was momentarily stunned before realizing. “What else can I do? That mecha is completely ruined. At best, I can pull it back and sell it as scrap. If I meet a lucky buyer, maybe I can get a decent price. Otherwise…”

OldBuick didn’t say it, but the meaning was clear. After such a battle, the magic mecha no longer had any purpose. Not only were its head and hands useless, but even its most important engine had turned to charcoal in the flames. To call it recycling might be an overstatement; it was likely just discarded outright.
“This isn’t good…” Blackhair shook his head. “If that’s the case, give it to me. As for the price, I’ll deduct it from my reward for this battle. What do you think?”
“Blackhair, what do you want with this junk? With your superb skills, a mecha like this ‘Beetle’ type is completely beneath you. Just look—after one battle, it’s already become scrap metal. Forget it. When I get back, I’ll buy you a newer model.” OldBuick was momentarily stunned before grinning broadly, his tone surprisingly bold.
He wasn’t stupid. After this battle, Blackhair’s status in his eyes had long since gone beyond that of a stray survivor found on the road. In fact, Blackhair’s tactics even amazed him, a veteran who had experienced countless battles. Not to mention a completely new model of magic mecha, he would spare no expense to keep Blackhair by his side.
“No need. Just give me this one. Also, if possible, could I get some of the parts from the other one? I think I might need them.” Blackhair smiled gently but declined OldBuick’s offer.
Because no one knew what that thing they called Moni actually represented.
Thinking of this, Blackhair’s smile grew even gentler.