Sky-cracking Rider

```

One decision, two preparations.

Hanna Gagar, founder of Jiu Defense, never fought an unprepared battle.

After consuming a simple yet substantial dinner, the assembled small team began to arrive one after another.

The woods around the small lake were so dense that the light from the motorhome couldn't penetrate, and only those who knew the location could accurately find the motorhome hidden deep within the forest.

"Roland Michigan, communications expert."

"Takano Yoshiko, Thunder Series Ability User, Karate Master."

"Bai Nuo, Demolition Expert and Gunsmith."

"Claude Hughes, driver, special reconnaissance."

Hanna Gagar introduced them one by one, finally pointing to Chen Fei.

"'Rookie,' Metal Ability User, Pilot! 'Rookie,' these four are my good friends, totally trustworthy."

"Jiu!"

Little Bird flapped its wings and landed on her hand, seemingly dissatisfied with being left out.

Hanna Gagar smiled slightly and scratched the little guy's beak, adding an extra line.

"Oh, and there's Xiao Jiu, Light-element Magical Beast, not to be underestimated!"

"Jiu Jiu!"

The other five people seated in a row all wore expressionless faces, even twitching at the corners of their mouths, including Chen Fei.

What a little rascal!

"Pure Light Sparrow, hehehe..."

Takano Yoshiko covered her mouth, emitting a series of pleasant laughs. Their little comrade had increased, and it was a Pure Light Sparrow, what a surprise!

If a little bird could summon such courage, they as humans needed to work even harder.

Claude Hughes, skilled in driving and special reconnaissance, turned his head, sized up Chen Fei, and asked, "So, 'Rookie,' you're a Metal Ability User?"

He didn't care why a little bird had become their action partner, but was more puzzled because "Rookie's" abilities and skills seemed mismatched, which was very important for the upcoming operation.

Chen Fei picked up on the testing tone in the other's voice, nodded immediately, and said, "Uh! Yes!"

Claude Hughes then asked, "Why did you want to be a pilot? Your Metal Elemental Psychic Power is completely useless up there, isn't it?"

A reasonable question indeed, as the others also showed a curious expression.

Once in the sky, Metal Abilities would be of no use, almost impossible to utilize.

Supernatural power users, even when learning other occupational skills, often choose related professions that could yield twice the result with half the effort.

The job most closely related to Metal Abilities would belong to the industrial sector, especially heavy industry's metallurgy and mechanical processing fields, where Metal Abilities have a distinct advantage.

Since people's time and energy are limited, one should concentrate on their strengths to stand out.

"I studied economics, graduated with a bachelor's degree, my full-time job is a mechanical maintenance technician, and I'm a part-time pilot," Chen Fei announced, counting on his fingers the things he had learned.

Once you're in the workforce, it's like a deep ocean; from then on, classmates become strangers.

A perfectly fine college graduate, this road is getting more and more crooked, sigh! ~

The group maintained expressionless faces, all twitching at the corners of their mouths.

Good grief! It was already outrageous enough that a Metal Ability User had become a pilot, but nobody expected that there would be an economics undergraduate sitting there as well!

Now flying planes and doing repairs, what were they doing earlier?

Could it be that today's college students also started rolling up their sleeves?

You must have multiple skills to scrape by a living!

Thinking this, a series of gasps resounded one after another inside the trailer.

"Jiu!"

None could out-roll Pure Light Sparrow Xiao Jiu.

Able to attack, heal, tank, buff, interfere, engage at both close and long range, the Third Rank little bird was about to roll up all other Magical Beasts of the same rank without leaving them any room.

Back then, it was such a massive "money chain"; if it weren't for the quick hands of the two Sky Knights, they might have missed their chance.

"Now that everyone knows each other, let me arrange the plan," Hanna Gagar initiated, breaking the awkward silence, pulling out a rectangular box and a remote control.

Upon pressing a button on the box, a beam of light shot out from the top, quickly constructing a holographic 3D map.

```

Everyone's spirits lifted, and they began to concentrate.

Even Xiao Jiu stood quietly on Chen Fei's shoulder, solemnly staring at the holographic map, looking very serious and focused.

"I plan to start with the Apocalypse Defense Group's headquarters. Its location is in Chapala, Mesoamerica, and I hope to destroy the outer defenses of the Apocalypse Defense headquarters from the front, breaking through layer by layer to the core, ultimately achieving the goal of strategic deterrence."

Hanna Gagel used the remote controller to manipulate the holographic map, zooming in on a small town until she locked onto a manor with several tall buildings, the panoramic view of the Apocalypse Defense Group's headquarters.

In publicly available civilian maps, this area, including its surrounding, is blank, featuring only the original vegetative terrain; however, in reality, it's quite the opposite, being a highly developed commercial core area.

This confidential holographic map was something Hanna Gagel had once saved quietly using her authority, and now it could come in handy.

"Wait, Hanna, let me get this straight," said Bai Nuo, who was a demolition expert as well as a gunsmith, scratching his head, seemingly caught off-guard. "You're planning a frontal assault on Apocalypse Defense's headquarters?"

The Miss Hanna who brought them together sure had some nerve!

"Exactly!"

Hanna Gagel nodded assertively, not joking in the slightest.

Bai Nuo said with a mix of laughter and tears, "Just us few people?"

Miss, you would need to turn us into giant dragons for that to work!

"Heh, don't worry, I've thought it through; the defense at the Apocalypse Defense headquarters isn't as tight as you imagine."

Being a former member of the Apocalypse Defense Group, Hanna Gagel could accurately pinpoint the security flaws and weaknesses of the headquarters.

Moreover, with vital energy not yet restored, the defenses of the headquarters would surely be like a sieve; just a gentle poke and it would collapse like a sculpture on the sand, crumbling instantly.

"We'll need armored vehicles, the best models are..."

Seeing that Hanna Gagel was serious, Bai Nuo also started to seriously consider the feasibility.

If they went with a stealthy ambush, their chances would be better; but if it were a head-on assault, that needed serious consideration.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

A frontal assault would be dangerous."

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Takano Yoshiko, the Thunder Series ability user and karate master, put herself in that scenario and quickly furrowed her brow.

I'm afraid that's beyond me!

If she were to simply stand at the gates of the Apocalypse Defense headquarters and show the slightest intent to breach, she'd be peppered with bullets from machine guns like a beehive in the blink of an eye.

Those who work in military contracting are not compassionate souls; bearing weapons brings forth the intent to kill.

"You won't be responsible for the assault. He will take care of that part."

Hanna Gagel pointed at Chen Fei.

Leaders bear the brunt, employees get sent to their doom—it was the harsh reality of the workplace.

Chen Fei's eyebrows twitched; he knew that when Boss Hana summoned him, it would be for no good reason.

He chuckled dryly, saying, "As long as there are no heavy weapons, I'll be fine!"

"Jiu!"

The little bird declared it could do it too.

With a Third Rank Light System Magic Shield, light weapons really wouldn't be enough to cause concern.

"Him?"

This rookie?

All the partners Hanna Gagel had brought looked at Chen Fei together.

Was the unfortunate kid ready to be the cannon fodder vanguard?

Hanna, have you turned to the dark side?

Claude hesitated before saying, "Hanna, is there, is there a more careful plan we could follow?"

He thought it was too risky.

More precisely, it was too rash, completely out of line with the shrewdness Hanna Gagel usually displayed, as if she were a different person.

Bang!

Hanna Gagel slammed her hand onto the table, declaring definitively, "No, we must break through the defenses of Apocalypse Defense's headquarters head-on. Only then can we establish the reputation of Jiu Defense Company, and that will be the best advertisement."

Although it was a bit risky, it was actually a "kill three birds with one stone" kind of good idea.

The first bird was to give Apocalypse Defense Group a harsh slap, discouraging them from any sneaky actions against Jiu Defense. Any enemy who wanted to take on Jiu Defense should first wake up and think about the consequences.

The second bird was to deter other forces, such as Saber Group, and some smaller competitors looking to take advantage of the situation. Being boldly aggressive sometimes isn't a weakness but can make those who eye Jiu Defense or other groups weigh the pros and cons of retaliation—otherwise, they could end up like Apocalypse Defense Group, losing more than just face.

The third bird was to declare Jiu Defense's strength to the world: a newcomer that could humiliate an established military contractor and demand respect from peers was determined, had a plan, and possessed enough strength to attract a lot of attention and business, but most importantly, it would earn the respect of industry colleagues.

Just like sheep that only take beatings and never fight back can't survive in the military contracting business.