When Kexiao received the frontline battle report from Normandy, he shook his head helplessly. It took him only two hours to deduce Amelia's possible next move. The actual operation might differ slightly from what he had surmised, but overall, it was substantially the same. What he had to do next was to meticulously entrap the Norman fleet step by step. This process might come at no small cost, but it was negligible compared to the victory that would be rightfully won. What followed would be a long wait.

After the Sword Dragon incident, the world seemed to subtly change. There was less talk about the Revenge Shadow Rider, and at the same time, mecha masters from all over the world began to settle into "Galactic Warfare", with their numbers growing day by day...

In addition to that, they would give professional public comments on every battle of the Revenge Shadow Rider, and while most acknowledged its exceptional skills, there were those who nitpicked.

Nitpicking was a minority, after all. The world never lacks bold speakers, and a civilian mecha grandmaster expressed a different opinion. He believed that the Revenge Shadow Rider's Flame Dual Slash was unrivaled and almost impossible to break. If possible, he truly wanted to spar with such a warrior, even if just for once. He felt great regret for not having the chance.

However, many remarks were truly detestable. Trolls existed everywhere in the world. One civilian mecha master from abroad pointed out that the Revenge Shadow Rider had an issue with its empty elbow-strike move. Typically, the sequence of actions should be to swing the body and issue the elbow-drop command in one smooth, coherent motion. However, the Revenge Shadow Rider often hesitated at that point, which was unquestionably a waste of time and incorrect.

In the end, that person was verbally thrashed because the Revenge Shadow Rider's pauses allowed for midway arm swings, counterattacks, or even feint moves like deceitful bluffs. It should be known that the so-called operational pause by the Revenge Shadow Rider wasn't a physical interruption of movement, but an additional step in the mecha piloting process. These people were seemingly formidable, but in reality, they had just reached the Red Cloak level and were getting ahead of themselves.

Such mediocrities who were neither here nor there, in fact, were just riding the wave of popularity. The super soldiers from various countries scorned to bully them, but these mediocrities indeed swept through "Galactic Warfare", after all, even if only the Red Cloak level in real life, their hidden skills were around 30% better than those of a normal gaming pro. Could they not sweep through?

He didn't directly say the Federation was lacking, but who dared to challenge him on the platform? People would do anything to grab attention without any shame.

Ultimately, an ID called God's Thorn issued a challenge to that person. With only fifty-two battles and a hundred percent win rate, when the ID appeared instantly, people thought of the super soldier Hugo.

It was said that Hugo lost his legs in battle and chose to retire, leaving the military without a trace. That was his last wish.

Indeed, Hugo turned down all compensation, keeping only the disability benefits he was entitled to. Born into a military family and steeped in their culture since childhood, he did not want special privileges for being a super soldier, different from those of other soldiers. He was a God's Thorn soldier! His sense of honor constantly reminded him of what to do and what not to do.

Even though Hugo had retired, his disciplined routine had not changed. He didn't want people to see the pitiful state of once a super soldier, or to embarrass or trouble his country. So, he chose to move quietly to a somewhat remote planet—Icebird.

Although Icebird was somewhat remote and chaotic, the low cost of housing was a relief. So, Hugo settled down here, thinking he might never fight again, giving up his beloved mecha. Still, he logged back into that familiar ID.

If he had a choice, how he wished to have a fierce fight with the Revenge Shadow Rider in front of the world and that girl! But look at him now, neither human nor ghost. What was that? He might as well have been dead; he had no face to see anyone now.

But, Hugo was a man after all. In a way, the Revenge Shadow Rider indirectly saved his life in that battle. When the challenge came, he still put on a hat, sunglasses, and amidst the mocking stares of many, went to the nearby virtual combat bar and booked a private room.

People did not know that the man in the wheelchair was Hugo and could not find him, but they were well acquainted with Hugo's ID, God's Thorn; he was the Federation's most loyal defender. When Hugo's ID appeared and he chose to fight, it was not about winning or losing, or a comparison of strength between both sides, let alone any issues regarding the Revenge Shadow Rider.

Netizens were all voicing their concerns, asking, "Hugo, where are you? We've been searching for you everywhere, even throughout the entire Capital, to no avail."

The silent warrior did not respond; he knew he had to do something for the Revenge Shadow Rider.

(Just remembered I said I would add more chapters on the 11th, so here is the additional update.)

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