Shu: Are We Really in the Same Production?

However, Shu didn't even need to look at those "high-tech" weapons; those were for Kiana and the others to use.

Four walls, each belonging exclusively to one person.

On Kiana's wall, the weapons included the familiar dual pistols, a baseball bat, and a greatsword Kiana hadn't quite mastered yet.

There was also a chainsaw... for reasons unknown.

The armor had numerous thrusters, providing Kiana with significant extra mobility and striking power in combat. The armor's thickness and durability were moderate.

Designed by Otto, tested by Shu, highly rated.

Mei's side featured several simple and unadorned katanas, along with quite a few firearms and components for laser swords.

The armor incorporated many electromagnetic elements, not for offense, but as an instantaneous burst electromagnetic traction device. The armor's defense was low, but it possessed extremely high mobility.

The general process involved electromagnetically ejecting a small device. After attaching to an object, it would create an electromagnetic tether between itself and the armor, pulling Mei rapidly to that location.

Bronya summarized it as: the sci-fi version of the Three Dimensional Maneuver Gear from Attack on Homu [parody of Attack on Titan].

Because of Bronya's casual remark, Mei, who didn't watch much anime, binge-watched the series overnight, even dragging Kiana and Bronya along.

Designed by Otto, tested by Shu, highly rated.

Although Bronya already had a Titan mech, she wouldn't be lacking individual combat armor.

Compared to the previous two who focused on mobility, Bronya's armor leaned towards heavy firepower.

The smallest Bronya wore the largest armor, though this "largeness" was supported by various detachable components. The armor's core was a small harness with countless slots.

Not only was its defense low, but it offered no enhancements besides load-bearing. Without the inner bodysuit, it could even be considered... cough cough...

But this armor set could not only mount those dazzling components but also seamlessly interface with the Titan mech cockpit connection.

It was a super armor set perfectly suited for a weapons master like Bronya.

Designed by Otto, tested by Shu, highly rated.

Compared to the dazzling array of weapons on the other three walls, the wall belonging to Shu appeared much emptier.

Three ancient golden longswords hung quietly on the wall, all identical in appearance to the Xuanyuan Sword.

These three swords were replicas of Li Sushang's Xuanyuan Sword. Their quality was even inferior to the unenhanced Xuanyuan Sword Shu possessed.

Otto expended resources creating them, yet they served no purpose beyond being extremely durable.

Their sole function was to provide Shu with a familiar feel.

As for why not bring Li Sushang's actual Xuanyuan Sword?

That sword had been consecrated.

After Shu injected enormous amounts of [Hope] into it twice, the already remarkable weapon seemed to have undergone a "tiny bit" of change.

Someone once said: "Divine Keys are weapons made from Herrscher Cores. So, does a weapon possessing Herrscher power count as a Divine Key?"

Otto surmised this was the principle. The sword retained considerable [Hope] and [Wish]. Although it couldn't be wielded as freely as Shu could, it truly achieved the state of cutting hair blown across its edge and slicing through metal like mud externally, while remaining completely harmless internally...

Amazing, right? Otto didn't understand it either.

How could a sword simultaneously be unable to cut the skin of a seven-year-old girl yet slice through a Titan mech, energy field defense and all, with one stroke?

Li Sushang could even slash out tangible sword energy with Xuanyuan Sword and even make the sword change direction mid-air after throwing it...

After Shu's departure, the strongest combatant at the base wasn't Himeko's Titan mech squad, but Fu Hua, who could wield the power of Xuanyuan Sword just like Li Sushang.

Compared to Li Sushang, Fu Hua's use of Xuanyuan Sword was even more terrifying.

Sword energy? Flying on a sword?

Shu felt Fu Hua was practically about to achieve Sword God status!

Otto specially made a set of armor for Fu Hua, even adding a small device to it.

Shu had also sparred with Fu Hua. If Xuanyuan Sword hadn't also been harmless to him, he estimated that Fu Hua, wielding Xuanyuan Sword and wearing her personal armor, would exert pressure on him no less than the Herrscher of Evolution.

The kind without using Authorities, pure hand-to-hand combat.

In short, facing a Honkai Emperor-class beast probably wouldn't be much pressure. As for Monarch-class... hadn't fought one, hard to say.

Encountering such monsters still required Shu to test their strength first.

The Fire Moth finally had a second "S"-rank combatant. Now, add the combination of the Key of Evolution and Kallen.

With Himeko's Titan squad as the mainstay, Kallen and Fu Hua holding the fort, Otto finally felt comfortable letting Shu leave the base to continue expanding the Fire Moth.

As for Shu's armor...

There was indeed something hanging where the armor should be, but it didn't look like armor. At first glance, the only parts with actual defensive capability were two small pauldrons on the shoulders and a badge on the chest.

It was a trench coat, predominantly a flashy white, with golden and red flame patterns.

Tailored precisely to Shu's body measurements, it was very form-fitting. The long coattails would start flailing wildly behind him with the slightest breeze...

This was clearly just an ordinary piece of clothing!!

No, wait, one thing was very not ordinary.

This coat could glow! It glowed whenever the coattails swung widely!!

When Otto presented this coat, Shu nearly zero-framed grabbed Otto's collar and demanded if he was messing with him.

You want him to wear this onto the battlefield?! Is this thing useful at all?!

"Isn't there a hidden clasp here? Can be used to hang a sword or a gun, whichever you prefer," the old man had responded at the time.

Oh, I really freaking thank you!

Whether others would be tilted was unknown, but Shu definitely was a bit tilted.

Looking at the tech-heavy armor of Kiana and the others, then looking at his own flashy, light-colored outfit devoid of any seriousness...

Were they really a team... oh no, were they even in the same art style?

Was he sure he hadn't just walked over from a xuanhuan set?

Even if you had to design something, give me a dark-colored outfit! At least that would have some weight and oppressiveness...

But when Shu sullenly put on the coat, his assessment changed somewhat.

No other reason, it was genuinely cool! The kind of cool everyone wholeheartedly acknowledged!

Especially when the coattails swung, the flame patterns on the coat looked like real fire, and Shu was the figure standing unwavering amidst the flames.

He was even glowing!

Everyone thought it was cool... except the person wearing it.

Designed by Otto, tested by Shu, negative review.

But highly rated by everyone else.