Every coordinate of the ammunition explosion was precise, with an error margin no greater than one percent. On five or six occasions, both sides relied on their extraordinary speed to evade the near-misses, the laser rounds grazing past their mechs. Red Hair had even landed two super-powerful strikes on An Junlie’s mech, nearly reducing it to scrap metal.

This was the first time she had witnessed a genuine mech duel. Real guns, real ammunition; a single misstep could mean eternal damnation. Yet, An Junlie and Red Hair, both seasoned veterans of countless battlefields, fought to a dead heat.

The battle descended into a grueling stalemate.

Long-range combat was visually spectacular but seldom determined a victor quickly, especially when both mechs were equally matched. An Junlie checked his remaining ammunition—only eight rounds left. His opponent must have even fewer.

They could continue like this until the end, but what meaning was there in winning that way?

Furthermore, Red Hair would never simply wait to lose.

While expending bullets, Red Hair simultaneously adjusted her positioning. The instant An Junlie leaped to dodge, she angled her cannon and fired the laser cannon straight at him—Boom!

The laser scraped past his mech, striking the cannon barrel with pinpoint accuracy. His eight remaining rounds, along with the entire laser cannon assembly, turned to ash in that single blow!

Zi Ye witnessed this and jumped up in shock. No way? Is An Junlie going to lose?

An Junlie had lost his cannon, but he didn't give up. He found a gap amidst Red Hair’s barrage of fire and pushed forward at full speed. Once the distance closed, he raised his Tri-Titanium blade for close-quarters combat.

Red Hair had been waiting for him to come.

Within a hundred meters, it was impossible for An Junlie to evade lasers as precise as a combat computer.

A triumphant smile touched the corner of Red Hair’s lips, but then, things took an unexpected turn—

An Junlie’s desperation erupted, his movements more ferocious than his best training simulations. He piloted his mech high into the air, and in the instant the laser cannon shot beneath his feet, he descended with a whistling roar, cleaving down toward Red Hair’s cockpit.

Red Hair didn't draw her own blade, instead angling her cannon upward to halt the descending strike. An Junlie pressed his lips tight, his right leg kicking out like lightning, slamming directly into the opponent's chest plate.

CRASH!

That kick must have carried immense force; Red Hair’s mech shield shattered into fragments. An Junlie’s assault didn't cease; he followed up with a rapid combination kick, then a sweeping move like 'Cleave the Thousand Armies.' Red Hair couldn't sustain the impact and tumbled backward onto the ground.

An Junlie gave her no chance to rise, swinging the Tri-Titanium blade down forcefully toward Red Hair's face.

"You lose," An Junlie’s voice transmitted through the comms system, calm and steady, unchanged from before the duel.

Red Hair remained silent. An Junlie retracted his blade and opened his cockpit hatch, stepping out. The biting cold wind howled across his face, yet he felt an unprecedented exhilaration!

It had been too long since he’d had such a satisfying fight. Phew!

Zi Ye’s skiff flew rapidly to where the two had landed, her mood buzzing with excitement. Sometimes, watching a battle was more thrilling than fighting on the front lines, especially since she had gathered so much valuable data.

However, her excitement paused when she saw Red Hair’s mech completely still. Red Hair had lost; surely she wasn't going to cry? She imagined the picture of Red Hair sniffling and let out a slightly wicked laugh.

On Silver Star, no one could make Red Hair cry.

As she was thinking this, Red Hair’s mech suddenly moved. She charged toward An Junlie’s machine at top speed, drew her blade with a shing, and with a flash of light and a ripping sound—Screech—An Junlie’s mech was cleanly severed at the waist!

Red Hair stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at the ruined machine, spitting out, "Hmph, I'll let you win!"

Her heightened emotions carried over even when she returned home.

It was all that damned Aunt Flo, arriving late instead of early, showing up precisely when I was fighting. Under those circumstances, I couldn't engage An Junlie in close combat.

How could I possibly have lost otherwise?

Hateful!

However, deep down, she knew that even if her period hadn't arrived, it would have only postponed her defeat. She had always excelled at long-range attacks; close combat was her weakness, whereas her opponent was proficient in both long and short range.

So, the whole 'Aunt Flo' excuse was just that—an excuse!

Upon entering her personal quarters, Red Hair underwent a brief rest and quickly resumed her brilliant smile, playfully teasing An Junlie, "Alien, interested in staying here with me?"

An Junlie was also deeply impressed by her. It was the first time a woman had fought him to this extent, and a sense of mutual respect arose between them. But, being a man, there was no way he would stay because of that.

He shook his head and smiled gently, "I appreciate your kindness, but let’s fight again if we get the chance."

Zi Ye scooted back slightly, moving away from the subtle tension swirling between the two, and reminded them, "Red Hair has a habit of collecting handsome men, Tall Guy."

"Are you deliberately exposing me?" Red Hair feigned outrage, reaching out to pinch Zi Ye. She hated being pinched the most, especially by Red Hair, who could squeeze someone until they were nearly unconscious without leaving a single mark on the skin.

Zi Ye quickly backtracked, "Just a joke. The alien isn't a robot; I can't make decisions for him."

Red Hair dropped the pinching posture, reverting to her usual beautiful and seductive demeanor, examining An Junlie closely. "Humans are better. Name your price."

An Junlie felt the veins in his forehead twitching.

Did he feel like two women were haggling in a marketplace? He was terrified of women, truly—what was he supposed to do? Zi Ye was slightly better; she spoke up for him, "I'd love to sell him, but I don't have your talent. If he brought a knife down, my life would be over. I’m scared."

Red Hair gave a cool smile; this was clearly a jab, reminding her that she was An Junlie’s vanquished foe. She spread her hands. "I understand. Then go find that crazy pervert. Clone one; one for you, one for me."

An Junlie couldn't comprehend what went on inside women's minds. Suppressing his temper, he said, "I’m sorry, but I absolutely will not allow anyone to clone another me."

Red Hair didn't get angry; instead, she adopted a very serious tone. "No matter who you are, you can’t leave Silver Star once you’ve arrived. If I take you in, you won't have to endure much hardship and can just relax here. Isn’t that good?"

An Junlie didn't get angry; he laughed instead. "That's only if I agree to it."

Zi Ye rubbed her forehead, seeing the two clashing again. So troublesome. After a moment of thought, she connected with the biologist's communication link, asking, "Crazy Pervert, didn't you get the alien's DNA? How's the research coming along?"

The old man grinned so wide his teeth seemed ready to fall out. "It’s a fine item, exceptionally good. Success is just around the corner!"

Hearing this, Red Hair abruptly turned her head. "The crazy pervert started researching?"

Zi Ye closed the screen. "Yeah, why?"

Red Hair immediately beamed brighter than any rose. "You should have told me sooner! I didn't specifically ask for him. As long as the crazy pervert can make an identical one, I don't care which one I get." She turned back, giving An Junlie a pointed look as if asserting dominance, "Right? Alien?"