Chapter 169: Truth Only Exists Within the Range of Artillery!

Chapter 169 – Truth Lies Only Within the Cannon’s Range!

[Basic Physiological Structure: Titan Symbiotic Fungus (suspected)

The creature exhibits a highly composite biological architecture, composed of a primary fungal core and a consortium of symbiotic organisms.

Height 48–52 meters, base diameter 350–400 meters, overall shape a conical form.

At least three functional zones are discernible:

Surface Accretion Layer (4–6 meters thick): chiefly humus‑rich soil and dense fungi; the outermost stratum is relatively loose, while the inner portion is compact and sturdy.

Secondary Armor Layer: a scale‑like sheath of high‑density chitin (presumed), a common feature among wasteland behemoths.

Core Activity Layer: an arthropod‑like biological stratum (presumed), constituting the monster’s body.]

[Offensive Capabilities:

Toxic aerosol (containing hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulfide, photolabile capsaicin and other poisons)

Spore burst (laden with acidic digestive enzymes)

Physical engulfment (awaiting verification)]

[Operational Plan:

Employ a barrage of concentrated fire to fling away the accretion layer, then strike the core with a large‑caliber armor‑piercing weapon.]

Within the 095 bunker, Chen Jian, having escaped peril, dutifully updated the PDA with the latest data on the secondary monster; at the same moment, Lei Jie, the man tasked with assembling the railgun, completed his work.

Gazing at the railgun mounted on the sixth‑generation Warrior remote‑weapon station, replacing the arm‑shield close‑defense system, Chen Jian asked:

“So, does this thing actually work?”

Hearing the question, Lei Jie shook his head and replied:

“It may not be perfect, but we have no choice but to use it.”

“This railgun is a classic design, employing a kinetic projectile without propellant. It penetrates solid bodies reasonably well, yet its efficacy against mud, sand, or fluid is poor.”

“If the needle‑shaped projectile’s stability is compromised, it will easily yaw or twist, drastically reducing its penetration.”

“And the unlucky part is that the creature is sheathed in ‘near‑fluid armor.’”

“A direct railgun shot won’t just fail to pierce; achieving any meaningful damage would be a struggle.”

“Therefore, we must first shatter the monster’s outer armor.”

“That means we’ll need the 152 cannon and the 107 fire.”

“We need someone to fire the 152 cannon in a rapid volley, flinging away as much of the accretion layer as possible.”

“Once the core is exposed, the railgun will deliver the final blow.”

“The good news is this 152 cannon isn’t the antiquated Model‑66 we used before; although it still sports a 34‑caliber barrel, the propellant chamber, loading mechanism, and barrel material appear upgraded, promising better range and accuracy.”

“If we can keep the impact point within a twenty‑meter error margin, the effect should be sufficient.”

“But achieving that target may prove rather difficult.”

As Lei Jie’s words faded, Lingxi, ever on standby, suddenly spoke up:

“The minimum error for this model of howitzer is within three meters.”

The remark left Chen Jian momentarily stunned.

He instinctively lifted his gaze toward the microphone, then realized that when Lingxi had introduced the weapons earlier, he had skimmed over this seemingly “old‑fashioned” artillery piece.

Yet now it seemed this gun had its own merits?

With that thought, he immediately demanded:

“Lingxi, give us the rundown on this cannon!”

“Acknowledged. The full designation is ERCS‑2040 Extended‑Range Smart Cannon System, employing variable‑volume propellant chambers—also known as staged‑expansion composite chambers—adjustable in real time via barrel‑pressure sensors.”

“The chamber’s outer wall is interlaced with micro‑channel cooling layers, circulating phase‑change material (a gallium‑based alloy melting at 280 °C); each shot dissipates heat at 8 MJ per minute.”

“Regarding ammunition, the system uses a modular charge architecture, featuring CL‑20 gradient‑density propellant columns; the smart‑loading unit integrates RFID tags and miniature pressure sensors, allowing the fire‑control system to auto‑detect energy levels and optimize ignition sequencing.”

“Every projectile’s base houses a micro‑turbine that harnesses residual launch‑gas pressure to drive trajectory‑correction fins.”

“When firing conventional shells, the cannon achieves a circular error probable of 120 m at ranges of 28–36 km.”

“With pulse‑corrected rounds, the CEP shrinks to 15 m over 40–56 km.”

“When equipped with rocket‑assisted, satellite‑guided missiles, the CEP is three meters at 72–90 km.” “The 095 bunker lacks satellite‑guided missiles, but employing pulse‑corrected shells within twenty kilometers should keep the CEP under three meters.”

“Impressive.”

Chen Jian exhaled a long breath.

Good grief, no wonder the gun looks unremarkable; compared to the 152s I’ve seen before, it merely adds an automatic loader.

All its technology is tucked inside!

Variable‑volume chambers, phase‑change cooling layers, modular charge systems, novel projectile designs…

Even a seasoned artillery specialist would miss these details without a close inspection.

——

Hold on.

No wonder I previously thought the Mechanist Cult’s “cannon god” shots from a 152 were erratic—perhaps this is related.

Perhaps they acquired a similar 152 elsewhere, yet never learned to wield it properly.

What a waste of brilliance!

Chen Jian felt a pang of regret, but clearly this was not the moment for lamentation.

He turned his head back to Lei Jie and asked:

“So, is it sufficient?”

“More than sufficient.”

Lei Jie nodded, paused briefly, then said:

“According to Lingxi, the cannon’s maximum range reaches fifty‑six kilometers.”

“But obviously we have no need for that distance.”

“Drone footage shows the monster is only thirteen kilometers away, already within our kill zone.”

“In other words, we needn’t risk closing in for a direct‑aimed barrage.”

“Deploy the gun outside the 095 perimeter, and we can strike it.”

“The only snag is that the creature is constantly on the move.”

“After we fling away the accretion layer, we must ensure the railgun’s impact point coincides with that of the 152 shells.”

“That’s no simple feat—perhaps we’ll have to rely on luck.”

“A lucky shot is better than charging in to be a sacrificial lamb.”

Chen Jian answered without a flicker of expression:

"As long as we launch the barrage near 095, we enjoy a generous margin of error."

"Ammunition is plentiful, safety assured; even if a single salvo fails to fell the foe, we retain the capacity to readjust and strike again."

"We can no longer linger in hesitation."

"The mechanist cult across the way watches with predatory eyes; judging by their preparations, they have at most a few hours before they mount a final charge against the monster."

"We must not allow them to eliminate the beast beforehand, for if they seize the core zone it inhabits, reclaiming it will become a daunting ordeal."

"One 152‑mm howitzer and an electromagnetic cannon can easily fell a solitary monster, yet they are woefully insufficient to eradicate a dispersed thousand‑strong unit."

"We are only eight, and even with mechs, once encircled we would be forced into a protracted melee—something we simply cannot endure."

"Thus, our time dwindles to a handful of hours."

"Before they reach their designated strike point, we must bring the monster down and find a way into Facility 011."

"Only then can we secure enough leverage."

"When the moment arrives, whether we fight or negotiate, we shall hold the initiative."

"Let us proceed in this manner!"

"The fanatical adherents of the mechanist cult know only blind rushes and line‑of‑sight bombardments; we shall show them the true art of artillery."

"We shall make them understand that truth lies solely within the range of a cannon!"

"(End of Chapter)"