Chapter 343: All Targets

Chapter 343 – All Targets

Twelve hours later.

“The turbine assembly is complete!”

“The generator assembly is complete!”

“Device self‑check.”

“Device self‑check complete.”

“Preparing to connect to the grid.”

“The grid has been isolated.”

“Network formation complete.”

“Inspecting critical pathways.”

“External storage module test.”

A cascade of inspections concluded swiftly, and when Lei Jie finally turned his gaze to Chen Jian, nodding to signal “All systems ready,” Chen Jian drew a deep breath.

“Energize!”

In an instant, current surged through the grid, a low hum rising.

Immediately thereafter, the lights flared to life.

The night sky over the mountain city was illuminated anew, though only over a tiny patch.

“Operation normal!”

Lei Jie gave Chen Jian a thumbs‑up; Chen Jian exhaled a long sigh, watching the miniature reactor pulse, and could not help but speak:

“Old gear still serves well.”

“I used to hear the Americans brag about household nuclear plants; perhaps this contraption now meets that standard, too?”

“It goes beyond that.”

Lei Jie shrugged, replying:

“Its power output is approaching that of a small hydro plant serving a village, and its thermal‑cycle efficiency is terrifyingly high.”

“No wonder the Hidden‑Water Cave nuclear station employs this arrayed micro‑reactor for power.”

“High efficiency, easy maintenance, and a low danger factor.”

“In a sense, this thing is more practical than a fusion reactor.”

“Indeed.”

Chen Jian stepped back from the cleared area where the reactor lay; the turbine’s roar fell to a murmur.

“The final issue now is those two laser emitters.”

“We must test their effective lethal range to decide our future tactics.”

“If the effective range is too short.”

“We may have to take a risk, pushing them close enough.”

“Then we’ll need a more granular defensive plan—more personnel as well.”

“But the problem is we can scarcely spare any more hands.”

“True.”

Lei Jie nodded thoughtfully.

“The expeditionary force is a mixed bag; we can’t pull them in.”

“The assault company is in Tongling, the infiltration company is nearly at Shen‑city.”

“The volunteer company must guard the base; stripping them too much jeopardizes security.”

“Anyway, let’s try it first.”

“Are you ready?”

“Ready at any moment.”

Chen Jian gave a nod; Lei Jie rose instantly, then issued orders over the radio.

“All personnel, disperse!”

“Stay clear of Laser Cannon One!”

“We are about to conduct a long‑range damage test!”

“Avoid the laser’s line of fire! Prepare for impact shock!”

“Understood!”

“Copy that!”

A cascade of replies crackled through the radio, and Chen Jian asked, bewildered:

“Impact‑shock preparation? What do you mean, are we firing at headquarters?”

“Forget it.”

Lei Jie chuckled, shaking his head, then said:

“Because I have no idea whether this thing will explode.”

“Our repair process is crude; it will run, but no one can guarantee it won’t go awry.”

“All right.”

“Target: the exterior wall of a building four kilometres away.”

“Prepare!”

“Ready!”

Chen Jian signaled his readiness.

The next second.

“Fire!” Lei Jie pressed the remote detonator.

A massive surge of current roared, the energy stored in the massive capacitor flooding the laser generator, then, through the lens, blasting outward.

——

Yet almost all of this unfolded unseen.

Beneath the night sky, only the air illuminated by the lights seemed to ripple ever so slightly.

For a heartbeat, Chen Jian thought the repair had failed—nothing happened.

But the following instant, the outer wall of the building four kilometres away erupted in a scarlet blaze!

“Hit confirmed!”

Lei Jie shouted loudly.

“Exposure time: 3.4 seconds!”

“The outer wall penetrated!”

Reinforced concrete melted under the laser's beam at a staggering pace, the fragile wall bursting open as if in an explosion, leaving a gaping hole.

And under the assault of the airflow, the molten material surged skyward like lava, then rained down like a cascade of meteors.

The entire wall lay in ruins; when the “laser cannon” ceased its blaze, the melted sand and stone solidified into obsidian‑like crystals.

“Holy shit.”

Chen Jian inhaled sharply, a cold gasp.

Its power had truly surpassed his expectations!

In merely 3.4 seconds of exposure it could completely melt a concrete wall??

What if the exposure were extended to ten seconds?

What carbon‑based creature could endure such scorching heat?

Its penetrative force, he thought, must outstrip even that of an armor‑piercing round.

The only hurdle lay in steering the beam with relative precision.

“Four kilometers is no problem at all.”

Lei Jie's face was equally etched with awe.

“This thing is far more potent than our old LW‑60.”

“The LW‑60 only boasted sixty kilowatts of power.”

Chen Jian glanced at the slowly cooling emitter and mused:

“Its actual output must be around three hundred kilowatts, right?”

“I’m not sure, but the energy consumption suggests it’s possible.”

Lei Jie frowned and said:

“With only two large capacitors, it can sustain a burst for four seconds.”

“The system still needs further refinement.”

“But for now, let’s set that aside.”

“Extend the range.”

“Let’s see just how far its ultimate lethal reach extends!”

“No problem!”

Hours later.

The tests on the laser cannon finally concluded.

And Chen Jian now held the weapon’s final data in his hands.

Within three kilometers, it can pierce concrete less than forty centimeters thick in two seconds.

Within six kilometers, it penetrates in six seconds.

Beyond six kilometers, atmospheric scattering and other factors cause its power to plummet sharply.

Though it can still inflict ablative damage, it no longer achieves effective destruction.

“It seems the situation is now clear.”

Chen Jian reached out, feeling the laser cannon’s casing searing hot, and continued:

“Six kilometers lands precisely at the edge of that monster’s attack range.”

“We’re just a little farther away—just a little.”

“Yet that slight margin is already enough.”

“We can now begin to devise a battle plan.”

“The only question is how to draw that creature’s ‘core’ up from beneath the earth.”

“What do you think? Any ideas?”

Lei Jie shook his head.

“None.”

“But we needn’t lock ourselves in a deadly stalemate with a single monster.”

“If we truly lack a reliable means to eliminate the beast we saw before the season’s star”

“then why not start with the other monsters first?”

“After all, every one before us is a target.”

(End of Chapter)