Arknights' Lock of Heaven

The weeds are just too overgrown.

I really don't know how Zofia can fit into a place like this.

"Hey, watch your step," Old F quickly pulled Koval back before they had gone far.

"I almost tripped over... What's this? A hood? A hood in the garden??"

Koval stared at the hood beneath his feet, utterly perplexed.

How come there's a car hood in this garden?

Watch your step! Regulate your breathing!

Before they could figure it out, Zofia's voice came from the front.

Upon hearing this, they quickly stepped forward.

"Wow... basic skills. It's been a month and you're still working on the basics. Looks like you're going to miss out on a lot of points."

“A true Kazimierz knight should be like this, honing his martial arts skills!” Hearing this, Old F said with a glare, “What are you talking about? What are you talking about? Only a fool would bother with all that fancy stuff.”

Koval was about to add a few more insults when he saw Zofia, who had been so easily defeated, being disarmed by Maria's backhand sword strike.

"Wow, that sword strike is quite interesting," Old Frank's eyes lit up.

“It reminds me of Margaret,” Koval said, no longer bothering to argue. “The two sisters really do look alike.”

“What you just did…” Zofia looked at her empty right hand, her expression complicated.

This was the first time Maria had knocked her own weapon away head-on without any help.

"Huh? Ah? It seems like it's just a habit..."

Maria stammered and couldn't give a coherent answer.

Then, he turned to look at Xia Yu, who was watching the commotion from the side.

"Mr. Xia Yu, is it you...?"

“Don’t look at me,” Xia Yu waved her hands repeatedly upon hearing this, “I didn’t make a move.”

"You typed all of this yourself."

"I...I knocked Zofia's sword away?" Maria asked, dazed. "Was it me?"

“Yes, it’s you,” Zofia said irritably upon hearing this, “but don’t get too cocky! I just couldn’t bear to let you take advantage of me!”

"Ah, so Zofia does have moments when she can't bear it."

Maria jumped up with joy.

Then it instantly aggravated the wound, and he lay down grimacing.

"Don't lie down! Get up! We still have a lot to prepare!"

Zofia looked at this with obvious disdain and said, "As your coach, because you only have a superficial understanding of knightly competition... scheduling, points acquisition, intelligence analysis, we still have a lot to do!"

"Hey, hey... I'll just rest for a little while..."

"Don't fall asleep! Have you forgotten you're going to the competition tomorrow?"

180 Plastic Knight

"Hey, isn't this the rising star of the Howling Guardians? You're here really early."

Big Mouth Mob looked at the plastic riders backstage and said, "The audience hasn't entered yet. There are still two hours until the first match of the day. Are you here to prepare in advance?"

"It's been a long time since I've played in a place like this... I really miss it."

The plastic rider looked around and sighed.

Since becoming famous, he hasn't competed in a small arena like this.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm curious too. Even though the knight title is 'plastic,' it's still one of your selling points..."

Anyone who actually believes this claim and thinks plastic is easily destroyed... that's truly foolish.

How many weak knights can earn a title?

Not to mention that the use of the term "plastic" is also a way to increase attention through contrast.

After all, the title is "plastic," but it's surprisingly powerful, which is a selling point.

Of course, this title was also the idea of ​​the Howling Knights and the directors of the business federation behind them.

After all, no matter how eloquently you describe it, the name "plastic" really doesn't sound good.

He himself may not be willing to do so.

But what can you do if you don't want to?

Big Mouth Mob glanced at the distracted Plastic Knight and casually remarked, "After last month's competition, your points were already among the top in the Knights Order, right? Is it really necessary to work this hard?"

"..."

"...I couldn't do anything about my former employer's demands, which forced me to cancel my vacation."

The plastic rider remained silent for a moment before letting out a mild complaint.

"Ah, so that's the purpose after all?" Big Mouth Mob said with a wink.

"You know perfectly well what I'm asking," the Plastic Knight scoffed indifferently.

He didn't have a good impression of this person who was known for his outspokenness, but he also didn't have any ill feelings towards him.

After all, he knew in his heart that although the other party seemed to speak without restraint, he was actually very smart and knew what to say and what not to say.

Such a person, barring any unforeseen circumstances, will soon be able to continue climbing the ranks.

Perhaps in a few years, they will even be able to match the level of commentators in the main competition.

Therefore, the plastic knight was still willing to befriend him when he struck up a conversation.

"Oh, I knew it? Well, that's going to be quite a show today..."

Big Mouth Mob looked at the plastic knight who had acquiesced and let out a sigh.

“There is indeed a good show to be had... but before that, please allow me to speak with Mr. Plastic Serchiak alone.”

Just then, a man in a sharp suit interrupted their conversation.

"You are……"

The plastic rider hesitated.

"I'm a staff member from the Major Qualifiers. This is my business card, Mr. Serchiak."

Upon hearing this, Mob silently walked away from the two of them.

He is very good at judging the timing.

A person claiming to be a staff member handed over a business card.

Serchia, which is also the real name of Plastic Rider.

He took the business card from the man's hand and, unsurprisingly, saw the company the man belonged to.

The howling guards.

That is, their own sponsors.

The plastic rider suddenly had a bad feeling.

"...Staff member, is there anything I can help you with?"

"I'm just here to let you know something."

The person claiming to be a staff member said condescendingly, "The Howling Guardian Company requires you to equip the latest Jack 2 armor model in your one-on-one comprehensive competition with Maria Nearl, also known as the 'Duel,' and to do your best to prolong the battle."

"What?!" The plastic knight looked completely bewildered. "The material of the new armor isn't designed for knightly competitions at all—"

"It's alright. The return of Lin Guang has attracted countless media outlets, which is a great opportunity."

The man in the sharp suit continued speaking eloquently, "They've already paid too high a price to win the bid for that long-term trade contract. They need a reasonable opportunity to play the game, both as a test and for publicity."

"As for the deposit that the Howling Guard's publicity department promised to prepare for you... it's three times your total after-tax income last year."

“This one match alone is enough to buy a village in your hometown, Mr. Serchiak.”

Upon hearing this, the plastic rider's breath hitched.

Ah, he couldn't refuse that offer.

only……

He recalled the performance of his next opponent, Maria Nearl, in her debut match.

It is quite satisfactory.

As a cautious knight, he had long ago studied his opponent's background.

Well, his fundamentals are very solid, giving him an advantage against some new competitive riders, but for a veteran like himself, it's not enough.

He was confident enough to defeat Maria Nearl.

But wearing the latest Jack 2 armor...