Bear School Astartes-Chapter 729 - 712. Heavy Crossbow Cannon

Without hesitation, the new battle plan was implemented that very night.

In discussions between the Commander-in-Chief and Lann, it was always clear that weakening the Molten Mountain Dragon should be done as soon as possible, without pause.

For the final moment, with decisive force, to beat the Molten Mountain Dragon into submission, hurting it enough so that its instinct to avoid danger outweighs its instinct to return to a death site, thereby preparing it to divert its route away from the Earth Vein Corridor.

Wende and Aiden returned three hours later, and along the way, they also brought Lann's equipment as per his request.

"Clack clack."

The sound of the mechanical spring was crisp and pleasant. Lann's hands, two to three times larger than an average person's, expertly checked and reset a fully steel-structured heavy crossbow cannon.

[Flame Assault Crossbow].

Based on the investigation team's standard [Iron Assault Crossbow], it was made with materials such as the Flame Bag, teeth, and scales of the Barbaric Jaws Dragon.

Though in this world, the power and functionality of ranged weapons are mostly due to the use of naturally exotic materials for the projectiles.

However, Lann took an instant liking to this hundred-pound plus, massive firearm the moment he laid eyes on it.

Perhaps it's because the remote weapons used by the Interstellar Warriors from the Interstellar Empire in [Memory Deep Dive] are similar in style to the heavy crossbow cannon?

The Interstellar Warriors of the Son of the Emperor do not exclusively use swordsmanship; otherwise, they'd be quite foolish on the interstellar battlefield. Their combat scenarios would be too limited.

Not only inelegant but also inefficient.

And their most commonly used bomb gun looks like a crude, large-barreled blunderbuss.

With a large caliber and a thick, solid gun body, the regular ammunition is about the size of a normal person's fist...

Besides, if a person used unenhanced muscles and bones to shoot and absorb the recoil, then after one shot, their arm bones might not be far from needing amputation.

However, in this world, the Hunters' powerful physiques make up for the lack of standardization in industrial design.

But a gun… Just thicken the barrel! Increase the charge! Use special projectiles!

Who cares if it's heavy? Do you think the Hunters can't carry it? Isn't it called a 'Heavy Crossbow Cannon'? Just add a shield on it for emergency protection!

What's wrong with the design being non-industrial or unstandardized?

Just enhance the performance with monster materials!

What's so special about this world? (Leans back)

In any case, two Barbaric Jaws Dragons, whom were still dazed by tranquilizer balls at the Star Base — Fierce Claw, hadn't had their materials studied before Lann had put them to use.

Wende, Gaffi, and Aiden watched Lann's almost aesthetically pleasing process of gun inspection from one side.

"Oh, the skill of assembling, disassembling, and maintaining is not bad," Wende said, crossing his arms, pinching his chin with an appraising tone.

"Just not sure how it performs when actually used."

"Someone who can assemble and repair a heavy crossbow cannon may not necessarily know how to shoot it."

"And your hometown doesn't seem to have such weapons, right?"

In response to Wende's teasing skepticism, Lann smiled slightly.

With a "clack" sound, the thick steel magazine was snapped into the main body of the weapon.

Then, it hung in the folded position on Lann's back waist.

"Don't worry, mates," Lann patted the [Flame Assault Crossbow] on his back waist, "Soon you'll see what shooting art is all about."

"Tch~" Wende deliberately clicked his tongue.

The Hunters quickly sorted their gear and summoned the pterodactyls to return to the back of the Molten Mountain Dragon.

According to Lann's information, they began to spread out, searching up and down along the spine of the Molten Mountain Dragon.

Besides two locations Lann had identified earlier, they quickly found three more, totaling five heat dissipating organs.

"You two, step aside."

In front of a basalt escarpment, Lann brushed aside Wende and Aiden, who were holding up a heavy crossbow cannon and light crossbow cannon.

"I said earlier I'd show you what 'the art of shooting' means, and now's the time."

Wende, ever the brave, believed that anyone he recognized as capable could be as strong as himself, so he calmly holstered the heavy crossbow cannon onto his back waist.

However, Aiden was more prudent.

"You'll handle this alone? Will you have enough time? Once the Molten Mountain Dragon is alarmed, it'll definitely close the gap on its back."

But though Aiden was worried, his attitude wasn't firm – Lann had proven dependable many times since they began working together.

So he too was gently moved aside by Lann.

Leaving only the Demon Hunter facing the gap on the shell of the Molten Mountain Dragon.

There was another cavity concealed within the shell, with an uneven, red-hot spike at the bottom.

Lann stood firm in front of the gap.

He unfolded the [Flame Assault Crossbow] from his back and, under the watchful eyes of the other two men and one cat, inserted a special magazine into the magazine slot.

"No way, you've got to be kidding..."

Even Wende and Gaffi, accustomed to storms, couldn't help but slowly gape in astonishment.

The item Lann inserted into the magazine slot was something they recognized, called [Mechanized Dragon Ammunition].

An unusual magazine for the heavy crossbow cannon.

But what truly startled them was Lann's current stance.

He held the [Flame Assault Crossbow] with one hand, and with his unusually tall build, the weapon looked like an over-accessorized, oversized handgun in his hand, instead of the firearm meant to be cradled by Hunters!

"Is he not planning to lie down? Or did you not tell him, during heavy crossbow training, that he should lie prone?"

Wende asked Aiden, his mouth twitching.

He knew Aiden had taught Lann Hunter techniques for a while.

But looking at Aiden's expression, Wende realized he had asked for nothing.

[Mechanized Dragon Ammunition] requires Hunters, even with their robust physique, to shoot in a prone position to offset the recoil and avoid being blasted away.

Yet now, Aiden's mouth was slacked open just like Wende's.

No way… I remember Lann was quite by the book when learning heavy crossbow with me!

But now that things had reached this stage, nothing left to say would make any difference.

The Demon Hunter held the hundred-pound heavy crossbow cannon like a light rifle.

A wicked grin slowly formed at the corners of his mouth.

And then… flames erupted!

"Bang bang bang!!!"

Indeed, the so-called [Mechanized Dragon Ammunition] is about firing oversized ammo used by Hunters, with a firing speed similar to that of a machine gun!

Each shot fired was like a small cannonball, the recoil kicking up a circle of spreading dust at Lann's feet.

The muzzle flash, even here on a not-so-dim volcano, cast a flickering effect on Lann's face.

"Gah!"

Wende, Gaffi, and Aiden almost simultaneously covered their ears the moment Lann fired.