Chapter 310: Unbridgeable Gap (2/2)

Seeing the Kaedeian's performance, KKK's heart sank. Lola was even more potent than he had expected. He doubted anyone, including himself, would be able to overcome her in a competition.

Karl's defeat was a huge blow to his confidence. He thought the Art of Karl was invincible, since no one so far was able to counter it effectively. However, with her superb genes, Lola was able to do the impossible, and finally found a weak link in the seemingly flawless strategy.

Lola looked relaxed and chilled. She held her ever stoical expression and narrowed her eyes, as if she were contemplating something. She never thought anyone would be a threat to her. If there were one person, she thought, that might pose even the slightest problem, it would be Flash, as he possessed the same premonitory skill that allowed him to assess the flow of the battle quickly.

She was convinced that it would easy to defeat Wang Tong, since Wang Tong relied too much on his defense and the clone technique—both were ineffective when used against top-level Kaedeians.

”Boss, Karl seemed to be having a hard time.” Cao Yo was anxious. He knew that although Karl was a competent commander, he was not invincible. The Kaedeian had sent a crushing blow right at Karl's soft spot, and it ought to hurt.

Wang Tong knew Karl was in trouble, but he too was not sure how to help him. He registered that the Kaedeian's ability was unique, since it drew its power from their genes. In other words, it was not a fair fight, since the Kaedeians were fighting with an inherent advantage.

Karl had turned into a bundle of nerves. He had been relying on the Art of Karl, and had never considered the possibility of the strategy being countered. His mind raced as he tried to improvise a new plan for the next round.

The time was up, and the second round was about to start.

Karl gathered himself and went back to the simulation room.

Unable to find an alternative strategy, Karl had decided to double down on the Art of Karl. He had shrunk his economic development in the beginning to gain the precious resources to produce units. Karl was aware that it was unwise to alter anything in the tried and tested opening, since the slightest change would result in a drastically different outcome. However, Karl conceded that he had no choice but to take on the risk.

Lola noted the change in Karl's strategy, and she knew right away that she needed to prepare for early offense. She wagered that Karl would not have many ground troops, and therefore, she reasoned that it would be wise to beef up the air units and rush the tech tree.

Watching the game had started to be like watching a slow train wreck. As Karl slowly built up his first group of units, Lola had accumulated a greater number and more powerful air units.

Although Flash was only in the audience, he could still sense Lola's power. His instructor had warned him about Lola, and told him that only by defeating Lola would the Kaedeians' monopoly over fleet combat finally be over.

Flash wagered that he would only have 50 percent chance of winning a fight against the Kaedeian, as he was hard pressed to find a method to counter her brilliant micro control and judgment. The difficulty in defeating Lola was amplified by the fact that Kaedeian's genes had made her tactics more efficient and deadly.

When Lola's deference destroyed Karl's dropship, so was Karl's confidence and his plan. He knew that his ploy had been seen through.

No one had cheered for Lola's success, since it wasn't the Kaedeians custom to cheer for their fighters. Karl's defeat saddened the earthlings, and the Ivantians were shocked by Lola's display of power. Both factions lamented the fact that whenever they saw a sliver of hope in catching up with the Kaedeians, they always crushed their new hope ruthlessly.

Karl's eyes lost the usual gleam. He had been very confident in his ability; some might even call it conceit. However, he didn't let his pride blind him right then, as he could see clearly that the Kaedeian was much stronger than him.

”It looks like Karl was about to give up. What a pity! Although he had done a great job in the previous fights, the invincible Kaedeian defeated him with ease.”

”I would argue that he had already done a good job in this round. His defeat wasn't due to his lack of skills, but it was because his opponent was too strong. He had lost even before he had entered the simulation room because of his opponent's advantage in her genes.”

The host's comment had hit the mark. However, no war was fought with fairness in mind, like the war against the unscrupulous Zergs.

Wang Tong could no longer sit through Karl's suffering, so he requested a timeout. Although he knew that no matter what he told Karl, he would not be able to turn the tide of the battle with words.

”Boss, it seems like I am going to lose again,” Karl said helplessly, his voice shaking slightly.

Wang Tong grabbed Karl's collar was pulled the shivering boy closer to him. ”No way! We never surrender to anyone. Did you remember when we were stranded in the sea and when death was looming above our head? You didn't even flinch then. So why do you look like a coward right now?”

”Boss... I—”

”On Norton, none of my comrades ever lost their hope even when Zergs surrounded them. This is only a game, where is your mettle?” Wang Tong bowled out at Karl; his voice boomed inside the arena.

”Boss, I get it! I will try my best. I know that I am already a freak anyway, I wouldn't care less about what other people think of me.” Karl shouted out as he slapped himself a couple of times, as if trying to wake himself up.