Chapter 73: Metal Cooler
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, while everyone was deep in training, they suddenly felt a massive shift in energy and tremors across the planet.
"What was that?!" several of them exclaimed.
They rushed out of the training chambers, only to witness a metallic planet-like structure descending toward Namek not just colliding with it, but actively consuming it, as though assimilating the planet's energy and matter.
"What's going on?!" Krillin asked, alarmed. Everyone except Li Xu looked stunned and confused.
"That's... Big Gete Star," Li Xu muttered, recognizing the scene immediately from what he knew of alternate timelines. The structure was unmistakable it resembled the theatrical version where Metal Cooler invades New Namek.
"Cooler must've survived his defeat and merged with Big Gete Star," Li Xu thought. "Or maybe like in the original movie, he was assimilated by the AI core and rebuilt as Metal Cooler. That's the only way Big Gete Star would appear here."
"Big Gete Star? What's that?" Krillin asked, still not comprehending.
"It's a living supercomputer that originated from a damaged chip at the edge of the universe. Over time, it absorbed matter and energy, evolving into a mechanical planet that assimilates everything it touches," Li Xu explained. "It can even replicate warriors like Cooler using advanced cybernetics."
"If we don't stop it soon, Namek will be completely devoured," Goku said, now serious. "Frieza hasn't even arrived yet, but this thing showed up first."
"Everyone get ready here comes the enemy!" Li Xu shouted.
Right on cue, dozens of humanoid Cyclopean Guard robots emerged from the mechanical structure and began descending toward the fighters in tight formations.
Clank… clank… clank…
And then, stepping out from behind the swarm Metal Cooler himself, chrome-plated and radiating mechanical menace.
"You don't look surprised to see me," Cooler said, his synthesized voice cold.
"You're just scrap metal. I've destroyed you once I'll do it again," Li Xu said with disdain. He never expected Cooler to return in this form, just like in the alternate movie timeline.
"You know this guy?" Goku asked in a low voice.
"He's Frieza's older brother Cooler."
"Stronger than Frieza?" Goku asked, eyes lighting up with anticipation.
"He was stronger than Frieza before," Li Xu replied. "Now? With Big Gete Star's enhancements, he's even more dangerous."
"Awesome. Let me take him!" Goku said, stepping forward, his aura rising.
"Fine by me." Li Xu nodded.
"Cooler! I'll be your opponent!" Goku declared, transforming into Super Saiyan mid-step.
"Hmph. Killing you will be a bonus then I'll tear Li Xu apart slowly," Metal Cooler sneered, angered by the disrespect.
Li Xu turned to the younger fighters. "Li Yi, Bulla get ready. You'll take on the robots. Time to see how well you've grown."
"Okay, Dad!" the two children said in unison, their eyes gleaming with battle spirit.
As the Cyclopean robots lunged toward the group, Li Xu used Instant Transmission to teleport Bulma to a safe distance, not wanting her near the chaos.
"Watch me!" Bulla shouted, charging a ki sphere and hurling it at one of the robots. The explosion struck dead-on but when the smoke cleared, the robot stood unfazed.
"Front armor's too strong?" she muttered, alarmed.
"Look out!" Li Yi shouted as another robot lunged at Bulla. He darted in and punched it square in the chest again, no effect.
Meanwhile, Krillin and Tien Shinhan were locked in battle with their own opponents, dodging laser blasts and trying to land blows, but the mechs were oddly resilient.
"These machines are tougher than they look!" Krillin said, ducking under a blast.
"Li Yi, look for a weakness!" Li Xu's voice rang clearly in his son's ear, despite the battlefield noise.
Li Yi narrowed his eyes, now serious, weaving through attacks as he studied the robot's movements.
"There!" he finally shouted.
Suddenly, Li Yi's eyes lit up. Concentrating his ki into a single focal point, he channeled it into his fist and launched a precise strike at the robot.
Boom!
The robot split cleanly into two segments before erupting in a powerful explosion.
"Bulla, concentrate your energy into a single point. These machines are just heavily-armored constructs." Li Yi instructed as Bulla stood catching her breath.
"Tch, I would've figured it out even if you hadn't said anything," Bulla pouted, clearly annoyed, but followed his advice. She condensed her ki like he had.and shattered a robot in a single blow.
Watching Li Yi quickly analyze and exploit the robots' weakness, Li Xu nodded in satisfaction.
Elsewhere, Piccolo and the others also caught on, targeting joint seams and weak points. Soon, several robots lay destroyed but the enemy's sheer numbers overwhelmed. For every unit destroyed, more dropped from Big Gete Star's orbit, like an endless swarm.
Meanwhile, Son Goku was having a rougher time his Super Saiyan form struggling against Metal Cooler, who was overpowering him with relentless, crushing force.
・・・
Metal Cooler's core energy output was a staggering 10 billion units, but that didn't directly translate to combat power. It was more akin to channeling the energy for a massive ki blast, like a Kamehameha powered by tenfold energy, the output sounded extreme, but the actual destructive force was only two to three times above normal combat power.
Thus, while Metal Cooler's combat strength now measured in the hundreds of millions, it wasn't as astronomical as it sounded. Still, it was enough to overwhelm Goku, especially with Big Gete Star sustaining and repairing him.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Son Goku was tossed like a ragdoll, each blow from Metal Cooler landing with crushing precision. He struggled to fight back.
Boom!
Goku suddenly powered up, exploding into his Super Saiyan form in a blinding burst of golden light. In the next instant, he smashed through Metal Cooler's arm, shattering it.
…0
Yet an unsettling scene followed Cooler's arm regenerated instantly, mechanical plating realigning as wires and circuits reassembled seamlessly.
"Big Gete Star's central CPU repairs me automatically. Unless you destroy every trace of me, I'll always return stronger than before," Metal Cooler boasted with a mechanical grin.
"But... even Super Saiyan? That's unexpected. Interesting."
"What?!" Goku exclaimed, surprised that even this form couldn't guarantee victory.
"So this is the extent of his durability…" Li Xu observed from afar, frowning. "If Goku can break his body but Cooler relies on constant regeneration, it means his physical defense is behind his combat output. Without that CPU support, he'd be no match."
Back in battle, Goku pressed his advantage, launching a hard punch to Cooler's stomach, splitting him in half.
But once again the parts levitated and fused back together instantly.
Goku grit his teeth. This regeneration was troublesome. No matter how many times he damaged Cooler, the repairs were instant and seamless.
"This is insane... but I won't give up!" Goku declared, bloodied but defiant. Instead of fear, excitement gleamed in his eyes.
Whoosh!
Goku charged forward with renewed fury, slamming his fist into Cooler's body but this time, Cooler caught him and clamped his hand around Goku's throat.
"What's the matter? Where's all that fighting spirit now?" Cooler sneered, tightening his grip with cold precision.
Goku clawed at Cooler's wrist, straining to break free.
"It's over, Super Saiyan!"
---
50+ advanced chapter on patreon....Visit patreon now to read my exclusive content... posting 5 chapters per day, Our collection is now available on PATREON
visit patreon.com/Mgoldtranslation to view 50+ advanced chapters
Please subscribe guys