Vol 2. Chapter 18: (The Worm and the Projectile) Collision
The projectile, launched at an initial speed of 5,000 m/s, shed its sabot due to air resistance, leaving the sleek, fin-stabilized shell to maintain its velocity as it streaked toward the target.
The distance was approximately 70 meters.
The projectile, with minimal velocity loss, struck the worm's head.
"Impact confirmed."
The worm's head jerked unnaturally to one side, as though it had been swatted. Shockwaves, or possibly fragments of the worm's tissue, dispersed like smoke. The projectile appeared to have pierced straight through the worm's head.
"What's the effect?" ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ Eve asked.
"Analyzing now," Ringo replied.
The worm, still propelled by its momentum, was knocked off its intended trajectory by the projectile's force and slammed into the ground. Its original plan to burrow underground via its head was thwarted by the impact, and instead, it skidded along the surface.
"Analysis complete. The projectile penetrated the worm's head. The velocity might have been too high, reducing the transfer of impact energy," Ringo explained.
"Penetrated? So it didn’t deflect like it did with <Rain Croix>?"
"Correct, Commander Ma’am. The projectile pierced the worm's surface tissue and entered its body without sustaining damage. It then passed through, destroying tissue on the opposite side. The lack of damage to the projectile suggests that the worm’s internal composition is relatively soft."
The projectile, traveling at 5,000 m/s, retained most of its kinetic energy as it exited the worm. This indicated that the impact had failed to deliver a significant shock to the creature.