Chapter 23: The Relic - Sigil of the Stars (I)

[Military Automaton Type II — Beetle: A second-generation military automaton produced by the Veroni Doll Factory. Equipped with a sixth-generation automaton heart as its power source, it features specialized defensive upgrades based on the first-generation model. Its overall performance has been significantly enhanced, with defensive capabilities seeing a massive improvement.

The automaton’s artificial intelligence appears to have undergone a strange mutation, leading it to fall into a prolonged state of berserk fury. Intense, high-stakes combat has left its external high-strength alloy skeleton severely damaged, and its power levels are less than ten percent of their original capacity.

Assessment: Dangerous! — Destroying the automaton heart will cause it to shut down and become paralyzed.]

—

Looking at the intelligence gathered before him, a mysterious glint flickered in Mo Wen’s eyes.

"A second-generation military automaton... and a specially modified one at that..."

Had it been a pristine second-generation unit, Mo Wen would have turned and fled without a second thought. After all, the two first-generation units he had defeated were aged and damaged, lacking their alloy exoskeletons. He wasn't even sure if his sword strikes could have pierced the alloy of a fully functional first-generation model—let alone now that he had just acquired a "fine standard-issue longsword."

And that was not even considering the second-generation model, which boasted significantly improved performance over the first.

But given the current state of this second-generation automaton... that was a different matter entirely.

"I’ll test it out. If it doesn't work, I’ll retreat."

Mo Wen made his decision quickly. He turned to Hank, who was standing nearby. "The condition of that Type II military automaton seems poor. It might be worth attempting to clear it out."

Recalling how Mo Wen had defeated the soldier automatons shortly before, Hank took a deep breath. "...If that is the case, and if it is you, then it is certainly worth a try. I will provide cover for you here with my long-range weapon. If things go wrong, you must retreat to this position immediately."

Mo Wen nodded. He looked at Fria, and the young girl looked back at him. Their eyes met, and everything was understood without a word.

Some time later.

"Let's go."

Mo Wen whispered to himself. He timed his movement perfectly, lunging forward to arrive behind the nearest soldier automaton.

Since he had decided to take on the "Beetle," he needed to clear out the surrounding soldier automatons first. This would prevent them from catching him in a pincer attack during the main battle, and it would also allow him to farm some class experience. If he could level up, he would be even better prepared to deal with the "Beetle."

Based on his observations, there were about five patrolling soldier automatons circling the old noble’s warehouse, seemingly following some pre-programmed order. They were all in poor condition, missing parts of their exoskeletons, and armed primarily with longswords and iron pipes.

The one in front of Mo Wen was armed with an iron pipe.

The soldier automaton, sensing footsteps, turned quickly and raised its iron pipe in an attempt to defend itself.

However, it was fast, but Mo Wen was faster.

Under the influence of "Quickstep," his speed was like a light breeze. After rushing out of the alleyway, he covered the ten-plus meters in less than a second, striking from behind the automaton.

His longsword, already primed, slashed from bottom to top, striking the wrist of the half-turned automaton with pinpoint accuracy.

*Clack!*

The strike severed the iron pipe from the automaton’s hand, sending it and the hand holding it flying into the air.

The sharpness of the fine standard-issue longsword far exceeded that of the makeshift metal sword he had crafted earlier. Augmented by the Thousand Wind Swordsmanship, it sliced clean through the automaton’s palm!

The red light in the soldier automaton’s eyes flickered, but before it could react further, Mo Wen’s sword had already pierced through its chest, striking the heart.

*Clack!*

The automaton heart shattered, and the soldier automaton instantly slumped into a state of paralysis.

With 150 points of class experience gained, a smile tugged at the corner of Mo Wen’s mouth as he pulled his sword back.

He stood on the street as a flowing breeze hit his face, causing his hair to flutter back slightly. This vibrant sensation, this surge of blood brought on by intense combat... this was the joy of truly being alive!

*Perhaps I was never meant to be a person who "stays in line"?*

He thought to himself, his gaze falling upon another soldier automaton patrolling around the corner of the old warehouse.

This ambush was calculated. The patrols of the soldier automatons were cyclical and never stopped, but they followed a pattern. If he could time it right and take out one automaton in a very short window, he could artificially create a "one-on-one" dueling environment, avoiding the threat of being swarmed.

One-on-one versus one-against-many were two entirely different concepts; the latter required considering dozens or hundreds of factors more. The innate limitations of human vision meant there would always be blind spots. In a one-against-many scenario, unless he possessed overwhelming strength, it was impossible to guarantee he wouldn't be attacked from behind.

Considering this was his first battle since leveling up, Mo Wen had allowed himself twenty seconds. As long as he could take down a soldier automaton within that time, he would not fall into the dilemma of being besieged.

And as it turned out... his increase in power was greater than he had anticipated. It took him less than ten seconds to finish off a soldier automaton.

And as for what came next...

Mo Wen stared at the distant soldier automaton that had yet to notice anything amiss and grinned.

The hunting time had begun!

...

*Clack!*

The tip of his blade pierced the automaton heart, and the disabled soldier automaton collapsed powerlessly.

"Hoo..."

Mo Wen took a deep breath, steadying his rapid heartbeat. This was the fifth soldier automaton he had defeated. Even with his current physique, he could not help but pant.

Do not be fooled by how easily he seemed to defeat them; every strike Mo Wen made was with his full effort, and the toll on his stamina and energy was immense.

He looked into the distance, his eyes landing on the "Beetle" standing before the gate of the old noble’s warehouse, and narrowed his eyes.

He did not know if this big guy had failed to notice the fighting around it, or if it simply couldn't be bothered, but it had remained rooted to the spot from start to finish, not moving an inch. While this had made his clearing of the soldier automatons very smooth, it also left him unable to gauge the true state of this behemoth.

Withdrawing his gaze, Mo Wen looked at his interface.

Five soldier automatons, each providing 150 points of class experience—he could level up again. Without hesitation, he chose to upgrade.

—

【Upgrade successful! Black Iron - Black Beast Crewman Lv. 3 (800/400) → Black Iron - Black Beast Crewman Lv. 4 (400/800)!】

【Obtained Class Base Bonus: Physique +0.2!】

【Attributes】: Physique 2.2 → 2.4!

—

"Lv. 3 wasn't a critical milestone level, then..."

Seeing that there was no upgrade to his class skills, Mo Wen felt a hint of disappointment, though it was within his expectations.

Feeling the abundant, surging power within him, he calmed his mind and looked at 【Swordsmanship: Thousand Wind Style】.

Using the Thousand Wind Swordsmanship to kill enemies also granted proficiency, and now, the proficiency for this skill had reached:

【Swordsmanship: Thousand Wind Style - Mastery Lv. 1 (90/100)】

He was only 10 points of proficiency away from increasing his swordsmanship level!