Chapter: 169. The Deteriorating Gear (1)
The moment I felt something was off was when the discussion with the Librarian finally drifted into the realms of butterfly dreams and Zhuangzi’s philosophy.
Even I, who was part of that discussion, found it surprising that we could engage in such deep conversation about my existence.
At some point, my focus on the discussion slipped, and I became aware of the strangeness.
“Librarian?”
“What is it? I’ve said it multiple times, my view on Zhuangzi is correct. No more rebuttals claiming it’s a misunderstanding because I’m Western.”
No, you’re the one misunderstanding. What does Zhuangzi’s philosophy have to do with gravity?
And isn’t gravity the one thing I’m not using while casting spells?
“Gravity is fundamentally incorrect, and haven’t we been walking here for hours?”
We’ve been discussing so long, I didn’t even notice how much time had passed!
“So that’s what you’re getting at, huh? You’re wrong about gravity. And yes, we’ve been walking for a few hours. Precisely 4 hours and 23 minutes.”
Is that so, Mr. Human Calculator? I hope you put that calculating ability to good use.
Anyway, four hours… We’ve been walking a lot.
Wait, that’s even stranger!
“Forget about gravity or butterflies, let’s talk about something more important. Are we going the right way?”
Even if this is a mechanical forest and we can’t move fast, we spent four hours in that tiny island and are still deep in the forest? That’s suspicious.
“Yes, we’re definitely walking north. That’s for sure.”
Is that so, Mr. Human GPS?
“Isn’t that GPS or compass broken? This is supposed to be the enemy’s base. Something must be affecting our direction…”
I’m not well-versed in this area, but it might be electronic waves or something messing with us…
“Don’t worry about that. I’ve installed various devices in my body, including a gyroscope for situations like this. Plus, don’t think too deeply about it; it’s much simpler than that.”
Librarian keeps explaining stuff I hadn’t even asked, but when it comes to why we’re in this mess, he gestures mysteriously, wringing his fingers.
And I expected him to explain this phenomenon like always, but he just sat there fuming with impatience.
“So what’s the deal?”
“Rather than keep asking me, how about you think for yourself? Uh, right. You don’t have the ability to observe special phenomena like I do, so I’ll give you a hint.”
The kid’s acting weird again.
Finally, it seems like the know-it-all personality that used to meddle in everything is starting to get corrected over time.
That doesn’t mean what he’s doing isn’t annoying, though.
“First, it’s not that dangerous of a technology. Second, it’s one we often see at our association.”
Looks like the Librarian has started a game of 20 Questions.
He seems to know the answer already, and if he continues talking, I can quickly guess it, but…
“Eh, not interested. Just give me the answer.”
Like I care? My brain’s only engaged when it comes to combat or dealing with students.
“It seems you really need to work on that impatient temperament… Well, fine. Since your interest has waned, here’s the answer. It’s an extension utilizing spatial distortion.”
Oh, so it’s that thing where the inside is bigger than the outside?
Well, that could explain why this tiny island is so vast…
Wait, that’s not right.
“Wait, isn’t that something that only works with strict calculations on solid structures? I asked the Infinite Architect to make my apartment and bag bigger, and he muttered something about ‘leave or die.’”
That’s why I’ve only seen that kind of application at certain places in the Association or the Great Barrier.
That’s already impressive, though.
“Well, the technology we use is a downgraded version extracted from those things. Sure, there were other types of technology, but because this one is science-based, the implementation was easier. I also checked the rat technology, but it relied heavily on otherworldly influences… something about magic and otherworldly contamination.”
Knowing it was pointless to interrupt now, since I’ve learned through experience that it usually isn’t worth it, I let all of the strange words that buzzed in my ears flow out the other side.
“So, how much has it expanded?”
That’s the most important part.
I need to know how far we’ve come and how much further we have to go.
“I’m not sure, but… I don’t think it’s 100 times. Given the lack of any communication delays from the satellites.”
What do you mean by ‘I’m not sure’!?
“How do you know if the direction you’re going in is accurate? Aren’t we supposed to be heading north?”
If it turns out we emerge from the forest into a sea, I swear I’ll throw myself into the water because all of this might be just a waste of time!
Frustrated by the thought, I yelled at the Librarian, but…
“Don’t worry about that. We’re definitely heading in the right direction.”
The Librarian’s demeanor contrasted sharply with my panic.
“Grounds?”
“The device implanted in me is indicating this way.”
Creak.
The sound of gears whirling echoed throughout the island.
A bunker emerged from the forest.
One with iron doors and an elevator.
Didn’t I see something like this just a little while ago?
Those… life-creating… something or others that were making monsters.
At first glance, it looked similar to what I had seen before.
A round metallic building towering above, with iron doors attached.
But there was a vast difference in scale.
It was as if there was a bunker right in the middle of the forest.
However, at some point, the forest ended, revealing an immense clearing.
Unlike the natural sights we’d been seeing until now,
This space was clearly artificial.
The ground was laid with silvery iron plates and rivets.
Countless towers, with unidentifiable transmission equipment sprouting up.
Even the metal floor opened and closed, expelling strange creatures.
In the center of that clearing stood a single bunker.
“Are we supposed to go in there?”
“For now, yes.”
‘For now,’ huh…? That’s unsettling.
Why haven’t those guys reacted, even though we’ve come this far? Shouldn’t they take some action since their enemy, the Librarian, has shown up?
“Hey, Librarian. What’s with that ‘for now’? Are you saying we came here without a plan, or that it will be difficult to get in?”
Creak. Creak.
They say the root of all misfortune lies in the mouth, right?
Barely voiced, the moment those words escaped my lips,
Clang. Vroom.
A tremendous metallic noise erupted.
The towers in the clearing began to split apart.
Ugh, are the enemies coming out now?
Probably some robotic soldiers or turrets.
I thought that while quickly summoning my hammer and taking a combat stance.
“Crazy.”
I immediately abandoned the idea of fighting.
Just by seeing what was emerging from the tower, I could tell it was bad news.
A long, extended pole.
It looked like a conventional gun but had some differences.
The muzzle was blocked.
And there were strange protrusions on both sides of the muzzle.
In my experience, there’s no good weapon that looks like that.
One. Railgun.
Two. Something that entirely disregards the laws of physics.
Three.
As soon as I thought of that, I immediately rolled my body.
At the same time, I thought of the Librarian, but if that thing is what I think it is, worrying about him isn’t my priority.
Zzap.
And my judgment was confirmed.
Without any warning, a short spark erupted from where we stood.
And just like that, the forest exploded.
No, I’m serious, this is insane…
Internally cursing, I rolled away immediately.
Since there was more than one bag.
Zzap. Boom.
Zzap. Boom.
My previous location kept exploding. Over and over.
And I sluggishly moved my legs to escape. I felt like if I stayed in one place, I’d get caught in that explosion.
“Seriously, you crazy people! At least show the projectiles before shooting!”
If they do that, I could at least block them, but what the hell is this?
I know what’s behind this weapon.
A plasma detonator.
Instead of projecting plasma, it turns surrounding matter into plasma and triggers an explosion.
Although it has larger energy loss compared to simply projecting plasma, it compensates for that with concealment and area effect.
For someone like me who relies on physical powers for all senses, that means there’s no way to tell when or where it’ll explode.
I could guess based on a sudden rise in temperature or the direction of the muzzle, but that only works when it’s close and limited.
With dozens, maybe even hundreds, of detonators aimed at me, and the distance being far too great.
Luckily, I managed to dodge their predictive shots by rapidly accelerating and decelerating, but that was just good luck.
Soon, they would change their shooting patterns and try to hit me no matter what.
In that case, there’s only one way.
Thinking that, I turned sharply just as my next step began.
Directly towards the many turrets.
No running or faking.
Just pushing straight forward.
That’s my way.
Kreeek.
I overloaded my foot as I propelled myself directly to the right.
The surface metal twisted beneath my feet, but whatever, this is enemy territory.
I don’t care if it breaks.
Explosions echoed behind me.
The blasts narrowly grazed past my body, unleashing intense heat.
Kreeek.
This time to the left.
I zigzagged while pushing forward.
After doing that half a dozen times, I reached the first turret.
Of course, I wasn’t completely unscathed.
Charred clothing.
A stinging cheek and right hand.
I avoided most attacks, but one explosion grazed by.
Maybe a second-degree burn or so.
Not a big issue.
Anyway
That’s why I took my hammer back, ready to unleash destruction on them.
I aimed to obliterate not just this turret but also the ones behind it.
My right hand, filled with strength, pulled the hammer back powerfully.
Kreeek.
The iron plate beneath me, the base of my strength, twisted as I prepared to launch my hammer.
…What the?
With a crackling sound, the plasma detonators, which had been charging, started to act strangely.
The muzzles were lifting towards the sky and spinning in an absurd manner.
As if surrendering.
If only one muzzle was acting like that, I’d certainly continue my attack.
But every visible plasma detonator was behaving this way.
What kind of situation is this?
As that question crossed my mind, I relaxed my stance slightly.
Just then, I sensed movement behind me and swung my hammer around.
In a gesture of caution, quickly.
Clang.
The crisp sound of the hammer ringing as it struck the target.
The sound of it clashing against the air.
Since the block was stopped, I should follow up with an additional attack or create some distance, but instead, I reversed the summoning of my hammer and dropped my combat stance.
The figure that appeared behind me was way too familiar.
“It was you, huh.”
“It’s my fault.”
The Librarian, scratching his helmet awkwardly. His glance briefly skimmed over my body before landing on my cheek.
Must be looking at my burnt cheek.
“Why didn’t you just run away?”
Me? In front of the enemies?
“Right, like I’d just do that.”
“True. I apologize for the hacking being delayed.”
It was expected.
It would be strange for the enemies to just surrender.
What’s left now are your skills.
“It’s fine as long as we win.”
No injuries to us, and the enemy is neutralized, right? Any damage on my part is just a bit of charred skin on my cheek and hand.
Within a few hours, they’ll be healed.
Just one thing I need to confirm.
“By the way, did you disable all the weapons here?”
“Yes, and I’ve also halted the android army that was preparing for combat.”
Maybe he’s proud of his success, for the previously repentant Librarian now stood upright, gazing skyward with confidence.
“So can we go in now?”
“Yes. However, the entrance to the bunker seems to have a different communication system, so I haven’t been able to seize it yet…”
At that moment.
The spectacular.
In the now quiet clearing, a great metallic sound echoed.
Quickly, we both took combat stances and turned our heads toward the direction of the sound, only to witness a bizarre sight.
“Librarian?”
“What is it?”
“Didn’t you say earlier that you couldn’t get a hold of the bunker?”
“I did say that.”
Then why is that thing opening now?
Suddenly, the entrance to the bunker opened wide.
An elevator, glowing brightly as if welcoming us, awaited inside.
What on earth could this mean?
It might be a trap; we both started silently surveying our surroundings as we cautiously watched the bunker.
-Fzzzt. Sssssst.
There was not the slightest hint of movement around us.
At most, just noise began to emit from a speaker nearby.
We held our combat stances and monitored the area closely.
After a brief moment, the noise from the speaker came to an abrupt halt.
And instead of noise, a mechanical voice that sounded completely off-tune came through.
-It’s been a long time. Our child. Have you come to release us?
That was a rather shocking message.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.