Chapter 100: Exploring the ruin(2)

Within minutes, they discovered additional weapons, armor components, and energy cells. The industrial complex appeared to have been used for manufacturing combat equipment on a massive scale.

Yorichi was equally pleased.

Although he had invited the Evergreen Guild to participate in the expedition, he had no intention of allowing his own members to leave empty-handed.

"Everyone, search carefully. Don’t overlook anything that might be valuable. However, avoid activating unfamiliar machinery without examining it first."

His instructions had barely been delivered when a deep rumbling sound came from the far end of the assembly hall.

The enormous machinery surrounding them began to move.

Metallic platforms shifted across the floor, and dormant production lines suddenly illuminated with red lights.

A warning appeared before every player.

[Ding! Unauthorized personnel detected.]

[Industrial Defense Protocol activated.]

[Deploying security units.]

The walls opened, revealing rows of mechanical soldiers.

Unlike the humanoid robots Noah’s group had encountered, these machines possessed heavily reinforced bodies and broad shoulders equipped with mounted energy cannons. Their lower bodies were supported by mechanical legs designed to move across uneven terrain.

Each carried a different weapon.

Some wielded enormous blades, while others possessed ranged weaponry capable of firing concentrated energy beams.

The moment they identified the players, the machines opened fire.

"DEFENSIVE FORMATION!"

Yorichi immediately drew his sword.

The first volley struck the guild members before everyone could fully organize themselves. Several players hurried behind the industrial equipment, while others raised their defensive skills to withstand the incoming attacks.

Explosions shook the assembly hall.

Metal fragments scattered across the floor as the energy beams tore through abandoned machinery.

One of Yorichi’s officers activated a defensive ability, generating a translucent barrier in front of a group of players. Several projectiles struck the barrier in rapid succession, producing ripples across its surface.

"Guild Master! There are too many of them!"

Yorichi’s expression remained composed.

"Don’t panic! They may be numerous, but their movements are predictable. Watch their firing patterns and attack during their recovery intervals!"

He stepped forward before the nearest mechanical soldier could fire again.

His sword flashed.

A brilliant arc of light swept through the air, cutting directly across the machine’s upper body.

The robot split apart, and its energy cannon fell to the ground with a metallic crash.

Yorichi immediately changed direction, intercepting another machine that was preparing to attack his guild members.

His movements were precise, each sword strike aimed at a vulnerable joint or an exposed section of its armor.

As a future Sword Master who reached unprecedented level of power in Arthur’s previous life, his swordsmanship was already extraordinary for someone at his current level. Even though the ancient machines possessed considerable defensive capabilities, they struggled to withstand his attacks.

However, Yorichi alone could not protect the entire group.

Several mechanical soldiers advanced through the assembly hall, forcing the guild members to defend themselves.

The officers quickly divided their responsibilities. Those with defensive abilities protected the weaker players, while the damage dealers concentrated their attacks on individual targets.

Some players used freezing abilities to restrict the machines’ movements. Others targeted their optical sensors, temporarily disrupting their ability to aim.

Despite their coordination, the battle remained difficult.

The machines possessed formidable armor, and their weapons could inflict serious damage whenever the players made a mistake. Several members exhausted their defensive skills within minutes, forcing them to retreat behind the remaining machinery.

Yet the guild refused to give up.

After several minutes of intense fighting, the first group of mechanical soldiers finally fell.

Their destruction allowed the players to reorganize their formation and concentrate their attacks on the remaining enemies.

Yorichi seized the opportunity.

"Push forward! Don’t give them time to regroup!"

The guild members responded immediately.

Energy attacks and sword techniques swept across the assembly hall, gradually overwhelming the remaining machines. One after another, the mechanical soldiers collapsed until the last unit was finally destroyed by Yorichi’s blade.

Silence returned to the industrial complex.

Several players immediately sat down to recover their strength, while others examined the battlefield.

"Damn, that was brutal."

"If we hadn’t come with the guild master and the officers, I doubt we could have survived."

"Forget surviving. Look at how much damage those weapons caused. Some of us nearly lost our equipment!"

Yorichi sheathed his sword and surveyed the ruined assembly hall.

Although the battle had consumed a considerable amount of energy and exposed several weaknesses in their formation, the rewards were promising.

The destroyed machines had left behind numerous intact components, including energy cores, weapon modules, and reinforced armor plates.

More importantly, the industrial complex itself might contain blueprints or manufacturing equipment capable of improving their guild’s technological capabilities.

"Collect everything useful. We should investigate the deeper sections once everyone has recovered," Yorichi ordered.

His officers immediately began organizing the recovery operation.

However, just as the players started gathering the components, one of the officers discovered a sealed door at the rear of the assembly hall.

Unlike the surrounding structures, its metallic surface remained almost pristine. A series of unfamiliar symbols glowed faintly above the entrance, and a small control panel was embedded beside it.

The officer approached cautiously.

"Guild Master, I think there’s another section behind this door."

Yorichi walked over and examined the panel.

After several attempts, he discovered that the control system required an energy source to activate. Fortunately, one of the energy cells recovered from the destroyed robots appeared compatible with the mechanism.

He inserted the cell.

A low hum reverberated through the structure.

The enormous door slowly opened, revealing a corridor illuminated by pale blue lights.

At the far end stood several transparent display cases.

Inside them were weapons of extraordinary craftsmanship.

One of the guild members stepped closer and immediately received a notification.

[Ding! You have discovered a Legendary-grade high tier Plasma Blade.]

Another notification appeared moments later.

[Ding! You have discovered a Legendary-grade Mechanical Exoskeleton.]

The entire group fell silent.

Even Yorichi’s eyes widened slightly.

They had only just begun exploring the newly discovered section, yet they had already found equipment far more valuable than anything in the outer assembly hall.

"This ruin is incredible," one of the officers muttered.

Yorichi nodded.

But his attention soon shifted toward a massive doorway behind the display cases.

Unlike the smaller storage chambers, this entrance was reinforced with several layers of metallic plating. Deep scratches covered its surface, and the surrounding walls bore marks that resembled the aftermath of a violent battle.

Something important had once been protected behind that door.

Yorichi couldn’t help wondering what it might contain.

Nevertheless, he decided not to rush forward.

"Mark this location. We’ll investigate it after securing the surrounding area."

He had no intention of losing his entire expedition because of unnecessary greed.

.....

While the two groups continued exploring their respective sectors, neither realized that their movements were gradually bringing them closer to the heart of the ancient civilization.

And the closer they came to the center, the more formidable the ruin’s defenses became.

Noah’s group discovered this firsthand when they entered a wide boulevard connecting several enormous buildings.

The road was constructed from an unknown metallic material, and its surface remained remarkably smooth despite the passage of countless years. Tall structures stood on both sides, their upper sections disappearing into the hazy distance.

At regular intervals, statues depicting humanoid figures stood on elevated platforms.

Unlike ordinary statues, these possessed intricate mechanical joints and hollow spaces beneath their armor.

Laura stopped beside a damaged statue.

"These might be ceremonial guardians."

She examined its surface before tapping the metallic armor with her fingers.

The sound was unexpectedly hollow.

Before she could investigate further, Noah noticed a faint red light appearing inside the statue’s helmet.

His expression changed.

"Move away!"

The statue’s head turned.

A metallic grinding noise echoed through the boulevard as its entire body began to move.

Then another statue activated.

And another.

Within seconds, dozens of mechanical guardians had awakened throughout the area.

Their armor separated, revealing weapons hidden beneath their outer shells. Some carried enormous swords, while others unfolded mechanical wings or deployed energy cannons from their shoulders.

[Ding! Warning! Ancient Guardian Units activated.]

[Threat Level: Legendary to Epic.]

[Intruders detected within the Central Security Zone.]

[Eliminate all unauthorized personnel.]

The guardians charged.

Unlike the earlier combat robots, these machines displayed considerably better coordination. The front line advanced with shields raised, while the rear units launched energy attacks over their shoulders.

Several guardians moved along the surrounding buildings, using their mechanical limbs to gain elevated positions.

Their formation was clearly designed to eliminate intruders who attempted to advance through the boulevard.

Noah watched the approaching army and let out a slow breath.

"So much for a peaceful exploration."

Cris grinned.

"Finally, something interesting."

The first guardian reached them.

It swung its enormous sword downward, generating a powerful shock wave that cracked the metallic road.

Jake standing in its path didn’t even bother dodging.

He raised his fist and struck the side of the blade.

Clang!

The enormous weapon shattered.

Before the guardian could react, he kicked it in the chest, sending its armored body flying through the air.