Chapter 103: The final fight began

The red light faded.

Far above the control chamber, enormous doors began opening throughout the central complex.

Ancient machines awakened one after another.

Some emerged from underground hangars, while others detached themselves from the walls of ruined buildings. Massive mechanical soldiers stepped onto the streets, carrying weapons far more advanced than those encountered by either group.

At the very center of the city, however, one particular machine remained motionless.

It stood before an enormous circular gateway, its body towering over the surrounding structures.

Its armor had once been magnificent, combining brilliant red plating with white metallic panels. A long sword rested in its right hand, and intricate energy conduits extended across its limbs.

Yet time had not been kind to it.

Large sections of its armor had been torn away, exposing damaged mechanical frameworks beneath. Deep cracks covered its torso, and one of its legs appeared partially collapsed. Its left arm hung at an unnatural angle, while the blade in its right hand was chipped and corroded.

Faint traces of red light flickered across its damaged body.

It was barely recognizable as a combat mecha.

Nevertheless, it remained standing. Not because its systems were fully functional.

Not because its armor had survived the passage of time.

But because its final command had never been revoked.

Protect the central gateway.

Destroy all unauthorized intruders.

For countless years, it had stood alone at the heart of the ancient civilization, guarding whatever lay beyond the enormous circular structure behind it.

Now, for the first time in ages, the ruin was receiving visitors capable of reaching its innermost district.

The mecha’s optical sensors flickered.

A faint red light appeared within its damaged head.

[Intruders detected.]

[Combat systems: 7% operational.]

[Energy reserves: 2.4%.]

[Structural integrity: Critical.]

[Warning: Current condition insufficient for sustained combat.]

The system attempted to initiate repairs.

Nothing happened.

It attempted to access the central power network.

Access denied.

Its internal processors struggled to maintain functionality, and several warning messages appeared across its damaged interface.

Yet the mecha did not move from its position.

It slowly raised its sword.

The corroded blade scraped against the metallic ground, producing a harsh sound that echoed throughout the empty central chamber.

Then the machine returned to its original stance.

Waiting.

Far away, Noah and others continued advancing toward the center of the ruin, unaware that their objective was already within reach.

Yorichi and his guild were following them.

Neither group knew what awaited them.

The moment Noah’s group reached the central district, a series of heavy mechanical footsteps echoed through the surrounding streets.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Twenty enormous mechas emerged from the surrounding buildings, accompanied by dozens of weaponized machines. Some carried cannons on their shoulders, while others wielded heavy axes, spears, and mechanical blades. Several hovered above the ground, their energy weapons already charging.

Every one of the twenty mechas possessed an Epic-grade rank.

Low-grade Epic Bosses.

Their combined presence was enough to make the entire district tremble.

However, none of them attracted as much attention as the white and red mecha standing before the circular gateway.

It remained motionless, its enormous sword resting against the ground.

Noah’s expression changed as he inspected the enemies.

"Twenty Epic-grade mechas, along with all those weaponized machines. This is going to be troublesome."

His gaze then shifted toward the towering guardian.

Even without approaching it, he could sense the difference in its presence.

"That one is different. Don’t provoke it unless necessary."

Victor narrowed his eyes, carefully observing the enemies’ positions.

"We can’t retreat blindly. The surrounding streets are already blocked, and those flying machines will pursue us if we try to escape. If we want to leave this ruin alive, we have to survive this battle."

Noah nodded.

"Then we fight together. Cris, activate the formation!"

Cris immediately responded.

Golden lines spread across the ground, connecting Noah and his eight cousins. The formation expanded further, encompassing Yorichi and his top commanders.

A powerful surge of energy passed through everyone.

Their attributes increased, and their auras stabilized under the formation’s protection.

"Yorichi, follow my lead!" Noah shouted. "Don’t separate from the formation. We can cover one another, but nobody can afford to get surrounded!"

Yorichi glanced at the machines advancing toward them before nodding firmly.

"Understood!"

In Arthur’s previous life, Yorichi’s guild had eventually conquered this ruin. However, they had never ventured into its central district at the early stage, choosing instead to occupy the outer periphery and gradually exploit its resources.

Yorichi had only conquered the entire ruin after reaching Level 60.

This time, however, Noah’s presence had changed everything. Following his lead, they had ventured much deeper than Yorichi’s group would ordinarily have dared.

Consequently, they had awakened the central guardian far earlier than they should have.

And now, they had to pay the price.

"Prepare yourselves!" Victor commanded.

Noah drew his dagger, Jake raised his shield, and Andrew positioned his spear. Henry gripped his sword tightly, while Ryan and Irin prepared their ice and fire abilities.

Laura stood behind them, ready to provide healing support.

Cris maintained the formation, ensuring that everyone remained connected.

Victor took command of the battlefield.

Having fought through the ruin’s defenses for so long, he had gradually learned to recognize the attack patterns of its mechanical guardians. Their movements were predictable once one understood the underlying combat protocols.

But recognizing those patterns and surviving them were two entirely different matters.

"Here they come!"

The weaponized machines attacked first.

A barrage of energy projectiles swept across the streets, forcing everyone to scatter within the formation’s protective area.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Explosions tore through the ground.

Jake rushed forward, blocking a mechanical warrior’s heavy strike with his shield. The impact drove him several meters backward, but Noah immediately appeared beside him and plunged his dagger into the machine’s exposed joints.

Andrew followed with a powerful spear thrust.

The mechanical warrior collapsed.

"Left side!" Victor shouted.

Henry turned just in time to intercept an approaching blade. Sparks erupted as his sword collided with the enemy’s weapon, and he immediately counterattacked, cutting through its damaged arm.

Meanwhile, Ryan unleashed a wave of ice across the street, slowing several advancing machines. Irin seized the opportunity to bombard them with fire, causing their exposed energy conduits to explode.

One machine after another fell.

However, the enemies showed no signs of exhaustion.

The twenty Epic-grade mechas advanced relentlessly, coordinating their attacks with the surrounding weaponized machines. Whenever someone attempted to pursue a damaged enemy, another mecha immediately moved to intercept them.

The battlefield quickly descended into chaos.

Noah’s group struggled to maintain its formation, while Yorichi and his commanders fought desperately to protect their flanks.

"Don’t chase them!" Victor shouted. "They’re trying to separate us!"

His warning came just in time.

Three mechanical warriors attempted to surround Andrew, but Jake immediately blocked their advance. Noah exploited the opening, slipping past the enemies and striking their vulnerable joints.

"Andrew, now!"

Andrew thrust his spear forward.

A mechanical warrior staggered before collapsing under the combined assault.

The same pattern repeated across the battlefield.

Cris strengthened their formation whenever their defenses faltered, while Laura continuously healed those who suffered injuries. Victor directed their movements, and the others followed his commands without hesitation.