As the rubble settled in the wake of my passage, I advanced through the makeshift tunnel I had carved out with sheer brute force.The darkness was overwhelming—almost solid—but thanks to my newly acquired skill, my vision adjusted with ease.
Up ahead, I caught a flicker... erratic sparks of electricity dimly lit a wider space.
I approached cautiously.
Before me stretched a metallic corridor, with a massive, still-fresh hole in its structure. But the most shocking part: it was self-repairing at an unnatural speed.Cables wove themselves back into place. Metal plates flowed like liquid, returning to their original positions.
Then Quincy spoke:
[Master, this technology resembles the concept of nanobots.]
"How do you even know about this kind of tech, living in a medieval-era world?"
[Master, have you forgotten? Not everything in this simulation is the medieval age you're familiar with... It's a fusion of technology, magic, and the medieval era.]
"Alright, got it. Shall we go in?"
The moment I stepped into the corridor, an alarm roared with ferocity, echoing throughout the facility like an ancient trap being triggered.
[Maximum alert, maximum alert.][Perimeter breach, perimeter breach.][An extremely dangerous intruder detected in zone G, corridor 11.][Humanity-extinction defense protocol initiated—Level 3.][This is an order from the central system... All RISA G-35 units in the area, use lethal force.][Repeat: All G-35 units in the area, use lethal force.]
The ground beneath my feet trembled slightly.Metal vibrating. Echoes ringing through the halls.
It didn't take long before the first one appeared.
A humanoid figure emerged from the shadows. It didn't look particularly threatening—its head shaped like a football helmet, its eyes—or rather, sensors—glowed with a soft blue light.It didn't inspire fear... but its level told another story: 300.
The robot walked toward me slowly, like a hunter savoring the moment before pouncing on its prey.And I... asked myself something absurd.
"Why the hell is its level so low? Why, if just getting in here requires stats above the max level cap of 999?"
While I stood there like an idiot, frozen in thought, the robot suddenly accelerated.It sprinted with terrifying precision and drew a blade, hurling it straight at my chest.
CRACK.The weapon shattered on impact—thanks to my new basic skill, of course.I looked it in the eye, coldly muttering:
"Sorry for breaking your toy, but now... APOLOGIZE FOR DAMAGING MY CLOTHES, YOU DAMN MACHINE!"
I smashed its face with overwhelming force... and it exploded into a thousand pieces.
"Well... I guess apologizing's off the table," I muttered mockingly.
I kept moving.Every stretch of the corridor hid traps and new enemies.The G-35s kept showing up, attacking from blind angles.The battles grew fiercer with each step... until I reached a much larger chamber.
[Intruder has reached zone E.][Threat level increased to 2.][Deploying unit Tank-700.]
A crushing pressure filled the air instantly.Something big was coming.And it didn't take long to reveal itself.
The walls—once harmless—opened like metallic doors, unleashing a storm of bullets from invisible turrets.And then... I saw them.
An entire line of new robots emerged ahead.Imposing. Armored. Humanoid... Like medieval armor on steroids with a cybernetic twist.
The Tank-700s.Level 700, naturally.
Despite their medieval aesthetic, their weapons were anything but outdated: assault rifles, energy blades, and demolition-grade gear.
One squad charged me head-on.Others remained in cover.
While I dodged bullets from the walls and blocked frontal assaults, the damn G-35s kept swarming in through the gaps, like rats waiting for a misstep.
Until I had enough.
I activated the basic skill "Infinite Speed."Time slowed almost to a halt.
Bullets hung in the air like frozen metallic sculptures.The Tank-700s turned into statues.
And then... I heard it:
[Threat level 1.][Deploying Indominus model.]
"What...?" I whispered, stunned.
How was this possible? Was the system reacting to my speed skill?Impossible. That shouldn't happen.
And then... I saw it.
A robot walking through the frozen time.Its silhouette was different. Its energy, unnatural.
It had a compact head with a blue "V"-shaped visor, massive arms, and sturdy legs...A beast of steel.This wasn't armor.This was a true elite unit.
Level 2400.The Indominus model.
Meanwhile, at the Valentine estate:Raymond Cabin
A beautiful woman stared silently at the sunset from her window. The golden light bathed the horizon, but her gaze was clouded by worry. Her fingers tapped softly against the windowsill, and the furrow in her brow revealed the concern she tried to hide.She slowly turned to her husband and spoke, her voice trembling:
"Sam's still not back... Do you think something happened to him, darling?" said Elisa.
Richard, seated near the fire with arms crossed over his chest, looked up. A flicker of worry passed through his eyes, but he kept a calm face. He raised an eyebrow with quiet firmness before responding, trying to soothe her with composure:
"Don't worry. Our son has the protection of a goddess. He'll be fine... What worries me is you going to our masters' castle at this hour."
Elisa brought a hand to her chest, gently clutching her dress. Her voice was soft, almost melancholic, as she tried to persuade him, stepping toward him:
"I'm so sorry, love. It was Lord Henry himself who gave me the order."
Richard narrowed his eyes, bowed his head slightly, and let out a long sigh. His tone turned more somber:
"It's not Mr. Valentine I'm worried about... It's young master Jeremy."
Elisa offered a gentle smile, trying to ease the tension. She stepped closer, placing a tender hand on his shoulder:
"Don't worry, love. I'll be fine... The young master knows I'm far too old for him now... So don't be afraid."
Richard stood slowly, fists clenched at his sides, jaw tight. His eyes filled with pain as he spoke in a rough, anguished voice:
"I wish I could be free again. I really don't want anyone touching you."
She looked into his eyes. The warmth in her gaze spoke of years of shared love and hardship. She embraced him, resting her head on his chest and speaking with a tenderness that could hold the world:
"Darling, you know I love you, and I love our family. And no matter what happens, as long as we're together, we'll be alright... Besides, we were lucky not to be separated. I'm already so grateful for that."
The story of the Raymonds whispered through the trees of the northern mountains, once their home. Their roots traced back to the blood and honor of the Stone Axe Clan. The memory of their people, destroyed four years ago by slavers, weighed on their shoulders like a shadow.
Elisa straightened her dress and walked to the door. Standing in the doorway, she looked at him one last time before leaving, her eyes filled with both nostalgia and resolve:
"Darling, I have to go. See you later, alright?"
He looked at her with a darkened expression, giving a slow nod, his shoulders heavy with the burden of their past.
"I'll be waiting."
And so, Elisa left, her figure framed by the twilight, heading toward the Valentine Castle.