SWNOVELXO Chapter 188
Episode 188. Deus Ex Machina Hunt (3)
Wilson!
Wilson got stuck in the robot’s body. Now I get it. That thing must be a humanoid robot made up of nanobots or something.
Last time, Petreus called it a Linked Sentinel. Kinda terrifying, huh?
A humanoid robot that can withstand recoilless rifle fire and shoot plasma cannons… and it’s mass-produced?
There weren’t just one or two. Through the burning server smoke, I could see at least three. Wilson didn’t achieve much and returned to me. But at least we figured out what it is.
Of course, it’s a machine. The countermeasure is Information Degradation.
When we fought that clockwork supernatural phenomenon last time, we used those Information Degradation bullets. I think they’ll work here too.
But we can’t even change the weather here. This is bad.
First, let’s take down these killer robots. With Popo’s help, I switched weapons and immediately hit one of the Linked Sentinels.
Boom! Black particles sprayed out from the robot’s back like blood.
The nanobots tried to repair it, but it won’t be easy. Information Degradation is the perfect counter for high-precision electronic equipment.
The robot crumbled like a sandcastle. I looked at Cosmos.
“Fire!”
“Got it!”
Cosmos pulled an incendiary grenade from their waist and threw it onto the robot’s remains. When did they even grab that…? Well, at least it won’t come back.
The other Sentinels must’ve realized they can’t handle us at range. They transformed their arms into swords and shields.
I’m not confident in close combat.
Behind the Sentinels, I faintly saw the figure of someone in a trench coat. Is that… Pixel themselves? If so, we can use that.
The figure, hands casually in their coat pockets, stood lightly on the server racks as if gravity didn’t affect them.
“Finally caught you, Dr. Kim.”
“Space Distortion!”
Cosmos spun their staff.
The server racks lined up in the already eerie Data Center twisted grotesquely. It reminded me of the magic Paint used back in the Blue Rose incident.
Smoke screens erupted from all sides, and black fog seeped out from a few of Cosmos’ magic circles.
“Bringing along a cute pet, huh?”
The number of Sentinels had increased to about ten. They were smashing through the server racks, trying to catch up to us.
Cosmos’ magic twisted the facility’s interior even further. This time, the spatial axis itself warped. Multiple Penrose stairs rose in the center, creating overlapping loops.
“I’ll admit it. I honestly respect Dr. Kim. I wonder if anyone else has achieved so much and risen so quickly in such a short time. So, I’d prefer not to kill you.”
There.
“I’d rather take you alive. There’s so much I want to ask you, Dr. Kim.”
This time, I fired a small grenade from the Gauss Musket. The explosion echoed, but something like a blue barrier flickered around Aski.
Guess I can’t kill them with a gun.
Anyway, now that we’ve used Space Distortion, I’ve bought some time. I have seven divine-class entities supporting me. Popo is already helping, and the Black Dragon is with Hasti.
The Data Center’s interior is disconnected from nature, so Cernunnos is out. That leaves Jörmungandr. Can I summon Jörmungandr?
Can I borrow its power?
“It’s over now.”
The Sentinels caught up to me. Realizing the Plasma Cannon was useless, they all switched to close-range weapons. Well, nothing I can do.
Wilson accelerated to intercept two of them. I threw down my gun and grabbed the pitch-black greatsword. It felt awkward, even though I’ve used it before.
I’m not skilled with sword strikes, but I didn’t need to be. The nanobot clusters crumbled the moment they touched Niguras-5.
Cosmos’ protective magic circles appeared around me. I moved my arm as the sword guided, and the nearby robots were shattered.
The last one—
Bang! A red bowling ball moved, scattering black sand-like particles everywhere. The Linked Entity tried to repair itself, but Cosmos set it on fire through the cracks in its shell.
They were weaker than the Administrator Royal Guard. What’s the point of good specs if they just get destroyed like dumb tin cans?
As the Space Distortion magic ended, the Penrose stairs began to collapse, and the server racks returned to their original form.
“It’s Reality Adjustment. Big spells like before are neutralized, and you can’t teleport. Surrender, and your allies will be treated humanely.”
If I charge in recklessly, I’ll get hurt.
“Guess not.”
Aski nodded, and for some reason, a familiar monster dragged heavy chains into the facility.
The monster broke through the facility’s outer wall. Long tail, sharp claws, scales, and a snout like a crocodile or lizard. The grotesque creature shook off concrete and rebar fragments from its back.
Is that…?
“Supernatural Phenomenon 1682. Crocodile.”
Ah, that. Damn it. The giant lizard-like monster was bound by numerous restraints.
Various mechanical devices were attached to its head, and something like an exoskeleton was embedded in its body, secured with chains.
Wow… They made something like this.
“Go tear them apart.”
The monster charged.
In Yulje-myeon, there was also a Crocodile roaming around. There, it was treated as a divine-class entity, so summoning one was rare.
I only found out today that there are multiple.
Focus on escaping. I handed most of my gear to the Popos and ran with my sword. I folded my wings and wrapped myself in the Invisibility Cloak.
“Cosmos. Plan.”
“Yes.”
“I’m thinking of summoning the Abyss. There’s a limestone cave network below us. If we can lure the monster there and have the Abyss swallow it—”
“Got it.”
“But we’ll need the monster’s blood. Use its blood to persuade Jörmungandr, then take it to the Abyss and kill it.”
The monster’s iron armor, chains, and scales formed multiple layers of protection. Piercing through that to draw blood won’t be easy.
We’d need a tank for that. Plus, if we take too long, enemy reinforcements might arrive.
The Crocodile is just buying time for the enemy.
“Then support me. I’ll get close, draw blood with this sword, and kill it.”
“Understood.”
I’ve never done this before, but it might work.
The monster raised its grotesque jaws toward me, baring its triple rows of teeth as it charged. If I fly up, I can take the high ground, but I still need to kill the Crocodile.
Pixel’s Special Forces, the “Debug Protocol.”
They were organized to defend civilian facilities under Administrator Pixel’s jurisdiction, anticipating situations like this. They’ve failed so far.
Not that they failed. The enemy was just strong enough to paralyze the world’s internet in a day and destroy multiple Data Centers.
They’re still trying to suppress it.
“This is Debug-1. Aski and the Crocodile have successfully entered the battlefield.”
[This is Command Center. Secure the perimeter.]
Beep, the Special Forces Team Leader’s radio activated.
They were guarding the rooftop of the Data Center building. The fight would happen inside the facility, and their job was to respond in case of emergencies.
The four Debug Protocol squads on-site were tasked with containing the situation if the Crocodile or Dr. Kim exited the facility.
Given that even the strongest Special Forces like Misteltein and the Royal Guard were defeated by Dr. Kim and their allies, expecting the Debug Protocol to resolve the situation was a bit much.
That’s why they’re using special assets like the restrained Crocodile and Aski.
[This is Debug-3. Something’s near the facility. Requesting confirmation. Scanning the area.]
The Special Forces Team Leader turned on the motion detection in their goggles and scanned the area. They couldn’t see anything unusual.
But in this situation, anything could appear.
The Special Forces’ weapon of choice was, of course, the Gauss Musket. The Team Leader placed their finger on the trigger and surveyed the area again.
“Debug-1. Are you sure you saw something?”
[Yes.]
“Debug-1. All units, attach bayonets and maintain maximum alert.”
[This is Debug-3…]
The radio crackled. It sounded like someone smashed their radio mid-sentence.
[Contact!]
A human in Foundation military uniform.
They threw enemies much larger than themselves like paper dolls, smashing bulletproof helmets with bare fists. What the hell is that?
At least it looks human.
“Spread out!”
Four were down before they could react. Even though the enemy was unarmed, they couldn’t handle close combat even with bayonets.
The Debug members retreated and aimed their guns, but the enemy dodged a few bullets and reached the hastily formed second line of defense.
Crack! The sound of goggles breaking and helmets cracking. The Debug Special Forces tried to surround and ambush it, but…
The enemy was skilled in one-versus-many combat, utilizing spatial axes and even kicks to reach the Team Leader.
“What the hell—”
Charge. The Team Leader started shooting, but there was no way they’d hit now. When the enemy dodged the bayonet thrust, they swung the rifle like a club.
They raised their guard, but it seemed like a solid hit. The enemy paused briefly, then closed in.
Fist within range. The Team Leader instinctively raised their guard, blocked a punch, and immediately regretted it. The same punch that shattered bulletproof helmets—no way their arm would survive.
Jab. The Team Leader managed to hit the monster’s head once, but soon lost balance from a low kick and fell.
What the hell is this?
What kind of thing can take down a heavily armed Special Forces squad unarmed? That was the Debug Team Leader’s last thought before passing out.
“Nanami. Arrived.”