NOVEL NEXT Chapter 174
As the source of abnormal magical energy was destroyed by the “Dragon Cannon,” the monsters snapped back to reality and began to flee.
Attacking those who had lost their fighting spirit wasn’t my style, so I let them go.
Both Alterion and I had suffered serious damage, making it hard to fight any longer.
With more than half of the monsters taken down and the rest fleeing, we successfully defended against the monster wave.
However, officially, it was reported as a natural extinction.
It couldn’t be helped.
What would happen if I reported this incident officially?
“’A monster wave came, and I deployed a massive golem I casually created, which obliterated them after inserting a fusion reactor (Dragon Heart Stone).’”
I could imagine the Minister’s Office believing I had truly lost my sanity and sending mental health specialists and white mages.
Fortunately, most people had evacuated, and it wasn’t too difficult to keep our school’s people quiet about what they’d seen.
Thus, the monster wave was officially concluded.
Like after a typhoon, people returned to their homes, and we went back to our everyday lives.
We returned to our main job of game development.
Since we suffered significant losses from this incident, we poured ourselves into finishing Project “Metal Core” spectacularly.
Increasing the quality of the game wasn’t difficult.
We had accumulated an immense amount of real-world data that made the game even more exciting.
However, many suggested that we adjust the game title to fit the other world, and I agreed with their ideas.
Thus, we released the other-world mech action game, “Magic Armor Knight.”
“Are you saying I can ride a giant golem and fight monsters?”
“Seriously, is there such a ridiculous game? I have to try it right now!”
The concept of riding a giant steel golem in a world without mechs sparked the fantasy of robots deep within many hearts.
Furthermore, “Magic Armor Knight” underwent countless improvements compared to the original.
The challenging control system of “Metal Core” was naturally resolved with the Crystal Ball’s contact interface, and features like auto-lock-on made combat much more user-friendly.
Fans of “Metal Core” might have cried out, “This isn’t ‘Metal Core!’” but it couldn’t be helped.
If it remained as difficult as the original, it would only appeal to a small group of hardcore gamers, potentially taking ten years for a new installment to emerge.
Additionally, there were many improvements in storytelling and direction.
The original “Metal Core” had a dystopian plot about mercenaries engaging in dirty deeds.
I revamped it into more of a hero robot story.
———————
In the ancient creation era, elves, dwarves, and humans united to create the ancient weapon “Magic Armor Knight.”
“Nine,” who lived in the city of the temple honoring the Magic Armor Knight, one day fled from the Demon Lord’s army only to discover the hidden Magic Armor Knight “Alterion” sleeping beneath broken earth.
To survive, the protagonist climbs into “Alterion,” registering as its pilot, and the entire story begins.
———————
That’s the story I crafted.
Mixing clichés from both condemned and traditional hero robot genres, it proved to be an unavoidable tale for newcomers in this other-world mech genre.
“‘Get out of our village!’”
“Wow…”
“Insane…”
Upon first launching “Alterion,” the protagonist faced off against the Demon Lord’s mass-produced Magic Armor Knights.
Seeing the burning village, filled with rage, the protagonist revs up “Alterion’s” boosters to maximum output and charges at the Demon Lord’s Magic Armor Knights.
With a majestic BGM, “Alterion” charging with its boosters lit up became an unforgettable opening scene forever etched in the annals of mech golem movies.
Thus, a game that started with such an intense impact led to thrilling growth.
As gamers completed various missions, they could acquire equipment for their Magic Armor Knight, combining them to craft a custom mech.
Some players created all-rounder models, while others geared themselves for close combat with swords and armor, and yet others focused all their power on firepower, creating mechs that reflected their styles, enjoying the game along the way.
As players strove to build their unique models, they naturally reached that stage.
The final defensive stage before the last stage.
It was called the “Monster Wave” defense stage.
Facing an overwhelming thousand monsters rushing toward the royal capital, the protagonist had to defend with their allies.
Despite having comrades, the sheer number of a thousand monsters felt disheartening, and it was up to the protagonist’s strength to defend this place.
Users had various choices.
They could simply massacre the monsters or heal their comrades, enduring hardships but keeping everyone alive.
Alternatively, they could take on boss monsters that control the hordes via hidden routes.
In the midst of that grand battle stage showcased by the “Monster Wave” defense, users couldn’t hold back their praise.
“Wow, the ‘Monster Wave’ defense was amazing!”
“Exactly! It felt like I was actually fighting a ‘Monster Wave!’”
Especially, users lauded the vivacity of the “Monster Wave” defense stage.
It truly felt like being amidst monsters, and they experienced the tension of life and death from the monster attacks, leaving behind glowing reviews.
Later, when a few reporters asked about the secrets, I decided to keep that to myself.
I couldn’t reveal I had experienced it firsthand.
Thanks to the success of “Magic Armor Knight,” I was finally able to cover the repair and development costs for “Alterion No. 28.”
Looking back now, during the development of this robot golem, I nearly went bankrupt.
Until the game was released, the development of Alterion was purely my hobby; hence, all initial costs had come from my pocket.
That blasted ore and minerals were so expensive that I often wanted to say to Tetric, “Let’s just shrink it down to 3 meters again!” but each time, I recalled the fantasies from my past and steeled my resolve.
In the end, since everything turned out well with a happy ending, I believe it was worth it.
And I…
“Ugh… I’m about to die…”
I was recuperating in the mansion.
My condition, rescued from the half-destroyed Alterion, was critical.
Due to the Dragon Heart Stone’s magic and the adrenaline during battle, I hadn’t felt it, but my body had suffered severe internal injuries from forcing a Level 5 neural connection and triggering the battle.
Honestly, I was on the brink of death, and it wouldn’t have been strange for me to die then.
Fortunately, thanks to the swift rescue and my master’s devoted healing magic, I was able to retain my life.
I then truly understood why, in one of the masterpieces featuring giant robots, they chose to have two pilots due to the strain on human bodies.
Next time I pilot Alterion, I’ll have to consider a two-pilot setup.
Regardless, I had barely saved my life, but since I had sustained significant injuries, I needed recovery, so I had been recuperating in the mansion for a month.
Game production was already nearly complete, so it wasn’t a major problem for me to just give a few directives.
The problem was…
“Master, I really feel okay now.”
“No, my disciple; you never know. You must be careful until the very end.”
My master wouldn’t loosen his grip on me.
Later, I learned from Jiren that when I emerged from Alterion covered in blood, my master had cried out in agony.
He had cast all his healing magic on me until his own magic ran dry, collapsing, and he repeated this even when my life was no longer in danger.
And even now, that continued.
“Now! Quickly take off your shirt and show me your back!”
“I’m really okay now…”
“It’s a master’s command!”
In the end, I had to give in, removing my top for my master to see.
He used healing magic on my back.
Buuuuu—
A warm sensation flowed over me from behind.
Healing magic, by nature, activates injured cells for regeneration.
So when the wounds were severe, it could even stimulate nerve cells, causing intense pain, but now that everything had healed, I just felt my master’s warm magic gently enveloping my entire body.
“How does it feel, disciple?”
“It’s warm, Master.”
“Is that so…? I’m glad.”
After that, my master continued to cast healing magic on me.
It was a warm spring.