NOVEL NEXT Chapter 99
The Cyborg Dolphin joined the exploration team.
Offering to guide them to Omega without hesitation.
─［I will guide you safely, hehehe.］
The Cyborg Dolphin began to lead the exploration team.
With a demeanor much more submissive than before.
─［Ah, come to think of it, why has my power weakened…?］
As the Cyborg Dolphin walked, he side-eyed the exploration team.
Then, after glancing at Iris, he cautiously asked Neo Hyeong-seok.
─［Min Hyeong-seok. Your explorer isn’t here and is watching from afar through Iris. Why has my power weakened? Is it related to the fact that I could be tamed from a distance?］
─［Don’t pry too deep. You’ll get hurt.］
─［…Understood.］
For a moment, the Cyborg Dolphin was visibly upset but held it in.
It was clear he was trying to suppress his anger due to the exploration team standing behind Neo Hyeong-seok.
Over this scene, Neo Hyeong-seok warned the Cyborg Dolphin.
─［I should’ve mentioned this sooner, but just so you know, the explorer possesses strength similar to those here. Keep in mind, he’s not someone you can treat carelessly.］
─［What? Really?］
This time, the Cyborg Dolphin looked shocked.
He blinked rapidly and then muttered while staring intently at Iris.
─［An explorer with similar strength to those here… I didn’t know how strong he was just by watching through the screen…］
He was still a monster who trusted others too easily.
Typically, he would be suspicious.
─［Explorer! I apologize for my rude behavior earlier, hehehe.］
“Yeah…”
He’s hard to adapt to.
Even if he gets the chance, I shouldn’t tame him.
*
─［I have sent a communication to Omega. I’m currently escorting the Supported One explorer.］
It had already been two hours since they followed the Cyborg Dolphin.
Were they truly safe as promised? They hadn’t encountered a single other monster yet.
‘But when are we going to arrive? Is it still far?’
How much longer until they reach the Machine Factory?
Out of boredom, I called out to the Cyborg Dolphin while looking at Iris’s screen.
“Dolphin!”
─［Yes, explorer!］
“Is Omega in the Machine Factory?”
─［The Machine Factory… Min Hyeong-seok referred to our village that way! Well, there isn’t a precise name, so it’s fine! In any case, yes! Omega is currently in the Machine Factory!］
“How long from here to the Machine Factory?”
─［If we take the shortcut, we can arrive today! But currently, the shortcut is dangerous, so we are taking a detour!］
“The shortcut is dangerous?”
─［That’s right! Recently, a terrifying creature was born in the Machine Graveyard, and it often appears on the shortcut I normally use, making it currently impassable!］
“A terrifying creature… Is it stronger than our exploration team?”
─［Um… I don’t know if I should compare it, but to be honest, it’s probably a bit stronger.］
It doesn’t seem like it’s SSS-Class.
Since he said it was only slightly stronger.
─［Of course, if everyone here fights together, we would have a chance.］
“Just one creature, and it’s not a guaranteed win, but a chance to win?”
─［Well, technically, it’s not just one creature. It’s a creature that is both one and not one.］
I couldn’t understand what that meant.
But anyway, I didn’t need to worry since they were avoiding the high-probability path to encounter it.
─［If the explorer wishes, I can guide you through the shortcut. Just because we take that path doesn’t mean we will definitely encounter it, and if those here are fighting, we could manage somehow.］
“No, that’s okay. Just keep guiding us through the safe path.”
─［Understood.］
*
Day 55 in the labyrinth.
Four days had passed since the exploration team set out.
And they finally set foot at their destination, the Machine Factory.
─［Welcome! This is the Machine Factory… No, this is my home, and the village ruled by Omega!］
At the entrance of the Machine Factory.
The Cyborg Dolphin stretched out his arm and shouted.
“…What the heck is that?”
Unable to breathe for a moment, I could only stare at the sight of the Machine Factory.
The scene unfolding on Iris’s screen was truly magnificent.
Low and wide steel buildings extended to the horizon, and rails crisscrossing through them looked like the veins of the city.
The Cyborg Dolphin introduced this place as a village.
But no matter how you look at it, it was a gigantic city.
I wasn’t the only one surprised.
The exploration team monsters and even Neo Hyeong-seok, who had memories of this place, were also astonished.
─［Wow… When did it develop this much…?］
Neo Hyeong-seok exclaimed in disbelief.
“Wasn’t it like that before?”
─［Yes, in my memories, it was hardly even a village, and the name Factory suited it better. But to develop this much in such a short time… I can’t help but be amazed.］
The exploration team followed the Cyborg Dolphin,
Looking around the city like country folk who just arrived in Seoul for the first time.
Three Iris drones flew in different directions, capturing various angles of the Machine Factory vividly.
Keeping my mouth shut, I slowly admired the view of the Machine Factory on the screen.
Pipes emitting fluorescent steam densely filled the streets.
The whole place was engulfed by mechanical sounds and welding noises.
Every corner of the alley caught my attention.
Beyond the hazy smoke on the ground.
In one workshop, a cyborg monster was cutting metal with a laser cutter, while in another workshop, a monster was operating a holographic interface, assembling intricate machinery.
The danger levels were A-Rank and B-Rank, respectively.
In terms of a nerf danger level, they were C-Rank and D-Rank.
They didn’t appear to be the unique monsters of the labyrinth but rather mechanical life forms created by Omega.
The screen kept transitioning.
Drones flew in swarms overhead carrying cargo, while golems with translucent displays busily moved heavy loads on the ground.
And the sights were endless.
“I want to actually visit over there someday.”
And at the center of the city.
A massive structure presumably housing the leader towered prominently.
The Cyborg Dolphin pointed at the building and said.
─［That is where Omega lives.］
Of course, it must be Omega’s residence.
“Those machines in front are all combat types, right?”
─［Correct. You have a good eye for spotting that at a glance! As expected of an explorer!］
The machine army lined up in front of Omega’s house.
In the front row, hundreds of humanoid combat robots stood in a line, wielding what appeared to be high-output laser guns, with missile launchers mounted on their backs.
Behind those robots were hundreds of six-legged combat machines.
They were tank-sized and impressive with their mounted heavy weaponry on their backs.
Lastly, in the sky.
Thousands of small combat drones hovered in perfect formation.
It looked a bit creepy, like a swarm of insects gathering.
─［When did he gather so many subordinates…］
As Neo Hyeong-seok and the exploration team were astonished,
─［Hehe.］
The Cyborg Dolphin wore a satisfied smile, beaming with pride.
While the Cyborg Dolphin and the exploration team were entering the building.
Large inscriptions embedded in the outer wall caught their eyes.