Level Up Machine

Chapter 129 The Guardian (2)

“Kieeeee!”

The Giant Turtle, with dozens of gun barrels mounted on its back, let out a shrill scream.

-Bang! Bang! Bang!

From the dozens of gun barrels, flames burst out as missiles flew towards the Salvator Guild members.

“Crazy! Missiles?!”

With a distorted expression, Yu-na swung Ssang-sik.

The intense flames emitted from Ssang-sik exploded the missiles aimed at the Salvator Guild members in midair.

Handling the missiles themselves wasn’t a big problem. The issue was how the monsters could use weapons like missiles.

As far as she knew, the only ones handling modern weapons on the Elnote Continent were Yeong-sik and the machines he created.

But suddenly, a monster appearing in the central region using missiles?

The idea of monsters using missiles was something she had never heard of or even imagined.

“What on earth is happening…”

With a hardened expression, she looked at the swarming mechanical monsters.

They were far beyond the category of ‘monsters’ that she had been hunting.

[Securing Master’s safety. All units, permission to fire granted.]

If the other side had mechanical monsters, this side had an android army.

Lacteon, positioned at the front, gave the firing command to the android army.

-Zzzzzttzzttzzzzz-

Thousands of androids simultaneously fired bullets.

The powerful attack that had effortlessly swept away the monsters beyond the northern border now engulfed the mechanical monsters.

-Clang! Clang! Clang!-

With a loud clattering sound, sparks flew off the mechanical monsters’ bodies.

However, the mechanical monsters seemed to sustain no damage and continued to charge towards the Salvator Guild members.

[Determined that shooting has no effect on the target. All units, draw blades for close combat.]

As soon as Lacteon confirmed that the gunfire was ineffective, he immediately ordered the weapon change.

The android army put away their guns and drew blades from their left forearms. Thousands of androids charged towards the mechanical monsters.

-Crash! Bang! Boom!-

“Raaaargh!”

Overwhelming.

The mechanical monsters, as if crushing ants, violently trampled the C-grade androids as they charged forward. An ogre, equipped with metal devices similar to gauntlets on both arms, swung its fists, causing a series of explosions.

From the single red lens replacing the Cyclops’ eye, a laser was fired. The Drake, with each claw resembling a chainsaw blade, tore apart the androids’ bodies.

The androids were utterly destroyed by the mechanical monsters, which possessed both an overwhelming attack power and durability far superior to that of ordinary monsters.

[It has been determined that the current android army cannot destroy the target. Self-destruction of C-grade androids is recommended.]

Lacteon, observing the situation, approached Yeong-sik and asked.

“…Alright.”

In a situation where it was difficult for Yeong-sik to even stand properly, he nodded with difficulty.

Lacteon continued.

[Requesting the swift retreat of the presumed individual named ‘Tiria’. The android army will attempt to buy some time here.]

“…Understood.”

Seeing the tremendous power of the mechanical monsters, Tiria nodded with a hardened expression.

Although the Salvator Guild members had grown significantly stronger after receiving Yeong-sik’s weapons, it was impossible to defeat the hundreds of mechanical monsters.

‘We need to get out of here first.’

With that thought, Tiria turned to look at the guild members.

The retreat timing would be when the mechanical monsters were thrown into confusion by the self-destruction of the android army.

Tiria looked at Lacteon with a tense expression.

[Permission granted to use the self-destruction code for C-grade androids.]

-Clink. Clink.

The eyes of the thousands of androids, which were being helplessly swept away by the mechanical monsters, began to glow red.

The red light spread from their faces to their chests, and from their chests to their entire bodies.

-Boom!

“Raaaaah!”

“Kieeeek!”

Intense explosions erupted from the androids’ bodies, causing chaos among the mechanical monsters.

No matter how tough their exteriors were, it seemed difficult for them to withstand the simultaneous explosions of hundreds of androids.

“Mr. Gil-soo. Please carry Yeong-sik. We will maintain formation and retreat backward.”

“Understood.”

Gil-soo, who had been out of formation, lifted the fallen Yeong-sik. Although it was unclear what kind of metal Yeong-sik’s body was made of, his weight was no different from that of an average adult male.

“…I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s me who should apologize for not being much help.”

Carrying Yeong-sik on his back, Gil-soo began to flee into the forest, protected by the guild members.

[This unit will remain here to secure the retreat route.]

“Huh?”

As Yu-na watched Lacteon, who had turned his back on the mechanical monsters and drawn his beam saber, a sorrowful exclamation escaped her lips.

Lower-grade androids did not possess intelligence. They were literally puppets that moved according to commands.

However, S-grade android Lacteon was different. He possessed intelligence and emotions. And whether by choice or necessity, Lacteon had more opportunities to converse with Yu-na than other guild members.

She was the only guild member present when he received the name ‘Lacteon’ from Yeong-sik for the first time.

In terms of the time they had spent together, it had barely been a month.

He was a machine created by Yeong-sik’s skill, not a human.

However, even though she understood this intellectually, she felt a sharp pain in her chest.

[Asking if you are worried about this unit.]

“Wh-who would worry about a scrap heap like you!”

[This unit’s designation is ‘Lacteon,’ not ‘scrap heap.’ Requesting correction of designation.]

“Shut up! For something like you, ‘scrap heap’ is enough!”

Yu-na shouted in an angry voice.

Lacteon’s green eyes gleamed as he waved at her.

[Informing that there is little time left. Requesting ‘Yu-na’ to retreat quickly.]

Yu-na looked at Lacteon’s back with tightly closed lips. An indescribable, strange sadness weighed heavily on her shoulders.

Lacteon raised his right arm towards her, giving her a thumbs up as he lifted his arm.

[Informing that ‘I’ll be back.’]

“You piece of junk, don’t say stuff like that! I don’t know whether to laugh or cry!”

Even as she shouted, Yu-na’s face showed an expression as if she was forcibly holding back tears.

But there was no more time to dwell on sadness. She turned and followed the retreating Salvator Guild.

“Yu-na, create a wall of fire to block the mechanical monsters’ approach! Grandfather Hwang-hyeon, attack the approaching mechanical monsters while retreating!”

“Got it, sis!”

“Understood!”

Mages who needed to cast spells were not suitable for attacking while retreating. Here, Yu-na, who had powerful fire skills similar to a mage, and Hwang-hyeon, who could attack while retreating, were the most efficient choices to ensure the guild’s retreat speed.

“Blaze Step!”

-Whroooosh!

A massive flame rose along the path Yu-na took. The missiles continuously fired by the mechanical monsters couldn’t withstand the heat of the flames and exploded in midair.

‘I can manage the missiles with this… but.’

-Zzzzzeeeee! Bang!

A blue sphere pierced through the wall of fire she had created.

An energy blast similar to the one Yeong-sik used. That powerful energy mass was aimed at the Salvator Guild.

Yu-na hurriedly drew Ssang-sik to deflect the attack.

But before she could move, a huge greatsword, emitting jet engine thrust, was swung.

-Whoooosh! Bang!

“Ugh!”

“Cheol-tae oppa!”

A painful groan escaped from Park Cheol-tae’s mouth as he deflected an energy blast with his greatsword, using a boost.

A heavy impact was transmitted through the handle of the greatsword.

“Run away quickly!”

Park Cheol-tae shouted to his guild members with his back turned.

“Rooooar!”

A mechanical monster appeared, breaking through the wall of fire created by Yu-na. It looked like a monstrous blend of a giant tiger and machinery.

“Power Shot!”

-Boom!

While running away, Hwang-hyeon twisted his body and shot an arrow. The arrow aimed precisely at a vital point, an unbelievable shot considering he fired it while on the move.

An explosive arrowhead made by Yeong-sik shone brightly as it exploded inside the gaping mouth of the Saber Tiger that was charging towards Park Cheol-tae.

“Cheol-tae, you must run too! Insisting on staying here will only increase the number of casualties!”

“Quickly!”

At Hwang-hyeon’s cry, Park Cheol-tae bit his lip roughly and turned his body again.

The distance from where the Salvator Guild was to the forest was about 500 meters. It was quite far for ordinary people, but for summoners whose bodies were close to superhuman, it was different.

-Crack! Thud!

[Mas…ter.]

“Keeyaaack!”

“Growl!”

The sound of Lacteon, who had been holding back the monsters alone, collapsing could be heard. At the same time, hundreds of mechanical monsters chased after the Salvator Guild at high speed.

‘Their movements are too fast.’

Tiria bit her lip nervously, watching the mechanical monsters rapidly closing in with terrifying momentum.

If she were running away alone, she could have escaped by flapping her angel wings with all her might.

But now, she wasn’t running away alone. She had people to protect, family she had to safeguard even at the cost of her life.

“Everyone, maintain formation and retreat!”

“Sis?!”

With a determined look, Tiria turned her body around.

The one who could buy the most time here was her.

No, even before considering such matters, the one who ‘must stay behind’ was her, holding the position of guild master.

“Judgment of Themis!”

A blindingly white light pierced down from the sky. The mechanical monsters caught in the light were smashed to pieces.

The mechanical monsters chasing the Salvator Guild seemed to momentarily halt their advance due to her presence alone.

It was then.

-Rumble!

“Dammit!”

Mechanical monsters capable of moving underground bypassed Tiria and targeted the retreating Salvator Guild members.

The Salvator Guild members, surrounded by mechanical monsters, had no choice but to stop their retreat and fend off the monsters charging at them from all directions.

-Thud! Boom!

Loud explosions echoed around.

“…Grr.”

Unlike the other guild members fighting the mechanical monsters attacking from all sides, Gil-soo had no choice but to hide while being guarded by his comrades, carrying Yeong-sik on his shoulder.

This was because the strength of the mechanical monsters was overwhelmingly powerful compared to his own.

-Bzzzzing.

“Huh…?”

As Gil-soo shuddered under the oppressive sense of powerlessness weighing on his shoulders, he saw a Manticore with its massive jaws open wide, heading straight for him.

Inside the Manticore’s mouth, plasma with a heat so intense that it made his whole body tingle was gathering.

The guild members, engaged in fierce battles with other mechanical monsters, couldn’t block that attack.

Gil-soo, at a mere level 60, had to block that attack all by himself.