Chapter 12 - Another World (2)
Those mana beast ants were undoubtedly horrific monsters from another world. The kind that could shatter Earth's underlayer ecosystem if they ever got loose. But no matter how monstrous they were, no matter what bizarre powers they possessed, they were meaningless in the face of overwhelming mass. That was why gate defense battles—open to regular forces—were considered safer than dungeon raids, reserved only for Awakeners: the sheer firepower and mass of modern weaponry that could be deployed.
"Yeah!"
I couldn't help cheering as my Battlebot 001 crushed and shoved aside the charging mana beast ants with its bulky frame. Without scale adjustment, it was just a tiny toy squashing a wriggling bug. But in that other world, it was a colossal piece of heavy machinery smashing an even bigger monstrous ant.
But it wasn't over yet. After pulverizing two charging ants, I spun Battlebot 001 around and charged the rest, who hesitated in confusion.
Too easy.
The result was predictable: total annihilation. One that foolishly lunged got its head crushed under the wheels first. The last one, trying to flee, couldn't outrun the bot's overwhelming speed and got smashed and flattened.
3rd Wave Ended
That was it. Before she could even reach danger, I'd wiped out all four ants with Battlebot 001. I maneuvered it over to the collapsed wooden fence where she'd been standing.
Her bow lay dropped on the ground as she stared blankly at the massive Battlebot, then up at the sky. Her eyes were wide with bewilderment.
I'd worried something might go wrong, but it didn't. Though startled, she realized the bot was a gift from me and let go of her hostility. And just as I'd hoped, it crushed the mana beast ants effortlessly.
"---?"
She glanced back and forth between the Battlebot and the sky where I watched, then cautiously spoke to the bot. I couldn't help a wry smile. It wasn't a living thing—it couldn't talk.
But when she tentatively touched its wheel with trembling fingers, I revved the motor to signal I was listening.
"--!"
To me, it was just a whir, but it must have sounded like a roar to her—she hurriedly covered her pointed, elongated ears. Still, her face lit up with a smile, so it didn't seem unpleasant.
A rigid machine and a mystical elf. They didn't match, yet somehow they did.
For a moment, I wondered about rigging it with a recorder of my voice. That way, at least my words could reach her.
Would she understand? How would I explain controls?
I gave up quickly. Too complicated, no guarantees—and one-way communication wouldn't mean much anyway.
Battlebot 001 was undeniably powerful. A fearsome weapon that could handle multiple mana beast ants without flinching. It moved freely in all directions—forward, back, left, right—with waterproofing, the latest battery, and sensors for swift, precise control... Anyway, it was a huge help.
But she has to go.
Battlebot 001 wasn't invincible. Sure, it had a fancy-looking gun barrel on top, but that was just decoration—no real shells. With no telling how many more ants might swarm from the anthill, relying on it alone could get her overwhelmed.
She had to go fight. To seize the enemies' base and destroy it—that was the only way to bring peace to this pot world.
"----."
She picked up the supplies she'd prepared yesterday and seemed to explain it to the young elves, who couldn't tear their eyes from Battlebot 001. Naturally, they freaked out at the idea of her heading into the dungeon alone—I could hear their panicked shouts from here.
But with a weary smile, she pointed at the bot to reassure them. As if it would protect them even without her.
"No way. I can't let that happen."
I shot to my feet. Me, watching over those kids if she died? I refused to accept that reality.
"Huh? What's up?"
"Sorry to bother you on a weekend, sir."
Seeing her march toward the anthill alone, I'd rushed out—to Jang Mansu's place, my landlord. He was chilling at home on this late Sunday afternoon and looked surprised to see me.
"Uh, that drone you bought last time but said wasn't fun and stopped using."
"Drone?"
"I want it."
I remembered his old story and brought it up with a grin. No way was I sending her into that cold dungeon alone.
"Looked fun, so I bought it, but it didn't suit me. Not much fun anyway. And it's cheap junk."
"...I'm not that skilled either. But this should do."
He handed over the bright red quadcopter drone from his shed—body about the size of my head. He called it junk, but I recalled it costing tens of thousands of won new. Then again, a guy who turned a whole villa into his hobby den and owned a full commercial building could drop that on a whim.
"Payment sent."
"Doing filming work? For that?"
"Something like it."
He sold it to me for less than half price. I owed him so much—wonder if I'd ever repay it.
"Oh, right—now I remember. That flowerpot I left at your place? I'll take it back soon."
"...!"
But as I turned to leave after thanking him, he mentioned the pot. Instinctive chills hit me—I nearly dropped the drone and gear.
"Uh, about that pot... The bonsai died, but watching it a few times, it was surprisingly fun. Makes me wanna grow something, so how about I buy that pot too...?"
"Oh, really getting into it?"
I tried to play it cool, but my head jerked awkwardly, voice trembling. Luckily, he didn't suspect—just got excited that I was into pots too. I politely declined a full lecture on bonsai lore for now and hurried back to my pot with the drone.
"Sh-she's already in?!"
I slapped a Post-it on the drone in a panic—her figure was gone from the pot. Only the two young elves sat atop Battlebot 001, faces full of worry and anxiety.
No time to hesitate. With the Battlebot precedent, she wouldn't panic too much. I launched the drone into the pot world.
Unlike the bot, the scaled-down drone swooped through that sky like a tiny bird. Using its camera, I oriented it and quickly tracked her trail.
Low to the ground, tiny footprints appeared. She'd already entered the anthill.
Going in.
No second thoughts—I sent the drone into the dark tunnel. Pitch black, no light at all. Small torches she'd lit sporadically guided the way.
"---!"
Not far in, I found her. Not facing mana beast ants yet, but swinging her handmade pipe axe at a swarm of regular ants, advancing step by step.
"--?!"
She whipped around at the whirring from behind, flinching in shock. To calm her, I shook the drone, dangling the Post-it into view.
Her tense face on screen relaxed into a smile. Good enough—I flicked on the headlight.
A brighter artificial glow than her awkward torch illuminated the dim tunnel brilliantly.
"...--."
The ants panicked at the sudden light. And she wasn't the only one surprised—her wide eyes turned to the screen.
You're not alone.
I smiled faintly at helping her. Re-energized, she swung her glowing green weapon more destructively, crushing ants. From then on, we synced our movements and pressed forward together.