Chapter 9. Drone (1)
"The drone's performance is better than I thought."
I lay sprawled on the sofa, rolling back and forth as the idea crossed my mind. Not only did it understand and obey my commands so effortlessly, but even as a recon drone, its combat capabilities looked pretty solid. If enemies approached while I was out farming beyond the train, it could probably serve as a bodyguard to protect me.
I opened the drone panel to check the production list.
◈ Required Materials: Low-grade mana stone or higher, Plastic, Metal
"Plastic and metal, huh."
I had some rebar left over from the construction site for metal, but no plastic. Plastic itself wasn't hard to find, so I wasn't too worried. The real issue was the low-grade mana stones or higher. The higher the quality, the better the drone's performance seemed likely to be, and right now, I only had lowest-grade ones.
"Maybe I should hit up a dungeon again..."
I'd marked quite a few dungeons while circling the Incheon tracks. I zoomed in on the map and tapped one that the drone had flagged.
"Let's check it out."
I drove the train to the coordinates and arrived at a waste processing plant dominated by a massive incinerator smokestack. As expected, a purple-aura rift yawned at the building entrance like an open maw.
"Last time, I had no choice but to charge in blindly..."
I leaned back comfortably in the driver's seat. Now I had a drone. A recon drone, perfect for a situation like this.
"I'm counting on you."
Whiiiir—!
At my command, the drone lifted off from the train roof. Without hesitation, it zipped straight into the purple rift.
The screen flickered with static noise for a moment, then crisp footage began streaming in.
"Oh, no disconnect? Nice."
I'd worried the feed might cut out inside the dungeon, but it was working fine. The drone seemed unharmed too.
The dungeon interior on the screen was eerie. Broken conveyor belts chugged along here and there, while the floor was piled into mountains of unidentifiable black oil stains and scrap metal.
"This one's got a different vibe..."
In my mind, dungeons were mossy caves like the last one or vague game-like graveyards. Who knew places like this could spawn as dungeons too.
As the drone descended, a scrap heap rattled and shifted. A golem cobbled together from metal scraps and oil slowly rose to its feet.
"Looks tough..."
They moved sluggishly, but their bulk was intimidating, and the arms formed from compacted scrap looked menacing. Still, I spotted a weakness: something glowing like a power source exposed on their backs.
It screamed vulnerable spot.
"Gotta aim for the back."
I memorized that and sent the drone deeper. In a corner of the passage, where sparks flew, rat-like little monsters clustered. On closer look, the sparks crackled from their bodies with a zap-zap.
"Electric rats... I know the type from games, but earth-type moves would—"
I muttered nonsense like that, figuring I'd leave them to the drone. I started jotting notes on the monsters and terrain.
"Perfect."
The drone finished scouting the rough layout and what looked like a boss room with a massive iron door, then sauntered back to the entrance. The door was beyond what the drone could handle—probably unlocks after clearing the monsters inside?
I stood, heading to the armory. Opponents: sturdy golems and electric rats. I'd wrap the toothed flail's handle in insulating tape against the electricity. Just in case, I bundled up extra tight.
"Hoo..."
Steeling myself, I replayed the drone footage in my head and stepped off the train.
Kwajik—!Pakang!
"Good...!"
The flail in my hand did its job perfectly. It smashed the golem's knee joint dead-on. As it screeched and buckled, I dashed behind and slammed down on the glowing red core.
Kwang! Rumble—
The core exploded, and the golem collapsed into a scrap pile. Knowing the weak spot from the drone made the fight way easier.
"Around here should be—"
"Chiiik!"
Rats lurking in the corner charged, sparking electricity. But I didn't panic. Gripping the tape-wrapped flail, I swung it like a baseball bat, sending the front-runners flying. At the same time, I called to the drone.
"Block the rats!"
Peuk!Puk!
The laser intercepted them, and I handled the stragglers.
"Nice."
With perfect insulation, their shocks were just a sting. Once the monsters were cleared, the remains vanished into smoke. The drone helpfully gathered the dropped mana stones to one side for later—like having my own pet.
Blasting through, I reached the massive iron door from the footage.
Kugung—
It creaked open with a rusty scream as I approached. Inside was a high-ceilinged factory space, ceiling tangled with complex rails and cranes like a spiderweb.
"No idea what'll come from here on..."
I glanced at the drone hovering beside me. I'd gathered enough materials. Time for combat support.
"Protect me."
It bobbed its propellers cutely in acknowledgment. I took a deep breath and strode to the center.
But no boss in sight, no matter where I looked. Instead, an unsettling mechanical whir echoed from above—much heavier and louder than my drone's hum.
Kikigik— Chaik!
I looked up at the ceiling. And froze.
"...What the hell is that?"
Hanging from the ceiling rail wasn't a monster—it was a gigantic industrial robotic arm. A house-sized rusty steel claw glared down, its core a creepy red camera lens like an eyeball.
"A bit high up..."
I stared blankly at my flail. Close combat was my specialty, but this thing dangled beyond even my jump range.
Leap might reach it?
As I hesitated, the arm growled to life with a sinister whine. It crumpled a nearby scrap pile like paper in its claw.
Wooong—
Spinning up momentum with a whoosh, it hurled the scraps at me.
"Crazy bastard!"
Pababak—!
Trusting my ring and Leap, I launched sideways. My original spot became a wreckage-strewn mess.
Leap cooldown: 10 seconds... Use it wisely.
Wasting it on attack could leave me unable to dodge—a disaster.
Gigik!
The thing screeched with mechanical friction. No respite—it grabbed a massive steel beam next. Instant death if that hit. I Leaped again at the perfect moment.
Kwang!
Just need an opening...
This was pure evasion. Then, a familiar whir from above.
Whiiiir—!
My little recon drone charged the arm with ferocious speed.
Whoosh!
The boss swatted at it like an annoying fly while lifting an H-beam.
"Ahh...!"
I yelped, thinking it was done for. But the drone was nimble, weaving through the claws to hover right before the red main camera lens.
Flash! Flash!
Its underbelly laser strobed intensely. No real damage, but enough distraction.
Chaik!
The arm spasmed in panic. Clang! It dropped the H-beam, plunging its main body downward unguarded to snag the darting drone.
"Now!"
The moment I'd waited for. I bent my knees, power surging through my calves thanks to Leap.
Paat—!
I rocketed up like a cannonball. Leap brought me face-to-"face" with it. In midair, my eyes met its red lens. I grinned awkwardly and swung the flail from behind my shoulder with everything I had.
"Hup!"
Kwaaang—!
The heavy thud shook the incinerator. The flail's teeth shattered the camera-"eye," smashing through to wreck the innards. Ring acceleration, Leap boost, and weapon power—a perfect strike.
Pajijik!
Sparks burst like fireworks. The arm went limp, crashing to the floor with a boom.
Kung—!
I landed lightly, panting hard.
"Hoo... Machines only listen when you smash 'em, huh."
Whing—
The drone edged away warily at my offhand comment.
"...Ah, sorry."
I apologized to the drone, and we amicably looted the spoils together.