Subjugating the Mechanic Hydra
101. A subjugation target: the Mechanic Hydra. A monster with multiple mechanical serpent heads. The number of heads varies by individual. The ancient Mechanic Hydra that existed long ago had three, while the newly born one has seven, they say. And...
"One of the heads on this new Mechanic Hydra is almost on your level?"
─［That's right. Pop.］
One of its heads was SS-grade level. In other words, it was like having seven SS-grade monsters combined.
─［If we let it grow unchecked, it could evolve into something even more dangerous than the ancient Mechanic Hydra. Pop pop.］
A being that was one yet not one. The dangerous monster the cyborg dolphin had mentioned must have been the Mechanic Hydra.
"Maybe the Wandering Merchant just got help from an explorer? Its power doesn't get nerfed around them, right?"
"Anyway." I shifted my gaze back to the Iris screen. Then I asked Omega.
"Omega. So, once taming's done, you're heading out to subjugate it? You can win, right?"
─［I can't say for sure. We might even lose. Pop.］
As expected. It was heading into an uncertain fight.
...I don't want to lose it right after taming.
To survive in this labyrinth, I tried to avoid uncertain battles whenever possible. Normally, after taming Omega, I'd ask it not to fight the Mechanic Hydra. But that wasn't an option. Leaving the Hydra alone now would bring greater danger in the future. Thinking ahead—not just the present—meant I had to stop the birth of a monster with seven SSS-grades combined, no matter what.
I have to help with this, no question.
I reviewed the scouting party's lineup. Five SS-grades among them: Kinogine Arachne, Blood Jellyfish Princess, Necro Puppeteer, Perfect Corps, Jellyfish Queen, Bastet Daong. Adding Omega made six.
The Mechanic Hydra has seven heads...
I called out to Niara Nephensis, who was buried in my arm.
"Niara."
─［Call me Mom, son.］
"Shut up and head to the machine factory right now."
I told the Puppeteer too: Summon Niara Nephensis there. As I'd said before, the Puppeteer could always summon its puppets nearby.
─［Mom doesn't wanna be away from her son...］
"Come back and I'll let you cuddle while we sleep, so quit whining and go."
─［For real? Promise, son?］
With that, Niara joined the scouting party too. Now we had seven SS-grade monsters—matching the Hydra's heads.
"Omega. With our scouting party helping, think we can win?"
─［With help, the odds of victory...
Omega glanced lightly over the scouting party. Then, with an expressionless face, its eyes gleamed as it spoke.
─［Aren't just good—we've got this in the bag. Pop pop!］
Even through its mechanical voice, joy overflowed.
"We've got this? You're certain now?"
─［Certain. With our village's top two fighters joining, defeat's impossible. Pop pop.］
Omega finished speaking and lightly thumped the ground twice with its thick reptilian tail. At the signal—
─［You called, Master?］
─［Answering the call, Master.］
—two mechanical-type monsters appeared.
The factory's top two forces. Their threat levels were SS-grade as well.
■ Techno Reaper X-9000
Actual Threat Level:SS-grade
Current (Nerfed) Threat Level:A-grade
■ Cyborg Dragon Z-White
Actual Threat Level:SS-grade
Current (Nerfed) Threat Level:A-grade
Labyrinth Day 56. Taming Omega succeeded.
─［Pop pop. So this is the feeling.］
"What kind of feeling?"
─［The urge to meet you in person and give you a big smooch. Pop.］
"......"
Omega poked at its own body for a good while. The emotional shift seemed fascinating.
─［Research on this can wait... It's time to subjugate the Mechanic Hydra. Gotta eliminate it before it gets stronger. Pop.］
"Right, Omega. About that Mechanic Hydra... Do we really have to kill it?"
─［Ping?］
"Why not tame it instead? Even if it's violent, taming would make it docile, right?"
─［Pop. Bad idea. It might only be docile to you and still rampage against others. And if we half-ass it to capture for taming, we could lose. So no taming—go in for the kill from the start.］
"...If that's what you think, can't argue."
A bit disappointing. Successfully taming the Mechanic Hydra would've meant getting seven SSS-grades eventually. Oh well. Had to give up, like Omega said. The risk was too high for taming.
─［No need to be bummed about failing to tame. Killing it still leaves parts to build great machines from. Pop pop.］
With that, Omega summoned its entire mechanical legion waiting throughout the factory. Subjugation time had arrived.
Breaking the silence of the machine graveyard, the massive mechanical legion began its march. Amid the desolate landscape of rusted girders, shattered circuit boards, scattered parts, metals, and scrap— an endless procession of machines stretched out. Our scouting party joined the ranks, soon taking the lead.
I marveled at the march for a moment before issuing orders to the party. Simple instructions: Have the puppet monsters fight up front as much as possible. If a dangerous attack heads for any party member, puppets sacrifice themselves to block it.
No one objected. The puppets nodded as if it were obvious. Natural reaction—they knew as long as the Puppeteer lived, they'd never truly die and could reform even if shattered.
"And if it looks like we're losing, retreat immediately. No dying heroically."
─［Got it, Father.］
─［Ung!］
Arachne and Jellyfish Princess replied. The rest of the scouting party nodded in turn.
"You too, Omega."
─［Pop?］
"Retreat if losing. Everything's pointless if you die. Even in defeat, survive for another day."
─［Pop pop. Understood. I promise not to overdo it.］
At that moment, the Cyborg Dragon scouting ahead broke from the column and shouted.
─［Master! Mechanic Hydra spotted! Halt the march!］
The voice echoed, and—
Rumble rumble—
From between massive rusted girders, seven serpent heads rose one by one, collapsing surrounding metal debris in sync.
─［Grrr...］
The Mechanic Hydra slowly revealed itself. Its body was clad in black metal and vivid red armor, intricate mechanisms wrapping every inch, hydraulic cylinders and cables twisting like muscles and veins. At its center loomed a massive black device—likely the core power source.
As rumored, each head was an SS-grade threat.
As the Mechanic Hydra stirred, steam hissed from joints across its body. Gears whirred, limbs creaked into motion. It locked eyes on the scouting party and mechanical legion, then—
─［Kaaak!］
—without hesitation, unleashed its assault. Lasers rained down from the sky.