With the electromagnetic field neutralized, the path into the Abandoned Factory was wide open.
Theodore, 2B, and 9S plunged into the dark, echoing interior—a labyrinth of catwalks, grinding gears, and automated assembly lines that were now fabricating advanced Machine Lifeforms.
"The server is on the deepest level,"
9S reported, scanning the complex structural data.
"It's a direct descent, but we'll encounter heavy resistance. The machines will attempt to overwhelm us with sheer numbers."
"Numbers are just EXP waiting to happen,"
Theodore quipped, activating Wind Walk for quick traversal across the treacherous, oil-slicked factory floor.
Fighting Through the Assembly Line
The machines immediately put up a fierce defense. Simple bipeds and quadrupeds swarmed the walkways, but Theodore—powered by his stats—proved unstoppable.
He ignored the defensive maneuvers of the machines.
Using the extended reach and power of the Ascalon paired with Giant Strength, Theodore focused on clearing pathways and destroying the assembly units themselves.
He would use the momentum of a Machine Lifeform's attack, deflect it, and then instantly shatter the machinery behind it. His method was sheer, brutal efficiency.
2B moved with devastating grace, using her katana to execute surgical strikes against the core units of the machines.
9S, less focused on physical combat, used his Pod to hack and briefly turn some machines against their comrades, creating localized chaos.
"Theodore, do not destroy the main fusion engine assembly!"
2B commanded as Theodore prepared to cleave a massive gear in half.
"It could cause a critical meltdown!"
"Chill! I'm just clearing the path!"
Theodore retorted, instead using a lightning-fast kick augmented by Wind Walk to send a cluster of four machines flying off the catwalk and into the toxic sludge below.
They quickly reached the main elevator shaft, only to find the lift secured by a complex locking mechanism.
"I can hack the main console, but it will take 90 seconds,"
9S stated, plugging his interface cable into the console.
"We have to hold this choke point."
Just as 9S began the hack, the heavy door at the end of the hall opened with a slow, grinding sound.
Stepping out was a figure that was decidedly not a machine.
It was a perfectly formed human male, completely nude, with pale white hair and an eerily serene expression.
This was Adam, the manifestation of the Machine Network's desire to understand humanity.
"Well, well. This is... an interesting deviation,"
Adam mused, his voice cultured and strangely calm. He looked directly at Theodore, bypassing the androids entirely.
"A human—not born of this world, yet possessing the strength of legend. You are a fascinating variable, Theodore Mayer."
Adam held up a glowing cube of data.
"You come to destroy our heart, yet you seek to save your android friends from tragedy. We are simply trying to learn to live. Why do you fight that which merely seeks knowledge?"
"Skip the philosophy, pal,"
Theodore scoffed, recognizing the signature boss dialogue.
"You're trying to complicate the narrative, and I'm here for a clean ending. You are a massive roadblock, and I'm running a tight schedule."
Adam smiled, an expression far more unnerving than a machine's happy mask.
"Then let us see if your 'strength' can overcome the very concept of existence."
Adam snapped his fingers.
The area immediately surrounding him became a zone of zero gravity, tearing at the structural integrity of the floor and pulling Theo and the androids off their feet.
"Zero gravity!"
2B shouted, deploying stabilizing thrusters.
"9S, the hack!"
"Almost done!"
9S grunted, holding tight to the console.
Theodore found himself floating violently, his immense physical stats utterly useless against the warped physics.
"Dude, that's unfair! That's a different game mechanic!"
Adam began manifesting multiple, sharp, geometric cubes of data and hurling them at Theodore.
Theodore, unable to move quickly, reacted with the only tool he had: his quick thinking and the Ascalon.
He used the sword as a deflection surface, twisting his body to bat the deadly cubes away, trying to maintain distance from the philosophical boss until 9S completed the hack.
"Hurry up, 9S! This guy is way too pretentious to fight normally!"
Theodore yelled, dodging a cube that ripped through the metal railing he was gripping.
"Hack complete!"
9S shouted. The elevator doors immediately hissed open.
"Get in!"
2B grabbed Theodore by the arm, dragging him toward the door as Adam materialized a massive wall of cubes to block their retreat.
They barely slipped into the elevator, 2B executing a perfect power slide as the doors slammed shut.
"Your 'unorthodox' methods are proving... challenging to track,"
2B noted as the elevator began its descent, leaving Adam laughing above them.
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