Chapter 105 - Chapter 107

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: penny

Chapter: 107

Chapter Title: Ancient Sewer

-----------------------------------------------------------------

"I thought it would be dark and gloomy, but it's not."

This was the Saintess's assessment as she looked around the [Ancient Sewer].

"Yeah, it's super bright and clean."

The vast sewer, 25 meters wide and 7 meters high, was enveloped in a soft blue glow.

Fluorescent stones embedded in the ceiling, walls, floor, and even in the water drove away the darkness, illuminating every detail of the underground scene for us.

"Dickhead, is this stuff expensive? Those glowing rocks look like they could fetch a good price if we sold them."

Shin Seo-yeon whispered in my ear, having learned through [Whispering Silvergrass] that even a single blade of grass could make money. I shrugged.

"It's not the kind of jewels you're thinking of. You know light bulbs?"

"Light bulbs?"

"Yeah, think of it exactly like that."

They were nothing more than components that emitted light by drawing in mana. Ancient ruins often had lighting like this.

"Tch, junk then."

Shin Seo-yeon clicked her tongue, while Han So-hee looked around beside her.

"Still, it's strange. A sewer can't possibly be this clean. It's like someone cleans it every day—no smell at all."

"Hm, yeah."

The Crimson Flame Witch, realizing there was no money to be made, also scanned the surroundings. Aside from the 5-meter-wide waterway flowing through the center, the floor and walls were spotless. Even the water was fairly clean.

"Hehe, that's because there are janitors here."

Our attention turned to the unfamiliar voice. The mysterious woman who had led us here smiled faintly.

She hadn't been visible clearly from above in the darkness, but the long red hair spilling from under her robe hood, her milky skin, freckles, and blue eyes marked her as a white woman, not Korean like us.

"You speak Korean pretty well for a foreigner."

"I've lived in Korea for a long time as a teacher. Anyway, this way. Follow me."

With that, she led the way into the blue-lit sewer. We exchanged brief glances before following the fluttering hem of her robe.

"But janitors? You seem to know a lot about this place?"

The woman nodded at Shin Seo-yeon's question.

"I came here earlier than you guys."

"How long?"

"Twenty days."

Twenty days... That's a long time. We all shared the same thought, our faces showing surprise tinged with shadow.

Being here for twenty days implied a lot.

"This sewer runs throughout the [Ancient City of Haran]. It carries all the filth from Haran out to the sea. That's why we use it in emergencies like this."

A fork appeared as we walked. One path was collapsed, completely blocked with only water trickling out. The woman headed into the intact remaining passage.

"And the janitors I mentioned are machines that clean this place."

"Huh? Machines? In a place that screams medieval?"

People's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Not the kind of machines you're imagining?"

"Well, they're far more advanced than you think. Big, and they can do a lot. They scrub the floor, walls, clean the grime in the water... and deal with intruders."

'A type of maintenance robot.'

When the ancient gods left this world, mages filled the void. They inherited the gods' legacy and knowledge, building a civilization called the [Magic Engineering Era].

The cleaners here were machines from that golden age. Powered by mana as an energy source, their official name is [Magic Engineering Golem].

You could encounter them with high probability in any ancient ruin.

'Their reason for existing is to preserve ancient ruins.'

They performed preservation duties, so even a lowly janitor had formidable combat power.

To humanity, they were known as killing machines.

In simple terms, mechanical monsters.

"Wait, they deal with intruders?"

"Shh."

The woman suddenly stopped. At a new fork, she listened carefully, and soon a sound came from the right passage.

Viiiing—

"...Sounds just like a chainsaw."

"Fantastic. Spot on."

The chainsaw noise echoed from down the passage before gradually fading away.

Confirming the presence had completely vanished, the woman checked her wristwatch and cautiously stepped into the noisy passage.

"Do they have set patrol routes?"

"Exactly. They follow patterns to keep the sewer pristine."

They had reconnaissance patterns. That's why players exploring ancient ruins first memorized their movements.

"I've been here a while and gathered info myself, so I navigate worry-free. But you guys absolutely shouldn't barge in carelessly."

The chainsaw sound approached again.

Peeking around the corner, I saw a 5-meter-tall massive machine moving down the right passage, scrubbing the floor, walls, and waterway with its four arms.

Two arms hung idle at the back, their grinder-like circular blades spinning sharply—clearly weapons for intruders.

"..."

The group fell silent in an instant.

Its sheer size was intimidating. The blades alone were human-sized, threatening just to look at.

'And their actual combat power is beyond imagination.'

Its agility was low, but its strength and stamina were insane numbers.

Just those two stats matched the Hitler-mustached guy from earlier.

Way too high for a mere mob.

But it made sense.

'Trial areas divide into fields and dungeons, distinguished mainly by sunlight exposure.'

The upper city was a field; this was a dungeon. Dungeons are usually twice as hard, with stronger mobs.

That's why [Lake Worm] and [Corrupted High Priest Bardo] had such stark difficulty differences.

"See? Those things patrol everywhere in the sewer, so don't even think about using it. If you must and run into one, turn and run full speed. They're too dangerous to fight."

Nods all around, accepting her words.

"Alright, this way. Let's go."

We quietly followed her to the opposite side from where the golem vanished. Apparently, thirty minutes this way would get us to our destination.

But ancient ruins I knew weren't that easy.

"Huh...?"

Sure enough, a presence suddenly appeared ahead. Too noisy for humans like us.

Viiiiing—

"N-No way. No machines should pass here at this hour."

The flustered woman checked her watch and bolted back the way we came.

"W-Where are you going?"

"Patrol routes crossed. Heading to a safe spot first."

Wise call. Most panic and freeze in sudden situations; she was seasoned.

"Oh no, hurry! One from behind spotted us!"

Viiing— The chainsaw's shrill whine approached rapidly. Our guide picked up speed.

Tatata!

Soon we were all sprinting flat out. Grinder whines and chaotic footsteps boomed in the tunnel.

"Almost there! Speed up! Right at that fork and we're good!"

But another killing machine burst from the fork, blocking the path solidly.

"Huh?"

Its eyes shifted from green to red. Four arms swung back; the two grinder arms came forward.

Our guide froze, at a loss.

'Routes thoroughly tangled.'

She must have felt confident after twenty days here.

Fair enough.

But she didn't know one thing.

'All [Magic Engineering Golems] change patrol routes on fixed cycles: weekly, monthly.'

Those unaware think they've adapted, let their guard down, and get hit. Massacres during sleep happen.

'No wonder ancient ruins rival the demonic realms in brutality.'

"What now?!"

"I-I... uh..."

The trailing players snapped at her; she stammered helplessly.

Meanwhile, the golem spun its circular blades menacingly, as if warning.

"W-Wait. We're leaving right now. Could you step aside? We'll go immediately."

"Yeah, we got lost. Guide us to the entrance."

The Saintess and Isera spoke, and it paused before responding.

The other machine reaching our rear also halted combat prep and went into standby.

"Ooh, Dickhead, looks like these tin cans aren't total idiots. Communication works?"

"...Huh?"

As if.

Whung! The machines raised their arms threateningly. High-speed spinning disc blades whirled fiercely.

But more chilling were their words.

Viiing. Viiiiing.

"W-What do we do, Min-jun? They're dumber than they look."

"Yeah."

I drew my sword. The three trailing players, unarmed, could only lament helplessly.

"Damn it, what is this?! You said they were too dangerous to fight! Now what?!"

"...We're dead. Should've chosen better. Pulled out sooner. Stupid to follow them."

"You brought us here—figure something out!"

People turn selfish when death looms.

We hadn't threatened them to follow, yet they blamed others and shifted responsibility.

Most humans are like that.

After ten years seeing it, I was numb to the abuse, but our guide wasn't.

Her mental state cracked under the shared vitriol.

"What do you mean 'what'? What can anyone do?"

Then Shin Seo-yeon erupted in flames. Eternal fire. Primordial blaze that consumes all. Red flames condensed and shot toward the machine.

Ku-ku-ku-ku-ku-ku-kwang!

"Wha?"

A massive explosion rocked the ground. Dust poured from above.

Without special shock-absorbing magic, that single blast could've collapsed the ceiling.

One arm flew off; it staggered. As expected of an S-Rank mage. Unrivaled destructive power.

Kikikik.

But it wasn't over.

It swung its remaining arm wildly, but Han So-hee stepped forward and deflected it effortlessly.

Kwang! Kwang! Ku-ku-kwang!

Repeated attacks failed to breach Han So-hee's defense. Its brute force veered off her sword, smashing harmless floors.

Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!

The sewer shattered, stone fragments flying. But the grueling fight soon ended.

Pajijijik!

Isera had slipped behind unnoticed and jammed [Arkwell's Lost Core], aka the stun gun, into its back. The golem convulsed helplessly.

'Everyone's fighting well.'

Han So-hee on defense, Isera exploiting openings stealthily—both solid. But Shin Seo-yeon topped in combat finesse.

[Primordial Flame] is unquenchable. It could've spread to Han So-hee or Isera, but didn't.

She controlled it perfectly, limiting to the golem.

The Crimson Flame Witch had flawless instincts.

Constant damage depleted its durability; it slumped.

"Disposal protocol?"

"Self-destruct?! That thing?!"

People panicked at the ominous words, some flattening to minimize blast. But no explosion came. Puzzled looks.

"N-No boom?"

These were ancient facility maintainers. Self-destructing and damaging the place? No.

Disposal protocol meant shutting down power and entering safe mode before destruction.

Sruruk—

Its glowing red eyes faded quietly.

"In-Incredible."

Gaping at the slumped giant, they couldn't speak. No one expected such a beast downed in fifteen seconds.

'Honestly, current players can't handle this golem's difficulty.'

Only possible for our S-Rank talented party.

Viiiiing—

"Huh? W-Watch out! There's still one behind you!"

Our guide snapped alert, pointing behind me. Glancing back, two circular saws charged at me.

Pat!

I leaped airborne instantly.

Ku-ku-kwang!

The blades pulverized my spot, debris flying. Planting feet on the ceiling, I looked down at the [Magic Engineering Golem].

Head fully exposed in its attack zeal. Realizing it missed, it belatedly looked up.

'Too late, punk.'

I launched, striking its head with my scabbard instead of blade.

Thud-kwang!

One blow caved in its metal skull deeply.

Thud.

Forced to kneel, its body trembled. Six arms went limp.

"Huh?"

"Wh-What...?"

Stunned stares. Ignoring them, I dropped and smashed its head again hard.

Kwang!

Scabbard shattered in half; finally, the desired response.

It had faked collapse to lure me. Wait for me to turn and strike.

Clever, but wrong opponent. Ten years of such tricks made me sick of them.

"Da-Damn."

Turning, I saw gaping faces—not just others, but my party too.

"Dickhead, you... what the..."

"Why the fuss? They're just weak."

"Hah?"

Shin Seo-yeon gawked at the absurdity.

She knew its toughness firsthand, having fought it.

I just shrugged.

"Min-jun, amazing!"

"Fitting for our party leader."

The Saintess beamed innocently, handing me water. Han So-hee was stoic; Isera eyed the downed machine.

The others blinked, scratching cheeks.

"Oh, so they weren't that strong?"

"Yeah. Looks can deceive."

"Never imagined it'd die in one hit."

Embarrassed by their earlier doom-saying, they scratched heads.

Our guide, knowing their power, stared wide-eyed.

"Anyway, let's see what these drop!"

Excited for loot, Shin Seo-yeon joined Isera to initialize the golem corpse. It vanished, leaving arm-sized fragments.

Grimacing at them, Shin Seo-yeon scowled.

"Me-Metal? Ugh, useless crap! From these?!"

"...Total garbage."

"Useless for their size."

"Yeah."

Curious crowd murmured disappointment my way.

"Tch, enough. Back on track."

"..."

"Hey, Dickhead! Let's go! What're you doing?"

As I disassembled the golem, Shin Seo-yeon peeked. Finding what I wanted, I yanked it out.

"Huh?"

Seeing the control unit and power source core, her eyes sparkled; she jumped.

"That! That's it, right?! Bardo lich core!"

"Different."

"Then what?"

"Magic engineering core. Worth more."

"!!"

I showed it for verification.

"Th-This is jackpot!"

Shin Seo-yeon rushed to her golem. Then froze. She'd already initialized it.

"Aaaah! Shouldn't have initialized so quick... Stupid Shin Seo-yeon! Why didn't I think?!"

"Yeah, you're kinda dumb, lady."

Isera "comforted" the self-loathing Shin Seo-yeon.

Disassembling magic engineering weapon golems yielded more profit than initializing.

Ignorant folks avoided them as trash-droppers; mid-to-late game, everyone hunted them.

Guaranteed [Magic Engineering Core] from disassembly.

"But it's broken."

"Intact would've been big money. Shame."

Others lamented, but my party differed. Shin Seo-yeon eyed my hand greedily.

"...Jealous."

They knew [Fresh Core] could restore it.

The money talk hooked everyone; eyes glued to my prize.

"Let's move again."

"...Okay."

Our guide led once more. No more killer machines. Few in number, and [Ancient Sewer] passages were blocked everywhere.

"Many collapsed like this, paths severed. Can't travel solely via sewers."

About 17 disconnected sections; to reach destinations, surface exits and transfers needed.

Hence, rarely used.

'Thought of farming [Magic Engineering Cores] here... but nah.'

Long respawns, hunting manhole covers? Questionable value.

Plus, too tanky.

I pocketed the broken scabbard with my sword in inventory.

"We're here. Wait a sec."

After trekking, we reached a dead-end barred by iron grates.

Moonlight visible through sewer end—cut grates to exit.

But no need. Beside flowing-water grates stood a lone metal door. She knocked.

"Who?"

"Maeve."

Clank. Eye-level slit opened; identity confirmed, door unlocked.

Bald, grim-faced man. Glancing us over, he fetched shabby robes.

"We're exiting. Put these on."

Donning rags indistinguishable from trash, we exited to salty air and open vista.

We emerged at the lowest harbor of [Ancient City of Haran].

Paved expanse stretched, deep seawater beyond, large ships docked.

Beyond ships: narrow waterways, massive walls. City unapproachable by sea.

"Why so noisy over there?"

Grated waterways splashed ceaselessly.

"Monsters climb from deep water to shore at night. That's them thrashing to enter the city."

Reason prisoners upon entering trial area.

Those monsters.

Palm forests full of poisonous plants open hell's gates on entry; linger on coast? Wrestle hordes all night.

No paradise anywhere.

Our destination same.

"Here. Someone inside will make you an offer. Choose wisely."

"Who? What offer?"

"Can't say more. Judge for yourselves. Going in."

With cryptic words, she stepped into the alley.

Among harbor buildings, she stopped at a shabby trade sign.

『Black Anchor Trading Company』

Ancient wooden sign exuded owner's veteran aura.

She took a deep breath, opened the door, entered.

Women glanced at me awaiting decision; after final plan review, I followed without hesitation.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Read 302 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!

https://noveldex.io/series/ive-been-preying-on-s-tier-women-since-i-was-a-newbie

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━