Reincarnating Into A Fantasy World As An Autonomous Machine Arsenal 51 Log 051: Encounter

Behind the three masked adventurers was a pile of broken bodies. Most of them were monstrous creatures deserving of the name "monster". Not a single one of them had a humanoid shape, except perhaps the Naga which had the top half of a human-like creature.

Still, the Rhino was probably the toughest monster they would face on this floor, or so the trio thought. It was, after all, a floor boss—a powerful creature that guarded the path to the next floor.

Unlike what common sense might suggest, the floor number was not a direct representation of the power of monsters. In fact, the deeper floors were much easier than the ones beyond this one. On floor 22, there was a shortcut that led straight to floor 48. Therefore, adventurers rarely went beyond floor 22.

Det charged forward, right into the path of the Rhino and slid under it, kicking up a storm of dust in his wake. At the moment Det disappeared under the lumbering monster, Det used [Momentum Cancel] and with his monstrous strength launched the Rhino into the air.

Lod appeared to the side of the Rhino, in mid-air. Goblins were versatile creatures, capable of learning magic and traditional combat skills. Goblins were scavengers after all—well suited to striking from the shadows.

But not Lod. Lod was not an a.s.sa.s.sin. After learning some of Somnus's skills, he was a fully fledged warrior.

Creating a magical circle in the air, Lod pushed himself off the magical circle and spun in the air. Using the momentum of the spin, Lod delivered a kick to the side of the Rhino, striking the beast so hard that it crashed into the wall of the dungeon. The entire floor trembled from the powerful impact.

The Rhino stood up, tumbled and then fell over, nearly crus.h.i.+ng Det underneath its weight.

Det scrambled away from the Rhino, barely avoiding an unpleasant… well not death. But it would be unpleasant, whatever would happen.

"Lod trying to kill Det!" the goblin complained.

"Was nowhere close," Lod said as he casually stabbed the Rhino through its heart. "Stop be baby. Lod have too many children to feed already."

Det growled at the other goblin as he rose to his feet and patted the dust off his metal armor.

Lod suddenly froze. Det straightened up, aborting his cleaning procedure.

Somnus looked at the two and then back to the way they came from. That is when he saw a distant light source, approaching ever closer.

"Det think we did not get followed," the goblin whispered as he silently drew his knife. Being a monster, reacting to adventurers was driven into his bones.

Lod made a gesture for Det to lower the knife. They were "adventurers" now.

"Not interested," Somnus said as he stepped past the Rhino. "Advance."

The two goblins waited for a moment longer and then turned around, following Somnus. One was in front, the other behind. Somnus was like the VIP of their formation, defended from both directions.

"Det not pleased he arrow cus.h.i.+on," the goblin said.

"Everyone know that the one in back die first. Lod happy to switch places," Lod said.

"That is nonsense. Let switch," Det said.

"Nonsense? Det forget what happen to Bog," Lod said.

"Bog? Who is Bog?"

"Det not know Bog? Bog stupid goblin. He say: Rear is safest. He die on first expedition," Lod explained.

Det hesitated. "Many goblin safe in rear. Bog accident."

"Bog get eaten by Basilisk. It target only Bog," Lod said. "And Lod hear there Basilisk in this dungeon. It always eat the last guy."

"Det get feeling Lod make up story," Det said.

Lod scoffed and then shrugged. "Let switch then."

Det swallowed. "On second thought, Det stay in front. Det try not to die to arrows and spells."

Somnus suddenly stopped and turned around.

The light source was even closer than before. Somnus could hear footsteps—too many of them. The goblins could not hear it, as they didn't have the same enhanced senses as Somnus did, but their sixth sense warned them of impending danger.

"Light off," Somnus said, causing Lod to fiddle with a k.n.o.b on his lantern. The tunnel was shrouded in darkness.

Approaching was a faint light that erratically danced on the walls. Whoever was holding that light source was running. Possibly in a state of panic.

Somnus traced a finger through the air, causing magical symbols to appear. [Mana Gather], [Mana Fusion], [Type Convert] and finally [Beam].

"Master… Lod strongly suggest not cast spell." The goblin took a step back.

"Det agree. If master use magic…"

"Help!" A panicked voice came from the corridor.

Coming from around the bend were two hooded adventurers, and chasing after them was a pack of demon wolves—all twenty of them. Their fur was made out of metal, or so it seemed under the light, and their glowing red eyes were capable of inflicting mortal fear on anyone they attacked. They were rare on this floor and considered a level 60 monster. Despite their appearance, one of them alone was extremely dangerous. Twenty was just unfair.

Despite their light being off, they knew that the party of three was here. These adventurers were very aware of their surroundings. That and the trail of dead monsters might have also given them away.

"Run!" one of the two shouted with her feminine voice as she saw only three adventurers instead of the small army that she was expecting.

But Somnus did not run. He stood his ground. The moment the two adventurers past by him, Somnus whispered.

"Destruction Beam."

Violet light exploded from Somnus's finger, bathing the tunnels in cascading lights. Somnus's cloak fluttered as if trying to withstand gale force winds, and the goblins too had to take several steps back.

You have gained a level! x8

When the light faded, nothing was left of the demon wolves. The wall that stood in the path of the beam had been completely sublimated away, revealing a new, straight, tunnel that stretched on for several dozens of meters before tapering off into a dead end.

"Their fur was valuable…" Lod whined. "Lod could have fed family for a month…"

Det patted Lod on the shoulder. "Is ok. We sell adventurer organs."

Det turned towards the two adventurers, and so did Lod.

"Kidney very expensive. Det have good idea. A Herald may appear," Lod said.

"Idiot. Herald already appear," Det said as he glared at the two adventurers—a meaningless action considering he wore a mask.

The two adventurers in question were speechless. The person who was still turned away from them just killed a pack of demon wolves with ease. Wait. The two dwarves want to sell their organs!?

"Uhh… Thank you for the help…?" one of the two adventurers said, pulling back her hood.

"Master… she pretty…" Det said.

"Stupid. Quiet," Lod said. "Det chase away pretty one."

"We are very thankful for your a.s.sistance… may I know your names?" one of the two spoke. Her voice sounded familiar to Somnus.

Still, Somnus just noticed something about the dungeon and was very interested in it. The beam had created a hole in the wall, but it was already mending. As if the dungeon was a living thing, capable of controlling within it. If Somnus had that kind of power… who knows what he could accomplish.

"I am D—" the goblin began and then Lod smacked him on the shoulder.

"We are Silver Masks," Lod said. "Strongest. Bestest. Handsomest. Not in debt. Financially stable."

One of the two giggled.

"Well, this here is Mia," the black-haired female said, gesturing to her giggling companion. "My name is Gemma."

Somnus froze when he heard those words.