Chapter 43: Powerful mechanical puppet

The two of them spent around twenty minutes before finally arriving less than a thousand meters from the city.

Along the way, they didn’t encounter much danger.

But they also didn’t gain anything worthwhile.

Ye Lian noticed that the closer they got to the city, the safer it seemed.

But whether this “safety” was genuine, or a prelude to some unspeakable danger…

She feared only personal exploration would reveal the truth.

Ye Lian leaned toward the idea of “unknown danger.”

She didn’t believe there could be any truly safe place in this Nightmare Space.

Unless—it was built by her own hands!

“It’s huge! A city like that would’ve been considered a main stronghold in ancient times, right?”

Bai Xue gazed at the dark gray city in the distance, as if she were staring at a mountain range.

“It really is massive,” Ye Lian nodded.

If they could take this place and turn it into a player stronghold, her entire plan could finally take shape.

“This city would be the perfect foothold for a counterattack against the Nightmare.”

“Master… you’re planning to take over the whole city?” Bai Xue asked in mild surprise.

But the next moment, she felt it was completely natural.

Her master was so powerful—conquering one city wouldn’t be difficult at all.

Her faith in Ye Lian bordered on fanaticism.

Like a fervent believer… or a devoted fangirl.

“That’s right. I’m going to claim this city as mine.”

Ye Lian spoke without hesitation.

“As expected of Master!” Bai Xue’s eyes sparkled with admiration.

While others were still struggling just to survive, her master was already preparing for the counterattack.

They weren’t even on the same level!

“Things might get dangerous from here on out. Are you afraid?” Ye Lian asked.

Bai Xue shook her head.

“As long as I’m with Master, I’m not afraid!”

“Good. I knew I made the right choice—you’re as reliable as an ox.”

“Master!” Bai Xue’s cheeks flushed slightly.

Of course she knew her mischievous master was teasing her again.

“Hehe, don’t stay so tense all the time. Try to relax a little. Alright then—let’s enter the city.”

Ye Lian smiled and looked toward the massive dark gray city.

“Yes, Master!” Bai Xue also turned her gaze forward, her expression growing serious.

***

The thousand-meter distance was barely anything for the two of them.

Even moving cautiously and staying alert to their surroundings, it didn’t take long to cover it.

In front of the city was a moat.

Looking down, the water was so deep its bottom couldn’t be seen.

Connecting the moat to the city stood an ancient, heavy, dark gray stone bridge.

Roughly two hundred meters long and twenty meters wide—it was big enough for ten cars to drive side-by-side without issue.

Looking up, they saw two bright red pictographic characters above the city gate.

“Master, does that say Mo City?” Bai Xue asked, a little uncertain.

It was her first time seeing those characters, but strangely, they felt familiar.

The words Mo City automatically popped into her mind.

“Probably,” Ye Lian replied.

She felt the same way.

Withdrawing her gaze, she looked at the massive city gate and towering walls, feeling a hint of pressure.

A city like this… storming it head-on wouldn’t be easy.

There could be countless unknown dangers inside.

“We’re going.” Since they had come all this way, they had to at least try.

Both of them stepped forward at the same time, their feet landing on the stone bridge.

The next moment, a deep rumbling echoed ahead.

The city gates slowly opened, and from within, a giant emerged.

It had a grayish-black exterior and stood over five meters tall, with an incredibly muscular build and glowing red eyes.

A closer look revealed that this was not a living creature.

It was a mechanical puppet—or perhaps a magical automaton!

“So tall and huge!” Bai Xue gasped in surprise.

This was the largest enemy she had encountered so far.

“It’s alright,” Ye Lian replied calmly.

The Blackwater King Serpent was much larger than this puppet.

But in terms of oppressive aura, this automaton was clearly on another level.

It definitely wasn’t to be taken lightly!

“Master, could someone be living here?” Bai Xue asked, looking up at the towering mechanical puppet.

Logically, such constructs had to be made by someone—or some intelligent species.

They couldn’t just appear out of nowhere.

That was her line of thinking.

“Bai Xue, you’ve fallen for it again,” Ye Lian said with a soft shake of her head.

“This is the Nightmare Realm. It’s different from the real world.”

“Uh… right.” Bai Xue looked a little embarrassed.

“But to be honest, I don’t really know if there are any intelligent native beings here either. This place is far too strange.”

Recalling her own experiences, Ye Lian spoke with lingering fear.

When she said intelligent beings, she didn’t just mean humanoids.

Even golden slime monsters counted.

“Master, it’s coming!” Bai Xue suddenly said in alarm.

Ye Lian snapped back to her senses—just in time to see the gray-black mechanical puppet charging straight at them.

It looked just like a heavily modified tank barreling across the stone bridge!

“Let’s go!” Ye Lian drew her spear and launched herself forward with a light tap of her foot.

Bai Xue unsheathed her sword and followed close behind.

Soon, they collided head-on with the automaton.

But Ye Lian’s gaze shifted—toward the open city gates.

The gates still hadn’t shown any signs of closing.

It seemed that the opening and closing followed a set pattern.

‘Should she bypass the puppet and enter the city, or defeat it first before going in?’

Ye Lian hesitated.

With her speed, it would be no problem to rush past the automaton and slip into the city.

But taking Bai Xue along made things much more difficult.

Besides, this puppet might be a test—an entry trial.

If they passed, they’d be allowed in peacefully.

If they tried to sneak past, they might trigger some terrifying punishment.

After thinking it over, Ye Lian decided not to take any shortcuts.

She would fight the puppet head-on.

Just then, the mechanical puppet reached them.

Its glowing red eyes locked onto the two of them.

It reached out with a massive hand, trying to grab them.

But Ye Lian and Bai Xue weren’t about to let that happen.

They both leaped back at the same time, quickly widening the distance.

Having missed its first strike, the automaton immediately launched a second.

It twisted its massive body and shot forward like a missile, creating a violent gust of wind.

Bai Xue had just regained her footing and was half a beat too slow to dodge.

She could only stare in horror as the spiraling puppet came hurtling toward her.

Her heart trembled.

“What are you standing there for?” Ye Lian’s voice came softly as she wrapped an arm around Bai Xue’s waist.

Just as Bai Xue heard her voice, her entire view shifted.

The oncoming ‘missile’ had vanished.

Now, all she could see was the city gate not far away—

And feel a strong gust of wind rush past from the side.

She turned to look, and sure enough, the puppet had landed far behind them.

There was no doubt about it—she had just brushed shoulders with death.

“Our opponent is way too strong. Bai Xue, watch and learn from the side,” Ye Lian said as she let go of Bai Xue’s waist and gave the order.

Bai Xue froze for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, Master.”

After that last attack, she clearly understood how vast the gap between her and the mechanical puppet was.

‘I have to become stronger!’

‘If I don’t, I won’t be able to help Master at all!’

As she watched Ye Lian’s figure quickly move away into battle, Bai Xue gripped her sword tightly and silently made a vow.