Model Plan

Finally reaching the bottom of the stairs, Lucas covered his eyes from the burst of light. Apparently motion detection existed in this world, for that Lucas was most grateful, after all, he wouldn't have enjoyed stumbling in the dark trying to find clues.

From the looks of things, Lucas deduced that this was where Ellius stored the majority of his magic artifacts. From a steel puppet midway through a pirouette to wooden amulets engraved with unicorns, Lucas tried his best to navigate onwards without disturbing anything, but before he could move, he felt the giant's hand on his shoulder.

"Careful Lucas, we're in a sorcerers Dungeon, there's bound to be traps," she explained.

Something about what she said bothered Lucas, after all, the magic Lanterns came on automatically when they entered, if there was some kind of defence mechanism surely it would of activated already?

As he was about to explain his reasoning to Titania, a sudden clatter of metal spurred him to whirl around, his fingers already wrapping around The Mentor's Hand, Lucas scanned the room.

There wasn't any visible change, the Marionette was still in the middle of a ballroom dance with a suit of armour, the carious charms and whatnot remained hanging from the walls.

"Did you see what that was?" Asked Lucas his voice in a whisper.

Titania's brow furrowed as she scanned the room, her keen eyes searching for any sign of movement or disturbance. "I was looking at you, so I didn't see anything," she replied, her voice low and cautious. "But that doesn't mean we're alone down here."

Feeling the weight of anticipation pressing down on them, Lucas and Titania quickened their pace, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls of the dungeon.

This time the noise that startled him was a notification from the system.

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Danger Imminent

[Bullet Time] used reflexively

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As the world slowed to a softer, slower pace, Lucas once again turned around to see the iron Marionette inches away from him, its hand sharpened to a point. Panic swelled up in his chest as he leapt to the side.

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Effects of [Bullet Time] over...

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Time picked up in pace again as the puppet, carried forward with its momentum, ended up travelling through the spot Lucas had previously been standing and landing several meters in front of The him and Titania.

With his heart still racing from the narrow escape, Lucas took a deep breath to steady himself. As the adrenaline began to ebb away, he focused his attention on the iron Marionette that now lay several meters ahead.

Activating his [Observation] skill, Lucas directed his gaze towards the puppet, eager to gather any information that could help them in this perilous situation.

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Identification: Homunculus attempt 011

Race: Iron Marionette

Level Estimation: 12

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Looking at their enemy, Lucas was surprised to see there wasn't a skill category. Chalking it down to the monster not being smart enough to consciously do anything but kill, He drew The Mentor's Hand.