Automaton’s Onslaught

『Challenger, thank you for your patience.』

『I will open the Door for you. I wish you good luck, Challenger』

It took about 30 minutes for the Administrator of this Dungeon to commence the second part of this Quest he got from Alistar. Still, that time wasn't wasted as Vecna played in his mind the previous fight he had against the three Automatons.

His crimson eyes were locked on the movements of the Automatons, studying their attack patterns and footwork like he was preparing for an life-changing Exam he couldn't afford to fail.

Having a feature of recording one's battles was a heaven-sent for the players who wished to improve themselves, and one of the methodical approaches at achieving great effects was to learn from your own mistakes.

Caught into the recording, Vecna got awakened by the crystalline voice of the Administrator, containing a serene tone unlike the first time he heard the Mechanical Voice.

--Crack--

Getting up from the Mana Crystal he used for a chair, he stretched his body, showing a flexibility that fit the scenes of Horror Movies. It was unknown if it was because of his Vampire Body, but he found out he could contort certain parts of his body easily.

A finding that happened when he studied the tape of the recent fight, when he had to watch out for the Caster Automaton's Fireball. That's when he twisted his neck in a macabre fashion. He was no longer a human inside Satisfy, instead he got turned into a Demon, a Blood-Seeking Monster.

"You better have prepared additional rewards for the waiting time."

『The Harder the Struggle. The Sweeter the Rewards will taste in the end.』

『Besides, I will not ask for payment for damaging my goods.』

Hearing that, made Vecna scoff, murmuring with an "As if". Then as Vecna stepped through the sealed door into the second chamber, his crimson eyes were met with a dimly lit expanse of darkness, punctuated only by the soft glow of Mana Crystals scattered throughout the area.

The air felt heavy with anticipation, and the sound of whirring gears and mechanical movements filled the chamber.

"You nutjob bitch."

Before him stood a squad of 10 Automatons, each one an Elite monster, ready to challenge Vecna with their seemingly advanced combat capabilities.

His remark spread out in the entire chamber, resulting in the laughter of a woman. A laugh that didn't last long as it settled down, leaving Vecna with a cold, expressionless face as he studied each of the Automatons in front of him.

[Advanced Mana Automaton - LV. 65] (Elite)

Compared to the previous three automatons that weren't even Elite mobs, Vecna could feel the pressure released by the Advanced Automatons.

'Is this doubled? Nine Elite mobs that are two times the level of the previous mobs.'

These Automatons were not like the previous ones he faced. From a first sight, one could grasp that they were stronger, more formidable opponents. There was a clear distinction to the Automatons, each of them having assigned roles, enhancing the Squad's overall combat effectiveness.

Vecna surveyed the Automatons, his Vampiric Sight allowing him to discern their roles. Among the squad, he identified several distinct types that he labeled differently, all according to their size and shape.

'The two in front should be like Guardian Knights…'

The two Vecna labeled as a Guardian Knight, were a towering construct standing at the forefront, adorned with heavy armor and wielding large shields. Logically, in an RPG scenario, their role was to protect their allies and deflect incoming attacks, forming an impenetrable barrier.

Crossing his arms and tapping his feet on the ground, his sharp eyes went along to watch the rest of his motionless enemies.

'Those three are Sentinels… What a pain in the ass. Dealing with Archers, Berserkers, Mages, and Rogues, all at the same time.'

'What a crazy bitch. Who does she think I am? Some Monster Boss that she needs to subjugate at all cost?'

The ones he labeled Sentinels were Automatons equipped with long-range weaponry, these Automatons held positions at the rear.

The Rogues had a smaller, nimble build specialized in disrupting their enemies.

The Berserker looked similar to the Automatons from his first challenge, having an agile build, with their plates giving the impression they were muscle fibers.

The one who were tasked with keeping the flanks of the Squad were the Mage Automatons, numbering 2 of them, having an appearance that was improved upon the one the previous Caster he encountered had.

'Two Guardians, Three Sentinels, Two Mages, one Berserker and two Rogues. The moment this challenge begins, I have to gauge their abilities before making any risky moves.'

'Their top priority should be to take me down.'

'Hah, I can see multiple routes into fighting me, I just can't guess which one they will take. Having the Guardians taking the burden, while the Long Rangers burst me down?'

'A hybrid strategy where the Berserker is the MVP? Or one where the Rogues Backstab me?'

The sight of the formidable squad of Elite Automatons filled Vecna with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

He knew that this battle would push his skills and abilities to their limits. With the Longsword grasped tightly, he activated Sanguine Quenching, readying himself for a sudden attack of the Automatons.

『Have you made your preparations? I'm willing to offer you 5 minutes to think about how you survive this encounter.』

"Is that so?"

『Indeed.』

"Then let's forget about your minutes. Is not as if overthinking about your Robots for 5 minutes would change my situation."

"Ready when you're ready."

Vecna took a small step forward, and wielded his Longsword in a particular stance. He tried to ignore his nervousness, and rely on everything he knew about combat in Satisfy. His basic swordsmanship, honed instincts, and his vampire powers at his disposal, he prepared himself for the intense fight that awaited him.

[Don't die. I really want to meet you, Vampire Lord.]

"Is that so? Offering your neck to this God willingly. Then I shouldn't be disappointed."

[COORDINATED SEQUENCING]

[NETWORKING ESTABLISHED]

[KARMA ASSAULT ONLINE]

The mechanical voices coming from one of the Guardian Knights that stood in the center of the squad, had a menacing vibe. With its last sentence, the Guardian's Knight's Mana Core began shining, as if the nuclear reactor was kickstarted.

Following the lead of the first Guardian Knight, the other Automatons also activated their Mana Cores, making out of the Dark Chamber a lights show.

Vecna was ready, waiting for what those mobs would throw at him, and in response the Automatons began advancing without telegraphing their intentions, springing into action instantly.

His crimson eyes showed surprise, and before long they got into a chilling state as his irises danced from enemy to enemy, following their movements.

'Here it comes. Brace for impact.'

Their coordinated assault began, making Vecna act rather shy in his attacks, for the most part resuming to defending himself, and rarely countering when he saw openings. Among the targets he chose to cull down were the Rogues since they showed to be the ones with the least HP along with the Casters.

However, his initial strategy wasn't smooth sailing, with the Guardian Automatons proving to be a handful on their own against his agile attempts at striking the Rogues.

They formed a defensive line, shielding the Rogues from his sword slashes, making the Vampire hiss in annoyance, revealing his large protruding fangs that craved for blood.

'Change of Plans.' thought Vecna dodging a Fireball with his Split Second, only to be pushed by the Guardian Knight as it wielded a large shield.

Their strategy was simple, to not allow Vecna any room to breathe and think. A relentless assault where they took full advantage of the higher numbers.

Such that with the <Shield Bash> Vecna got exposed, leading to a Rogue slashing his dagger, targeting his midsection, withdrawing later with a big chunk of flesh.

"Urgh."

[You have lost 426 health from the Advanced Mana Automaton's <Dagger Storm> ]

Vecna felt that excruciating pain of having a piece of himself being removed, and there was no sparring from the Automatons.

The Sentinel Automatons rained down projectiles, forcing him to weave and dodge with Golden Flash, trying to allow his health to recover as the opened wound started sealing back. Yet some arrows managed to pierce his flesh.

It was one of the arrows that were imbued with explosive properties, causing fiery explosions upon impact and dealing area-of-effect damage to Vecna and his surroundings.

[You have lost 216 health from the Advanced Mana Automaton's <Explosive Arrow>]

He managed to escape from the impact, and when he thought their assault would slow down, the sole Berserker of their squad closed in for the kill. This Automaton wielded a large Great Axe, slashing down in an attempt to cleave the Vampire down.

Its powerful strike tested Vecna's resilience as he used his own strength to hold on the blunt of the impact, thankfully the Knightsblade proved to be more than enough to defend himself.

Vecna was forced to rely under this Suppression on his Vampiric Abilities, from his Senses to new Instincts. He maneuvered and retaliated when possible.

Meanwhile, the Rogue Automaton that had yet to cause a devastating hit to Vecna who darted around, attempting to disrupt Vecna's concentration and create openings for his allies. And amidst the chaos, the Mana Automatons unleashed some basic spells, mainly Fireballs and Frostbolts, challenging Vecna's magical resistance.

'Their coordination is flawless! FUCK! Don't tell me I have to use Blood Bank this early? Only 5 minutes passed since the fight began.'

[Health: 695/1814 | Mana: 346/672]

'Hah, to think I would have to get rushed and spend my Stat Points even though I didn't make my mind on which direction to take my Character.'

'I can't afford to be frugal now.'

'Open Status Window. Assign the Available Status Points on the following Stats.'

.

[Status Window]

[User: Vecna / Class: Caine's Reincarnate / Race: Low-Grade Vampire

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

Level: 17(4,466/7,600) / Title: The Fallen One / Strongest Man in the Neighborhood/ Avid Explorer / Sharp Lumberjack / Rookie Explorer / Novice Adventurer

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

[Health: 695/2624 | Mana: 346/1032]

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

Strength: 160 | Stamina: 104 | Agility: 120 | Persistence: 30 (From Lumberjack)

Intelligence: 129 | Charm: 230 | Dignity: 45 Composure: 20 (Novice Adventurer)

Regeneration: 48 | Indomitable: 50 | Insight: 30 (Avid Explorer)

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

Available Stat Points: 0]

.

'Now that I took my Primary Stats to 100, the effects should be enhanced.'

Vecna's skills were put to the ultimate test as he engaged in a deadly dance with the squad of Elite Automatons. It felt as if he was walking on a tightrope, balancing his action for efficiency in combat.

Still, once Vecna finished assigning his stats and boosting his power, he utilized his [Uncanny Grip] to scale the walls and ceiling, acting like a retreating Spider Monster conserving his energy and health.

In a sense, he gained a tactical advantage, waiting for his health and mana to reach a stable amount, but not to the point he would allow the Automatons to recover too.

He could see that their HP gauge began regenerating, point where he kickstarter his own offense, surprising the Automatons who thought Vecna was fully centered on his self-recovery with his unconventional movements.

'I'm not that shameless to wait for my full health. Unlike you, Robots.'

'Let's see how you react to this, assholes. Soaring Leap.'

Soaring Leap allowed him to evade the devastating attacks of the Caster Automatons who took on the role of keeping Vecna moving, only to fail because of Vecna's monstrous agility and reflexes, leading to him positioning himself strategically in a blind spot.

He descended to the ground from that blind spot, getting behind the Casters, only to be welcomed by the Guardian Knights.

"Piss off, Junk Plate."

He slammed his fist on the ground, activating [Earthshock] that sent shockwaves through the ground, knocking down several Automatons at once, among them the two Guardian Knights who intercepted him.

[Critical!]

[You have dealt 852 damage to the targets.]

[Guardian Knight Automaton - LV. 65] (Elite) [26,232/35,584 HP]

'Effective against all of them.'

The [Earthshock] momentarily disrupts their coordinated assault, opening up the room for Vecna to navigate between the Arrows shot by the Sentinels.

Swiftly crouching down, he appeared next to the Caster Automaton who suffered the effects of the Shockwave. With [Lightning Strike], he targeted vulnerable points in the Mage's defenses, exploiting the standard weaknesses their mechanical body had, mainly their joints, head and Mana Core.

Swinging the macabre looking Longsword as if the Automaton in front of him was someone he held a grudge for hundreds of years, each time the bloody blade would touch with its metal body, the health bar of the Caster Automaton would swing into abysmal.

In the open window he had to pour everything he had against the Caster, his grip over the Knightsblade was so tight, his skin opened up, pouring blood over the blade.

'Die! You need to die for my victory!'

[DANGER! RULE N.2 PROTECT THE VULNERABLE CASTER!]

The mechanical voice of the Guardian Knight he managed to brush off thanks to the Earthshock sounded from his side.

His Vampiric Instincts warned him that something was approaching at a fast speed, and reluctant to let off the Caster Automaton who poured its mana to protect its body with an Mana Barrier, he backed off.

In this dire moment, he activated Golden Flash boosting his speed to outmaneuver the Guardian Knight who charged toward his former location like a Bull, using the large shield as its main weapon.

'Swift Strike'

Vecna didn't back away fully, stepping back toward the Guardian Knight like a brave matador, performing a quick and precise sword strike, aiming for a vital spot on the Automatons to deal a high amount of damage.

[You have dealt 1491 damage to the target.]

'I don't have a lot of activable Sword Skills, but the ones I do have are top quality.'

[You have dealt 507 damage to the target.]

[Critical!]

[You have dealt 912 damage to the target.]

Before withdrawing from his target, Vecna made use of his mobility to punish the Guardian Knight, landing 6 sword strikes in this brief exchange thanks to another useful Sword Skill [Blade Dance].

Not long after, he stepped out from the melee range of the Automaton, swiftly entering in the shadows casted by the Mana Crystals enveloping the Dark Chamber.

[Guardian Knight Automaton - LV. 65] (Elite) [21,529/35,584 HP]

[Mana Wielding Automaton - LV. 65] (Elite) [4,462/20,560 HP]

'Tsk. So close.'

'Let's keep the momentum. Since I showed that I'm interested in the Casters, the Guardian Knights would be focused on defending them.'

'This leaves the Rogues exposed. Mhmm, let's take one down, before switching to the dying Caster or Sentinels.'