Chapter 163: Center-region.

[But this came with a flaw…] 

[If you partially take out the nodes of a regular array, it would definitely cause an explosion, but this core is powerful and quite different.] The system said.

[In this case, the core would try to repair itself, and since an explosion of such magnitude will definitely destroy everything.

The core will try its best to suppress the explosion, but will fail due to the large magnitude of mana disruption thereby reducing the effect and causing an internal explosion.] The system explained.

Unlike humans that could make decisions based on the situation they found themselves in, the mechanical golems only followed instructions inputted into their cores.

If it was a human, they would know that trying to repair such disruption was useless. So they would allow the explosion in other to kill the attacker.

As for the mechanical golem, they would follow the commands to the last order.

"That's great! So how many nodes are we looking at?" Blake asked in an excited tone as they had found a weakness for the golems.

[30.] The system replied.

"…" On hearing the system's words, the smile on their faces were gone.

[Well, if you guys have a better idea then I am open to suggestions.] The system said.

"Well, the old man is right. The golems are nigh indestructible for people on our level, and although it's a roundabout process we don't have any other option." After some thinking, Blake knew it was his only option.

"How do you think the other golems would react when they see me shutting down a golem?" Blake asked the system, and just like he had thought, they would attack him.

According to the journal, no one had the power to tamper with the golems unless they fully activated their master control.

"That makes things difficult." Blake began thinking about how to get around their current problem.

He could use mind boost to instantly disable 30 nodes since the golems wouldn't attack him, but he was afraid of a situation where they were many and he couldn't keep up with their numbers.

After close to 2 hours of planning and putting every possible situation into consideration, the trio thought it was enough to work for one day.

So, they decided to rest and act the next day.

…

The next day, the trio was up early and ready to move out.

According to the plan, Blake was the one to scout and check the situation of things at the center of the floor, before Castiel and Brian could move on.

"Okay…" Blake took in a deep breath as he opened the door and walked into the corridor.

Seeing no golem, Blake let out a sigh of relief and walked back to the corridor that led to the center of the floor.

According to the map, the energy research floor was a square which was divided into 3 segments; center, mid-region, and the outskirts which the trio had been all these while.

Leading to the center were 4 corridors that connected to the warp array and stationed beside it were 2 mechanical golems in their charging stations.

At the four corners of the warp arrays were empty charging stations which their golems were out on patrol.

Blake made his way to the crossroad of the mid-region and was about to keep heading towards the center, but he suddenly froze.

[Scanning…]

A mechanical golem hovered out of the corridor by his right startling him for a second.

[Good day Master Zultra.] The mechanical golem greeted Blake and hovered past him.

'Now's my chance!' Seeing the perfect opportunity, Blake quickly jumped at it.

The moment golem had its back to him, Blake activated mind boost and connected to the system's mana vision.

His thoughts became more abrupt, but he ignored everything and placed his palm on the back of the mechanical golem.

[Master Zultra is not authorized to come in contact with any PAC-X. Kindly step away.] Without turning, the mechanical golem sounded a warning that shocked Blake and almost made him lose focus.

Almost.

Not knowing how things would go if he failed, Blake ignored the warning, and before the golem could turn a miniature explosion was heard.

Clang!

The sound of metal hitting the floor echoed in the passage, as parts of golden-brown metal that were once a mechanical golem drop to the floor.

[Mind boost deactivated.]

"Short but intense…" Blake let out a sigh of relief as the rate of his heartbeat began dropping.

"Now to dispose of the body…" Since the golem's core had been destroyed by the internal explosion, Blake was able to place it into his dimensional pocket, but he couldn't carry on.

Blake remembered that the first time he had met a mechanical golem, it spotted the journal by looking into his dimensional pocket. Meaning they would be able to spot the parts of their fellow golem.

He returned to the room and dropped the parts before heading out once again.

This time he didn't meet any PAC-X, until he reached the center of the floor and spotted the two golems protecting the warp arrays.

[Nope, this won't work.] The system said after making a quick calculation. [Even if you were able to shut down the first golem, the distance between them is enough for you to be shot down before you cover half of it.]

"Didn't think I would result to this, but we need a distraction..." Blake said after he couldn't find a way to effectively bypass the 2 golems.

"There's not much difference, either we get killed by the golems or hunger. So, its better we die trying." Brian let out a helpless sigh as they exited the room.

They had no idea if they would meet another mechanical golem, so they kept their guards up as they slowly approached the center of the floor.

"Alright guys, just stick to the plan and we might get out of here alive." Blake said as he walked up to the warp array.