Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1482 - 509: Pride and Prejudice (Part 2)

If only this entire Floating City were under my absolute command!

Such power would surely make me the most formidable Wizard in the Federation.

Rein, however, forced his greed aside and spoke in a low tone, "Haleem’s intelligence indicates this floor primarily manages the surface level's movement and fortifications. To find anything of real value, we must descend to at least level minus two."

"I agree, we should head straight for level minus two," Garrett concurred.

Utilizing the Particle Generator to neutralize the metal's structural tension, Sword Saint Guiterrez once again carved through the metallic flooring. The group successfully transitioned into the second sublevel.

"According to Haleem’s documentation, a massive explosion occurred in the workshop sector of level minus two. Aside from the prison block, there shouldn't be any mechanical constructs active in other zones."

"But since the Terrio squad has already canvassed this floor, Crown Guiterrez, Crown Garrett, should we proceed further down?" Rein asked.

He maintained a stoic face, yet his soul yearned for the treasures hidden on the third level.

"That is a possibility."

"Still, the report mentions that Empire Rein failed to finish his sweep of the prison. Perhaps we should investigate that first?" Gatler suggested after a moment of reflection.

He had personal objectives for joining this expedition.

Furthermore, Gatler noted that Haleem had flagged the prison sector as extremely perilous.

Caution dictated that they should test their strength in the prison before going deeper.

"What does Crown Guiterrez think?" Rein asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Let us inspect the prison first; a methodical approach is always safer."

"If both of you are in agreement, then we shall see the prison first," Rein conceded. Though a bit let down, he figured they might still profit from the remains of ancient prisoners and chose not to argue.

Several minutes passed.

"Hold on, something is moving toward us rapidly from the front right," Guiterrez suddenly halted, pointing his finger and speaking with gravity.

"Is it a patrol of Mechanical Land Birds?"

"No, the sound is completely different," Guiterrez said, shaking his head.

Speculation ended moments later when a never-before-seen mechanical horror emerged.

"Wait... is that... a mechanical Velociraptor?" Garrett asked in shock.

"Haleem’s report never mentioned such beasts on this floor," Elvin added, visibly startled by the sight of the Mechanical Velociraptor.

The researchers, who were seeing the second sublevel for the first time, were left in a state of confusion.

Two packs of swift dragons appeared from their left and front, each consisting of over ten units. These creatures stood over three meters tall and were piloted by goblin cadavers. The alpha of each pack was noticeably larger, reaching a height of roughly four and a half meters.

These mechanical raptors possessed curved talons several dozen centimeters long that shimmered with a cold, metallic edge. Their powerful hind legs were exposed, revealing a complex network of gears and hydraulic pistons.

Had Haleem been there, he would have instantly recognized that their design was optimized for extreme velocity.

Combat erupted instantly!

Due to the lack of prior data, the speed and nimbleness of the Mechanical Velociraptors caught the entire group off guard.

Compared to the Mechanical Land Birds, the difference was as stark as a simple night watchman versus a fully mobilized professional army.

Though the team managed to wipe out both packs within minutes, they suffered their first losses; Alvin and Garrett each lost one of their subordinates.

"They are indeed a nuisance; it is no wonder the Empire’s Rein retreated after his initial scout. However, they pose no real threat to a team of our caliber," Elvin remarked arrogantly, tilting his chin upward.

"If their numbers increase, even we must remain vigilant."

"Wait! Do you hear that high-pitched buzzing? It sounds like something being cut, and it's getting closer," Guiterrez warned, stopping at the head of the formation.

Members of the team began pointing in every direction.

"Look! More Mechanical Velociraptors!"

"They're coming from over here, too!"

"They've flanked us!" a female archer at the rear screamed.

There weren't just fifty of them—there were over a hundred!

These Mechanical Velociraptors behaved like true predators, coordinating a massive, organized hunt.

"Stay calm, maintain the formation!" Elvin shouted.

In his mind, while these raptors might endanger his followers, they were merely an annoyance to someone with the power of a Dawn Wizard.

His two Heavy Knights reacted immediately, leaping forward to raise their massive Tower Shields in front of Elvin.

Suddenly, the buzzing sound intensified as a massive, spinning saw blade with a three-meter radius erupted from the floor. It tore through the Heavy Knights and their Tower Shields instantly, slicing them in half.

The blade blurred again, and Alvin—who was in the middle of preparing a Fire Element Dawn Killing Move—was also cleaved in two!

It happened with lightning speed!

"What!" Sword Saint Guiterrez and Garrett were paralyzed with shock.

Was Elvin really dead?