Chapter 230: Obsession

“So the wretched thing has decided to respond to our advances…” Michael frowned as he saw how nonchalantly the giant robot strode towards them.

[Master, have you crafted a plan of action?]

Cyberfang asked. Since Michael was currently riding upon its back, it was safe to say that he rose above the other soldiers, as due to the recent rogue AIs, the military had restricted the use of any type of mechas out of fear of being infected. The metal beast being an exception.

“If you can even call that a plan…” Michael’s gaze shifted to the colossal robot’s legs.

“I will get close to the being, pry it open by force if I have to, and use Bypasser in its interior. Due to the staggering speed of the giant, I will be relying on you to bring me close.”

Regardless of the angle Michael saw the situation, the only way to get out alive was to rely on his Mythic technique. He expected pushback like last time he had used Bypasser on a main computer, but even despite that he should be able to overwhelm the code of the despicable AI and neutralize it.

…In theory.

Responding in a deafening roar, the beast moved alongside the front of the army, getting ready to dodge any attack the enemy may deliver.

“PURGE!”

The army didn’t linger, unleashing all of the techniques they possessed. Meanwhile, the ones that didn’t own ranged techniques used their rifles to rain bullets on the towering giant.

Considering that the wretched thing had been able to withstand the strikes from a Lord, no one was surprised as every attack bounced off its metallic veil, not leaving even a dent behind.

However, that didn’t faze the warriors in the slightest. Screaming at the top of their lungs, primal fury rising in their voices, they rushed the towering being, getting ready to encircle it.

[Ants…]

Speaking in a mocking manner, the sentient AI responded in kind. Its numerous tentacles swept the ground, skewering unfortunate soldiers and draining their essence.

Though due to the army’s sheer size, that didn’t seem to thin out their numbers one bit.

BOOM!

Lifting its foot high, the giant stomped down, creating a shockwave akin to an earthquake.

“PURGE!”

And yet, even at the sight of their brethren being squashed like bugs, the forces did not waver. Quite the opposite, climbing over one another, they leapt onto its towering foot and began to climb upward, eager to reach its head.

Even if their enemy wasn’t a human, it still bore resemblance to a humanoid shape. Taking into account that it rose 500 meters high in the air, it was safe to assume that its weak point was at the very top… its head.

[Annoying…]

The AI bellowed, taking a dozen human soldiers within its grasp before hurling them like rocks against the human ranks.

Like missiles, the projectiles rained down on the troops, slaughtering hundreds, yet that didn’t even put a dent into their numbers.

“Overwhelm it with our numbers!”

If someone were to look at the battle from outer space, it would look like a wave. A wave of breathing, living humans that clashed against the robot like the sea against the rocks ashore. Neither one willing to admit defeat.

[Very well then.]

Seeing that exterminating the whole army one by one was going to take too long, it opted to switch its strategy. Extending its arm forward, its form shifted into a colossal cannon, getting ready to blast away the forces from point-blank range.

Of course, the troops recognized that weapon immediately. It was the same one the robot had used to launch a nuke-like projectile towards the walls of Magmorious, prying them open.

Should the AI release the attack, hundreds of thousands would instantly die. Possibly taking over half of the army with it.

But it seems even that didn’t derail the forces’ resolve.

“If we are destined to die, then we might as well go out swinging!”

“Glory to Mankind!”

“PURGE THE ENEMY!”

[A pity…]

At that moment the AI realized something. Even seconds away from death, these humans weren’t willing to give up. Their souls were truly flawed beyond reason, forever cursed to never attain perfection.

In the meantime, as the sentient AI was charging its attack, Michael rode upon Cyberfang’s back as he flanked.

“Now or never!”

Stepping upon his sword, he used Psychokinesis to launch himself like a meteor against the foe. A second later the soul weapon pierced the metal veil of the robot, sinking deep.

“Tough…” Michael grimaced. He had attempted to pry open the metal with his bare fingers, yet it appeared that he lacked the strength to penetrate it.

Naturally, this did not derail his plans. Drawing his Legendary rank weapon, he used its sharp edge to carve a hole just large enough for his hand.

Instantly he thrust his arm inwards, taking hold of countless wires that ran among the robot’s surface.

“Fall!”

Swosh!

A heartbeat later he felt an electromagnetic wave pass through his body as he used Bypasser. It quite literally pushed him back like he had gotten electrocuted.

’That failed.’ Michael thought grimly as he observed his burned hand, still flailing through the air.

’It appears that I have to reach the control center, or in simpler terms its head, if I want to infiltrate the network.’

However, he wasn’t the only one that felt resistance. The same pushback passed through the AI’s body, forcing it to one foot.

“Look, we got it down on its knees!”

“Keep pushing! Victory is almost in sight!”

Taking it as a sign that their efforts weren’t fruitless, the morale of the troops skyrocketed, attacking more ferociously.

Not paying them any mind, the giant’s sensors adjusted several times, regaining focus.

[That pushback… It’s just like the one I felt some time ago! So someone capable of challenging me truly exists!]

Something stirred within the sentient AI. Something it had never experienced before. An emotion… one of pure excitement.

[That soul! I didn’t get enough time to inspect it, yet I instantly can tell that it is unlike any other! I need it! If I obtain it, then there would truly be nothing capable of stopping me!]

Uncaring about the humans that had begun to climb upon it, the giant turned around abruptly, its sensors focusing on still-falling Michael.

[YOUR SOUL! GIVE ME YOUR SOUL!]

Without any kind of hesitation, the tyrannical being lifted its foot high, ready to deliver a devastating kick.

Michael’s eyes narrowed to the size of needles. He knew what was coming. His technique, Parallel Sight, was able to predict that the kick was going to collide with him in less than a second. Yet even after putting all of his 2,010 skill points into agility, he simply wasn’t able to act in time.

[MASTER!]

As the colossal kick traveled towards him, Cyberfang leaped high in the air, curling around him in a protective manner, deploying every protective mechanism the beast possessed.

Then, a heartbeat later, there was nothing but pain and the howling wind. When the strike connected, it hurled them hundreds of kilometers away from the capital.

[NO! GET BACK HERE! I NEED TO HARVEST YOUR SOUL!]

Forgetting about the human army altogether, the towering robot broke into a sprint, taking wide strides and destroying houses on its way. It ran outside the capital, where it had hurled Michael towards.

“…”

In silence, the soldiers watched the towering figure fade into the horizon, leaving the city at last.

Slowly their gazes swept across the devastation. Eventually their trembling lips parted as they murmured in confusion:

“We… won?”

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