I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 491

Artificial intelligence, at a glance, seems complex yet proves to be surprisingly simple.

When it simply carries out commands as instructed, nothing is more passive or straightforward.

Cain, who possessed autonomous learning capability and had essentially reincarnated into another vessel, was an anomaly.

Therefore, while Skuld’s sudden change of attitude felt out of nowhere, it was understandable in its own way.

"W-W-Wait a minute! You’re suddenly attacking us? You were so friendly just a moment ago!"

However, turning hostile the second the recorded video ended was an immensely disconcerting situation.

Even if this was a fortress built exclusively for battling dragons, it was far too sudden.

I couldn’t fathom how her command protocols were structured to produce such a reaction.

[My name is Skuld. I am the creation of Alund-nim. A creation must obey the commands of its creator.]

Cheolkeok- cheolkeok-

As Skuld’s voice resonated from the drones, the robots also sprang into action.

They were Mechanical Knights similar in appearance to the ones seen at the laboratory earlier.

The only difference lay in their weaponry. They held a truly colorful array of weapons in their hands.

A few of them even had gun barrels popping out from their shoulders. They were definitely firearms.

’I can block them sufficiently with Body-Protecting Gangqi. But....’

My mind raced quickly. The suddenly hostile AI had classified us as enemies.

Since this city was constructed with the singular goal of combating dragons, it was bound to boast astronomical firepower.

Things far more bizarre than what met the eye could jump out at us. We had essentially stuck our heads right into the tiger’s jaws.

’We have to run.’

The situation was far too disadvantageous. I signaled with my eyes to Cheongseol and Lackey.

A signal to prepare for immediate retreat. At this, my two companions slowly began taking measures.

That said, the absolute best method was defusing the hostility. I didn’t know if persuasion would work on an AI, but it was worth an attempt.

"Could it be that you marked us as enemies because you saw us living together with Tyranno—I mean, a hatchling?"

[That is correct.]

"Tyranno isn’t an enemy. He’s a friend. And we aren’t Tyranno’s subordinates like the dragons you’re thinking of, either."

Though I ended up playing nanny by chance, Tyranno was a precious friend. He was also one of the mascots of our shelter.

However, Skuld was an artificial intelligence devoid of autonomous learning.

[Unless my creator instructs otherwise, I must obey.]

"Dammit."

As expected, persuasion didn’t work in the slightest. Escaping was the best option.

Right on cue, while I was running my mouth like this, Lackey’s magic spell was also completed.

The moment I saw Lackey about to snap his fingers, I stepped back.

Ttaak!

As Lackey snapped his fingers, a flow of mana could be temporarily felt.

However, it was merely felt for a fraction of a second; the surrounding environment didn’t change at all.

Ttaak! Ttak!

Flustered, Lackey snapped his fingers repeatedly, but the result was the same. The Teleport spell failed to activate.

Meanwhile, the Mechanical Knights slowly closed in on us. I keenly felt that something had gone horribly wrong.

"Master! Magic is not working!"

"Why on earth not?"

"I do not know! The moment it triggers, it feels as though the mana gets disrupted!"

I was startled by Lackey’s answer, but brushed it aside for the moment. The enemy had likely pulled a trick.

Perhaps a device that nullified magical activation existed across the entire city.

’Since activating magic in the city center would pose a problem....’

Just in case, I hurriedly gathered the mana inside my body. Fortunately, the Aura Blade manifested properly.

When I revealed my Aura Blade, the Mechanical Knights advancing toward us flinched and paused.

[Warning. Aura emission within the city is strictly prohibited. Retract it immediately.]

"What nonsense! You guys threatened us first!"

[This is lawful execution of official duties.]

Truly an answer worthy of an artificial intelligence. I let out a dry laugh before setting my face into a cold glare.

If fighting was the only option left, then so be it. I quickly calculated my options.

’Since it’s an AI, there must be a central server managing it. It’s probably that research facility....’

A strategy akin to when we fought the Immortal Herb Colossus: charging straight into the enemy’s heart.

Destroying these Mechanical Knights was meaningless unless we destroyed the central brain directing them.

"Cheongseol? Are you blocked too?"

"Bbyaek..."

Just in case, I asked Cheongseol as well, but only received a limply dejected response.You are reading on novelping . com, the official source.

From the looks of it, all spatial movement-type abilities had been thoroughly shut down.

Hoping against hope, I logged into the Gallery.

’Gallery access works.’

Fortunately, our ultimate fallback option remained functional.

I had no idea by what principle this was possible, but let’s gloss over that.

Right now, penetrating past Skuld and escaping this city was the priority.

Cheolkeok! Cheolkeok!

Before we knew it, the Mechanical Knights had closed in right in front of our faces.

If we had to fight, we’d do so gladly. Combat was familiar territory.

Kuuung!

One unit charged at me. It was a fella wielding a colossal sword.

Although we had fought them before, each knight possessed slightly different combat patterns.

Thus, there was a high probability that these units also possessed unique patterns.

Kwajik!

After lightly dodging the downward strike of the Mechanical Knight, I sliced its waist completely in half using the Sword of the Heavenly Demon.

Even as its waist was severed entirely, the Mechanical Knight continued swinging its weapon.

Its durability wasn’t as high as expected, nor was it particularly fast.

Aside from their sickeningly overwhelming numbers, they were entirely manageable.

"Everyone, charge toward that research facility!"

I took the lead and dashed toward the laboratory. The AI’s heart ought to be located there.

The issue was whether Skuld understood my words as well.

Unlike Cain, she merely lacked autonomous learning; she was fully capable of counteracting threats.

Kiiiiiing!

The problem was that her countermeasure was so mind-boggling it left me speechless.

The research facility suddenly seemed to lift off, then floated right up into the air.

It resembled a building from StarCr*ft lifting off to relocate elsewhere.

’Wow. Seriously, what kind of ridiculous bullshit....’

Kwang!

Absurd as it was, the Mechanical Knights’ attacks did not cease.

The bastards relentlessly targeted Tyranno, which actually made defending much easier.

However, with spatial teleportation completely disabled, I decided to slowly backtrack our steps along the path we had come.

Since the laboratory had craftily floated into midair, I couldn’t think of a way to clear it right now. This was our best option.

’The moment I speak out loud, there’s no telling what countermeasure she’ll deploy.’

She was the type to react instantly to our every shout.

This was several times trickier than dealing with ordinary monsters.

In the end, I could only hope my companions caught on to the meaning behind my actions and reacted cleverly.

Fortunately, having shared life and death together for quite a long time, everyone followed close behind me.

"Dung- ppaa- dung- ppaa- dung! Dung! Dung! Ppababa! Ppababa!"

As the battle commenced, our bard, Maengkkongi, sang out at the top of his lungs.

I didn’t know where he had picked it up, but the harmony of drums and electric guitar was impressive.

Seeing as he didn’t sound desperate yet, maybe he didn’t view this as a dire crisis.

Tudududu! Tududu!

As we pulled away, the Mechanical Knights fired bullets from behind. They were bullets composed of mana.

Unless sustained by magic, mana had a property of dissipating rapidly in midair.

Even so, using mana bullets meant one of two things: either they couldn’t resupply ammunition, or there was another reason.

The hermit crabs used mana bullets because they had no way to resupply ammo. The bunker hermit crab was the same.

Though freight trains existed, there didn’t seem to be factories. This was better for us.

Kuuung! Kung!

"Really making things difficult, aren’t they?"

However, this place seemed to fit the latter scenario. The Mechanical Knights that were definitely behind us blocked our path up ahead.

Just like the ones seen before, most of these Mechanical Knights could wield Aura Blades.

Lacking ego or martial mastery, they seemed to compensate through sheer technological capability.

It was a principle similar to Ludwig utilizing his Mythricon sword.

’I suppose you could say they’re using lightsabers.’

Of course, regardless of that, it wasn’t firepower strong enough to breach my defenses.

Furthermore, Cain, residing inside the Dullahan, was exceptionally advantageous in combat against multiple foes.

Every time he swung his coffin flail, knights shattered by the dozen; nothing worked better.

"Puh-ruek!"

Kkwadeuk!Read this novel at novelping . com for the best experience.

Largo, ridden by Ludwig, also put his long legs to good use.

Being the largest in size among our party, he was easily targeted.

However, perhaps owing to the limitations of AI, the Mechanical Knights primarily targeted Tyranno.

Kwajik! Kwajijik!

Not cutting with a sword, but crushing with an Aura Blade. I destroyed the Mechanical Knights with that sort of sensation.

I wanted to finish them with a single effortless slash like Heavenly Demon or Ash, but I was still far lacking.

Since our side also possessed overwhelming firepower, we advanced forward without issue.

The problem was....

"Master! Is this the right way?!"

"I-It should be? Why did it change?"

The route was excessively different from what I remembered.

It was hard to tell whether it was an illusion or if the physical layout itself had shifted.

Still, one thing was absolutely certain: unless we solved this puzzle, we would never be able to escape.

Kung! Kuuung!

Meanwhile, Mechanical Knights relentlessly raided us. Now there were even units attacking while flying through the sky.

Fortunately, many members of our party were capable of long-range combat.

Myself, who possessed considerable skill in archery. Lackey, who could blast air-pressure shells through powerful martial strikes even without magic.

Ludwig, whose skill ceiling had risen recently, launching Sword Qi. And finally....

Chwaang!

Bbareumbo, who launched immense blasts of Sword Qi with a simple flick of his hand.

Bbareumbo also deemed the aerial units annoying and took care of them very cleanly.

Thanks to that, the Mechanical Knights were dealt with easily; the only thing left was pathfinding.

Jiiiing-

"Destroy those cameras—no, those eyes too. They’re watching us."

Not stopping there, we wiped out all the surveillance cameras and drones watching us.

I didn’t expect a dramatic effect just from destroying surveillance cameras.

Simply knowing they were watching gave me an eerie, unpleasant sensation.

Wiiiiiiing!

[Warning. Warning. Target elimination threat level raised.]

[All citizens, please evacuate immediately.]

It happened while we were eliminating knights and searching for an exit. A loud broadcast echoed across the entire city.

Along with it came an announcement that our threat level had been elevated. I felt like a wanted criminal.

Kugugugu!

That moment was brief, for a massive tremor began rumbling from the ground. That wasn’t all.

Very fine seam lines formed on the ground, and it began shifting up, down, left, and right.

The positions of towering skyscrapers shifted individually, and the somewhat narrow streets widened in an instant.

It was not a simple earthquake, but a phenomenon where the land itself moved. Even witnessing it with my eyes, I could hardly believe it.

This was a scene seen only in movies. I couldn’t even fathom how far ancient human technology had advanced.

"Is everyone okay?!"

"I am fine."

"Kkyuuu..."

Fortunately, only the positions of the buildings were reconfigured; no further disasters occurred.

If anything, the widened surroundings provided an open line of sight. The Mechanical Knights weren’t approaching either.

Kureureureu!

Just as we were hurriedly regrouping, I noticed the pavement grinding open from a distance.

For such a phenomenon to occur, something massive had to be crawling beneath the earth.

Sensing a sudden chill, I yelled out to my companions.

"Everyone, dodge to the side!"

Simultaneously with that shout, I threw my body sideways. The rest of the group faithfully executed my command as well.

Soon, as the fractured road reached the spot where we had just been standing...

Kukwaaaang!

[Ppaaaaaang!]

The freight train we had seen at the platform burst out from beneath the ground.

Kwddeudeudeuk!

Equipped with a terrifying mechanical maw right on its front.