Chapter 166 - Puppet One
Guided by the Orange Cat, its ears perked up attentively, occasionally twitching as it scanned its surroundings with amber vertical pupils, radiating a fierce determination in the darkness, akin to an unwavering sentinel.
Even when donning the guise of a cute cat, the hammer exuded a menacing aura akin to that of a Demonic Dragon, evoking solemnity in those who beheld her seriousness.
Despite being intimately acquainted with the hammer's timid side, Guo Fan's expression remained subtly nuanced.
Uncertain when the hammer might conceive and spawn a new lineage, Guo Fan pondered.
Sensing the anticipation akin to a farmer awaiting a harvest, Guo Fan scrutinized the map provided by the hammer, aligning it with his knowledge of the Martial Monarch Cave Instance Dungeon to chart their exit route.
Sketching a line on the map, he marked their intended path, though this didn't ensure immediate departure.
Navigating the Martial Monarch Cave Instance Dungeon wasn't arbitrary; traversing its underground passages would trigger traps and spawn minor monsters, activating the dungeon's mechanisms. Only upon clearing the dungeon could one exit.
While acquiring benefits was cited as a motive, the primary impetus was the necessity to clear the level for escape.
“This is it.”
Halting in their tracks, the hammer perked up its ears, signaling the passageway's exit ahead. Advancing, they entered a spacious area, domed and adorned with cauldron-shaped patterns on the walls. At the forefront lay a pile of collapsed rocks resembling a statue, with a protruding palm embedded within.
Guo Fan surveyed the area, encountering numerous fresh corpses amid a scene of carnage, evidencing the intensity of recent conflict.
Distinctly attired, yet met with undignified ends, the corpses revealed the Snowflake Mansion's involvement, albeit differing from Guo Fan's token, indicating a recent Snowflake Mansion contingent's elimination.
Examining the corpses, all bore marks of a singular weapon, its smooth surface resembling a string rather than a conventional sword.
This weapon mirrored the proficiency of the mechanical dolls within the Martial Monarch Cave Instance Dungeon.
Raising his gaze, Guo Fan observed the lamp's dim light flickering upon the stone wall.
“Odd. These lights remained dormant upon our departure…”
Hammer's voice carried a strange tone.
“Exercise caution; the Mechanical Marionettes may still linger,” Guo Fan cautioned, scrutinizing the stone walls. “Retreat at the sight of flashing lights.”
“Understood,” Yijun acknowledged from behind.
Arching her back and twitching her ears, she suddenly focused to the left, her pupils contracting. “To the left! It approaches!”
Crackling sounds akin to embedded gears resonated as a glimmer flashed upon the stone wall, confirming their apprehensions.
Silk thread!
“Move out of the way!” exclaimed Guo Fan, just before a hammer, reverting to its original shape, obstructed him.
A whooshing sound followed.
Engulfed in a flame resembling glass, the Demonic Dragon encased Guo Fan and withdrew several yards.
Yijun kept pace, eyeing the stone wall with caution.
Suddenly, a stone wall parted, revealing a figure stepping out, brandishing long-bladed arms and clad in light black armor, reminiscent of a Japanese warrior from Guo Fan's knowledge, yet this figure lacked any facial features.
Another whooshing sound was heard.
As the figure charged towards them, its blades glinted sharply, slicing through the tomb's stale air.
A loud roar echoed.
A sharp clap sound followed.
The Demonic Dragon spun and bellowed, forcefully slamming the figure to the ground with its claws.
She displayed a fierce, jubilant grin, relishing combat after a lengthy hiatus, feeling thoroughly content at the moment.
Now, the figure was fully visible as a Mechanical Marionette, appearing wooden with intricate, lifelike finger carvings yet no facial or palm features, a stark yet perfectly executed design.
This exquisitely crafted hand caught a blade plummeting towards it.
A clang resounded.
The marionette spun, aiming its blade upwards, clashing with the hammer's hard scales, sparking a collision yet remaining unharmed.
A creaking noise was heard.
Under the hammer's pressure, the marionette's arm buckled, its structure twisting and dislocating.
With a smug chuckle, the Demonic Dragon flaunted the hammer's dominance, its mouth curling in pride.
She sneakily peeked at Guo Fan.
Confident in her impressive display, she anticipated a reward, believing her hammers to be unmatched.
Continuous gear sounds filled the air.
A wall lamp twisted bizarrely, its wires stretching tightly through the air and connecting to the doll.
“Drop the hammer! Back off! Watch out for the strings, they're poisoned!” Guo Fan urgently warned, instructing Yijun to sever the lamp, his expression alarmed.
Affirmative response followed.
A swift motion.
Yijun vanished from sight, her physical prowess formidable even without Spiritual Energy, though not quite on par with a professional body cultivator.
The marionette, ensnared by the threads, resisted the hammer's claw with escalating force, surprising the hammer.
A snapping sound.
The blade on the marionette's arm shattered, yet it managed a nimble, bridge-like evasion and leapt, landing atop the Demonic Dragon's claw.
Heeding Guo Fan's call, the hammer swiftly withdrew, but the marionette's arm deftly maneuvered the threads around the hammer.
The threads swiftly encircled the hammer, tightening into an offensive loop.
Flames engulfed the hammer as the silk threads mirrored in its eyes.
A snapping noise.
The marionette's action halted abruptly, the threads collapsing.
Silence enveloped the tomb once more.
Yijun succeeded in cutting the lamp, rolling aside.
Seizing the moment, the hammer crushed the doll to bits.
A relieved exhale.
Guo Fan observed the stone walls lighting up, revealing a web of threads spanning the cracks, resembling a vast, dangerous network of spider silk.
Armored figures emerged from the opening walls, their arm blades chillingly sharp.
Guo Fan grimaced, realizing the grim fate of those on the ground.
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