A blueprint. A flawless blueprint. And, a genuine Colossus, shattered from the outer realms, now resting within the Dark World.
Around three thousand years ago, this magnificent behemoth, bearing the weight of an entire civilization's technology, plummeted from an even higher realm. It was a sublime fusion of flesh and machinery.
From the data they unearthed, this Colossus, in its prime, boasted power that not only eclipsed the Origin level but reached an unfathomable zenith beyond their understanding.
Precisely because of this overwhelming might, generation after generation of the Demonfolk Association's members became zealously obsessed with deciphering the secrets of this Colossus. Some even contemplated its reconstruction, for if they could truly rebuild it, none in the Dark World would rival its power.
However, terrifying discoveries later emerged. This led the former chairman to issue an explicit ban on the project. The major components of the unearthed Colossus were secured by a group of elders who had spearheaded the project, causing the Colossus initiative to grind to a halt.
But who would have imagined... Upon rising to power, the Heart-Eater brazenly discarded the directives of his predecessor and rekindled that dreadful plan.
The Puppet Mistress, with a furrowed brow, gazed upon the Hanged Tower, inquiring, "What might be the combat prowess of this tower compared to the real Colossus you mentioned?"
Bloodsaw responded gravely, "They're not even comparable. However, its construction was influenced by some of the Colossus's theories. In terms of sheer destructive force, it rivals the Origin!"
An idea suddenly dawned upon the Puppet Mistress. Just as she was about to share her thoughts with Bloodsaw...
Suddenly, the earth trembled once more. It felt as if massive footsteps were pounding, or as if colossal mountains were thunderously crashing against the ground.
Thump—
Thump—
"What is... could it be...?"
Both of them, shocked, immediately turned their gaze towards the horizon, from where the tremors originated. And in the very next moment—
Boom—
With a colossal tremor, off in the wastelands, the massive head of a girl suddenly leapt up from a chasm, appearing within their line of sight.
"Is that... the Headhunter?!"
Bloodsaw's face was instantly etched with astonishment. He recognized the gargantuan creature before them almost immediately.
Swiftly grabbing a telescope for a closer look, he soon confirmed, "Yes, it's the Headhunter! Could it be that the Demonfolk Association has provoked such a monster?!"
Witnessing this, Bloodsaw instantly grasped the reason for initiating the Zero Protocol.
Indeed, the establishment of the Zero Protocol was specifically designed for the Association in the event they encountered terrifying entities of Origin level!
"They've gone mad!"
Bloodsaw's face was contorted in anger, his gaze firmly set on that immense head. Even though he was currently being pursued, as a former elder of the Demonfolk Association, the scene kindled a roaring fury within him.
"However, this Headhunter seems smaller in stature. Its strength probably can't compare to those truly formidable Origins."
He intently observed, musing, "If it's just this one, the prototype Colossus should easily deal with it."
But almost immediately after he uttered those words—
Boom—
Another deafening sound echoed. A head, even larger by several magnitudes than the previous one, suddenly emerged from the chasm behind it.
Bloodsaw: "!!!"
Puppet Mistress: "!!!"
Bloodsaw was instantly taken aback, exclaiming, "Another one?!"
His gaze darted urgently to the other head, unmistakably female, her eyes brimming with malice and cruelty. A mere glance was enough to send chills down one's spine.
Bloodsaw, shaken to his core, took a sharp intake of breath, his voice quivering, "It's over! I thought there was only one, but they've drawn the ire of two Origin level creatures at once!! And one of them is a mature form!!"
The Puppet Mistress opened her mouth to speak but found herself at a loss for words.
After a moment of contemplation, Bloodsaw speculated, "However, if it's just two Origins... even if the prototype Colossus can't hold out, it should buy some time... sufficient for the data transfer..."
Boom—
Before he could finish his sentence, a head, even larger than the previous two, sprang up from the chasm, landing heavily beside them.
Bloodsaw: "(ΩДΩ) Waaahhhh!!"
Puppet Mistress: "(‧̣̥̇꒪⍢꒪ )Wha-what-what..."
[Bloodsaw's Sanity -10]
[Bloodsaw's Sanity -10]
[Puppet Mistress Sanity -10]
[Puppet Mistress Sanity -10]
Bloodsaw, shaking both arms, exclaimed: "Three!! Three of them!! Damn it! Did we stir up an Origin nest?! Is this some kind of joke?!"
Puppet Mistress murmured, "What do you think... are the odds for the Demonfolk Association?"
Bloodsaw, hopping mad and stomping the ground in frustration, blurted out, "Odds?! They'd be lucky to leave a scrap behind! No matter how formidable the creation, it can't deal with three of them! They should've just gone home and gone to bed!"
Puppet Mistress, with a blank expression, picked up the telescope, observing the three Origin-level Headhunters in the distance.
To be honest, having lived in the Dark World for so many years, this was her first time witnessing such a gathering of Origin entities. It was undeniably both horrifying and awe-inspiring.
As she keenly observed, she suddenly froze. She noticed the smaller head open its mouth, extending a tentacle that coiled around a humanoid figure, placing it atop its own head. The originally terrifying expression on the girl's face morphed into one of (ω).
Puppet Mistress: "(꒪Д꒪)ノ"
Hold on! Something seemed amiss. How did the story's tone take such an unexpected turn? Why would an Origin-level Headhunter reveal a face so irresistibly adorable, reminiscent of a coquettish girl-next-door? And then... What was the deal with that human? He certainly didn't seem like emergency food for the Headhunter. After all, who would perch their emergency meal atop their head, letting it ride them, and showing such a doting expression to it?
Staring through the telescope in bewilderment, she murmured: "Bloodsaw... look quickly... something seems out of place... There's a formidable fellow... riding the Origin level Headhunter..."
At her words, Bloodsaw raised an eyebrow and gritted his teeth, "Now's not the time for jokes. Hanged Tower is surely lost. We need to find a way around to Sin City."
Puppet Mistress whispered back, "I'm not joking... truly, there's a human riding that Headhunter..."
Bloodsaw's patience waned.
What in the world? Jokes at a time like this? A human? Riding a Headhunter? What's next, a mouse riding a cat?
He snatched the telescope impatiently, setting his sights on the trio of Headhunters.
Hum—
For a moment, his gaze turned vacant. His body froze in place, as if petrified, fixed in that very stance.
"That... That is..."
Atop the smaller Headhunter's head sat a young human boy, cross-legged. In his hands, he played with a string, merrily demonstrating its intricacies to a curious tentacle holding an eyeball.
It was as if a big brother from next door was diligently performing tricks to win the affection of a curious little lass. But that wasn't the crux of the matter!!
He almost instantly recognized the boy's face.
"Lynne?!"
Bloodsaw let out a shocked cry.
Puppet Mistress: "???"
Bloodsaw: (꒪Д꒪)ノ
This couldn't be! Surely his old eyes were playing tricks on him! Yes, it must be a disturbing illusion, borne from his own deep-seated anxieties. After all, how could his obedient little apprentice possibly be gallivanting around, riding a Headhunter? Exactly! It had to be an illusion! If his disciple truly possessed such abilities, he would've strutted around the Dark World by now!
Rubbing his eyes fervently, he whispered to himself, bit his finger and began to draw a small magic circle on the ground.
"Should I try contacting him? If he's still alive, he should be able to receive the message..."
As if trying to prove something, he scribbled a few lines on the magic circle.
[Lynne, are you still alive?]
Once he finished writing, he chanted a spell, a flash of red in his eyes, and pressed his hand onto the magic circle.
...
At the same moment, Lynne, who was sitting atop Little's head, demonstrating rope tricks with a smile, suddenly stiffened. He felt a surge of blood rush to his stomach. The next moment, he groaned in pain and spat out a puddle of blood into his hand.
"Is this... Master?!"
Lynne's shock quickly transformed into elation. He then watched as the blood in his hand began to move, slowly forming several large, grotesque characters.
"Lynne, are you still alive?"
Lynne jumped up, exclaiming, "Of course, I'm alive! I'm doing well! Master, are you alright?"
Unable to contain his excitement, Lynne raised his head, shouting into the desolate wilderness around him, "Master! I'm still alive! Are you dead? When will you be back? I'm so scared on my own..."
But almost immediately after he finished, a system notification rang by his ear.
[Ding! Congratulations on triggering the achievement: First Attempt to Frighten the Master. You've earned 200 Experience.]
[First Attempt to Frighten the Master: Special achievement. Chance to obtain when scaring your master in any manner. You've taken a firm step towards "betraying one's master." Congratulations on the permanent bonus: Spirit +1, Strength +2, Happy +20!]
Lynne: "???"
Confusion reigned over his face.
What bizarre achievement is this? When did I scare my master like that?! This system shouldn't be awarding random achievements!
...
At the mountain peak.
"Bloodsaw! Bloodsaw!! Why are you spasming? Don't scare me! What's going on?!"
The Puppet Mistress stared in horror at Bloodsaw, who was twitching on the ground, completely at a loss.
What's happening?! He was fine just a moment ago! Could it be epilepsy? No, that doesn't make sense. Could a modified being like him even have epilepsy?
Bloodsaw, twitching uncontrollably, uttered weakly, "That person... riding the Origin level... headhunter... He's truly... my apprentice..."
Puppet Mistress: "(ΩДΩ)!!!"
...
Across the desolate wilderness, Lynne glanced around in bewilderment, ultimately shrugging in confusion.
Time flowed on. Minutes later.
"We have—arrived—"
The skull of the Witch God sneered, wickedly licking its lips.
Lynne's eyes snapped open, immediately captivated by a colossal flesh tower looming at the horizon's edge. He rose swiftly, gazing intently into the distance, his face a mask of astonishment.
"Could it be... The Hanged Tower..."
The very lair of the Demonfolk Association, the headquarters of the organization that sought to annihilate his master and himself.
Is it... that place?
As the rolling dust and mist dissipated, a tower piercing the heavens emerged before him. Its surface shimmered with the gleam of metal and machinery. Gigantic cogs meshed with the swelling, dark flesh, together they shaped an eerie fusion of mechanical and organic—a bizarre Colossus.
One after another, enormous mechanical arms eerily sprouted from the fleshy growth at the base of the tower. The pinnacle of the tower resembled a vast chimney, belching plumes of post-industrial black smoke. A collision of flesh and machine! It exuded an unmistakably uncanny steampunk flair.
"The Hanged Tower!"
Almost simultaneously, an information panel materialized before him.
[Trial Model Colossus 012 Hanged Tower]
[Level: ???]
[Type: Flesh-Mechanical Construct]
[Combat Ability: Unrivaled Anti-Origin Colossus (pseudo)]
[Description: The crowning creation of the Demonfolk Association, birthed from the legacy blueprints of the Dead Omen Star Civilization's trial Colossus. Though only partially constructed from the original Colossus blueprint, making it incomparable to a genuine Colossus, the Hanged Tower, incorporating centuries of Demonfolk Association research, still boasts a terrifying power rivaling the Origin!]
Almost simultaneously, a series of system notifications continuously echoed in Lynne's ears.
[Ding! You've encountered the first Miraculous Construct! Bestiary System Activated!]
[You can now freely use the Bestiary System to record any creatures or wonders you come across. You can also spend a certain number of skull coins for an in-depth analysis of a particular entry!]
[Ding! The number of skull coins required for bestiary analysis is determined by the target's power and structure. Upon completion of the analysis, you can obtain more detailed information about the entry, including temperament, preferences, true strength, weaknesses, and much more.]
Lynne: "???"
Miraculous Construct?! Wonder? Bestiary?
Indeed, this system indeed held more functionalities, waiting for him to unlock and master. However, why did he increasingly feel like he was in an MMORPG?
Lynne blinked in disbelief. He immediately noticed a new icon representing [Bestiary] next to the [Vision World] on the lower right corner of his interface. Curiously, he tapped on it.
Instantly, page after page filled with ??? for bestiary information floated before his eyes.
[Ding! Miraculous Construct detected. Would you like to record it immediately?]
"Record it!"
[Ding! Recording successful. "Trial Model Colossus Hanged Tower" has been added to the wonders page, current number 001. You've earned a collection reward: Free Attribute Points +10]
Lynne: "!!!"
A blueprint. A flawless blueprint. And, a genuine Colossus, shattered from the outer realms, now resting within the Dark World.
Around three thousand years ago, this magnificent behemoth, bearing the weight of an entire civilization's technology, plummeted from an even higher realm. It was a sublime fusion of flesh and machinery.
From the data they unearthed, this Colossus, in its prime, boasted power that not only eclipsed the Origin level but reached an unfathomable zenith beyond their understanding.
Precisely because of this overwhelming might, generation after generation of the Demonfolk Association's members became zealously obsessed with deciphering the secrets of this Colossus. Some even contemplated its reconstruction, for if they could truly rebuild it, none in the Dark World would rival its power.
However, terrifying discoveries later emerged. This led the former chairman to issue an explicit ban on the project. The major components of the unearthed Colossus were secured by a group of elders who had spearheaded the project, causing the Colossus initiative to grind to a halt.
But who would have imagined... Upon rising to power, the Heart-Eater brazenly discarded the directives of his predecessor and rekindled that dreadful plan.
The Puppet Mistress, with a furrowed brow, gazed upon the Hanged Tower, inquiring, "What might be the combat prowess of this tower compared to the real Colossus you mentioned?"
Bloodsaw responded gravely, "They're not even comparable. However, its construction was influenced by some of the Colossus's theories. In terms of sheer destructive force, it rivals the Origin!"
An idea suddenly dawned upon the Puppet Mistress. Just as she was about to share her thoughts with Bloodsaw...
Suddenly, the earth trembled once more. It felt as if massive footsteps were pounding, or as if colossal mountains were thunderously crashing against the ground.
Thump—
Thump—
"What is... could it be...?"
Both of them, shocked, immediately turned their gaze towards the horizon, from where the tremors originated. And in the very next moment—
Boom—
With a colossal tremor, off in the wastelands, the massive head of a girl suddenly leapt up from a chasm, appearing within their line of sight.
"Is that... the Headhunter?!"
Bloodsaw's face was instantly etched with astonishment. He recognized the gargantuan creature before them almost immediately.
Swiftly grabbing a telescope for a closer look, he soon confirmed, "Yes, it's the Headhunter! Could it be that the Demonfolk Association has provoked such a monster?!"
Witnessing this, Bloodsaw instantly grasped the reason for initiating the Zero Protocol.
Indeed, the establishment of the Zero Protocol was specifically designed for the Association in the event they encountered terrifying entities of Origin level!
"They've gone mad!"
Bloodsaw's face was contorted in anger, his gaze firmly set on that immense head. Even though he was currently being pursued, as a former elder of the Demonfolk Association, the scene kindled a roaring fury within him.
"However, this Headhunter seems smaller in stature. Its strength probably can't compare to those truly formidable Origins."
He intently observed, musing, "If it's just this one, the prototype Colossus should easily deal with it."
But almost immediately after he uttered those words—
Boom—
Another deafening sound echoed. A head, even larger by several magnitudes than the previous one, suddenly emerged from the chasm behind it.
Bloodsaw: "!!!"
Puppet Mistress: "!!!"
Bloodsaw was instantly taken aback, exclaiming, "Another one?!"
His gaze darted urgently to the other head, unmistakably female, her eyes brimming with malice and cruelty. A mere glance was enough to send chills down one's spine.
Bloodsaw, shaken to his core, took a sharp intake of breath, his voice quivering, "It's over! I thought there was only one, but they've drawn the ire of two Origin level creatures at once!! And one of them is a mature form!!"
The Puppet Mistress opened her mouth to speak but found herself at a loss for words.
After a moment of contemplation, Bloodsaw speculated, "However, if it's just two Origins... even if the prototype Colossus can't hold out, it should buy some time... sufficient for the data transfer..."
Boom—
Before he could finish his sentence, a head, even larger than the previous two, sprang up from the chasm, landing heavily beside them.
Bloodsaw: "(ΩДΩ) Waaahhhh!!"
Puppet Mistress: "(‧̣̥̇꒪⍢꒪ )Wha-what-what..."
[Bloodsaw's Sanity -10]
[Bloodsaw's Sanity -10]
[Puppet Mistress Sanity -10]
[Puppet Mistress Sanity -10]
Bloodsaw, shaking both arms, exclaimed: "Three!! Three of them!! Damn it! Did we stir up an Origin nest?! Is this some kind of joke?!"
Puppet Mistress murmured, "What do you think... are the odds for the Demonfolk Association?"
Bloodsaw, hopping mad and stomping the ground in frustration, blurted out, "Odds?! They'd be lucky to leave a scrap behind! No matter how formidable the creation, it can't deal with three of them! They should've just gone home and gone to bed!"
Puppet Mistress, with a blank expression, picked up the telescope, observing the three Origin-level Headhunters in the distance.
To be honest, having lived in the Dark World for so many years, this was her first time witnessing such a gathering of Origin entities. It was undeniably both horrifying and awe-inspiring.
As she keenly observed, she suddenly froze. She noticed the smaller head open its mouth, extending a tentacle that coiled around a humanoid figure, placing it atop its own head. The originally terrifying expression on the girl's face morphed into one of (ω).
Puppet Mistress: "(꒪Д꒪)ノ"
Hold on! Something seemed amiss. How did the story's tone take such an unexpected turn? Why would an Origin-level Headhunter reveal a face so irresistibly adorable, reminiscent of a coquettish girl-next-door? And then... What was the deal with that human? He certainly didn't seem like emergency food for the Headhunter. After all, who would perch their emergency meal atop their head, letting it ride them, and showing such a doting expression to it?
Staring through the telescope in bewilderment, she murmured: "Bloodsaw... look quickly... something seems out of place... There's a formidable fellow... riding the Origin level Headhunter..."
At her words, Bloodsaw raised an eyebrow and gritted his teeth, "Now's not the time for jokes. Hanged Tower is surely lost. We need to find a way around to Sin City."
Puppet Mistress whispered back, "I'm not joking... truly, there's a human riding that Headhunter..."
Bloodsaw's patience waned.
What in the world? Jokes at a time like this? A human? Riding a Headhunter? What's next, a mouse riding a cat?
He snatched the telescope impatiently, setting his sights on the trio of Headhunters.
Hum—
For a moment, his gaze turned vacant. His body froze in place, as if petrified, fixed in that very stance.
"That... That is..."
Atop the smaller Headhunter's head sat a young human boy, cross-legged. In his hands, he played with a string, merrily demonstrating its intricacies to a curious tentacle holding an eyeball.
It was as if a big brother from next door was diligently performing tricks to win the affection of a curious little lass. But that wasn't the crux of the matter!!
He almost instantly recognized the boy's face.
"Lynne?!"
Bloodsaw let out a shocked cry.
Puppet Mistress: "???"
Bloodsaw: (꒪Д꒪)ノ
This couldn't be! Surely his old eyes were playing tricks on him! Yes, it must be a disturbing illusion, borne from his own deep-seated anxieties. After all, how could his obedient little apprentice possibly be gallivanting around, riding a Headhunter? Exactly! It had to be an illusion! If his disciple truly possessed such abilities, he would've strutted around the Dark World by now!
Rubbing his eyes fervently, he whispered to himself, bit his finger and began to draw a small magic circle on the ground.
"Should I try contacting him? If he's still alive, he should be able to receive the message..."
As if trying to prove something, he scribbled a few lines on the magic circle.
[Lynne, are you still alive?]
Once he finished writing, he chanted a spell, a flash of red in his eyes, and pressed his hand onto the magic circle.
...
At the same moment, Lynne, who was sitting atop Little's head, demonstrating rope tricks with a smile, suddenly stiffened. He felt a surge of blood rush to his stomach. The next moment, he groaned in pain and spat out a puddle of blood into his hand.
"Is this... Master?!"
Lynne's shock quickly transformed into elation. He then watched as the blood in his hand began to move, slowly forming several large, grotesque characters.
"Lynne, are you still alive?"
Lynne jumped up, exclaiming, "Of course, I'm alive! I'm doing well! Master, are you alright?"
Unable to contain his excitement, Lynne raised his head, shouting into the desolate wilderness around him, "Master! I'm still alive! Are you dead? When will you be back? I'm so scared on my own..."
But almost immediately after he finished, a system notification rang by his ear.
[Ding! Congratulations on triggering the achievement: First Attempt to Frighten the Master. You've earned 200 Experience.]
[First Attempt to Frighten the Master: Special achievement. Chance to obtain when scaring your master in any manner. You've taken a firm step towards "betraying one's master." Congratulations on the permanent bonus: Spirit +1, Strength +2, Happy +20!]
Lynne: "???"
Confusion reigned over his face.
What bizarre achievement is this? When did I scare my master like that?! This system shouldn't be awarding random achievements!
...
At the mountain peak.
"Bloodsaw! Bloodsaw!! Why are you spasming? Don't scare me! What's going on?!"
The Puppet Mistress stared in horror at Bloodsaw, who was twitching on the ground, completely at a loss.
What's happening?! He was fine just a moment ago! Could it be epilepsy? No, that doesn't make sense. Could a modified being like him even have epilepsy?
Bloodsaw, twitching uncontrollably, uttered weakly, "That person... riding the Origin level... headhunter... He's truly... my apprentice..."
Puppet Mistress: "(ΩДΩ)!!!"
...
Across the desolate wilderness, Lynne glanced around in bewilderment, ultimately shrugging in confusion.
Time flowed on. Minutes later.
"We have—arrived—"
The skull of the Witch God sneered, wickedly licking its lips.
Lynne's eyes snapped open, immediately captivated by a colossal flesh tower looming at the horizon's edge. He rose swiftly, gazing intently into the distance, his face a mask of astonishment.
"Could it be... The Hanged Tower..."
The very lair of the Demonfolk Association, the headquarters of the organization that sought to annihilate his master and himself.
Is it... that place?
As the rolling dust and mist dissipated, a tower piercing the heavens emerged before him. Its surface shimmered with the gleam of metal and machinery. Gigantic cogs meshed with the swelling, dark flesh, together they shaped an eerie fusion of mechanical and organic—a bizarre Colossus.
One after another, enormous mechanical arms eerily sprouted from the fleshy growth at the base of the tower. The pinnacle of the tower resembled a vast chimney, belching plumes of post-industrial black smoke. A collision of flesh and machine! It exuded an unmistakably uncanny steampunk flair.
"The Hanged Tower!"
Almost simultaneously, an information panel materialized before him.
[Trial Model Colossus 012 Hanged Tower]
[Level: ???]
[Type: Flesh-Mechanical Construct]
[Combat Ability: Unrivaled Anti-Origin Colossus (pseudo)]
[Description: The crowning creation of the Demonfolk Association, birthed from the legacy blueprints of the Dead Omen Star Civilization's trial Colossus. Though only partially constructed from the original Colossus blueprint, making it incomparable to a genuine Colossus, the Hanged Tower, incorporating centuries of Demonfolk Association research, still boasts a terrifying power rivaling the Origin!]
Almost simultaneously, a series of system notifications continuously echoed in Lynne's ears.
[Ding! You've encountered the first Miraculous Construct! Bestiary System Activated!]
[You can now freely use the Bestiary System to record any creatures or wonders you come across. You can also spend a certain number of skull coins for an in-depth analysis of a particular entry!]
[Ding! The number of skull coins required for bestiary analysis is determined by the target's power and structure. Upon completion of the analysis, you can obtain more detailed information about the entry, including temperament, preferences, true strength, weaknesses, and much more.]
Lynne: "???"
Miraculous Construct?! Wonder? Bestiary?
Indeed, this system indeed held more functionalities, waiting for him to unlock and master. However, why did he increasingly feel like he was in an MMORPG?
Lynne blinked in disbelief. He immediately noticed a new icon representing [Bestiary] next to the [Vision World] on the lower right corner of his interface. Curiously, he tapped on it.
Instantly, page after page filled with ??? for bestiary information floated before his eyes.
[Ding! Miraculous Construct detected. Would you like to record it immediately?]
"Record it!"
[Ding! Recording successful. "Trial Model Colossus Hanged Tower" has been added to the wonders page, current number 001. You've earned a collection reward: Free Attribute Points +10]
Lynne: "!!!"
