Chapter 2: The Appearance of a Gentleman, Section 2

The sound was not loud, but to the already highly alert scavengers, it was like thunder. In less than two seconds, sixty silver-glowing spears stood upright like a forest. At the tip of each spear, a tiny red glow pulsed. The scavengers’ combat formation was also ready in an instant.
“Hiss…”
Another soft sound. Under everyone’s gaze, a three-meter-square section of the wall in the northeast corner of the room suddenly collapsed inward. Immediately afterward, a filthy human-shaped figure appeared before them.
It had a steel skeleton, with countless wires covering its entire body. On each shoulder was a thick cannon barrel over a meter long. From the outside, it appeared to be a fully metallic human figure, merely devoid of skin—like an automaton skeleton. Dark red lights flickered where its eyes should be. As it moved mechanically, faint friction sounds emanated, which sounded extremely eerie in the silent room.
A half-finished mechanical guardian?
The black-haired man’s pupils contracted sharply, and his hands clenched involuntarily. In front of him, the scavengers had already launched their attacks simultaneously.
“Boom, boom, boom, boom…”
In an instant, countless purplish-red beams filled the entire room, shattering the steel walls into fragments. Layers of filth on the walls were peeled away, revealing the dark blue substance beneath. White dots, large and small, appeared on it like a honeycomb. The air was instantly filled with a burnt smell.
The micro mercenaries used crystal spear guns—the most common individual combat weapons in Cucare Town. Though not particularly terrifying on their own, their penetration power was astonishing when fired in large numbers. Even the polymer alloy walls in the ruins were left marked.
“Clang, clang, clang, clang…”
The clear sounds of metal collisions continued endlessly, making it impossible to count them. Countless sparks erupted across the mechanical guardian’s body, as if it were covered in a layer of golden waterfalls. Its wires were torn apart and flung around. Irregular metal fragments scattered everywhere, hitting the surrounding walls.
Yet, its advance never stopped.
One step, two steps, three steps.

With every step, his entire body shook under the impact of the energy projectiles filling the air. With every step, he lost some of his body parts. It took the mechanical guardian a full minute to cover just twenty meters. By the time it stopped, almost nothing but its skeleton remained. Of course, there was still the huge, terrifying cannon on its shoulder, glowing with a cold light.

“Beep. Warning: Humans, you lack authorization to enter this area. You are ordered to drop your weapons immediately and crouch down with your hands on your head within ten seconds. Otherwise, you will be considered hostile. Timing has begun.” A cold mechanical voice suddenly came from the guardian’s skull, followed by a red glow in its eyes. The cannon on its shoulder lowered and aimed at the group.

“10, 9, 8… Beep. Energy failure… 1. Fire!”

“Boom!”

It was like a suddenly detonating bomb. A blinding light burst forth from the cannon on the mechanical guardian’s shoulder. The air in the room instantly compressed before exploding. The change was so sudden that the scavengers didn’t even have time to react. In an instant, the scavengers at the front of the group were blown away by the extreme force of the gas explosion. Those in front of the cannon had their flesh instantly torn apart by the sudden pressure changes, turning into a storm of blood.

It was terrifying… utterly unacceptable…

No one could believe their eyes. The situation, which seemed under control, had reversed in an instant. They had only heard a few words from the damaged mechanical guardian before the disaster struck. At first, seeing those corpses didn’t bother them, but witnessing such a nightmare-like scene happen to them was another matter entirely.

As if on command, the remaining scavengers turned around collectively. Instead of joining the fight, they rushed to the back, exposing the slightly thin figure of the black-haired man to the mechanical guardian.

It wasn’t that the scavengers lacked organization or discipline. It was simply according to the tradition of the scavengers in Kuukare Town—such combat tasks were always handled by hired mercenaries. Although the black-haired man’s background was unknown, since he had accepted OldOld Buick’s invitation, it was only natural for him to step in at such a time.

Moreover, for some reason, everyone felt that this black-haired man might indeed have a way to deal with this monster.

The black-haired man didn’t disappoint them.

As the scavenger stepped back, he exerted a slight force under his feet, as if springs were installed. In an instant, he rushed forward more than ten meters, ending up right in front of the mechanical guard. Mid-air, he swung his body sharply; using the momentum, his blade-like iron leg, with a fierce screech, slashed down at the mechanical guard’s neck, producing a clashing sound of metal on metal.
“Clang!”
The mechanical guard could no longer stand firm and staggered backward. The cannon at its shoulder rose at the same time, emitting a faint white light once again.
But it didn’t get a chance to fire again. As a human from the same era, Blackhair knew its weaknesses better than anyone. Unfazed by his own bloodied leg from the collision, he stopped his rapid forward motion in an instant. He reached out with his right hand, grabbing the retreating mechanical head, while his left hand gleamed like metal. With a shrill noise, it plunged deep into the mechanical guard’s chest.
“Pfft.” There was only a muffled sound. The mechanical guard’s back suddenly cracked open, as if a fountain had burst forth. Countless parts, large and small, sprayed out violently. Under the force of the impact, they became like bullets, continuing to fly until they fell to the ground with a clatter five meters away, having lost their momentum.
“Warning… warning… ala… arm…”
The shrill electronic synthesized voice faded quickly. In Blackhair’s left hand, the mechanical guard’s red optical eyes gradually lost their brightness, eventually going still. Its steel frame, as if deprived of support, collapsed to the ground with a rustle. Numerous sparks erupted simultaneously, and the air was filled with the smell of burnt circuits.
Slowly raising his head, cold eyes peeked out from beneath his long black hair…