Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys Chapter 1482 - 509: Pride and Prejudice (Part 2)

If only I could bring this entire Floating City under my absolute command! Imagine the possibilities.

Achieving such a feat would likely make me the most formidable Wizard in the Federation’s history.

Rein, however, forced his greed aside and spoke with a low, serious tone, "Haleem’s records indicate that this floor primarily manages the defenses and movements of the surface level. To find anything of true value, we must descend to at least level minus two."

"Agreed. We should head straight for the second sublevel," Garrett nodded in concurrence.

Using the Particle Generator to neutralize the metal’s internal stress, Sword Saint Guiterrez once again carved a path through the metallic floor. With the obstacle removed, the group successfully transitioned into the second sublevel.

"According to Haleem’s intelligence, a massive explosion devastated the workshop sector on level minus two. Every area aside from the prison should be free of mechanical monstrosities."

"But the Terrio team has already scoured this floor. Crown Guiterrez, Crown Garrett, should we push on to the next level immediately?" Rein inquired.

He maintained a composed mask, but his spirit was already yearning for the treasures hidden on the third level.

"That is an option."

"Wait, the report mentioned that the Empire’s Rein didn't fully investigate the prison. Shouldn't we inspect it first?" Gatler suggested after a moment of reflection.

He had entered this expedition with specific objectives in mind.

Furthermore, Gatler recalled that Haleem’s report had flagged the prison sector as extremely high-risk.

Caution dictated that they should probe the prison’s dangers before venturing deeper.

"What does Crown Guiterrez think?" Rein asked, a faint frown appearing on his brow.

"Let us examine the prison first. It is wiser to advance with caution, step by step."

"If both of you are in agreement, then we shall head to the prison," Rein replied. Though he felt a pang of disappointment, he consoled himself with the thought that they might recover the remains of ancient prisoners. He chose not to argue.

Several minutes passed.

"Hold! Something is moving. It's closing in fast from the front-right," Guiterrez commanded, stopping abruptly. He pointed toward the shadows with a grim expression.

"Is it a patrol of Mechanical Land Birds?"

"No. Judging by the sound, it is definitely something else," Guiterrez said, shaking his head.

The mystery didn't last long. A mechanical beast, unlike anything they had seen before, stepped into the light.

"What... is that a mechanical... a mechanical Velociraptor?" Garrett stammered in shock.

"Haleem’s report never mentioned such creatures inhabiting this level," Elvin added, his voice tinged with alarm as he stared at the approaching Mechanical Velociraptor.

The researchers, who were stepping onto the second sublevel for the first time, looked on with expressions of pure confusion.

Two packs of swift dragons emerged from their left and front. Each squad contained over ten beasts, averaging three meters in height, all piloted by the corpses of goblins. The alpha of each pack was noticeably larger, standing nearly four and a half meters tall.

These mechanical predators possessed hooked talons several dozen centimeters long that shimmered with a cold, metallic light. Their powerful lower limbs were exposed, revealing a complex system of gears and hydraulic pistons.

Had Haleem been there, he would have instantly recognized that their mechanical anatomy was built for extreme velocity.

The conflict ignited in an instant!

Because they lacked prior data, the sheer speed and nimbleness of the Mechanical Velociraptors caught the team off guard.

Comparing these beasts to the Mechanical Land Birds was like comparing a professional standing army to a simple neighborhood watch.

Though the team managed to wipe out the two squads within minutes, the victory was costly. They suffered their first losses, with both Alvin and Garrett losing one follower each.

"They are indeed a nuisance; it's no wonder the Empire’s Rein retreated after his initial probe. However, they don't pose a significant threat to a team of our caliber," Elvin remarked arrogantly, lifting his chin.

"Though if their numbers increase, even we must remain vigilant."

"Wait! Do you hear that high-pitched buzzing? It sounds like something being cut, and it's getting closer," Guiterrez warned from the front of the line, stopping once more.

At that moment, shouts erupted from various directions as team members pointed into the darkness.

"Look! More Mechanical Velociraptors!"

"They're coming from this side too!"

"Behind us! They're behind us!" a female archer at the rear screamed.

This wasn't just a few—there were fifty, no, a hundred of them!

Much like biological swift dragons, these Mechanical Velociraptors were capable of coordinating a massive, organized hunt.

"Stay calm! Maintain your positions!" Elvin shouted.

In his mind, while these creatures could kill his subordinates, they were merely an annoyance to someone with the power of a Dawn Wizard. They weren't a true death threat.

Responding to his order, his two Heavy Knights lunged forward, planting their massive Tower Shields to form a wall in front of Elvin.

Suddenly, the buzzing sound intensified into a roar. A massive, spinning saw blade with a radius of over three meters erupted from the floor. In a heartbeat, it tore through the two Heavy Knights and their shields, slicing them clean in half.

The lethal disk didn't stop. It flashed forward, and Alvin, who was in the middle of chanting a Fire Element Dawn Killing Move, was also cleaved in two!

It happened with the speed of a lightning strike!

"What!" Sword Saint Guiterrez and Garrett cried out, frozen in horror.

Elvin was dead?