He put the Evil God Power Crystal back into his storage space and sealed it.
Although it could vitalize inanimate objects, they lost all controllability.
Li Xiuman decided to abandon using it for the time being.
“Number Zero, come over here. I'm going to inspect your body.”
Li Xiuman turned his gaze back to Number Zero.
He felt that since their last mission, Number Zero seemed to have changed slightly.
This was a good sign.
As expected, keeping Number Zero active for so long had been a wise decision on his part.
Number Zero obediently walked over and stood before Li Xiuman.
Li Xiuman began to carefully inspect it for any changes.
Aside from the core's power output becoming slightly insufficient, there was no other change.
“It seems a Golem Core made from a fire lizardman king's magic stone is no longer enough to provide sufficient mana for the current Number Zero.”
Li Xiuman stroked his chin.
“But I can't find where Number Zero has changed.”
“Is my Golem skill level still too low?”
“Whatever. Let's swap out Number Zero's core.”
Li Xiuman took off Number Zero's top and had it turn around, revealing its smooth back.
It would be easier to replace the core from behind.
After all, the pink-melt stone blocks on its front were a bit in the way.
He retrieved all the magic stones he currently had.
A Level 30 Goblin King magic stone, a Level 30 troll magic stone, and a Level 30 Three-Headed Fire Crocodile King magic stone.
Any of these three would be more than enough for Number Zero's current state.
Ultimately, Li Xiuman took out the Three-Headed Fire Crocodile King's magic stone.
Then, he took out a few ingots of magic steel and placed them beside the magic stone.
“Golem Creation!”
The irregular magic stone lit up with a magical glow, squirming like modeling clay as it slowly fused with the magic steel.
Before long, Li Xiuman had crafted a spherical Golem Core.
It looked like a red crystal ball, with several metallic connection ports of various sizes protruding from it.
Li Xiuman named this core the Second-Generation Golem Core.
It was a design upgrade Li Xiuman created based on the First-Generation Golem Core.
The First-Generation Golem Core had two main power supply tubes and four functional branch tubes.
On the other hand, the Second-Generation Golem Core boasted three main power supply tubes and eight functional branch tubes, doubling the performance of its predecessor.
It was a masterpiece he took great pride in.
With this core supplying mana, Number Zero would be able to cast spells faster and sustain prolonged battles.
It could also be equipped with more magic items without worrying about mana consumption.
Parting the components on Number Zero's back, the intricate internal structure was revealed.
The glowing red Golem Core was clearly visible within.
To prevent Number Zero from shutting down directly and losing its current memories and consciousness—which would ruin all of Li Xiuman's hard work—he specially injected a stream of mana to keep Number Zero's consciousness active.
Then, he carefully pulled the First-Generation Golem Core out from Number Zero's back.
The Golem Core made from the Level 20 lizardman king's magic stone was looking rather dim.
Next, Li Xiuman carefully inserted the new Golem Core—made from the Level 30 Three-Headed Fire Crocodile King's magic stone—into Number Zero's chest cavity from the back.
Once the magic circuits were connected one by one, Li Xiuman slowly withdrew his hand, adjusted the components back into place, and restored Number Zero's back to its smooth state.
Likely because it was the core's initial activation, Number Zero's entire body grew piping hot, and the red glow from its chest nearly shone through its pink-melt stone skin.
Its eyes turned crimson, and its silver hair began to drift upward strand by strand, shimmering with light.
[Fire Magic Level 3] Acquired.
[Swiftness Level 3] Acquired.
[Hard Armor Level 2] Acquired.
Three new skills suddenly appeared in Number Zero's skill list, and the searing high temperature of its body finally began to subside.
“Number Zero, how do you feel?”
Li Xiuman asked, looking at Number Zero.
Number Zero raised its smooth hands, looked down at its body, and nodded.
“Does that mean you're doing well?”
“It looks like the Second-Generation Golem Core is highly effective.”
Li Xiuman walked in a circle around Number Zero, growing more satisfied the more he looked.
As expected of his most outstanding Golem creation.
Should he build a Number Two using Number Zero as a prototype?
Li Xiuman's vision for the Number Two Golem was a Mage.
He dressed Number Zero back in its top, tying a beautiful ribbon at its waist.
Then, with Number Zero's assistance, Li Xiuman crafted a large number of Golems and placed them in his storage space, replenishing the Golems consumed in his recent battles.
Early the next morning.
Having rested for the night, Li Xiuman did not linger at home any longer. He headed toward the dungeon to resume his previous exploration.
The moment he stepped into the Landmark Tower, Li Xiuman instinctively sensed a threat.
He looked at his wrist; the Omen Crystal had turned a blood red!
“Retreat!”
Li Xiuman tried desperately to back away.
But it was already too late.
His entire body became incredibly heavy in an instant, and his foot came down.
A familiar sensation rose from beneath his feet.
This was definitely not the feeling of entering a dungeon.
This was... the sensation of teleportation magic!
Someone had set up a trap at the entrance of the Landmark Tower in advance, specifically waiting to trigger it the moment he stepped inside!
A forced teleportation spell!
When had he ever offended someone capable of this?
Was it Count Wit? Viscount Fantes's backer? Or the bone dragon Pound?
No, it was impossible. None of them would move against him like this!
Who on earth was it?!
Li Xiuman racked his brains, but there was no time left.
The surrounding scenery began to warp, just like a teleportation spell in progress.
No one noticed anything unusual about him. Even if they saw it, they would only assume it was the normal effect of entering a dungeon.
This was exactly what the person who had set up this teleportation magic was counting on!
Li Xiuman tried to look around.
Several adventurers had entered the Landmark Tower just before him, yet none of them had shown any signs of teleporting.
This meant the person activating the teleportation spell was nearby!
They were after him, and had activated the teleportation spell the very moment they saw him step into the Landmark Tower!
But Li Xiuman's vision was already blurring.
His surroundings twisted into a swirling vortex. After a wave of dizziness, Li Xiuman swayed as he stepped onto an unfamiliar plot of land.
The crystal on his wrist was still a bright, blood red!
Without a moment's hesitation, Li Xiuman retrieved the Shield of the King and thrust it in front of himself.
A greatsword slammed down right at him!
Li Xiuman and the Shield of the King were both sent flying.
With a sharp pain in his back, Li Xiuman plowed a deep furrow into the ground before scrambling to his feet in a wretched state.
“So it really is you.”
The assailant spoke.
Only then did Li Xiuman get a clear view of his surroundings.
He was completely surrounded. A massive number of fully equipped Warriors and Mages hemmed him into the center.
There were easily a dozen of them, and at a glance, not a single one was below a Level 20 Tier 2 classholder.
The blonde guy who had just sent him flying with the greatsword was actually Level 38.
On either side of him stood an old man.
An Elementalist, Level 43.
A Swordsman, Level 48.
It was a dead end.
Rate on N.U.
