Chapter 5: The Steel Sentry
Zen stared at the holographic feed from the mining drone. The discovery of the "Seal of the First Architect" was a game-changer, but his engineering instincts screamed a warning. In any construction project, opening a long-sealed structural element without securing the perimeter was a recipe for disaster.
"Grim, hold the excitement," Zen said, his voice cold and analytical. "That door has been sealed for centuries. Whatever is behind it might be pressurized, toxic, or worse—it might be guarded. We don't open a vault in a monster-infested tunnel without a proper defense system."
Grim nodded, the fire of curiosity in his eyes tempered by Zen's logic. "You're right, lad. The Stalkers will be drawn to the vibration of a breaching drill like flies to a carcass."
[Objective Selected: Establish Perimeter Defense]
[Analyzing Resources: High-Purity Iron (50 Units), Native Copper (30 Units), Obsidian Scrap (15 Units)]
Zen's fingers danced across the AR interface, pulling up a new schematic. He didn't just need a gun; he needed a smart system that could operate in the pitch-black tunnels of the Abyss.
[Blueprint Selected: 'Sentry-Mk I' Auto-Turret]
[Features: Thermal Imaging, Mana-Core Powered, Rapid-Fire Iron Slugs]
"Grim, I need you and the boys to smelt the iron into 10-millimeter cylinders. Use the furnace's excess heat," Zen commanded. "I'll handle the logic boards and the mana-targeting sensors."
The cavern transformed into a high-speed assembly line. The dwarves, now proficient with Zen's tools, worked the molten metal with rhythmic precision. Meanwhile, Zen disassembled a few spare parts from the mining drone to create the "brains" of the turrets. He etched micro-runes onto copper plates using the heat-tip of his wrench—a process of Arcane Circuitry that bridged the gap between modern programming and magic.
[Synthesis Complete: Sentry-Mk I (x2)]
Two tripod-mounted machines stood ready. They looked utilitarian and lethal, finished in a dull, non-reflective obsidian black. At the center of each turret was a rotating barrel and a glowing blue sensor eye that swept the room with a mechanical hum.
"Let's move," Zen said.
The team returned to the East Tunnel, positioned just fifty meters from the mysterious Royal Door. Zen deployed the turrets on two elevated rock ledges, creating a lethal crossfire zone.
"Zero-Two, begin the breach," Zen whispered.
As the mining drone's drill touched the white metal of the seal, a high-pitched screech echoed through the tunnels. The vibrations had done exactly what Zen feared. From the ceiling and the cracks in the walls, dozens of Shadow-Stalkers—lanky, six-legged horrors with translucent skin and jagged claws—dropped into the light.
"They're coming!" Grim yelled, raising his pickaxe.
"Stay behind the line!" Zen countered. "Turrets, authorize engagement. Free fire!"
The blue eyes of the sentries turned crimson.
RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT!
The tunnel was filled with the thunderous roar of mechanical gunfire. The iron slugs, accelerated by mana-pulses, tore through the Stalkers' fragile bodies before they could even get within leaping distance. The thermal sensors locked onto their heat signatures with 99.9% accuracy.
[Enemy Casualties: 14 Shadow-Stalkers]
[Ammo Reserves: 72%]
The carnage lasted less than a minute. The survivors retreated into the deep dark, realizing that this part of the tunnel now belonged to a new predator—one made of steel.
Zen walked toward the Royal Door, which was now beginning to hiss as the pressure seal finally gave way. "Perimeter secured. Now, let's see what my ancestors were so afraid of."
As the massive door groaned open, a gust of ancient, refrigerated air rushed out, carrying the scent of ozone and old parchment.