(POV: The Unnamed Professor)
Oh boy… this one looks strong.
The white goblin didn't look anything like the ones from fiction.
It had pale, chalk-white skin, glowing purple eyes, and strange red markings etched all over its wiry body.
SWOOSH!
Now that it had revealed itself, dodging was easier—but I still couldn't land a hit. This robot body is just too damn slow.
CRACK!
The floor split as one of my clubs smashed down, missing the goblin by inches.
Damn it… if this keeps up, my metal frame is going to snap before I even leave this dungeon.
SWISH!
Damn it! This is tougher than bloodyborne!
SLASH!!
Its claws are too sharp!
It was then that I noticed something—its attack pattern. Not perfect, but it repeated the same sequence 73% of the time.
The third strike… it always came down with both claws in a heavy overhead slash.
That's my shot!
I focused on the corpse behind me while dodging by keeping an eye on the goblin's movements.
There!
I changed my rhythm and smashed one of my clubs upward into the floor, sending a cloud of dust and debris straight into its face.
SWISH!
THONK!
I darted toward the corpse, hurling my other club at the goblin's head to stall it.
Got it!
SCREECH!
It lunged, shrieking.
One.
SLASH!
Two.
SCRATCH!
Now!
Pierce through!!
SPLASH!
Blood sprayed across the floor as I plunged a dagger straight into its gut.
SLASH!!
I twisted and dragged the blade sideways, splitting open its stomach. Its entrails spilled out as the goblin collapsed, clutching its wounds.
Dead.
Damn… that was way more gruesome than I expected.
I flicked the blood off the dagger, still getting used to how this robot body moved. Then it hit me—energy. A surge of it, flowing into me.
Mana. A lot of it.
Did I just absorb the goblin's mana?
I looked down at its corpse—it was shriveling, mummifying before my eyes.
So if someone loses all their mana… they lose their vitality too?
[!01000111!^01101001!^01100110!@01110100%]
What?! It's that damn voice again!
[User has leveled up!]
[User has gained the skill: Manabreak!]
[User is now eligible for a Lifewell Ritual!]
Wait. I was just joking earlier. I didn't actually think I'd get a system…
System! Show me my stats!
[User, please enter full name: ______ ]
…Eh?
Do I have to?
[User, please enter full name: ______ ]
Ugh. Fine…
The Professor!
[Incorrect.]
[User, please enter full name: ______ ]
What the—seriously?
Sigh. (Metaphorically. No lungs.)
Zeren Andromeda.
[Welcome, Zeren.]
[Zeren Andromeda]
[Level: 2]
[Stats:]
Health: 20/23
Mana: 200/200
Strength: 0
Agility: 2
Magic: 169
[Skills:]
• Repair – Allows the user to repair inorganic material. The more mana-dense, the faster the repair.
• Manabreak – Disrupts mana structures (spells, runes) using your own mana. The more complex the structure, the more it costs.
[Abilities:]
• [&(^@) !%^ @)% !#!!!!]
• Mattershift – A unique ability that allows the user to reshape inorganic material on a molecular level. The stronger or more complex the material, the more difficult and mana-intensive it becomes.
...
Mixed feelings here.
The skills and abilities? Kinda busted.
The stats? Absolute dogsh*t.
Well… except Mana, but I am literally made of it.
Repair seems common-grade, but—wait a second.
Since my host is a robot, then technically…
Repair!
A blue glow coated my damaged limbs. The cracks and chips sealed up in seconds.
Damn! This is broken!
I basically have built-in fast self-healing for this frame—with almost no cost.
Hehehe.
I am unstoppable.
Manabreak also seems cracked, especially for countering magic monsters.
Now about that glitched ability… no matter how many times I press it, nothing happens.
Huh. I'll leave that alone for now.
But Mattershift? That's basically magical alchemy.
I tested it on my club weapon. After about ten minutes…
SWISH!
It turned into a shortsword. I gave it a few swings.
Oho… it's sharp. Really sharp.
Powerful… but pricey. It drained almost half my mana.
Still, with this? I can build myself a better body. A stronger one.
Though the materials I have now won't cut it.
I need to find another Roomba!
But first… I should really examine that corpse. He might have something useful.
Alright. Call me a cop, 'cause I'm about to search and seize without a warrant.
…
Time passed as I scavenged the dead man's belongings.
Another dagger.
Two small magic crystals.
A pouch of silver coins.
Jackpot.
Thankfully, this janitor bot has a trash compartment. That's now my loot pouch.
Okay. My current goals:
First, find two more Roombas. I need enough material to make a small humanoid vessel—something like a golem, but more humanoid puppet-like. Low profile. No attention.
Second, Grow stronger.
Finally, Find a way out of here.
...
Alright.
Let's move.