Protagonist: Hold me and then sit on it.
The gatekeeper took the two passes from Xiu. After confirming that there were no errors, he looked at Du Ze and the demon sisters behind Xiu and said: "Only two people can pass."
Xiu pointed to himself and Du Ze. "Just me and him."
"Chirp." The little Phoenix on Du Ze's head chirped, showing its presence.
The gatekeeper stared at the still trembling yellow furball: "What is this? A chicken? "
If I said this is a Phoenix, would you believe me?
Du Ze's face was expressionless as he exuded a gloomy aura. Since he woke up, Du Ze found that the furball had made a home on his head. Although the little Phoenix was still trembling, it was completely used to it. It used its little claws to pull Du Ze's black hair and then squatted down with satisfaction. Whenever Du Ze tried to get it off, the little Phoenix would bite Du Ze's hair and not let go.
The gatekeeper glanced at the little Phoenix a few times and lost interest. He put away the pass and rang the bell. The heavy gate of the fortress was slowly lifted and a black swamp appeared in front of everyone. A thin fog filled the swamp and a strong smell of decay wafted through the air. This was the Death Swamp. It was the battlefield of the angels and the demons, but also the battlefield of the gnomes and the undead. As long as they cross the Death Swamp, they can enter the Lost Land.
Xiu pulled Du Ze through the gate without hesitation. Du Ze couldn't help but look back at the demon sisters. Even though they had said goodbye in advance, Violet was still sobbing. Alice stood beside her and gently hugged her sister. Noticing Du Ze's gaze, the girl in red smiled and her voice came from afar.
"Have a pleasant journey, Lord Xiu, Mr. Du Ze. We will be your most loyal servants at all times. "
The heavy gate of the fortress closed again, cutting off the girl's smile and voice.
After entering the Death Swamp, the smell of decay rushed into Du Ze's nose. The little Phoenix sneezed several times. The biggest sneeze was a small flame that burned off a few strands of Du Ze's hair.
Du Ze: …
Xiu stopped and softly chanted a few syllables. A breeze blew and Du Ze felt that the air was much fresher. This was a very useful small wind magic. At least it was very effective in saving some silly, cute person's hair.
"Watch your step."
Xiu and Du Ze walked for a while in the swamp. Suddenly, a shadow appeared in the fog in front of them. Xiu and Du Ze stopped, but the shadow opposite them was still alarmed. The black shadow was about three meters tall. It turned around, and two blue lights appeared in the mist.
Xiu stood in front of Du Ze and chanted a few incantations. A gust of wind instantly tore through the thin fog, revealing the shadow's full appearance. It was a tall robot. Its hands were long and big, and its entire body was wrapped in chains. There was a star painted on its left chest. Its body was metallic, iron-gray, and the blue light was its eyes.
Du Ze suddenly had the illusion that he was in a sci-fi world. He knew that the robot in front of him was called a mechanical puppet in "Mixed Blood," one of the gnomes' most famous works.
The blue light in the mechanical puppet's eyes swept over Xiu and Du Ze. It issued an electronically synthesized voice: "Beep – Life detected x3; Race identification, beep – Not a gnome; Alignment identification, beep – Unable to identify; Comprehensive identification, beep – Enable enemy plan C, expel the life."
The blue light in the mechanical puppet's eyes flashed. It faced Du Ze and Xiu, and its voice suddenly became louder.
"Warning! Please leave this place within 10 seconds, otherwise you will be attacked. 10, 9, 8 … "
Seeing that Xiu had no intention of leaving, Du Ze pulled Xiu. "Do you want to fight?"
Xiu seemed a little startled. "What's wrong?"
"It didn't say …" Seeing Xiu's reaction, Du Ze suddenly had a bad guess. "You, you don't understand?"
Du Ze always thought that the mechanical puppet was speaking the common language of the continent, but now he remembered that in "Mixed Blood," the mechanical puppet spoke the gnome language – for Du Ze, this world's language is strange, but there is an invisible being that translates it for him. It's like a foreigner speaking a foreign language in front of him. He has a translation machine that can understand, but he can't tell whether the other person is speaking French or Russian.
Xiu nodded and asked: "What did it say?"
Du Ze didn't have time to answer when the mechanical puppet's countdown came to an end.
"… 3, 2, 1, switch to attack mode." The blue light in the mechanical puppet's eyes turned red. "Mark the target, share target information, beep – begin expulsion."
The mechanical puppet pulled out the chains from its body and rushed over with heavy steps.
Xiu pulled out his sword and took the initiative to meet it. When the mechanical puppet saw Xiu approaching, it waved its hands and threw the thick chains in its hands at Xiu. The sword in Xiu's hand made a clanging sound as it struck the chains, creating sparks. The colorless battle energy poured into the chains through the blade of the sword, producing an unimaginable destructive force. The chains of the mechanical puppet broke one by one and fell to the ground.
However, even after breaking all the chains, Xiu had to retreat. He looked at the sword in his hand. It was a sword he bought in Agares City. Even with the support of battle energy, there were still a few cracks on the blade. This is enough to show the terrible power of the mechanical puppet. The mechanical puppet didn't care about its broken chains. It pulled out several more chains from its body and attacked again.
This time, Xiu didn't catch the chains. He silently recited a few incantations and the breeze blew his blond hair. Xiu bent his legs slightly and then jumped to a height that was difficult to reach – it was as if the wind had lifted him up. Light shone from behind the blond youth, and the shadow cast by the light shrouded the mechanical puppet below. Xiu held the sword with both hands and filled it with battle energy. As it fell, it stabbed the mechanical puppet's head.
The sword was finally unable to bear the weight and broke. At this time, the mechanical puppet's head was also destroyed. The headless mechanical puppet paused for a moment, then stretched out its big hand and tried to grab Xiu who was standing on its shoulder. Xiu was almost caught by the mechanical puppet. He jumped down from the mechanical puppet and looked at it, panting slightly as it waved its hands. The mechanical puppet's head is probably the place where it collects information. At this time, the headless mechanical puppet was circling in place, trying to find its enemy.
To stop the mechanical puppet, it must destroy its power center, but there is no need to destroy it at this time. Du Ze and Xiu bypassed the headless mechanical puppet and continued to move forward.
On the road, Xiu asked about the previous conversation: "What did the mechanical puppet say?"
Du Ze repeated the mechanical puppet's words to Xiu. After listening, Xiu was thoughtful. On the road, they saw several mechanical puppets. Because they discovered them in time, they avoided them. But as they went deeper and deeper, the number of mechanical puppets gradually increased, from one or two to four or five of them appearing at the same time. The area they could evade became narrower and narrower. Sometimes, they had to take a long detour to avoid the patrolling mechanical puppets.
Xiu and Du Ze walked for a while and then heard the faint sound of fighting. The wind of the battle blew away the fog and a huge mechanical puppet appeared in front of them. It was twice the size of the previous mechanical puppets and the star on its chest had become two. Confronting the two-star mechanical puppet were two demons. At this time, their appearances were battered and they had varying degrees of injuries.
Xiu thought for a moment and then told Du Ze to wait for him. Qian Bian changed into the shape of the magic sword Burning Desire. Xiu held the magic sword in his hand and swung it, then joined the battle. With Xiu's help, the demons finally defeated the huge mechanical puppet.
One of the demons, who was less injured, came over and thanked Xiu: "We are the guards of Agares City. Thank you for your assistance."
"What happened?" Xiu glanced at the fallen mechanical puppet: "Why are there so many mechanical puppets?"
"We are also investigating the cause." The demon frowned in distress. "I don't know what happened in the Exiled Grounds, but these metal lumps have all been activated and are attacking anyone they see. You've also encountered those 1-star mechanical puppets, right?" He made a gesture on his chest and then pointed to the huge mechanical puppet: "This is a two-star mechanical puppet. Its strength is ten times that of a one-star mechanical puppet. It is about the level of a Great Swordsman." The demon finally pointed forward, his eyes flashing with fear. "If you continue walking forward, you will discover that it is all 2-star mechanical puppets, densely packed together."
Hearing this, Xiu was silent. The two demons decided to return because they were injured. After they left, Du Ze went to Xiu's side and heard the blond youth whisper: "I have an idea … Let's try it."
Five days later.
The Death Swamp was still filled with mist. A one-star mechanical puppet wandered aimlessly. Suddenly, it glanced at two figures.
"Beep – Life detected x3; Conducting race identification. Beep – Gnome detected!" The blue light in the mechanical puppet's eyes flashed. "Conducting identity identification. Beep – This person is not found. Initially determined to be an individual lost by the system. Conducting comprehensive identification. Beep – Activate protection plan A and escort the individual to the 'home'."
The mechanical puppet's huge body knelt in front of the small figure, stretched out its hand, and quietly waited for its master's response. The flaxen-haired gnome grabbed the black-haired youth next to him and raised his head, revealing a pair of amber eyes. "What did it say?"
Du Ze's eyes wandered between Xiu and the mechanical puppet. The dwarf's small stature was set off by the two-meter-tall mechanical puppet, but it was this contrast that gave Du Ze an indescribable shock. He dryly repeated the mechanical puppet's words. After listening, Xiu stared at the mechanical puppet's open hand and then said to Du Ze: "Hold me and then sit on it."
Du Ze's brain instantly broke a hole: these words coupled with the Moe Lord's tender appearance made him look like a child who wanted to be hugged.
Some silly, cute person who had lost his incarnation bent down and clumsily held Xiu in his arms. Xiu's slender arm wrapped around Du Ze's neck and he rested his chin on Du Ze's shoulder. His eyes were attracted to Du Ze's earlobe: it seemed very soft …
The mechanical puppet picked Du Ze up and the sudden jolt made Du Ze feel like his ear had been severely rubbed. The mechanical puppet began to run and Du Ze had to grab its shoulder to prevent it from falling. The place where he was rubbed was burning hot and he couldn't help but want to cover it with ice to cool it.
On the road, they saw all kinds of mechanical puppets. When they saw Xiu, they would stop and solemnly watch them leave. The closer they got to the Lost Land, the more mechanical puppets there were. The number of stars on their chests also increased from one to three. In the end, all they could see were three-star mechanical puppets. Du Ze was alarmed. If Xiu hadn't transformed into his gnome form, they would have rushed in from the periphery and would only have ended up in a dead end.
The outer membrane of the Lost Land was getting closer and closer. It was a milky white membrane. As long as they passed through it, they could enter the Lost Land. The mechanical puppet passed through the membrane without the slightest pause. Du Ze looked at the familiar scene. Whether it was the ice crystal ground, the sky up and down, or the pillar of light in the distance, they all gave him the illusion that he was a human again.
After the mechanical puppet entered the Lost Land, it took out a flying saucer and activated it. The flying saucer buzzed and flew up to lead the way, followed by the mechanical puppet. Du Ze had been using the word "tsundere" to describe the Lost Land, but in fact, it is more accurate to say that the Lost Land is like a large array. Walking around the pillar of light is one way to break it, but it is not the only way. There is more than one path to the pillar of light. The gnomes alone have found no less than ten paths, the fastest of which only takes one day to reach the pillar of light.
When the mechanical puppet carried Du Ze and Xiu into the pillar of light, they saw a completely open metal pyramid in front of them. It was still in an activated state, and as soon as they entered, they could see the huge spatial eye at the end. The flying saucer flew above the mechanical puppet, and a red light shone down and enveloped them all. Du Ze felt a sense of weightlessness as they were guided into the spatial eye by the flying saucer.
As they got closer and closer to the spatial eye, the flying saucer's red light became brighter and brighter until it was almost impossible to see outside. The moment they entered the spatial eye, Du Ze didn't know if it was because of the protective effect of the red light, but he only felt dizzy for a moment. He didn't lose consciousness. When the red light gradually faded, Du Ze looked at the scene outside and was stunned for a moment.
It was like he had returned to the 21st century.
This was a city made of steel. Gray was the main color of the whole city. Large and small machines could be seen everywhere in the streets. Some of them had lost their energy and were lying quietly in the corner, while others were still active. Du Ze looked up. He couldn't see the sky. The whole city seemed to be built underground or in a cave. Large and small balls of light lit up the city as if it was daytime.
He knew the name of the city. Du Ze's heart began to beat faster. It was as if he could hear the main plot of "Mixed Blood" whispering to him.
Welcome to … the Gnome Ruins.
*****
*****
[Explore the Gnome Ruins: No Level Task. Go to the Gnome Ruins to find materials. The task level and reward depend on the level of the materials. Client: Mercenary Union.]
The receptionist saw Xiu staring at the "Explore the Gnome Ruins" message on the bulletin board. She kindly suggested: "It's best not to try this task. The Gnome Ruins is not a good place to play."
"If I complete the task and get an S rating, can my mercenary rank rise?" Xiu asked expressionlessly.
"Your current mercenary rank is E, if you can get S-rank materials …" The receptionist calculated and replied: "Your mercenary rank can be upgraded to A."
"Go ahead." Without the slightest nonsense, Xiu put his mercenary card on the counter.
The receptionist wanted to persuade him. She was a little reluctant to let such a beautiful creature die. But when the receptionist saw the elf's indifferent gaze, she sighed and began to accept the task.
– excerpt from "Mixed Blood"
The author has something to say: Protagonist (Gnome): You hold me and then sit on it.
Reader: Yo.
…
Protagonist (Demon): Oh … no strength?
Reader: … Damn you! Hiss – QAQ
Author: What happened in the middle? How should I know? ▽ ⊙
***
Recently, there have been a lot of things, so the update time is not stable.
T Small Theater will make up for it when I have time. Tomorrow, I will try to make up for the last update.
Thanks to Flashy Three Thousand, Bean Oil, Purple Cloud Catkin, Moshang Nan Feiyan (8), Hei Zi, Walnut Sauce, Moral Integrity Monarch Is Dead, Zhi Liang, Covering Face Sauce, Murong Niuniu, Raining Sun (2), Ji, One Flower One World, Wood Sauce, Glutinous Rice Ball (3), Walkin, Maltese, Bing 001646, Lan, Wenren Tired Night, Loving You for a Lifetime (3), Little Attack, Little Shou Family, Lu, Vest (2), Gu Su, Anan, Ye Sheng, Dada, 12568127, SOS, Mud (2), North Phoenix, Yi Sheng, Moon Tide, Rabbit Likes Meat, Xiaoyue, BLX, 7 + 7 +, Auntie Bean Sprout, Non-slip Banana Peel, Gutian Te, Two Bad Cats ~, jingge4301, Aurora, Lisa LISA, Sesame Candy Ball, Clear Fruit, ZsfaeiE's Mine ~
Thanks to Ice Pumpkin, Zizi, = - = [Meh? , Yi Sheng, Bing 001646, Xixi's Xixi, Qiu Lang, Lobelia's Grenade ~
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