[Chapter 100. Intermediate Drones]
He climbed back onto the Travel Drone, the metal cool against his heated, sweat-slicked skin. As it rose into the stagnant air, the rush of wind against his face did little to cool the simmering anger boiling in his chest. He closed his eyes, forcing his breath into a steady, deliberate rhythm, pushing the frustration down into a dark corner of his mind. By the time the drone settled onto the gritty cavern floor at the second designated location, the white-hot fury had subsided, replaced by a cold, pragmatic resolve.
`There was nothing to be done now,` His hand tightening into a fist against the drone’s chassis. `The Order is gone, and the coins are with them. But if our paths cross again...` He left the thought unfinished, letting the silence of the cave provide the punctuation.
The Travel Drone descended into a sub-chamber illuminated by pulsing pools of phosphorescent liquid. Searanox's gaze swept across the cavern, recognizing the landmarks from his Recon Drones earlier report. He dismounted, his boots crunching on the brittle stone as he approached one of the largest glowing pools.
The liquid bubbled with a faint, rhythmic heat, thick plumes of steam rising from its glowing surface. Beneath the shimmering blue-green film—about a meter down—he could make out the dark, rectangular outline of a small chest nestled firmly at the bottom of the shallow pool.
Searanox summoned a Cargo Drone, the metallic cube materializing with a soft hum. "Retrieve the chest," he commanded.
The drone descended, its underside meeting the glowing liquid. A sharp, violent hiss erupted instantly; steam rose in thick plumes as the liquid began to eat away at the drone's hull with terrifying speed. The corrosion was immediate—the drone's metallic surface blackened, pitted, and bubbled as it sank. It managed to reach the bottom and store the chest inside its spatial storage, but as it began its frantic ascent, the structural damage accelerated. The metal warped and dissolved. A jagged crack formed along its housing, expanding rapidly before the drone imploded with a dull, wet pop, leaving only a few fading blue sparks beneath the surface.
The chest, now free from the drone's failing grasp, settled back onto the pool floor.
"Fuck," Searanox muttered, his jaw tightening as he stared at the churning, glowing liquid. "This is going to be a process."
Through his new Cognitive Enhancement, the solution came within minutes as he sifted through various possibilities. He summoned another Cargo Drone, the metallic cube hovering at the pool's edge. It descended, its surface meeting the corrosive liquid with another violent hiss. Before the corrosion could claim it completely, a second drone dove in, snatched the box that the prior one expelled it onto its own top surface just before it was destroyed. The second drone took the chest and as it reached the waterline.
A third drone, fresh from summoning, swooped down to meet it. The second drone imploded beneath the surface, its hull dissolving into sparks just as the third drone—chest in tow—ascended safely from the pool. It carried the prize to the cavern floor, setting it down with a soft, metallic click beside Searanox.
The chest was smaller than the previous one, its dark wood polished to a mirror sheen despite the corrosive environment it had inhabited. He hesitated, his fingers hovering over the surface. A quick tap with his fingertip revealed no residual heat; the box was strangely cold to the touch. Searanox placed his palm flat against the lid, the cold seeping into his skin as he confirmed his assessment. With a firm grip, he lifted the lid. The hinges opened without a sound, revealing the contents within.
Inside lay a single, matte-black ticket. Its surface was cool and smooth against his fingertips.
A Level 30 Gear Voucher
He turned it over in his hand, the weight of the possibility settling in his palm. A pre-selected item was useful, but the freedom to choose—that was true power. He closed his fingers around the voucher, the edge of the material pressing into his skin before he stored both the ticket and the small chest in his storage ring.
He needed to think. He now had the Level 15 Voucher from the Tidal Terrace and this new reward. The dungeon was officially done; its threats were neutralized, its secrets plundered. He had a tower to return to, and the night was already bleeding into the start of a new day. It was late—only minutes remained until midnight.
With nothing left to uncover in the depths, Searanox dismissed his remaining drones, save for the Travel Drone beneath him. The metallic disk ascended, carrying him from the oppressive, sulfurous darkness into the open night air. The damp, earthy stench of the Burrowing Depths fell away, replaced by the cool, crisp scent of the forest and the open sky.
He ignored the scenery. There was no time for sightseeing. The Travel Drone shot into the dark sky, a streak of silver against the stars, as Searanox directed it toward his tower. Minutes later, he arrived. The drone settled onto the roof with a soft hiss of stabilizing thrusters. He dismissed it, his boots landing on the polished stone beside his bedroom door. His basic armor—now a tattered, corroded remnant of its former self—clattered to the floor as he stripped it off.
Soon after, Searanox sat on the edge of the bed, the mattress groaning under his weight. He closed his eyes, the day's events replaying in high-definition—a chaotic montage of battles, betrayals, and the chilling, calculated encounter with the Golden Order. The memory of their condescension and their theft lingered like a bitter, metallic taste in his mouth.
He dismissed the lingering thoughts of betrayal and focused on the influx of new knowledge from his Summon Air Drone upgrade. The precise costs for each Intermediate Drone scrolled through his mind, and the numbers made him choke on his breath. To confirm, he mentally pulled up the construction costs again, hoping for a miscalculation.
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To construct a single intermediate drone, he would have to drain between 30 and 50 Tech Points, depending on the type, plus a material cost equal to its upkeep in Silver Coins.
He decided to test the system first. A thought summoned an Intermediate Assault Drone. He felt the drain immediately: 48 Tech Points and 7 Silver Coins vanished from his resources. No physical drone appeared in the room, but he could sense its existence within the separate spatial storage the skill now provided.
Satisfied, he committed. 280 Tech Points and 41 Silver Coins disappeared in rapid succession as he constructed one of every intermediate variety. One after another, they appeared inside his mental inventory, safely contained. He brought them out one by one to inspect his new arsenal.
The construct emerged not as a simple sphere, but as a horizontal crescent of dark metal, roughly 35 centimeters across. Hexagonal plating, dark and non-reflective, was arranged over a reinforced alloy frame. Four glowing crimson lenses were set in a diamond pattern, pulsing with a low, threatening light. Four articulated cannon barrels, recessed during travel, slid silently into position with a soft click, their ports glowing a faint crimson.
[Intermediate Assault Drone]
─ Tier: Intermediate
─ Construction: 48 TP and 7 Silver coins
─ Upkeep: 7/min
─ Range: 960 m × Level
─ Speed: 30 km/h
─ Weapon: Quad Light Cannons
─ Extra: Burst Fire Mode, Adaptive Targeting
─ Stats: 20% of Summoner
─ Purpose: Elite frontline combat and armor piercing
Next, he summoned the Intermediate Offensive Drone. It appeared as a sleek sphere of gunmetal gray with fuselage-shaped wings, heat-sink ridges running along its sides. Approximately 40 centimeters in length, each wing housed a barrel, while a single elongated lens dominated its front, glowing with a malevolent violet light.
The drone hummed with a different pitch—a higher, more focused whine that spoke of concentrated energy. It was built for a single purpose: to deliver overwhelming, singular damage to a critical point. The constant, low-frequency thrum emanating from it vibrated in the air. This was a weapon—an efficient engine of destruction designed to break formations and pierce armor.
[Intermediate Offensive Drone]
─ Tier: Intermediate
─ Construction: 40 TP and 6 Silver coins
─ Upkeep: 6/min
─ Range: 1500 m × Level
─ Speed: 30 km/h
─ Weapon: Twin Heavy Beam Emitters
─ Extra: Piercing Shot, Focus Fire mode
─ Stats: 18% of Summoner
─ Purpose: Long-range bombardment and destruction of high-value targets
The Intermediate Defensive Drone materialized as a flattened hexagonal disk of dark metal, its broad face covered in a complex geometric lattice. A central orb pulsed with deep sapphire light. Unlike the others, this drone was nearly silent, its presence felt more as a subtle pressure in the air than a sound.
It was a portable fortress—a mobile shield generator whose sole function was to absorb punishment that would shred lesser defenses. He could feel its potential, a promise of absolute protection against even the most overwhelming firepower.
[Intermediate Defensive Drone]
─ Tier: Intermediate
─ Construction: 44 TP and 6 Silver coins
─ Upkeep: 6/min
─ Range: 600 m × Level
─ Speed: 15 km/h
─ Weapon: None
─ Extra: Multi-Layer Barrier Projector
─ Stats: 22% of Summoner
─ Purpose: Advanced area denial and high-value target protection
He then called forth the Intermediate Healing Drone. It had a more complex appearance, resembling a polished silver octahedron slowly rotating in the air. Facets of crystal were embedded in its metal body, each catching the light and refracting it into soft, soothing green. It emitted a gentle, melodic chime, a sound that seemed to calm the very air around it.
This wasn't just a hovering medkit; it was a sophisticated piece of magitech designed to knit flesh and bone back together with impossible speed.
[Intermediate Healing Drone]
─ Tier: Intermediate
─ Construction: 40 TP and 5 Silver coins
─ Upkeep: 5/min
─ Range: 400 m × Level
─ Speed: 15 km/h
─ Weapon: None
─ Extra: Regenerative Pulse Beam, Toxin Purge
─ Stats: 18% of Summoner
─ Purpose: Rapid combat recovery and curing of status ailments
The Intermediate Travel Drone materialized, its form a stark departure from its basic predecessor. Gone was the simple disk shape, replaced by a chassis reminiscent of an ATV, its metallic frame sleek and devoid of wheels. Dark blue lines pulsed softly across its surface, tracing patterns like circuits in constant motion.
It emitted only the faintest hum, nearly imperceptible against the silence of the room. The connection to it was immediate—a crisp, responsive link that promised speeds and maneuverability far exceeding its basic counterpart.
[Intermediate Travel Drone]
─ Tier: Intermediate
─ Construction: 36 TP and 7 Silver coins
─ Upkeep: 7/min
─ Range: 2500 m × Level
─ Speed: 100 km/h × Level / 10 (max), 60 km/h × Level / 10 (with passenger)
─ Weapon: None
─ Extra: Passenger Seat (1)
─ Stats: 15% of Summoner
─ Purpose: Rapid personnel transport over difficult terrain
His Intermediate Cargo Drone emerged as a thick, armored octagonal prism of matte black metal, its corners reinforced with gleaming steel. A faint blue light pulsed from within, indicating the spatial distortion of its internal storage.
It was brutish and functional, designed for heavy lifting and durability in hazardous environments. The sheer capacity of its internal space felt vast—a significant upgrade from the basic model.
[Intermediate Cargo Drone]
─ Tier: Intermediate
─ Construction: 40 TP and 6 Silver coins
─ Upkeep: 6/min
─ Range: 900 m × Level
─ Speed: 45 km/h
─ Weapon: None
─ Extra: Expanded Dimensional Storage (200kg x Level)
─ Stats: 20% of Summoner
─ Purpose: Large-scale material transport and logistical support
Finally, the Intermediate Reconnaissance Drone appeared. It was the smallest—a teardrop of dark, non-reflective material slightly larger than a grapefruit. A single multi-lensed optic dominated its surface, rotating silently as it took in its surroundings. It was almost impossible to hear, and its dark coloration made it a shadow that could slip by unnoticed.
It was the perfect spy—an unseen eye in any room.
[Intermediate Reconnaissance Drone]
─ Tier: Intermediate
─ Construction: 32 TP and 4 Silver coins
─ Upkeep: 4/min
─ Range: 4.0 km × Level
─ Speed: 60 km/h
─ Weapon: None
─Extra: Stealth Mode, Multi-Spectrum Sensors Array
─ Stats: 15% of Summoner
─ Purpose: Advanced scouting and intelligence gathering
Once he had finished inspecting each drone, he dismissed them. They vanished in a cloud of sparks, but unlike his basic drones, they did not dissipate entirely—instead, they shifted back into the dedicated spatial storage area, ready for instant deployment.