Chapter 206: Chapter 200: Perpetual Motion? Rampage in the Lava Lake (Part 2)

"Excellent. At this rate, clearing out the entire lava lake is just a matter of time."

However, just as he was about to give the command to press deeper—

[WARNING!]

Jarvis’s voice suddenly grew urgent.

[Extremely strong Magic Power fluctuation detected. Approaching at high speed!]

[Depth: 80 meters. Magic Power fluctuation level: 2800!]

A massive shadow emerged from the deeper magma, its silhouette growing clearer and clearer.

It was about fifteen meters long and covered entirely in thick, dark-red scales, each the size of a washbasin with a metallic sheen along its edges.

Its four limbs were as thick as stone pillars, and its sharp claws left dark-red vortexes as they cut through the magma.

Two ferocious heads grew side-by-side, their four scarlet, vertical pupils locked tightly onto PX-2.

[Two-headed Molten Core Lizard Lord. Magic Power Fluctuation: 2800. Threat Level: High.]

Allen’s gaze instantly turned grave.

’It’s finally here.’

"Fire Demon, I’m leaving it to you."

Unsure of the Two-headed Lizard Lord’s true strength, Allen simply handed full control of the battle to PX-2.

[As you command, my master.]

PX-2’s eyes flared to life as it took a defensive stance.

Before the Two-headed Lizard Lord even got close, both its heads opened their cavernous maws simultaneously, a scorching light surging from deep within their throats.

The next second—

BOOM!

Two thick streams of Fire Elemental breath erupted from its mouths, rushing forward within the magma.

PX-2 did not evade. Activating its AT Field to full power, it charged head-on into the breath attack.

The breath slammed into the AT Field, and the dark-red liquid erupted outward along the invisible barrier, which didn’t budge an inch. Instead, a massive amount of Fire Elemental Magic Power was greedily absorbed by the "Conduction Runes" and converted into its own energy.

[External Temperature: 3100 degrees. Armor Integrity: 100%. Volcanic Engine Conversion Efficiency: 100%!]

"Are you trying to charge me up?" a booming voice emanated from within PX-2, laced with obvious mockery, not caring whether its opponent could understand.

The Lord seemed to falter for a moment, its ineffective attack causing it to hesitate briefly.

But what followed was an even more violent rage. Its massive body suddenly accelerated, and in an instant, it was in front of PX-2. Its thick limbs unleashed astonishing power within the magma as its claws, filled with an all-tearing might, slashed viciously at PX-2’s head.

The true Fire Demon soul inside the Golem body of PX-2 cackled wickedly, completely unleashing its nature.

It showed no fear. The Runes on its right arm lit up inch by inch as a torrent of energy was madly injected into it.

"Titan’s Fist" activated abruptly!

BOOM—!

The fist slammed squarely into the Lord’s left head.

A terrifying force erupted in an instant. The impact blew a massive bubble in the magma, and even the surface of the lava lake above swelled high into the air.

The Lord’s left head was knocked sideways by the punch. Scales shattered, and dark-red blood mixed with magma sprayed out.

It did not retreat.

After letting out an enraged roar, a burst of Magic Power erupted as its right head lunged forward to bite PX-2’s shoulder.

CRUNCH—

Its sharp fangs actually broke through the AT Field, biting down on the armor with a piercing screech.

Several deep teeth marks appeared on PX-2’s shoulder armor, but it was not bitten through.

"Not bad, little bug. You’ve got some good teeth, hahaha!"

The Fire Demon’s laughter grew even more maniacal.

It raised its left hand, grabbed the Lord’s right head, and dug its five fingers firmly into its upper jaw.

Then—

it twisted with all its might!

CRACK!

The Lord’s right head was forcefully snapped, its entire neck bent at an unnatural angle.

The left head thrashed wildly, and its thick tail whipped repeatedly at PX-2’s waist like a battering ram.

BANG! The AT Field was breached again!

PX-2 was knocked several meters sideways by the tail whip, and a crack appeared on its waist armor.

[Armor Integrity: 92%.]

’This thing’s strength is immense. The AT Field shouldn’t be breached so easily. Is it using some kind of special ability?’

In the Odyssey’s cabin, Allen’s expression grew serious.

PX-2 stabilized itself and drew the "High-Frequency Piercing Spear" from its back.

The eighteen-meter-long giant spear traced an arc through the magma, its tip vibrating at high speed, pushing aside the surrounding lava.

The Lord seemed to sense the threat. Its huge body sank abruptly, attempting to get away from PX-2.

"Trying to run?"

PX-2 accelerated sharply, its Anti-Gravity Rune Array running at full power, shooting through the magma like a torpedo.

The piercing spear stabbed viciously toward the Lord’s abdomen—the spot where its scales were weakest.

PSHHH—

The spearhead pierced the scales and plunged deep into the Lord’s abdominal cavity.

The high-frequency vibrations continued to pulse, wreaking havoc inside the Lord’s body and tearing apart its internal organs.

The Lord let out a bloodcurdling screech. It struggled frantically, curling its body to strike back with its claws.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

With three consecutive heavy blows, the AT Field was breached again. Three deep claw marks appeared on PX-2’s chest armor.

[Armor Integrity: 82%]

The Lord thrashed its body wildly, flinging PX-2’s giant spear out of its abdomen.

PX-2 also pulled back to create some distance.

The creature’s claws and fangs were indeed formidable.

Watching the battle through their mental link, Allen frowned. ’A tough nut to crack.’

But in the next moment, he witnessed something that surprised him.

The wound on the Lord’s abdomen was healing at a rate visible to the naked eye. Even its snapped neck was recovering.

Nourished by the magma, the torn flesh and blood was madly growing and repairing itself.

[WARNING: Target possesses high-speed Regeneration Ability in a magma environment.]

’This is a problem now.’

The two sides battled for several more rounds in the magma, each collision stirring up enormous waves.

PX-2 was unable to inflict a fatal blow on the Lord, and the Lord was wary of PX-2’s weapon.

’If this becomes a battle of attrition, I can win,’ Allen judged internally.

PX-2’s energy reserves were depleting slowly, while the Lord’s Magic Power, though strong, was not infinite. After regenerating several times, it had clearly weakened.

The Lord seemed to realize this as well.

It felt threatened but couldn’t effectively harm its opponent. This stalemate would only put it at a disadvantage.

Finally, after another fierce collision, the Lord let out an unwilling, low roar.

Its massive body sank abruptly, diving into the deeper layers of magma and disappearing from sight.

[Target has retreated.]

"Fire Demon, you pull back too."

[As you command.]

PX-2 surfaced from the lava lake and stood on the black rock at its edge.

Its armor was covered in claw and teeth marks. The three deep gashes on its chest were particularly conspicuous.

But the Volcanic Engine was still running, a dark-red light flickering in its chest.

[Armor Integrity: 65%. Volcanic Engine intact. Energy Reserves: 78%.]

’If I can’t kill it, then I’ll make it so it doesn’t dare approach again.’

Allen issued a command from the Floating Ship.

"Fire Demon, continuously clear out a three-kilometer radius around the lake. The objective is to establish a ’safe zone,’ not to seek out and kill the Lord."

[Understood.]

For the next few days, PX-2 rampaged along the edge of the lava lake like a tireless beast, slaughtering everything in its path.

All Molten Core Lizards that dared to approach were, without exception, torn to shreds.

The Fire Elemental Creatures didn’t even have a chance to resist. Under the impact of the Dissolving Rune on the piercing spear, they were pinned directly to the rocks.

The Two-headed Lord attempted to counterattack a few times, but it was repelled by PX-2 on every occasion.

It finally realized that this steel monster was here to claim territory.

As long as it didn’t cross that invisible boundary, PX-2 would not actively attack it.

「Seven days later.」

Within a three-kilometer radius of the lava lake, not a single living Magical Beast could be seen, nor did any dare to intrude upon this territory.

PX-2 stood by the lake, like a god of war.

[Safe zone established. Kills in the last seven days: 46 Molten Core Lizards, 89 Fire Elemental Creatures.]

Allen looked at the combat report and nodded with satisfaction.

"Excellent."

He turned and issued a command to Jarvis.

"The combat data for the Volcanic Engine is perfect. We can begin construction of the official ’Volcanic Magic Power Furnace’."

[Command received. Allocating resources.]