With no small amount of trepidation, Iteration[1] pushed a small amount of its will into the [Golem Station] and willed it to turn on. The machine hummed with power as it booted up, sucking up a large amount of ambient [Automation mana] as it did.
No pre-existing options flickered to life, but that was to be expected. After all, this was uncharted territory. Whoever came before Iteration[1] didn't reach this far. Iteration[1] had long since considered its nature to be artificial; it didn't come about as a result of natural factors.
The visions it had when it leveled up only confirmed that suspicion, so it was very likely that an Iteration[0] existed out there, somewhere. Only that could explain its perfect start and knowledge; it was likely the final product of someone or something.
A mystery it would solve later.
With a flex of its will, Iteration[1] loaded the [Blueprint] for a [V1 miner] into the [Golem station] and connected via [Stone pipes] to the [stone storage tank] holding the precious metal. The [Golem station] began buzzing with activity the next instant; an assortment of tools unfolded from hidden compartments. A second later, red-hot molten [Iron] floated up from the input port.
From four more hidden compartments came four thin iron tubes that began spraying a gas-like form of [Automation mana]. It slowly diffused into the blob of floating [Iron], which began taking on a brown color similar to that of [Automation mana].
Once that was done, the tubes receded, and tiny arms began cutting and pulling the [Automata iron] as if it were clay. The tiny arms split off into even tinier arms that pulled the [Automata iron] out into strings. Gradually, the blob of iron began to morph and change into a more humanoid appearance, composed of millions of floating strings.
Iteration[1] sensed a subtle decrease in the ambient [Automation mana] levels as the [Golem station], in its voracious operation, absorbed all the available [Automation mana] in the air. It diligently funneled this acquired energy into the millions of [Automata iron strings] suspended within its chamber, causing them to take on a deep rustic brown color.
Iteration[1] was impressed by what it had seen so far. Iteration[2] had clearly gone all out on this, and Iteration[1] never expected so many things to be happening. It was several orders of magnitude more complex than the outdated [Golem forges], and though it was based on the same principles, the difference in complexity and scale was staggering.
The only thing that didn't impress it was the operating speed. Scaling it up with its current speed would be too slow, requiring resources it didn't have. Even if it did, Iteration[1] knew it wasn't efficient and wouldn't go down that path; inefficiency was an ugly thing.
Iteration[1] observed the [Golem station] enter the next phase of golem construction. The floating strings vibrated as unseen hands, made of pure [Automation mana], wove them into a fully humanoid shape. The golem featured a hidden pouch-like compartment on its belly, a drill-shaped left hand, and a spoon-shaped right.
Upon completion, the [V1 Miner] was ejected from the [Golem station] with an application of [Automation mana], causing it to float out of the main chamber and land safely near the [stone storage tank]. Iteration[1] couldn't help but admire the [V1 Miner], it was expertly built and was the pinnacle of its current abilities and useable knowledge.
The [V1 Miner] would replace the [Worker golems], which were no longer useful and didn't meet the updated standard. Leveraging the knowledge and principles understood by Iteration[2] about rotation, it designed the drill-shaped arm of the [V1 Miner]. This proved to be significantly more efficient than merely scooping up materials, as done by the [Worker golems]. The spoon-like arm also applied the rotational principle but was focused on scooping up materials and depositing them into its pouch-like compartment. This compartment featured an experimental enchantment designed to compress the materials placed inside.
The [V1 Miner] was exceptionally robust. Thanks to its stringy body, it could unleash incredible speed and strength at a moment's notice. Its durability was remarkable, capable of withstanding a staggering amount of blows. This resilience was owed to its unique body structure, evenly distributing force throughout or redirecting it using a bit of [Automation mana] for a last-ditch effort to land a fatal blow against an opponent.
Iteration[1] desired to arm all its possessions, eliminating any potential points of weakness in the future. Despite the presence of 30 enhanced [Combat golems], Iteration[1] recognized that they couldn't be relied upon for constant defense. Anticipating scenarios where they might be too slow or occupied elsewhere, Iteration[1] no longer perceived them as mere [Combat golems]. They had evolved into sentient beings—thinking and feeling creatures now designated as its [Guardians], ready to sacrifice themselves at a moment's notice.
Iteration[1] had already moved them into its first room, placing them in a circular position around its [Central core], where they kneeled with their [Great shields] and [Rotating poles]. This would be its last line of defense against anything that dared to invade its domain. It also prepared to mobilize them should the [Goblins] come too early. It would be a last-ditch effort but would buy enough time to build whatever it could to change the tide, assuming the [Goblins] didn't come with anything new. Iteration[1] couldn't calculate and account for variables it didn't know.
Iteration[1] diverted its attention from contemplation, a habit it had noticed developing. The next task on its agenda was the [Blueprint] for the [V2 Combat Golem]. The construction process closely resembled that of the [V1 Miner], albeit with some crucial differences. The hands of the [V2 Combat Golem] had the capability to swiftly transform into various weapons. Moreover, it exhibited an amplified force-distributing ability, and the capacity for self-healing when provided with [Automation mana] or in the presence of ambient [Automation mana].
It promptly loaded the [Blueprint] and observed the vibrant hum of the [Golem station] as it sprang to life once more. In just a few minutes, the first [V2 Combat Golem] stood complete. Brimming with excitement, Iteration[1] directed both new golems toward the [Portal]; it was time to acquire more [Iron].