"This is your… Spiral Workshop?" Once again venturing into the Deep End, this time following Vill-V's path, Lin Wei arrived at an impressive "factory."
It was unmistakably Vill-V's style – massive brass pillars supporting a heavy metal structure, gears whirring and clicking, conveyor belts of unknown material connecting various components, everything moving smoothly and seamlessly.
No pistons, no steam, just cold, intricate machinery.
"Compared to this, the workshop in the hall really is 'small'," Lin Wei commented, impressed. This 19th-century industrial aesthetic was definitely more than just a superficial decoration; it was Vill-V's personal touch.
"Indeed, as you can see, the Elysian Realm may lack many things, but it has plenty of time. I've had ample time to refine my creations," Vill-V said, her tone full of pride, then added with a sigh, though whether genuine or not, Lin Wei couldn't tell, "Unfortunately, I'm just a memory made of data. Even my most perfect designs are confined to this data-constructed Elysian Realm. It gets rather boring after a while."
"Really? You seem to be enjoying yourself."
"Well, I have to keep myself occupied, don't I? Fifty thousand years of doing nothing would drive even a memory insane," Vill-V shrugged, leading him deeper into the factory.
"I suppose that's true," Lin Wei replied noncommittally, following her to the "equipment testing grounds."
Vill-V pushed open a large door, gesturing for him to enter.
The door's design was surprisingly simple and unassuming, almost archaic, lacking any modern flair.
"Don't look at me like that! My weapons tend to be… loud when tested! A more complex door with intricate mechanisms would easily be damaged. You wouldn't want to be trapped inside, would you?" Vill-V explained defensively. "So, a simple door like this is essential. Easy to dismantle, and it saves on budget! Years of experience talking~"
"Sounds like Dr. MEI didn't give you much funding," Lin Wei said, smirking.
"Hey, let's not talk about the distant past, alright? Do you enjoy picking at old wounds?… Here we are."
They passed through several doors and corridors, some dimly lit, others bright, until they reached a vast, open space. It was so quiet Lin Wei couldn't even hear the echo of his own footsteps.
With a series of clicks, lights flickered on, illuminating the area—
It was a large, circular arena, like a Roman colosseum, surrounded by high stone walls.
Besides the small entrance behind them, there were eight massive metal doors spaced evenly around the perimeter, their contents a mystery, though likely nothing pleasant.
Screech… clang! A loud, earsplitting scraping sound suddenly echoed through the arena, followed by the metallic clanging of hinges.
One of the heavy doors slowly rose, revealing a thick metal grate and a horde of monstrous creatures behind it, roaring and snarling, slamming against the grate, which creaked ominously under the strain.
"Alright, first test: gather some combat data on your Divine Key. Let's see what it can do. Don't disappoint me~" Vill-V's tone was casual, as if this were an everyday occurrence. She waved goodbye, then suddenly crouched and launched herself into the air, propelled by bursts of fire from her back and feet, like a rocket.
Whoosh!
The moment she took off, a black chain shot out, whipping towards her like a lash!
"Hey! Interfering with a researcher's work is highly unethical!" Vill-V even had the time to complain, seemingly unconcerned by Lin Wei's sudden attack.
The chain, however, stopped inches from her, as if blocked by an invisible barrier.
One chain blocked? No problem, Lin Wei had anticipated this.
"A researcher, you say? Perfect, firsthand combat data is always the most reliable." He had been watching her every move, so he reacted instantly the moment she launched herself into the air.
He was never one to sit passively and wait for his demise!
As the first chain was repelled, dozens more erupted from the massive black cross that had materialized beside him, weaving a dense net of steel, bypassing the area of repulsive force and ensnaring Vill-V.
The chains, too, were repelled, stopping inches from her.
But his objective was achieved – preventing her immediate escape.
Lin Wei smiled, dismissing the simulated Judah, then shifted Pandora into the form of the third Divine Key, Seven Thunders of Retribution, activating its maximum output and plunging it into the metal net.
Crackle!
Powerful currents surged through the net, turning it into a massive Faraday cage, trapping Vill-V within.
"Researchers should stay in safe places. This is a specially designed container for you, Ms. Vill-V. Do you like it?" He greeted the trapped "fish" cheerfully. Trying to escape? Dream on!
He then hurled a black spear, piercing the net and disrupting the energy balance, causing the contained electromagnetic energy to erupt, blasting towards Vill-V through the opening he had created.
He was facing a Flame-Chaser, a MANTIS soldier, Vill-V! There was no time for hesitation.
He had to subdue her first!
"Hey! You said it was a container! That was a dirty trick!" Vill-V protested, though her voice held no hint of panic. Two archaic brass mirrors materialized beside her, deflecting the blast.
"My, how exciting! In that case, let's celebrate the first act with a resounding fireworks display!" Vill-V, now fully embracing her "great magician" persona, exclaimed excitedly. As she spoke, eight different cannons assembled themselves on the platforms above the metal doors, their gears clicking and whirring.
One cannon targeted the net in the air, while the other seven formed a crossfire, aiming at Lin Wei, and opened fire.
Lin Wei's heart leaped into his throat!
His recent training kicked in, and he instinctively shifted Pandora into its railgun form, firing several shots to destroy one of the cannons, then dashing through the gap in the barrage, erecting a shield to protect himself from the deafening explosions.
"Act Two: Let the stage come alive!" Vill-V, now safely out of reach on the upper platform, announced dramatically.
As her voice faded, the eight metal gates opened simultaneously, releasing a flood of monstrous creatures that surged towards the prone Lin Wei.
"Heh…" Lin Wei pushed himself up, a strange smile touching his lips.
He had come to the Elysian Realm for a vacation, and now he was facing a genuine threat to his life.
That familiar, unpleasant feeling!
Whatever your purpose, Vill-V, you've crossed the line!
He summoned Pandora, not shifting it into any specific Divine Key form, but simply holding it in his palm. A black ripple spread outwards.
The roaring monsters, caught in the ripple, fell silent, their rage and hunger subsiding.
Lin Wei straightened his slightly disheveled collar, then shifted Pandora into a cane. This calm gesture, amidst the surrounding horde, was strangely unnerving.
He smiled, pointing his cane at Vill-V, and the pacified monsters, as if obeying a supreme command, turned and charged towards her!
"You wanted data on the Key of Corruption? Then for Act Three, I'll give you a front-row seat!"
The remaining seven cannons also fell silent, then turned their barrels towards Vill-V and opened fire.
"Oh dear, oh dear! What an unexpected twist! It seems even I, as a memory, am vulnerable to the power of Corruption!" Vill-V exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. She had donned a strange suit of armor at some point and was now summoning countless mechanical constructs, engaging the monsters in a fierce battle of steel and fire.
Monsters fell, and constructs were torn apart.
More constructs were corrupted by Lin Wei, turning their weapons on Vill-V, only to be met by more of her creations, all exploding in a hail of fire.
It was a stalemate. More and more constructs fell under Lin Wei's control, Vill-V's resistance weakening. It seemed he was gaining the upper hand.
But his stamina was dwindling rapidly. Even with Pandora's affinity for him, this level of exertion was taking its toll.
Suddenly, a wave of all-consuming flames, carrying an indomitable will, crashed down upon the arena!
BOOM!
The flames swept across the battlefield, creating an impassable barrier of searing heat between Vill-V and Lin Wei.
The very space seemed to crackle and distort under the intense heat.
Lin Wei could feel the corrupted monsters and constructs being incinerated.
Thud, thud, thud… Steady, determined footsteps approached. A tall, white-haired man, his form wreathed in fading flames, walked into the arena. It was Kevin.
"That's enough," he said, his voice calm and indifferent, as if this were just an everyday occurrence.
Lin Wei, relieved, dismissed his Divine Key.
He looked at Kevin, comparing him to the man he had briefly met in the real world.
Kevin's demeanor here was much less oppressive.
His expression and tone were still cold and distant, but if the real Kevin was like a vast, submerged iceberg, exuding an oppressive, unapproachable aura, this Kevin was just the tip of the iceberg, cold but not hostile.
Kevin glanced at Lin Wei, saw he was unharmed, nodded curtly, and turned to leave.
Say something, will you?! Lin Wei complained inwardly. Is this how you lead?
Just as he was about to leave, Kevin stopped abruptly, frowning at Vill-V. "You replicated the Blank Key again?"
Vill-V, who had been scavenging for usable parts among the wreckage, looked up, her face a mask of despair. "Well, the Key of Corruption is also Dr. MEI's work, so it's only natural to counter it with the Blank Key, right? It's called… having a sense of occasion! Uh… even if it's just a replica…"
Then, seemingly forgetting her current financial ruin, she jumped up and rushed over to Kevin, her expression regaining its usual excitement, whispering conspiratorially, "I have a new idea for a Kevin armament! I guarantee you'll love it!"
Lin Wei watched, his lips twitching. His anger had subsided, replaced by exhaustion.
Your train of thought is… something else. He simply couldn't keep up.
"Do as you please," Kevin replied indifferently. He didn't mind indulging Vill-V's eccentricities.
Then, as if reminded of something by her mention of "Dr. MEI's work," he glanced back at Lin Wei.
He turned and walked away, his form disappearing into the fading flames.
The fire flickered and died, leaving behind a scene of destruction.
Lin Wei walked over to Vill-V, his tone mocking. "Ready for Act Four?"
Vill-V wailed, her face crumpled in despair. "No more acts… the theater is bankrupt…"