CHAPTER 93: CHAPTER 93: FLOORS 7 AND 8

When the elevator doors opened, Jax and the group were met with something none of them expected.

The entire floor vibrated with a metallic rhythm, as if it were breathing. Giant gears spun on the walls, chains slid down from the ceiling dragging shiny pieces, and entire columns seemed forged from living fire. The air was thick with metallic smoke and an electric hum that made the skin tingle.

"This... looks like a factory," murmured Karely, eyes wide as saucers.

"No... this is a living workshop," Jax corrected, clenching his jaw. A pang of nostalgia hit him: this place reminded him too much of the robot and futuristic machine movies he had seen in his past life. But here, it was real.

Out of the shadows, they emerged: the Arcane Automata.

Their bodies were made of shining metal plates, internal gears spinning endlessly, and eyes glowing like blue embers. They walked with heavy steps, each movement accompanied by sparks and the grind of steel. Some had double arms spinning like forge keys, others were equipped with built-in arcane cannons.

One of them, taller than the rest, stepped forward. Its voice boomed metallic, deep, echoing off the walls like steel:

"Welcome to the Arcane Automata Workshop. Here we forge and sell formations that uphold empires, protect kingdoms, and annihilate entire armies."

Beside it, a table unfolded on its own, showing floating scrolls with detailed descriptions and astronomical prices.

[Arcane Steel Wall (A+) – 1 Billion]

A metal barrier that rises around a city, capable of withstanding sieges for months.

[Static Energy Fields (S-) – 3 Billion]

Transforms the atmosphere into a field that suppresses flight and reduces the mobility of any enemy.

[Benevolent Climate (S-) – 5 Billion]

Improves cultivation conditions, purifies air and soil, increases agricultural output, and enhances spiritual growth.

[Automatic Rune Cannons (S) – 7 Billion]

Magical artillery towers that automatically attack any detected enemy within a radius of kilometers.

[Absolute Fortification (S-) – 10 Billion]

The same one Jax had received in the past, a legendary defense capable of withstanding even dragon fury.

[Automata Fortress (S+) – 25 Billion]

The crown jewel of the floor. Places cannons every 50 meters around an entire territory, fires lightning from the sky, prevents flight, and can even paralyze demon kings. A living fortress that never sleeps.

The Arcane Automaton raised an arm, and a hologram of the Automata Fortress unfolded before everyone. The towers fired lightning that split mountains, cannons rotated with inhuman precision, and an electric dome covered the entire territory like a miniature planet.

"The price of this formation is twenty-five billion. An investment that transcends generations."

"...Or a sentence for those who dare challenge it," added another Automaton with a metallic laugh.

The women swallowed hard at the astronomical figures. Anya instinctively hugged Ren, as if even breathing there might cost them too much.

Jax, on the other hand, clenched his fists. His gaze fixed on the Automata Fortress. That kind of power... could turn any territory into an impenetrable kingdom.

After hearing the descriptions and seeing the prices, everyone fell silent. Even Karely, who always had a sarcastic remark ready, dared not speak. The numbers were so overwhelming they seemed unreal.

Jax took a deep breath, looking away from the hologram of the Automata Fortress.

"Definitely... we’ll come back." His voice was full of conviction, not desire. It was a promise.

Anya glanced at him sideways, surprised by the certainty in his words. Inside, something sparked: maybe this man really could do what he said.

The tallest Automaton slightly tilted its head, and its metallic voice vibrated like a hollow drum:

"We will be waiting. After all... it’s not like we have anything else to do."

Another Automaton behind let out a creak that sounded like a rusty laugh:

"Yes, except... rust a little more."

The group couldn’t help but smile at the mechanical irony. It was a relief amidst so much tension.

"We’ll see you soon," Jax assured before leading the group back toward the elevator.

As they left the workshop, everyone remained silent for a few seconds, as if still hearing the metallic echo of the Arcane Automata.

Kai was the first to break the silence with an awed exclamation:

"That was incredible!"

Jax offered a slight smile, but inside he was silently thanking the system. Receiving [Absolute Fortification (S-)], a 10-billion defense, as a free gift now seemed even more unbelievable. He valued even more the three gifts he had been given at the start of his journey.

"Do you plan on getting any of those formations someday?" Karely asked, her eyes still shining.

"Yes." Jax answered without hesitation. "I’ll get them to protect all of you."

Nara looked at him tenderly, while Anya intertwined her fingers nervously. Lía spoke for what they were all thinking:

"We don’t need anything... if we have you."

The words made him chuckle softly, though his expression soon turned serious.

"Most likely, I’ll have to leave soon... there’s something I must do."

They all stared at him instantly, as if the air had frozen.

"Leave? Where to?" Anya asked, frowning.

"Take us with you," Karely insisted, almost offended.

But Jax shook his head firmly, though his voice was soft:

"No. It’s too dangerous."

The elevator doors opened at that moment, removing them from the tension, though the unease remained in the women’s hearts.

There was no longer the sound of hammers or metallic vibrations. Instead, a solemn silence enveloped everything, accompanied by the scent of ancient parchment and fresh ink.

The space seemed infinite: a colossal library, with shelves rising until they disappeared into a starry sky. Each book glowed faintly, as if it contained a fragment of a different world. Glass walkways floated in the air, connecting towers of knowledge suspended by magic.

Small spheres of light flew like fireflies, illuminating the titles of the volumes. And from the shadows appeared the guardian:

An old man with a white beard... but looking closely, it was clear he was not human, but an arcane projection with thousands of eyes on his back, each reading a different book simultaneously.

His voice resonated, deep and calm:

"Welcome to the Library of a Thousand Worlds. Here lies the lost knowledge of extinct civilizations... and secrets that should never have been written."