Chapter 158: Bobby Doggy
Nobody stood several meters away from Armoured Bobby.
The corridor looked completely different from when the fight had started. Broken concrete covered the floor. Several sections of the walls had been damaged. Steam drifted from a ruptured pipe overhead. Frost covered almost everything.
In the middle of that ruined corridor, the gigantic guardian slowly raised its head. Its armor was still intact. Well mostly. A damaged section around its left shoulder remained visible. That was the only place where Nobody had managed to make any meaningful progress.
Nobody stared at it. "...So that’s the trick."
The System appeared.
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[Combat Analysis]
Target: Armoured Bobby
Armor Integrity: 87%
Identified Weak Point: Left Shoulder Junction
Current Threat Level: Extremely High
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Nobody sighed. "Only thirteen percent damage?" He looked at his crowbars. "...This dog has better defense than some buildings."
The System remained silent.
Nobody pointed toward it. "Don’t tell me that’s a compliment."
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[No Comment]
:3
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"Rude."
Bobby suddenly lowered its body. Nobody immediately became serious. The creature wasn’t charging yet. It was watching him.
Nobody narrowed his eyes. "...You’re learning."
The guardian’s massive claws dug into the frozen floor. Its head lowered. Then it disappeared forward.
Nobody’s expression changed instantly. "Zigzag." His body shifted sideways just before Bobby reached him. The creature’s armored shoulder passed dangerously close to his chest. Nobody felt the pressure of the movement. He didn’t waste the opportunity.
As Bobby continued forward, Nobody turned with it and swung his right crowbar toward its damaged shoulder. The frost-covered weapon struck directly against the weakened armor junction.
The impact forced Bobby’s upper body sideways. The creature stumbled several steps before regaining its balance.
Nobody landed smoothly. He immediately checked the System.
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[Armor Integrity]
83%
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Nobody smiled. "Four percent." He raised one finger. "That’s progress."
Bobby slowly turned around. Its crimson eyes burned brighter.
Nobody’s smile disappeared. "...And you’re one angry doggy."
The guardian charged again.
This time, Nobody didn’t wait. He rushed toward it.
The distance between them disappeared rapidly. Bobby raised one massive paw. Nobody ducked beneath it. The armored limb passed above his helmet and slammed into the wall behind him.
Boooom!!
The concrete cracked.
Nobody used the opening. He stepped onto Bobby’s forearm. Then pushed himself upward. For a brief moment, he was beside the creature’s head. He swung the left crowbar.
The frost-covered metal struck the side of Bobby’s helmet-like armor. The creature’s head moved slightly from the impact. But the armor didn’t break.
Nobody landed. "...Okay." He looked at the System. "That wasn’t the weak point."
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[Correct.]
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"Thanks."
Bobby spun around. Its enormous tail swept across the corridor.
Nobody jumped over it.
The armored tail passed beneath him and smashed into several steel support columns. The columns bent under the force.
Nobody landed on one of the remaining beams. He looked down. "...That’s my favorite part about fighting giant monsters." He glanced at the damaged building. "They completely destroy the place."
Bobby turned toward him.
Nobody pointed. "Don’t look at me. You’re the one doing it."
The monster roared.
Nobody sighed. "Fine. Let’s finish this." He jumped down. The frost around his crowbars became thicker. Cold mist rolled across the floor.
Bobby immediately charged.
Nobody didn’t move.
The distance closed. Ten meters. Eight. Six. Four. Three.
Bobby raised its paw.
Nobody suddenly stepped forward. Instead of retreating, he moved directly underneath the attack. The paw passed above his shoulder. Nobody twisted his body. His right crowbar struck the damaged shoulder junction from below.
The weapon forced itself between two armor plates. A burst of frost spread through the gap.
Bobby roared.
ROOOOOOAAAR!!
The creature staggered.
Nobody pulled the crowbar away and immediately moved backward.
The System appeared.
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[Armor Integrity]
76%
[Weak Point Confirmed]
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Nobody stared. "...Seven percent." His grin returned. "Now we’re cooking."
Bobby’s entire body began trembling. The red glow beneath its armor intensified.
Nobody’s expression changed. "...That doesn’t look good."
The System responded immediately.
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[Warning]
Target Energy Output Increasing.
Possible Berserk State.
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Nobody sighed. "Of course. This one has a berserk phase too."
The creature’s armor began glowing along the edges. Steam poured from its mouth. Its claws scraped against the floor.
Then...Bobby roared. The sound shook the entire corridor.
Nobody’s scarf fluttered violently behind him.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
He planted both feet firmly. "...You really like making entrances."
Bobby charged. But this time...It was much faster.
Nobody barely reacted. He activated Zigzag. Blue particles scattered around his body as he disappeared.
Bobby’s claws passed through empty space. Nobody appeared behind it. Before he could attack...Bobby’s tail immediately swung backward.
Nobody’s eyes widened. He crossed both crowbars in front of himself. The armored tail struck him. The impact sent him sliding across the frozen floor. He finally stopped against a metal wall.
Nobody slowly stood. "...It can predict Zigzag now."
The System appeared.
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[Observation]
Enemy has adapted to User’s movement pattern.
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Nobody stared. "That’s cheating."
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[It is an intelligent combat organism.]
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"...Still cheating."
Bobby turned around.
Nobody lowered his stance. "Alright. No more predictable movement." He suddenly threw one crowbar.
The weapon spun through the air, covered in frost. Bobby instinctively raised its paw. The crowbar struck the armor and bounced away.
Nobody grinned. "Gotcha." He activated Zigzag. But instead of moving toward Bobby...He appeared beside the discarded crowbar. He grabbed it. Then immediately teleported again. This time he appeared on the opposite side.
Bobby turned. Nobody vanished. Then appeared behind it. The guardian turned again. Nobody vanished.
The creature began losing track of him.
Left.
Right.
Above.
Behind.
Each movement happened at a different angle. Nobody wasn’t attacking. He was forcing Bobby to constantly change its position.
The creature became increasingly frustrated.
Finally...Bobby stopped.
Nobody also stopped. They faced each other.
Nobody smiled. "...You’re wondering why I haven’t attacked."
The creature growled.
Nobody raised his crowbars. "Because I was waiting for you to make the mistake."
Bobby suddenly moved.
Nobody saw it. The damaged shoulder rotated, the armor junction opened slightly. "There! That is the opening." Nobody disappeared.
This time, he didn’t hesitate. He appeared directly beside Bobby’s left shoulder. Both crowbars were already raised. He twisted his entire body and brought them down together. The two frost-covered weapons struck the weak junction at the same moment.
The force of the combined attack drove Bobby down onto one knee. A thick layer of ice spread across the damaged armor.
Bobby roared and tried to stand.
Nobody pushed harder. "Stay."
The ice expanded.
The System appeared.
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[Armor Integrity]
61%
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Nobody’s eyes widened. "...Twenty-two percent from one attack?" He looked at his crowbars. "Okay. I officially like that move."
Bobby suddenly forced itself upward. The ice covering its shoulder shattered. The guardian rose again.
Nobody stepped backward. "...Still standing."
Bobby’s breathing had become heavier. Its movements were slightly slower.But it wasn’t finished.
Nobody looked toward the security door. Moonlissa was still behind it. He could hear faint movement from the other side. "...Just a little longer."
Bobby charged again. Nobody rushed forward too. The two met in the middle of the corridor.
Bobby swung its paw. Nobody slipped beneath it. The creature turned its body. Nobody stepped onto its armored leg. He used it as a platform and launched himself upward. Bobby tried to shake him off.
Nobody grabbed one of the armor plates. "Hold still!" He drove the frost crowbar into the shoulder junction again.
The creature roared.
Nobody struck the same area repeatedly, not wildly, but with deliberate precision. Each hit forced more frost into the damaged gap.
Bobby staggered.
The System began updating rapidly.
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[Armor Integrity]
55%
49%
43%
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Nobody landed on the ground. He looked up. Bobby was barely keeping its balance.
Nobody slowly raised both crowbars. "...We’re almost there."
The guardian raised its head.
Despite everything...It still refused to fall.
Nobody smiled. "Stubborn." He tightened his grip. "Just burn to hell and be a hotdog."
The System displayed another message.
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[Final Weak Point Opportunity]
Recommended:
Maximum Frost Output
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Nobody looked at the notification. Then toward Bobby. Then toward the door behind it. "...Alright." He lowered his stance. "One last hit."
The frost around his entire body began intensifying. The temperature inside the corridor dropped rapidly. Ice spread beneath his boots. His crimson scarf fluttered in the freezing wind.
Bobby roared. Nobody charged. Neither of them intended to retreat anymore. The guardian raised its enormous paw. Nobody lifted both crowbars. They collided in the middle of the corridor.
The force of the impact sent a powerful wave of frost through the surrounding walls. Nobody pushed forward. Bobby resisted.
For several seconds...Neither moved.
Then Nobody noticed something. The armor around Bobby’s left shoulder had completely frozen. The weak junction was no longer moving.
Nobody grinned. "...Got you." He twisted both crowbars. A concentrated burst of frost entered the damaged armor.
The entire shoulder became covered in ice. Bobby’s strength suddenly dropped.
Nobody drove both weapons forward one final time.
The guardian was forced backward. It crashed onto the frozen floor and slid several meters before finally stopping.
Nobody remained standing. His breathing was heavier now.
The System appeared.
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[Guardian Status]
Armoured Bobby
Combat Capability:
Disabled
Armor Integrity:
18%
Threat Level:
Neutralized
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Nobody stared. "...Eighteen percent?" He looked at the fallen guardian. "You know what? I’ll take it."
The creature stopped. For several seconds, they simply looked at each other.
Nobody lowered his weapon. "You did your job. I’m not going to waste time hurting you."
Bobby slowly rested its head against the floor.
Nobody nodded. "Good doggy."
The System appeared.
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[Guardian Neutralized]
Path To Target:
Clear
Distance:
12 Meters
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Nobody turned toward the reinforced door. His expression immediately became serious. "...Moonlissa."
He walked toward it. He took a few steps and then reached the door. The massive security door stood between him and the frightened girl.
Nobody raised one frost-covered crowbar. He placed it against the locking mechanism. "Hang in there. I’m opening the door."
Behind him...Armoured Bobby remained motionless.
Ahead of him...
A frightened voice whispered. "...Somebody... anybody?"
Nobody smiled beneath his helmet. "Nope, it’s Nobody. You will definitely not want to meet Somebody."
And then for the first time since entering the factory...
Moonlissa knew that she wasn’t alone anymore.