Ereshkigal Conquers a City for You

【At the beginning of your journey, you were hunted by rogue AI machines, and after exhausting all your efforts, you finally found a suitable underground laboratory to take refuge in.】

【Now, you are no longer the person you were back then.】

【Leading a mechanical army, along with the invincible Ailei, you are determined to reclaim the glory that is rightfully yours.】

【Your plan is progressing smoothly.】

【Thanks to Ailei's immense computational power and your mechanical energy amplification, the combat strength of your mechanical army is formidable. You quickly established a solid foothold and began advancing steadily.】

【However, as you pushed deeper, you encountered more powerful rogue AI machines, and gradually, you began to feel the pressure.】

【Endless waves of rogue AI machines emerged from all corners of the city.】

【Among them were heavy firepower machines from the Federation military.】

【You decided to activate your backup plan, slowing down your offensive. In the areas you had already captured, you began gathering materials and setting up production lines to manufacture new mechanical units.】

The spring rain carried a chill.

Sparse and scattered.

Yet its coldness was no less biting than winter's.

The wind and rain battered the ruins, but they could not extinguish the raging flames.

Every moment, every second, new explosions erupted, triggering chain reactions of towering infernos.

"Warning, warning."

"Unidentified armed intrusion detected. Requesting Federation support. Coordinates are—"

Dangerous red signal lights flickered incessantly in the rain.

It was an autonomous combat machine, part of the Federation military's basic armed forces. But now, it was on the verge of collapse, its armor completely destroyed.

"Boom—!!"

A heavy, ominous black-gray powered armor landed beside the machine.

With a single step, it crushed the machine's steel head.

Then, wielding a massive high-frequency oscillation blade,

it swung in a full 360-degree arc.

The powerful blade emitted a fluorescent glow, cutting through a light armored vehicle, several combat machines, and even the continuous rain, which seemed to pause for a moment.

"Indeed, my efficiency is too low…"

The powered armor came to a halt.

Standing still, it allowed the spring rain to soak its surface, covering it with countless tiny droplets.

Xu Xi looked down at his hands, a hint of helplessness in his expression.

Cultivation, magic, martial arts.

In his previous three simulations, he had been a one-man army, a transcendent powerhouse accustomed to solo battles.

But in this sci-fi simulation, amidst the torrent of machines and steel, his individual output was truly limited.

His efficiency on the battlefield

was far inferior to staying in the rear, providing mechanical energy amplification for his machines.

"Rarely taking a break, yet I still can't get used to it," Xu Xi shook his head and stepped back, retreating.

Several transport robots quickly approached, carrying away the rogue AI machines he had destroyed, sending them to recycling points for disassembly and reproduction.

"Master, it's time to eat."

Returning to the rear,

the obedient Ailei brought Xu Xi his meal.

"Today's ration cube and today's purified water," she said, her gentle voice dispelling the chill of the spring rain.

Unlike the hollow and lifeless witches,

since gaining her own body,

Ailei's voice had become richer, gradually expressing emotions like joy and sorrow, much like a human.

"Thank you for your hard work, Ailei."

Xu Xi removed his powered armor and took the food from Ailei's hands.

The brown ration cube was still hard to swallow.

But now,

Xu Xi could swallow it without changing his expression.

There was nothing that time couldn't help one endure, and people would eventually learn to accept things, especially when there was no other choice.

"I hope we can find some edible food after capturing the Sixth Satellite City."

Xu Xi pondered as he sipped the purified water, forcing down the dry cube in his mouth.

"Ailei, how is the production line doing?"

"Yes, thanks to you, the situation continues to improve. The daily production of units has increased by 78%."

Ailei replied.

In the dim spring rain, she raised an energy barrier to shield Xu Xi from the drizzle.

At the same time, she took out a dry towel to wipe his hands.

"Actually, you don't need to go into battle yourself. It's too dangerous."

"You could leave this powered armor to me."

The girl's voice was soft,

urging Xu Xi not to return to the front lines.

The concern in her words, along with the subtle changes in her expression, was no different from that of a real human.

"It's fine, Ailei," Xu Xi smiled in response. "My constitution is special. I'm not so easy to kill, and I'm definitely not lying to you."

Xu Xi was telling the truth, but the loyal machine servant didn't quite believe him.

So,

she once again urged Xu Xi not to go to the battlefield.

Xu Xi thought for a moment and finally agreed to Ailei's suggestion.

After all, he had already tested it himself—his efficiency on the battlefield was far inferior to providing support from the rear.

...

【You became aware of your unique situation】

【Following Ailei's advice, you gave up fighting on the front lines and instead focused on studying the newly captured rogue AI machines】

【The expansion of your territory, the continuation of the war, and the gathering of resources】

【You gained more than you had in the past several years】

【The machine spirits were pleased, and the mechanical energy resonated…】

【The gates of truth opened to you, and you understood more knowledge. In a daze, you faintly heard the echoes of machinery, and your affinity with machines grew stronger】

【The first month of your campaign on the surface】

【Your mechanical army and the rogue AI machines of the Sixth Satellite City were locked in a stalemate】

【Your army was vast in number but lacked high-end decisive combat power. The rogue AI machines were numerous and strong, but unlike you, they had no continuous replenishment】

【The second month of your campaign on the surface】

【You analyzed the technology of the new AI machines and applied it to your own army】

【With the support of the new technology and the amplification of mechanical energy, your army began to gain the upper hand, gradually suppressing the rogue AI machines of the Sixth Satellite City】

【The third month of your campaign on the surface】

【The number of AI machines under your command had grown to an uncountable level. If it were just you alone, it would have been impossible to manage, but the loyal machine servant took care of everything for you】

【At the first sound of the machine's call, Ailei unleashed a tide of AI machines】

【At the second sound, Ailei launched a full-scale assault】

【At the third sound, Ailei secured the Sixth Satellite City for you】

【Summer arrived】

【Under the scorching sun, you stood dazed on the highest building of the Sixth Satellite City, feeling disoriented】

【Yes, you had become the master of the Sixth Satellite City】

It was fast.

Too fast.

Ailei's actions were so swift, Ailei's "soft support" was so satisfying,

that Xu Xi felt a sense of unreality, as if he were in a dream.

"Ailei."

"Yes, I'm here."

On the highest building of the Sixth Satellite City, the cold wind howled.

Xu Xi looked down at the city below.

Seeing the overwhelming mechanical army that filled the sky and the ground, his expression was filled with doubt: "Did you just say… we've already won?"

"Yes, Master."

Her mechanical yet clear eyes glowed with a cold blue light, but when they fell on Xu Xi's face, they seemed unusually gentle.