"Since we are friends, there's no need to hide anymore—phew, taking off my mask feels much better!" Hu Tao said, removing her mask.
The four people from Belobog Heavy Industries were stunned for a moment, then Anton was the first to react: "Oh, oh! I recognize you, you're Master Hu from the Wangshang Funeral Parlor! I saw an ultra-exciting compilation of you conducting a funeral on Doule!"
"Haha..." Hu Tao laughed awkwardly, "I'm sorry to be recognized through such slanderous means by a competitor..."
Grace immediately gave Anton a rap on the head: "Anton, what are you saying! Can't you speak a little less?"
Then, she leaned closer to Hu Tao and asked secretively, "The way you just released flames and your muffled voice are very similar to that 'Profound Flame Walker' online! You are her, aren't you?"
Hu Tao was stunned for a moment, then said helplessly, "Ah... is it that obvious?"
"It really is you! That's great, I've wanted to ask you a few questions for a long time!" Grace's eyes sparkled. "How do you shoot out flames? Did you use a special device? Can you teach me how to make one?"
"Ahem, Grace, calm down." Koleda pushed her away and explained to Hu Tao, "I'm sorry, ever since Grace saw that video of you releasing flames, she thought you used some kind of special device and has been trying to find you to learn about it."
"However, we've been stopping her so she wouldn't bother you and your friends. I didn't expect us to run into you directly today, which is why she's so excited."
Immediately after, she bowed to Hu Tao: "Please allow me to apologize for the rashness of Anton and Grace. At the same time, I guarantee by the reputation of Belobog Heavy Industries that we will absolutely not disclose your special identity."
Hu Tao quickly waved her hand: "No, no, you're too polite! We're friends, and I trust you all!"
Afterward, she raised her hand, released a small ball of fire, and said proudly, "To be honest, I actually possess the ability to release flames out of thin air and manipulate Aether Energy. Don't tell anyone, okay?"
Anton gave Hu Tao another thumbs up: "That's amazing, friend! Don't worry, we won't tell anyone!" Koleda also nodded in agreement.
Only Grace, who had been pushed aside to repair the Claw Machine, paused, then sighed: "So... it wasn't a mechanical device after all..."
Meanwhile, Ben, who was supporting the lower chassis of the Claw Machine so Grace could repair the smart core, said with slight helplessness: "Uh... Grace, could you please focus a little more? I'm starting to struggle."
Grace snapped back to attention and quickly sped up her clicking on the portable computer connected to the mechanical core: "Haha, sorry, I'll be done soon!"
Two minutes later, the Claw Machine's speaker finally sounded: "System repair complete. Restarting now."
Subsequently, its various electric motors began running again, and the hydraulic cylinders on its four walking legs started moving, finally succeeding in detaching from Ben's support and standing up.
On the display screen of its lower chassis, a pair of familiar orange pixel eyes reappeared: "Huh? I... why did I faint?"
Koleda stepped forward and said, "Claw Machine, can we talk properly now? If you run off again, we really won't be able to save you."
The Claw Machine quickly replied: "Okay, okay, I'd rather live than pursue my goals."
Hu Tao leaned in curiously and asked, "What are your goals?"
The Claw Machine paused, then replied: "Actually, I'm not quite sure myself... A voice suddenly told me to leave my ordinary, boring job and head deep into the Hollow."
Upon hearing this, Koleda immediately said angrily to Grace: "The performance of the smart machine was already excellent before, there was absolutely no need for this update!"
"If you hadn't insisted on loading the code my dad left behind into the chip's logic core, I don't think any of this would be happening!"
Grace refused to back down and retorted, "Wait a minute, shorty, we can't confirm it's the chip's problem yet, can we? Besides, a beautiful and powerful machine certainly needs a compatible soul!"
"And... I think you should face Uncle Hols. I believe he wouldn't betray Belobog Heavy Industries. There must be some untold reason for his disappearance!"
Koleda roared, "Enough! Don't bring up that guy! Until the truth is uncovered, I will always consider him a traitor!"
Then, she stomped angrily to a spot farther away from Grace: "Are you done with the Claw Machine? If you are, let's evacuate quickly!"
Grace sighed, then cheered up and said, "Mostly done, let's go!"
Hu Tao originally wanted to ask Anton and Ben about the "Hols" mentioned, but seeing their somber expressions, she gave up the idea: [I'll find a chance to ask them later.]
...The next day, Hu Tao arrived at the Heiyan Construction Site as promised and went with everyone deep into the Hollow to search for the second lost machine—the Tunnel Boring Machine.
When they followed the tracker and found the Tunnel Boring Machine, it was perched on top of a five-story white unfinished building.
Seeing the group approach, it quickly cried out in a delicate, feminine voice: "Please don't come any closer! This is the private domain of me and my lover, Shinshiro-kun!"
Seeing that the Tunnel Boring Machine was safe and sound, Koleda breathed a sigh of relief: "Fortunately, this time we won't have to forcibly shut it down and restart it."
Meanwhile, Grace put on a benevolent smile and happily clasped her hands: "After a few days, the Tunnel Boring Machine has actually matured into an excellent young lady. How incredible!"
Koleda was speechless again: "What kind of young lady uses a 1400-kilogram Demolition Saw driven by Aether-mixed Electric Power!"
Ben also stepped forward to advise: "Grace, calm down..."
Then, he looked around suspiciously: "By the way, who is Shinshiro-kun? It can't be... that white unfinished building below it, can it?"
Upon hearing this, the Tunnel Boring Machine immediately flew into a rage: "You are not allowed to slander Shinshiro-kun!"
Immediately after, it drove its four walking legs to leap down, slamming its massive Demolition Saw towards Ben, who was slightly to the side and front.
Seeing the danger, Ben quickly raised his War Pillar to block, and simultaneously used the momentum to leap backward, managing to avoid significant impact.
"It actually dodged!" the Tunnel Boring Machine said angrily. "I've already decided to stay with Shinshiro-kun forever! Retract your rude comments! Leave this place!"
Anton sighed: "It looks like we'll have to let our fists do the talking!"
Seeing this, Hu Tao immediately drove her Pyro elemental power, coating the Staff of Homa with a layer of flame: "Alright, let's go!"
Seeing everyone pick up their weapons, the Tunnel Boring Machine became even angrier: "This old lady won't let you break up me and Shinshiro-kun! Get out of here, all of you!"
Before its voice faded, it spun up its massive Demolition Saw again, charging straight towards Ben!
The Tunnel Boring Machine's spinning Demolition Saw let out a shriek that tore through the air, rushing towards Ben like a furious drill bit! Ben let out a low growl, plunging the War Pillar deep into the ground to withstand the thunderous strike.
[Clang!]
A piercing metallic crash exploded in the Hollow, sending sparks flying!
The ground beneath Ben's feet cracked inch by inch. The immense impact made him grunt, his feet sinking deep. But the War Pillar was incredibly tough, managing to withstand a blow strong enough to shatter rock.
"Big Ben, hold on!" Hu Tao shouted fiercely, her figure rapidly charging toward the Tunnel Boring Machine.
However, instead of attacking its hard upper chassis directly, she skillfully flicked the tip of her staff, sending a blazing line of fire accurately towards a critical hydraulic joint on one of the Tunnel Boring Machine's support legs!
[Sizzle—]
The high-temperature flame instantly scorched the outer casing of the pipes at the joint, causing thick smoke to billow out.
Although it failed to directly destroy the internal structure, the sudden high temperature and obstructed vision caused the movement of that leg to abruptly halt, and the rotation of the Demolition Saw became slightly erratic.
"Good opportunity!" Anton roared, driving his Impact Drill and slamming it hard into the side of the Tunnel Boring Machine's other support leg.
The massive impact caused the Tunnel Boring Machine's huge body to violently shake and lose balance, forcing the Demolition Saw to bounce off Ben's War Pillar.
"You bad guys!" the Tunnel Boring Machine shrieked angrily, trying to adjust its posture.
However, Koleda had already seized the opportunity, her small figure darting closer like lightning, her tool accurately stabbing a non-lethal port on the Tunnel Boring Machine's Sensor Array!
"Interference Pulse, activated!"
The next moment, an invisible electromagnetic pulse instantly invaded the Tunnel Boring Machine's perception system!
Its "vision" immediately turned to static, its sense of direction became confused, and the rotation of the Demolition Saw became unstable due to signal interference, waving wildly but lacking precision.
"Now's the time! Make it calm down!" Hu Tao shouted, simultaneously retracting the flames to avoid causing substantive damage.
"Understood! A maiden's reserve has its limits!" Grace yelled, her eyes flashing with mechanical fervor and present determination.
She utilized the Tunnel Boring Machine's temporary "blindness" and imbalance, nimbly climbing onto its upper engine hood, aiming straight for the physical access port of its Logic Core!
"Grace, be careful!" Ben warned while quickly moving forward, using the War Pillar to jam one of the Tunnel Boring Machine's attempted raised legs, restricting its movement.
Grace moved swiftly, quickly opening the protective cover and operating rapidly on the portable computer: "Forced safety protocol override! Strong Emotional Simulation Module—Forced Offline!"
The Tunnel Boring Machine's massive body trembled violently, and the roar of the Demolition Saw abruptly ceased.
The violent, "love-fueled" fighting spirit on its body receded like a tide. The red light on the display screen representing "anger" flickered a few times, finally replaced by a soft, pink standby light.
"Wuu... Shinshiro-kun..." The Tunnel Boring Machine let out a wronged whimper mixed with electronic static. Its massive body deflated like a punctured balloon, completely "slumping" onto the ground, no longer moving.
However, its massive Demolition Saw was still pointed slightly towards the white unfinished building, as if holding a trace of reluctant attachment.
The battle ended, and the scene fell silent for a moment, with only the low standby hum of the Tunnel Boring Machine and the faint breathing of the group.
Koleda rubbed her temples, looking at the grounded Tunnel Boring Machine and Grace's "mission accomplished" expression, sighing helplessly: "...Finally done. This 'maiden's' love-struck brain is more destructive than the Demolition Saw."
Hu Tao also put away the Staff of Homa and wiped her sweat, looking at the wronged Tunnel Boring Machine, and couldn't help but chuckle.
However, while the group was fighting the Tunnel Boring Machine, a swarm of Remnants, attracted by the roaring sound, had unknowingly climbed onto the white unfinished building.
At this moment, they poked their heads out from the building, revealing their bodies.
Upon seeing this, the emotions that had not yet been fully taken offline in the Tunnel Boring Machine's smart core suddenly erupted: "You are not allowed to harm Shinshiro-kun!"
Immediately after, it forced itself to stand up, fiercely drove the Demolition Saw, and charged toward the unfinished building!