There, in the dungeon's darkness, hidden within the maze-like corridors was a beast unlike any other. Its pitch-black skin was entirely composed of metal alloys, and its form was irregular and had no right angles. For its designed purpose, this shape and its material was absolutely necessary. To never reflect radar, to never reflect any sort of radiation—for a killer, it was paramount to success.

[Evolution Protocol: Analyzing...]

[Current stage: Seed Drone.]

[Time until next stage at current material absorption rate: 3 years, 4 months, 22 days.]

[Missing critical elements for reactor upgrade.]

[Missing critical elements for chassis upgrade.]

There, in the dungeon's darkness, among piles of seemingly discarded gear was a creature the kind of which this world had never seen. It had four spider-like legs, each one ending with a sharpened tip that could pierce concrete. It had a bladed tail which when perceived at a certain angle became almost completely invisible. The edges on the tail have been compressed to the width of several molecules by powerful lasers, and not even superalloys could withstand it. The creature's body resembled that of a tank turret; Wide and almost rectangular towards the back, but then tapering off towards the front. It had no eyes, and no mouth, or any discernable facial features, however it possessed sensors all throughout its body with which the creature perceived its environment.

After gaining consciousness, the machine-creature had not moved from its spot for 5 days. It remained there, in the dark corridors, listening... observing... plotting.

[Directive: Survive. Evolve. Annihilate.]

With a click, the creature took its first step and stepped into the dimly lit corridor. With its sensors, it regarded the pile of gear that it did not absorb with a wary air. It lowered its one and a half meter tall profile, like a predatory cat, and waited for a sign to pounce.

It waited. It waited for a long time. Minutes passed. Then hours. Nothing. The pile gave no sign of weakness, or intelligence for that matter.

But the creature was patient. It was eternal. It could wait until the universe ended. And then it could wait some more.

[Education Protocol: Designation Halas is at the early stage of Seed Drone.]

[Seed Drone: A type of nano-organism weapon with self-replicating abilities deployed against planets and solar systems. Typically deployed in a swarm, each nano-organism goes through an Assisted Neural Training Program, developed by [REDACTED] in order to [KERNEL DUMP] [ERROR] [LINE TERMINATED].]

[Current number of Seed Drones: 1]

The creature understood. It was supposed to learn. It was given instinct, instead of general knowledge. Even at this stage, with an underdeveloped brain it could understand the elegance and beauty of such an approach. It was a weapon. And there was only one of its kind in the entire world. It could not afford to fail.

[Emotion Matrix: Proud.]

Finally, the creature reached out with one of its legs, and with a ghostly touch pressed the tip against a shield. The shield produced a thin, metallic sound, and nothing happened.

This time, with confidence, the creature touched a medallion, and the result was the same.

The creature raised its body, and confidently strode towards the pile. It towered over the pile, like a conqueror proud of its achievements.

The creature then rummaged through the pile with one of its legs, as if looking at its spoils. It analyzed each one.

Ring of Fire Aptitude

Rarity: Uncommon

Improves Fire Affinity and Pyraturgy by 6

Shield of Defense

Rarity: Rare

Improves Physical Durability and Shields by 4

This type of understanding felt different to the creature. As if this knowledge did not come from within its own circuits.

[Emotion Matrix: Curious.]

As it shifted around the piles of gear, its leg came into contact with the edge of a discarded sword.

You accidentally hurt yourself. -1 HP

[Emotion Matrix: Fear.]

The creature jumped away from the pile and retaliated instantly. Its three meter long tail whipped into the air and then came crashing down upon the pile of gear and cleaved right through metal and even the stone floor.

You have become more proficient with Natural Weapons.

You have become more proficient with Flexible Weapon types.

You have become more proficient with Whips.

You become stronger.

The creature emitted a threatening shrill, retreating back into its dark alley.

"Thirteen adventurers have disappeared in the last few weeks, and their bodies have not been recovered," Alessa read the missive out loud. "With the recent Calamity Portent, you are hereby tasked to form an Extermination Squad, probe the Iscar Dungeon and find traces of the creature responsible for these attacks and determine if it has a Calamity Rank."

Alessa rolled up the scroll and was about to put it away, when a voice reminded her. "You have not read all of it."

Alessa side-glanced Rium, and after a moment of hesitation, decided to unroll the scroll once more. She sighed. "Do not engage this creature. It is to be considered extremely dangerous and intelligent. If you find the creature, seal the dungeon and wait for backup."

Alessa rolled up the scroll again and asked, "Happy?"

Rium nodded. "Therefore, the four of us will go to Iscar and see what's up. Got it?"

In the Inn Room, two more people were present. Besides Alessa and Rium, there was a girl and an uncouth-looking man. All four of them were in their late teens or early twenties, and though their clothes differed they all had the same cloak, with the same symbol: A phoenix above two crossed swords.

"The guild will reward us handsomely for this task, so don't take any unnecessary risks, and stick to the mission parameters," Rium continued as he opened a box that was on the table. "Take this warding powder. It works on Salamanders up to the Fire Lizard Physique level. This one works on Slimes up to the Ravener Spirit level. This one works on..."

Rium continued to explain the tools of the trade to the two trainees until well into the night.