The Mine-Sweeper and Unexpected Coordination

The piercing alarm siren ricocheted off the stone walls, and the giant machine in the center of the warehouse began to move. It was much larger and heavier than a T-9 drill, moving on thick caterpillar tracks. Its four mechanical arms were equipped with four different types of weapons: a giant crusher claw, a steam-powered sledgehammer, a plasma cutter, and a seismic drill. It was truly a machine of destruction.

Yanaki didn't waste a second. "[Appraisal]!"

[Guardian Automaton - Mine-Sweeper X-01 (Area Boss)]

Level: 25

Description: The final defense unit of Mine #7, only activated when the central power system is threatened. Designed to "clean up" all threats thoroughly.

Skills: [Crusher Claw], [Sledgehammer], [Plasma Cutter Ray], [Seismic Drill].

Weakness: Slow movement speed, unarmored arm joints, main power core located on its back.

Level 25! A number that made both Yanaki and Kael gulp.

The Mine-Sweeper didn't give them much time. It identified the largest and toughest target: Sylva. Its sledgehammer arm hissed as it filled with steam and brought down a devastating blow.

"It's slow!" Kael yelled, his Rogue's experience allowing him to see it instantly. "Don't face it head-on! Keep moving!"

"Sylva, fall back, use the shield to deflect the blow!" Yanaki commanded at the same time.

The Guardian Treant didn't try to block it directly. It angled its Legacy Shield at 45 degrees. The sledgehammer hit, and instead of taking the full force, most of the kinetic energy of the blow was deflected, causing the hammer to slam into the floor and create a small crater. The Mine-Sweeper's hammer arm was momentarily stuck.

"Opportunity!" both Yanaki and Kael realized.

Kael shot forward like a black shadow, his twin daggers flashing as he repeatedly struck the joint of the hammer arm. [Twin Strike]! Sparks flew, and the component was clearly damaged. Volt followed, using its upgraded power mace to strike the same spot, the electric current making the entire mechanical arm convulse.

Meanwhile, Elara flew high up. "Its power core is on its back! Protected by a very thick plate of armor!" she reported.

The Mine-Sweeper roared, pulling its hammer arm free. It switched targets to Kael, using its [Crusher Claw] to try and grab the agile Rogue.

"Sylva!"

Yanaki's Protector stomped its foot. From its two arms, tough wooden vines shot out, wrapping tightly around the claw and holding it in place for a few precious seconds. Sylva had adapted its [Root Prison] skill to be usable on any terrain.

They gradually fell into a combat rhythm. Yanaki stayed at a distance, acting as the commander and analyst. Sylva served as the fortress wall, drawing and withstanding the most powerful attacks. Kael and Volt were the two main spearheads, constantly harassing and attacking the weak joints.

Attacked from all sides, the Mine-Sweeper began to go berserk. Its plasma cutter arm started to charge with energy. "[Plasma Cutter Ray]!"

A searing beam of plasma swept across the area. The entire party had to quickly take cover behind the dormant drill machines.

"This isn't working," Kael said, also hiding near Yanaki. "We're just chipping away at it. The armor on its back is too thick; we can't get near the power core."

Yanaki looked at the T-9 drills connected to the now-unshielded energy conduit. A crazy but feasible plan flashed in her mind.

"I have an idea! Give me a hand!"

She quickly explained her plan. Kael looked at her like she was a monster. "Crazy. But I like it."

While Sylva and Volt continued to draw the Mine-Sweeper's attention, Kael rushed to the nearest T-9 charging station. He used his tools to rewire the circuit, not to charge it, but to overload it. Yanaki ran over as well, using her limited knowledge to help Kael direct the energy flow precisely.

The T-9 automaton began to shake violently, its power core glowing a fiery red.

"Everyone, fall back!" Yanaki yelled.

The Mine-Sweeper sensed the danger. It turned and raised its sledgehammer, intending to destroy the overloading machine.

But it was too late.

BOOM!

A terrifying explosion of metal and energy shook the entire warehouse. The entire T-9 drill blew apart. The shockwave and metal shrapnel slammed directly into the side of the Mine-Sweeper. The giant machine staggered, and most importantly, the thick armor plate protecting the power core on its back was bent and blasted off by the force of the explosion, falling to the ground with a loud CLANG.

The blue power core, the machine's heart, was now completely exposed.

The entire team looked at the glowing, critical weak spot. They had created their own opportunity.

"Now or never!" Kael yelled, charging forward.

The all-out assault began.