Entering the High Tower X High Tower Information

It resembles Bronze Colossus, covered with thick verdigris and rust.

These traces are enough to show how ancient this tower is, and how long it has existed in this place is unknown.

This brings to mind the various biological data and information obtained from Kevin.

Therefore, it can be concluded that the exact time of existence of this High Tower, which appears pitch black from a distance, is even more uncertain.

The surface of this tower is not a single piece, but rather is made up of countless enormous gears and pistons that mesh and interlock with each other.

Many gears had severely worn edges, and the meshing areas were covered with dark grime and dust.

Many of the gears that should have been in operation are now broken, and in many places, vines and dead trees can be seen spreading through the gaps.

Occasionally, one could hear a dull creak or two coming from deep within, like metal reaching its limit of fatigue.

On the tower, massive bronze pipes coiled and twisted like lifeless Giant Snake. From some broken sections of the pipes, wisps of dark, ancient mist, as if frozen for millions of years, leaked out, emitting a faint metallic stench.

The entire High Tower is beginning to show signs of decay and age.

The area around Taji seemed out of place, as it was a black desert region, while the place where Jin and his group stood was a plain, made of soil.

There is no excessive band.

The Black Sand is as fine as powder, flowing slowly in the breeze.

Above this flowing, inky sea of sand, enormous mechanical bodies of various shapes stand frozen like petrified sentinels.

A fortress resembling a giant tortoise carrying a mountain of gears on its back, with some peculiar structures visible on its surface, and faint, dark patterns flickering across its surface.

However, because it is so incompatible with human aesthetics, it is impossible to discern the specific function of the elements on it from its structure.

In addition, there were spider-like machines curled up, extending their steel claws covered in sharp spikes.

Dark red, rust-like lumps had formed at the joints.

The sharp, blade-like edges on its limbs reveal the spider's weapons.

Even more striking are the Gargoyle, crouching atop their crumbling bases, their metal wings half-concealing their empty eye sockets. Their bodies are covered in gravel and a thick layer of rust, as if they have become one with the Black Sand.

This thing looks fantastical, but whether in the Dark Continent or in human society, it actually has almost the same prototype.

"Although it looks like a structure built by intelligent beings, it's obvious that it wasn't built by humans," said Investigator Tuk, who had Mechanical Bird perched on his shoulder, as he adjusted his glasses.

"That's right. Sometimes when you see buildings constructed by intelligent beings, you need to know whether they were built by humans. You can look at the aesthetics and structure of the building," Jin affirmed, his gaze sweeping over the twisted and bizarre structures.

"No matter what kind of civilization it is, the aesthetics it produces are actually in line with human aesthetics, even if they are strange, absurd, or even ugly."

"But it will definitely not be like this, which makes people instinctively uncomfortable, confused, and even unable to identify what many of its structures actually are."

Kim added that he was clearly a professional.

Aesthetic appreciation is not merely a unique preference of civilization or an individual; it is intimately connected with the entire human body.

When everyone is human and has the same physical appearance, then everyone's aesthetic sense follows a basic logic.

Minor violations of basic logic are somewhat forgivable, but large-scale violations of basic logic, coupled with an inability to appreciate the beauty of objects, are unacceptable.

Therefore, its connection with humans becomes almost negligible.

Just like this High Tower.

"Let's take a closer look. Judging from its appearance alone, this High Tower seems to be no longer functional."

Jin suggested, and took the lead in walking towards the Black Sand area.

Some of the surrounding mechanical objects seemed to still be moving, emitting a barely audible low hum, while others remained motionless and completely silent, as if they were scrapped and dead.

There's no way to determine whether the High Tower is still operational.

Leading the team closer to the past.

Because of their dealings with intelligent mechanical beings, they, like Kevin before them, have been labeled as allies.

Even when they got close to the High Tower, no so-called defense mechanism was triggered. All the mechanical entities ignored them, as if they were just a breeze brushing against a metal surface.

"We can just observe from a distance, but don't touch it with your hands," Jin emphasized again, his gaze sweeping over the eager team members.

Especially one of them who has a criminal record.

Although he knew his team wouldn't be so reckless on the Dark Continent, Jin couldn't help but offer a reminder in the face of such peculiar Ruins.

As they approached the bronze High Tower, they saw more details eroded by time.

The High Tower's the Gate was closed, and the area around the Gate was covered in a spiderweb-like pattern of damage, so it could be said to be in an open state.

After testing the waters and confirming there was no energy response, they entered through the damaged area without receiving any warning.

They split into two teams, and Jin led his team cautiously inside.

The High Tower was pitch black inside, with only the light from the sky filtering through the breach outlining the massive machinery.

However, the light filtering through the damage and cracks still allows us to roughly discern the situation inside.

The entire High Tower has no distinct levels. The interior space is soaring and dazzling.

In other words, this High Tower is a single, integrated structure, like a bronze bell resting on the ground.

There is no support in the middle, and no beams on the left or right sides at the top.

Looking up, the massive mechanical structures stretched layer upon layer, extending into the darkness at the edge of the field of vision.

The interior of the High Tower is like a manufacturing assembly line, with huge mechanical arms suspended in mid-air and rusty conveyor belts winding around.

Manufacturing assembly lines produce materials from top to bottom, where they fall to the bottom and eventually form a single unit.

Some parts were still functioning, emitting intermittent, death-defying "clicks," but others had completely broken down and stopped, covered by a thick layer of dust.

Those parts that are still functioning can only keep cycling, gradually breaking down over time, becoming sluggish and difficult to operate.

The group dispersed to explore the interior of the High Tower, their footsteps echoing softly in the empty metal space.

They even carried photographic devices to record this mechanical wonder that surpasses human imagination.

As Ruin Hunter, Jin quickly discovered its usefulness.

"Is there something recorded here?" Jin asked, pointing to a Metal Box covered with unidentified interfaces embedded in the side of a huge gear set.

The person he pulled over was Tuk, the scout in the team.

Tuk, who had been pulled over, looked at the device and its oddly shaped, irregularly sized interfaces.

"Damn it, they don't want me to connect to these weird interfaces, do they?" Tuk's face darkened, and he instinctively took a half step back.

Jin nodded without hesitation.

"Based on this orientation, the interface here should be completely unrelated to the entire manufacturing line."

"But since it's here, maybe it's used for recording something." Jin stroked his chin, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"How can you be so sure? This thing wasn't even made by humans; its design and methods are definitely different from humans'," Tuk asked, needing a more convincing explanation. Connecting to an unknown civilization's interface rashly was far too risky.

Such arbitrary and unclear interface connections can lead to serious problems if issues arise.

Jin pointed to himself. "Because I trust myself, especially my intuition, and who told you I've only explored human Ruins?" A confident smile curved his lips.

"You should know that there are still many Ruins of Demonic Beast in the areas inhabited by humans. Humans escaped the Dark Continent with some Demonic Beast in tow."

Demonic Beast and Sapient Life.

In modern human society, the number of Demonic Beast is very small, and they all live in protected areas far away from human society.

Of course, the existence of Demonic Beast is not a secret to human society; it's not that only Hunter x Hunter know about it.

At this moment, the burly Teze walked over. His enhancement-type Nen aura rippled slightly.

He picked the other person up and swung them around.

A pale golden Light Shield appeared around Tuk.

"This will protect you," Taizeyue deep voice.

This can also form a protective barrier.

"Who can be sure? At most, this thing can only guarantee physical damage," Tuk said with a wry smile, but he still took a deep breath and transformed the Mechanical Bird on his shoulder into a compatible interface, carefully inserting it into the port.

Sure enough, strange information was read. Tuk's body jolted violently, and his eyes instantly went unfocused.

He paused for a moment, then shook his head, as if he had just emerged from deep water.

"It is neither a written record of words nor a quantifiable record of information, but a record in the form of mental waves."

Tuk said, rubbing his throbbing temples.

For a team like theirs that has explored Ruins.

The carriers of language information can be roughly divided into three categories.

Existences like humans, recorded in written form; information recorded in the form of magnetic field Electric Current data; and information recorded in the form of wave-like information by spiritual entities.

These are information recording methods that can be roughly divided into three categories.

Tuk had expected it to be a data-driven record, but it turned out to be a record of mental fluctuations.

This direct, impactful approach made him somewhat uncomfortable.

"First, there's a record of a time period where the exact time cannot be determined, a time marker." Tuk closed his eyes, trying to recall the fragments that flashed through his mind.

He also needs to translate some information, which, to be honest, is quite a test of his brain.

"They are subordinate units of a certain force, and received orders from a higher level to come here and build this High Tower."

"Besides monitoring the surrounding area, the High Tower's role is also to manufacture—let me see how to translate this, it should be something like 'body' or 'body body'? I can't be completely sure, but logically it should be pretty close." Tuk frowned.

This information is very important and needs to be clarified.

At this point, Tuk paused for a moment, as if he were reading more information.

The surrounding team members held their breath.

"In the middle is a long section of various records, probably some important logs. The content is quite complex, covering resources, environmental scans, manufacturing progress—"

I can only provide a simple description to confirm this; I cannot translate the specific information scanned because it involves technical terminology.

"Then came the ending—it seems some kind of information was forcibly cut off, some catastrophic situation occurred, they couldn't leave, something core was destroyed, and they gained the highest level of access according to some emergency protocol."

Tuk's tone carried a hint of uncertainty.

After reading the information, Tuk pulled out the connector, let out a long sigh, and rubbed his temples.

Jin and the team members who had gathered around earlier fell into deep thought, a sense of confusion filling the air.

"What are your thoughts?" Jin Huan looked around at everyone, breaking the silence.

"Based on the information we've been given, we can at least confirm that the Sapient Life form is a rather large force that has extended its reach here. It's like an outpost or colony," Teval analyzed first.

"At the same time, we can also confirm that there is definitely more than one of these bronze High Tower. This fits the description of 'surveillance' and 'expansion.'"

"The expansion of this Sapient Life form's influence is driven by the Bronze Tower as a node," Jin concluded. This conclusion could be drawn from the limited information available.

"It must have been a long time ago, but the problem is there doesn't seem to be any sign of battle on this High Tower." Another team member observed the surrounding walls and mechanical structures.

"Look at these mechanical bodies outside, there are no signs of battle, just some minor scratches. It shouldn't have been a major battle." He pointed to the guarding machines visible through the breach in the tower.

Tuk thought for a moment and said.

"It might not be a problem here; it could be a problem at the core. Didn't they say they gained the highest level of authority in the end?" Taizeyue guessed.

"Your argument is still based on our own human perspective. What do you mean by 'obtaining the highest authority'? We can easily draw an analogy to a situation where management is no longer possible, and we've entered a kind of emergency. You decide what to do."

Teval countered, "Isn't that possible? It's even more likely in the context of an intelligent cluster."

Hearing the crowd arguing.

Peach Heart Love tossed the teddy bear in her hand and scoffed, "I don't know what you guys are arguing about. Why don't you figure out how to communicate with these Machine Lifeform? Then you'll know everything." She pointed to the silent guardians outside the tower.

Upon hearing this, the Exploration Team fell silent.

Yes.

Not all of them died; these Machine Lifeform are clearly still free and possess intelligence.

Why not just talk to them? What are you guessing here?

He coughed awkwardly, and everyone fell silent. Kim also looked thoughtful.

"It's not exactly useless communication," Jin said. "Even fragments of information are part of the puzzle."

It won't waste anything.

Teval frowned, thought for a moment, and then asked.

"Is there any record of such a thing in Travelogue? The power of Machine Lifeform —after all, based on the information we've gathered, they're definitely not a small force."

"It could even be compared to the kind of Overlord- level existence Kevin mentioned." He looked at Kim, seeking confirmation from this living encyclopedia.

Overlord is not necessarily an individual; it can also be a behemoth formed by a group of people.

If it were such a colossal Machine Lifeform, there would most likely be clues about it in the Travelogue.

"No," Jin shook his head, his tone certain. "At least not in East Fuglits's Ring Coast records."

He could recite every word of the Travelogue, so he knew it very well.

"From the information, we can infer that the Bronze Tower is a kind of Boundary expansion that was thrown into the distance, right? Even if it's not clear, it should be something like that." Jin analyzed the keywords in the information.

"That means they're far from the core areas, far from their occupied territories. In other words, they might be an entity deep within the Dark Continent, rather than a force existing on the coast." His gaze seemed to pierce through the tower walls, looking into the depths of the continent.

The Dark Continent is vast, and the Travelogue they possessed only covers half of the lake.

They've been exploring the shore.

They definitely didn't venture deep into the Dark Continent; its vastness cannot be contained in a single book.

Therefore, the main area of influence of these Sapient Life forms is very likely located deep within the Dark Continent. This would also explain why they are not recorded in coastal records.

"Let's take another look, and think about how to communicate with these life forms. I feel it will be very helpful for our subsequent exploration," Jin decided. "Let's gather as much information as possible about the tower first."