Massing the Troops (Part Two)

But once they entered Scrap City's core district—the ruins of an ancient city excavated from the swamp—the situation became quite different.

The surface portion of the city ruins was protected by towering walls, with a grand gate set into them. Two powerful war machines stood guard on either side, their hulking forms seeming small from afar.

Countless metal structures sprawled chaotically around the walls. Steel chimneys and iron towers soared into the clouds, while the smoke columns and blazing fire clouds belched out by innumerable refineries blotted out the sky.

Only the city's uppermost exterior still retained its original form, though even these highest metal wreckages had been hollowed out and turned into weapons factories.

"Welcome, Overlord!"

As the white Gargant approached, the Morkanauts guarding the gate lowered their arms. Their whistles roared in welcome, and the tightly shut gates slowly opened as well.

Guk had nearly ten thousand guards permanently stationed in Scrap City. Not only did they defend its core district, they also oversaw another enormous project. As the gates opened, the true nature of that project gradually appeared before Guk.

"Euclid."

Guk connected to the Gargant's control cabin.

"Is your treasure ready?"

"Almost. Give me a few more days."

"Fine. I'll wait."

Guk cut the communication and walked to the window, folding his arms across his chest.

Ahead stood a massive metal arch over a hundred meters tall. Scaffolding clung to its surface as technicians worked hard to complete it, while more Weirdboyz muttered incantations around it.

The ringing of enormous hammers reverberated through the arched hall. Guk stood there, staring at the unfinished gate, his gray-white face sunk in thought.

Liya stepped to his side and followed his gaze.

It was an octagonal gate with a span of roughly fifty meters, reinforced by metal ground rings