I am the Holy Poisoner, the Empress advised me to calm down

"Holy crap! Didn't they say the robots wouldn't arrive for fifteen minutes? They've already started!" The ponytailed girl couldn't help but widen her eyes and curse. "What kind of enemy logic is this? These dirty tricks are way too much!"

The repairman standing nearby waved his hand, interrupting her complaints: "Shut up and calm down! Don't you see that they're testing our limits? There must be an ambush waiting!"

The chatter hadn't died down yet when the timid university student, who had been holding his glasses, suddenly spoke. His voice was still tense, but with a hint of stubbornness. "Since we can't hide anymore... we have no choice but to fight." He took a step forward and turned to Zhao Li. "I'd like to remind you again that the basement might be the only way out. If we can seize the control center first, we might have a chance of survival."

As soon as the words fell, the onlookers showed expressions of astonishment.

"Fuck, this guy is so bold! He was just a coward just now, but now he wants to lead a counterattack on the mainframe nest?!" A young man whispered to his friend next to him, his tone full of disbelief, "Could this guy have some untapped superpowers?"

Another student wearing a baseball cap tutted his lips after hearing this: "I think it's more like the plot twist in novels. He plays dumb and gets bullied at first, but at the critical moment he shows off his unique skills and saves the day! Don't you think it's a bit like a TV show? Hahahaha——"

Despite the laughter and teasing surrounding them, no one doubted the seriousness of the university student's face. On the contrary, many onlookers began to feel anticipation.

Zhao Li narrowed her eyes slightly, carefully studying his slightly immature yet determined appearance. "Okay, you come with me to investigate the situation. But the rest of us, hold off for now, just in case this is a diversionary tactic."

This decision immediately drew Qin Yifei's objection. He frowned and asked, "Why only send a few people to take such a risk? If we make a wrong judgment, the losses will be very heavy."

However, Zhao Li waved her hand and refused, "It's because time is of the essence and we can't delay any longer! And according to the current intelligence, the control core is indeed hidden in the basement. As for what the Sky Curtain Judge looks like, only by seeing it with our own eyes can we formulate the next plan."

At this moment, Du Fan lazily interrupted with a half-smile on his face, "Hmm~ I'm quite curious. If this 'future hero' successfully activates the so-called control device but finds it's completely useless, wouldn't that be a waste of precious life resources?"

"Hey, what else do you want?" The man pushing his glasses suddenly stood up and pointed his finger at Du Fan's nose, accusing him, "Does having us all sit there and wait for death to arrive count as a valid tactic?! Stop this bullshit and ruin your morale, okay?"

Du Fan laughed heartily and walked away, leaving behind a meaningful look that made the hairs on the back of his head stand on end. Just as the argument escalated, a deafening sound of metal rubbing against each other suddenly erupted!

The warning lights in the sky flashed violently, and the footsteps of the mechanical units became increasingly audible, as if the entire city was on the brink of destruction.

There was a sudden commotion among the crowd.

"Here they come! We finally see the first batch of mechas!" a delivery boy on an electric scooter rushed into the square and shouted, "Brothers, look at the rooftops of the buildings on both sides of the road. There are many armed patrol aircraft hovering on patrol! Even the drones have begun to assemble and deploy!"

Everyone rushed to a place with a wide view. Looking up in the direction of the finger, they found that a dark shadow was gradually approaching, and the cold mechanical limbs exuded a terrifying sense of oppression.

An elderly man muttered to himself, "This is a scene from a science fiction movie about an alien invasion... How could it happen in the real world?"

Before he even finished speaking, the old man waved his arms to attract everyone's attention: "Everyone, listen up! Before the enemy's formal attack arrives, we must quickly establish an effective defense system and ensure the timely evacuation of the wounded from the front line. We must not lose our composure and morale!"

This appeal had a calming effect. Some who had been planning to flee the battlefield stopped and quietly returned to their posts to rejoin the preparations. Meanwhile, Qin Yifei, along with the university students and several technical volunteers, quietly headed towards the underground parking lot.

Just before everyone entered the elevator, a girl's excited voice could be heard from behind: "Brother Qin, I believe you can handle the matter of that strange symbol and keep us all safe! Come on, do your best and leave no way out! Please——"

Hearing this, others also offered encouragement:

"I hope this action will let all AI know that we humans have backbone and will not let them do whatever they want!!"

"Hey, remember your responsibilities and don't hold the team back. I'll put your contribution on the merit list later, hehe."

Faced with such a complex mix of emotions and blessings, Qin Yifei simply responded calmly, "Just do it."

The door slowly closed, isolating the outside world from the noise. Only a group of people were left walking forward in the dim light. The air was filled with a strong musty smell, accompanied by the occasional blue light, which was inexplicably unsettling.

"How is it?" The technician walking at the back couldn't help but ask, trying to ease the tension.

The college student, adjusting his glasses, took a deep breath to adjust himself and replied, "Although the specific situation is still unclear, I can sense some mysterious force guiding us. Anyway... be mentally prepared to face all the unknowns!"

Suddenly, a strange buzzing sound suddenly echoed through the narrow corridor. At the same time, the flashlights of the people exploring ahead suddenly dimmed, stopped working, and went out completely...

"Oh no, something is approaching!" Someone swallowed and spoke with difficulty.

A pair of bright red pupils suddenly emerged from the darkness, locking onto each person. "Holy crap! What the hell is that?" a technician in the team couldn't help but scream, his voice echoing in the cramped space.

Qin Yifei narrowed his eyes, staring intently at the red light in the darkness ahead, his fingers lightly touching the weapon at his waist. "Calm down! Everyone, move towards me. Maintain your formation!"

But even though he spoke calmly, the atmosphere remained tense. The university student in the middle of the group clenched his toolbox, his forehead covered in sweat. He trembled as he said, "This... is this the 'Vigilante' model robot mentioned in the system log? They've actually infiltrated this place?"

Before anyone could fully react, a sharp, grinding sound of metal rubbing against each other echoed from the darkness. Then, a two-meter-tall figure clad in pitch-black armor gradually emerged, its blood-red eyes emitting a chilling light.