13: Chapter 13 Mechanical Guardians!

"3%...20%...10%...0%! Corruption level has returned to zero!"

The Public Security Team member responsible for monitoring spoke, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

Almost the instant the corruption level hit zero, the distorted vortex at the Dungeon entrance began to churn violently.

Under everyone's gaze, a figure slowly emerged from the dissipating energy.

Lu Yin!

The moment he stepped out of the Dungeon, the entire scene fell into a dead silence.

"Silent One!"

The first to react was Bai Luer. She rushed towards Lu Yin without a second thought, her eyes filled with both joy and worry.

"What's wrong? Why does it feel like we were facing a life-or-death separation?"

She buried her head in Lu Yin's chest, leaving him looking utterly bewildered.

"Child, are you alright?"

Qin Chuan was the next to snap out of his shock. He looked Lu Yin up and down, his voice low and full of concern.

"I'm fine."

Though weary, Lu Yin replied.

"Student, did you defeat the Corrupted Boss inside?"

The Security Captain also ran over excitedly.

"Yes, I couldn't have gotten out without defeating the Boss."

"I just didn't expect to be so lucky, encountering such a... fortunate event on my very first Dungeon run."

Thinking of the gains from this trip, Lu Yin couldn't help but let a pleased expression show on his face.

In just over two hours, he had leveled up from 1 to 5.

With another stroke of luck like this, he might even be able to reach level 10 in a single day.

And once he reached level 10, he could unlock one of the Death Monarch's Legion Commanders.

He imagined that such an innate summon would undoubtedly be even more powerful.

Seeing Lu Yin's smug look, everyone around wore expressions of utter disbelief.

"First Dungeon run... and he solo-cleared a 10% corrupted invasion Dungeon?"

A Public Security Team member muttered to himself, nearly dropping the instrument in his hand.

"Student, how did you manage to defeat the Corrupted Boss alone?"

"With 10% corruption, the monsters' attributes increase tenfold!"

The Security Captain processed Lu Yin's words for a moment before asking.

"Well... I have a skill that ignores defense. So, I used some methods to grind the Boss down."

Lu Yin said it lightly, but his words only deepened the shock of those present.

A rookie Professional, even with a top-tier Mythic Class, shouldn't be able to solo a 10% mechanically corrupted Dungeon.

But if he could ignore a monster's defense, then it all became possible.

"So that's how it is..."

The Security Captain nodded as if a lightbulb had gone off, the astonishment in his eyes gradually turning to admiration.

He patted Lu Yin on the shoulder, his tone carrying a note of praise.

"A skill that ignores defense... no wonder you could create such a miracle."

"Student, you are the first newcomer in the history of Tianyang City to solo a 10% corrupted Dungeon."

The surrounding Public Security Team members gathered around, their gazes towards Lu Yin filled with awe.

Many whispered among themselves.

"A Mythic Class truly lives up to its reputation..."

"If this gets out, it will probably cause a sensation throughout Tianyang City."

"That guy!"

Zhao Gao watched Lu Yin being surrounded by the crowd from a distance, his gaze sinister and venomous.

Not only had Lu Yin survived the Corrupted Dungeon, he had even become the hero who cleared it.

He had run the ordinary-difficulty beginner Dungeon himself. If the monsters' attributes were increased tenfold...

He and his team would undoubtedly face certain death.

And Lu Yin had chosen the hard difficulty from the start. The monsters after corruption must have been even more terrifying than he imagined.

Bai Luer still clung tightly to Lu Yin's sleeve, her voice still trembling slightly.

"Do you know how worried we were? No one has ever survived a 10% corrupted Dungeon alone..."

Only then did Lu Yin notice her slightly reddened eyes, and a warmth spread in his heart.

"Sorry for making you worry."

After some comforting words from Lu Yin, Bai Luer finally calmed down a bit.

"Student Lu Yin, since you cleared the Mechanical Corrupted Dungeon, you must have obtained a Corrupted Mechanical Core, right?"

"If you turn it over to the national research department, you can receive a quite substantial reward."

The Security Captain said to Lu Yin at this point.

"Really? Then I'll turn it in. Captain, could you tell me what kind of rewards I can get?"

Hearing this, Lu Yin's eyes immediately lit up.

He had originally planned to sell the Corrupted Mechanical Core anyway.

Now, with this official channel available, he was naturally willing to cooperate.

The Security Captain showed an approving smile and patted Lu Yin's shoulder again.

"Of course. According to the research department's regulations, there are three reward options for submitting a Corrupted Mechanical Core."

"First is a star essence reward. The submitter can directly receive 500,000 star essence."

"Second is an equipment reward. You can receive a full set of Gold-grade equipment suitable for your current level."

"The final option is a title reward. You will receive the 'Mechanical Guardian' title."

"This title grants you a +5 increase to all attributes and entitles you to a 10% discount on all transactions at the Professional Association."

Lu Yin listened to the three options; each was quite good.

However, although he had no money now, as long as he kept growing, acquiring things like star essence would become easy.

As for a full set of Gold-grade equipment, it was certainly tempting, but it seemed less cost-effective at low levels.

Therefore, Lu Yin's first choice in his heart was naturally the title.

A title could be equipped permanently and also provided discounts at the Professional Association.

Looking long-term, the title clearly offered the greatest benefit.

"Alright, Captain. I'd like to choose the Mechanical Guardian title."

Without hesitation, Lu Yin retrieved the Corrupted Mechanical Core from his inventory and handed it to the Security Captain.

"Very well. I'll register it for you right away. Leave a delivery address and contact information. The title should arrive tomorrow, and a specialist will contact you then."

The Security Captain took the Corrupted Mechanical Core and carefully placed it into a specially designed container.

He operated a silver-white handheld device, quickly inputting Lu Yin's personal information.

"Done. Your information has been uploaded. The people will remember your contribution."

"Okay, thank you, Captain."

Lu Yin thanked him politely.

After handling this matter, the Public Security Team began their investigation of the Dungeon once more.

Although the Dungeon corruption had been cleared by Lu Yin, there might still be some lingering hidden dangers.

So, it needed to be monitored for a while longer.

"Child, was the Boss you defeated in the Dungeon a hidden Corrupted Boss?"

While the Public Security Team was busy, Qin Chuan looked at Lu Yin and asked.

"Yes, Principal. The hidden Boss, the Lava Behemoth, became the Mechanical Lava Behemoth after being corrupted."

Lu Yin answered truthfully.

Qin Chuan took a deep breath, then said with a serious expression.

"Child, your Class is even more powerful than I imagined. In the future, you will undoubtedly become a pillar of our human race."

"This beginner Dungeon is temporarily inaccessible due to the mechanical corruption."

"I can recommend you to the beginner Dungeons of other high schools to continue leveling up."

However, Lu Yin shook his head at Qin Chuan's suggestion and stated his own plan.

"No, Principal. I want to leave the city."