Hansen rose from the throne, his dark armor making a low, metallic scraping sound with his movement.
He strolled over to the Armored Gorilla, whose upgraded mechanical body was so massive that its shadow almost completely enveloped the space in front of the throne.
Hansen extended a dark, glowing claw and lightly tapped on the dull gold armor, which glinted with the cold light of heavy metal.
Clang, clang, clang!
A series of clear echoes spread through the empty Insect God Temple, and he casually asked, "How does the upgraded body feel?"
"Reporting, Your Majesty, it feels... great."
The Armored Gorilla respectfully lowered his head, a torrent of data streams rapidly scrolling across his electronic eyes, and he rumbled, "According to system self-diagnosis and simulated calculations, my current comprehensive combat power in normal mode is 597.36 times that before the modification."
"If all safety restrictions are removed and the 'Controllable Ashura Mode' transplanted from the mass-produced corps is activated, I will gain power no less than that of the 'Rampaging Ashura Beetle,' capable of wiping a city off the map in a short time."
"..."
—Such a declaration, truly villainous.
Hansen's eye twitched, and he sighed in his heart, thinking how this was completely different in style from the previously adorable mechanical gorilla.
However, relying on cuteness for survival was not a long-term plan after all.
In this world where power reigned supreme, being able to keep up with the times and not become a relic of the past was the proper stance for a qualified subordinate.
Hansen's heart stirred, and the Armored Gorilla's majestic figure was reflected in his crimson eyes, while the system displayed its ability information.
Monster: Superalloy Armored Gorilla
Disaster Level: Dragon (High)
Clearly, the Armored Gorilla was that kind of competent subordinate.
"Very good," Hansen patted the large mechanical gorilla's shoulder, and though he didn't use force, it caused his massive body to involuntarily sink.
"Armored Gorilla, from today onward, I shall bestow upon you a new identity and mission."
The little person inside the Armored Gorilla was sweating profusely.
Fortunately, he had no disloyal intentions; the power inadvertently displayed by His Majesty, the Bug God... was truly terrifying!
"The actual highest combat power of the Monster Association is not those free-spirited, unruly Dragon-level cadres, but..."
Hansen, noticing the Armored Gorilla's subtle thoughts, grew even more satisfied and casually revealed.
"It is the 'Knights of the Apocalypse' that I personally assembled.
Every knight in the corps possesses Dragon-level strength and has the potential to surpass Dragon-level Monsters."
Hansen's voice carried a hypnotic magic, echoing in the Armored Gorilla's ears.
"The Knights of the Apocalypse already has two members: the 'Plague Knight,' who controls calamity and sickness and can grow infinitely stronger by absorbing resentment."
"The 'Death Knight,' who manipulates decay and corruption, can also infinitely strengthen himself by absorbing pollution and radiation."
"And you," Hansen's claw lightly tapped the Armored Gorilla's chest, directly on the core reactor that glowed with a faint blue light like a miniature star, "will become the third Knight of the Knights of the Apocalypse, wielding destruction and conquest—"
"The 'War Knight'!"
The Armored Gorilla's massive body suddenly trembled, looking utterly bewildered.
No...—Those two predecessors sound so grand and lofty. How can I, a mechanically modified Monster, be worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder with such infinitely growing Monsters?
The Armored Gorilla's thoughts were laid bare to Hansen's divine perception, and he immediately reassured him, "What? Worried that your abilities aren't worthy of this position? Heh, don't underestimate the power of machines."
"Compared to 'limiters'—that is, creatures whose species' upper limits are completely locked—the upper limit of mechanical life is almost infinite."
"Stronger materials, more powerful energy; as long as technology continues to upgrade, you can break through your original limits and become stronger at any time."
"So, never underestimate yourself, Armored Gorilla."
The Armored Gorilla was stunned, then his oil boiled with excitement, stirred by Hansen's powerful, manipulative words.
"I obey your will, My Majesty!"
His right arm slammed heavily against the armor on his left chest, emitting a deafening steel roar!
"War Knight, always ready to bring you victory and destruction!"
"Very good."
Hansen turned around, satisfied; he was already getting into character, wasn't he?
Walking back to the stone throne, which symbolized supreme power, he commanded, "Now, I have an important mission for you, War Knight."
The Armored Gorilla's expression became solemn: "Please command, Your Majesty! Through mountains of blades and seas of fire, your subordinate will not hesitate!"
"The evolution of living beings has limits, but the development of technology is infinite."
In Hansen's crimson eyes, a profound light of foresight flashed.
"Next, you will assist Dr. Genus, using all resources to rapidly mass-produce soldiers, to create a mechanical army for me, one capable of flattening the entire planet."
"This legion will be named 'War.'"
"And you, War Knight, will be the sole commander of this steel torrent!"
The War Knight's massive body trembled violently again. Commanding a legion?
What a trust and responsibility!
He seemed to already see it: under his command, billions of steel warriors, like a swarm of locusts, crushing all resistors into dust—a magnificent future!
"I understand, Your Majesty!"
The War Knight knelt on one knee again, his massive metal head bowed deeply, and his booming promise echoed throughout the temple.
"Please rest assured, War Knight will not fail your expectations!"
"We... will forge an indestructible steel legion for you!"
...A few days later, Z-City, uninhabited zone.
The once bustling city square was now as quiet as a wilderness.
Hansen, King, and Genos, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, stood in an equilateral triangle around a tall robot erected in the center of the square.
"Mr. Hansen, is this the latest creation you mentioned, based on Metal Knight's data and technology, combined with the technology from your research institute?"
Genos's golden electronic eyes rapidly scanned the metallic creation before him, which exuded an aesthetic of extreme violence.
In his vision, dense streams of data refreshed madly, each one making his heart pound.
The design philosophy of this robot was entirely different from his own modification direction.
It did not pursue speed and agility but instead amplified destruction and firepower to an appalling degree.
Of course, that heavy, matte metallic armor was clearly not just for show; its defensive capabilities must also be considerable.
"That's right, it's a product that integrates the efforts of several different technical departments under my command."
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