Author's Note: Merry Christmas! Wait, it's not Christmas anymore? Noooo! And I wanted to jingle my bells on Rudolph's red nose! Oh yeah, and one THOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUSAND followers!

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There's a boy and his father in Gnosia who just stepped out their car and are about to take a walk in Gnosia's park.

“Dad, you really mean it this time? You will actually spend the day with me?” The little boy says with a big smile and sparkling eyes.

“Of course Billy. When have I ever let you down?”

Billy starts to frown and starts counting down on his fingers.

“Well dad, every time a robot attacks, you always tell me to go back to the car. It happens every single time.”

“Haha.” The father laughs a kind laugh. “Well son, I have recently gotten stronger. I'm a level 230 swordsman now from fighting those robots all the time. I don't fear those robots anymore. Even if 10 robots were to show up, it won't stop me from spending time with my boy.” The father says kindly to Billy while patting his head.

“Wow dad, you're awesome!” Billy says with a fist bump in the air.

It was then that Billy noticed the red smoke signal going into the air.

“Hey dad, what's that?” Billy asks curious pointing at the smoke signal.

“That is peculiar. I don't recall Gnosia having a signal like that. What could that be?” The father ponders.

It was then that transmutation circles show up throughout the city and thousands of robots show up. The most robots people have seen at once was around 10. This is unprecedented.

“Oh my god dad! I've never seen so many robots! Luckily since you're stronger and you made your promise to me, we have nothing to fear!” Billy says proudly.

“....Billy, get in the car.”

Billy frowns. “But dad, you said-”

“I SAID GET IN THE CAR!” The father yells out with a high pitched, scared voice.

They both run to the car and drive off for their lives.

***********

In the city of Gnosia, Winford's allies upon seeing the signal start to rejoice.

“Finally! I can finally become a real mage instead of this cheap knockoff!” A mage who relies on transmutation circles says.

“The gods will finally bless me! I've been waiting for this day!” A calligrapher says.

“I know a lot of people who will refuse our offer. Alas, sacrifices must be made. You cannot go against the gods.” Someone says with regret but determined.

********

“What does that red smoke mean?” A young woman asks an old man looking up at the sky.

“In all my years, I have never seen anything like that.” The old man responds baffled.

It was then the young woman saw someone she knew making a transmutation on the ground.

'What's he doing?' She wonders.

It was then that the person summons a mole-type robot onto the ground.

“Wait. Has our side finally figured out how to summon the robots!?” The woman says giddy. “Then fighting the robots will become easier!”

When that robot started destroying things around it, that's when they started knowing the truth.

“Dammit! It's been our own people attacking us all along!” The woman says with anger in her voice.

She and the old man start running away.

“What in the world made them do this?” The old man sighs looking like he aged a few years in the last few minutes.

**************

It was one of Gnosia's watch tower that one of the guards noticed the red smoke signal.

A new guy there looks at it and asks the other guards, “Is this some type of procedure I don't know about?”

“I have no idea what that is.”

One of the guards smiles wide and starts making a transmutation on the ground.

“What are you doing?” One of the guards asks the man acting weird. He draws his gone on him.

“Shit!”

A robot was summoned. It heavily injured most people there in an instant. The new guy was on the ground holding his side when he looks out the window. There were robots everywhere in the city.

'I have to warn everyone.' The guard struggles up to the emergency signal. He rings the alarm for the entire city, then collapses on the floor and closes his eyes.

Everyone in the city hears the alarm and knows what that alarm means. It means that the city is declared in a state of emergency and that they are at war. With that alarm is sounded, all stores close and people who are not able to fight are to immediately go to the emergency shelters. Anyone able to fight is to gather arms and help repel the invaders. Winford's side may be vastly outnumbered, but due to their tech and planning, they are at an advantage.

**********

Gnosia's side was currently staring down Winford's side underground. Most people there were afraid to be the first one to spark the battle that's inevitable between them. Winford's armor made him look the scariest out of all of them. Robotic armor? That's an unknown no one wanted to fight against.

“Kill them.” Winford commands his allies. Winford stands aside arms crossed seeing how the other side will deal with this test move.

The gunmen on each side were the first to move. Since Gnosia's side had more people, they had the advantage in this gun fight. The bullets spread everywhere like they were air. Winford's side was quickly pushed back. Winford however stayed put. The bullets bounced off his armor. Seeing as the guns weren't working on him, four gunmen on Gnosia's side had their cannons aimed at Winford. He looked ahead as if they weren't even there.

“Everyone. We're about to attack Winford. Get ready.” The gunmen leader tells his side. Fear is evident in his voice. “Fire!”

The shells shot out with blazing speed. Winford unfolded his arms. Wheels came out of his feet. He leans forward while spreading out his arms. The glowing lines on his armor appear to grow brighter. It was then the wheels made a sound that belonged on a race track. Winford shot forward at a speed that caused disbelief on Gnosia's side. He dodged the cannonballs with no effort at all.

The mages saw that he was getting closer, so they readied their attacks. Water and lightning shot out forming a torrent that not even a mouse would be able to pass through. They do not want to attack with fire while being under ground. Winford was not deterred. His right arm transformed into a shield and he forced his way through that combined attack.

One of Winford's metallic tentacles starts to move. It dashes straight ahead much to the fear of Gnosia's side. The amount of power it has looks like an ordinary person will die from just one hit. A shield warrior takes the initiative and attempts to block it. The warriors face shows shock as the tentacle turns 90 degrees to the side to avoid him, turned 90 degrees again to move forward, then turned 90 degrees a few more times and ended up on its original trajectory all in a split second. More warriors try to stop it. That tentacle skillfully avoided everyone it wanted to avoid.

It was then that a surprised cleric was impaled. It punctured him with no resistance at all. He died with disbelief on his face. The morale that was originally on Gnosia's side started to wane.

“This is ridiculous.” A mage on Gnosia's says dispirited under his breath.

“Wow! Incredible!” A warrior says on Winford's side says all smiles.

“We aren't even needed.” A mage on Winford's side says with a smug grin.

'Is there nothing we can do?' A gunmen on Gnosia's side thinks with clinched teeth resigned to his fate.

All of the metallic tentacles raise, preparing to strike everyone down. Some warriors drop their weapons. Some close their eyes. They heard the characteristic sound of the tentacles rushing towards them. Strangely they heard something that sounded like paper being unraveled.

“Art Materialization!”

It comes from Gnosia's side. Null knew that when he found the robot maker, he would likely have to fight robots in some fashion. What seems like a huge glob of water comes out from the scroll. It blocks Winford's path so he couldn't go through. Winford wasn't worried. He puts his shield arm in front and continues on attacking. It's only when three of the tentacles touch the water that Winford realizes something is wrong.

'This isn't water!' Winford thinks shocked. He quickly retreats before he gets covered in it.

'Totally worth 8 levels.' Null thinks. 'Hope you like hydrochloric acid bitch.'

Three of Winford's tentacles get damaged beyond repair. Bits of the acid went into his armor's system.

Gnosia's side was shocked.

“You all should probably leave now while you have the chance. I only had one of those.” Null tells the people behind him nonchalantly.

“Dammit! I need to repair this suit! Kill Null while I fix this stupid thing!” Winford yells out in frustration to his allies. “The nerve of that guy! You don't see me pouring acid on his things!” Winford says under his breath. He constantly uses the repair skill. Since there are so many components to repair, this will buy Gnosia's side some time.

Winford's side starts charging in. The warriors run over while the mages and gunmen prepare their long ranged attacks. Null throws some poison smoke bombs in their area. Winford's side couldn't avoid the smoke in time. This gives partial paralysis to most of Winford's people. Unfortunately, Winford's visor has an air filtering system, so it doesn't affect him at all.

“Null! You saved our asses! HAHAHA!” A warrior exclaims happy to be alive.

“We can win this! Thanks to Null, they're weak!” A lightning mage says readying another spell.

Gnosia's side starts their attack again. Due to Null's poison, Winford's side is at a disadvantage.

'Do these people not listen?' Null thinks while facepalming in disappointment. 'Well, whatever happens to them, it's not my problem.' Null thinks not caring about them.

“Yes! We're winning!”

“Keep pushing them back!”

“Traitors deserve death!”

Gnosia's side's morale was at an all time high.

'I'll give it 2 minutes.' Null thinks to himself nonchalantly.

They were fighting valiantly, but it was then that a tentacle came out from seemingly nowhere and impaled someone. Winford then changed his shield arm into a chain gun and started shooting everyone on the enemy side he came across.

“Oh no! He's fixed so soon!”

“Fall back! Fall back!”

'45 seconds. I was way off.' Null thinks deadpanned.

The police chief walks up to Null and asks, 'Do you have anything that can stop him?'

Null shakes his head.

“*sigh* Then our only choice is for us to retreat. There is no sense fighting a losing battle.”

“Everyone! Retreat!” The police chief yells out to his side.

No one objects. Most of them are not idiots.

“Do you think I would just let you leave?” Winford says in a looking down tone.

Winford's working metallic tentacles try to impale their fleeing backs while also firing rockets from arm which transformed into a rocket launcher.

“Art Materialization!” Null says, bringing up a huge metallic wall.

It costs him just 1 level. The earth mages then hide their tracks by turning their trail back up the surface into a maze.

'No matter.' Winford thinks. 'Right now, we have to make ourselves known why we're doing this. The symbol of this city is that library. That building is the building that started the trend of opposing the gods. I have to destroy it.'

“We're leaving.” Winford tells his allies.

“Are we chasing after them?” Someone asks.

“No. We have much bigger priorities.”

**********

Null and Gnosia's side had escaped and are currently inside one of Gnosia's forts. The ones that fought with Winford told them of the events that had transpired underground.

“So that's why all this is happening.”

“We've been duped this whole time!” Someone yells in anger while smashing his fist.

“What do we do now? Winford was the one that was in charge of Gnosia's defense system.”

“His access can be overridden if there is a high ranking tinkerer and 2 other ministers to take over.”

“Claris Joyce is the one that was supposed to be next in line right?”

Everyone looks at her. Ever since Winford had shown his true colors, Claris has been always looking downcast, always depressed, and just quiet. She looks dead inside.

“Are you sure she's in a position to be running anything?”

“We have no choice! Besides Winford, she's the best tinkerer we have!”

“Why bother?” Claris says downcast.

“Lives are at stake! I know you're going through a lot, but this is no time for selfishness! Get depressed on your own time!” Some yells reprimanding her.

Claris looks up in anger. “This is what I mean! It's all the same! People just use you and then stab you in the back when they're done with you! Why should I do anything for any of you people!? I would be better of by my-”

“Hey, annoying lady.” Null surprisingly interrupts her.

Everyone there is surprised Null is taking the initiative to talk. He's not known for talking unless he has to.

Claris scowls but listens. Being a person of few words makes your words more valued.

“You do not want to go down the path you're about to go on. There's nothing to gain from it.”

“What do you know!?” Claris yells out in frustration.

“Plenty. My family ignores me and I have no friends.”

“But I'm your friend.” Aldan interjects.

“...As I said before, my family ignores me and I have no friends. Sure, my path is safe. People won't hurt me anymore. I'm also content with not having to measure to anyone's expectations. However, the path I'm on is totally, utterly boring.”

“....That's it?”

“Yep. Other than that, its great. Also, since you're not hanging around others, you have to worry if what you're doing is considered “normal” or “socially acceptable”. Also, I don't know if it's a problem with other hermits and misanthropes, but my sanity keeps slipping from time to time.”

“Oh. You've given me a lot to think about.”

“Good. Well, goodbye.” Null says to everyone there, seeing no reason to stay.

“Null, please wait!”

“Don't go!”

“Stop!”

“What?” Null asks them. He hates being around them.

It was then that a minister speaks. “Null, it's thanks to you that this conspiracy has been uncovered despite being a wanted fugitive by us. It's also thanks to you that the members originally sent to arrest you had survived and delivered us this crucial information. You didn't have to save them, but you did it anyway. Winford is one of the most powerful people in this city. If we get people to work under you, can you stop Winford and protect this city?”

Quest: Protect Gnosia and defeat WinfordQuest Information: To gain favor of the mysterious red cloaked figure and to get the gods' blessings, Winford has betrayed his birthplace and is trying to recant the librarian founder's ideals. His forces are strong. Defeat Winford's rebellion and Winford himself.

Reward: Unknown

Quest Rank: B

Penalty if refused: Intimacy with residents of Gnosia will reach the lowest point. You will be treated as another enemy and attacked.

Do you accept?[/size]

'Holy shit! B-rank!? Only the most powerful guilds in the world can take those kinds of quests on! This is insane!'

Null tells the minister bluntly, “I see no reason why I should bother helping you people. Why should I stick my neck out for you with a B-rank? You all have treated me very poorly ever since I stepped foot into this city.”

“Well, that may be, but we will make it worth your while.”

“I want information on the transmutation circle skills. That is as low as I am willing to go.”

“Fine. Consider it done if the mission is complete.”

“Good. Then I accept.”

You have accepted the quest.

The minister makes a sigh of relief. “Now that that's settled, we need to do two things. First, we need to have a high ranking tinkerer along with two ministers override, Winford's control over the city's defense system. Second, not everyone has evacuated yet. We need to ensure the safety of the civilians. Claris, have you decided what to do?”

Claris looks at Null and gets a look of determination.

She says, “I refuse to become a weirdo like him, so I will also fight!”

The minister nods satisfied.

“I'll be on the side that fights the robots then.” Null says.

If he can't find a way to fight against them, then all is lost.

The vast majority of people there numbering around 100 are to escort Claris and the ministers to the defense network. They are the Gnosia defense team, and they have the more powerful people.

The rest are sent to work under Null for helping to evacuate the citizens. They number at around 20 and are the weaker members of this entire group. They are the Gnosia evacuation and research team. Aldan is included in this.

“One question. If you all had a defense system, why didn't you use it to fight the robots in the first place?” Null asks.

“Because it would be like using a gun to kill a fly.” Someone says proudly.

With their positions set, they split up.

***********

“Heheh. Taking over the defense system was probably the easiest job out of everyone Winford assigned!”A tinkerer says bragging to his friends.

“It's not over until this battle is won. Burton, I've often told you that your arrogance will be your downfall.” Another tinkerer says rebuking him.

“But who can stop us?” He says leaning back in his chair with his hands on the back of head.

It was then that they saw a huge group of people coming towards them.

“Ahaha! Now the fun can begin!”

The wiser tinkerer starts readying the defense to get rid of them when the arrogant tinkerer stops him.

“Wait man! No one can stop us here! In here we're invincible! I want to play with them a little. It shouldn't hurt.”

“Burton, you are going to get us killed. However, when that time comes that they make it here, I will leave you behind.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”

**********

“Why haven't they started attacking?” A minister asks confused.

“Two possibilities.” Claris says. “One, our side has been incapacitated, but the enemy side still hadn't taken over which explains how we are locked out of the system. Two, the enemy side has managed to take over, but they think they're invincible up there. I bet it's Burton. He always thinks of everyone as beneath him and overestimates his abilities. If that's the case, taking over the defense system will be easier than I thought.”

*******

“Huuuh? A frontal attack? How dumb!” Burton yells out laughing arrogantly.

Burton presses a button. The road that the defense team is on changes. The road their traveling on starts flipping like multiple tiles and an assortment of mines appear on it.

“Hahaaa! Stopped your advance didn't it? Let's see how far you can go.”

The members of the defense team start walking carefully, trying to avoid the mines.

“Burton, we should kill them now while we have the chance.”

“Oh quit your whining. We'll get to it. We've been stuck in here all day with no one coming. Let me have my fun.”

He watches the members trying to step over the mines.

“Yeah, this was far too easy. How about we take it up a notch!”

Tinkerer's have a special ability. When it comes to things they possess, they have the ability to upgrade them temporarily using only their mana. How much they advance depends on how powerful the tinkerer is. The mines start changing form. Burton uses this ability to take over the mines and manipulate them into exploding even if they step close to a mine.

“Oh? They still want to come through? Good! It would've been boring if they tried running away!” He smirks.

He presses another button. Multiple cannons pop out.

“I don't want you to get bored just stepping over the mines! HAHA!”

The shells start firing. When he notices that no one has died yet, he frowns a little.

“No matter.” He upgrades the artillery cannons into multi barreled cannons and starts firing.

When he's done with that, he deploys a bomber to help finish them off. Throughout this time, he still hadn't noticed that the defense force on the ground was a distraction.

The two tinkerers were together with 5 warriors who were in charge of protecting them. They are fairly powerful, but sneak attacks by assassins kill them easily.

“What!?” Burton's face turns ugly. “How did you get through? You haven't even made it halfway through!”

“Still as arrogant as ever Burton. You are such a pain!” Claris yells out at Burton.

“Claris...” Burton says with a frown.

He hurries to try and press the system's self destruct, but is killed before he can do anything. The other tinkerer had left long ago.

With two ministers with Claris, they both use their authority to kick Winford's access out the system and make Claris the new head of the defense system. With that done, they start taking out multiple robots one by one. They use mines, guns, cannons, missiles, and bombers to take them out. The system is powerful, but it is not omnipotent.

'We've done our part. With this protecting the others will be easier, but it's not over until Null's side succeeds.' The minister thinks to himself.

************

There's a mother and child currently running. They're trying to run towards a shelter. However, they're being chased by a robot, bear version. She trips.

“Sam! Keep running!”

“Mommy!”

The bears is preparing to maul them when a blow knocks the robot bear back. It was Null. He had been preparing that punch ahead of time. The bear then gets captured by a net from Aldan. It's sensors are blinded by an assassin throwing ink in its eyes.

“Get out of here!” Someone tells the mother and child.

“Thank you.” She grabs her son and runs off.

It takes a long time to defeat the bear robot, but they eventually succeed. It's due to Null that they have taken out multiple robots with no casualties thus far. The robots disappears and a mana stone along with a depleted mana stone takes the robots place.

Null has found it strange. Sometimes when they defeat a robot, a miniature mana stone drops. Sometimes when they defeat a robot, a depleted miniature mana stone drops out. Sometimes, it's both.

Null gets curious. “Aldan, why does a depleted mana stone sometimes show up?”

“It's just happens to be like that. It's a luck of the draw.”

“Why do they manage to appear in equal amounts?”

“They do? I never paid attention to the depleted mana stones.” Aldan says to Null.

'Hmmm... I have a hypothesis.' Null thinks. 'What if the mana stone and depleted mana stone actually are both used to make the robots work? No one would ever think the depleted mana stones would be used in such a fashion because they are a nuisance. My mind is going into research mode again. This is going to be fun.'

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Author's Note: Null fought the bots and the... Bots won. Null fought the bots and the... Bots won.