Robot Rhino
After nearly an hour of sailing, Rangga's boat finally began to slow down.
Ahead of him lay the two-star Stone Island.
It was far larger than the stone island he had visited before. Towering cliffs rose high into the sky, while the landscape was covered with enormous boulders piled atop one another, creating steep and rugged terrain.
But before the boat had even reached the shore, Rangga frowned.
"Huh?"
He sniffed the air, and his expression immediately changed.
"Ugh... what the hell is that smell?"
A pungent odor drifted from the island.
It smelled like rotten eggs left baking under the scorching sun for days.
The closer the boat approached, the more unbearable the stench became.
Rangga instinctively covered his nose with his arm.
"Damn... that's awful."
As soon as the boat stopped, he quickly stepped onto the rocky shore while holding his breath.
"Don't tell me there's a carcass somewhere..."
He looked around.
All he saw were endless rocks, steep cliffs, and massive cracks running through the ground.
Then, in the distance, something moved. Rangga narrowed his eyes.
"...What's that?"
It was too far away to make out clearly. He could only see a large silhouette occasionally appearing between the rocks before disappearing again.
"Hmm..."
His curiosity immediately flared up. Then the foul smell struck his nose again.
"Seriously... what kind of island smells like this?"
Still grumbling, Rangga checked his equipment.
Composite Alloy Bow. Quiver. Composite Alloy Spear. Two Copper Pickaxes. Copper Knife. Everything was in place.
"Alright."
If he wanted to find out what that creature was, he'd need a better vantage point.
Rangga began climbing the rocky slope near the shore, carefully searching for a high enough position to overlook the island.
After a difficult climb, Rangga finally reached the top of a rocky hill.
He bent over, catching his breath, before slowly looking down.
"Hmm..."
Scattered below were several bright yellow mineral deposits.
Their vivid color stood out sharply against the surrounding gray stone.
The golden analysis screen immediately appeared.
Sulfur Deposit
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Description: Naturally formed sulfur deposits found around rock fissures and volcanic activity. Can be processed into various basic chemicals and serves as an important component for explosive weapons and equipment.
Weakness: Can be mined using a pickaxe.
Rangga immediately nodded in understanding.
"Oh... So it's sulfur... No wonder it smells like rotten eggs."
At last, the awful odor made perfect sense. He continued scanning the area.
Not far from the sulfur deposits, greenish mineral veins protruded from the cliff wall.
The golden screen appeared again.
Copper Vein
Description: Copper ore deposits formed within rock formations. The primary source of copper used to craft tools, weapons, and metal components.
Weakness: Can be mined using a pickaxe.
A smile spread across Rangga's face.
"Nice... Even if I don't find any hardwood, this is still worth it."
Without hesitation, he started climbing down toward the copper vein.
Then...
Grrk... Grrk...
The sound of grinding metal echoed from behind the ore deposit.
Rangga immediately froze. Instinctively, he crouched behind a massive boulder.
Slowly, he peeked around the edge.
A mechanical dinosaur gradually emerged from behind the copper vein.
Its body was stocky and muscular. It walked on four legs. A large bony shield protected its head, ending in a powerful beak.
The golden screen immediately appeared.
Mechanical Protoceratops
Description: A herbivorous mechanical dinosaur that inhabits rocky cliffs and stone fields. Possesses a sturdy body and heavily reinforced armor plating. Extremely territorial, charging anyone who enters its territory to drive intruders away.
Weakness: The joints in its front legs bear most of its body weight. Damaging them reduces its balance and significantly weakens its charging power.
Drops:
Stabilizer Module
Reinforced Alloy Plate
Blueprint
Rangga read every word without blinking. Then he slowly swallowed.
"...Shit. A robot rhino."
His eyes followed the Mechanical Protoceratops as it circled the copper vein like a patrol guard.
Only then did Rangga remember the conversation in Regional Chat.
Broto's friend. The Pioneer who had died on the two-star Stone Island.
Rangga quietly exhaled.
"...Makes sense... If something like that rammed into you... you'd actually die."
He read the analysis once again.
Weakness: The joints in its front legs bear most of its body weight. Damaging them reduces its balance and significantly weakens its charging power.
"Hmm..."
His gaze shifted toward the creature's front legs.
The Mechanical Protoceratops continued circling the copper vein, occasionally rubbing its beak against the rocks.
Rangga narrowed his eyes.
"...Those things look ridiculously thick."
Even from this distance, the metal plating around its front legs looked far tougher than Procolophon's neck or Compy's head.
He scratched his head.
"...Can my arrows even punch through that?"
He didn't rush to attack.
Instead, Rangga remained crouched behind the boulder, carefully studying the creature's movements.
The Mechanical Protoceratops continued making slow circles around the copper vein.
Never rushing. Never wandering away. It genuinely looked like it was guarding its territory.
Minute after minute passed. The sun climbed higher into the sky.
Unlike the tropical islands, there wasn't a single large tree here. The heat became increasingly oppressive. Sweat trickled down Rangga's temple.
"Hah... If I keep waiting... nothing's gonna happen."
He slowly exhaled.
The Composite Alloy Bow returned to his hands. He nocked an arrow. Gradually, he drew the bowstring back. His aim settled on the front leg joint.
"Easy... Easy..."
Several seconds later—
Fwoosh!
The arrow shot forward. But at that exact moment. The Mechanical Protoceratops took a single step forward.
Rangga's aim shifted.
CLANG!
The arrow slammed directly into the heavily armored frill covering the creature's head.
Instead of piercing through. It ricocheted off and clattered onto the ground.
"..."
"..."
Rangga froze.
The Mechanical Protoceratops immediately raised its head. It looked left. Then right. Searching for the source of the impact. Rangga instantly dropped flat behind the rock.
"Dammit... Of all times to miss!"
He peeked cautiously around the boulder while quietly grumbling to himself.
"I was aiming for the leg... But hit the head instead and it freaking bounced."
Fortunately The Mechanical Protoceratops failed to locate him. It merely continued scanning the surroundings warily.
Back on Earth, millions of viewers who had been holding their breath reacted at once.
The comment section exploded.
"Come on, Rangga!"
"Stay calm!"
"Take another shot!"
"You've got this!"
Countless viewers from Garuda Nation flooded the chat with encouragement.
At the same time, viewers from other countries began posting mocking comments.
"Looks like his luck finally ran out."
"So he finally found something he can't kill in two shots."
"Now we'll see what he's really made of."
"If the arrow bounced off its head, how's he supposed to win?"
Supportive comments and ridicule mixed together into a nonstop stream.
Meanwhile, hidden behind the massive boulder...
Rangga had no idea that millions of people around the world were holding their breath, waiting to see what he would do next.