To Bai Mo, armor and weapons didn't hold much value anymore.
As his mastery of Magnetic Martial Arts grew, his body had become the best armor, and his fists were his most powerful weapons. Even donning a set of enchanted armor would just be the icing on the cake. Instead, he'd rather give it to Caios, enhancing his role as the team's frontliner.
After all, Caios's main responsibility as a warrior was to act as the tank — drawing enemy attention and shielding the rest of the team. This gave Marusil, their mage, the breathing room she needed to unleash her spells.
Bai Mo had no intention of tanking for the team, so Caios would just have to take the brunt of it himself. A good set of armor, then, was essential for surviving heavy hits.
Fortunately, the armor fit Caios decently. There were a few gaps, but with some cloth padding, he could wear it comfortably enough. However, his large head simply couldn't fit into the lion-winged helmet, no matter how he tried. He had no choice but to abandon that piece.
Caios also declined the mithril shield and two-handed greatsword, continuing to wield his battered one-handed sword.
"It might be a bit worn, but in the tight corridors of the dungeon, a one-handed sword is way more practical," he explained.
Bai Mo didn't object to the choice — perhaps this decision would lead to Caios meeting his destined blade in the future.
After opening all the treasure chests and loot boxes, the team pressed onward, descending deeper into the dungeon. After half an hour of walking down winding stairs, they arrived at a stone wall.
Zirchak located the hidden mechanism and opened a concealed door. Leios, clad in full mithril armor, was the first to leap into the room beyond.
Once he confirmed the area was safe, the rest of the party followed.
"I recognize this place. We've definitely passed through here before," someone said.
"Looks like we really did find a shortcut — this saved us a ton of time!"
"I remember this area... It's the territory of the animated armors. Honestly, I was hoping we wouldn't run into them."
"I died my first time here — got skewered by a living suit of armor. Ever since then, I get the chills just looking at them," Caios muttered.
Bai Mo, however, grinned. "If that's the case... don't you wonder what they taste like?"
"Eh? Bai, are you serious? I've always wanted to know if they're edible!"
"You two are idiots," Marusil rolled her eyes. "They're made of metal! How could they possibly be edible?"
"Well… maybe the leather straps on them are," Caios said hopefully.
Zirchak looked helpless. "Why don't you try tasting your own armor first, then?"
"Sensi, what do you think?" Caios asked.
"I think those rust buckets are probably inedible."
With no one backing him up, Caios turned to his last hope — Bai Mo.
"Don't worry, I support you," Bai Mo said confidently. "Next time we find one, let's catch it and test it out!"
"Awesome! Let's do it!" Caios's eyes lit up with anticipation. He could hardly wait to see if animated armor was truly edible.
As soon as they opened the next door, they were met with the sight of dozens of armored figures standing in neat rows.
Caios gulped nervously. This was... too fast!
He had wanted to find a lone animated armor — not an entire squadron of knightly constructs!
Marusil also looked uneasy. "W-What do we do? Just charge in?"
"Can you guys handle that?" Caios asked. "We don't know when they'll activate, so we should probably rush through in one go!"
"Relax, I've got this!" Bai Mo stepped forward with a smirk. "Don't forget about me."
"Step back and enjoy the show."
He entered the room alone, suppressing his presence. The moment he got close to one of the armors, he swiftly sent it into his Gourmet World.
As the animated armor vanished into thin air, Caios immediately realized what Bai Mo was up to.
Right — if they reduced the number of enemies first, it'd be much easier to move forward!
Just moments ago they had been wondering if animated armor could be eaten — and now, a whole buffet had shown up! Truly, a blessing from above!
Caios subconsciously wiped the corner of his mouth.
Marusil noticed and scooted away from him with a disgusted expression.
Following Bai Mo's repeated method, all the previously standing suits of armor disappeared from the hall — now quietly suppressed in the Gourmet World under the mighty aura of Thor.
Honestly, they'd make great decorations or even house guards.
Once the room was clear, Bai Mo pushed open the next door — and as expected, a more ornate suit of armor stood before them. It was nearly identical to the lion-winged set Leios was wearing.
Seeing the silver-white armor, Leios's eyes sparkled. "This one looks stronger than the others!"
"If we eat it, I bet it'll be even tastier!"
"I was thinking the same thing." Bai Mo cracked his knuckles. "Let's take it down and find out."
"Let me go first! I've been looking forward to this!" Caios charged forward with his sword raised.
But after just one exchange of blades, the silver lion armor shattered his weapon into two pieces.
"This... this feeling! It's just like the first time I was killed by one of these things!"
No — it wasn't quite the same.
Despite being struck, Caios's mithril armor held up. After all, it wasn't easy to pierce enchanted armor like that.
Seizing the opportunity, Leios noticed something unusual attached to the large shield the silver armor carried.
"There's something on its shield — looks like some kind of eggs!"
"Take it down, all of it!"
Bai Mo dashed forward, kicking off the armor's helmet with a heavy blow. Then, with a powerful punch, he smashed off its arm.
"Sensi!"
"Got it!" Sensi caught the shield Bai Mo tossed him and carefully inspected the backside.
"There's definitely an egg sac here — must be from some kind of creature."
"If that's true, then animated armor is edible!" Caios exclaimed, ecstatic. "Bai, finish it off! It's dinner time!"
"I was thinking the same thing!"
With another powerful kick, Bai Mo scattered the remaining parts of the armor.
"Alright! Everyone take a piece — let's prep this meal!"
"You can count on us!"
The team got to work. Bai Mo, holding the silver lion's helmet, gripped it with both hands and forced the seams apart.
"It's just like prying open a giant oyster. Time to taste your flavor… animated armor!"
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T/N:
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