Dr. Gynoid, Volume 1, Chapter 5 (Patreon)

Chapter 5

After gathering enough materials to make paper I sit down and sigh as I look up at the ceiling of my cave dominion that I’m so proud of.

“I’m finally claiming this mountain as my own.” I smile as my terraformer golemite hobbles up to me and sits down. “You’ve been instrumental in making this my home base! Stand proud, my creation!”

The little golemite puts its stubby arms on its hips, the wizard hat tilted as it sits atop its head.

Feeling a burst of energy from my creation’s enthusiasm, I stand and pull three monster cores from my inventory.

“I need to save my GP, but I can at least make a few more golemites.”

It’s unfortunate, but I only have so much GP, otherwise known as Golem Points. Creating golemites takes GP, so I would be limited in how many I can make, even if I had unlimited monster cores.

But since I’ve don’t a bit of leveling while my minions work on my domain, I’ve gained enough to spend some on creating more golemites.

“These aren’t anything special.” I place two of the three cores onto the ground. “But more hands to perform work is always needed. Even though golemites don’t have hands.”

Going through my menu, I place the required materials into the proper slots and watch as the two monster cores transform into little stone creatures. Both of them salute me with their short arms before running off to join the group clearing stone and mining any useful materials.

“Now, as for this one…” I stare at the cracked core in my hand. “How unfortunate that it was dealt a critical blow by someone’s inattentive attack.”

That attack may or may not have been my own Coral Crystal Hammer as I was fighting a group of gooey slimes.

“It was all for the sake of performing this test!” I nod at my own words. “Surely, it was destined to be.”

Placing the cracked core on the ground, I go through the same creation process as before. And when I finish…

“Hmm.” I stare at the little golemite that appears. “It seems damaged cores do affect the outcome significantly.”

The golemite is even smaller than his brethren. And while his brothers have arms with no hands, this little one doesn’t even have arms. It’s just an oblong stone with a patch of mossy grass covering the top half and only a set of eyes to show that it is a living creature, rather than just a strange stone.

“It’s settled!” I cross my arms and look down at the runt. “From henceforth, you shall be known as Stubby!”

Stubby wobbles. Without arms, it can only move its body to show emotion or understanding.

“Now go. Help your brethren by … by doing whatever you can do.”

After another wobble, Stubby runs off in the same direction as the other two I just created. As it runs, it falls and begins rolling. It barrels into another golemite, taking it down to the ground with a soft clack.

“Ah, what an intelligent creation. It can move faster by rolling than by walking.” I nod at Stubby’s genius.

“Master,” Miss Secretary says as she watches the scene. “While you were out gathering materials, the golemites completed work on the processing facility. With its completion, you can now drop off anything you gather and the golemites can turn them into useful materials of your choice.”

“Ohhhh! They're finishing even faster than I thought! As expected of my creations!”

“Also, another project was completed while you were gone.” Miss Secretary's words are interrupted by a massive explosion. “The expansion to the Smith's weapon forge was a success.”

“Excellent!” I stand, now full of vigor. “With these additions to my domain, I'm one step closer to becoming the unrivaled ruler of this world!”

Taking my pack with the recently gathered materials, I stride over to the processing facility. It's just a basic building constructed of the same stone mined from the walls, but it's already leagues ahead of the shacks used by the goblins that once inhabited this cave.

I turn the pack over and dump the materials onto the ground. Three golemites show up in a blink, sorting and carrying the items to a series of tables, where they get to work converting them into something useful.

“Paper,” I say. “And after that, more iron.”

A golemite raises its stubby arm, as if trying to give me a thumbs up. It doesn't have any fingers, though.

“Hmm. How do they even perform such dexterous tasks without fingers?” I watch as the golemites grab materials and move them around. “That's it! Magic! At least, that's what I'm going with here…”

Putting the thought out of my mind, I turn toward the smithery. “I wonder what kind of weapon I should have the Smith make now that she has a real forge.”

“Master.”

My eyes turn down, where I see the top of the Secretary's head. “Ah, I didn't see you there. Hmm. I wonder why you came out so short compared to Miss Smith? And a little … narrow, too. Could it be that the core I used to create you was insufficient?”

Miss Secretary gives me a stare nearly as flat as her unfortunate physique. “My core is perfectly capable of powering me, thank you very much. It just so happens that I find this form to be more comfortable than one overburdened with useless weight.”

“Is that so? Well, I suppose it doesn't matter as long as you can perform your functions. But what was it you were going to say?”

“I've received a distress signal from nearby. It seems someone is asking for help.”

“Hmm? An SOS, is it? By nearby, do you mean from inside this cave?”

“Negative. Source calibration suggests that it's outside, likely in the city that sits a short distance from these caves.”

“There was a city out there? I see. It seems my first contact with the humans of this world isn't so far away. At least, I hope they're human…”

Miss Secretary nods. “I've confirmed it.”

“Excellent! Then perhaps I should help this person in distress as an act of goodwill to show that I will be a benevolent ruler in the future!”

“Astounding. Anyway, the telepathic message said that the city has been taken over by invaders, so we can't expect a warm welcome.”

“Invaders!? If I leave them be, then they may invade my domain next! I won't stand for it!”

“Wow. Yes, I'm sure they're very interested in this cave.”

“Of course they are! All the resources for domination are packed into these walls of stone!”

“Amazing. Now, as for the upcoming rescue mission. I believe we'll need a way to get past the walls, considering the city has been taken over by criminals.”

“Then there's only one solution.” My eyes fall on the forge. “To the smithery!”

Going from one stone building to the next, I lead the Secretary through the rectangular opening that acts as a doorway. Since wood is a precious material for us, we haven’t actually added doors to any of the constructions.

The path to the top of this world begins with the construction of doors! I’m sure of it!

That’s why, while we’re outside, I’ll be using the opportunity to secure myself a huge stockpile of wood!

With a nod to confirm my thoughts, I stop just behind the Smith. Her thick apron and protective goggles are tinged black, just like the workstation in front of her.

I could smell the burnt gunpowder, even before we entered the forge. But inside, it’s so thick that it overwhelms my olfactory sense to a degree that I haven’t felt since … well, it actually wasn’t that long ago when one of my creations blew up.

And since it was quite a common occurrence for me back on Earth, walking into the forge is like stepping into my garage after one of my … mishaps.

“Miss Smith.” I wait for her to turn around. “It seems you’re hard at work with a new creation already. But from the looks—and smell—of it, you absolutely take after me.”

The Smith holds up a piece of broken stone in the shape of a rifle barrel. “Experimentation is the key to invention.”

“And what did you learn?”

She puts the stone down onto the worktable. “That if the stone in this cave is going to be of any use in creating long range, small explosive weaponry, then I’ll need access to the skills that allow me to enchant materials for durability.”

“Firearms, is it?” I rub my chin. “Certainly, they would come in handy. Bombs are great, but the collateral damage makes them difficult to use.”

“Then hurry and level up some more so I can get stronger.”

“More minerals, more inventions, and more conquering. There’s a path that leads deep down into the cave that I’ve ignored. I’ll definitely level up if I explore it.”

“Goodbye. I’m rooting for you.”

“Then…” I turn from her. “I’m off!”

Miss Secretary grabs me by the hem of my shirt as I pass by her. “SOS.”

“Ah, right. There was that, wasn’t there?” I turn back to Miss Smith. “New mission, Miss Smith! We need something that can get us past the walls of a nearby city.”

Miss Smith smacks her hammer into her palm. “Stealth?”

“Unnecessary.”

“It’s necessary,” Miss Secretary says.

“Hmm.” Miss Smith looks to her recent invention, which met a violent end. “Wouldn’t suggest using an explosive propulsion machine to hurl the poor victi—I mean subject over the walls. But a more direct method of forced transportation would be possible.”

“So,” I say. “No cannons, but we can use a catapult.”

“Yes.”

“Then it’s decided!” I point to her. “Miss Smith! Deliver unto us a catapult capable of hurling me over the walls!”

“Dangerous,” Miss Secretary says. “I advise sending a golemite for reconnaissance.”

“Ohhh! Good idea! We send a golemite to meet up with whoever’s sending the SOS. If they’re friendly to us, then we can set up an explosive rescue!”

“Amazing.” The Secretary’s voice is as monotone as ever.

“Thanks!” I turn from Miss Smith for a second time. “Now, while you get to work on the catapult, I’ll go find a volunteer for this completely safe and absolutely not dangerous mission!”

The sound of my footsteps is accompanied by the moving of stone as Miss Smith prepares her materials.

When I get outside, I look around at the golemites that are still hard at work mining minerals from the walls and bringing them to the new processing facility. There are more recharging now than there were before, but that just means they emptied their mana battery by working hard for my sake, so a break is only natural.

“Gather up!” My command reaches even those who are out of earshot.

One after another, my small army of golemites assembles on me. Even the ones recharging wobble over, still having enough juice in their tanks to at least obey a simple order.

When they all arrive, I realize just how many of the little creatures I’ve created since coming to this world. There are easily two dozen of them, and I already have plans to make more.

Soon, I’ll have a small army of golemites at my command, ready to fulfill my desires.

“Listen up, my minions. It’s time to make first contact with the humans of this world. This will be our first true step toward our future dominion over this region, so success is our only option! And in order to ensure that success, I require the service of a single golemite. The volunteer will be launched from a catapult over the city walls and into enemy territory to meet with a human. Who among you golemites wishes to take to the skies and infiltrate occupied territory!?”

The little stone creatures look between each other. After their silent stares, they erupt into a brawl, each fighting to be the one to take on this critical mission.

Or, that’s how it would have gone if any of the golemites had a death wish.

Turns out, they have a sense of self-preservation, which means none of them jump at the chance to take on what sounds like a suicide mission.

“Hmm. It seems we have a severe lack of volunteers.”

“What do you plan to do, Master?”

“It’s simple, Miss Secretary!” I hold my hand out over the gathering of golemites. “Listen closely! The loser—I mean, the winner will be decided by a game that has a long tradition of settling these very matters! And that game is Rock, Paper, Scissors! The golemite who wins will have the honor of serving as the volunteer for my first contact in this new world!”

“Master, I don’t think you can really call them a volunteer at that point.”

“Worry not. I need only add an adjective to the term, and it will clear that right up! So, let the game to decide who will be the involuntary volunteer begin!”

“I believe your adjective has created a paradoxical term.”

The golemites gather into a large circle, their stubby arms pointed toward the center. Except for Stubby, who’s just an oblong rock without arms.

On the count of three from their stone hands hitting each other, the first round of Rock, Paper, Scissors begins with each of them choosing their signs.

And the result is…

“Hmm. All of them chose rock.”

Since they all picked the same thing, none of them are eliminated. So, they hit their stone hands together three more times, then choose a sign for a second time.

“Rock again.”

The circle remains the same size, with each of the golemites still having a chance at a victory. After a few more clacks of stone…

“Rock again.”

Round four continues the trend, with every single one of the golemites hitting their little arms together before choosing a sign.

“Rock again.”

One, two, three…

“Rock again.”

One, two—

“Master.” Miss Secretary interrupts my attentive focus on the game.

“Yes?”

“Because the golemites don’t have hands, they’re incapable of choosing any sign other than rock.”

“Ah, good observation, Miss Secretary.” I clap my hands together. “Golemites! As much as I hate to interrupt your fun, it seems a change of plans is in order.”

I go to the firepit at the center of my new encampment. Some of the only sticks we have are gathered here, which I take into my hands.

After breaking one of the sticks to shorten it far more than the rest, I mix them up and hide their lengths by holding them with both my hands so that only the top of the sticks is visible.

“Each golemite will take turns picking. The one who draws the short stick will receive the honor of becoming the involuntary volunteer for this mission!”

One by one, the golemites choose from the wood in my hands. Long, long, long, long…

…Short!

“Well, aren’t you a lucky one.” I smile at the golemite who pulled the short stick.

For some reason, I get the impression that the stone that makes up its small body has begun to sweat. But rocks can’t sweat, so it’s probably just my imagination running wild thanks to the excitement of the upcoming mission.

Just then, Miss Smith steps out of the stone doorway. “Catapult’s ready.”

“Excellent! Then let’s see who this mysterious person is that’s in need of rescue!”