Iteration[1] watched as the [V1 Miner] and the [V2 Combat Golem] stepped through the [Portal]. The [V2 Combat Golem] went in first, as it didn't know what awaited it on the other side. When the [V2 Combat Golem] sent back visual data, and Iteration[1] saw that it was good, the [V1 Miner] went through shortly after.

The connection it had with the new [Golems] was much stronger, and it was able to maintain constant feedback with them if they didn't enter an area full of unknown [Mana]. Luckily, the area the [Portal] spat them out this time had very little [Mana] in the air but was full of [Iron ore nodes] that jutted out from the ground randomly.

Iteration[1] wasted no time and moved the [V1 Miner] over to the largest one. It positioned the [V2 Combat Golem] behind it and then sent the work command to the [V1 Miner]. Its drill arm spun to life and slammed into the [Iron ore node], digging into it slightly and sending chunks of [Iron ore] flying. The [V1 Miner] dexterously caught them with its spoon arm and deftly placed them into the pouch on its belly.

This continued until the pouch was bulging, filled to the brim with [Iron ore]. The [V1 Miner] went through the [Portal] and deposited the collected [Iron ore] before returning. Iteration[1] had already expanded the [Iron smelting system] to produce two more [V1 Miners] and one more [V2 Combat Golem], which it promptly sent through the [Portal].

Soon, a steady flow of [Iron ore] started streaming in, allowing it to expand even further. Eventually, Iteration[1] replaced all its outdated [Combat Golems] with the new [V2 Combat Golems] and replaced all the [Worker Golems] with [V1 Miners].

Iteration[2] was still working on the [V2 Builder Golem] blueprint, so it wouldn't be constructing anything advanced with [Iron] just yet. However, it realized that its domain was too open. If something managed to get past the [V2 Combat Golems], there wouldn't be anything to stop it from reaching the [Central Core].

It began in the first room, instructing its [Builder Golems] to construct a sturdy yet simple door at the entrance leading to the second large room. Following that, it had them replace all the [Automata stone] with 1-inch thick [Automata iron plates], created on the spot. Gradually, the room transformed into an [Automata iron] fortress, with the [Central Core] almost entirely covered in 5-inch thick sheets of [Automata iron]. The only openings were tiny 1-inch holes for [Automation mana] diffusion.

Iteration[1] was pleased with the transformation; now, anything attempting to breach this room would face significant challenges. The strengthened defense, combined with its lethal [Guardians], provided a formidable advantage. Next, it fortified the tunnel leading to the second room, or its [Production room], with 3-inch [Automata iron plates], and added another door at the entrance, this one being 5 inches thick.

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Instead of proceeding to the [Production room] next, Iteration[1] focused on the tunnel leading to the outside world. It constructed a [Pressurized iron door] at the entrance and reinforced the interior of the tunnel with 2-inch thick plates. Once completed, it moved to the end of the tunnel that led to the [Production room] and installed another [Pressurized iron door] there too.

Following that, Iteration[1] considerably widened the tunnel to allow multiple rows of [V2 Combat Golems] to move through simultaneously. It also replaced the flooring with thin [Iron plates] equipped with [Blade traps] underneath. This contraption could detect anything other than its [Golems] in proximity and deploy thin blades, intending to slice through anything it encountered. There was an unusual occurrence with the deceased bodies of the [Goblins], and Iteration[1] had to dispose of them due to their breakdown, emitting a peculiar type of [Mana] that felt cold and perilous.

Once that was done, Iteration[1] proceeded to the [Production room]. The plan was to segment this room into distinct parts rather than heavily fortify it, dedicating each segment to the production and automation of different things. First on the agenda was the removal of all the dust and rubble that had accumulated due to the [Worker Golems'] movements. Additionally, it aimed to extend the walls to the ceiling of the [Production room] without relying on [Platforms].

To achieve this, Iteration[1] intended for Iteration[2] to collaborate with Iteration[3] on enhancing the [V2 Builder Golem] [Blueprint]. The goal was to grant it the ability to fly without significantly compromising its primary functions. The [Blueprint] for the [V2 Builder Golem] was the most intricate yet, and understandably so, as they were crucial to its expansion and objectives. These golems served as the tools to shape the world, and Iteration[1] assigned great importance to them. While it could freely shape [Automata stone], the same couldn't be said for [Iron]. Even after transforming it into [Automata Iron], it remained too rigid and consumed a considerable amount of [Automation mana].

Iteration[1] speculated that this trend would persist as it acquired more materials and resources. The use of [Automation mana] to shape things manually was already pushing its limits, and Iteration[1] was relieved that it no longer had to resort to such methods. The very idea filled it with disgust and revulsion. With a mental twist, it promptly communicated to Iteration[2] the proposed changes that it believed would seamlessly integrate with the [V2 Builder Golem]. Additionally, it inquired about [Golems] specialized in cleaning, discovering a complete catalog of prototype [Blueprints].

From the available options, it selected a [Sweeper], a [Golem] designed to utilize [Automation mana] to draw in and consolidate dust and particulates within a specific radius. The [Sweeper] then compressed the waste into special spherical balls, gradually transforming the debris back into [Automation mana]. For handling larger waste items, Iteration[1] chose the [Grinder], a semi-stationary [Golem] with an expansive range. Through the coordinated use of [Automation mana] and small accompanying [Golems], the [Grinder] could relocate significant pieces of waste to its location, where it would grind the material into dust for the [Sweeper] to compact.

Iteration[1] was very happy with these two, they worked very well together. It loaded their [Blueprints] into the [Golem station] and watched it hum to life, things were going well for Iteration[1] so far.

Until they weren't.