by <unknown>
Losing her sister tore her apart, and the Germinal Organization took advantage of her moment of weakness to capture and imprison her.
After her escape, she became cold-blooded and ruthless, going so far as to sacrifice countless of lives in order to awaken her latent powers.
She turned to the dark side and stopped at nothing to gain power, eventually coming to be known as the ‘Goddess of Death’ whose very name spread fear throughout the Shattered Belt.
Although the present Hila was cold, compared to the future Goddess of Death who wielded the power to wipe out entire civilizations, she was a billion times nicer.
If he had the chance, Han Xiao would definitely do his best to alter her tragic fate – not out of pity, but to prevent her from destroying his fleet of spaceships. However, he was still far too weak to do anything. Escaping the base was his primary goal.
Han Xiao knew from Hila’s routine the past six months that she would leave the lab in two days.
That would be the perfect chance.
Han Xiao returned to the tuning room and summoned the interface. He currently possessed two sub-classes, and one main class: Civilian, Agent, and Mechanic (Novice).
Of the five main classes, Mechanics were weaker in the early stages of the game. They were also more intended to be a support class early on. In Version 3.0, however, they would receive new talents that greatly buffed their combat capabilities to become one of the more popular classes.
In the later stages of the game, a high-level Mechanic was akin to an entire galactic fleet.
Mechanics were well known for having many skills. Each blueprint itself could be seen as a skill, and since there were thousands of blueprints of machines, Mechanics could be played in any number of ways. The slew of skills at their disposal made them adept at all sorts of tactics and warfare.
Nevertheless, they had a glaring weakness—they needed more experience than other classes to level up.
Han Xiao contemplated for a moment before dumping all the experience he could into [Mechanic], initiating a leveling frenzy.
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Engineer (Novice) has been raised to Lv. 3
+ 10 Energy, + 1 INT, + 1 END
+ 2 unassigned stat points
+ 1 talent point
…
Engineer (Novice) has been raised to Lv. 10 (max)
+ 30 Energy, + 1 INT, + 1 END
+ 2 unassigned stat points
+ 1 talent point
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It took 130,000 experience to level Lv. 2 Mechanic (Novice) to Lv. 10. As a result, Han Xiao gained 8 Endurance, 8 Intelligence, 100 Energy, 16 stat points, 8 talent points, and was now Lv. 12.
It was usually more cost-effective to raise the level of the main class first as it gave more Energy.
As Han Xiao did not meet the requirement for class advancement yet, he could not level [Mechanic] up any further.
Most classes had a starting level cap of Lv. 10 that could only be exceeded after performing an advancement.
Han Xiao continued to use 80,000 experience to level up [Agent] to Lv. 9. He gained +12 Strength, +9 Dexterity, +3 Charm, 9 talent points, and 9 points of unassigned stats from this, and hit Lv. 20.
While a character could have any number of classes, Lv. 20 was the maximum character level before completing the special advancement mission. In the game, the maximum level was usually raised every major update. In Version 1.0, it was Lv. 60.
Galaxy had hundreds of classes and this gave players unlimited combinations to play around with. It made it common for a character to have individualized skill-sets. As there was no fixed strategy in particular, each and every character could be skilled uniquely. This was one of the game’s strong points.
Han Xiao discovered an anomaly! His interface did not display a maximum level! This could mean that he was allowed to exceed the limits of a regular character!
The gameplay of Version 1.0 and Version 2.0 was mostly based around the beginner planets. Although the stronger civilizations in the universe were already implemented from the start, players were unable to interact with them. Han Xiao wondered if his NPC status would have any impact on this.
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Lv. 20 Advancement Mission:
Learn an advanced Mechanic skill.
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As one of the requirements to learning an advanced Mechanic skill was to gain advanced knowledge, Han Xiao had no way to proceed with the advancement.
He used another 150,000 experience to raise [Basic Assembly] and [Basic Enhancement] to their Lv. 10 each, thereby gaining two talent points.
He then used 10,000 experience to raise the level of his [Machinery Affinity (Novice)] to Lv. 3.
After some calculations, Han Xiao proceeded to use 60,000 experience to reach Lv. 6 in both [Basic Combat] and [Basic Shooting], and this unlocked [Grappling] and [Precise Aim].
He intended to use the remaining 170,000 experience to do some ‘blueprint gambling’.
Blueprints were an important feature of the Mechanic class. The first method of obtaining them would be through leveling talents.
The second method would be through completing missions—some missions rewarded blueprints.
The third way through perform reverse engineering, done by disassembling machinery. However, on top of certain conditions and requirements, this method expended experience points.
The fourth way—and the most important one—was through combining talents. This method also expended experience points.
As there were 60 talents, and the same type of combination could yield different kinds of blueprints, the possibilities were endless. Some blueprints even had hidden prerequisites, making it hard to determine exactly how many blueprints could be derived from a certain combination.
The experience needed to perform talent combination also increased with each attempt, and if the player received the same blueprint again, the experience expended would not be compensated. This it is why talent combination was widely known as ‘blueprint gambling’.
As useful as it was, it did consume a lot of experience.
Back to before he had transmigrated, players had discovered and researched thousands of combinations, and Han Xiao was familiar with many of them! As a Mechanic, he would be able to overcome the early weaknesses of the class as there were a few rare blueprints of godly equipment that could be crafted by a Novice Engineer!
Besides the four methods of obtaining blueprints above, there was also a lesser used method known as ‘free creation’, where players were allowed to freely create machines that they conceptualized. However, this method had an abysmal success rate.
The success rate of free creation depends on various factors such as the viability of the concept itself, the quality of the materials, the character’s level in knowledge, certain abilities, tools used, and so on. Before Han Xiao transmigrated, players still had not managed to figure out the exact science behind it. It was simply too hard to succeed at this method, causing it to be largely viewed as a waste of time and effort.
As Han Xiao had gained 19 talent points from leveling his classes, and 2 points from maxing two of his skills, he now had a total of 21 talent points.
Han Xiao proceeded to pick out two books from the shelf before summoning the interface.
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Use 1 talent point to unlock the Weaponry branch talent: [Basic Mechanical Engineering]. Y/N
Use 1 talent point to unlock the Weaponry branch talent: [Basic Bio-engineering]. Y/N
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Confirm!
A large amount of information related to these two talents began to be transmitted into Han Xiao’s brain, causing him some discomfort. This continued for ten minutes.
When he was done, he used a
nother two talent points to raise them to Lv. 2, increasing his degree of comprehension for them.
“Combining these two Lv. 2 talents can yield 6 types of blueprints. Each combination will double the required experience for the next. The first combination requires 10,000 experience, so 170,000 experience will allow me to combine 4 times. I must get that blueprint in four tries!”
Han Xiao’s nervously proceeded to combine [Lv. 2 Basic Mechanical Engineering] and [Lv. 2 Basic Bio-engineering].
_____________
Proceed with talent combination of [Lv. 2 Basic Mechanical Engineering] and [Lv. 2 Basic Bio-engineering]?
10,000 experience will be used.
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Yes!
Han Xiao’s vision whirled momentarily as a new blueprint appeared before him.
_____________
Success! Congratulations on discovering [Sky Swallow Gliders]!
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Not this one! Han Xiao clenched his fists. Continue!
_____________
… 20,000 experience will be used.
Success! Congratulations on discovering [Bionic Limb]!
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Damn it! This is the worst one!
Again!
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… 40,000 experience will be used.
Success! Congratulations on discovering [Lightweight Mechanical Arm]!
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This is it!
Han Xiao slammed the table excitedly.
Haha! Lightweight Mechanical Arm… This is what I was hoping for!
Half a year of hard work almost went down the drain.
_____________
Name: Han Xiao
Race: Human/Carbon-based (Yellow)
Model: NPC (countdown to Version 1.0 launch: 182 days 8 hours 23 minutes)
Level: 20 (Can proceed with advancement)
Main Class: Engineer (Novice) – Lv. 10/10 (Can proceed with advancement)
Sub-classes:
Civilian – Lv. 1
Agent – Lv. 9 (0/25000)
Health: 320/320
Stamina: 434/434
Attributes: 21 STR, 17 DEX, 22 END, 15 INT, 1 MYS, 5 CHA, 1 LUK
Unassigned Stats: 27
Energy: 120 [Lv. 3]
Lv. 1 (10) – [STR +1, DEX + 1, END + 1, MAX STAMINA + 20]
Lv. 2 (50) – [STR +3, DEX + 2, END + 3, MAX STAMINA + 50]
Lv. 3 (100) – [STR +3, DEX + 3, END + 5, MAX STAMINA + 100]
Energy Rank: 48-55
Grade: F (Mortal)
[To the weakest superhuman… you are a slightly huge ant!]
Abilities:
– Concentration: + 10% to mastery and crafting speeds
– Lesser Willpower: + 3 Focus
– Grinder: + 100 Health
Skills:
[Mechanic]
Novice Mechanic Affinity – Lv. 3
Basic Maintenance – Lv. 10 (max)
Basic Enhancement – Lv. 10 (max)
Blueprint: Cloud Sparrow Glider – Lv. 1 (0/5000)
Blueprint: Bionic Limb – Lv. 1 (0/2000)
Blueprint: Lightweight Mechanical Arm – Lv. 1 (0/10000)
[Agent]
Basic Combat – Lv. 6 (0/16000) – +6% Damage when unarmed
Basic Shooting – Lv. 6 (0/16000) – +6% Accuracy
Grappling – Lv. 1 (0/3000) – +3% Parry, +2% Damage when unarmed
Precise Aim – Lv. 1 (0/3000) – +3% Accuracy, +2% Ranged Damage
Talent Points: 17
Class Talents:
Arms
Basic Assembly Lv. 1 (0/1)
Basic Mechanical Engineering Lv. 2 (0/1)
Basic Bio-engineering Lv. 2 (0/1)
(17 talents not learnt)
Energy
[20 talents not learnt]
Control
[20 talents not learnt]
Influence: 0
Legend: 0
Equipment: None
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In one shot, Han Xiao was able to reach Lv. 20 and significantly boost his combat ability.
He spent 5 of his 27 unassigned stat points to raise his Intelligence to 20, fulfilling the prerequisite to craft the Lightweight Mechanical Arm.
Now, he had one thing left to do: suit up!
Han Xiao grinned as he looked at the spare parts scattered all across the floor.
I will show you what ‘raising a tiger’s cub’ means!
Chapter 6. Taking Action! |
The Valkyrie Lab was hidden underneath an abandoned farm situated within an extremely large forest. The farm itself was enclosed by a tall electrical fence.
A Black Harrier helicopter descended on the abandoned farm. Six fully equipped agents dressed in black emerged from the aircraft.
“I am the captain of Night Owl Squad 3, Silver Blade. I’ve come under orders to transport the Valkyrie Squad,” introduced the stony-faced captain.
“Stop wasting my time,” replied an irritated Hila as she fixed her tousled hair. “There are vehicles in the hangar. I’ll take the helicopter.”
No. 1, who had been chosen to lead the Valkyrie squad, stepped forward.
“Test subject No. 1 greets officer!”
“Follow us.”
“Yes sir!”
As Hila hopped on the helicopter, she frowned.
“Strange… It feels like I’ve forgotten something…”
…
Machinery tuning room.
Han Xiao was almost done with crafting the Lightweight Mecha Arm. It had proven harder to craft than expected. In the game, blueprint crafting was guided—the player simply needed to input the materials and follow a few simplified steps. Now, however, Han Xiao had to do everything manually. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing though, as it did give him the freedom to make small modifications.
Although the organization had taken away most of Han Xiao resources, there was still enough left for him to work with. He had primarily used manganese, a tough alloy well suited for making weapons and armour.
While the design of the Lightweight Mecha Arm was very basic, it would have to suffice.
Han Xiao put down the wrench in his hand. The Lightweight Mecha Arm was now complete.
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Lightweight Mecha Arm (Left)
Quality: Average
Basic Stats
– Damage: 35~58
– Defense: 13~17
– Power Level: 38
– Durability: 270/270
Equip Requirement: 25 STR
Stat Bonus: -3 Speed
Length: 0.51 m
Weight: 14.7 kg
Additional Bonus: +10 STR
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Han Xiao gained 3000 experience points from crafting the arm. Crafting generally rewarded more experience than assembly or enhancement.
Han Xiao currently had 21 STR, so he needed to spend another 4 stat points to equip the mecha arm.
After crafting the mecha arm, Han Xiao crafted a 73-WASP and enhanced it to 38-47 damage. He also forged a 10 damage carbide tactical knife.
He hid the Lightweight Mecha Arm and the enhanced 73-WASP before heading out to the canteen.
The canteen was like a recreation room of sorts for the staff in the facility. They would come here to relax and while away the time. Han Xiao had learnt a lot of information from eavesdropping on their conversations.
A groups of guards were chatting nosily.
“I want to go outside too! Being confined for so long is getting on my nerves.”
“Well, Hila’s an offic
er. Her status is much higher than ours.”
“Man, I’d do anything to spend a night with her.”
“Hey, watch your mouth. Do you know why she’s an officer?”
“Because… she’s a superhuman?”
“Of course she is!”
Han Xiao rejoiced at the confirmation of Hila’s absence.
“Looks like today is the day,” he murmured to himself.
Han Xiao got up and headed to basement 3. His target was the surveillance room.
There were two guards stationed outside the surveillance room. Before entering the corridor, Han Xiao slapped a piece of half-chewed bread onto the surveillance camera.
He had learnt that the guards did not take their shifts seriously, and true enough, nothing happened even after a while.
After composing himself, Han Xiao entered the corridor and approached the two guards.
“No unauthorized personnel,” warned the first guard.
“It’s Zero. Just shoo him away,” laughed the second.
The first guard nodded. He was about to push Han Xiao away when, suddenly, Han Xiao grabbed hold of his wrist and stabbed the second guard in the chin with a knife. The knife pierced all the way into the guard’s brain.
Han Xiao then immediately maneuvered around the first guard to perform a chokehold on him.
Crack!
Han Xiao had dispatched of both guards in an instant!
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You have dealt a fatal blow!
You have dealt a fatal blow!
“-162”
“-171”
You have killed a Guard of the Germinal Organization, gaining 360 experience!
You have killed a Guard of the Germinal Organization, gaining 360 experience!
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Han Xiao carefully placed the guard on the ground before checking their stats.
_____________
Lv. 7 Agent
10 STR, 15 END
150 Health
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_____________
You have acquired 4 bullets.
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Han Xiao re-equipped the dagger before slowly pushing the door open.
