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 another 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].
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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.
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Success! Congratulations on discovering [Sky Swallow Gliders]!
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Not this one! Han Xiao clenched his fists. Continue!
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… 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.
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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!
Translator: MJ_ Editor: Millman97
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 fa
rm. 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 officer. 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.
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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.
A jaw-dropping sight greeted him.
Two guards were pressed together in an extremely compromising position. The sound of the door opening had startled them, and they were staring at Han Xiao in horror.
Spicy.
Chapter 7 - Panic
Translator: MJ_ Editor: Millman97
Well, this is awkward. Should I just pretend like nothing happened and step out?wondered Han Xiao.
Han Xiao did not have anything in particular against any group of people. He respected people’s hobbies and interests. These two men before him were simply two lonely hearts who had had no way of releasing their pent-up frustrations. Over time, their common bond developed into something special…
It’s not your fault! It’s Tokiomi’s 1 —I mean—it’s just how things ended up!
Although Han Xiao’s mind was dulled with such thoughts, his body was quick to act. Reversing his grip on his knife, he rushed forward to attack the closer guard.
The guard was unable to react in time, and as he fumbled to draw his gun, Han Xiao went in for the kill.
Unfortunately, the second guard kicked him to safety.
Han Xiao’s surprise attack had failed, but he was not disheartened. Twirling the knife in his hand, he switched back to a standard grip and stabbed the second guard in his abdomen, followed by striking his neck with his free hand. The guard collapsed to the ground.
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Overwhelming Force!
You have 25 Strength. The target has 10 Strength.
As you have over twice as much Strength as the target, your attack dealt 50% more damage!
The target has lost consciousness.
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One down!
The other guard who had been kicked to safety rolled further away to create some space between him and Han Xiao before raising his gun to fire.
Han Xiao immediately tackled him down and slammed his hand against the floor, causing him to release the gun in pain.
It would have been disastrous for Han Xiao if he had managed to fire.
Han Xiao proceeded to head-butt the guard on his nose, disorienting him, and circled around to strangle him from behind.
Rear naked chokehold!
The guard’s face turned purple as he struggled to break free.
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You have performed a [Submission].
You have 25 Strength. Your target has 11 Strength.
Your target is unable to break free.
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The guard struggled for a few more seconds before fainting.
“That was close… It would have been easier if I were a Pugilist,” panted Han Xiao as he got up.
The Pugilist class was the most popular class in Galaxy for the simple reason that it was the coolest looking class. Their skills had the coolest names, such as ‘Inferno Quake’, ‘Devil’s Beam’, or ‘Star Breaker’. Of course, many skills were not actually as powerful as their names suggested, but the point is that they sounded cool!
Shouting out the skill’s name as you used it also always seemed to make it stronger. Although most players weren’t thick skinned enough to do so, Han Xiao enjoyed it.
Pugilists were also a much simpler class to play – basically, just keep on hitting the enemy. Compared to the most demanding class to play, the Mechanic, the difference was night and day.
Han Xiao used his knife to finish the two unconscious guards. He looted four magazines of bullets from them.
He then moved the bodies of the other two guards into the room, cleaned up the bloodstains in the corridor, and smashed up all the security monitors. After confirming that he had not missed anything, Han Xiao emerged from the room with his usual blank expression on once more.
Eliminating the surveillance room was important to Han Xiao’s escape – it allowed him to move freely.
Han Xiao returned to the second floor where a guard suddenly stopped him.
“Mr. Lin Wei Xian wants to see you.”
Han Xiao’s eyes flashed.
Lin Wei Xian was one of the few people in the base who possessed a security pass that could access the main gate. He was saving Han Xiao the trouble of looking for him.
Han Xiao followed the guard to Lin Wei Xian’s private laboratory. It was a dimly lit room. The walls were lined with shelves of specimen jars filled with organs – almost like the private collection of a homicidal murderer.
“The organization has finally let me have you. If I dissect you, I will be able to find out the difference between you and the other test subjects. After extracting all the valuable information your body has to offer, I will preserve your corpse as a specimen. You will be fondly remembered as the first test subject.”
Han Xiao remained silent in the dark.
The Legendary Mechanic c1-1385 Page 8