The Legendary Mechanic c1-1385

by Chocolion, 齐佩甲

  “Some of our agents are undercover in Andrea. Should we call them back?” the head of field operations said.

  “No need, let them retrieve more intelligence. We have enough manpower,” Gu Hui said. “When we have a conclusion on this, maybe the officials will seek help and answers from the Galactic Civilizations.”

  …

  As the average level of players became higher, their actions made a greater impact and attracted the attention of the organizations. The Six Nations, Vagrants, Dark Net, and many large financial organizations were all paying attention to the Inhuman Phenomenon. They had been sending their people to contact these Inhumans with different approaches. Some were friendly, and some were not. The exception was Germinal Organization—they captured large numbers of players in Andrea, which forced player in the novice village to leave the village early.

  For players, which organization they joined would not actually make a difference to them, but they would naturally want to resist if they were forced. The Germinal Organization had definitely left a bad impression on players, and for those who were already captured, they could only accept their fate.

  Players in Andrea had a tough time. Their game experience was extremely bad, but it made players very curious about one thing—Why were the NPCs surprised about their existence? The NPCs acted almost like real people.

  More and more organizations started contacting players, and more and more players experienced similar situations. They started making guesses actively on forums about the situation, and this topic soon became the most popular topic in the forum.

  This only happened on Planet Aquamarine and not any other planets, so a large number of players from other planets visited the Planet Aquamarine site, which made it the most visited planet site of all the novice planets.

  There were hundreds of new posts every second; its popularity was astonishingly high.

  All kinds of speculations surfaced. The seemingly most possible and accepted theory was the Electrolux theory, but the game developers did not give any response. Players could only make random guesses, some of which were quite out of the box.

  “We actually went through reincarnation to conquer a new world for our gods, serial number A12651 reporting for duty!”

  “Bullshit, we’re Earth’s army to conquer alternative dimensions, and we have an honorable mission on our hands.”

  “798 Space feet from the Earth Association. Commander Blacky is waiting for deployment. Victory belongs to earth!”

  “You’re all wrong. The earth is just an illusion. This is actually the reality.”

  “You youngsters are too naïve. This is all part of the Elder’s plan.”

  “This marks the first step of Skynet’s domination over mankind. One day, all of our minds will be locked up in the game.”

  “Hail Hydra!”

  “Previous commenter is in the wrong set!”

  “Sigh, I’m a retired soldier of the 1999 clan wars. Come to think of it, that was a really dark age.”

  “This Grandpa above surely has a strong body, playing Full Dive VR games at such an old age.”

  These ridiculous speculations became a joke that was trending all over the forum.

  In a big picture, organizations contacting players with caution was beneficial. It was easier for players to pick a side or organization to join, except for players in Andrea who were being continuously captured.

  Han Xiao was following the situation. He had information from both the Dark Net and the forum, which meant that he knew much more than any players or NPCs.

  The mindset of both parties was very different. The organizations were careful and serious about it, while the players found it fun.

  Interesting. Han Xiao raised his eyebrows.

  The influence from the Inhuman incident was slowly fermenting as the organizations found out more and more about the players’ characteristics.

  The pro players from my previous life should have met their opportunities by now.

  Planet Aquamarine was China’s base camp, so there would definitely be some players who had met an opportunity, unlike other normal players.

  The storyline was going on the right path. Han Xiao rushed to Maple, as the Mutated Heart Mission had a time limit.

  Louis Research Institution was in Kaylos city in Maple. It was not near the border this time, so Han Xiao had to travel in a car for two days after being smuggled into the country.

  The country of Maple felt lifeless. Its rigid political system, uneven wealth distribution, and resources were all tightly controlled by politicians, and the low class had very limited opportunities to improve their life. ‘Barely living and just waiting to die’ was the best phrase to describe civilians in Maple.

  Walking on the street, long-faced pedestrians passed by him. Han Xiao rubbed his face. He felt that such a confident and handsome face did not fit in with the state of the people on the street.

  Han Xiao changed his face again and even wore spectacles. He was sure that nobody could recognize him.

  Louis Research Institution building was very tall and silver, which fitted the technology theme. The people in the building were all wearing white coats, as if they were worried about others not knowing they were doing technological research.

  A receptionist walked to him with a well-mannered smile as soon as he walked in.

  “Hi, do you require an introduction to the business scope of Louis Group Companies?”

  Han Xiao raised the metal suitcase in his hands and said, “I have a heart from a Death Virus infected being. One of your researchers might be interested.”

  “Please wait a moment, I will inform a superior.” The lady receptionist guided Han Xiao to the sofa and left.

  Louis Research Institution accepted exterior research projects, so there were always customers who came to visit.

  Han Xiao sat on the sofa and scanned the environment of the hall. It was built in the shape of a sphere, which made it look like a hotel hall.

  After some time, two people covered in bandages walked in. Han Xiao raised his head as he smelled the odor of blood. It was the ‘superhero’ duo he had met in the Forbidden Zone.

  These guys were saving some exploring team, could it be that the team was from Louis Research Institution?

  Looks like they failed and are badly injured.

  Han Xiao raised his brows but stayed put as they did not recognize him.

  Chapter 179 - The Research Institution

  Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

  Yang Dian and Ned were frustrated. The exploration team that they were trying to save belonged to Louis Research Institution, and it was Louis Research Institution that entrusted them with the rescue mission. After Han Xiao left, they had rested for a while and started searching with caution. Eventually, they found the target at the valley that the exploration team had lost contact in.

  However, all of them had been infected by Death Virus and had mutated. Bone spurs grew on their bodies, and they had turned into crazed beasts. There was no way to save them anymore.

  The leader of the exploration team had been able to retain a small part of his sanity. He gave the duo a metal suitcase and told them it contained an important material that could create the cure for Death Virus. With his remaining rationality, he requested that they take it back to the Research Institution.

  The duo had no choice but to abandon the incurable exploration team and leave the forbidden zone with the suitcase. They were attacked by a herd of beasts on their way out, and they protected the suitcase with their bodies. They luckily escaped with the suitcase undamaged, but they were covered in wounds

  Yang Dian and Ned dragged their exhausted bodies onto the plane and came to Kaylos feeling pitiful. They could not save the exploration team and were ready to be blamed by the research institution, as they felt they did not live up to the trust they had been given.

  A guy with spectacles and looking like someone of a high position walked out the lift and tr
otted toward the duo with a face full of hope.

  “Heroes, you have returned.” He sounded very welcoming.

  “Sorry Mr. Kate, we failed the mission,” Ned said in a very apologetic tone.

  Kate’s expression changed. “Are they all dead?”

  “Sorry, they were infected. We couldn’t do anything.” Yang Dian could not look at Kate’s grief-stricken face.

  “It’s not your fault…”

  Seeing Kate taking off his spectacles and rubbing his eyes made the duo feel even worse. Ned took out the metal suitcase and said, “The exploration team asked us to make sure this is delivered to you. It’s an important material that can solve the Death Virus!”

  Kate took over the metal suitcase and gave it a gentle touch. “Sigh, I wish they made it back alive. This is their accomplishment, and we’ll never forget that. If we are able to make a cure out of this, it will be named after them.”

  The duo could not agree more. Yang Dian sighed and said, “They are heroes. Not being able to save them is a regret that I’ll remember for life.”

  “Don’t feel that way. Their hard work wouldn’t have paid off if not for you guys. You have done what you could, and you shouldn’t blame yourselves for that. If you don’t mind, we would like to take care of your wounds for free,” Kate said with appreciation.

  “No need to, I can’t trouble you any further.” The more appreciation Kate showed, the sorrier the duo felt. They rejected the invitation and walked out with straight backs.

  Kate pushed his spectacles and watched the duo leave. He then walked toward Han Xiao with a smile and said, “Greetings, do you have any business for the Research Institution?”

  Han Xiao returned the smile and opened the metal suitcase, showing Kate the mutated heart.

  “This is a Death Virus infected heart from a very strong being.”

  Kate’s eyes sparkled, and he said with an even brighter smile, “Please, follow me.”

  Kate led the way into the elevator, and they went up to the thirteenth floor. A long, white corridor came into sight after the doors opened. At the sides of it were many experimental labs with glass windows. Some of them had people that were running experiments, some had machines and materials, and there were also a few free researchers that were chatting in the corridor.

  The thirteenth floor was one of the experimental floors of Louis Research Institution. As he led the way, Kate said, “The Death Virus has always been a very important project in our research. We kept running into obstacles and meeting limits because we don’t have enough supplies of lively materials. This heart is very important to us; we might be able to make a drug out of it straight away. As usual, we will give you a dose of it once it’s completed, but of course, we can exchange that for something else if you would like other rewards.”

  “No need for that, I want the drug.” Han Xiao pointed at the metal suitcase in Kate’s hands that came from Yang Dian and Ned and said, “I thought you already have the material.”

  “This? Hehe, well, this is important, too.” Kate laughed it off and did not explain further.

  They stopped outside a big biological experiment lab. “Please kindly wait here. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed in the experimental lab.”

  Han Xiao passed the suitcase to Kate, who then walked in with both suitcases and spoke to someone that seemed to be the supervisor of the experimental lab. The suitcases were opened on the table. Inside the other suitcase was a white colored egg. Han Xiao was unsure what creature was it from.

  Kate and the lab supervisor spoke quietly, but with Han Xiao’s LV 55 senses, he could hear everything they said.

  “What happened to the exploration team. All dead?” the supervisor asked.

  “Yes,” Kate replied, “the heroes couldn’t save them.”

  “At least the stuff is delivered. Never mind that they died, with this heart, we can make the drugs very soon. What did the ‘heroes’ say?”

  “They felt they couldn’t live up to our trust. Hehe, employing these heroes is so much cheaper than mercenaries. As long as we give them a good reason, they might even do things for free. Saved me quite some money.”

  “You didn’t get found out, did you?”

  “Of course not, they’re stupid and naïve. A few lies, and they were easily touched and even almost cried. These so-called heroes are the easiest to convince. A little compliment and appreciation will make them lose their senses. They thought that they did a very honorable thing when they left. I almost burst into laughter.”

  “Don’t offend these heroes. Do our best to build a good relationship with them.”

  “Don’t worry, I gave them a good impression. If there are any dangerous things, we can still find them. They will not reject us as long as we give them a good reason.”

  Han Xiao waited calmly without changing his expression.

  Kate finished the conversation not long after. He came back outside the room and said with a polite smile, “It takes one day to make the drug. If you don’t mind, we can provide a room for you to rest, and the drug will be handed to you as soon as it’s done.”

  “Okay.” Han Xiao did not object.

  They took the lift to the residential floor, and Han Xiao was given a guest room. Kate mentioned a few areas that he was not allowed to enter and found an excuse to leave.

  Han Xiao checked the room for cameras and found two of them, so he took out his laptop and hacked into the system, controlled the cameras in his room, and set it to a loop.

  He then hacked into the database of the research institution without hesitation to look at their research projects.

  [Elementary Coding] was already at the highest level. His hacking skills could get him through most of the firewalls on Planet Aquamarine, except for the Six Nations, Germinal Organization, the core of the Dark Net, and a few other large organizations. A small research institution could not stop him at all. He entered with ease without triggering any alarms, and he could erase his traces afterwards, so no one would be able to find out he had ever hacked into the system.

  He opened the projects file of the research institution, and names appeared on the screen.

  “Green Lizard Potion, Wild Bull Steroid, Thunder Claw Extraction, Stone Plaque Pathogen…”

  Many names were drugs that players received in his previous life. After some time of finding, he finally found the Death Virus project. Its full name was [Death Virus Enhancement Agent]. In its detailed description, this was an experiment that could enhance one’s physical capabilities, and the research institution was certainly not doing any research on the cure that Yang Dian and Ned talked about.

  Han Xiao’s eyes flashed as he clicked his keyboard, and he had planted a program.

  Chapter 180 - Robbery

  Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

  Kate came to Han Xiao’s room on the next day, carrying a metal suitcase. He placed the suitcase on the table, patted it, and said, “The drug has been completed.”

  When Han Xiao opened the suitcase, thick white gas escaped from within, and inside was a dark red, viscous drug. He reached out his hands to touch it, and information showed up in the interface.

  _____________________

  Death Virus Enhancement Agent (Low Concentration 3.5%): A drug made from some kind of gene mutation virus. Its essence can be used on human beings with high stability. Consumption affects: STR +1, DEX +1, chance to awaken [Extraordinary Physique].

  Remarks: Although its color looks like the product of menstruation, worry not, its taste is also like…

  _____________________

  Only low concentration, they gave me the one with the lowest quality, Han Xiao thought as he closed the suitcase.

  “I’m satisfied with this,” he said with a smile.

  “We look forward to our next partnership,” Kate replied politely.

  “No need to look forward. I want to buy more drugs; what do you have in stock?”

  “We only provide long t
erm bulk supplies to large organizations and customers with abilities. If it’s a single customer… especially one with an unknown origin, I’m afraid it will be quite difficult. We hope you can understand. However, we can sell it in bulk to you if you can prove your ability to afford them in the long term.”

  Kate expressed his difficulties just the right amount and made it look like he really wanted to agree but could not because of the rules and regulations. However, in the eyes of an experienced person like Han Xiao, it was very obviously done on purpose, most likely to raise the price.

  Han Xiao smiled mysteriously. He adjusted his collar and said, “Allow me to introduce myself officially, I’m an Executive Officer of Germinal Organization, Heisenberg.”

  Kate was very surprised.

  Germinal Organization? Didn’t they leave the Western Continent? Is this so-called Heisenberg guy a secretly active executive officer, or is he lying?

  “Forgive me for being so straightforward, but your identity is very suspicious.” Kate took two steps back and placed his right hand in his pocket holding the alarm. If Han Xiao made any suspicious movements, he would trigger the alarm.

  “Don’t have to be so nervous, give me a moment.” Han Xiao walked into the toilet with his backpack.

  Why is he going to the toilet? Just as when Kate was confused, Han Xiao walked out wearing Viper. The mechanical suit that looked highly advanced gave Kate a shock.

  “Wha-what are you…”

  Han Xiao swung his arms around and said through the suit’s speaker, “This is the latest single unit mechanical suit invented by the Germinal Organization. If your eyes still work, you should be able to see the amount of advanced technology used in this. Even the official experimental lab of the Six Nations doesn’t have this technology. You don’t have to worry about me lying; this is a secret project of our organization, and it should suffice to prove my identity.”