The Legendary Mechanic, page 266
Naru hesitated, then cautiously grabbed Sylvia’s fingertip. The moment their fingers touched, Naru’s face became orange—this was Godoran’s face color when they blushed, very scientific and logical.
Herlous sighed and said, “Being young is so great.”
Han Xiao took out a cigarette-shaped candy from the snack bag in Aroshia’s hands and put it into his mouth. He had been trying to quit smoking, so he could only eat snacks to kill the boredom. He tutted and pondered. “If I complain to the employer that his son flirted with my lovely apprentice, I should be able to blackmail him for some money.”
“… You don’t have to say it out loud the next time you’re thinking of a plan like this.” Sylvia turned around angrily.
…
All the hostages were rescued, and Han Xiao had set the course. Not long after, they returned to the planet where the employer was at. The guards and the families of the hostages were waiting at the dock. The rescued hostages quickly got off the spaceship and reunited with their families.
A police officer approached Han Xiao and expressed his gratitude to Han Xiao for dealing with the kidnappers. As the people involved were mostly people in financial groups, this was an important matter to them.
Han Xiao passed the captured galactic pirates and the spaceship to the police department as agreed; this way, the mission completion rate would be increased. After the officers walked away, Naru and a middle-aged man came to Han Xiao. The middle-aged man had an air of someone in a high place, but he was very friendly when facing Han Xiao. After he expressed his appreciation, he paid the reward.
This middle-aged man was Naru’s father, the head of a Godoran financial group, so the promised reward were, of course, not little. At the same time, he was also the one that had issued the mission. After Han Xiao got the 85,000 Enas, the interface notified him that the mission had been completed.
All hostages were rescued, the galactic pirates were captured alive, and the spaceship was handed over. A perfect completion rate, so a Random Reward will certainly be given, Han Xiao thought. He looked at the interface and saw the notification of him getting a new chance to receive a [Random Reward]. He did not use it straight away and saved it in the interface. He had already saved four Random Reward chances.
In those two months, he had done more than ten missions. He had gotten a Random Reward chance from more than eighty percent of those missions. At the start, he had used them up as soon as he got them. He had gotten Attribute Points, experience, Potential Points, and others. Not only did he not get what he wanted, he also got a bunch of trash. Han Xiao had grown quite frustrated, so he had started saving them.
The single draw was not dependable; miracles would only occur in consecutive draws.
Han Xiao did not stay for long after submitting the mission. He took the others back to the ship. The thruster shot out fire, and the spaceship disappeared into the sky.
Naru looked up and stared in the direction that the spaceship had left. He shook his father’s arm and said, “Dad, I want to ask something from you.”
“What?”
“I… I want to hire this mercenary group as the private guard of our house,” Naru said bravely. He could not forget about Sylvia.
“It’s impossible.”
Naru became nervous. “Then give them more money. Being our guard is at least safer than being mercenaries. As long as the pay is enough, they definitely will agree.”
The middle-aged man shook his head with a bitter smile. “It’s not about money. Although Black Star is a mercenary, our family is too tiny compared to his background. We have no chance of snatching him from Ames.”
Chapter 468. The Four Consecutive Draws of Glory |
On the spaceship, everyone was doing their own thing. They had already gotten used to this lifestyle over those two months.
Han Xiao went back to his room alone, opened the interface, and rubbed his hands together.
“Four chances, four consecutive draws, don’t disappoint me again.”
After failing so many times, he was already very calm about it. As a Mechanic, he believed in making up for quality with quantity.
Beep beep beep!
Just as he was about to start using the Random Reward, his communicator suddenly rang. He received a communication.
“Who is it‽”
The ceremonial feeling was interrupted, so a hint of displeasure leaked into Han Xiao’s tone.
“It’s me, Nereja. Do you still remember me?”
Looking at the Godoran on the screen, Han Xiao recognized him straight away. “Oh, you’re that green… ahem, I’m happy to see you. This seems to be the first time you’ve contacted me since what happened last time. What is this about? Are you hiring me again?”
“No, I’m here to relay a message.” Nereja smiled and said, “Do you know someone called Kerlodd? He was my classmate in the Observer Training Class. He contacted me a few days ago and said that his Observer ID was used by someone else, somewhere else, which happened to be near us. I mentioned you when I chatted with him. When he heard your name, his reaction was a little… er, extreme. He seems to want you to pay him back some money.”
Han Xiao understood what had happened. He had entered Kerlodd’s ID on the system of the missing spaceship. The radiation storm had blocked the signal at that time, but when he brought the system core back to the space station, the people there had naturally checked the logs and noticed that access attempt.
Kerlodd was the Godora Observer who had been sent to investigate Planet Aquamarine and subsequently captured by Han Xiao.
Han Xiao nodded. “Oh, we are very good friends. How’s that guy? Send him my regards.”
Nereja’s expression was a little strange.
“… Are you sure you are friends? He told me to say, ‘Black Star, don’t use my ID again! When are you going to pay back the money you blackmailed from me? You’re already a renowned mercenary. Are you really this petty about a few hundred Enas?'”
“Hehe, he still loves to joke as always,” Han Xiao said. “Our friendship was created through life and death. How can that be measured by money?”
Han Xiao had shown mercy to Kerlodd back then and did not take his life. Was that not a friendship created through life and death?
Speaking of which, he had kept his word and let Kerlodd go back then to have a channel of contacting Godora. He did not expect himself to join Floating Dragon Island afterward. Nonetheless, Kerlodd was still useful.
I told Kerlodd to pay attention to the abnormalities on Planet Aquamarine. I wonder if they sent someone else to investigate. Maybe this will lead to changes in the Version 2.0 storyline… Should be good changes, Han Xiao thought.
“Alright, you tell him that I got the message, and I’m not going to pay him back.”
“Okay then…” Nereja gave a bitter smile. He suddenly recalled something and said, “By the way, we had a personnel transfer not long ago. The original station chief was transferred away, and the deputy station chief took over the space station. It’s really hard to figure out what the higher-ups are thinking. Anyway, it’s a good thing. The deputy station chief is much better than the original station chief. The station chief discovered that I was the one who hired you and gave me a penalty, such an awful guy.”
Han Xiao raised his brow and said, “The station chief? I don’t have a problem with him—he’s a good man. On the contrary, the deputy station chief is a very slippery guy. If he did not have a motive, why did he mention an unsolved internal matter to a mercenary that he had just met?
“Furthermore, the rescued Observers all rooted for you. Who would expose you? Your opinion of the station chief now means that the deputy station chief’s act of transferring him was effective. Nonetheless, a good man might not be a useful man. Even though the deputy station chief did not mean well, without him, your wife and those missing Observers would not have been saved. Hence, seeing the results, maybe you won’t regret being used.”
Actually, the person that gave out the daily missions that rewarded Interstellar Beast Dungeon Crystals was exactly the deputy station chief who later became the station chief. He ordered the players to deal with some internal affairs and quickly improved his performance. If it was the original station chief, he definitely would not have let outsiders interfere with their internal affairs.
“What you said seems to make some sense. After the station chief was transferred away, the deputy station chief looked very happy.”
Nereja was dazed for a moment and looked like he had something on his mind. He then sighed and said, “Sigh, speaking of which, the old station chief only followed the regulations. Although he was a little pedantic, he was once a military officer after all, so it’s understandable.
“Anyway, I still like the deputy station chief a little more. If everything was done following the rules, the world would not only have that three Universal Civilizations now, and the war would still be going on. The other civilizations would have no choice but to become vassals, or they would be destroyed by the flames of war…
“Sigh, between hypocrisy and war, I would choose the former, and most people would probably do the same. Although I don’t know much, I can guess that the Black Forest Age of the exploration history was definitely hell. The peaceful Galaxy Calendar age now was not achieved with ease…”
“Got it, got it. I have something to do, bye.” Han Xiao decisively closed the communication. He opened the interface again and exhaled.
Let’s begin…
Beep beep beep!
At this time, the communicator rang again.
Interrupted again, Han Xiao was boiling.
Can’t I do my consecutive draws peacefully‽ The luck that I gathered is vanishing!
“Who the hell… oh, Ames, hi, are you well? What is it?”
To Han Xiao’s surprise, the alluring and sexy Dragon Emperor appeared on the screen. Ames had never contacted him before, so why did she suddenly call him?
“Black Star, I need you.” Ames’ expression was a little strange.
Han Xiao’s mouth twitched. “Pardon me, but what kind of need are you talking about?”
“I found my teacher’s whereabouts. He came to the Shattered Star Ring. Black Star, you saw what he looked like personally. Accompany me to look for him.” Ames’ tone was assertive.
“Okay…” Han Xiao held his forehead. “When?”
“As soon as possible. I will immediately notify you when I return to the Shattered Star Ring.”
“Are you not on Floating Dragon Island now?”
“I went to the Federation of Light’s mother planet for sightseeing,” Ames said.
The Great Mechanic Han was speechless.
“Alright,” Han Xiao said, “where’s your teacher now?”
“Someone said that he appeared on Noriosse some time ago. Go there to take a look first before I return.”
Han Xiao nodded without panicking. Although him seeing the Dragon Emperor’s teacher before was a lie, he did indeed know who the Dragon Emperor’s teacher was. He was not afraid of not being to recognize that person.
After hanging up the communication, Han Xiao massaged his temple and opened the interface for the third time.
“Let’s do this quickly, I have a feeling I’m not in luck again… no one will find me again I hope.”
After being interrupted twice, Han Xiao’s excitement was gone. He stared at the interface with an expressionless face.
_____________
Randomizing…
Randomization Complete.
Your Random Reward Type is: [Ability]
_____________
Han Xiao glanced through and chose the most useful option between the three options. A Cannon Master ability, [Locked Shot]. Its effect was that the next shot would definitely hit with an addition 10 – 18% of critical damage.
Han Xiao’s face was calm. He did not stop and immediately started to draw the second Random Reward.
_____________
Randomizing…
Randomization Complete.
Your Random Reward Type is: [Item]
_____________
Han Xiao’s eyes sparkled. “It’s here, a chance!”
_____________
Please select one from the three reward below:
Gene Awakening Elixir (Luxurious Version): If the user has no Main Class, using this has a chance to turn the user into an Esper.
Double Experience Card: Doubles the experience gained through killing monsters and doing missions. Lasts for 6 days.
Ability Enhancement Card: 70% chance to enhance an ability when used, amplifying its basic effects. 20% chance to mutate the ability into a similar but stronger new ability.
_____________
“Two cards but no Mission Completion Card.” Han Xiao felt his chest was hurting.
Comparatively, the Ability Enhancement Card was somewhat useful to him, but Han Xiao was still frustrated over not getting what he wanted.
Without a doubt, the Gene Awakening Elixir was trash, and he did not need the Double Experience Card, so he chose the Ability Enhancement Card straight away.
“I feel lucky! Third time’s the charm!”
Han Xiao felt hopeful as he activated another Random Reward.
_____________
Randomizing…
Randomization Complete.
Your Random Reward Type is: [Experience]
_____________
“…”
“Great, very great. I’m in dire need of experience. What good timing…” Han Xiao clapped. Then he smashed his head on the table, clenched his teeth, and yelled, “As if!”
He had always thought that, of all the reward types, experience was the most useless one.
He picked the highest option of 2,000,000 experience and activated the last Random Reward despairingly.
_____________
Randomizing…
Randomization Complete.
Your Random Reward Type is: [Item]
_____________
Medium Experience Crystal (x8): Grants 100,000 – 1,000,000 experience after using.
Blazing Battle Aura (Cosmetic): When equipped, grants special light effects when moving. Being strong is a matter of version; being cool is for life.
Mission Completion Card (x2): Marks one mission as complete and receive rewards equivalent to the lowest grade.
_____________
Han Xiao exhaled deeply and closed his eyes with satisfaction and fulfillment.
“Finally… I finally got it…”
Bang!
The next second, he jumped up and slammed his palm on the metal table, leaving an imprint.
“Consecutive draw is the best in the world!”
Chapter 469. [Gene Liberation] and High-End Knowledge! |
After being overjoyed for a while, Han Xiao quickly calmed down. Having been unlucky more than ten times, he was relieved upon finally getting the item that he needed. The Mission Completion Card was not a rare item, yet he had only gotten it after so many times. Nonetheless, he had gotten it in the end.
Now that he had the Mission Completion Card, he did not have to take the risk and fight a Grade A Super—the steady mindset was dependable.
For normal players, their level represented their grade. LV 1 – LV 20 was Grade F; LV 21 – LV 40 was Grade E; LV 41 – LV 60 was Grade D; LV 61 – LV 90 was Grade C; LV 91 – LV 100 was Grade C+; over LV 100 was Grade B and above. Of course, this was just a rough range. Due to the difference in abilities, attributes, talents, and equipment, there would be slight differences. For example, the pro players would usually reach Grade C at LV 60.
The normal players would only enter Grade B after going through the second Race Evolution at level 100. For Han Xiao, who was also level 100, as he had many Molding Talents, he was much stronger than the players, so he was Grade B. Including the advantages of the Mechanic class and how high his attributes were, he was not considered weak even among Grade Bs. His actual combat ability far exceeded the standard of his level. Still, level 100 was the entrance of Grade B—the next grade was tens of levels away.
Hence, Han Xiao had been unwilling to take the risk. Even if he reached level 120 after his promotion, he would still be at Grade B. From this, the difference between Grade B and Grade A was clearly shown. If Han Xiao had to fight against an enemy just a few levels higher than him, he would not have been worried at all, but against an enemy tens of levels higher? Unless he would have special measures, and there was a ninety percent chance that he would die.
Just looking at this percentage made him lose interest in taking the risk.
The method of using a Mission Completion Card was really a tremendous help to him that made him avoid unnecessary dangers. Han Xiao had faced many threats before, so he was not afraid of taking risks. However, since he had more choices, it was better to use the safer method than taking the risk and fighting such a strong enemy.
Even if he really had to fight a Grade A Super, who knew how much time he would have to spend in plotting and how many resources he would waste? By looking for the card while doing missions, not only did he not have to suffer a loss, but he was even making a profit. Why would he not do it?
Han Xiao was worried that his hand might slip. He fully focused and selected the Mission Completion Card carefully.
Before this, it was nowhere to be found, now two of it appeared together. I only need one, so I shall save the other. I might use it in the future when I meet a similarly difficult mission.
Han Xiao did not use the Mission Completion Card immediately. His Class Advancement mission was still stuck, so he planned to buy two High-End Mechanic Knowledges that he had been eyeing up since long ago. Then he would complete the Promotion and Class Advancement together so that he could rush his levels immediately after. He had 1,360,000 Enas in his account, so he was quite wealthy. It was more than enough to buy two High-End Knowledges.
I got an Ability Enhancement Card as well. I shall use that first.
The Ability Enhancement Card will increase the basic stats of an ability, so even a max level ability can be enhanced. If I can get the ability mutation, that would be awesome, but I doubt there’s a chance… What should I enhance? A Combat ability or Machinery Affinity type ability?
