The Legendary Mechanic, page 387
After Han Xiao touched Feidin to his heart’s content, he left the rooftop and opened the interface. Before his luck could dissipate, he hurriedly concluded the [Prey) mission to draw for Shana’s ability.
First round complete.
You have received: the opportunity to draw one of Shana’s abilities or talents.
Note: Shana is a unique Esper, and the abilities that you draw will be adjusted based on your class.
Randomizing… draw complete.
Please select one of the five rewards:
[Magnetic Field Vision) – talent: You will gain a keen insight into magnetic fields. +12% Machinery Affinity, +6% Mechanical Force bonus range
[Magnetic Vortex] – skill: Control skill. Release a burst of magnetic energy to create a magnetic field. Chance to inflict a target within the magnetic field with the (Chaos) status. Chance determined by INT and external environment. Energy Usage: 160, Cooldown: 46s
[Electromagnetic Shooting Stars] – skill: Long ranged skill. Overlay multiple objects with electromagnetic force. Accumulate a large amount of kinetic energy before shooting the objects out and causing a damage between 210 – 742. Damage determined by the size of object and accumulated electromagnetic time. Energy Usage: 75, Cooldown: 12s.
(Strong Magnetic Field Shield] – skill: Defensive skill. A magnetic shield will be formed within a 3m vicinity of the user. Shield durability is unlimited, and maintaining the shield will exhaust energy. If the damage taken by the shield within a second exceeds the critical point, the magnetic shield will be shattered. Cooldown 2.5s. The critical point is determined by the amount of energy exhausted per second with the maximum damage being 22,000. Every time the shield takes damage, additional energy will be exhausted.
(Super Electromagnetic Sense] – talent: Your ‘magnetic’ attribute will be enhanced. The bonus received from every energy level will change.
This was the result after the skills had been modified, and Han Xiao was not too surprised. All of Shana’s skills were rooted in her Esper ability, and it was impossible for him to gain the other party’s Esper ability. The abilities to strengthen the control of metal in a magnetic field would be useless to him.
Thankfully, control of metal within a magnetic field was extremely compatible with the Mechanic class. After a series of adjustments, most of the skills were useful to Mechanics as well.
There was not a single skill that stood out from the rest, but the skills were not too terrible either. Han Xiao felt that he had drawn the average skills this time.
If I didn’t touch Feidin, I am afraid that I would have drawn some sh*tty skills. It seems like Feidin’s luck cancelled out my bad luck.
Chapter 637. In the Chaotic Crimson Tide, Storms Are Forming (1) |
Chapter 637 In the Chaotic Crimson Tide, Storms Are Forming (1)
Han Xiao was not interested in the first choice, [Magnetic Field Vision), at all. He now had almost a thousand percent Machinery Affinity; this bonus would not make a difference.
Among the three abilities, (Strong Magnetic Field Shield] was undoubtedly the strongest. If a player obtained this, it could almost be a god-tier ability. Its only flaw was that its energy cost was very high. Nonetheless, to Han Xiao, he could totally afford its cost.
Sadly, he really did not want another tanky ability. [Strong Magnetic Field Shield] clashed with his mana health cycle. Only the damage taken by his body would be absorbed and turned into energy. If it hit a shield, it would not activate.
Although this ability was quite good, he was not really in need of it.
The names of the other two abilities were kind of lame, but their effects were quite good. They could be used as a means of attack when he was not using machines. However, it was too rare for him to not use any machines, so he would not use these skills as much.
The last talent (Super Electromagnetic Sense) had a very simple introduction. Han Xiao had seen similar talents before in his previous life; they enhanced the basic attributes of one’s energy, causing the bonus given by energy to increase tremendously. This kind of talent was rather rare. Not just the Mechanic class, the other four classes had talents that enhanced their energy as well. Shana’s Esper attribute just so happened to be suitable for the Mechanic class.
The magnetic attribute was related to the Mechanical Force. If he chose this one, the increase in his Machinery Affinity would be many times greater than the first talent on the list. Furthermore, when he acquired a new level of energy bonuses in the future, this talent would still be effective. It was the same as increasing his potential.
This was a high-level Mechanic talent that was rather difficult to obtain. It had growth potential.
Tsk, I can only choose one…
Han Xiao scratched his hair. Other than the first option, he wanted all four.
After pondering for some time, he decided that long term potential was more important and made his choice.
You have received (Super Electromagnetic Sense)!
Your Magnetic Energy has been enhanced!
Your energy bonuses have changed!
When Han Xiao opened his attributes and looked at it, he smiled.
His Machinery Affinity was largely increased in every energy level. His Energy Level was currently [Lv11), which originally gave him 142% Machinery Affinity. With this talent, it became 262%
A 120% increase in Machinery Affinity!
Almost double!
Nice, that makes it worthwhile.
Han Xiao was quite satisfied. This 120% bonus affinity made his Machinery Affinity go beyond 1,000%. Furthermore, this talent had more long-term benefits and would become stronger as his level increased.
Although it could not be compared with Reynold’s almost cheat code level (Perfect Mechanical Sense), it was still quite good. Including his (Elementary Grade Mechanical Sense), he finally had two Mechanic class talents.
Now, this is more Mechanic like.
Han Xiao chuckled.
Nonetheless, the other three abilities were good. He was quite upset that he could not choose all of them. This is just the first round. Shana is still alive. If every round’s reward includes drawing her ability…
Han Xiao’s eyes sparkled, and he could not help but fantasize. He wanted to meet Shana a few more times.
Shana was an ability treasure trove!
He looked at the second-round mission of (Prey), but it had yet to update.
The second round would probably only start when the enemy attacked again.
The enemies are hiding, and I’m in the open. Luckily, I planted a ward on her, or I really wouldn’t be able to guard against their sudden attack. Just like the mission name, they’re hunters waiting for opportunities to strike, and I’m the prey they have targeted. If I’m attacked during an important part of another mission, I will incur a huge loss. These hunters really are a bunch of sh*t stirrers.
Han Xiao was glad.
On the way back, Han Xiao had peeked at Shana and Eliot’s conversation through the Observer’s Mark, discovering that that woman was heading toward the headquarters.
If he could confirm the location of this mysterious organization, he might be able to drag Ames along and advance to the high ground.
One slam from Floating Dragon Island, and not just the enemy Nexus, the enemy fountain might not even exist…
Patience was the basic of peeking; there was no use in hurrying. The Observer’s Mark would only gain useful information as time went on.
Han Xiao went to the training room and tested his new talent for a while, then gave a lesson to Sylvia and Reynold, followed by letting Sylvia report the matters of the army. After he was done with those things, he shut himself in the machinery modification room and went into solitude.
Shana’s attack had put him under some pressure. If all her friends had about Grade A+ strength, they would be strong opponents that he had never faced before. Han Xiao planned to build a batch of non-metallic machines and magnetic field reversal devices to nullify Shana’s Esper ability.
With plenty of Experience in his bag, Han Xiao was not worried about spending. He gambled a lot of blueprints and found quite a lot of useful ones.
Including the blueprints, he already had more than a thousand abilities. The effect of [Research Theory] now gave him more than three hundred bonus Intelligence.
Building non-metallic machines was one part of becoming stronger; Han Xiao also felt it was time to increase his level.
He was now level 170 and stuck at the Class Advancement mission of [Galaxy Mechanic). If he completed the Class Advancement, his strength would be largely increased once again. He would also obtain the crucial Mechanic abilities of the next stage.
The Class Advancement requirement was very direct – learn one Cutting-Edge Knowledge.
However, it was not easy for Han Xiao.
In his previous life when the players were at this level, it was already the later versions. After playing for so long and experiencing so many main storylines, the players had built up relationships with several factions by that time, so they could exchange Cutting-Edge Knowledge directly.
However, Han Xiao was too ahead of the schedule. Limited by the version, he did not have the chance to farm the relationship with any Star Cluster Civilizations. Hence, this Class Advancement requirement that was quite easy in his previous life suddenly became an obstacle.
It was not difficult to do, but it took a lot of time and effort.
Han Xiao had used up the random rewards that he had stocked up. Being unlucky as always, he did not get any Mission Completion Cards.
Mission Completion Cards were actually really cheap and not rare at all. Most of the things he got in these random rewards had a higher value than Mission Completion Cards, such as the rare Esper Ability Potential Enhancing Fluid that he had shockingly obtained twice. Including one from long ago, he now had three of them.
He kept feeling that trying to obtain Mission Completion Cards after touching Feidin was having the opposite effect.
Cutting-Edge Knowledges were a must learn, so Han Xiao did not want to gamble on Mission Completion Cards. What he hoped now was that the Purple Crystal Civilization could quickly form its Section Zero. During the (Crimson Tide), faction missions were in the least shortage.
At the outer space track outside the Purple Crystal Civilization’s Mother Planet, a garrison satellite code-named ‘Curved Blade’ was circling the mother planet. This was a newly built space station, an office for a new department. This department’s members were all elites selected from the various departments within the Secret Service.
At this time, inside the Curved Blade garrison satellite station, a row of Foreign Affairs Captains were sitting in the office of the highest commander, staring at the top commander of this department, Ralph.
Ralph flipped through the report of these people and listened as the captains explained the situation.
“The candidate list for the partner organizations has been sorted. There’s a total of 173 new organizations selected, all of which we have contacted and are willing to work with us. Please take a look.”
“It’s too few,” Ralph said coldly. In front of his subordinates, he was very strict.
“From an entire Star Cluster’s perspective, it is indeed not many. However, the 173 candidate organizations are the result of our careful selection. They all have Calamity Grades in their organization, a compulsory requirement. They are spread across the various Star Systems in Colton, and all are renowned among the locals.”
“Such as?”
“Severide’s Arc Light Organization, Skywalker’s Hero Group, Rain’s New Phylen Rebels… These are the largest and strongest organizations among the candidates.”
“It’s still not enough. The strength of these unofficial military organizations is far from the forces gathered by Klent.” Ralph shook his head in dissatisfaction. “The development of private organizations in Colton is too chaotic. Klent has the Bloodshed Land. Just that alone is enough to stop all of our partnered organizations. Klent has been helping its ally, the Bloodshed Land, expand over the years, fusing about half of the private organizations in their territory. Klent wants to build an alliance organization using the Bloodshed Land as its core. In the face of such an enormous organization, these partner organizations we’ve found will have no chance of resisting. If they want to start a secret war, we will have absolutely no chance of winning.”
“Indeed. The enemy has the Bloodshed Land. If we don’t use our official army, no one can stop the Tyrant. However, Beyond Grade As won’t act easily. We also have Beyond Grade A too; the Dragon Emperor is here.”
“However, Dragon Emperor Ames remains neutral. She isn’t our ally.” Ralph frowned.
“The Black Star Army is on the list of partner organizations. Although he cannot be compared with these three strongest candidates I just mentioned, their strength can be ranked in the second tier within the list. Their background is the military force of Floating Dragon. Maybe we can use the Dragon Emperor’s power through him.”
“I know Black Star; he’s a very smart guy. Don’t try to use him to get close to Ames. Plus, Ames might not be as strong as Heber.” Ralph shook his head.
After a pause, he continued to warn his subordinates. “Klent is still holding back currently, but they will become more and more rampant. The secret war will happen sooner or later. The people above have made the call; we cannot be forced by the enemy to use our official army, or an all-out war might really break out. Klent wants to snatch parts of Colton’s territory. Even if the three Universal Civilizations come to stop the war, the Crimson Dynasty is behind Klent. We are at a disadvantage politically, so we might be forced to sign an unfair treaty. I’m not satisfied with the current list. The reason that this department was created is to deal with Klent’s ambitious expansions. You must get more military forces.”
“Understood!”
“Also, the people above have given this department an official code name. When the time comes, you will notify the candidates of the name of this organization formed by all the partnered forces.”
“What’s the code name?”
Ralph knocked on the table and solemnly said, “Secret Service, Section Zero!”
Chapter 638. In the Chaotic Crimson Tide, Storms Are Forming (2) |
In the Seoul Star Cluster, Klent Kingdom territory, Bloodshed Land headquarters, Planet Heber…
Inside Heber’s palace, the emissary from Klent met with Tyrant to deliver the message from his superiors.
“The Purple Crystal Civilization eliminated the scouting team that we sent to Colton. This is their warning. According to the information transmitted back, the people that attacked the scouting team were all private forces in the Colton Star Cluster. This means that Purple Crystal is creating an alliance. We need to make the corresponding reaction.”
“You guys need my help.”
“Yes. In these two years, Klent has been helping you assemble many private military forces in the Seoul Star Cluster. The size of the Bloodshed Land is many times bigger than two years ago. We plan to form an alliance force with you as its core and secretly invade the Colton Star Cluster, starting a secret war with the Purple Crystal Civilization.”
“Okay.” Heber gave a short and simple reply.
“Although the Dragon Emperor Ames is in Colton, she is basically neutral. However, the Black Star Army under her seems to be on Purple Crystal’s side. If Ames interferes, we hope you can deal with her.”
“When it’s necessary, I will.” Heber shook his head.
Back at the party, Dragon Emperor and Black Star did not directly reject the Crimson Dynasty’s invitation. After that, they did not make any decision. However, even if the Floating Dragon decided to choose the Crimson Dynasty’s side, they were still not his ally. The two of them had different goals and were in two opposing Star Cluster Civilizations. The Crimson Dynasty did not mind their chess pieces fighting each other. The more chaotic the situation, the better.
Klent was willing to step forward and execute the Crimson Dynasty’s belief of being as high profile as possible. With such a strong backer, Klent had been more and more daring over the prior two years, especially toward neutral civilizations not under any of the three Universal Civilizations such as Purple Crystal.
The Seoul Star Cluster under Klent’s rule was the second smallest Star Cluster in all of the Shattered Star Ring, as well as Colton’s neighbor. Klent was very ambitious; their goal was not only just taking a bite on the profits of the Flickering World but also to get their hands on the Colton Star Cluster. Although they maintained a good relationship with Purple Crystal on the surface, they secretly wanted to snatch a few Star Systems from Purple Crystal.
Of course, this would not have worked out in the past. However, now that the Crimson Dynasty wanted to stir things up, the restriction of the peace treaty suddenly became much weaker. The strong had the right to make rules. The laws and balance in the galaxy seemed unbreakable in the eyes of normal people, but to the three Universal Civilizations, they were very fragile. The other civilizations were just players that had to obey the game rules they had set.
Even Heber felt that the Klents were very greedy.
However, this suited what he wanted. He needed an ambitious ally, not an ally content with what they had. The greedier they were, the more they would rely on him.
Heber stood up. His gigantic body cast a shadow over the Klent emissary.
“I understand what Klent wants. Go back and tell your boss that I will be in charge of this war. They don’t have to worry about anything.”
The Klent emissary nodded and smiled with the confidence of a certain victory.
The difference between the Bloodshed Land and the alliance force built by Purple Crystal was like an iron fist and a plate of sand. For this secret war, Klent had been preparing for two years. Purple Crystal’s reaction only came much later. This meant that they were at a disadvantage before the war even started.
With the Tyrant, Heber, taking care of the situation, demolishing Purple Crystal’s alliance force was just a matter of time.
