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墨書 Inktalez
"Hey, hey, hey! Brother Troll, let's talk this out! There must have been a misunderstanding. I'm actually a good person! How about I lead your Troll Squad as the front line and cannon fodder this time?"
The Old Nigger shouted exaggeratedly, while the Troll Captain was furious. It was understandable; even someone as shrewd as the Troll Captain had been fooled by this guy, which was more infuriating than a slap in the face.
After kicking the Old Nigger in frustration, the Troll Captain turned to Lin Yuan and his pile of parts. Recognizing their value, he exclaimed in surprise, "Long time no see, Papaya. It seems we were worried for nothing. I didn't expect you to actually have goods. This huge pile of Parts you bought must be worth at least one hundred thousand Mechanical Coins, right? Tsk tsk! And they're all related to the Energy Engine. Are you planning to assemble an Energy Engine manually?"
Lin Yuan was quite surprised; it seemed that appearances could be deceiving. He had randomly bumped into two people today who could immediately recognize the components he wanted to assemble.
Could it be that he was too out of touch?
At that moment, Lin Yuan had no intention of hiding anything. He simply smiled and said, "Thanks, I do plan to assemble an Energy Engine manually."
His calm words drew an exclamation from the Troll Captain, while Thomas and Bison rushed over, excitedly shouting, "Hey, Papaya, how many secrets do you have? When did you suddenly become an assembly expert? It's unbelievable! I remember now—wasn't it your doing that revived Old Chet? Oh my! How could we not recognize such talent before? We let a master assembler like you slip away while we suffered! Brother, help us out! Since you can assemble an Energy Engine, surely you can fix my hover armor and help Bison build a gravity shield?"
"Uh, well... I'm not as amazing as you think. Besides, you know I might not have the time right now," Lin Yuan replied as politely as possible. If it were anyone else asking, even if it were the Troll Captain, he would have flatly refused.
"I know, I know! It's just those bastards from Kangaroo trying to cause trouble for you, right? Just come back to the Troll Mercenary Team! Isn't that right, boss?" Thomas laughed heartily. However, this time the troll seemed hesitant. Being well-informed and perceptive, he knew that not only were the Kangaroo gang after Lin Yuan, but there was also a more troublesome crow involved. Even if he sacrificed the entire Troll Squad, he couldn't salvage the situation. Naturally, he couldn't take in Lin Yuan at this moment.
However, Lin Yuan didn't want to put the Troll Captain in a difficult position and quickly said, "No need for that. I'll handle my own matters. But don't worry; if I find some time and opportunity later on, I'll definitely help you with your equipment."
Thomas and Bison weren't foolish either; they sensed something was off. However, since they weren't close friends with Lin Yuan and their own abilities were limited, they couldn't genuinely offer help either. So they felt a bit regretful.
"By the way, Papaya, if you really have high skills in Mechanical Assembly, why not go find Roz? He needs an assistant. Over there, those guys from Kangaroo wouldn't dare mess with him," Thomas couldn't help but add.
"Thanks, I appreciate it," Lin Yuan smiled again. He wasn't so desperate yet; after all, the Stocking Captain was still at this g-715 sub-base. If things got really tough for him, he could always seek out the Stocking Captain. But he didn't think it would come to that; he believed in his own abilities and felt confident he could create a new situation here.
"Hey! Papaya, consider hiring that old bastard Nix. Just like he boasts about himself—he's the best cannon fodder and front line soldier. If you run into any insurmountable danger, just throw him under the bus and run away; it's your best bet to save your life," the Troll Captain suddenly suggested in a strange manner that didn't match his earlier desire to tear apart Nix.
Surprised by this unexpected recommendation from the troll, who seemed to be playing some kind of game with him, Lin Yuan began to doubt whether this guy had colluded with Nix to set a trap for him. Just as he started to suspect this scheme, the Troll Captain, looking somewhat awkward and sheepish while twitching his rat-like tail, said, "Heh heh... uh... you see, Papaya, I can tell you've struck it rich—spending money so freely! Meanwhile, you know how it is; the whole of the Troll Mercenary Team relies on me to fill our bellies. It's really tough out here... That old bastard Nix, he once cheated me out of one hundred thousand mechanical coins..."
"Wait! What does this have to do with me?" asked a wary Lin Yuan.
"Ahem! Here's the thing: if you hire that old conman and run into danger, just use him as cannon fodder or a front line soldier. I guarantee he'll save your life! Think about it—spending one hundred thousand mechanical coins for a life is quite a bargain! Tsk tsk! Opportunities like this are rare!" The more excited the troll became, the more nonsensical his words got. Meanwhile, all that registered with Lin Yuan was a headache—seriously? You have integrity as a troll? Give me a break!
Before Lin Yuan could say anything, Nix, who had previously been beaten like a beggar by the Troll's fists and kicks, suddenly began to scream, "You bastard Troll! Don't even think about extorting my remaining value! This brother here has already hired me and paid me a year's wages, so you can roll as far away as you can! What? Not satisfied? Come bite me if you're not!"
Old Nyx suddenly adopted a rogue's demeanor, but the Troll Captain was equally unyielding. The two old scoundrels began to hurl insults at each other like shrewish women, making Lin Yuan and Thomas Bison unable to bear the sight. They were just one step away from telling the onlookers that they didn't know either of them.
"Alright, alright! One Hundred Thousand Mechanical Coins? I'll pay it. Troll Captain, if you don't shut up and get lost, I guarantee I'll change my mind immediately!" Lin Yuan finally couldn't take it anymore and decided to part with One Hundred Thousand Mechanical Coins.
As expected, both Old Nyx and the Troll Captain fell silent at once.
After trading One Hundred Thousand Mechanical Coins to the Troll Captain, Lin Yuan turned to Old Nyx and said, "Although I've paid you two Mechanical Years' worth of wages, I really don't need a cannon fodder. So, goodbye."
With that, Lin Yuan turned to leave. He didn't want to get entangled with these two strange characters any longer. Behind him, the Troll Captain was still shouting earnestly, "Papaya, please believe me! This old conman can really save your life!"
But all he received in return was Lin Yuan's mechanical middle finger raised in defiance.
On his way back to Mousetrap Three, that old conman Nix didn't come to bother him again, nor did he see any crows or Kangaroo people around. It seemed they had decided to let him be for now.
This time, however, Lin Yuan vowed to give them an unforgettable lesson for life.
Next came the assembly of the Energy Engine. This task was quite simple for Lin Yuan; he completed it in less than two days. Afterward, he installed everything onto the Main Mechanical Body and connected it with the r-a8 Energy Conversion Generator. It was indeed luxurious to support this Energy Conversion Generator with two Energy Engines; there would be no issues like energy shortages similar to Sour Thorn.
Following that, Lin Yuan assembled two Energy Shield Generators. He placed these components on the shoulders of the First Mechanical Arm and the Second Mechanical Arm respectively. As a result, the upper body of his Mechanical Body finally looked more robust.
Of course, the back was overly filled with three Energy Engines along with Engine Armor and a third Auditory Radar and Energy Conversion Generator. All these crucial components were concentrated there, inevitably giving his Mechanical Body a shape reminiscent of a turtle shell.
However, it couldn't be purely a turtle shell since there was also a Second Form; thus, it ended up being something rather ambiguous!
But that didn't matter; what was important was that Lin Yuan's Mechanical Body was gradually growing in an inevitable rhythm. Since he aimed for a growth direction towards Brute Assault Specialist, increasing the thickness of his Mechanical Body was essential for maximizing his offensive capabilities.
If time allowed, he would even consider reinforcing and adding weight to his two Mechanical Legs.
After completing the Energy Shield and crafting a hemispherical turtle shell, ten days had already passed. At this point, Lin Yuan had no choice but to temporarily abandon his plan to assemble a powerful Energy Assault Rifle. Fortunately, he had previously acquired a formidable Heavy Sniper Rifle from Yellow Sparrow. Its name sounded quite imposing: Black Widow - Frozen Type. However, it wasn't an energy sniper rifle nor did it belong to Firestone high-explosive armor-piercing snipers; instead, it utilized condensation projectile impact with an effective attack range of five kilometers. Upon hitting an opponent, it would instantly inflict terrifying low temperatures on them before causing tearing damage to frozen armor and objects. Theoretically speaking, this sniper rifle was more suited for team coordination rather than delivering one-hit kills.
But Lin Yuan had no other choice.
Finally, Lin Yuan took out two low-level Dark Magic Cores and completed the repairs on the Hurricane Hammer, a Killing Weapon. Only then did he reappear. Now, he still needed to gather some specialized ammunition for his shotgun and head to Sub-base B Zone at the Intelligent Brain Control Center to register as a Mercenary.
However, as soon as Lin Yuan emerged, he spotted Old Nyx lurking sneakily beside Mousetrap Three Tank, looking so suspicious that Lin Yuan almost wondered if he was preparing to steal something.
"Nix? What are you still doing here?" Lin Yuan asked in surprise.
"Cough! That's not quite right. If I'm not here, where else could I go? You've hired me for two years now. As a standard, cultured, quality Mercenary who is dedicated and keeps his word, I can't just take your Mechanical Coin and do nothing, can I?" Old Nyx spread his hands with an air of righteousness.
Lin Yuan couldn't help but disdain him internally but had no interest in wasting time with the old man. He turned and walked away, first heading to b Zone at Central Intelligence to register as a Mercenary. He needed to see what tasks were available after registration so he could prepare accordingly.
Meanwhile, Old Nyx followed behind him, chattering endlessly about his once-glorious and thrilling adventures. In his tales, this lecherous old man transformed into a powerful Mechanical Warrior, single-handedly defeating hordes of Zerg and Dark Demon Race foes with ease.
Although Old Nyx's boasting was absurd, some of the content caught Lin Yuan's attention.
"Old Nyx, does that Mixed Ice and Fire Bomb really exist? How is that possible? Mixing Firestone High-Explosive Ammunition with Icy Condensation Shells would be like committing suicide! Or are you just talking nonsense?"
"How could that be? I am the famous Nix! Why would I lie? Although Icy Condensation Shells and Firestone High-Explosive Rounds are incompatible, it is indeed possible to mix them together, albeit with a low probability. If you don't believe me, you can ask that old troll or check the black market. I remember there's a guy there who supplies special ammunition. If you have enough Mechanical Coins or other benefits, you might find out if mixed ammunition exists."
Old Nyx spoke confidently.
"Possible? Damn it! I'm looking to buy it myself, not to ask about its existence! How does that help me verify if you're just bragging? That has nothing to do with me!" Lin Yuan replied helplessly. If such a Mixed Ice and Fire Bomb really existed, it would be wonderful; he would definitely find a way to purchase it.
"Want to buy a Mixed Ice and Fire Bomb? Ha! Don't dream about it! That kind of ammunition is rare and hard to come by. It's only possible to concoct after reaching level 15 in basic Alchemist skills while risking self-destruction. Each one is worth a fortune! If you want to buy it, you might as well spend more time studying Alchemy and concocting it yourself. If I remember correctly, that old troll in the black market has several potion formulas. Hey, Papaya Brother, I suggest you buy them! Although you can't convert them into combat power immediately, once you raise your Alchemist level to 4, you'll be able to concoct Firestone High-Explosive Armor-Piercing Rounds yourself. This stuff is very profitable; many Mechanical Warriors strive to raise their Alchemist skills above level 10. Otherwise, when your strength increases, just buying various high-level ammunition will drive you crazy. By the way, that old troll is actually an 11th-level Alchemist!"
Old Nyx rambled on and on, but Lin Yuan became increasingly surprised, especially upon learning that the Troll Captain was actually an 11th-level Alchemist. This meant he could help with the special ammunition needed for his Hurricane Hammer.
Thinking of this, Lin Yuan couldn't care less about registering as a Mercenary first; he quickly stopped. "Nix, do you know where the Troll Captain is right now? I need to make some trades with him."
"Uh... well!" Old Nyx looked Lin Yuan up and down for a while before suddenly saying, "I don't know. This g-715 is so big; it's impossible to find him! Besides, they might have gone out on a mission."
"You damn old fool! Don't play dumb with me; I'll give you ten percent of the commission!" Lin Yuan didn't believe this old rascal!
"No way! At least thirty percent!" Old Nyx seemed genuinely interested now.
"Three percent? You must be joking! Two percent, but you have to negotiate with the Troll Captain for me. You know how he is—just a rogue like you!" Lin Yuan stated again.
"Great, it's a deal!" Nix exclaimed excitedly and exaggeratedly. "But you better not compare my noble, elegant, and cultured Lord Nyx with that filthy rat! Even if I'm a rogue, I, Lord Nyx, am the king of rogues!"
With that, Old Nyx struggled to pull out two dirty wires of different thicknesses from his messy Mechanical Body. As soon as the wires touched, sparks flew everywhere. Strangely enough, a Virtual Screen appeared in front of Old Nyx, displaying the Troll Captain. Although the image was blurry and heavily distorted, it did surprise Lin Yuan.
This could mean two things: first, Old Nyx's relationship with the Troll Captain was not as simple as it seemed; second, Old Nyx might be hiding something because this kind of spontaneous search technology was quite difficult—at least Lin Yuan himself couldn't manage it.
At that moment, the Troll Captain began cursing on the Virtual Screen. "What are you doing here again, you old con artist? Aren't you dead yet? If you want to die, I'll gladly send you a piercing explosive round!"
"Ha! You old bastard, I'm living quite well! If anyone wants to die here, it’s you! How about I send you a mountain-splitting strike instead? You trash, scum, waste, fool—seeing you makes me feel irritable and lose my appetite. Just get lost!" Old Nyx transformed into a fierce fighter and didn’t back down as he exchanged insults with the troll.
Seeing that this old fellow was about to end the conversation made Lin Yuan both angry and amused. He quickly interjected, "Nix! The deal! For heaven's sake! Will you stop acting like a shrew?"
Nix immediately understood, and the Troll Captain on the Virtual Screen suddenly brightened up with a smile. Tilting his head around, he said, "Papaya? Is that you? Great! Brothers, perk up! We have business coming in! What do you need us for? As long as you can afford our commission, we can solve any problem for you!"
"Stop rambling, you troll! Do you think we're easy prey? With me here, don’t get too cocky. Now then, Papaya boss, what type of ammunition do you want?"
Nix finally got into the groove.
"Large caliber shotgun shells—bigger power is better!"
"A shotgun?"
Upon hearing Lin Yuan's request, the Troll Captain seemed astonished and fell silent for a moment before finally dragging out his words. "Well... that's a bit difficult! Papaya my brother, you know I'm busy scavenging old Parts to assemble equipment for those troublesome idiots. Where would I find time to prepare ammunition for you? Moreover, this stuff is quite expensive. Lastly, I need to see the actual shotgun to make it!"
"I can help you assemble it and also go to the Scrap Recycling Area to find corresponding Parts for you. As for the price, negotiate with Nix. And about seeing the actual shotgun—that's not possible; just make it according to the data I provide!" Lin Yuan replied straightforwardly. He knew very well that facing an old trickster like the troll meant that as long as he had data on shotgun ammunition, he could roughly guess its power. But it didn't matter; dealing with the Troll Captain might be more reliable than negotiating with black market arms dealers.
However, for some reason, both the Troll Captain and Old Nyx seemed rather untrustworthy.
Next, Lin Yuan left Old Nyx to continue his verbal battle with the Troll Captain while he went off alone to register as a Mercenary—a task that was unavoidable and irresistible.
The b Zone was just as vast as the D Zone but not too troublesome since everything was handled by an Intelligent Butler. As long as he stated his purpose, he would be directly transported to the designated area. The Mercenary registration and application were also fully digitized; once Lin Yuan's identity information was scanned in less than two seconds, various feedback messages were generated!
"Beep! After testing, you are classified as a Mechanical City Secondary Citizen, meeting the basic requirements to become a Mercenary. According to the regulations of the Mechanical City Mercenary Association, all registered Mercenaries are not categorized into any ranks; they are distinguished solely by their mission completion levels. The completion levels are rated as disastrous, terrible, severely flawed, mediocre, passable, acceptable, excellent, perfect, Epic, and legendary. The different rating levels will lead to varying Rewards, and each time a mission is completed, the resulting evaluation will be added to your Mercenary credentials. The higher your credentials, the better and more challenging Mercenary Missions you will have the opportunity to undertake within the Mercenary Association, along with more generous Rewards."
"Note: All Mercenaries must adhere to the laws and regulations of Mechanical City as their fundamental code of conduct. If a received Mercenary Mission conflicts with the laws of Mechanical City, the laws of Mechanical City take precedence. Please read the following Mercenary manual carefully. If you confirm that there are no discrepancies and unconditionally accept it, you will be activated as a reserve Trainee Mercenary."
...
What else could there be? Lin Yuan quickly skimmed through the Mercenary manual, which was filled with various conditions and codes of conduct that seemed largely meaningless. He confirmed his acceptance.
"Beep! You have officially registered as a reserve Trainee Mercenary in Mechanical City. Your Mercenary identification number is dkl-754-sd11907857451. Note that this number is randomly generated and possesses SS Rank non-alterable rights. Please remember it and do not disclose it lightly to prevent it from being stolen or misused by malicious parties. For normal Mercenary registration, you only need to use a code name. Please enter your code name; note that it must also be unique."
"Beep! Code name entry failed; the code name Papaya already exists. Suggestions: Papaya1 through Papaya100 are available for use."
...
"Damn it! Code name Double Wood Forest!"
"Beep! Code name entry successful; registration complete. A random review mission has been generated. Please complete the review mission within the specified time frame to officially become a registered Mercenary in Mechanical City!"
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