937 Plight 1 (1/2)

”I didn't have a teacher. It was all self-taught and it took me six years,” Garen used the previous story again.

”Self-taught?! Is that possible?!” Lan was so shocked that her eyes widened. ”I have tried many times and I couldn't do it! I haven't even passed Level One now...” She was saddened. ”It's been seven years... Grandpa taught me since I was young.”

”Er...” Garen didn't know what to say.

They walked slowly along the counter.

”Brother Garen, you can pick whatever you like. Our business has been getting worse and worse after Grandpa fell ill. After selling off the previous stocks, senior brother and sister had to do some not-so-good quality imprints themselves and sell them to support the shop.”

She whispered. There was no one in the store anymore. The last customer who was only having a look around had also left. The soft lights that were dim reflected the silent surrounding. Only Lan's voice echoed a little.

Garen nodded silently and listened to Lan's introduction while scanning the few kinds of Energy Machine Imprint on the counter.

”All the imprints uses basic Level One imprint as the main body. The seniors are all Level Three Energy Machinists. They have insufficient computing power to process Level Two Energy Machine Imprint. The Energy Machine Imprint is divided into two parts, computation and production. The computation part is the main body, which had to be purchased from the Federation. It is the part that is responsible for the calculation and increasing the Energy Machinist's computing power. The production part is what you just saw. It is responsible for controlling and guiding the production of cannon fodder in the Biochemical Pool. The processing part that we are in charge of is the second block,” Lan introduced, slowly moving forward.

”In other words, we purchase semi-finished products and then process them into finished products before selling them, right?” Garen asked.

”That is the case. However, all the main bodies of Level One imprints are similar and the computing power is increased by a factor of three. The key lies in the second block of the processing of the Production Mod. If an ordinary imprint main body met a powerhouse who could process it into a decent Production Mod, for instance, the powerful cannon fodder such as the demon worm, then there will be a leap in price,” Lan said with some envy.

”That's how it is...” Garen nodded to express understanding. Although he did not want to decide on his first imprint this rashly, there was no other way. The situation now was critical and time did not allow him to carefully make a choice.

His sight swept across the counter and landed directly on the Wild Wolf.

”That one then. Wild Wolf Imprint.”

He pointed to the Energy Machine Imprint on the counter and said.

”Are you sure you want that?” Lan asked.

”Yup, I'll have that.” Garen nodded.

”The Wild Wolf is fast in speed, has sharp claws and is capable of night vision, but its defense is not good. This imprint is a proud work done by senior brother. I will give you the best one. The wastage rate is only five percent. It is one of senior brother's proudest work,” Lan deftly retrieved a gray shimmering soft object from a small cabinet under the counter.

All the Energy Machine Imprints were like different colors of cotton candy, soft and without shape.

”Are all Energy Machine Imprints like this?” Garen asked curiously.

”Of course not. This is only a Level One Energy Machine Imprint and it generally can be used by Level One Energy Machinist. There are also Energy Machine Imprints used by Level Two Energy Machinists, or Level Three, Four, Five. When you have money later on, you can equip yourself with a Level Two Energy Machine Imprint once you reach Level Three. Remember, it is very hard to change this stuff once it is fixed. Like primitive cells, once you have already developed them into a piece of beef, if you want to change it into a bovine bone later on, it will be very difficult,” Lan exclaimed.

”I understand,” Garen nodded.

”Looks like you really don't know anything,” Lan shook her finger and said, ”well, this is for you,” she handed the imprint and put it into Garen's raised hand.

”Eat it. When you go back and retrofit, it will be painful. Just endure it and it will be fine. It generally lasts for an hour. Remember to pay attention to safety. This is the time when an Energy Machinist is most vulnerable. Regardless of how powerful an Energy Machinist is, it's all the same.”

”Got it.”

Garen nodded solemnly.

After an indistinct twist of color, Garen suddenly returned to his room.

He raised his hand and saw that he was holding a clump of shimmering gray cotton.

”This is the Wild Wolf Imprint?” He did not hesitate and stuffed it into his mouth.

What was strange was that when that thing touched the mouth, it immediately whooshed inside, as if it was a living thing. It slipped down the throat like liquid and it was cold, like gulping a bowl of ice water.

Garen barely swallowed and felt a tumble in his stomach.

The Willpower behind his head slowly vibrated, as if there was something cold that was radiating out a lot of silk tentacles, slowly wrapping around the two imprints at the back of his brain.

With a whirring sound, a sudden huge shock rushed into his brain and Garen felt a cramp in his stomach, like the churning of rivers and seas. He felt like vomiting. Feeling nausea, he began to burp and continuously spurt out unpleasant gas.

White spots appeared before his eyes as if someone was using their fingers to firmly press on his eyes. He saw many white spots dispersing non-stop.

He leaned forward and suppressed the pain as he walked to the room's single-seated sofa and sat down, taking a deep breath.

Although this kind of nausea and pain was unbearable, it was nothing to Garen. The pain of reworking his heart was much stronger than this. After a slight adjustment, he was able to stay calm and move about freely. However, the faint beads of sweat on his forehead showed that he was not in a good condition at this time.

After adapting to this severe pain, Garen headed to the side of the window. The sky had already lit up and it seemed to be early in the morning.