Chapter 2 Mechanic (1/2)
The blood test results were compiled quickly.
Hila went over the data she had received from Lin Wei Xian with knitted brows.
”No abnormalities detected?”
”Valkyrie mainly affects the brain. We will need to open the head up for assessment.”
Open the head up? snapped Han Xiao inwardly. Open the head up‽
Hila waved a hand in dismissal of the idea.
”He is the only subject to have ever survived the experiment. We'll leave that option out for now.”
Han Xiao's eyes lit up as he realized that his current status was somewhat advantageous for him.
Lin Wei Xian was not pleased by Hila's decision, but he made no fuss about it.
”In that case, we'll observe him for the time being to see if anything has changed.”
”Proceed with the brainwashing,” ordered Hila suddenly.
Brainwashing?
Han Xiao's heart sank. Brainwashing was a common method of subordination, and while in the game, a brainwashed character would simply become an ally of the faction, it was completely different now! Losing his sense of self was the worst-case scenario.
No way!
The good news was that memory altering technology available on the planet was still under-developed, so the organization's methods were very primitive; they made use of sensory stimuli to re-calibrate the subject. A character with at least ten points in Intelligence would be immune to the effects of the brainwash.
Valkyrie had given Han Xiao a +1 boost to the growth potential of his Endurance. Growth potential was an innate stat that affected the growth rate of the affected stat. Different races had differing starting potentials in each stat, and in the entire world of Galaxy, humans generally had a mediocre growth rate. They did, however, boast the highest Intelligence potential. As they also possessed the lowest Health, this single point in Endurance growth potential was nice to have.
[Concentration] gave him a 10% increase in mastery and crafting speeds, also increasing their success rates.
[Low Level Willpower] gave him three points of Willpower, which substituted for three points of Intelligence, so he still lacked three more Intelligence to survive the brainwash.
Leveling the Civilian class will boost a random stat by one, and also give me one unassigned stat point... but the chance for Intelligence to be boosted is extremely low...
Han Xiao knew that he could not rely on luck. In fact, he had always suspected that he was cursed. If a god or goddess did smile upon him, it would have to be the goddess of disaster. Rather than rely on luck, finding some way to learn a new class was a more reliable idea.
Although Han Xiao was incapable of moving freely, there had to be a way! After all, it was a scenario, wasn't it?
Suddenly, he thought of something.
If I'm an NPC... I should be protected by the system... right?
”Take him,” ordered Hila.
Han Xiao was yanked away once again and brought to another room.
Han Xiao noticed that there was a bookshelf in this room.
<<Tom's Introduction to Machinery>>
<<A Theory on Human Genes and Lizard Genes>>
<<Randt's Hypothesis>>
...
They were all reference books.
Hold on, there's a class book there! rejoiced Han Xiao.
Han Xiao disregarded the two guards behind him as he stood up to walk towards the shelf.
His actions startled everyone, and instantly, the two guards were pointing guns at him.
However, Han Xiao steeled his nerves and continued to approach the bookshelf.
You'd better not fire! he prayed. I'm a valuable test subject!
”Hold your fire! Let's see what he's up to,” shouted Lin Wei Xian all of a sudden.
The two guards hesitantly lowered their guns.
Han Xiao heaved a sigh of relief. He had been banking everything on his status as the first successful subject.
<<Tom's Introduction to Machinery>>
This was the book that had caught Han Xiao's eye. He picked it out from the shelf and started flipping through.
Although the long paragraphs of texts and complex diagrams were hard for Han Xiao to comprehend, he patiently read on. After twenty seconds or so, the interface lit up.
_____________________
You have completed one session of self-learning in basic machinery knowledge!
[Basic Assembly] has progressed by 2.0% (based on your Intelligence).
(+0.2% from Concentration)
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As I expected! Han Xiao rejoiced. Although he wasn't able to understand the book's contents on his own, the system's automated mastery system had allowed him to directly absorb the knowledge.
Lin Wei Xian curiosity was piqued. The test subject seemed to be learning!
He allowed Han Xiao to continue in order to observe him more.
The entire room was now silent, except for the rustling of paper.
_____________________
[Basic Assembly]
Progress Rate:
15% (+1.5%)
...
29% (+2.9%)
...
48% (+4.8%)
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Han Xiao's reading speed increased with time. However, the pressure mounted on. Every second that passed could be his last.
When Hila arrived at the room, the sight of Han Xiao reading caused her to frown.
”What's going on?”
Lin Wei Xian began to explain what had happened.
”You're saying that his learning ability has been strengthened?”
”That is my initial conclusion. If you allow me to open his head up to perform a thorough assessment, I will be able to come up with a more complete answer.”
Han Xiao flinched. How much does this bastard love brains‽
Hila thought to herself, If his brain has been enhanced, he could prove to be more valuable than we initially thought...
”Is the brainwashing apparatus ready?” she asked.
”Preparations are complete.”
Damn it! I have to be faster! thought Han Xiao.
Suddenly, a notification accompanied with a sound popped up on the interface.
_____________________
[Basic Assembly]
Progress rate: 90% (+10%)
You have learned basic knowledge of Machinery, unlocking the Mechanic talent tree!
You have unlocked a new profession:
[Mechanic (Novice)]
STR +10, INT +1, END +1
You have gained 2 stat points.
You have gained 1 talent point.
You have acquired new skills:
[Mechanic (Novice)]
[Basic Maintenance]
[Basic Enhancement]
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As warmth surged through Han Xiao's body, he realized to his surprise that he could actually comprehend the contents of the book now!
I can gain actual knowledge from the game‽ Are you kidding me? Galaxy has been in service for over a decade! How come the Federation of Earth hasn't conquered the Milky Way yet‽
Strange...
The 'Character Information Interface' had updated as well:
_____________________
Name: Han Xiao
Race: Human/Carbon-based (Yellow)
Model: NPC (countdown to Version 1.0 launch: 358 days 10 hours 11 minutes)
Level: 2
Experience: 0
Main Class: Engineer (Novice) – Lv. 1 (0/200)
Sub-class: Civilian – Lv. 1 (0/50)
Health: 43/50 (injured)
Stamina: 80/80
Attributes: 3 STR, 3 DEX, 5 END, 4 INT, 1 MYS , 2 CHA, 1 LUK
Unassigned Stats: 2