Chapter 198

Chapter 198

Sister Mei had mentioned traditional mechs before.

The advantage of these mechs, which connect directly to the body, is that they are easy to handle. Transitioning from a warrior to a mech pilot is relatively smooth. However, the drawbacks are also apparent. If the pilot's body is injured, the connected mech components will be affected as well. It’s challenging to operate non-human-shaped specialized mechs, and their potential is limited by the pilot's physical capabilities.

But Sister Mei had never mentioned mind-controlled mechs.

If it were a mind-controlled mech, could one bypass the frailties of the physical body and directly link the pilot's consciousness with the mech's operating system? Ji Xinghai found this concept fascinating.

Of course, what attracted him most was... the cost-effectiveness.

With that, Ji Xinghai left the secret realm with the Expert Group. He boarded the boat that greeted them, looked up at the crimson sun on the horizon, feeling as if much time had passed.

But it had only been a day.

He called Brother Cat and told him about his part-time job with the Gun and Rose Corps. Brother Cat was surprised but happy for him.

"The leader of the Gun and Rose Corps is very strict; many who wish to join her corps are rejected. I didn’t expect her to agree to your part-time arrangement. But then again, it’s not surprising given it’s you."

Even without knowing the details, he could guess how Ji Xinghai’s understated yet terrifying actions must have impressed her. If Ji Xinghai joined more mercenary groups, tales of a ‘monster-like genius newcomer’ might spread.

Thinking that others might mention the ‘Burnt Chestnuts’ team when talking about him, Brother Cat felt elated and even smiled as he hung up the call.

Ji Xinghai had already left the temporarily restricted park alone and contacted the student who frequented various libraries. He planned to send the metal plate over, leaving its mysteries to be deciphered by professionals.

He also replied to the message from the student who made equipment. The student had graduated from being an apprentice and officially entered the ranks of professional equipment makers, taking orders to craft gear, though their skill level varied.

"Once I become a master, I’ll make something custom for Brother Hai."

It was an impressive goal, and he replied with "looking forward to it." Then he contacted Bill to ask if he had found someone to set up the website. New second-hand equipment and low-star skills would soon arrive in larger quantities than the first batch.

Bill, who was likely waiting by his phone, immediately responded, telling him that he had found someone and that the second-hand equipment trading website was under construction. Due to the Special Operations Group membership, many things became smoother. In reality, setting up such a legal trading website would take much longer.

Bill had another piece of good news for Ji Xinghai: "We’ve collected all 100 pieces of the Ground Rock Rat materials and are sending them to you via express delivery."

Ji Xinghai almost thought he had been gone for several days instead of just one. Fortunately, Bill quickly clarified.

"It wasn’t supposed to be this fast, but this morning, a student brought me 28 pieces of Ground Rock Rat materials. He had only one request."

"What request?" Ji Xinghai began to wonder what the person wanted. If they wanted experience, contribution points, or better skills, he could help them grind high-star monsters.

Bill hesitated for a few seconds: "He wants you to remember his name."

"Huh?" What kind of request was that?

Suddenly asking him to remember a name reminded him of defeated antagonists in martial arts novels shouting their names, vowing to return.

Ji Xinghai tried to recall whom he had defeated that left such an impression.

But upon reflection, there were quite a few.

"He’s called Armand Jonah, an unfortunate lucky guy L," Bill revealed.

Ji Xinghai didn’t know anyone named Armand Jonah, but mentioning Lucky Guy L made him remember someone. It all made sense now; he was indeed a defeated opponent.

"I understand. Armand Jonah, the universe’s luckiest. Please convey my thanks."

The express delivery service used by Special Operations Group members delivered the materials within ten minutes. Ji Xinghai opened the box and saw neatly arranged material cards, his eyes gleaming with the word "mech."

"Hey, Sister Mei~"

Sister Mei was startled.

"Do you have time, Sister Mei? I got 100 pieces of Ground Rock Rat materials."

This time, Sister Mei was genuinely shocked.

She immediately teleported to the city and found Ji Xinghai at the Special Operations Group branch. By then, Ji Xinghai had exchanged all the energy stones he didn’t need for contribution points and was inquiring about the recent price fluctuations of Night Owl eggs.

There were no fluctuations because those two eggs were unexpected bonuses from defeating Night Owls. The 100,000 contribution points weren’t particularly high. Now, the higher-ups had absorbed them, and no third egg had appeared. Without any supply, there was no acquisition price.

"Where’s your Ink Snake?" Sister Mei, who had rushed over, couldn’t see the clingy little snake. Everyone had battle pets, but few were as attached to their owners as hers, making her remember it vividly.

"In the process of advancing," Ji Xinghai summarized in three words, handing her a specially bought fruit tea. It was the least he could do for her trouble.

"Advancing again?" Sister Mei took the fruit tea, still puzzled. Was advancing so easy for battle pets?

She learned that Ji Xinghai had been feeding a low-level Ink Snake with three- or even four-star pet crystals. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but closed it again.

Such food could raise S-class monster cubs, yet he was using it to feed an Ink Snake. Truly unprecedented.

One could only imagine what the Ink Snake would become in the future.

After some small talk, it was time to get down to business.

"Weren’t you on a mission with the Gun and Rose Corps? Have they completed it?" Sister Mei asked curiously.

"Not yet. They’re still handling the aftermath inside, but there’s nothing left for me to do, so I came out first." Ji Xinghai brushed aside the previous mission. "A few days ago, I asked my fellow students to find Ground Rock Rat materials, and they’ve collected all 100 pieces. When can we go buy the mech frame?"

"…Follow me."

The abandoned mech frame was in the neighboring city, so they took a bullet train instead of using teleportation slots.

Underground trains were always safe, with reinforced walls that remained unaffected by surface disturbances unless a high-star monster caused an earthquake.

"I didn’t expect you to gather these materials so quickly. Although they are low-star materials, their output is fixed, and the drop rate is low, making them hard to find."

Ji Xinghai also found it strange: "Sister Mei, with all your resources, even if it takes a year or two, you could gather everything needed in three to four years. As a high-ranking member of the Special Operations Group, you could even apply for super discounted loans. Why did you think this was impossible?"

Sister Mei was stumped.

Indeed, she knew the locations of so many used mecha parts and had connections with their owners, allowing her to get extremely favorable prices. Even if it took one or two years, three or four years would certainly be enough to own her own mecha. But why… did she feel like it was just a mirage, something she could never possess in her lifetime?

Sister Mei's warm brown eyes lost focus for a moment, as if she had vanished from this world, but upon closer inspection, she was still sitting there, in the running vehicle.

Ji Xinghai noticed all of this but didn't disturb the daydreaming Sister Mei. Instead, his gaze shifted to the various other natives around them.

Beside and around them were numerous NPCs of this world, some immersed in their own worlds, others chatting with companions. A few words could paint an entire small world.

Are these people really just NPCs?

Is this world truly just a digital holographic realm?

"Boom!"

A muffled sound echoed in the enclosed space, low and deep like a summer thunder warning. Everyone on the subway paused their activities, even those with headphones who were engrossed in their own worlds removed them upon noticing the oddity around them.

"Monster, right? Wonder what level it is," a calm voice spoke in the quiet carriage.

"Probably B-level, given how far the sound traveled." The world, which had paused, resumed its motion. Regardless of age or gender, everyone quickly returned to normal.

Despite the monster wreaking havoc just above them, they remained relaxed as if separated from it by an entire civilization.

"Who cares what level it is, as long as the train isn't delayed. I have work to do."

Perhaps they were accustomed to the occasional visits from monsters. Ordinary people and the Special Operations Group coexisted like oil and water in the same container, living separate lives without mixing.

Ji Xinghai found this dynamic interesting. In the worlds he had visited, ordinary people and ability users often lived separately due to information blockades, where ordinary people were unaware of the existence of ability users.

I wonder how ordinary people and ability users interact back home.

"The noise sounds like a Ground Rhino, a B-level monster," Sister Mei said, having somehow returned to her usual self, seemingly forgetting her earlier distress.

As if those few minutes had been deemed a 'bug' and deleted.

Ji Xinghai lowered his long, dark lashes. "What kind of monster is it?"

Sister Mei cheerfully began explaining, having completely forgotten.

The two traveled from one city to the outskirts of another.

"Be careful," the taxi driver warned again before driving off. Now, the area was even quieter, with the sound of insects fluttering their wings clearly audible.

Ji Xinghai stood outside a rusty iron fence, beyond which lay a typical scrap metal recycling plant. Many metal parts were scattered on the open concrete ground, weathered and rusted by wind and rain, giving the air a heavy metallic scent.

These metal frames mostly came from discarded appliances, with a few car frames mixed in. Where would the mecha frame Sister Mei mentioned be hidden?

"Where's your boss?" Sister Mei pushed the door open and walked in, grabbing an old man with a hunched back.

The old man had one gray eye that seemed blind, while the other was normal. He glanced at Sister Mei and Ji Xinghai, focusing on the special watches on their wrists before calling out hoarsely, "Boss, we've got a customer."

Ji Xinghai expected a disheveled, drunken hermit to emerge, but instead, a middle-aged man in a cracked leather jacket and glasses appeared.

"Oh, Sister Mei, what a rare visit! What brings you here today?"

"Here to support your business."

Their tone suggested familiarity. Sister Mei then introduced Ji Xinghai, "This is our new recruit. Don't try to rip him off."

"How could I? I'm no swindler; I always offer fair prices. For this young man, I'll give you a 20% discount on his first purchase."

"You said it yourself," Sister Mei smiled. "Bring out the third-generation Hunter mecha frame you acquired recently."

The boss's face fell. "No…"

"Don't play dumb. I know you have it. 20% off."

The boss's face turned as bitter as gall. "Follow me."

Underneath the ordinary scrap metal recycling plant was another layer, even larger than the upper part. The boss pulled down a switch, and all the lights flickered on, illuminating the space brightly.

Ji Xinghai's first sight was the massive metal frame lying horizontally, exuding a beautiful industrial aesthetic.

Every metal bone was polished to a shine and coated with the best maintenance oil. Under the light, even the tiniest corners of the metal frame sparkled.

Sister Mei's eyes widened.

"Pretty impressive, right?" the boss said proudly, adjusting his glasses.