Pure Mechanical Human

Gao Gong drove at breakneck speed, passing a gas station and filling up his energy extract.

The gas station not only refueled vehicles but also offered prosthetic modifications, high-grade batteries, weapon purchases, vehicle repairs, and basic processing of energy ores.

There were two types of gas stations: factory-direct and independently franchised. The condition for franchising was owning a mine in the Iron Sand Desert and signing a sales contract with the factory. In simple terms, you had to have a mine.

"Your vehicle is refueled. Welcome back next time," a robot said to Gao Gong in an enthusiastic, bright voice.

Gao Gong stared at the convoy of Titan-Type 3 vehicles entering the gas station behind him through the rearview mirror.

The Titan-Type 3 was a massive armored vehicle, equipped with three rows of 280mm multi-rocket launchers in the rear, four directional beast-hunting cannons, and front and rear rows of vehicle-mounted machine guns. Its sheer firepower made it a super-weapon.

"Buying energy plates?" Gao Gong handed over his Meal Card and asked casually.

Armored combat vehicles of this tonnage couldn't be powered by ordinary engines; they must use energy plates.

An energy plate the size of a keyboard could replace a full tank of energy extract, and its energy consumption was only a tenth of that of ordinary extract.

"Yes, sir. These just came from the front line," the robot replied.

The robot swiped the Meal Card through a slot on its arm, and the amount was automatically deducted.

"The front line? They've started fighting already? It looks like the situation isn't good."

Gao Gong narrowed his eyes. He could clearly see numerous bite marks on the armor surfaces of the six Titan-Type 3 vehicles, with some steel plates even torn open.

As if noticing Gao Gong's gaze, a bionic-augmented individual in one of the vehicles gave him the middle finger.

"Heh, can't deal with Radiation Beasts, but they're quick to mock their peers. The Security Brigade is really getting 'better' these days."

The Security Brigade was the factory's direct military force. In the past, they were responsible for escorting convoys, transporting mineral resources from the desert, and providing mission rewards and prosthetic modifications for bounty hunters. As the factory established itself locally, they gradually transformed into an armed group.

In recent years, the Security Brigade had led several large-scale beast-hunting operations, with Mechanical Hunters taking over the transport of prey and protection of convoys.

It was a case of fortunes changing.

But this isn't a bad thing for me.

If the Security Brigade failed, the factory would inevitably conscript a large number of Mechanical Hunters for hunting operations, just like in the past. This would provide him with the various prosthetic equipment he needed for his own modifications.

Flipping his middle finger back, Gao Gong stepped on the accelerator and sped away.

After driving his vehicle back to his secret base, Gao Gong went out to drop off his day's haul at his old friend's gun shop. He didn't see Aunt Xiang, only Fat Xiang was minding the store.

He tossed Fat Xiang a nutrient paste and then hurried back to his base.

He had worked hard to save experience points for a whole week and was ready to spend them.

[You invested 2000 experience points. Prosthetic Doctor upgraded to Lv2. Intelligence +1. Surgery success rate +3%.]

[You invested 4000 experience points. Prosthetic Doctor upgraded to Lv3. Surgery success rate +3%.]

[You invested 6000 experience points. Prosthetic Doctor upgraded to Lv4. Surgery success rate +2%. Additional status: Calm.]

Calm: When performing prosthetic modification surgery, you can complete high-difficulty surgical techniques with a stable mindset, increasing the performance of prosthetics with a certain probability.

[You upgraded Neuro-electronics to Lv3.]

[You upgraded Human Biology to Lv2.]

[You upgraded Human Mechanics to Lv2.]

[You upgraded Industrial Materials Science to Lv2.]

Gao Gong let out a sigh, feeling his back was soaked with sweat.

Ever since he became an NPC, leveling up wasn't just about leveling up anymore. It was about converting experience into knowledge, visuals, and theories, directly injected into his brain.

The human brain's information processing capacity was limited. Having so much information poured in at once almost choked him to death.

"Looks like I won't be able to sleep tonight."

Rubbing his temples, which had bulged due to the blood rush, Gao Gong opened the synthesis panel again.

The classical style of Mechanical Hunters required extremely high close-combat proficiency. Coincidentally, he remembered a few human modification blueprints for close-combat builds that players called "minor divine equipment."

Lv3 Neuro-electronics + Lv2 Human Biology

[Fusion successful. You have researched the Level 2 Neural Blueprint: Tactile Nerve Stimulator.]

Lv2 Human Mechanics + Lv2 Industrial Materials Science

[Fusion successful. You have researched the Level 2 Mechanical Blueprint: Electromagnetic Exciter.]

Lv2 Human Mechanics + Lv2 Industrial Materials Science + Lv3 Mechanical Augmentation

[Fusion successful. You have researched the Level 2 Mechanical Blueprint: Micro-Machine Knuckle Duster.]

Lv3 Neuro-electronics + Lv2 Human Biology + Lv2 Human Mechanics + Lv3 Mechanical Augmentation

[Fusion successful. You have researched the Level 3 Skin Blueprint: Desert Skin.]

Looking at his empty experience bar, Gao Gong gave a wry smile. As expected, no matter how much experience he earned, it was never enough.

He didn't feel this way in his previous life. Oh, in his previous life, he had a bunch of rich patrons who funded him. He didn't have to spend much experience on things that could be solved with money.

This made Gao Gong start to miss those silly players. Once they were online, his NPC identity would be useful.

The biggest difference between player templates and NPC templates is that NPCs can establish factions.

However, even silly players don't fawn over just anyone. Before that, he still needed to build up his reputation.

Since he couldn't sleep anyway, Gao Gong found a high spot and lay down to watch the stars. The planet's atmosphere was full of nuclear dust. Forget stars, he couldn't even see the moon. Gao Gong could only rely on his memory, recalling them one by one.

"That's Big Horn Star, a desert planet."

"This is Little Wolf Star, a late-stage star, though it's still billions of years away from collapsing."

"This is a diffuse nebula. Ships from civilizations below Level 5 risk disappearing if they fly into it. Level 5 and above? Civilizations Level 5 and above don't use ships."

"Oh right, outside the extraterrestrial colony, there seems to be an asteroid belt. I recall it being rich in minerals, but it's a shame I left in such a hurry and didn't have time to collect anything. What a waste."

Gao Gong counted the stars in his memory one by one, and as the second half of the night passed, the swelling in his nerves finally eased a little. He drifted off into a daze. When he woke up again, it was already eight in the morning.

The Iron Sand Desert was perpetually dim and scorching. Some electronic products would inexplicably malfunction after being used for a while, and the residents here had naturally developed the ability to determine their biological clocks.

He took a bucket of purified water from the metal shed and washed up simply. The water in the desert was mildly corrosive and couldn't be used.

"If the front lines really go to war, it means the factories will likely reopen their military supply warehouses. Then, at least three of the four blueprints I have will be buildable."

Gao Gong's spirits lifted. He immediately jumped into his off-road vehicle, stepped on the accelerator, and sped towards a military supply warehouse in the northwest corner of Automobile City.

Inside a private room at the Rose Gasoline Bar.

Black Rose crossed her long, black-stockinged legs. Her slender fingers held a special synthetic cigarette from the "Night Fragrance" brand. This cigarette could directly regulate dopamine secretion, creating a flavor most suitable for the customer. It cost one hundred Mech Coins per stick.

Thick smoke billowed from her bright red lips, exuding an indescribable languor.

Sitting opposite her was an old-fashioned Pure Mechanical Human dressed in a clown suit.

There were two types of Pure Mechanical Humans. The first type was like Gao Gong: their original bodies were human, but through step-by-step mechanical augmentation, they eventually achieved a 100% augmentation rate, transforming from humans into mechanical lifeforms.

The second type was one whose original body was already a humanoid machine. After laboratory modifications, an AI was debugged on the mechanical body. This was the old-fashioned mechanical human.

In fact, even in Sleepless City, there weren't many of these old-fashioned mechanical humans left. The city was mostly populated by Bionic Humans with AI templates directly implanted.

Only in some old places with strong security, like factories or military legions, would you find these old-fashioned mechanical humans.

"Ship this batch of goods to the usual place. Have someone come pick it up. However, this time, I'm raising my price by 10 percent."

Little Finger frowned. "With so many links to grease up and down, where else is there room to add more?"

"The old men are investigating strictly. What can I do?"

Black Rose pressed down with her beautiful palm, signaling Little Finger to be quiet, then said, "Fine, but add another 30% to the quantity of the next batch."

The old-fashioned mechanical human was silent for a moment, seemingly calculating the success rate of the smuggling operation using big data. After a moment, it said, "Fine."

The negotiation ended, and the atmosphere immediately relaxed. Little Finger chuckled and brought over four glasses of wine.

"Come, come, I specially mixed these for you. Gasoline-flavored beer, and beer-flavored gasoline. Try them and see if you can tell the difference."

The old-fashioned mechanical human didn't waste any words and downed both glasses of gasoline wine in one go.

"I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."

"Don't you need me to find some girls to accompany you?"

"Uh—" Little Finger's expression froze. Sister Rose, this is a bit much, he thought. Pimping out a robot, how could you even think of that?

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, the old-fashioned mechanical human slowly turned its head. "Are you referring to the physiological state called 'pleasure' that humans experience when the reproductive organs function, stimulating the nervous system and secreting hormones?"

"Although I'm very busy, I can spare an hour."

"You take someone with you. Remember to get the best bionic girls," Black Rose said, her expression unchanged.

Little Finger's expression became conflicted as he stood up. He hesitated, then couldn't help but ask, "An hour? Can you handle it?"

"Yes, I've installed the latest model of reproductive organs."

"Do you have any special requests?"

"Special requests? Wait a moment, I'll search the database."

A moment later, Little Finger returned, complaining, "Don't do such dangerous smuggling next time. We could just deal in military supplies and sell them to the poor folks in the desert. Why get involved in the business of those crazy people?"

"Because they pay enough," Black Rose said, standing up and walking out. Little Finger followed closely, chattering incessantly.

"But who would have thought robots would also embezzle? I always thought Old Hong was a normal person."

"Mm."

"Where are we going now?"

"Back to the garage."

"The garage! Are you taking me for a joyride? Are we going on a date? Can I hold your waist?" Little Finger's spirits lifted, and he fired off three questions in a row.

Black Rose glanced at him sideways. "Did you forget something?"

"Something? What is it?" Little Finger scratched his non-existent hair.

"You still haven't gotten your surgical table back."