The First Step

Even though Wang Qian Duo already had a legendary weapon, he still followed the guide NPC to the armory.

If he didn't come here, the plot wouldn't progress. He didn't know where Star Domain No. 3 was, so he still needed the quest prompts to guide him!

Besides, a mech could initially equip three weapons. Although only one provided bonus stats, having multiple attack methods was still good.

What if this beginner weapon had some special attributes?

The beginner equipment in the armory was dazzling, with all sorts of weapons like swords, spears, sabers, and halberds.

After much deliberation, Wang Qian Duo finally chose a mechanical crossbow, to compensate for his lack of ranged attack options.

However, he clearly thought too much. This thing had no special attributes.

X1-Type Mechanical Crossbow (Normal 100%)

Bow and Arrow

Level: LV1 and above Agility-type mechs can use

Attack +2

Agility +1

Strength +1

Attack Speed: 2 seconds/arrow

Notes: Mass-produced personal mech equipment capable of automatically producing energy arrows.

"After seeing the attributes of Ming Hong, this thing is simply not worth looking at!" Wang Qian Duo said, looking at the new equipment in his backpack. Still, he equipped it onto his mech.

"Let's go, time to do the quest!"

After equipping the crossbow, Wang Qian Duo left the residential area and went to the public area where mechs could be summoned.

Then, using the method he learned on the forum, he summoned his Zero Unit.

He placed his finger on the six-pointed star on his wrist and softly called out:

"Come out, Zero Unit!"

Although the line was a bit embarrassing, Wang Qian Duo didn't have time to dwell on it.

Because after he finished speaking, he found himself slowly flying up. Then, the light around him flashed, and the mech, which was previously just a phantom, appeared out of thin air, enveloping him.

"Zero Unit" makes a dazzling debut!

However, before Wang Qian Duo could even sigh in amazement, he suddenly felt unsteady on his feet. After stumbling a couple of times, he still couldn't stand and directly knelt down.

He grabbed the "ground" with his hands to stabilize his body.

When he held this pose, his summoned Zero Unit maintained the same posture in reality.

"Haha, which big shot is this? Came out without even finishing the beginner quest!"

Wang Qian Duo's awkward moment was clearly seen by the surrounding players. Some even took screenshots and made them into memes, captioning it "Wishing you an early New Year!".

It didn't take long for this meme to go viral.

"Captain, look at that person, still kneeling. This is the consequence of not doing the beginner quest properly," said the pilot of a jet-black mech to their teammate as they passed by.

"And you're laughing at others? Have you forgotten your own embarrassing moment back then?" said the pilot of a crimson mech beside him.

"Cough... Sister Hua, didn't we agree not to bring that up?"

"You two, stop chatting and hurry up and hand in the quest to General Huang. With this time, you could be studying the advancement assessment!"

The person in the white mech at the front, seeing the two getting sidetracked, directly said.

"Yes... But why does this person's initial mech look so special?"

"Maybe it's a rich guy who bought a special mech skin!"

"Something worth over a million, they're really rich!"

"Is that so..."

Wang Qian Duo was unaware of everything happening around him. Due to the special nature of the mech world, players communicated using the communication channel.

He didn't have time to look at what was on the public channel because he realized he was currently standing on a floating platform about two meters square, surrounded by the sights of the town.

This was the cockpit of the mech, but others seemed to control theirs steadily. Why was his so shaky?

He couldn't even stand up!

"System loading complete. Zero Unit's artificial intelligence is at your service! Please give me a name!"

Just as Wang Qian Duo was about to go offline to check the guide, an electronic voice sounded in his ear.

"Zero! Since it's Zero Unit, let's call you Zero!" Wang Qian Duo said urgently, as he felt like he couldn't even kneel steadily right now.

"Okay, sir. Zero is at your service. You don't seem well, do you require my assistance?"

After the naming was successful, the artificial intelligence said to Wang Qian Duo.

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Hurry up!"

"Activate intelligent assistant mode!"

As soon as Wang Qianduo finished speaking, he felt a force surround him, steadying his footing on the platform, and then...

He finally succeeded...

in STANDING UP!

Congratulations, congratulations!

Finally, no more kneeling.

Wang Qianduo, now standing, tried to walk a few steps. Although he was a bit wobbly, he could at least move.

The mechs in the Mech Era are Magic Mechs, which, as the name suggests, are magic mechs powered by magic.

This also explains why they can upgrade (by absorbing magic power to strengthen themselves) and evolve (by using magic power to enhance their bodies).

The way to pilot a Magic Mech is quite miraculous. The space where the pilot is located appears large, but it's actually inside the mech's chest, a result of special space technology.

Otherwise, even with mechs averaging around 9 to 15 meters in height, there wouldn't be such a large internal space.

This space can simulate everything around it, making the mech an extension of the pilot, with their movements perfectly synchronized.

"No wonder the beginner tutorial takes several days. This mech is too difficult to control!"

Wang Qianduo said helplessly as he shakily practiced walking. He realized he might have been tricked.

While the beginner tutorial was indeed time-consuming, mastering the mech's controls was clearly not something that could be done in a short while.

Fortunately, he had the help of the artificial intelligence "Ling," otherwise, he didn't know how long he would have remained kneeling.

"Right, AI! I remember others don't have this thing!"

"Sir, directly activating the AI is a function exclusive to Unit Zero. Other mechs would need to obtain an intelligent chip to have it!"

As soon as Wang Qianduo finished muttering to himself, Ling answered his question.

"Is that so? Then I'll be counting on you in the future, Ling!"

"It is my honor!"

With Ling's assistance, Wang Qianduo used the space jump device to travel to the fourth planet in Starfield Number Three.

On the way to the mining site, his piloting skills improved rapidly.

The technology in the Mech World is similar to that of Blue Star, where Wang Qianduo is currently located; both are in the era of interstellar exploration.

With the homeworld as the center, the farther and more dangerous places are assigned higher numbers.

Starfield Number Three is entirely a beginner's starfield, with virtually no danger, only occasional small-scale, low-level star beasts.

The fourth planet in Starfield Number Three is a vast expanse of desolation.

It's unsuitable for human habitation but incredibly rich in various minerals.

After a short period of adaptation and with Ling's assistance, Wang Qianduo's mech control was no longer clumsy.

At the same time, he reached the mission location and began queuing to collect ore.

Due to an official announcement during this time, the number of players entering the game surged, with almost the entire population joining.

In the past, even if a game was popular, having tens of millions of players online was remarkable, but now, it's global online.

This has led to the beginner areas being packed with people everywhere, making it incredibly lively.

However, while it's lively, it's actually quite difficult for players to level up.

Like at this mission point, Wang Qianduo would have to wait at least another 10 minutes before collecting ore.

And this is even with Wang Qianduo having a significant advantage because he skipped the beginner tutorial.

The crucial point is that you can't skip the beginner missions; if you don't complete them, you can't accept the subsequent main storyline quests.

Fortunately, Wang Qianduo had something to do while queuing. He took out the manual given to him by the beginner NPC Yue Ming and started reading it. Soon, he found himself at the front of the line.

"Rookie, this is the ore the officer requested. Take it!" A mech, entirely light yellow, with a "round head and round body" and one hand replaced by a drill, handed a box of ore to Zhao Yu.

This mech is called "Miner No. 4," a special type of mech, the second evolution form of a starter mech, meaning it's a mech of level 20 or above.

"Understood, Officer. I guarantee the mission will be completed!" Wang Qianduo replied very politely before starting his journey back with the ore.

He knew a battle awaited him shortly, the first beginner battle described in the forum guides, so he was diligently familiarizing himself with the controls.

However, before he could get far, a fluctuation rippled through the area, and all nearby players vanished.

This was a sign that the storyline had begun. The beginner combat scenario took place in a space similar to a dungeon.

The terrain was still that of the fourth planet. In the distance, dust swirled as three mechs with a metallic sheen rapidly approached Wang Qianduo.

"Kid, it's your bad luck to run into us three today. Hand over what you're carrying, and we'll let you go!"

Before the three mechs even reached him, an arrogant voice echoed through Wang Qianduo's mech's communication channel.