Inside the Antique Mechanical Shop.
By the counter.
Hearing Wang Zhong name this mechanical antique, Zhong Xu froze for a moment. Then, after giving it some thought, he began speaking as if reciting treasures from memory:
"You really have an eye for things, sir..."
"This Trauma Treatment Mechanical Instrument was invented sixty years ago by a mechanical scholar proficient in medicine. It was said to treat ordinary bruises and sprains, but the core mechanical component inside it—the Treatment Chip—has now been damaged..."
"Honestly, if you buy it, its collectible value is greater than its research value..."
After introducing the Trauma Treatment Mechanical Instrument, Zhong Xu changed his tone and said with apparent seriousness, "Still, if you want it, I can sell it to you at half price. Just nine thousand credits."
"Deal."
Wang Zhong showed no hesitation and immediately decided to buy the Trauma Treatment Mechanical Instrument.
His straightforward manner secretly delighted Zhong Xu.
A few minutes later.
Watching Wang Zhong walk away, Zhong Xu shook his head and said regretfully, "That Trauma Treatment Mechanical Instrument is genuine, but what a pity—the chip inside is an imitation. Still, the thing's antique value is greater than its research value anyway..."
Outside the shop.
Having left the store, Wang Zhong looked at the exquisite shopping bag in his hand, unable to stop a pleased smile from appearing on his lips.
The Trauma Treatment Mechanical Instrument.
If it were merely an antique, then it truly would be useless.
But one should not forget that Wang Zhong possessed the overpowered cleric ability, Mechanical Evolution LV1. Any damaged Mechanical Creation could regain its brilliance in his hands!
"I may not have Silly Girl, but I have a Mechanical Mobile Phone that can heal injuries. That works just as well..."
"When I get back tonight, I'll get to see what this Trauma Treatment Mechanical Instrument can do."
Muttering to himself, Wang Zhong continued down the street, taking in the many foods on display around him while enjoying the bustling night market in the Slums.
Tap, tap.
At the entrance of a dark alley on the street, two figures dressed in black trench coats and black masks were carefully watching Wang Zhong through binoculars.
At one point, a deep, vicious voice suddenly spoke. "Big Brother, is that guy called Wang Zhong really our target this time?"
"According to the information, he's only a Level 1 Psionic Warrior. Even with a Basic Mechanical Battle Suit, he's only about as strong as us..."
"For a weakling like that, the secretary actually sent four Sain Mechanical Killers. Isn't that being overly cautious?"
After a moment, another male voice, repressed yet irritable, answered, "Third Brother, we just need to do what the secretary tells us. Why think so much? From the moment we joined Sain Mechanical Prosthetics Company, we no longer had any selves to speak of."
Crack, crack.
As he finished speaking, an increasingly stifled and agonized sound of bones grinding came from within one of the Sain Mechanical Killers.
"Big Brother, is there still something wrong with the unfinished serum you injected?"
"I... I'm fine. Keep watching that guy. I... I'm going to drink some blood... to suppress the serum's magic inside my body..."
"..."
After the two Sain Mechanical Killers got sidetracked by their conversation, one of them picked up the binoculars again and tried to continue monitoring Wang Zhong—only to find that Wang Zhong had vanished without a trace.
On the street.
"Milk tea for sale! Buy one, get one free..."
"Fragrant fried chicken cutlets! Fried chicken cutlets! Buy one, and the second is half price..."
When he reached the end of the Slums, Wang Zhong could no longer resist his cravings. He hurried over to a small chicken-cutlet shop and said, "Boss, one fried chicken cutlet—no, make that two. I'll leave the half-price second cutlet with you for now. Fry it for me later..."
"Sure thing."
The shop owner wiped his somewhat greasy forehead and answered happily.
Just then.
"Master, the Released Patrol Crow just sent over a picture. Take a look."
From the Bluetooth Headset on Wang Zhong's right ear came Intelligent's cold electronic voice.
"Here, boss. How much is it? I'll scan the payment to you..."
"Fifteen credits. One fried chicken cutlet is ten credits..."
"Alright, boss. Sent it."
Outside the shop, Wang Zhong spoke to the owner while opening his messaging app. Then, a strange image appeared on the screen.
It showed two figures in black clothing, their faces covered by black masks...
"Master, according to the Released Patrol Crow's investigation, these two mysterious figures have been monitoring your direction."
"Heh."
"Intelligent, hack into the surveillance cameras around these streets, then help me find where those two are hiding."
Wang Zhong immediately gave Intelligent the order.
Intelligent possessed abilities equivalent to Hacker LV2. Although it could not infiltrate the data surveillance systems of major corporations, in these Slums with such outdated surveillance equipment, its hacking methods were more than enough to easily take control of every surveillance camera on the street.
Less than a minute later.
An address sounded by Wang Zhong's ear.
Soon afterward, Wang Zhong disappeared from the bustling street.
Inside a public restroom.
Having changed into a black trench coat, Wang Zhong held the Mechanical Phone A10 in his right hand and expertly pressed the password button marked [666]. At once, a jade-green stream of light containing Data Psionic energy surged through his body.
Boom!
The next second, countless jade-green data runes emerged in Wang Zhong's eyes, while unfamiliar combat experience rapidly loaded into the depths of his memories.
It was the skill, Psionic Datafication LV1.
Power!
Very quickly, a powerful force equivalent to that of a Level 3 Psionic Warrior flowed through Wang Zhong's body.
"Next, it's time for my new persona to make a move."
As he spoke, Wang Zhong's figure, like that of some masked vigilante, vanished from the restroom.
Before you continue