After changing his class to War Mechanic, Han Xiao gained five new abilities on his personal panel. Even without looking at the attribute descriptions, he was familiar with the effects of these skills.
[Applied Mechanical Affinity] provides a higher bonus than [Advanced Mechanical Affinity]. As the core ability system of the Mechanic Class, it definitely needs to be upgraded. With only 300 million experience points left, he only leveled it up to lv5. Each level grants a +5% effect, further increasing Mechanical Affinity by 25%.
The prerequisite for [Scrap Modification] is one of the three skills granted by Compression Technology, [Basic Mechanical Generation]. The effects of the two are somewhat similar. The effect of [Scrap Modification] is that if a machine is scrapped (durability reaches zero) and becomes a pile of scrap parts, then by consuming some energy, this skill can restore the parts to their original machine, but the quality will be reduced by 1-2 levels, and the basic attributes will also be reduced by 25%. This skill can be used on the same target multiple times until the quality drops to the lowest gray level, or the attributes have been reduced by 75%, which means that this skill can be used on the same target a maximum of three times.
As the name suggests, this skill's effect is efficient waste utilization. Its practical use in combat is far stronger than the description suggests, which is one of the reasons why the War Mechanic is prefixed with "War," giving the Mechanic Class more tactical options. In the previous version, when players reached the fifth or sixth stage of their main class in version 3.0, that was the time when the Mechanic Class turned the tables. The War Mechanic was both stable and complex to play, with flashy combos, requiring extremely strong tactical thinking, making it the most difficult of the five classes to operate.
[Mechanical Force Overload] is a normal mechanical enhancement skill, similar to [Mechanical Force Surge] and [Overload], but with a higher bonus value. The difference between them is that Mechanical Force Surge has no side effects, Overload reduces durability, while the side effect of Mechanical Force Overload is that it puts the machine into a cooldown period, making it unable to operate, which is a rather useless skill. However, it can be combined with [Overload]. When the two work together on a machine, the bonus will increase by another 40%, and the machine's durability will instantly drop by 33%. Han Xiao used to use this skill frequently, and he only used this combination on "sacrificial pawns," that is, machines that he considered cannon fodder.
The most unique skill is [Practical Combat Mechanical Force Techniques], which also has an "Unlocked" suffix. It requires learning an High-End Knowledge called [Advanced Electromagnetic Force Field]. The special thing about this skill is that it is not a skill that works through machinery, but rather the mechanic's own combat ability.
Mechanical Force is energy transformed from electromagnetic force and also possesses electromagnetic properties. This combat technique utilizes the characteristics of Mechanical Force, allowing one to have a certain combat ability even without mechanical elements in the game, just like how every mage has a certain melee ability.
The last ability is the feat [Battlefield Rationality], a fixed feat for the Mechanic Class. After entering combat, Intelligence increases by 1% every minute, up to a maximum of 15%. This feat, combined with the previous stage feat of the main class [Mechanical Analysis Comprehension] (10 Intelligence + 1% Mechanical Affinity), makes the benefits greater as the Mechanic Class level increases.
In normal player-versus-player combat, the number of mechanical units in the Mechanic Class decreases as the battle progresses. This specialization somewhat compensates for the late-game grind of the Mechanic Class. Once fully developed, the Mechanic Class is very versatile, capable of both fast attacks and late-game strategies. A basic tactic is to use a bunch of trap-mechanical units to stall for fifteen minutes, obtain the maximum bonus, and then release all the mechanical units for a rush... commonly known as a "bladder game".
Han Xiao only upgraded his Mechanical Affinity skill a few levels, leaving everything else unchanged. He only spent 40 million experience points, leaving him with about 250 million. He planned to spend these sparingly. He also had 96 free attribute points on his panel, which he would continue to allocate to Intelligence.
He hesitated for a moment, staring at the stick with the Luck attribute, but ultimately decided against adding it. While one point of Luck seemed insignificant, it wouldn't do him any good. Luck affected drop rates and the accuracy of certain skills, and he wasn't a player who relied on luck for easy wins; he had virtually no skills that required Luck to be effective. Adding a few points to Luck would have a negligible impact on his combat power. Besides, adding only one or two points was pointless. If he wanted to go for the luck-based approach, he'd need at least dozens of Luck points. Throwing away so many free attribute points would be a waste; he'd be better off continuing to focus on Intelligence.
Unless you're a dog, luck won't get you far.
After allocating points, the upgraded attributes are clearly displayed.
[Total Level: 116]
[Main Occupation: Mechanic Class]
[Race: Void Lurker) ]
[Strength 163, Agility 349, Endurance 306, Intelligence 872, Mysticism 102, Charisma 41, Luck 1]
[Free attribute points: 0]
[Potential Points: 55]
[Health Points: 27038]
[Stamina: 25880]
[Stamina: 7700 [lv9]]
[Lv9 Total Strength Bonus: Strength +53, Agility +72, Stamina +80, Intelligence +90, Mysticism +55, Maximum Stamina +7520, Mechanical Affinity +60%]
[Energy level: 7637 Ona]
[Rank: B]
[You are already a skilled and steady Galaxy Warrior. Even other Grade B powerhouses are unwilling to provoke you easily.]
"My energy level is 7,600, which isn't quite B+ yet, but my actual combat strength is comparable to a B+ player. The standard for Grade A is 10,000 energy level. Based on this level increase, I can possess the power of Calamity Grade around level 140, which is 20 to 30 levels ahead of other players."
Han Xiao nodded secretly.
"I'm already level 116, and I still have a Mission Settlement Card. The only thing I lack is experience. The most efficient way to gain experience quickly is through other players. The only way to level up quickly in a short period is to utilize other players. So, as long as my plan can be successfully implemented during the Mutation Disaster event, and I can guide the players of Planet Aquamarine to join my side, I will reach Grade A in the next version!"
After the cleaning robot cleaned up the bloodstains on the ground, Han Xiao walked out of the simulation combat room. As soon as he returned to the hall, everyone looked at him with surprise.
"Am I imagining things? You seem... different?" Melos asked suspiciously.
Sylvia circled Han Xiao a few times, patted her budding chest, and breathed a sigh of relief, "You scared me to death! I thought I had mistaken you for someone else."
"Is it really that exaggerated?" Han Xiao's lips twitched. After the evolution of his race, his appearance had also changed, but he himself felt that the change was not significant.
"Your appearance is actually fine, it's mainly your aura that's different. You seem to have become more mysterious and unpredictable, and I remember you didn't originally have this crystal on your forehead..." Melos shuddered and said, "Strange, I actually felt a sense of pressure from you. We should be evenly matched. What were you doing locked in your room just now?"
They naturally didn't know that Han Xiao could quickly complete racial evolution through the panel, while normal people needed to strengthen their cells day by day to complete the sublimation of their life level. The time consumed by the two was completely incomparable.
"I'm stronger than before." Han Xiao chuckled and waved his hand. "I won't go into the details, but anyway, I'm still me."
Melos sighed, "You don't happen to have some special training techniques like Fording, do you?"
Fording, who was meditating, opened his eyes. "Who called me?"
"Shut up!"
"Oh."
Melos had always disliked Fording, snorted, looked at Han Xiao, and asked, "Shall we go to Noriosse next?"
Han Xiao nodded. "Yes, I've finished my business. Ames asked me to go to Noriosse to scout out the area and find her teacher."
He had become much stronger, but it would take a very long time for him to reach Ames's level. Until then, Han Xiao didn't mind having a backer. After all, the Galaxy was so vast, and there were too many powerful figures and forces. Moreover, Ames had once rescued him, so he would naturally help her with this small favor. It would always be beneficial to maintain a good relationship with a Beyond Grade A powerhouse, especially since he was nominally still under the Dragon Emperor's command.
At this moment, Melos interjected, "Before going to Noriosse, I want to go back to Planet Sunil and retrieve my armor [Shattered Splitting Light]. Anyway, Planet Sunil is nearby, it won't be long."
Han Xiao's eyes lit up.
He had long coveted the General-Grade Armor, but previously lacked the knowledge to study it; now, however, his requirements were met.
"No problem, let's go back together."
The spaceship slowly landed on the plains outside Forest City. This place was once a battlefield where people fought against Calamity, where blood flowed like rivers. Now it has been cleaned up and is a barren wasteland.
The six lines of defense of Forest City have been repaired, and pairs of armored guards patrol the area. Tanks occasionally drive out to hunt wild animals deep into the forest.
Upon landing, a large number of guards surrounded him, lining up to welcome him. Before coming, Melos had informed the Sunil authorities. As soon as he stepped off the ship, the guards shouted a Sunil phrase in unison, their voices impressive, expressing their respect for Melos.
"Go back. I've already contacted the authorities. We'll go directly to the research institute to get the armor," Melos said with a smile.
The group followed the soldiers into Forest City. It hadn't changed much compared to a year ago, except that there were fewer people on the streets, probably because more young people had joined the army.
"You're Melos? My God, what a hero!" At this moment, the surrounding pedestrians spotted Melos and were overjoyed, crowding around him, pushing Han Xiao and the others to the side.
Melos quickly put on a friendly smile and chatted for a while. As the crowd grew larger, he couldn't stand the residents' enthusiasm and hurriedly squeezed his way out. The group made a few turns and eventually got rid of the crowd.
"You're very popular." Han Xiao laughed.
Melos's face fell. "The authorities need an example to Inspiration the residents' confidence, so they're promoting my story, playing it on TV and radio every day. There's no one in this city who doesn't know me."
"A national hero, so amazing!" Sylvia's eyes lit up.
"Awesome my foot! The end of a hero is a glorious sacrifice."
Melos said irritably, he still remembered Han Xiao's "prophecy".
The group stealthily made their way to the government building in the city center, where they could no longer see any residents. Melos stepped forward to report, and soon several officers came out to exchange pleasantries with him. This was a matter concerning the Sunil Race, and Han Xiao had no interest in listening, his mind wandering as he went along, merely observing.
After exchanging a few words, Melos gestured to the group and then followed the officer into the military restricted area. After passing through a series of metal doors, they arrived at a closed research institute. The space was very spacious, and there was even a hangar with a group of fighter jets undergoing modification.
The group arrived at a laboratory, where Melos's General-Grade Armor was placed on the test table, and more than a dozen researchers were testing its parameters.
"This is General Melos. He's here to collect his armor. Here are his passes." The officer stepped forward to negotiate.
Han Xiao raised an eyebrow, nudged Melos in the lower back, and whispered, "When did you become a general?"
Melos grinned and replied in a similarly low voice, "Just a figurehead."
The research leader, who was excitedly conducting the experiment, turned around upon hearing this, raised his eyelids, glanced at everyone, and revealed an impatient expression. He went to the door and said with dissatisfaction, "Didn't you say I was supposed to be able to conduct the research? Why are you suddenly taking it away?"
Melos said, "I heard you've made some progress, so I want to get my armor back; it will be a great help to me."
The research leader looked reluctant and complained, "How can I give this back to you? This armor is related to Sunil's cutting-edge technology; it's a national treasure, not just yours."
"Uh... but this was originally handed over to the country by me, so there's nothing wrong with me wanting it back, is there?"
"Aren't you a national hero? Are you unwilling to make even this small contribution?" The research leader frowned.
Helpless, Melos winked at the officer beside him. The officer immediately produced the documents, which indicated that Melos's application had been approved by higher-ups. Upon hearing this, the researchers had no choice but to obey the order, pick up the armor, put it in a metal box, and hand it to Melos.
"Got the stuff, let's go." Melos patted the box and smiled.
The research leader was trembling with rage, shouting, "If we had kept the armor, we could have made even more research and benefited our race far more! You're so selfish!!"
Melos's expression changed slightly, but he didn't say anything. Just as he was about to leave, he noticed that Han Xiao had stopped.
Turning around, Han Xiao approached the research director, grabbed his head with his large hand, forced the panicked director to look him in the eye, and said calmly:
"I remember him fighting alongside me, covered in wounds; I remember his dejected look after losing his arm; I remember the unbearable pain he endured after getting a prosthetic arm implanted. If it weren't for your damn race, with his strength, he could have lived comfortably in interstellar space. I don't know how he was selfish."
Is it because he's a good person that you dare to speak so recklessly, because you know he won't hurt you, right?
Han Xiao suddenly transformed into a void form, his dark eyes fixed on the research director. His tone was gentle as he said, "But I'm different from him. If you dare utter another word to my subordinates, I'll shove your head into your ass."