[Galaxy Mechanic] has already entered the advanced stage of the Mechanic Class. At this level, one can be called a master. The level cap for this stage has increased by 5 levels, with a maximum level of 25. According to Han Xiao's memory, in his previous life, most Mechanic Class players entered the Grade A stage at the "Galaxy Mechanic" stage.
The new profession is called "Galaxy Mechanic". The machines they create are more powerful and their applications are gradually transitioning from small-scale operations to interstellar warfare, becoming more sophisticated and advanced.
In terms of specific enhancements, it means being able to create more powerful mechanical weapons. For example, Kailo is a Galaxy Mechanic, and the Ship Breaker Giant Soldier is a blueprint he researched during his "Galaxy Mechanic" phase, which ultimately benefited Han Xiao.
From the player's perspective, this enhancement is reflected in the blueprint fusion aspect. Changing to the "Galaxy Mechanic" class is a prerequisite for higher-level blueprints, and previous knowledge combinations will unlock more blueprints.
In terms of skills, "Galaxy Mechanic" will enhance the specialization chosen in the previous stage, greatly improving Han Xiao's virtual technology. Related skills and expertise will be strengthened, and he will also gain two new virtual technology skills.
[Ultra-Fast Virtual Intrusion] As the name suggests, it significantly speeds up the intrusion process, at the cost of shorter privilege retention time.
[Quantum Network Matrix] is a core skill with two effects: first, it greatly increases the intrusion range.
Range is a crucial attribute of virtual technology. Invading face-to-face and invading across an entire galaxy are clearly worlds apart. Quantum networks are ubiquitous, and the level of virtual technology determines the extent to which a mechanic can utilize them. Han Xiao's range has increased significantly, but it is still far from the terrifying range of a galaxy.
Only Beyond Grade A mechanic like [Mechanic Emperor] 'Manison possesses such a terrifying range, capable of invading and striking across star systems and even star clusters.
The skill's second effect is a virtual invasion version of "splash damage".
For example, if the targets of an intrusion are two independent AIs that are exchanging data and information in real time, then intruding into one of the AIs will create an indirect intrusion effect through the information exchange between the two, similar to the mechanism by which a computer spreads a virus. This is equivalent to an AOE-type virtual intrusion attack, but the determination of indirect intrusion is much more difficult.
As for [Master-Level Mechanical Affinity], it goes without saying that once it reaches the maximum level, it will grant a +75% increase in Mechanical Affinity, making it a very useful skill.
The last one, [Mechanical Theory Summary], is a specialization. Like [Mechanical Analysis Comprehension], it is one of the core skills of the Mechanic Class. Its effect is to convert Intelligence into Mechanical Affinity, with a conversion ratio of 30 points of Intelligence = 2.2% Mechanical Affinity.
As his main profession level increases, the core attributes of that profession contribute more and more significantly to his strength, which is why Han Xiao allocated all his points to Intelligence.
"Level 146..."
Han Xiao thought for a moment and decided not to continue upgrading. He maxed out the new skills he had acquired and saved the remaining billions of experience points.
Job change is a watershed moment, which is why it significantly increases combat power. However, the benefits of leveling up after that are not high. Reaching level 160 requires a huge amount of experience, and the current reserves are far from enough. It's better to save them for upgrading skills and getting more potential points. What he needs most right now is potential points, and he only has a few left.
Full of energy and vitality, with a torrent of strength flowing through his body, Han Xiao could feel the significant changes within himself. His senses were clearer, and as he gently stroked the compression ball, the mechanical structure subconsciously appeared in his mind, giving him a deeper understanding of mechanics.
After experiencing it for a while, Han Xiao left the cultivation room satisfied. Only then did he see the message from Melos, inviting him to attend the pre-battle meeting to discuss how to deal with the Subterranean Mutants.
Han Xiao shook his head.
The Sunil people hired the Black Star Army to eliminate the Subterranean Mutants, so they must have already had a general plan. Rather than discussing it, it was more like the Sunil people were introducing their plan.
Han Xiao arrived at the military camp's conference room. He could hear the heated debate inside even through the door. He opened the door and walked in. Everyone looked over, and the discussion stopped abruptly. Sunil's senior officers stood up to greet him. Melos and Sherinde were also there.
Han Xiao coughed, covering his mouth with his fist, and asked, "How did your discussion go?"
"Lord Black Star, we are all waiting for your decision."
A bald, high-ranking Sunil spoke respectfully. Han Xiao thought for a moment and remembered that this official was named Ochizi, who was the right-hand man of the Sunil leader and held a very high position.
"I'm just an executor, responsible only for specific actions. The overall strategy is your hiring requirement, not my decision." Han Xiao waved his hand. As a mercenary, he didn't like overstepping his bounds.
"Oh... okay, then I'll talk about the strategic objectives: Eliminate the Subterranean Mutants, or reduce their numbers to a safe level, at least enough to safely destroy the underground Whispering Stone veins. Currently, there are three approaches to dealing with them..."
Ochizi turned on the projector and explained in detail:
"The first option, sending troops underground to wipe out the Subterranean Mutants nests one by one, would consume a lot of manpower and the casualties would be hard to estimate, because the underground is their home ground, and we would not be able to act freely and would encounter various difficulties, such as getting lost, landslides, etc., so it is a poor choice."
"Secondly, we can lure the alien species to the surface in large numbers, and then use spaceships, missiles, and other weapons of war to carpet bomb them. This would be more efficient and could eliminate tens of millions of aliens at once. However, how to lure them out is a problem, and it would be best not to use nuclear weapons. We don't want to cause too much pollution."
"The final plan is to capture some of the Subterranean Mutants alive, study their physical structure, develop specialized biological weapons, and deploy them underground. This would allow for the large-scale extermination of the mutants without the need for combat. However, the research and development is difficult, costly, and time-consuming, and the uncertainties are too great."
Just then, Han Xiao's control panel suddenly showed some activity:
[You have triggered Grade A faction quest [Eliminate the Subterranean Mutants]!]
[Mission Brief: Beneath the surface of Planet Sunil, lives an ancient species, the original inhabitants of this planet. However, they have become enemies hindering Sunil's survival. You have accepted the Sunil's request to completely eliminate this threat.]
[Note: This is a faction-based quest. You can complete the following requirements in this quest.]
[Research Sample I: Capture 1 Subterranean Mutants, reward 20,000 experience points]
[Research Sample II: Capture 10 Subterranean Mutants alive, reward 200,000 experience points]
[Research Sample III: Capture 50 Subterranean Mutants alive, reward 1 million experience points]
[Slaughterer I: Kill 10 Subterranean Mutants, reward 50,000 experience points]
[Slaughterer V: Kill 1000 Subterranean Mutants, reward 5 million experience points]
[Vein Destroyer (Repeatable): Reward 200,000 experience points for each Whispering Stone vein destroyed]
[8 targets remaining... [Expand/Collapse]]
[After the task is completed, a score will be given based on the number of targets completed and the performance, and additional rewards will be given.]
A new Grade A mission?
Han Xiao's heart skipped a beat. This should be Sunil's main storyline. When the official action begins, players will be able to trigger it as well.
Each planet has its own main questline, so Han Xiao has always valued the resources from NPC resource sites, using them to his advantage to supplement the Black Star Army's own "storyline." There are not only mercenary missions but also main quests that come with the storyline itself, with very generous rewards, doubling the fun.
Everyone stared at Han Xiao, Melos interjected, "Black Star, which plan should we implement?"
Han He_Tu_Shu Xiao snapped out of his daze, tapped his fingers on the table, thought for a moment, and said, "Use them all."
Ochizi nodded repeatedly with a look of delight, "That's perfect. Our Sunil will also send troops to fight alongside the Black Star Army."
After discussing the details of the plan for a while, everyone agreed that they should first capture some of the Subterranean Mutants alive and study their bodies.
The sooner the better, so Han Xiao didn't delay. After the pre-battle meeting, he took Melos and Sherinde onto the spaceship and headed to the entrance of one of the Subterranean Mutants nests.
The three were incredibly strong and didn't worry about the risks, making them extremely efficient. That's why Han Xiao didn't bring any players with him. If it weren't for the fact that capturing them alive was quite troublesome, he would have preferred to act alone.
The spaceship quickly arrived at the location, which was an excavation site with many drilling machines and a huge, dark pit extending into the ground, its depths unfathomable.
This was originally a mine for extracting underground Whispering Stone veins, but it became the first site where the Subterranean Mutants was discovered. At this time, a large number of Sunil armored soldiers were stationed here and sealed off the cave, because their understanding of the Subterranean Mutants was limited, and this was to prevent the Subterranean Mutants from rushing to the surface.
The spaceship landed, Han Xiao informed the camp commander, who welcomed the three of them inside. The patrolling soldiers gave them respectful salutes.
It was the dead of night, the sky was pitch black, and only the camp's lighting equipment emitted a strong light. The three of them stood at the edge of the cave and peered down, but even the strong light could not penetrate the unfathomable darkness.
Han Xiao was about to go downstairs when Melos suddenly spoke up, his tone complicated, "Black Star, don't you... feel that this is dishonorable?"
"Oh?" Han Xiao stopped and turned to look at Melos. "You mean dealing with the Subterranean Mutants?"
"Yes," Melos said hesitantly.
The appearance of the Subterranean Mutants changed the nature of things. No one expected to discover the native race of Planet Sunil. Sunil was an outsider, and to resolve the Calamity, they had to deal with these Subterranean Mutants natives. In another sense, this became an invasion.
Without the help of the Black Star Army, Sunil would have been unable to deal with the Subterranean Mutants and could only live in constant fear. But with Black Star, Sunil had the confidence to eliminate them.
Given the disparity in combat strength between the two sides, it is foreseeable that once the war breaks out, it will devolve into a one-sided massacre of the Subterranean Mutants.
Melos is Sunil, and he stands with the Sunil. Even though this matter is not so honorable, he has to do it for the future of his people. But Black Star is different.
Black Star's home planet, Planet Aquamarine, was once invaded by DarkStar, and its situation is similar to that of the Subterranean Mutants —both are victims of arbitrary humiliation by a more advanced civilization. Will Black Star sympathize with the Subterranean Mutants and be dissatisfied with the actions of the Sunil people?
Melos was worried about this and wanted to know Han Xiao's thoughts.