Chapter 187 - 182: Large Mechanical Body: Fierce Warrior

Chapter 187: Chapter 182: Large Mechanical Body: Fierce Warrior

Designing a brand-new Mechanical Body wasn’t actually that difficult. Any Artisan with knowledge of Engineering could give it a try, the only difference being their skill level and whether the result was practical or not.

The truly difficult part was turning the blueprint into a physical object and narrowing the gap between the final product’s actual performance and its theoretical performance. This often required a considerable number of trials, errors, and modifications.

Fortunately, Jon wasn’t alone, so he didn’t have to solve these problems by himself.

He already had Crystal Energy, a remarkably advanced and mature power system from the future, at his disposal. With Sutton and several Dwarves from the Silverbeard Clan helping with the structural frame, it only took one night to complete a "Multi-Function Transport Vehicle" powered by Crystal Energy and enhanced with Runes.

—

[Unnamed Mechanical Body (Rare-Grade Mechanical Body)]

[Durability: 30,000/30,000]

[Defense Value: 1,500]

[Equipped Components: Large Crystal Energy Core x1, Crystal Energy Core x9, Crystal Energy Main Drive System x1, Floating Air Wheels x6, Heavy Ejector x1, Steel Nail Ejector x2, Projection Accelerator x3]

[Rune Enhancement: Floating, Defense, Acceleration]

—

Although it was called a Mechanical Body, its overall appearance was more like a military truck with the chassis of a hovercraft. The "Floating Air Wheels" spread across its underside utilized the power of Runes, providing lift on hard surfaces to reduce the load and increase travel speed, as well as powerful thrust in the water. The vehicle’s surface was also reinforced with a Rune-powered Protective Barrier.

Its cargo bed took up most of the overall structure. It could carry a load of 4 tons and simultaneously accommodate six inactive Gun Cavalry Model 1s, or transport 20 fully-armed Warriors. It was nothing short of substantial.

In addition, a Heavy Ejector and two Steel Nail Projectors were mounted on the roof.

—

[Heavy Ejector (Excellent-Grade Component): Fires ammunition at enemies within a certain range. Power: 40. Range: 300 meters. Ammo Capacity: 500/500]

—

This was a scaled-up component, similar in principle to the Steel Nail Ejector, but with a longer range and greater power.

With this, the vehicle was no longer just a transport tool; it now had some self-defense capabilities. There was no need to worry about Apprentice Level enemies, and if it encountered Official Level enemies, the accompanying personnel could use the vehicle’s strong defenses and mounted weapons to counterattack.

Moreover, compared to Jon’s original design, which was specialized for semi-frozen river channels, this transport vehicle—a product of collective wisdom—was no longer limited to waterways. It had become a multi-terrain vehicle capable of traversing snow, mud, and mountain paths. Even after the current crisis passed, it could still shine in many other situations.

The only drawback was probably the cost.

Just the large Crystal Energy Core that served as the main core was already considerably expensive.

—

[Large Crystal Energy Core - Yellow Crystal (Rare-Grade Component)]

[Weight: 455.7 grams, Purity: 8.61]

[Stores 5,331 points of Crystal Energy, Magic Power Conversion Rate: 93.2%]

[Power Output: 120-320]

[Crystal Energy Trait - Coordination: When used as a Mechanical Body’s main core, it can coordinate with other Attribute cores, increasing overall power output by 10%.]

—

Jon had only managed to find two Yellow Crystals of this size and high purity after searching the entire inventory of the Golden Maple Leaf Trading House.

Add to that a Master Level Dwarf Blacksmith with Advanced Level strength leading four Veteran-Level Dwarf Blacksmiths to build the entire frame by hand and apply the Rune effects. Even by the standards of a prototype, the material and labor costs for this thing were sky-high. Mass production was not yet feasible.

However, in the current situation, the key was that it worked and worked well.

As the core transport vehicle for opening a new supply line, as long as its performance was up to par, Paris and the nobles wouldn’t be too concerned about the cost.

If they couldn’t defend their homes, all the money in the world would be useless.

He believed the nobles who had lost their territories would have many thoughts on this topic.

After one final tune-up of the transport vehicle, Jon patted its frame and unceremoniously named his creation after a certain military armored vehicle he had seen before.

"I’ll call you... the Fierce Warrior!"

Then he hastily wolfed down a few bites of the breakfast Rosalind had brought him, leaped into the driver’s seat, and gripped the "Direction Ball" that controlled the vehicle’s movement. He looked up and called out to the Dwarves.

"Gentlemen, shall we go find a buyer and give them a field test?"

"Right, we should give it a try. Let’s go!"

After working all night, the Dwarves were also eager to see how this brand-new Mechanical Body would perform. Sutton stroked his beard and took the lead, leaping into the cargo bed of the Fierce Warrior. The others followed his example.

Seeing that everyone was aboard, Jon rubbed the Direction Ball in front of him to activate the Crystal Energy Core. The drive system immediately whirred to life with a faint hum.

Then, the behemoth shuddered slightly and began to move forward slowly, driving out of the Workshop.

As it passed through the manor’s front yard, it gave Big Mimi, who was lazing about, a huge fright.

And when it left Grent Manor and drove onto the main road of Birch Town, it attracted a great deal of attention.

Even the residents of Birch Town, who prided themselves on being worldly, couldn’t figure out what this strange-looking "vehicle" was. They could only guess at its functions based on its appearance.

However, those with the relevant knowledge could clearly see that this was a brand-new transport vehicle that utilized numerous engineering techniques.

Like a certain young girl with glasses, wearing a cloak and scurrying toward Grent Manor as stealthily as a hamster.

"Is... is that the Mechanical Body designed by the master of Grent Manor?"

The black-haired girl stared intently at the various exposed details on the Fierce Warrior, unable to stop herself from pausing to examine it closely.

"So amazing!"

Those clean, hard lines, the rationally laid-out drive system, and those strange lines covering the body whose purpose was unknown...

All of it utterly fascinated Esra, who had only just begun to explore the path of Engineering.

But after her fascination faded, apprehension welled up in her heart.

She couldn’t help but glance at the self-made walker following at her heels.

Compared to that strange transport Mechanical Body, her own creation seemed so crude, so childish.

’At my skill level... can I really join the Giant God Workshop?’

The courage the girl had worked so hard to summon up began to quietly slip away.

But then she remembered the encouragement her grandfather had given her before she left, and she hesitated again.

It was hardly news anymore that a great figure in Birch Town had established a faction called the Giant God Workshop. They were currently recruiting apprentices, with preference given to those with a foundation in Engineering and Potioneering.

Many refugees from out of town and local residents were very interested in it.

Esra, who had grown up in Birch Town and never traveled far, naturally didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

And her grandfather, who had always opposed her study of Engineering, no longer resisted the idea after the recent series of upheavals, especially the "White Fog Siege Incident." In fact, he now supported her in learning real Engineering knowledge to grasp the power to protect herself.

And so, this led to Esra’s "interview trip" today.

After watching the Fierce Warrior drive away until it was completely out of sight, she turned her gaze to the silhouette of the manor in the distance. Her heart pounded with anxiety as she debated for a good while, but she still decided to give it a try.

’I may just be a rookie, but I’m a rookie who’s received guidance from Senior Jon!’

"You can do it, Esra! You can’t bring shame to Grandpa and Senior Jon!"