The Legendary Mechanic Chapter 3 - Life Is All About Acting
Previously on The Legendary Mechanic...
Translator: MJ_ Editor: Millman97
Bound tightly to a metallic chair, Han Xiao had his eyelids forcibly held open by mechanical clamps. In front of him stood a dark monitor equipped with speakers on both sides.
He couldn't budge an inch.
“How long is the procedure?”
“Twelve hours.”
“Keep watch here,” Hila commanded as she departed alongside a few subordinates.
Lin Wei Xian started the process, causing the screen to glow. Various geometric figures and designs appeared, shifting nonstop. The intense, fast-flashing hues and jarring musical shifts brought Han Xiao great agony. Desperate to shut his eyes, he couldn't, and shortly, his eyes became red and puffy.
This crude brainwashing technique worked by flooding and twisting the target's mind, paving the way for implanting commands.
Yet it spared the brain from lasting harm, something both Han Xiao and Lin Wei Xian valued.
Fury surged in Han Xiao at Lin Wei Xian's twisted grin. He felt just like livestock awaiting the butcher's blade.
Han Xiao allocated two of his four free attribute points to Intelligence.
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You are being Brainwashed (Low Level)
Your INT: 7
Your Resistance: 3
Brainwash Failed
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Relief washed over Han Xiao's suffering right away.
...
After the full twelve hours, Han Xiao's body throbbed everywhere, and his eyes felt parched.
Hila came back right on time. Assigned by the leader to handle Han Xiao's brainwashing, she needed to confirm success.
She released his restraints, exposing the dark marks on his arms and legs. Despite the pain, Han Xiao stared vacantly at the screen to play his role.
Abruptly, Hila leaned in close, her face mere inches from his. Her warm breath brushed his mouth, but Han Xiao stayed focused on his dire straits.
A floral scent invaded his nose, making him itch, and he barely held back a sneeze.
“Who are you?” Hila inquired in a gentle, mesmerizing tone.
Han Xiao opted to jerk his face rather than answer.
Though never a skilled performer, pretending to be dim-witted came easily to Han Xiao.
Out of nowhere, Hila murmured into his ear. Her locks brushed his neck, and through her neckline, twin peaks appeared in his sight. He braced his resolve silently.
“From today onward, your name is Zero. The Germinal Organization is your home, your country, and your everything. You will forever be loyal to the organization and will forever strive to help the organization achieve its goals. You will neither hide anything from nor betray the organization. You will carry out your orders faithfully, and you will sacrifice yourself for the greater good when the time comes!”
Lin Wei Xian erupted into wild cackles.
“Your life belongs to the organization. You will do whatever you are ordered to do,” he supplemented.
“Who are you?” Hila asked once more.
Now Han Xiao understood he must respond, though he delayed.
Hila glared at Lin Wei Xian.
“I followed the procedure! It’s not my fault—”
All at once, Han Xiao started talking.
“I... am... Zero...”
Lin Wei Xian's gaze sparkled.
“Valkyrie boosted Zero’s learning ability. But as a drawback, it damaged his speech.”
Hila recalled Zero’s prior actions. Indeed, he had reacted sluggishly to stimuli.
“Seems like the experiment was not perfect after all.”
“You’re wrong. This is perfection! He does not need emotions.”
“...Take him to recover, I will report to the boss.”
Tension finally drained from Han Xiao. During the session, he'd devised the slow-acting ploy to ease their suspicions.
The Valkyrie project served as an early version of a future super-soldier initiative that embedded chips in subjects for absolute obedience.
Arriving in that era would've been far grimmer. They could've detonated him at will.
...
Hila dialed via a secure channel.
“Boss, the situation has stabilized.”
“Is the brainwashing complete?”
The leader's voice rasped.
“I oversaw the procedure. There was no issue. What arrangements do you have for Zero?”
“The Valkyrie experiment’s aim is to train soldiers, so train him.”
“How is my sister doing?”
“Don’t forget the deal,” the man cautioned. “I gave you permission to visit her once every two months. Don’t cross the line.”
Hila balled her hands into fists.
...
The Valkyrie underground facility gleamed mostly white inside. Sentries patrolled relentlessly.
Following a night's sleep, guards escorted Han Xiao to a secluded training area where Hila stood ready.
Unsure of the organization's exact plans for him, Han Xiao knew they'd prize his 'learning ability', granting opportunities to advance his Mechanic skills.
Breaking out of this heavily fortified stronghold seemed hopeless, so Han Xiao prepared for the long game.
“Zero, you will undergo daily combat and shooting practice from today onward.”
Hila threw a uniform his way.
“Put it on.”
Han Xiao slipped it on swiftly.
The moment the suit covered him, Hila struck with a brutal kick aimed at his torso.
Bang!
Incredibly swift!
Han Xiao had no chance to respond; the impact shattered ribs despite the protection. He reeled back more than ten steps, grabbing his chest and hacking up coughs.
As befitted a superhuman.
Even holding back, she outpaced normal humans by multiples.
“30 seconds of rest,” she announced flatly.
The fighting drills proved grueling yet simple. No chatter passed between them.
This went on for two hours until Han Xiao lay spent and battered with bruises. He now guessed Hila harbored sadistic urges.
‘Do all cold beauty archetypes act this way?’ he pondered.
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Hila (Lv. 30) has taught you [Basic Combat]
Progress Rate: 5%
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Hila departed without a word.
A bulky, rugged fellow hauled Han Xiao to the shooting range.
“I am your shooting trainer, and one of the vice-managers of this base, Baltar,” the menacing man with a ghastly scar on his brow declared.
He shoved a 73-WASP into Han Xiao’s grip and ordered, “There’s ten bullets, hit the bullseye with all of them.”
Han Xiao scowled. How could a total novice, never having fired a real gun, nail bullseyes? Especially on a 30-meter mobile target.
“I’m no Olympic champion!”
Han Xiao rolled his shoulders and lifted the weapon with sore limbs.
Bang, bang, bang...!
Following ten rounds, Han Xiao checked the score. Predictably, he'd missed.
Abruptly, fire erupted in his back. Only sheer willpower stopped his cry.
Spinning around, he faced a raging Baltar savoring blood from a dark combat blade.
“Continue. One miss, one cut. Let’s see how much blood you will lose today.”
Han Xiao touched his back; his palm came away wet with crimson.
“Bastard!” he snarled silently.
One wall's glass pane was a one-way mirror. Hila and Lin Wei Xian watched from beyond.
“Baltar is being too careless with my precious test subject! Might as well let me dissect him now,” Lin Wei Xian lamented.
Hila gave Lin Wei Xian a neutral glance and said, “The organization will not approve of your request.”
Lin Wei Xian sneered coldly.
“I will have my way sooner or later. I created him! He is mine!”
Hila stayed quiet.
...
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Baltar (Lv 15) has taught you [Basic Shooting]
Progress Rate: 5%
[Agent] Profession Unlock Rate: 1%
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Slashes accumulated on Han Xiao repeatedly. Though shallow individually, their number soaked his outfit in gore.
Baltar eyed the faltering Han Xiao with a smirk, delighting in the metallic tang of blood.
“Why are you not screaming?” he demanded. “A good toy screams.”
Damn bastard!
Han Xiao drew a steadying breath. Though itching to smash Baltar, he recognized recklessness would backfire. It echoed gaming – taunting in defeat only invites worse humiliation.
Endurance was his sole option now.
‘Laugh while you can...’ Han Xiao ground his teeth.