The Legendary Mechanic Chapter 4 - 600,000 experience points!

Translator: MJ_ Editor: Millman97

Following the grueling training that set his blood aflame, Han Xiao was led to soak in a unique healing bath for a full two hours. Though it mended his injuries, the stinging ache from the slashes hung on stubbornly.

The base housed an idle machinery workshop, and since Han Xiao displayed knack for tech, they assigned him to live there. Supplies, tools, and a vehicle workbench were provided for his unrestricted use. Bookshelves stood against the walls as well. A camera lurked in one corner, but Han Xiao brushed it off—he anticipated round-the-clock watching.

In the year 687, Aquamarine remained a fledgling world on the cosmic scale. The planet was shifting into a 'new era,' so its tech lagged behind sci-fi standards, much like Earth's own.

Mechanic talents branched into three trees. Every tree boasted more than 20 talents across five tiers: basic, intermediate, advanced, expert, and master. These talents defined a character's class foundation.

Unlocking a class grants the initial talent, with later ones demanding talent points.

Talent points come from three sources: leveling up, unique quests, or skill mastery.

Han Xiao chose to save his two talent points. Talents weren't urgent for him yet. Newbies often blew them right away, yet points grew scarce in later game phases. Spend them carefully.

Beyond training hours, Han Xiao had free rein, pouring every moment into machinery to rack up experience and break out of this jail.

...

Days flew by in a blur.

Han Xiao kept building and upgrading machines for experience, his assembly success rate soaring past 90% as skills sharpened, netting extra exp bonuses.

Repeatedly crafting identical machines eventually slashed experience rewards, even to zero—but the base armory served as an endless treasure trove of devices, fueling Han Xiao's exp grind through disassembly and reassembly.

Han Xiao stayed under the radar, acting meek and silent. Over time, the group eased off their tight watch on him.

Despite their big expectations, Han Xiao knew shining too bright would backfire, so he hoarded exp without leveling when possible.

Quickly, the research crew tuned out. His assembly prowess matched any drilled logistics grunt, falling short of their dreams.

They spied on him another month before deeming him a bust. Rather than squander more effort, they redirected focus and ditched the nonstop surveillance.

This let Han Xiao breathe easier.

As the organization's gaze drifted elsewhere, only Lin Wei Xian and Baltar still tracked him.

Lin Wei Xian's persistent pleas to vivisect Han Xiao for study kept getting shot down, but Han Xiao sensed approval loomed. His window was closing fast.

Baltar fixated on Han Xiao alone. With recovery pills aplenty and researchers viewing pain as a growth spur, Baltar reveled in his cruelty unchecked.

Han Xiao dulled to the torment over time.

With idle hands and no chatmates, Han Xiao immersed in machinery studies, finding comfort in the thrill of creation.

...

One day, armored guards stormed the workshop, hauling off most of Han Xiao's supplies. As he observed wordlessly, someone approached.

“You've disappointed the organization. Starting now, your supplies drop by 80%.”

The speaker was test subject No. 1.

“They say you're my forerunner. With all those materials, all you produced was junk?

“You're a washout, and I've been picked to take your spot.”

Something about Han Xiao rubbed No. 1 wrong. Han Xiao stayed mute.

Results ruled the organization. No results from Han Xiao meant revoked perks. Resources now funneled to nurture the brighter No. 1.

Lacking dedicated mechanics staff, the lab let Han Xiao retain the workshop for upkeep and fixes.

“Tsk tsk, pitiful lab rats.”

Guards witnessing the exchange muttered.

“Mind-wiped guinea pigs. Doomed for the chop.”

“Better dead than that fate.”

“Shh, they might catch it.”

“Who cares? Brainwashing's done.”

To them, subjects ranked below beasts.

Han Xiao slipped away without a word.

...

Half a year elapsed.

During this span, Han Xiao mapped the full base layout and staff schedules.

Hila's Valkyrie Laboratory lay buried underground across three levels. As a covert outpost, it stayed compact, hidden in a barren woodland, with airdrops handling provisions.

Sixty armored guards secured the site. Periodically, the organization shipped memory-erased test subjects for trials.

Among a dozen Valkyrie labs, this was headquarters. Post-Han Xiao and No. 1, Germinal birthed 76 more successes.

Most shipped to satellites, but No. 1 and nine elites formed a unit, biding time here for deployment.

Han Xiao settled into the routine. Outside drills, the workshop consumed him—a true sanctuary.

Guards overlooked him now, passing by as if he were a ghost.

Perfect for Han Xiao's relentless exp farming and blueprint memorization.

Assembly and enhancement exp stood apart. Once assembly dried up for a machine, he'd enhance it, always restoring original form to hide his prowess.

Rigorous practice unlocked [Basic Combat] and [Basic Shooting], plus a surprise passive [Grinder] granting +100 Health.

He gained the [Agent] sub-class, hitting level 4.

Persistent grinding pushed [Basic Assembly] and [Basic Enhancement] to Lv. 4, [Basic Combat] and [Basic Shooting] to Lv. 2.

Mechanics demanded heaps of materials and cash to advance, a usual bottleneck, but Han Xiao tapped the organization's endless stockpile.

He'd depleted nearly 90% of armory gear, amassing 600,000 experience!

Sans mobs or quests, only mechanics could haul such exp so swiftly.

...

“Approve Lin Wei Xian's request. He's nagged enough. Let him dissect Zero,” the boss commanded via comms.

Hila's brow creased.

“You've denied him before.”

“We've poured tons into that waste. Time to harvest returns,” the boss stated flatly. “His sole value lies in recycling. That's Zero's end.”

Hila gnawed her lip.

“Got it.”

“How fares No. 1's squad training?” the boss pressed.

“Impressive. They show real promise.”

“Excellent. Dispatch to Night Owl base. Night Owl team's en route—due in two or three days.”

“That's my sister visit day!”

“No need for you to escort.”

“Fine.”