Before the basic trial began, Jiang Chen had already searched for information about [Mecha Modules].
Such specialized items could not only provide attributes and abilities to a Mecha but were also incredibly convenient, being plug-and-play, which allowed for a variety of combinations.
Like now, the model Zero Mecha was only equipped with two [Root Fortification] modules.
Through combinations of different Mecha parts, it had derived three forms.
The [Brute Force Form] with enhanced upper limbs.
The [High-Speed Form] with enhanced lower limbs.
And the [Balanced Form] with enhanced upper and lower limbs.
After switching to the High-Speed Form, Jiang Chen's strength and defense each dropped by one point, while agility surged to five points!
This was a full five times the initial state of the model Zero Mecha!
The muscle Mutant was inherently slow and could only rely on throwing and projecting, with an extremely pitiful hit rate.
Now, it couldn't even touch Jiang Chen's shadow, being toyed with and infuriated, bellowing continuously in impotent rage.
At this time, the Mutant's tiny brain finally proved useful.
It looked towards the nearby passageway, actually wanting to move the obstacles aside to let in the early stage Mutants to restrict the Mecha's speed.
To this, Jiang Chen commented:
Smart, but not by much.
You see, the muscle Mutant's swollen body not only possessed brute strength but was also as hard as rock, with a not-so-low defense.
Jiang Chen circled around it, trying to use a small iron rod as a javelin to smash at it, or sneaking a kick to its back, but could only cause minor injuries.
To truly damage it, apparently, aiming for the vital points was necessary.
However, the muscle Mutant's body was embedded with large metal plates, shielding its heart and vitals.
Compared to the rest of its muscular body, its skull seemed extremely frail and was consciously guarded by the Mutant, with several attacks landing on its arms instead.
That's why the stalemate had ensued.
Now, the muscle Mutant wanted to open the passage and had leapt over by projecting itself.
It inadvertently neglected to defend its head, revealing a slight lapse.
The High-Speed Form, known for its high agility, was best at exploiting such lapses.
While the muscle Mutant was busy moving metal obstacles, Jiang Chen grabbed a piece of a helicopter's wing, used it like a machete, and chopped directly onto its head!
Clearly, compared to the tough muscles, the skull was much more vulnerable.
The muscle Mutant's head was smashed open, spewing out purple fluids, with its swollen muscles quickly deflating.
A much more intense abyss atmosphere flowed into the palm of his hand.
Two pieces of information flashed before Jiang Chen's eyes.
[From killing a special Mutant, loot drop: Uncontrollable Mutation.]
[From killing a special Mutant, loot drop: Active Repair.]
Jackpot!
Jiang Chen was delighted. As expected of a special elite monster, dropping two items at once, one of which was even a new module!
However, even though the muscle Mutant was dead, it had moved enough metal barriers that several early stage Mutants began to crawl through the passageway.
Jiang Chen quickly retreated, switched to Brute Strength Form, and took out the Mutants one by one with his fist, blocking the passageway again.
He then had time to check the specific information of the loot drops.
[Uncontrollable Mutation]
[Rank: 0]
[Quality: Excellent]
[Type: Special Module]
[Effect: Consumes three Energy Value, gains random strength enhancement of three to six points for ten minutes (non-stackable).]
[Description: The mutation brought by the roots, a disaster or a blessing?]
An excellent quality special module!
A random strength enhancement of three to six points, with just the lower limit being the same as the total attribute increase provided by [Root Fortification].
If luck was on his side and he gained a six-point strength enhancement, he wouldn't falter even against the muscle Mutant in direct combat.
As for the duration and consumption...
The base Energy Value recovery rate of the model Zero Mecha was 0.01 per second.
To recover three Energy Value, it would take 300 seconds, or five minutes.
In the absence of any other energy-consuming methods, the Uncontrollable Mutation module could continue indefinitely.
"Great stuff!"
Jiang Chen directly took out the [Uncontrollable Mutation] module and equipped it on the Mecha, gaining another enhancement.
However, Mechas couldn't be augmented with an unlimited number of modules.
Each 1st Rank Mecha could at maximum be equipped with three ancillary modules and one core module.
At present, the three ancillary modules of the model Zero Mecha had already been fitted,
If he wanted to continue enhancing the Mecha's attributes, he either had to find higher quality ancillary modules to replace the current ones or equip a core module.
As for Mecha enhancement, that was impossible in the basic trial.
"Core modules are extremely rare; it's not possible to obtain them from early-stage Mutants."
"Definitely have to kill stronger Mutants."
Jiang Chen withdrew his thoughts and looked towards another item.
[Active Repair]
[Quality: Excellent]
[Type: Item]
[Effect: Use on a completely damaged Mecha to initiate self-repair, which will be completed after ten hours.]
[Description: The power of activity, flowing within the armor.]
An item that could repair damaged Mechas!!
Jiang Chen's breath paused for a moment, and his heartbeat quickened by several beats.
Before entering the basic trial, Senior Xie had told them to take good care of their Mechas, to never let the Armor Value drop too much, and especially not to let the Mecha get damaged.
Once a Mecha was completely damaged, common repair tools would lose their effect, and it would have to be repaired by a specialized repair engineer.
Where could one find a repair engineer in the trial world?
Therefore, after entering the basic trial, Jiang Chen set aside his [Undying Barehand] talent.
He hadn't considered triggering it actively but saw it as a second chance in case his Mecha got damaged.
Now it was different!
A special Mutant had actually dropped an item for repairing damaged Mechas!
Such a rare item might be seen as an emergency lifesaving tool by other mecha pilots in case their Mechas got damaged.
But for Jiang Chen...
He could completely consider it as an item that [permanently increases all attributes].
Much more precious than the [Uncontrollable Mutation], an excellent quality special ancillary module!
Jiang Chen slowed his heartbeat and made a quick decision.
"The repair process takes ten hours, not something you can count on in a critical moment."
"Let's use it now to enhance attributes!"
The goal of the basic trial was to survive for twenty-four hours.
It has been only about two hours so far.
If Jiang Chen triggered the [Undying Barehand] talent right now, draining the Mecha's power,
He could completely, in ten hours, wear the repaired model Zero Mecha, and with double the attributes, explore the trial world!
By then, if he encountered another new special Mutant, even without triggering the [Uncontrollable Mutation] module, he could crush it comprehensively!
"I was still thinking about how to improve the scoring in the basic trial..."
"After all, other mecha pilots could also hunt monsters, acquire modules, and bolster their strength."
"They might even have talents that directly enhance Mecha strength to gain formidable power and achieve higher scores."
"Except for having a 'second life,' I actually had no advantage in terms of strength."
"Now it's different."
Jiang Chen lifted a metal barrier, letting an early stage Mutant in.
Then, he allowed it to tear and attack the pale purple fibers on the outer layer of the model Zero Mecha, watching the Armor Value slowly decline, his mood calm and comfortable.
Ten, nine, eight, seven...
Come on, break my Mecha, break my limiter.
Muscle lock, release!