Codename: Cow Cat was developed in just half a month. Although it doesn't boast an array of advanced functions, it has the basic configurations, such as flight capability, palm cannons, and an electromagnetic energy chest cannon.
After admiring the suit, Merlin walked over to the engraving machine to make some adjustments before heading to the nearby computer. He had already collected all the necessary data on sword fighting; now it was just a matter of filtering and streamlining it. Once he was satisfied with the data, he returned to the lithography machine to begin chip production, using silicon as the main material.
The photolithography machines assembled by Stark Industries were currently the most advanced in the world, utilizing a 5-nanometer process. However, for the bionic human chips Merlin was developing, a 3-nanometer process was required. For now, Merlin focused on testing the performance of the skill chip. Once the tests proved successful, he would work on creating a more advanced photolithography machine to increase the chip's accuracy.
Though the game Detroit: Become Human didn't feature much weapon technology, it was filled with advanced electronic information systems, providing plenty of inspiration.
Three days later, in the laboratory, Merlin carefully held a pair of tweezers, picking up a freshly produced chip that was still cooling. He placed it on the back of Cow Cat's neck, carefully aligning it with a groove, and then slowly inserted it.
*"Buzz!"* The moment the chip was in place, radio waves transmitted through the system, and the black V-shaped electronic eyes of Cow Cat lit up, glowing scarlet.
*"Click!"* A metal panel slid into place, covering the chip.
*"Little Mute,"* Merlin called out as he took a few steps back, nodding with satisfaction.
*"Data input..."*
*"Data input is normal..."*
*"Data input successful..."*
*"Testing..."*
*"The test shows no abnormalities... wearable!"* After hearing sols report, Merlin approached the Cow Cat Armor with newfound confidence, stretching out his hands to touch its surface.
*"Buzz!"* The armor suddenly trembled, and its metal surface began to flow like liquid, crawling up Merlin's palms, moving layer by layer along his arms, shoulders, chest, and abdomen.
*"Crack, click, click..."* The clear sound of sliding metal filled the lab, echoing like beads falling on a jade plate. As the sound gradually subsided, Merlin completed the donning process under the set program's guidance.
The mechanical sword automatically flew off the platform and into Merlin's hand, connecting seamlessly to the metal in his palm. Merlin gave the sword a few practice swings, testing its balance and feel. As he paused, the sword's tip pointed diagonally toward the ground, creating a sharp tearing sound as it sliced through the air. The V-shaped electronic eyes on his helmet flashed scarlet, like a lion awakening, and a sense of fierceness spread throughout the room.
When the sword chip fully linked with the armor, the blade in Merlin's hand moved with precision.
*"Pfft!"* The sword shot forward like lightning, producing a cold flash of light, followed by a piercing hiss as the blade cut through the air. Sharp, high-pitched sounds echoed throughout the lab.
The sword chip, linked to the suit, displayed swordsmanship data directly onto the helmet's interface. The sensors in the suit transmitted this data to the actuators, allowing the precise execution of complex sword techniques. Additionally, the helmet's sensor system could predict Merlin's next move by analyzing his muscle movements, enhancing his reaction speed.
However, this chip was not yet a complete product. The ultimate design would involve embedding the chip into the spine, connecting it to the spinal nerves. The chip would emit electrical signals to control muscle movements, creating instinctive reactions—like adding a second brain to the body.
Despite the advanced nature of this technology, Merlin hesitated to test it on himself. Connecting directly to the spinal nerves carried the risk of paralysis if something went wrong. To perfect the system, Merlin planned to create androids to run hundreds of thousands of tests before attempting to use the chip himself.
After testing the sword skills carried by the chip, Merlin proceeded to evaluate the mechanical sword. The weapon was a meter long with a thick blade, and the hilt was equipped with a circular cold nuclear fusion reaction device.
*"Poof!"* Merlin tossed the sword into the air, and small jets at both ends of the hilt suddenly emitted energy, allowing the heavy blade to hover. Merlin stretched out his hand and made a precise gesture. In response, the mechanical sword's thick blade split into three thinner, long swords. Linked by electromagnetic energy, the three swords began rotating around Merlin, arcs of electricity connecting them to form a protective chain.
Merlin was now encased in a circular, high-temperature power grid.
*"Bang!"* A bullet was fired toward him, but the moment it made contact with the electromagnetic field, it melted into sparks due to the extreme heat. Merlin then brought his hands together, and under the influence of the gravity sensor, the three slender blades reassembled into the original thick mechanical sword. It floated just above his head, the circular cold fusion core in the center glowing intensely as powerful electromagnetic energy surged across the surface.
In an instant, the sword transformed into an electromagnetic cannon, and a bright electromagnetic blast erupted from it.
*"Whoosh!"* The Adamantium blade in the center became the projectile of the electromagnetic gun, piercing straight through the center of an alloy target in the blink of an eye.
*"I wonder how powerful it is at maximum power..."* Merlin mused, impressed by the intelligence and versatility of his creation.
After Merlin had become more comfortable with his armor, he sat in front of his calculations, feeling bored. His mind drifted to the alien lair still in Los Angeles. Ever since learning its location, Merlin had been itching for some excitement, but he couldn't settle on a thrilling plan or find suitable hosts for the facehuggers. Ordinary humans were too weak, and Transformers without the AllSpark could be handled with added firepower—none of which seemed interesting.
Then, his thoughts turned to a different possibility: the Predator.
"That's right! How could I forget about this!" Merlin suddenly exclaimed, slapping his forehead before jumping up excitedly.
"Sol, pull up the missions related to vampires, especially the one about Eric Brooks."
As the offline mode of Liberty City unfolded, nearly every corner was monitored by Sol. Through this, Merlin had already identified the vampire hunter Eric Brooks, also known as Blade.
Blade was a unique individual—a vampire-human hybrid, possessing superhuman strength, speed, heightened senses, endurance, and the ability to heal rapidly. On top of that, he was a master swordsman, highly trained in martial arts, and a level 10 agent proficient in a wide range of fighting techniques. His expertise extended to weapons and firearms, with an exceptional ability in shooting.
However, within the offline platform games, Eric went by the title Sunlighter. After joining the platform, Eric not only earned rewards from hunting vampires but could also buy silver weapons and use Sol's advanced tracking to locate hidden vampires—making his hunts much easier.
"Retrieving..." Sol responded, pulling up the relevant information.
Merlin browsed through Eric's profile and saw that despite joining the platform only a month ago, Eric had already made nearly $6 million in bounties and even purchased a motorcycle. He had wiped out nearly six underground vampire strongholds, though most of the vampires were hybrids.
"Looks like I'll need to expedite the construction of my private lab," Merlin muttered to himself. "Working under the Stark Industries Building isn't ideal."
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