Ethan Cross stared at the glowing notification, his mind caught between disbelief and morbid curiosity. The Multi-System Interface shimmered faintly before his eyes, its translucent blue screen overlaid against the grimy workshop surroundings. For someone who had spent most of his previous life using similar interfaces in dungeons, this one felt alien—more advanced, more… alive.
[Tutorial Quest: Build Your First Prototype]
Objective: Use the tools provided to craft a functional device or weapon.
Reward: 500 EXP, Basic Blueprint Database, and Reputation in Neo Arcadia-2.
Failure: N/A.
"Reputation?" Ethan muttered, scratching his head. "This isn't just about dungeons and loot anymore. They're throwing politics into the mix? Perfect."
The workshop buzzed faintly with the hum of electricity. The room was cluttered with shelves of rusted parts, tangled wires, and tools so old they looked more decorative than functional. He scanned his surroundings, noting the faint smell of oil and metal, and the flickering fluorescent lights that gave the space a gritty, industrial vibe.
His fingers itched. The challenge in front of him wasn't just about survival anymore—it was about proving that he wasn't the same failure who had been betrayed and discarded. If the system was giving him a second chance, he would take it.
He tapped the holographic interface to examine his stats.
Name: Ethan Cross
Level: 1
Class: [Mechanic Hunter]
Attributes:
• Strength: 3
• Dexterity: 4
• Intelligence: 6
• Perception: 4
• Luck: 2
Abilities:
• Mechanical Aptitude (Passive): +10% efficiency when working with mechanical parts.
• Combat Module [Locked]: Unlock by reaching Level 5.
• Economic Influence [Locked]: Unlock by acquiring 1,000 credits.
Ethan frowned. "Pretty barebones, but at least intelligence isn't at rock bottom. Could've been worse."
The glaring "Locked" labels taunted him, but there was no point in brooding over it. The tutorial was his starting point, and the reward—particularly the Blueprint Database—piqued his interest. A repository of knowledge could be the key to dominating this strange, layered world.
Ethan's eyes scanned the room with a meticulous gaze, noting piles of seemingly useless scrap that, with the right hands, could turn into something valuable. He spotted a dismantled drone in one corner and a cluster of power cores leaking faint traces of energy on a nearby shelf.
"Alright," he said, rolling up his sleeves. "Time to work."
Interface Alert:
[Skill Activated: Scavenger's Insight]
You identify potential resources:
1. Defunct Drone Core (30% Energy Capacity).
2. Old Servo Motors (Low Efficiency).
3. Damaged Plasma Regulator (Requires Repair).
"Not exactly state-of-the-art, but I've worked with worse." Ethan grabbed the drone core first, his mind already racing with ideas. If he could stabilize the plasma regulator and integrate the servo motors, he might be able to rig up a basic turret—or at least something that could act as a distraction in combat.
Ethan placed the salvaged components on the workbench and opened the Mechanic's Toolkit. Inside were rudimentary tools: a handheld plasma torch, a multi-screwdriver, and a diagnostic tablet. Basic, but functional.
"Let's get to work," he muttered, his hands moving instinctively.
Crafting Sequence Initiated:
1. Stabilize Drone Core: Ethan uses the diagnostic tablet to identify voltage inconsistencies, manually soldering broken connections with the plasma torch.
• Success! Drone Core now at 60% energy capacity.
2. Repair Servo Motors: The motors are cleaned and realigned, though they still emit a faint grinding noise.
• Success! Efficiency improved to 70%.
3. Integrate Plasma Regulator: This piece is tricky. Ethan carefully rewires the regulator, bypassing its damaged circuitry. A faint glow indicates partial functionality.
• Success! Plasma Regulator operational at 40%.
After hours of meticulous work, Ethan stepped back, wiping sweat from his brow. On the workbench sat a rudimentary turret—nothing fancy, just a compact metal frame with a swiveling plasma nozzle powered by the drone core.
The interface chimed:
[Prototype Completed: Compact Plasma Turret Mk. I]
Attributes:
• Damage Output: Low-Moderate.
• Durability: Moderate.
• Range: Short.
Tutorial Quest Complete!
Rewards: 500 EXP, Basic Blueprint Database, Reputation +10 (Neo Arcadia-2).
The faint glow of the turret filled the room, its plasma nozzle emitting a soft hum as it rotated experimentally. Ethan couldn't help but grin.
"It's ugly, but it works," he said. "I'd like to see anyone call me expendable now."
The interface flickered again, this time bringing up a new menu. Ethan's eyes widened as the Basic Blueprint Database loaded into his system.
Blueprints Unlocked:
• Automated Repair Drone
• Energy Amplifier Mk. I
• Plasma Cutter Tool
• Combat Mech Frame (Low-Grade)
"Combat mech frame?" Ethan's grin widened. The possibilities were endless. With the right materials and some creativity, he could turn this outdated workshop into a powerhouse.
But before he could celebrate further, the door to the workshop slammed open.
A towering figure stepped inside, clad in patchwork armor and wielding a massive wrench like a club. The man's scarred face twisted into a sneer as his eyes landed on Ethan. Behind him, three equally rough-looking thugs filed in, each armed to the teeth.
"Well, well," the leader growled. "Looks like the little rat's been busy. Word on the street is you're new around here—and nobody works Neo Arcadia-2 without paying their dues."
Ethan's heart pounded, but he forced a calm smirk. His eyes flicked toward the glowing turret on the workbench.
"You've got the wrong guy," Ethan said, his voice steady. "I'm just a mechanic trying to make a living."
The thug barked a laugh. "Living? Not for long."
Before the man could take another step, the turret swiveled, its plasma nozzle locking onto the intruder. A warning hum filled the room as the plasma core charged.
Ethan's smirk widened. "Care to test my prototype?"