Became a Mechromancer - Chapter 1

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 1
Mechromancer (1)
With enough money…
An era where one could enhance their body with mechanical components.
A man was dragging a heavy suitcase.
Whirrrrr—
Just then, a metallic prosthetic body hummed past him with a vibrant whine.
The man stopped his suitcase in its tracks.
He gazed after the cyborg’s receding silhouette.
‘That full-brain prosthetic alone must cost as much as a house in Seoul…?’
There were certainly a lot of wealthy people in this world.
Soon enough, the man shook his head.
I’m a machine enthusiast, sure, but even so, what I really want is…
“To be an Awakened One.”
Why would anyone replace perfectly intact limbs?
Well…
‘The catch is, I’m past the age to awaken and I don’t have the money to modify myself anyway.’
Just as the man, wearing a bitter smile, was about to drag his suitcase forward again.
“Excuse me, where is the Awakened One measurement facility?”
He turned to see a pretty young woman.
The man pointed with his finger.
“It’s over there.”
As the woman turned her head toward where he was pointing, a holographic guide appeared in the distance.
『Hunter Management Bureau – July 2069 New Awakened One Registration and Measurement』
“Thank you so much!”
The woman bowed in gratitude, then raised her eyebrows upon seeing the man’s name tag.
『Machine Upcycling Department, Lim Doo-ho』
The man—Lim Doo-ho—sensing her gaze, adjusted his name tag once.
“It’s the department that collects, disassembles, and repairs broken androids.”
“The Hunter Management Bureau has a department like that?”
“If Abyss management becomes lax, Abyss Rifts form. But since their locations are random, the androids controlling them frequently malfunction.”
“Ah! So it’s true that mana interference is beyond even the Management Bureau’s androids?”
“If we could solve that, we’d strike it rich.”
“Hmm, then my awakening would become meaningless.”
At her pointed remark, Lim Doo-ho scratched his head.
“I apologize. I misspoke.”
“Just joking, just joking.”
The woman smiled brightly and headed toward the measurement facility.
As Lim Doo-ho watched her departing figure, he murmured to himself.
He looked so young….
‘I really envy him.’
I dragged the heavy carrier loaded with android parts, struggling against its weight.
Components rattled inside the box.
I was already twenty-six years old.
Statistically, awakening occurred between ages fifteen and twenty, with twenty-two being the absolute limit.
And….
It had been seventy years since the Abyss Rift revealed itself upon human history.
Humanity had split into three categories.
Awakened, Cyborgs, and Naturals.
Among them, the Awakened dominated the world.
The mana flowing from the Abyss Rift, deeply rooted beneath the earth, corroded ordinary humans.
But the Awakened were different.
They were not addicted; instead, they gained powerful magic and supernatural abilities. Thus, people called them the chosen of heaven.
That was how the Hunter Families came into being.
Eventually, they poured astronomical sums of money to preserve their bloodlines.
‘I’ve heard rumors that awakening research institutes offer artificial awakening procedures….’
I wiped the sweat from my forehead with my sleeve as I dragged the carrier.
“…but the Awakened aren’t the only path forward.”
The Cyborg who had passed me earlier was an alternative to Hunters.
Another monster created by science.
Even if their bodies were destroyed, they could be revived through full-brain backup.
‘Honestly, in terms of pure physical capability, Cyborgs are stronger than most Awakened.’
That’s why the Hunter Management Bureau even deployed android suppressors for Hunter control.
And finally….
The underclass ‘Naturals’ who couldn’t even afford the common ‘Dive Port’ procedure.
‘That’s me, Lim Doo-ho.’
* * *
When I opened the door to the Machine Upcycling Department, the interior was in disarray.
Damaged android arms and legs hung from wires on the ceiling, and the walls were packed with component shelves.
In the corner stood an android rolling its eyes back and forth.
It evoked the pitiful fate of debtors who had sold their bodies for pennies.
Thunk!
A robot vacuum collecting fallen screws bumped into my foot.
The moment I quickly stepped aside.
“Why are you coming in so late!”
Whirr, clang whirr. Clang.
A man who appeared to be in his early thirties walked toward me.
Park Gyu-tae, an assistant manager with limbs replaced by implants.
I looked at his arm.
‘If I’m going to spend money anyway, I might as well buy something decent.’
Park’s implant was cheap, far removed from the kind of precision work required here.
In short, it didn’t belong in this department at all.
“I told you to bring it quickly, you punk.”
After his sharp rebuke, Park began examining the parts I’d brought.
I ventured to speak carefully.
“Park.”
“…Go ahead.”
“That android—from what I can see, the waist connector appears to be damaged.”
Park’s brow furrowed as he inspected the box. Unaware of his irritation, I continued.
“If you look closely, the left pelvis seems slightly misaligned, and I’ve seen that happen before when there’s a problem with the waist connector. So if we just replace that part….”
Yah—!
“Who told you to diagnose anything?”
“…I apologize.”
“You punk, your education is too limited.”
As I apologized, Park turned away and spoke as if to make sure I heard.
My mouth tasted bitter.
Six years of field experience repairing androids, dismissed because of a high school diploma.
The truth was.
Park had never been satisfied with his assignment to this department. So whenever the opportunity arose, he tormented me.
Park threw the android parts aside and immediately activated a hologram to run the diagnostic program.
To prove I was wrong.
And moments later.
The android diagnostic results appeared on the hologram.
But the results matched my prediction exactly.
“Damn it.”
Park’s face flushed red as he hastily shut off the hologram where I couldn’t see it.
And then he flew into a mindless rage.
“The android’s problem is the pelvis parts! Only some punk like you who’s gotten a little grease on his hands would delude himself into thinking he’s a technician and spout such nonsense. Now that you understand, go to Bundang and bring the pelvis parts yourself!”
I was dumbfounded.
‘If I offered to fix it myself in this situation, he’d really lose it….’
Of course, there was a third option—to quit because it was so degrading.
I bit my lip.
And I thought of my family.
My father’s dangerous hazardous waste disposal work and my mother’s cleaning job alone weren’t enough to cover my siblings’ education expenses.
That’s why….
“…I’ll be back shortly.”
“Don’t take some unmanned bus or anything—take a taxi. We’re in a hurry!”
In the end, my gaze toward Park naturally turned cold.
But Park, noticing that look in my eyes, tilted his head defensively.
“Why do your eyes look like that?”
“It’s nothing….”
“Nothing? Wow, what kind of bastard are you?”
Crack! Crunch….
Park Gyu-tae’s cheap prosthetic hand clamped down hard on Lim Doo-ho’s shoulder.
Even cheap, it was stronger than human strength.
Ugh.
The pain was so intense that a groan escaped from my lips.
“I’m… I’m sorry.”
Only then did Park Gyu-tae smile coldly and release his grip.
“Lim Doo-ho. People need to know their place. So don’t get ahead of yourself.”
“….”
“You should answer.”
Lim Doo-ho reluctantly nodded before leaving the office.
* * *
The autonomous taxi doors slid open smoothly on both sides.
Inside was a driverless cabin with facing seats.
It was like a small mobile lounge.
Thump.
I climbed into the autonomous taxi.
An autonomous bus would cost 2,000 coins, but a taxi ran at least 40,000 coins.
Of course, I could submit the transportation fee for reimbursement.
The real issue was that the pelvic part Park Gyu-tae told me to fetch could be delivered by a delivery drone with just an order.
In other words.
He was doing this just to mess with me.
Hmm….
It looked like I’d have to work overtime when I got back.
‘Park Gyu-tae, you’re really too much….’
The AI asked for my destination.
“Take me to the Bundang android parts warehouse.”
-Estimated travel time is 32 minutes. Would you like to use our premium service?
“Standard.”
-Understood. I will ensure your safe arrival.
The autonomous taxi departed.
Looking out the window, I couldn’t help but sigh.
The reason was simple.
Holographic advertisements exploded across every window like fireworks.
『Lim Doo-ho, customized low-interest loans – Hunter Management Bureau preferred rates』
『26-year-old male, safe dating introductions』
In a world where the poor have their personal information stripped by megacorporations.
The “premium service” the AI had just suggested was nothing more than spam ad blocking.
I gaze out the window through the holographic advertisements, lost in thought.
Honestly, the work itself was good.
I’m a machine enthusiast, after all.
For six years, my hands have worked with high-end androids, and I’ve picked up theories from the master’s and doctoral graduates who’ve passed through this department.
I was lucky.
But then.
Six months ago, when Park Gyu-tae arrived, everything started falling apart. The pay was already meager, and with workplace harassment piled on top, life had become unbearable.
Well….
‘If I just endure it, Park Gyu-tae will transfer to another department eventually.’
I’d heard he was pulling strings to make it happen.
That’s when it happened.
-Warning. Abyss Rift detected. Warning. Abyss Rift detected.
“What—what is this!”
The autonomous taxi’s alarm continued blaring relentlessly.
Looking out the window, sparks erupted in the air as an Abyss Rift tore open.
-Warning. Abyss Abyss Rift… detectectect─.
The hologram inside spun chaotically before cutting out with a pop. Mana interference from the Abyss Rift formation.
The autonomous taxi drew closer and closer to the Abyss Rift.
“Stop! Stop it—.”
Lim Doo-ho shouted, but the taxi’s electronics were already dead.
Following the laws of inertia, the taxi slid forward and was swallowed into the Abyss Rift.
* * *
How much time had passed?
I sat in the autonomous taxi, staring into the murky depths of the Abyss Rift.
Click.
Startled, I realized the taxi door had opened on its own. It was designed to unlock automatically when power cut out, to prevent passengers from being trapped.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
No matter how many times I tried, the door wouldn’t lock.
My mind felt hazy.
‘Is this mana intoxication?’
Ordinary people are in danger just standing near an Abyss Rift. Much less being dragged inside one.
Heh heh…
A laugh escaped me.
Life is cruel.
“…This is pathetic.”
I leaned back against the seat and assessed the situation.
A freshly opened Abyss Rift.
Even if Hunters are deployed in an emergency.
‘I’ll be found as a corpse.’
Ah!
I fumbled for a pen in my chest pocket with trembling hands and scrawled my final wishes.
『I, Lim Doo-ho, bequeath my kidneys and eyes to my mother, and my heart to my father. Please use my six years of severance pay toward the surgery costs.』
I was just tucking the note into the family photo pendant hanging around my neck—where someone might find it—when it happened.
Squeak, squeak, squeak….
A grotesque sound scraped across my ears.
Through the autonomous taxi’s window, I saw a humanoid rat—roughly the size of an elementary school child—shuffling toward me in an awkward gait.
Gasp….
I threw myself flat against the floor.
‘Is that… a Ratkin? The creature I’d only heard whispers about?’
Vertigo.
My vision blurred.
Screeeeeech─.
The Ratkin raked its long, razor-sharp claws across the taxi’s body.
The metallic shriek pierced the air.
My eyelids kept drooping.
My face drained of color, and with each breath, a sharp pain stabbed through my lungs.
Scratch, scratch!
Its furry snout pressed against the window, sniffing.
My grip on the door handle weakened by the second.
My father’s laughter, my siblings’ cheerful chatter—I could hear them echoing in my mind.
My consciousness flickered like a dying flame.
My vision had already lost all focus.
Is this the end?
Mother…
I hope she won’t cry too much.
I’m afraid.
And….
“I don’t want to die….”
That instant.
A resonance echoed through my mind.
[Congratulations on your awakening!]

Name: Lim Doo-ho
Occupation: Mechromancer
F-Rank Lv.1
Experience: 0/2
Traits: Hyper-Intelligence Summoning/Dismissal, Garage
Collection: Empty
Skills: Metal Manipulation
Mana Affinity 47, Mechanical Knowledge 92
Crafting Power 86, Mana Circuit 15
Available Stats: 0
The status window materialized before me, and my vision sharpened into crystalline clarity.
“What… what is this?”
In the moment death loomed before me, a miracle occurred.
Ha ha….
The world truly has a cruel sense of humor.
‘An awakening, now of all times.’
There was no time to celebrate.
Screech, screech—
Claws protruded through the gap in the autonomous taxi’s door.
A Ratkin was forcing it open.
Bang!
I reflexively wrenched the handle with all my strength.
Thud, thud-thud! Screech!
The Ratkin, its claws caught in the door, thrashed against the vehicle’s frame and shrieked.
It was only a matter of time before other beasts converged on this sound.
And indeed, as expected.
From the darkness beyond, another Ratkin came scurrying down the wall.
Crash!
The arriving Ratkin leaped onto the taxi’s roof and began thrashing wildly.
‘What do I do now?’
I’d only just awakened—I had no idea how to fight.
“Even an F-Rank can kick a single Ratkin to death, you know?”
The words of a Hunter I’d encountered once at the Management Bureau echoed in my mind.
I took a deep breath.
Then I threw the door open with all my might.
Crash!
The Ratkin staggered.
I seized the moment and bolted from the taxi.
And then….
Thwack!
I drove my heel into the Ratkin’s abdomen with every ounce of strength I possessed.
Crack!
A sharp cry escaped its lips.
[You have gained experience points]
Driven by the singular will to survive, I spun around immediately.
I stretched out my arm and seized the ankle of the creature that had been looming over Lim Doo-ho on the taxi roof.
I wrenched it down to the pavement in one swift motion.
Thud!
I brought my leg down hard, crushing the Ratkin’s skull beneath my heel.
Exhilaration and terror surged through me in equal measure.
My head spun and my limbs trembled uncontrollably.
Just as my consciousness threatened to slip away—
[You have gained experience points]
[Level Up!]
[Your first summon is randomly determined: ‘Super Intelligence’ has been summoned]
I collapsed.
I sank to the ground, breathing in ragged gasps.
As my senses gradually returned, my eyes fell upon the job title displayed in my status window.
“Mecromancer? …What is that?”
Bewildered by the unfamiliar term, a voice suddenly echoed in my mind.
Ah!
-Are you curious about the Mecromancer class?
You have become a Mecromancer
Author |
Keongang E
Published |
February 25, 2026
Publisher |
Talesyx
Website |
https://talesyx.com
Email |
[email protected]
© Keongang E, 2026
This publication is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission.
UCI |
G720:N+A277-20260210015.0001

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————