Became a Mechromancer - Chapter 11

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 11
Upgrade (1)
I was about to begin Isto’s upgrade when I paused and turned my head.
On the parts shelf.
An old box etched with a gear pattern caught my eye.
‘I bound it to myself and now I’m finally using it.’
.
.
.
Last night.
Before going to bed, I recalled the ‘Legacy of the Forgotten Technician’ I’d received as a Quest reward.
Sleep was abandoned, and I headed straight to the Garage.
Tap-tap-tap, click—click.
The sound of keyboard keys pierced through the darkness.
“Are you staying up all night again?”
At my words, Isto turned his head.
A slightly sullen expression flickered across his LED eyes.
-You said I don’t even understand credit cards, so I’m studying society.
“Always with the excuses.”
-But what’s going on?
I went to the shelf and retrieved the box etched with the gear pattern, placing it on the workbench.
-That’s a Quest reward box.
“I forgot about it with everything going on.”
I turned the box over in my hands, muttering to myself.
“I wanted to see what was inside before bed.”
Click.
As the lid opened, the interior gleamed with brilliant silver powder—finer than flour, shimmering softly in the air.
‘What am I supposed to do with this…?’
Just as disappointment washed over me, Isto’s LED eyes flashed brightly.
Oh!
-I never expected this to appear!
“What is it?”
-It’s ‘nanobots’. A very rare technological legacy!
“These are nanobots?”
I peered into the box.
-They’re actually quite large for nanobots. Of course, you wouldn’t be able to see their individual forms with your eyes.
“So what can I do with them?”
-A picture is worth a thousand words! Try touching them directly.
I tilted my head curiously and gently touched the silver powder.
[Would you like to assimilate the nanobots?]
Accept / Decline
Lim Doo-ho accepted.
The powder glowed as it seeped into Lim Doo-ho’s hand. A silvery current flowed through his arm and dispersed throughout his body.
“Wh-what is this?!”
Startled, Lim Doo-ho shook his hand, and Isto spoke.
-It’s fine. The nanobots should have settled into your body by now.
As if to prove Isto’s words, a system message appeared.
[Nanobots have been assimilated]
[Leveling up is possible by investing stats]
“You can level up by investing stats too…?”
-That’s correct. For now, they can only perform limited tasks, but as the level increases, defensive and offensive capabilities will become available, as well as control over external robots.
Lim Doo-ho’s eyes sparkled.
“Then I could use them for precision work too?”
-Of course! They can handle gaps that tools or hands can’t reach. In any case, how you develop them is entirely up to you.
.
.
.
Having shaken off the events of last night, Lim Doo-ho stared at the silvery powder lingering on his arm.
Sigh….
I steadied my breathing and focused my will.
Then!
Silvery dust particles began to trickle out from my fingertips.
But that was all.
Hmm?
I concentrated harder, but they merely rippled without responding.
“Isto, why isn’t this working….”
Before I could finish my question, a system message appeared.
[Level is too low]
Isto, realizing the oversight, spoke up.
-You need to raise the level by investing stats. I apologize for forgetting. Also, you’ll need to increase your ‘Mana Circuit’ and ‘Mana Affinity’ stats as well.
“Those too?”
-Yes. Nanobots are sensitive to mana flow. If your stats are weak, no matter how much you raise the level, they won’t reach their full potential. If you become stronger at handling mana, the level will rise on its own.
After hearing the explanation, I opened the main status window.

[Main Status]
Name: Lim Doo-ho
Class: Mechromancer
F-Rank Lv.49
Experience: 1392/1482
Traits: Super Intelligence Summon/Unsummon, Garage
Collection: Isto
Skills: Metal Manipulation, Component Detection, Dimensional Access
Nanobot Lv.1
Mana Affinity 47, Mechanical Knowledge 92
Crafting Power 86, Mana Circuit 15
Available Stats: 196
I examined my status window again.
“Even I have to admit, Mana Circuit at 15 is pretty rough….”
Then I glanced at my available stats.
‘They’ve accumulated quite a bit.’
It was only natural—I hadn’t paid attention to my status window since my awakening. The reason was simple: Isto handled everything, so there was no real need to worry about it.
-If you had just 90,000 more experience, you’d be level 50… This is quite unfortunate.
“We’ll be going back in anyway. Don’t worry about it.”
But a sudden thought crossed my mind.
‘When I reach level 50… will another Super Intelligence appear?’
I glanced at Isto.
Surely not…
Would I have to listen to world conquest twice over?
-Lim Doo-ho?
I snapped back to attention at Isto’s voice.
“Let me try upgrading the Nanobot first.”
-You may press the Nanobot level to proceed.
Following Isto’s instruction, a new status window opened.
[Lv.2 Required Stats: 50]
Gasp!
“…Fifty points?”
I hesitated at the unexpectedly high number, when Isto offered guidance.
-I recommend upgrading to level 2, then distributing the remaining points between Mana Circuit and Mana Affinity.
“What about Mechanical Knowledge and Crafting Power?”
-A small increase in each should suffice.
I distributed my stats accordingly, following Isto’s advice.

Skills: Metal Manipulation, Component Detection, Nanobot Lv2
Mana Affinity 97, Mechanical Knowledge 104
Crafting Power 100, Mana Circuit 85
Available Stats: 0
Seeing that my available stats had reached zero, I couldn’t help but wear a dejected expression.
-It’s fine! I’ll just work harder and roll around more!
“No, don’t overexert yourself.”
-Huh?
“If we’re going to last together, pace yourself.”
-…Understood. Ehehe.
Crack, crack!
I flexed my knuckles.
Alright.
“Let’s begin.”
With those words, I concentrated my consciousness.
Whoosh.
Silver dust flowed from my fingertips, beginning to move according to my will.
Click, click, click—.
The silver dust enveloped Isto’s left arm, flowing smoothly as screws and bolts came loose effortlessly.
Unlike tools, the nanobots burrowed into the tightest crevices, disassembling Isto’s arm with pristine precision without causing any damage to the mechanics.
‘This is actually possible.’
Now I understood why Isto had praised it so highly.
I activated the Component Detection skill, examining the disassembled arm.
Zzzt—
In an instant, Isto’s joint structure unfolded in my mind with crystalline clarity, like a 3D blueprint.
This was the moment when my accumulated practical experience and my Mechromancer abilities meshed perfectly.
Moreover, having just invested stats, I felt noticeably more proficient than before.
This is incredible.
‘The nanobot and Component Detection collaboration is no joke.’
Isto spoke to me.
-You seem more at ease now.
“It’s not just seeming—it’s genuinely effortless.”
-I’m delighted that you’re pleased, Lim Doo-ho. Ehehe.
After finishing the disassembly, I retrieved an amorphous alloy chunk from my bag—the axe head from a Kings Ratkin I’d found in Abyss Layer 1.
As I concentrated mana into my fingertips, the Metal Manipulation skill activated.
Tap—
The moment my finger touched it, the metal of the axe head peeled away as easily as flour dough.
‘Is this even real? Truly… magnificent!’
Entranced, I began sculpting a new joint component following the blueprint in my mind.
Then, at that moment.
[Proficiency increased.]
[Proficiency increased.]
[Proficiency increased.]
[Proficiency…]
As if receiving endless praise, a tingling sensation bloomed deep within my chest. And the feeling of watching the finished product before my eyes become increasingly refined and polished was simply….
‘Pure bliss.’
Whirrrrrr—.
The amorphous alloy flowed like water, transforming into the desired shape.
Far more intricate and swift than before.
At last!
As I moved to install the newly crafted joint onto Isto’s arm, the nanobots became my third hand, assisting with meticulous precision in the assembly.
I soon withdrew the nanobots and wore a satisfied expression.
“Thanks to the amorphous alloy, it now has mana conductivity as well, so you’ll be able to exert even greater power.”
In short—a power-up!
Whoooosh!
As Isto swung his arm, the air split apart and wind pressure erupted.
Excellent!
-I want to enter the Abyss soon!
And a week later.
I had replaced all of Isto’s joints with amorphous alloy.
Perhaps that was why.
Isto’s movements became far smoother, and his speed was noticeably faster than before.
* * *
Saturday afternoon.
Lim Doo-ho stood at the entrance to Yeouido District 2’s commercial district.
He fingered the Latkin mana stone.
‘Time to get started, I suppose?’
“Isto.”
-Yes?
“Find me some places in Yeouido District 2 with good reviews for selling mana stones.”
-Oh~ understood.
While Isto gathered information using a laptop inside the Garage, Lim Doo-ho leisurely surveyed the commercial district.
And soon.
-All organized! Dadadadadada!
With those words, Isto transmitted the list directly into Lim Doo-ho’s mind.
Fortunately, the content was brief, so there was no headache.
Lim Doo-ho recalled the list and began walking toward a destination. Then he stopped in front of a mana stone shop.
‘This is the highly-reviewed place, right?’
-Yes, that’s correct. But why would you need such information…?
‘To get the highest possible price here, then post proof of it on the verification board.’
-Huh??
At Isto’s sharp remark, the corners of my mouth lifted.
‘If the list and information you gave me are accurate, other shops will compete on price based on this store.’
Oh! Oh!
-As expected of you, Lim Doo-ho!
I took a deep breath and opened the door to the sales shop.
I hesitated, pretending to look around the interior.
A middle-aged man looked up from watching a hologram news broadcast.
“Looking for something?”
“I’m… looking to sell some magic stones.”
The owner looked me up and down, his true intentions written across his face.
‘A sucker just walked in.’
“What kind of magic stones?”
I carefully pulled out ten pale purple magic stones.
The owner recognized them immediately.
The hottest Larkin magic stones on the market these days.
His expression remained composed on the surface, but his mind was already calculating furiously.
‘The problem isn’t the acquisition price of 100,000 coins—it’s that there’s barely any inventory circulating right now. Still, if he looks like a sucker, I should lowball him.’
A brief silence fell.
The owner made his proposal with practiced ease.
“I’ll take all ten. How about 90,000 coins each? Fair deal?”
I let out a small, disappointed sigh.
“That seems lower than the market rate….”
“Oh, you didn’t know? There’s so much supply these days. Prices are rising, so everyone’s bringing them in to sell.”
At the owner’s lie, I gathered the magic stones and turned to leave.
“…Thank you for your time.”
And then….
Tap. Clatter.
I deliberately dropped one magic stone.
The owner’s eyes reflexively snapped to the floor, widening instantly.
Because it was a Kings Larkin magic stone.
Ah—!
‘Why is that showing up here!’
The owner reflexively rushed over.
“Wait! That’s… a Kings Larkin magic stone, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but….”
Seeing me feign panic, the owner’s demeanor completely changed.
“Oh my, young man. What’s the rush? Come on, sit down and have some coffee. Here, let me make you something nice.”
The owner hurriedly prepared a cup of instant coffee.
A Kings Larkin magic stone had sold for 10 million coins at an auction just recently.
If I purchase them now and hold them a bit longer, they’ll appreciate further. This is an opportunity I can’t afford to miss.
“Looking at it, seems like you brought all those magic stones intending to sell them. I suppose I was a bit too blunt. So many people come by just browsing these days. Hehehehe.”
The shop owner shifted his approach with a sweeter proposal.
“I’ll buy them for 100,000 coins. But the King’s Ratkin, I’ll take that for 10,500,000 coins….”
“I’ll just be on my way. I wouldn’t have brought these out if it wasn’t urgent.”
As Lim Doo-ho moved to stand, the owner hastened to speak.
“Ah, wait now… 110,000! I’m giving you a special price, you see.”
Lim Doo-ho paused for a moment before asking.
“Would… 120,000 be possible?”
“Huh? What?”
Just as the shop owner’s deliberation deepened, Lim Doo-ho casually broached the subject.
“Well then, I’ll be heading back. As for the King’s Ratkin… I’ll think it over a bit more and contact you.”
Lim Doo-ho rose from his seat, walked to the display counter, and picked up the shop owner’s business card.
He deliberately examined it closely before tucking it into his wallet.
At that gesture, the owner brightened and extended his hand.
“Alright, 120,000! It’s embarrassing for me to say this myself, but you should know our shop is the most generous in town! And the King’s Ratkin… I’ll purchase it for 10,500,000 coins. Don’t overthink it.”
Moments later.
A notification appeared on Lim Doo-ho’s smartwatch.
『Deposit Complete: 1,200,000 Coins』
Shortly after.
He posted the negotiated price with the shop owner and a thumbs-up photo on the authentication board.
Of course, he didn’t sell the King’s Ratkin magic stone.
He merely hinted that he could have.
As he exited the shop, Isto marveled.
Ooh.
-You could become an actor with skills like that.
After that, everything proceeded smoothly.
Using the first shop’s price as a baseline, I raised the asking price according to my original plan and continued negotiating.
Over half a day, visiting twenty different shops.
I processed 300 Ratkin magic stones.
And….
43,000,000 coins had been deposited into my account.
It was the largest sum Lim Doo-ho had ever handled in his entire life.
Became a Mech-Romancer
Author |
Gungang E
Published |
February 25, 2026
Publisher |
Tail Six
Website｜
https://talesyx.com
Email｜
[email protected]
ⓒ Keongang E, 2026
This publication is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced or duplicated without permission.
UCI｜
G720:N+A277-20260210015.0011

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