Became a Mechromancer - Chapter 116
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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 116.
Exceeding the Threshold
Beijing.
State Council Information Office Briefing Room.
Wang Jian-guo stood before the briefing podium.
His expression seemed uncomfortable, his complexion strained.
He kept obscuring something beneath his formal jacket lapels.
The moment the on-air indicator lit up, an apology statement appeared on the holographic prompter in front of the podium.
“People of South Korea.”
As Wang Jian-guo opened his mouth with a solemn expression.
Whoosh.
Liu Vice Premier slipped in from the side.
“Chairman, your clothing is disheveled.”
“What?”
Wang Jian-guo was flustered.
And with good reason—it was an unprecedented broadcasting accident, with the Vice Premier barging in during a live broadcast.
But!
For those desperate to survive, such a thing was trivial.
The broadcast staff seemed to have been informed beforehand; they stared fixedly at the empty space beside the camera.
Then Liu Vice Premier gestured with his chin toward the staff members.
In an instant, the staff on either side moved into action.
Someone began removing Wang Jian-guo’s formal jacket.
“What—what is this?”
Just as Wang Jian-guo was about to explode in anger.
Liu Vice Premier’s eyes hardened with intensity instead.
“Since you’re wearing it, show the people clearly!”
“You, you….”
Finally, the black t-shirt hidden beneath the formal jacket was revealed.
Right in the center.
The Ghost logo was emblazoned clearly.
The staff members quickly stepped out of the camera’s view, as did Liu Vice Premier.
Their expressions seemed noticeably more at ease.
Wang Jian-guo stared straight ahead, muttering to himself.
‘Isn’t this a subtle coup d’état?’
Meanwhile, the broadcast director signaled him to read the apology statement on the holographic prompter.
Wang Jian-guo forced his twisted lips to move.
“R-recently, the unfortunate incident between our two nations….”
* * *
Chiko Island 2nd Floor Living Room.
I stared at the hologram news, rendered speechless.
Just moments before.
The Chinese President was supposed to offer a direct apology.
But then someone had burst in and stripped off his formal jacket in an absurd spectacle.
“What exactly did I just witness?”
My gaze remained fixed on the hologram news.
『Wang Jian-guo President Offers Official Apology for Chiko Island Incident』
The news caption was perfectly normal.
But the President Wang displayed above it was anything but normal.
On the chest of the t-shirt-clad President Wang, the Ghost logo that Isto had created was starkly visible.
No.
“…Why is he wearing that?”
In that moment of utter confusion.
I glanced sideways.
I looked at Isto.
Coin effect explosions were bursting like fireworks in the creature’s LED eyes as it gazed at the laptop.
Then it all came back to me—what Isto had said to President Wang.
「If you had any conscience, you should have at least bought clothes with the Ghost mascot printed on them.」
Good grief.
I rubbed my temples.
I wondered why it had said something so random back then.
“You actually strong-armed him into buying it?”
-Huh?
Isto poked its head up slightly.
I looked again at President Wang’s chest in the hologram news.
But then.
When people are cornered, hierarchy and all that means nothing.
I looked at Isto again.
Come to think of it, everything that creature does while acting foolish feels like a calculated strategy.
Moreover.
Looking at those LED eyes, it seemed this time it had pulled off something quite masterful.
Isto puffed out its chest without reason.
-A sincere apology cannot be complete without merchandise. Ehehehe.
“That’s the most nonsensical thing I’ve ever heard!”
I swallowed a hollow laugh.
In the hologram, President Wang continued reading the apology statement with a twisted expression.
Moments later.
Another caption scrolled across the bottom of the hologram.
『Chiko Island Damage Compensation and Korean Government Settlement Payment Completed』
A caption noting this as the fastest action in Chinese history flashed past in an instant.
Only then did I lean back against the sofa.
Hmm….
“Hyun Se-hee must have finally caught her breath.”
Having established merit on Chiko Island and received compensation, I had felt unnecessarily apologetic toward her because of the Chinese Government’s interference.
But then again.
A message that seemed desperate kept repeating at the bottom of the hologram.
『South Korea Government Requests Ghost Refrain from Further Action』
『Ghost Official Response: None』
Puffff….
Bom-i puffed out her cheeks.
Master.
-If you keep showing me this repeatedly, it’ll get imprinted in my memory, ribbit.
“That’s probably because we haven’t responded.”
-…?
“They’re asking us not to fire meteors.”
-Ah! Is that what it is, ribbit.
Then Isto poked his head out from the laptop.
-So if I call Roundy and answer, would that work?
“Don’t do that.”
-Huh?
Watching Isto tilt his head in confusion, I thought for a moment.
‘Responding immediately after seeing that would just look uncouth.’
Besides, nations around the world were probably searching for Meteor’s location.
Or rather.
They might have already found it.
Well….
I wasn’t worried about interception though.
Satellite or not, that one is a Super Intelligence robot after all.
I’ve seen how thoroughly it hides its arms and thrusters.
So there’s no problem.
Anyway, setting aside the headache-inducing matters.
“Shall we head to the Yantai Abyss soon?”
At those words, Bom-i blinked her round eyes.
-Are we going in right away, ribbit?
“Yeah.”
I’ve already achieved my immediate objective.
More than anything.
“I need to go collect points.”
-Points are great, ribbit!
That’s a good point, ribbit!
Puff.
Bom-i puffed out her cheeks in delight.
She was probably anticipating an upgrade to the transport ship.
But my true intentions lay elsewhere.
‘I was curious how much stronger I’d become.’
Having entrusted everything to Isto, I recalled the days when I’d repaired the Android back in the Garage.
Well….
That wasn’t so bad either.
But as I leveled up and grew more confident, I couldn’t help wanting to gauge my actual strength.
I immediately pulled up my main status window.
[Main]
Rank: E-Rank Lv.77
Experience: 7804 / 7884
Stats: Mana Affinity 222, Mechanical Knowledge 250, Crafting Power 240, Mana Circuit 245
Available Stat Points: 116
Compared to how loudly the experience notifications had been last time.
‘It seems my rank has only risen slightly.’
Though to be fair, I’ve only descended ten layers of the Abyss so far.
Just then, Isto clenched his fist and held it up.
-That’s the perfect start, ribbit!
“…Start?”
Hawkeye, Isto’s dedicated interpreter, tightened his scope and interjected.
-Iron-head, you weren’t trying to say the timing was good, were you?
-That’s exactly what I said!
The audacity was beyond reason.
As I and Bom-i stared at Isto in bewilderment, he continued as if to prove his point.
-Now that your status has risen, we should enter and boost your stock price—no, Ghost merchandise… I mean, your value will skyrocket!
The mentality of striking while the iron is hot.
I thought to myself.
‘So your world conquest was just a merchandise business?’
Sigh.
I exhaled deeply, retrieved my equipment from the Garage, equipped it, and opened the system window I’d been keeping folded away.
『Sudden Quest』
◈ Clear Abyss Layer 1 in Another Dimension
Reward: +20 Points per Demonic Beast
Accept / Decline
“Accept.”
[A Dimensional Ticket is required.]
Doo-ho retrieved a ticket from the Garage.
[Dimensional Ticket confirmed.]
[Please specify which Abyss you wish to enter.]
Ah!
‘So that’s how you use it.’
“Yantai Abyss.”
[Approval complete.]
[Remaining entry attempts: 2]
Whoosh.
As light gathered and the gate opened, Doo-ho stepped through without hesitation.
* * *
Soft earth beneath my feet.
Grass blades brushing against my ankles.
Wind seeping through the towering trees that blotted out the sky.
I surveyed my surroundings.
‘Back then, I was too terrified to think straight.’
Perhaps it was because I’d witnessed so many absurdly powerful demonic beasts since then.
Now, fear no longer gripped me.
No.
The real reason was their presence by my side.
Bom-i leaped out of the Garage and bounded onto my shoulder.
Master!
-To the left…
I quickly cut off Bom-i’s words.
“No, I’m not choosing that route this time.”
-Ribbit, ribbit?
“I don’t want to introduce unnecessary variables.”
The moment I finished speaking, a Quest window appeared.
『Quest』
◈ Abyss Layer 1 Clear Conditions
-Exterminate 2,000 Ratkin (0/2000)
-Annihilate Queen Ratkin (0/1)
Reward: +20 Points per creature
※No experience gained
Start / Forfeit
Hmm….
The numbers are doubled?
‘This is practically a pure point bonus stage.’
The fact that such a thought crossed my mind was honestly surprising for Doo-ho.
Just then, Isto walked out from the Garage, equipped with knuckles.
-Master Doo-ho, I’ll sweep them all away!
“No, no.”
-Sir?
“Like I said, I’ll give it a try this time.”
Isto’s LED eyes began to flicker anxiously.
-You’re going alone, sir?
“Yeah.”
-Ah….
“Come on, don’t be like that. I’ll do it myself.”
Knowing Doo-ho would be stubborn about it anyway, Hawkeye had already turned invisible and climbed up into the trees.
-I’ll provide cover, Mechromancer.
“…Alright. I’m counting on you.”
If I even blocked their support.
‘They’d both sweep everything clean the moment we started.’
Then a sluggish voice echoed.
-Master. Will you be using the Void Frequency?
“No, I’m doing this alone.”
-You’re being troublesome doing it directly.
“….”
Hmm.
Talking with this one is getting slightly irritating.
Whoosh.
I wrapped my face with Soulbot to create a mask.
-Why are you covering your face, ribbit?
“Just in case I get hurt.”
A large-scale extermination attempt for the first time.
Variables like Ratkin claws and such might occur.
‘Safety first.’
I began the Quest and turned to look at Isto.
“Remember that sound you made imitating the Ratkin before? Could you do it again?”
Oh!
-Understood, sir.
Isto stretched his neck out long, just as he had done then.
Keeeeek—!! Chiiik!! Squeek squeek!
He mimicked the Ratkin’s voice.
‘It’s still amazing to hear it again.’
I lowered Bom-i onto Isto’s head.
Then Isto shifted Bom-i toward his back and spoke.
-They’re coming now.
The moment he finished speaking, sporadic cries began echoing from deeper within the Forest.
Soon, the thunderous sound of footsteps and the cries of Ratkin filled the air.
Isto tapped the band wrapped around his head with his fingertip.
The mana circuit camera mounted at the center of the band turned toward my back.
Then, Cop’s urgent voice came through the camera feed.
-B-boss. Are you really sure about letting it go like this?
Isto’s LED eyes narrowed slightly.
-What are you talking about?
-No, that number….
Cop’s alarm was understandable.
An enormous swarm of Ratkin was already surging through the Forest.
Some running across the ground.
Some climbing over the trees.
Some leaping from between branches with their bodies low.
And mixed among them were massive Kings Ratkin with silver-white fur.
Isto raised his chin slightly.
-Watch closely. Weaklings like that are no match for my master!
Despite his confident tone, Isto’s LED eyes began to flicker increasingly.
Watching the Ratkin draw ever closer, he seemed anxious.
Just as Isto clenched his fists and moved to step forward, Bom-i’s voice rang out.
-Iron-man, believe in your master, ribbit.
In that instant.
Dozens of Ratkin poured toward me.
I heightened my concentration.
Whoosh.
Golden Soulbot flowed out and transformed into dozens of long blades.
The blades floated in a circle around me.
I swept my hand to the side.
Shwaaaack!
Dozens of golden blades sliced across the Forest simultaneously.
The front ranks of the Ratkin horde were cleaved in two.
Crunch, crackle!
Splinter, snap!
Massive trees severed by the blades toppled, tangling with Ratkin corpses as they fell.
Boom!
Boom, boom!
[Pop pop pop pop pop pop…]
System Messages cascaded down.
My chest felt like it would burst.
“…What?”
I, I can do this too?
The overlapping notifications finally detonated.
[You have obtained Points]
“Insane!”
From that moment of exultation.
Lost in ecstasy, I surged forward with my Soul Bot, unleashing a tempest of blades.
Trees, brush, Ratkin hordes—everything was swept up by the golden onslaught and scattered across the ground.
[Pop pop pop pop pop….]
[You have obtained Points]
Notifications piled endlessly.
Hawkeye’s footsteps quickened as she pursued me from the treetops.
-Such remarkable growth.
Isto, following in my wake, was equally bewildered.
-What, what is this? Divine possession?
Then Bom-i, clinging to Isto’s back, spoke.
-That’s what we call being possessed by the gods, ribbit.
-That’s the same thing!
-Ribbit, ribbit?
Then my voice rang out.
‘Hawkeye.’
-Yes, Mechromancer.
‘Tell me the location of the Queen Ratkin.’
-Perhaps you should rest for a moment.
‘No, I’m pushing through like this.’
-….
Hawkeye immediately checked the monster detection device.
-You can continue straight ahead. However, the number of Ratkin in that direction is far too many….
Before she could finish.
Crash—!
Beneath Doo-ho’s feet, golden Soul Bots clustered and detonated.
The recoil sent his body soaring higher than the forest canopy.
Doo-ho immediately surveyed the woodland below.
Hawkeye gazed up at him from beneath.
Her scope narrowed with precision.
-Could it be…?
‘You fired arrows right after you leaped up before, didn’t you?’
The moment Doo-ho’s thought crystallized.
Sssssssss.
The golden Soul Bots dispersed in the air split into dozens of razor-thin spears.
Their tips all pointed downward in unison.
The next instant.
Shrieeeek!
Golden light cascaded down into the forest.
Thunk! Thunk-thunk! Thunk!
Screech. Screech…
[Pop-pop-pop-pop…]
The death cries of dozens of Ratkin scattered throughout the forest mingled with the system point notification chimes.
And then…
[Settlement points have exceeded the threshold]
[Hidden reward granted]
“…A hidden reward?”
Before Doo-ho, who had landed on the ground.
Thud.
An old box materialized on the earth.
As Doo-ho stepped back, the Super Intelligence units rushed forward in a cluster.
-Eek!
Isto’s LED eyes trembled violently.
No matter how I looked at it, the box was identical to the five wooden boxes I’d retrieved from that dungeon in the Snowy Plain before.
Back then, four out of those five boxes were mimics!
Master!
-That thing is definitely a mimic, sir!
Hawkeye chimed in as well.
-As someone with terrible luck, I’ll pass.
An Echo Metal arrow was already nocked in her hand. The moment it was confirmed as a mimic, she’d finish it with a barrage.
Hop.
Bom-i leaped atop the box.
-Then I’ll open it, ribbit.
-You’ll get swallowed, ribbit!
-Get down here, Bom.
Watching those fools make a fuss, the exhilaration I’d felt moments ago evaporated in an instant.
Sigh.
I exhaled deeply and spoke.
Listen.
“This is a reward from the system—how could it possibly be a mimic?”
Creak.
With that question, I immediately opened the box.
Inside lay a single flat panel.
When I picked it up, the outer surface was transparent, and the interior was filled with something resembling dried sand.
“This is the reward?”
Looking at them, they seemed equally clueless.
Could it be.
Was this sand inside actually something special?
Then Meteor’s sluggish voice echoed in my mind.
-It looks like a blueprint panel, sir.
“This is… a blueprint?”
-Yes, sir.
What makes you say that?
Meteor continued.
-Master, if you flip it and shake it three times, the contents should appear.
Isto’s LED eyes widened noticeably.
-Floater, you knew about something like this?
-I picked it up while drifting around and observing various things.
Quite the carefree anecdote.
I flipped the panel and shook it as instructed.
Whisper.
The sound of sand shifting inside.
‘I kind of want to keep shaking it.’
The scraping sound was oddly addictive.
In any case, when I flipped it over.
Oh….
Whisper whisper….
Sand poured out from the transparent section, gradually taking shape.
I furrowed my brow and asked.
Meteor.
“This doesn’t look like a blueprint to me.”
-Why is that, sir?
My question was justified.
Thin lines formed from the sand that had poured out of the panel, and as layered circuits generated, an elongated capsule-like form took shape.
“This is a mockup.”
-What kind of blueprint are you envisioning, Master?
“A technical document with numerical data for manufacturing, naturally.”
I answered by the book, and Meteor let out a sigh-like sound.
Shiiiii….
-That would be an Earth-style blueprint, wouldn’t it.
Ah….
When put that way, I had nothing to say.
I immediately conceded and tried to place the blueprint(?) into the Garage.
I could examine it later anyway.
‘First, I need to finish organizing this place.’
That was certainly my intention.
But the moment the capsule touched my hand.
The sensation transmitted through my fingertips felt closer to metal and glass than sand.
And….
I stood before the capsule.
Or rather, my mind perceived it that way.
Whirrr─.
As I opened the capsule and stepped inside, my form was scanned and lifted away.
Then.
My lifted form scattered and was sucked into a different world, and my consciousness was pulled along with it.
And there, an incalculable diversity of races laughed, chattered, and reveled in their own pursuits.
-Master…
-Mansir!
Master Doo-ho!!
Only then did I regain my senses.
“That startled me.”
-Why are you standing there like an idiot, you fool!
Isto’s LED eyes trembled anxiously.
I calmed my excitement and spoke.
This capsule’s technology.
“If used properly, we can access the dive world without needing a dive port.”
I Became a Mechromancer
Author |
Keongang E
Published |
February 25, 2026
Publisher |
Talesyx
Website |
https://talesyx.com
Email|
[email protected]
ⓒ Gungang e, 2026
This publication is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced or copied without authorization.
UCI|
G720:N+A277-20260210015.0116
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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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