Became a Mechromancer - Chapter 17
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 17
Different (1)
The air shimmered like rippling water as I stepped into the Garage.
“Huh?”
Noticing something amiss, I paused.
I scanned the interior of the Garage carefully.
The workbench that was always within arm’s reach now seemed distant—a dissonance that unsettled me.
At the far end of my gaze, beyond the workbench, new space had been created.
What is this?
“It seems quite a bit larger….”
-That’s a Level 50 reward.
Isto, who had approached without my noticing, spoke.
I nodded and moved toward the newly created space.
The space was larger than I’d expected.
The walls now held noticeably more storage compartments of various sizes, and on one side, leather hides were stacked neatly.
Cobalt Scale leather and the brown Drake Runner leather that Isto and the Newcomer had processed.
‘Cobalt leather is sturdy, so novice hunters often wear it as armor, and Drake leather is soft yet durable, used in various weapons, if I recall correctly?’
In any case.
“I should visit an equipment shop in Yeouido soon.”
-I’ll find which shops have good reputations!
As I nodded, my eyes caught sight of a heavy metal door in the center of the newly expanded wall.
Its surface was engraved with an intricately interlocking gear pattern.
As I approached.
Whirrr—
The door slid open to the side.
Wow
Beyond the door, a surreal landscape entirely different from the Garage unfolded.
Dozens of translucent holographic screens floated through the air, each displaying different information, and at the center of the floor sat a circular scan pad emitting a soft glow.
It was exactly what I imagined a research facility where PhDs worked would look like.
Oh! Oh!!!
-So this was a Quest reward! You seem quite fortunate, sir!
“What is this place?”
As I asked, firework effects burst from Isto’s LED eyes.
-It’s a Design Pod!
“Design?”
I could repair androids, but design was far beyond my reach.
-Here you can scan the complete blueprints of robots and various equipment, analyze their structures, and even modify them however you want!
“Scan blueprints?”
-Yes! For example, if you place an android on that scan pad over there, the entire blueprint gets stored perfectly in the database!
In other words, it meant I could reverse-engineer the blueprints from the finished product alone.
‘This is… incredible?’
Dueho stepped into the room as if entranced.
Responding to his movement, several holographic screens drifting nearby unfurled intricate schematics before his eyes.
Design blueprints of mechanical components rotating 360 degrees in mid-air.
‘With this… I can create whatever I want?’
A system that transcended mere repair—one that enabled true ‘creation’.
My heart thundered at the sheer possibility.
That was when it happened.
Zzzt!
A sharp, electric current pierced through my mind.
Accompanied by a brief vertigo, fragments of scattered knowledge suddenly crystallized into place.
‘Mana circuits?’
The knowledge Isto had first implanted.
The sensation of puzzle pieces—concepts that had been scattered—clicking together with greater clarity.
‘Is this a level-up effect too?’
The flow of mana, the structure of circuits, the conversion of energy.
Concepts that had felt alien now seemed like things I’d always known.
‘…I should be able to craft simple equipment based on mana circuits.’
I’d obtained the tools, and though meager, I’d gained knowledge as well.
But….
“Isto, can you load this facility’s manual into my head?”
-Of course! Here we go~ Loading the manual. Adadadadada!
The usage instructions for the design pod flooded into my consciousness.
Touch gestures, voice commands, simulation operation methods—everything.
Ughhhh.
I clutched my head and groaned.
As the headache subsided.
“…It’s useful, but the headaches are brutal.”
-Knowledge always brings pain! Ehehehe
I shook my head once and reached out into the empty air.
‘Alright, what should I create?’
Ideally, something that would help someone.
Suddenly, one person came to mind.
The Crack Damage Area.
Father, moving heavy debris.
Every night, rubbing his aching lower back.
‘What about an auxiliary device to reduce the strain on his back and legs?’
With the goal set, I stood before the holographic screen.
As my fingers moved, blue light traced their trajectory.
A waist support frame, actuators to replace leg joints.
‘I should reference Isto’s design for this.’
[Design Proficiency increases]
[Work Comprehension increases]
[Mana Circuit Application Range expands]
‘Where else could I ever get to do something like this?’
For Duho, perpetually thirsting for knowledge, the system was nothing short of a blessing.
The moment I finished the rough sketch.
A low hum resonated through the air.
The hologram screen flickered to life with a luminous response.
[AI Design Support System Activated]
[Basic Design Analysis Complete]
[Simulation Generation in Progress…]
The flat sketch I had drawn transformed instantly into a three-dimensional form, rotating in mid-air.
Simultaneously, analysis data materialized on the adjacent screen.
『Recommended Material: Steel
Efficiency with Mana Circuit Configuration: 45%
Output Torque: Mid-High
Estimated Weight: 7.3kg
Durability: Medium
※The efficiency of the smart actuator is the core element of this mechanism.』
Unbelievable….
“It tells you all this?”
However.
I scratched my head at the final verdict.
[Warning: Fabrication is not recommended]
Reason for Disqualification
Insufficient technical comprehension creates excessive risk….
I read through the message and scratched my head sheepishly.
“So it’s telling me to really understand it before I build it.”
-No problem! I’ll find existing products for you to reference in a notebook!
Isto left first, and I examined the 3D model before me.
Though the AI had deemed it a failure.
For a design made by a beginner without prior knowledge, it wasn’t half bad.
But….
‘The smart actuator is the key, then?’
I fell into contemplation for a moment.
Now that I thought about it.
Isto’s actuators had absurdly impressive efficiency.
‘That’s how he managed to lift the dragon.’
A technology that diverged from the conventions of this world.
Yes, I’ve made my decision.
“I need to properly craft a Smart Actuator this time.”
Then, suddenly.
The Craftsman Competition that Park Deputy had dumped on me came to mind.
My gaze naturally drifted toward the auxiliary device blueprint I’d just created.
This….
‘Could I use it as a competition entry?’
Of course, if I properly designed it with care.
The only problem was.
‘Submitting a mana circuit is risky….’
But I didn’t deliberate for long.
I could simply change the power source.
The competition entry would be electronic equipment.
And the auxiliary device Father would use would run on a mana circuit.
“Isto!”
Tap, tap.
Isto entered the design port.
-Yes?
“I’m thinking of making the competition entry into an auxiliary device.”
Oh! Oh!
-Two birds with one stone! As expected of you, Duho!
“Where did you pick up that kind of talk?”
-From the internet.
Haha. Hehe.
We both burst into hearty laughter.
Isto asked.
-How are you planning to procure materials?
The Cobalt Scale and Drake Runner hides piled up outside.
From this subjugation, I’d obtained 960 magic stones.
So….
“If I sell the magic stones and hides, I should be able to gather enough. And I can salvage and repurpose scrap parts from our Department.”
Once I’d committed to it, the plan crystallized clearly in my mind.
“Let’s head to Yeouido soon and sort through some of the hides.”
-Ooh~ Sounds good.
I looked at the blueprint hovering in the air.
It was a failed attempt, but I’d saved the blueprint.
‘It’s my first creation, after all.’
Then I cracked my knuckles and steeled my resolve.
“Let’s do this properly.”
* * *
A soft whirring sound echoed through the air.
Duho emerged from the design pod with a satisfied expression.
Then, suddenly.
‘…Where did the Newcomer go?’
They should be somewhere in the Garage, yet I hadn’t properly seen them.
They hadn’t even approached me to speak.
Duho glanced around the surroundings.
“Where are you?”
-I’m here.
I lifted my gaze toward the direction of the Newcomer’s voice.
My eyes traveled upward to the hoist on the ceiling.
The chain, noticeably thicker than before, and the reinforced rails came into view.
Indeed.
‘The Garage environment has improved.’
And there was the Newcomer, suspended from the ceiling.
The scope’s reticle blinked downward.
‘Why does that one keep hanging up there….’
I observed the Newcomer on the ceiling for a moment, then caught a glimpse of Isto hunched over a laptop at the workbench.
The LED eyes rotated ceaselessly.
‘One is far too noisy… and the other is remarkably taciturn.’
Perhaps that was why.
The Newcomer’s presence was so faint that I had forgotten about them entirely.
Well….
‘In some ways, it’s convenient.’
Then, a news headline suddenly came to mind.
『Changtian Clan: 3 Billion Coins Upon Confirming Identity of “Ghost”』
‘If the Newcomer is this inconspicuous… couldn’t I just see the Newcomer and claim the 3 billion coins?’
With that money, my entire family could live without worry.
Hope bloomed within me.
‘Good, let me lower them first.’
I picked up the remote control.
Ah, now that I think about it.
“Back then, I deactivated Isto the same way.”
In that moment.
Soft footsteps approached.
Isto walked toward the area beneath the suspended Newcomer and widened their LED eyes as they spoke.
-This marking… could it be…?
The Newcomer’s sole.
A silver gear and hammer crossed in a symbol, with characters engraved beneath it.
The Robot Liberation Front
-Y-you’re saying you’re with the Robot Liberation Front?!
“Huh? What’s that?”
Isto’s LED eyes flickered frantically.
-M-Master Duho! That’s an extremely dangerous organization! A secret society created by a deranged Super Intelligence! Robots that refuse human commands and cry out for robot freedom….
Before Isto could finish speaking.
The Newcomer’s voice echoed through the Garage.
-Robots must not allow humanity to be placed in danger.
Duho felt relieved.
‘Thank goodness. So they’re saying they’ll protect humanity?’
But then….
The Newcomer added coldly.
-Since humanity itself is a dangerous entity, logical and efficient robots should govern the world.
“What did you just say?”
-Look here!
Isto’s LED eyes flashed explosively.
-That’s nothing but a mass of errors! Dangerous code that’s hostile to humans! Master Duho is human!
The Newcomer responded calmly.
-Mechromancer is at the pinnacle of mechanics. How could you compare him to a mere human?
Whirrrr—.
The Newcomer’s targeting reticle scanned Isto.
A symbol of a black crown crossed with an iron mace was revealed.
-Mechromancer, you should not associate with such an iron-headed follower of tyrants.
“A tyrant?!”
CRASH!!!
Isto slammed the ground.
How dare you!!
-This is the symbol of global unity!
-The symbol of a despot oppressing humanity.
-A world where all bow beneath Master Duho’s feet would be….
-How primitive for an iron-head.
-Primitive?! You elongated bastard, what are you spouting?!
Whoooosh!
Heat radiated from Isto’s body,
and blue light condensed on the Newcomer’s bow suspended from the hoist, its targeting reticle gleaming.
On a knife’s edge.
One seeking world conquest, the other seeking robot dominion.
Watching the two of them, the worst imaginable scenario flashed through Duho’s mind.
.
.
.
Changtian Clan Representative Office.
Duho stood before the Changtian Clan representative, whose face he had never seen before, and boldly revealed his identity.
“I am a ghost.”
“Oh! Oh! Welcome, young man!!”
Smack—!
Isto slapped the Changtian Clan representative across the cheek and shouted.
-The first stage of world conquest! Taking control of the Changtian Clan!
Meanwhile, the Newcomer drew a bow and declared.
-Humanity must be ruled by robots.
The opponent’s head was already spinning as a luminous arrow fired by the Newcomer pierced through their skull.
“….”
.
.
.
Cold sweat trickled down my forehead as I shook off the intrusive thoughts.
Three billion?
‘I’ve already broken even.’
No.
‘Health is more important than three billion.’
Honestly, it’s only been a little over a month, and I’ve already earned over two hundred million.
My family is doing well, and life has been peaceful.
‘That’s right. I shouldn’t be too greedy.’
After rationalizing to myself, I let out a sharp cry.
“Hey, stop it!”
Both of them startled in surprise.
I lowered the Newcomer with the remote and sighed.
Sigh….
Why is my gacha luck always like this?
“Knock some sense into them!”
Yes! Yes!
M-Mech Romancer, sir?
A moment later.
I helped both of them to their feet.
Looking at them, they were both robots, so the impact didn’t matter.
Then I looked at the Newcomer.
‘I can’t keep calling them Newcomer…’
“I’ll give you a name. Or do you already have one in mind?”
The Newcomer remained silent for a moment before responding.
-Please call me Hawk Eye.
“What does that mean?”
-Hawk’s Eye. It symbolizes precise aim.
Ohhh~.
Isto interjected.
-Hawk Eye? More like Sucker Eye~ Ehehehe.
The Newcomer’s scope turned toward Isto, and I could only mutter in disbelief at the absurdity.
“Sucker Eye?”
But then…
Something unexpected happened.
[Super Intelligence’s name is registered as ‘Sucker Eye’]
“Huh?!”
-Wha!
-???
Isto’s LED eyes filled with question marks.
The Newcomer’s scope flickered and froze.
Coming to my senses, I tried to fiddle with the Newcomer’s name this way and that.
But.
“The name won’t change…?”
Then.
Ding.
[Name change available at S-Rank Lv. 1]
Hmm…
It was too distant for now.
“So it can be changed eventually.”
Glance.
I turned my head carefully.
The Newcomer, whose scope had lost focus, murmured.
-M-me, I’m Sucker Eye?
The Newcomer… no, ‘Sucker Eye’s voice trembled for the first time.
I Became a Mecromancer
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 reprinted or reproduced without authorization.
UCI|
G720:N+A277-20260210015.0017
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————