Became a Mechromancer - Chapter 72

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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 72.
How Many Layers? (9)
Upon stepping into the Garage, something immediately seized Duho’s attention with magnetic intensity.
On the workbench.
A box positioned as if proclaiming, “I am your reward!”
It was the Main Quest reward from moments ago—the “Legacy of the Forgotten Technician.”
Looking closer, the surface bore a gear pattern similar to the old nanobot box, yet the craftsmanship was far more refined.
However.
“Why is it so small?”
One-third the size of the previous box.
Duho tilted his head in puzzlement.
Aha!
“A new item!”
Brimming with anticipation, I opened the box.
Click.
“Gold… dust?”
Inside the box.
A small quantity of golden dust shimmered.
Disappointment washed over me compared to the effort expended.
Moreover, like nanobots, the quantity was meager.
“This is rather underwhelming.”
Meanwhile, Isto’s LED eyes grew progressively wider with exclamation marks.
Ooh, oh!
-I never expected this to appear?!
The android’s exuberance.
A genuinely astonished reaction.
“What is this?”
Nano, nano.
-It’s a Nano Core! Hehehehe~~.
At Isto’s cheerful antics, Duho broke into a hearty laugh.
MBTI power E—Isto.
No wonder his energy was always sky-high.
In any case.
“So this really is a nanobot after all.”
Isto continued speaking.
-If nanobots are mere hands and feet, this is the brain!
The brain?
Duho’s eyes widened.
“Then, it has intelligence?”
Huh?
-…That’s what I mean. Um….
Unable to grasp the concept, Isto’s LED eyes spun in circles.
Hawkeye stepped forward, unable to watch any longer.
-The Nano Core is a medium that injects a Mechromancer’s will into machinery.
“My will?”
-Yes. However, that’s only when the Nano Core’s grade rises dramatically.
Boing!
Bom-i leaped onto Duho’s back and joined the conversation.
-Actually, control is difficult with just the Nano Core, ribbit! That’s why it’s ideal for the Nano Core—which acts as the head like Iron said—to connect with Nanobots that function as limbs and hands, ribbit!
After hearing the explanation, Duho reached out and touched the golden dust.
‘Just like before, a System Message should appear if I do this, right?’
As expected.

[Will you bind the Nano Core?]
Accept / Decline
“Accept.”
Whoosh—.
Along with the brief answer, the golden dust is absorbed into my palm.
After clenching and unclenching my fist, just as I was about to draw power the way I normally controlled Nanobots, a new window appeared.

[Synchronization Target Detected]
Nanobot Lv.7 ↔ Nano Core Lv.1

[Would you like to integrate the two entities?]
Level adjustment is unavoidable.
Refusal results in Nano Core annihilation.
Accept / Refuse
My eyes swept rapidly across the system message.
Hmm….
‘Does this mean my level will drop?’
Displeased by the unwelcome prospect, I exhaled slowly. Hawkeye spoke up quickly.
-Your numerical level will decrease. However, most of your existing functions will remain operational.
That word “most” in Hawkeye’s explanation bothered me.
It meant I’d be losing something.
‘Then wouldn’t my original state be better?’
Hawkeye had mentioned something about the Macromancer’s will, but I couldn’t use that right now anyway.
Noticing my hesitation, Hawkeye revealed enticing information.
-There is a function you gain when merging the two entities.
“…What kind?”
-You’ll be able to convert residual electrical signals from machinery into mana circuits.
My eyes widened.
Wait.
That’s actually not bad.
No, it could be quite useful.
I could manipulate simple machinery in the Abyss Rift!
So I asked.
“So my smartwatch would work too?”
-Correct.
As my face brightened, Hawkeye continued in a cautious tone.
-…However, that also requires your level to increase before you can handle more complex devices.
Hmm….
Everything came down to leveling up.
Bom-i interjected on Hawkeye’s behalf.
Master.
-Leveling up with just a Nano Core alone is ridiculously difficult, ribbit. But if you merge with an already-trained nanobot, your efficiency will improve much faster, ribbit.
With Bom-i cheering from the side, my resolve kept wavering.
Hmm, a machine’s will….
I recalled when Isto was first summoned.
「’A Macromancer’ is a being that breathes life into broken machines.」
Perhaps….
‘Is someone deliberately guiding me down the Macromancer’s tech tree?’
That suspicion flickered for a moment, but I quickly dismissed the paranoia.
And.
I envision the Android legions following me into the Abyss.
An inexplicable flutter of anticipation.
‘There’s no way around the nerf.’
One step back for every step forward!
“Accepted.”
[Fusion is commencing.]
Whirrrrr.
The system window’s gauge fills slowly. Everyone’s eyes remain fixed on it.
And then.
[Fusion Complete]
[Precision Control ability increases]
[Name has changed.]
Soul Bot Lv.2
They’re making a fuss behind me, and I can’t help but chuckle at their excitement.
I examine the changed name and level.
‘Let’s look at this positively.’
Besides, my Precision Control ability has risen, hasn’t it?
The moment I steel myself with that thought.
The mana circuit knowledge engraved in my mind begins to shift.
Ughhhh.
A headache crashes down on me for the first time in ages.
With each reorganization of knowledge, my pupils tremble rapidly.
My understanding of mana circuits deepens far beyond what it was before.
This is….
‘It’s not just a simple balance nerf—it feels like a complete restructuring.’
* * *
How much time has passed?
Shhhhh.
With the headache gone, I exhale a long breath.
Concerned, they stare at me intently.
“I’m fine, don’t worry.”
Only then do they relax.
Gathering myself, I extend my hand.
Sssss.
Unlike before, a weighty force concentrates at my fingertips, and silver dust flows out.
What is this?
“It’s still silver, just like before?”
-You’ll understand if you try injecting mana!
Whoooosh.
Following Isto’s advice, I channel mana through the Soul Bot. The sensation of a Core—a clear intermediary between the nanobots and myself—settles distinctly into place.
‘So it has fused.’
I decided to test this new ability, accepting the nerfs that came with it.
I reached out my hand again.
Soulbot extended its length and grasped the broken Android leg part I’d left in the corner of the shelf, bringing it to me.
Whoosh─.
Apart from the awkward sensation, the power had definitely increased.
Ah!
That’s when I finally understood what this strange feeling was.
Like replacing a well-tuned standard engine with a turbocharged engine that hasn’t been broken in yet.
That’s exactly what my current state felt like.
I extended Soulbot again, wrapping it around the Android’s surface.
Whoosh!
Some of the circuits inside the Android appeared in my mind.
‘What is this? I already know all of this normally….’
That’s when I let out a hollow laugh.
Because some of the circuits were beginning to be overlaid and substituted with the form of actual mana circuits.
‘I don’t really understand the meaning of those mana circuits being inscribed right now.’
“But you seem to understand anyway, don’t you?”
What do I mean?
Since they’re being substituted, if you know the function of one side well, you’ll come to understand it.
In short, it’s the Production-type special trait!
Though if I had to compare it to a translator, it’s like doing a literal translation instead of a free translation.
Soon I inscribed the mana mark and retrieved Soulbot.
I let mana flow toward the Android leg according to what came to mind.
That instant.
Flap flap flap! Flap!
The broken Android leg began to twitch like a living fish.
Ooooh! Kyiyooooot! Ribbit ribbit!
The creatures’ cheers erupted at my first success.
But.
I felt my mana draining away like water from a bottomless jar.
My vision was spinning.
And the more it drained, the more violently the broken Android leg thrashed!
-Oh no! Our Master’s getting drained dry!
Clang! Clatter!
Panicked, Hawkeye pulled out a steel arrow and smashed the Android leg.
That’s when it happened.
Master!
-Imagine cutting off the flowing mana, ribbit!
Bom-i, speaking directly into my ear.
Thanks to that, I severed the mana connection.
Only then did the Android’s legs stop moving.
Phew.
“I’m exhausted….”
Duho, whose cheeks had hollowed from the exertion, made his way to the shelf and drank a potion—a mid-tier one at that.
No matter how much it was my first attempt.
“This thing’s a mana-devouring monster.”
-It’s because your level is low, ribbit.
Bom-i said this while hopping down, muttering to herself.
My master is remarkable.
‘Normally it takes several attempts to succeed, yet he pulled it off on the first try, ribbit.’
After catching his breath, Duho began preparing to leave.
Though we’d entered a hidden quest with our roles reversed.
‘There’s no harm in preparing in advance, even if the quest content isn’t combat.’
That’s why I’d steadied my breathing and checked the rewards beforehand.
When Duho turned his head, Isto was peering at a notebook.
‘I wonder what he would’ve done without that notebook.’
Looking at it now, it felt quite different from the initial notebook.
He’d apparently modified it himself.
Duho raised and lowered his eyebrows, impressed at the fellow’s ingenuity.
“Isto, that’s enough now….”
Duho’s words trailed off as he called to him. And for good reason—Isto’s state was peculiar.
LED eyes shifting by the second.
He was doing a little shoulder dance, clearly delighted about something.
When Duho went around to look.
Tap tap tap, click.
Isto’s fingers danced across the keyboard.
『Welcome, Slave Number One』
“Slave?”
-Eh?! N-no, that’s not it! I’m a Protector!!
Isto covered the notebook monitor.
Hawkeye, who had been polishing steel arrows, burst out in anger.
You iron-headed fool!
-That’s what you call privacy!
-Right, Privacy!
-It seems Iron Guy has his stats distributed as Strength 9, Knowledge 1, ribbit.
Duho shook his head and spoke up.
“Isto, we need to go now.”
-Ah, understood!
As Duho stepped out of the Garage, he asked.
Hey, Isto, you trainee reporter.
“You didn’t post another weird article, did you?”
-Absolutely not! And I was unfairly fired.
Hmm….
That didn’t really seem like an unfair firing.
Right after they left the Garage.
Text appeared on the laptop screen.
『N… Yes?』
『Are you Ghost?』
『My name is Jacob.』
『Hey? Are you there?』
『Get me out of here!』
『Or at least separate me…please.』
『The demons are harassing me so much!』
* * *
Duho’s group emerged from the Garage.
The Corridor stretching before them was vast and endless.
A ceiling and width impossible to gauge.
Duho unfolded a minimap in his mind and surveyed the surroundings.
‘Fortunately, there don’t seem to be any demonic beasts.’
Hop.
Bom-i, who had been perched on Duho’s shoulder, leaped down.
Clang!
A transport ship emerged from the Garage.
-Master. Let’s go, ribbit.
Now Bom-i seemed to trust Isto and Hawkeye completely when it came to combat.
As if answering that trust, Isto raised the webbed gloves equipped on his arm.
Whoosh.
The webbed gloves transformed into a blade.
-I’ll slash anything blocking Duho’s path, sir! Hehehehe~~.
Watching Isto burn with enthusiasm, Duho shouted.
What are you talking about!
“Hidden Quests are supposed to be appeased!”
-Can’t we just appease it somehow?
That’s the thing.
‘Why is he raising a blade while saying that?!’
* * *
A quiet and massive hallway.
Perhaps that’s why.
Clang clang.
The transport ship’s quadrupedal footsteps echoed through the Corridor.
Duho’s group walked through the Corridor.
At the vanguard was the reckless Isto.
In the center were Duho and Bom-i, who had boarded the transport ship. And above, Hawkeye provided cover in a cloaked state.
The Trident God pattern on the wall looked like an arrow pointing inward.
That’s when Isto’s voice resonated in Duho’s mind.
-By the way, Duho.
‘Yeah. What is it?’
-How many layers down are you planning to go?
‘How far do you want to descend?’
-Well, that’s….
Just as Isto slowed his pace and hesitated, Hawkeye’s voice reached Duho’s mind.
Macromancer.
-Wouldn’t it be better to visit the next layer after taking a trip?
Duho let out a chuckle.
They really seem eager to take a trip.
“Alright. Let’s do that.”
The moment the words left his lips, the atmosphere shifted. Isto’s excited footsteps quickened their pace.
Not long after, the Corridor ended.
An open Chamber.
The transport ship’s main screen displayed an absurdly high ceiling.
Duho’s mouth hung half-open.
And when I gazed toward the center, I could understand why this place was so immense.
A giant middle-aged man sat upon a massive throne, bearing the appearance and garb of a deity from ancient Greek mythology.
‘Is that giant the Trident God?’
It was the Trident God, resting his chin on his hand upon the throne, who broke the silence.
“You have answered my summons?”
Whoooosh—!
In that instant, Duho’s body within the transport ship was crushed. His body reacted to the shockwave emanating from the Trident God’s presence.
‘What, what is this?!’
Meanwhile, the Super Intelligences felt no impact.
Even Bom-i didn’t.
The problem was.
The moment Isto sensed Duho’s fear, his LED eyes turned crimson red.
Tap, tap.
He began walking toward the throne.
‘Wait, Isto?’
-….
Isto walked forward in silence, ignoring Duho’s call.
The closer Isto drew to the Trident God, the smaller his frame appeared. A size difference so vast that he could be crushed like an insect beneath a palm.
Isto walked forward without hesitation.
Tap, tap, tap.
In the suffocating Chamber, only the sound of Isto’s footsteps echoed through the silence.
The Trident God watched from above with a puzzled expression.
Before long, Isto stood before the Trident God’s toes.
Just as Isto came to a halt.
Thwack!
Isto kicked the Trident God’s big toe.
“?!!!”
Ahhhhhhh!!
The Trident God sprang to his feet.
He grabbed his foot and hopped around frantically.
What… what kind of destructive power is this.
‘Stronger than Hercules?!’
I Became a Necromancer
Author |
Gungang E
Publication Date |
February 25, 2026
Publisher |
TalesYX
Website |
https://talesyx.com
Email |
[email protected]
ⓒ Gungang E, 2026
This publication is protected by copyright law and cannot be reproduced or transmitted without permission.
UCI |
G720:N+A277-20260210015.0072

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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
—————