Became a Mechromancer - Chapter 8

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

Chapter 8
Quest (2)
I examined the waist section of the android lying on the workbench.
Its outward appearance was indistinguishable from human.
Slip, slip—.
As I carefully peeled away the synthetic skin, a complex mechanical structure revealed itself beneath.
Crackle!
The Component Detection skill activated, and a hologram overlaid the android’s form. Red warning windows flashed at each damaged area, with part numbers and status information hovering in the air.
『No. LBJ-06, Waist Connection Damaged – Critical』
『No. LS-23, Left Servo Motor Overheated – Replacement Required』
『No. SC-44, Sensor Cable Severed – Replacement Required』
A sight like viewing a game interface.
I blinked and my vision returned to normal, then focused again and the diagnostic information appeared clearly.
Certainly….
‘This is incredible.’
It worked not only on Isto but on androids as well.
But my amazement was short-lived.
Looking at the information that appeared, I furrowed my brow.
“The damage is more severe than I expected.”
I pressed my palm to my forehead.
Sigh.
Park Gyu-tae, you incompetent fool.
‘If you don’t know how, leave it to me. Why did you have to touch it?’
Apparently, after sending me to Bundang, he’d hastily examined the hand and covered it up.
In short, he’d done a sloppy repair job and run a drive test, which had left the surrounding components in a mess.
Of course, I’d anticipated this situation to some degree.
“That’s why I brought these along.”
I opened the parts box I’d brought from the Department. Connection pieces, servo motors, and sensor cables were neatly organized inside.
I took out the best-condition LBJ-06 compatible component among them.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t a perfect match.
Why else would our department be called the ‘Machine Upcycling Division’?
“I can create something new with this.”
Of course, in a different way than before.
‘I’ll need to use metal manipulation.’
I gathered mana at my fingertips.
Combining six years of experience with the Mechromancer’s abilities, I steadily transformed the component.
At moments like these.
[Proficiency increases]
“What? It improves the more I use it?”
Then I’m satisfied.
Before long, the component was complete.
I gazed down at the part with contentment, then picked up the rotary tool.
Whirrr whiing—.
I engraved my initials, ‘LDH’, onto the edge of the component. It was a habit I always followed when refurbishing parts.
If I had to describe it.
It was a kind of craftsmanship.
“Then, shall I install it?”
That was when a sense of accomplishment swelled in my chest.
[You have gained experience]
[You have gained experience]
[Level Up!]
[You have gained experience]
Notifications erupted ceaselessly in my ears.
I couldn’t see what was happening outside the Garage, but the message window alone painted a vivid picture of Isto’s exploits.
This guy….
‘I hope he’s not overexerting himself.’
Worry crept in, but there was nothing else I could do.
So why had I brought the android out in the first place?
Part of it was to intimidate Park Gyu-tae, but it was also a test to see if I could balance hunter work with departmental duties going forward.
More than anything, I needed to hone my skills in the Garage so I could properly tune Isto’s components.
‘Eventually, I’ll have to maintain all the new Super Intelligence units that arrive.’
The scope of my vision kept expanding.
As if reading my thoughts, Isto’s voice reached me.
Oh~
-I shall redouble my efforts to honor your will, Master Doo-ho!
‘Don’t push yourself too hard!’
Before the words even finished.
[Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding…]
The system emitted a grotesque sound as if it were lagging. Apparently, dozens of Ratkin had been wiped out in a single sweep of Isto’s fist.
Sigh… honestly.
I couldn’t tell if he was obedient or defiant.
I shook my head and focused on the work.
“First, I’ll replace the cables….”
Click, snap—.
With practiced hands, I separated each damaged component one by one.
I remembered every screw, every cable with perfect precision.
Well….
Assembly is easy once disassembly is done correctly.
Assembly is just the reverse of disassembly, after all.
Click—.
As I fitted the new component into place, I muttered to myself.
Strange fellow, honestly.
“Yet somehow… I find myself trusting him?”
I finished the work and lifted my head.
The android’s greatly dilated pupils contracted and expanded in rhythmic cycles.
It meant normal operation was imminent.
Park Gyu-tae’s expression right now would be worth seeing.
…Was he tearing his hair out in frustration?
Or perhaps not.
“Did he run off claiming some urgent matter came up, just like I did?”
Of course, escape would be difficult.
‘I already tipped off Ham Bong-sik, the director of the Transportation Department, to come by this afternoon before heading here.’
The corners of my mouth lifted slightly.
Soon I’d return to the department with the android and witness Park Gyu-tae’s reaction—a pleasure I was anticipating.
[You have gained experience points]
[You have gained experience points]
[Level Up!]
The notification chime still echoed in my ears.
* * *
Whoosh! Crack!
Isto’s fist pierced through the swarm of Ratkin.
Dozens burst apart in a single blow, blood and flesh scattering in all directions.
There was no longer any need to hunt for Ratkin.
They were already falling for the provocation, swarming toward me of their own accord.
Screech! Squeak!
Dozens more rushed at me simultaneously.
At times like these…
Whirrr—.
Isto’s arm swept through a semicircle.
The Ratkin flew into the air, but by the time they hit the ground, they were already lifeless.
Hmm.
-Ten minutes already? Still plenty of time to spare.
As Isto turned his head, hundreds of Ratkin corpses lay scattered across the ground and tree branches.
Then, one Ratkin twitched.
It had been playing dead.
Isto pretended not to notice, though he did.
Dash—.
A single Ratkin bolted away at breakneck speed.
Isto watched its fleeing form with what seemed like interest.
Hmm….
-Let me have it guide us. Shall we follow along?
The Queens Ratkin should be there.
Tap, tap.
I followed at a leisurely pace.
With the cacophony of battle fading away, it felt like taking a stroll through a forest.
‘Isto?!’
-Doo-ho, what’s the matter?
‘The system suddenly went quiet.’
Ah!
-Open your status window.
‘Just a moment….’
Moments later, Doo-ho’s astonished gasp reached me.
Gasp…!
‘You’ve already subjugated 999 of them?’
-Yes. We’re heading to the Kings Ratkin now.
‘What?!’
-Oh! Don’t be too shocked. I’m Super Intelligence, after all.
Before long, the entrance to a massive cave came into view.
Grrrrr…!
The cry of a demonic beast echoed from within.
It seemed the fleeing Ratkin was being scolded.
Tap, tap.
Isto entered the cave without hesitation.
And soon, I spotted a Ratkin trembling before the enormous Kings Ratkin.
-Hmm. We found the right place.
The moment Isto picked up a stone from the ground, the Kings Ratkin’s axe descended toward the fleeing Ratkin.
Whoosh—Crack!!!
The stone Isto threw flew through the air, shattering the Ratkin’s head to pieces.
Simultaneously, a massive hole tore through the Kings Ratkin’s abdomen, and it crashed into the wall.
Phew.
-That was close to failing the Quest. Wait, thinking about it now, you were in danger too, Doo-ho.
Quest failure meant death, after all.
Tap, tap.
Isto stopped before the wall where the Kings Ratkin was embedded, and my LED eyes narrowed into thin lines.
Hmm….
-It knows how to camouflage itself quite well.
I immediately swung my fist with tremendous force.
Boom!!!
The cave shook as the wall collapsed.
And then….
Grrrrrrr!!!
Six Kings Ratkins surrounded the enormous Queens Ratkin as if encircling it.
-One, two, three… six of them. Quite impressive.
These creatures were far larger than the ones I’d witnessed in the Abyss Rift.
Isto picked up the magic stone from the fallen Kings Ratkin.
Crunch, crunch!
As I swallowed the magic stone like candy, an intense light erupted from my chest.
Mmm~
-Now then, shall we finish this?
As if understanding those words, one of them swung an enormous axe.
Crash-bang-bang!!!
The ground split open and sparks flew. But Isto had already sidestepped away.
-That level of attack falls well within my calculations.
Boom!
A counterattack punch pierced through the Kings Ratkin’s abdomen and exploded outward.
The remaining five surrounded me simultaneously, but it meant little.
Whirrrrr─
As I twisted my waist and swept my arm, flesh from the Kings Ratkins scattered through the air.
It was over in mere seconds.
Pad, pad, pad….
Isto advanced further inward.
Thud!
Before me stood the Queens Ratkin.
A colossal body easily exceeding three meters.
Several next-generation Queens Ratkins nursed at her sagging breast.
Kiiiieeek!!
As the Queens Ratkin shrieked, the entire cave trembled. Yet Isto remained unmoved.
Hmm….
-If I annihilate you, Abyss Layer 1 should disappear too… why would the system issue such a Quest?
Question marks appeared in succession across my LED eyes.
Tilting my head curiously, I picked up a small axe that lay on the ground.
Whirrrrr─.
The moment I drew back my arm to throw the axe.
Despair flashed across the Queens Ratkin’s enormous eyes.
Whoosh-crack!
The axe pierced through her head, and the queen’s cry ceased.
Silence.
Isto slowly surveyed the surroundings.
When nothing changed, an exclamation mark appeared on my LED display.
Aha!
-It seems Layer 1 is being maintained because you still have a Quest, Doo-ho.
* * *
Clang, whirrrr—
Doo-ho finished repairing the android and was conducting a final inspection. The upcycled components had been assembled flawlessly, so perfectly that even Park Gyu-tae couldn’t find a single fault.
“This job is complete.”
[Main Quest Achieved!]
The moment the status window appeared, Isto’s voice echoed.
-Doo-ho, the task is finished!
I stared blankly at the Quest window.
“…I’ve escaped death.”
Truth be told.
When they said I’d die if I failed without any real reward, I was utterly dumbfounded.
-Doo-ho, now it’s time to clear the Hidden Quest.
Oh, right.
I stepped out of the Garage.
From somewhere, I heard crunching and munching sounds.
Looking over, Isto was stuffing magic stones into his pocket and occasionally chewing and swallowing them.
Just as I was about to offer encouragement.
Good heavens!!
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Hundreds of Ratkin corpses were scattered across the entire Forest.
“You did all this… alone?”
-You’ve emerged? I was eating because I was hungry.
“Right, right. You did well.”
-No! Rather, it seems we need to find something now.
“We should.”
But my heart felt conflicted.
‘How am I supposed to find amorphous alloy?’
I absently glanced around the surroundings.
Was there even a mine in this place?
Even if there were, there’s no way amorphous alloy would be buried here.
It’s literally an ‘alloy’—artificially processed metal.
‘The Quest window definitely said it was the ability of a Mechromancer….’
I couldn’t be certain if that was the answer.
But there was only one method available.
“Should I try using the Component Detection skill?”
-Yes, I agree.
Zzzt—
My vision trembled faintly.
My Component Detection skill activated, and the forest’s contours layered into view.
“Thank goodness this skill has no time limit.”
-Indeed.
How long had I been walking?
With nothing to show for my efforts but wasted steps, impatience crept in.
“I can’t just wander aimlessly like this….”
-Perhaps there’s another approach?
“…I’m not sure.”
Just as I turned to give up.
『Fragment – Amorphous Alloy』
Huh?
I rubbed my eyes and checked again.
A strong signal was definitely registering.
I bolted toward it without hesitation.
-Oh! This is the cave where the Queens Ratkin were!
“R-really?”
-Yes.
By coincidence, the signal was coming from inside the cave.
Following the direction my Component Detection skill indicated, I stepped inside to find a bloodstained battlefield sprawling before me.
The corpses of Kings Ratkin lay scattered about, and axes were strewn across the ground.
‘Is it hidden somewhere here?’
But no matter how carefully I searched, nothing seemed unusual.
The detection window still hovering before my eyes pointed to—
“…an axe?”
I picked up one of the axes and examined it closely.
Its surface was smooth as a mirror, and subtle iridescent hues shimmered across it depending on the angle.
Definitely not ordinary metal.
I hardly dared believe it.
I gathered mana at my fingertips and slowly channeled it into the axe head.
Vwooooom—!
The entire axe burst with blue light as mana flowed into it like water.
An extraordinary sight by any measure.
I let out a triumphant roar.
“I… I found it!!!”
Isto came rushing over at my cry.
Ooooooo!!!!!
-We were completely fooled!
Isto’s LED eyes sparkled with amazement as well.
That the weapons wielded by the beasts were forged from amorphous alloy—it was beyond imagination.
“Isto! Even a fragment the size of a fingernail is absurdly expensive… but the entire axe head is a solid chunk of amorphous alloy!!!”
And….
Two more identical axes lay scattered across the floor.
Became a Mecromancer
Author｜
Gungang 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 transmitted in any form without permission.
UCI｜
G720:N+A277-20260210015.0008

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