Your Ability Isn't That Simple (4)
And beyond all that, during the process of testing various pieces of equipment, Section Chief Sin and I discovered one crucial fact.
What was it? Well, nothing other than the fact that when I absorb equipment or weapons...
At that moment, we realized there was no clear standard—or reason—for how long it took to absorb each piece of equipment.
Of course, to be precise, it wasn't absolutely nothing at all...
For example, absorbing handheld weapons like pistols up to machine guns took zero time—instant absorption and ready to use.
But comparing to that excavator from earlier, it wasn't instant; it took anywhere from tens of seconds to minutes.
We knew there was variance based on size...
The problem was that this only guaranteed the 'high end' of variability.
Even I had no idea since it was my first time, but to sum it up: sometimes something like that massive excavator gets absorbed in under ten seconds.
Conversely, a 'mini motorcycle'—as Section Chief Sin and the researchers who popped up at some point put it—could take minutes.
Hell, two identical four-wheeled armored vehicles: one absorbs in 30 seconds, the other takes over ten minutes to finally slurp up.
Even I, watching it all, could only react with dumbfounded bafflement at "Why the fuck is this happening?"
Still, we kept absorbing gear after gear, running test after test.
I nodded automatically, seeing some actually useful data emerge like that.
That said, while the tests went well, as Section Chief Sin mentioned, we got support from the nearby military base for the real heavy stuff—like tanks or helicopters—but sadly, none showed up today.
Obviously, the military isn't just gonna hand over that gear because the Hunter Management Bureau asks nicely.
And that was the root issue: as we ran out of bureau-stocked heavy gear and samples to absorb, I overheard Section Chief Sin and Deputy Director Kim on the phone.
They were sighing like that over the conversation.
And from the dialogue alone, plus Section Chief Sin explaining it directly as tests wrapped up...
Turns out, no matter the reason, if the military sends combat-ready heavy gear to the bureau, it sparks rumors inside: "Something huge went down, bad enough they need army help?" Public opinion shakes.
Worse, politics gets involved, headaches galore.
At that point, my brain short-circuited, and I suddenly got why most S-rank hunters go lone wolf.
With no more gear for extra absorption tests...
And bonus: absorbed equipment gets neatly stored inside me, ignoring physics, basically infinite capacity for mechanical gear—like I had a personal subspace pocket or inventory.
Evening had snuck up, so despite his mad scientist vibes, the bureaucrat Section Chief, Deputy Director, and researchers called it quits.
I figured I'd crash at home and catch some sweet sleep, resuming tomorrow.
The next morning.
Up with the early bird, quick breakfast, straight to the Hunter Management Bureau.
Section Chief was already there at dawn; we headed underground hand-in-hand—er, side by side.
Just hearing it sounded like it'd eat up ages.
I figured the first part was fine, but the second would drag.
But that thought didn't last.
Like they'd done this a ton, quick workaround.
I summoned the specified guns and gear for the second test.
Then smashed underground targets with yesterday's absorbed stuff—swinging, shielding, whatever. Full destruction mode.
About 30 minutes in, hurling armored cars and excavators willy-nilly, weirdly stress-relieving...
Only then did I notice, hearing his cold-sweat voice: the underground test site was wrecked from my vehicle-tossing rampage. Felt kinda weird.
After tests, quick face-wash to handle sweat, back in:
Solid info like that.
With time freed up, I suggested knocking out other tests.