Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: The Humanoid Robot
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In the center of a large room stood a single entity covered in thick dust. One arm was missing, as if it were still unfinished, and other parts were absent here and there, but it was unmistakably a robot.
'A humanoid, huh.'
Even with the missing parts, it was easy enough to imagine what it would look like once completed.
Two arms, two legs, a torso, a head. Though made of inorganic metal, it clearly mimicked a human body structure.
It was the most intact robot he'd seen since arriving here, but unfinished was still unfinished. It didn't look like it would operate.
'But these...'
Near the robot lay what appeared to be its parts. They weren't scattered haphazardly from some chaos. They were neatly arranged on the floor, as if someone had prepared them.
'The Railgun's owner.'
That was the first thought that came to mind.
So why had that person laid out these parts around an unfinished robot?
Only one answer sprang to mind.
'Was he trying to complete it?'
But in a facility where all the equipment and tools were smashed to pieces, was that even possible?
'If he could, maybe I could too?'
Excitement bubbled up naturally.
Getting the Railgun alone was already a huge win, but adding a robot on top would double the joy. That had been his reason for coming here in the first place.
'But how do I finish it?'
Unfortunately, Yuseong lacked that kind of knowledge. Still, he had to try fitting things together using his instincts and gut feelings. The odds of success were slim, but better than doing nothing.
'Maybe there's something here?'
Yuseong began rummaging through the portable computer he'd picked up.
'There it is!'
A hologram projected before him, displaying blueprints. They were incredibly complex, but they clearly matched the robot in front of him.
'Made from these?'
Even with blueprints and parts at hand, building a new robot wasn't that simple.
'Plus, this robot's design doesn't seem compatible with the parts from the other robots I've seen.'
The blueprints suggested as much, and the actual robot confirmed it. Even the parts beside it were subtly different from those in the factory.
'A new model?'
That made sense.
Come to think of it, this room was unusual. Filthy and grimy from age and pollution, just like the others, but the space was massive.
The ceiling was high, as if multiple floors had been combined, and the walls were packed with intricate devices.
'Was this a development area for new robots?'
The layers of security doors lent credibility to the idea.
'So this is a robot in development?'
How had such a thing survived until now? The answer wasn't hard to guess.
'Things that don't move have no value.'
Especially in a world where every day was a fight for survival.
People searching for parts compatible with their own robots must have ignored these, since they wouldn't fit.
'But this guy was trying to complete it.'
And it looked like he'd made decent progress.
'He must've known robots well. He even had the blueprints. Maybe he was one of the developers.'
But in the end, that person had died without finishing it.
Yuseong alternated his gaze between the robot and the blueprints. Then a thought struck him.
'Strategy Guide.'
【Yes.】
'Can you help me complete the robot using these blueprints?'
【Yes, I can.】
"Really?"
The words slipped out aloud. He'd asked on a whim, but after hearing "no information" so often lately, he hadn't expected much.
'Always worth asking first.'
【Based on analysis, assembling the parts on the floor should complete the hardware.】
'That'll be enough?'
【The blueprints indicate a modular design, where individual parts are made separately for easy replacement if damaged. Since the prepared parts are already finished, assembly alone should suffice.】
'What if one of the parts isn't complete?'
【Completion would be much harder, and failure to find suitable replacements could make it impossible.】
'I see.'
He could only hope the Railgun's owner had prepared everything properly.
【However, that alone won't make the robot move.】
'You mean the software.'
No matter how sturdy the body, without knowing how to operate it, it's useless.
The same went for robots. Maybe even trickier.
'Ideally, it'd have combat programming too.'
Humans could learn, but robots couldn't. Sure, there were learning programs, but they were still just programs.
For Yuseong, who wanted to use it in battle, combat software was a must-have.
'At least this was a military robot facility, so it must've existed.'
The question was whether it still did.
'Maybe the Railgun owner died while searching for the software.'
Otherwise, it didn't make sense to get this far on the robot and then die somewhere else.
'Anyway, let's finish this first.'
Once the hardware was assembled and powered on, it might count as his possession. Even if he couldn't find the software and had to leave it, it could end up in the Purchase Window.
'It might not show up right away, but if attention rises later, it should.'
Following the Strategy Guide's advice, Yuseong began assembling the robot's parts.
Everything had been prepped before he arrived. With Yuseong's skill at handling machinery combined with the Guide's instructions, the assembly progressed at a rapid pace.
But it wasn't easy. The Guide's advice was spot-on, but Yuseong was still a novice with robots.
He couldn't focus solely on assembly either. He assumed no more beasts remained in the building, but he couldn't be sure.
If he was unlucky, one wandering outside could barge in and attack.
So Yuseong kept his radar senses sharp while assembling.
Fortunately, the radar stayed quiet, no red dots. But his nerves wore thin.
Still, Yuseong didn't stop.
The scattered parts vanished one by one from the floor as the robot took shape according to the blueprints.
Soon after.
"Done!"
A completed robot about 2 meters tall stood before Yuseong. Arms, legs, torso, head—all in place.
It hung from a mount on its back for now, but with power, it would stride confidently on its own legs.
'Assuming everything's properly finished.'
Hardware ready, now for the rest.
Software and power.
'Power means installing a generator.'
Solar generators were available anytime from the Purchase Window. But he'd put that off.
The sun was setting outside. Installing now would mean it'd go dark before he finished. Solar panels were useless in pitch black.
'Need to hole up somewhere first.'
No plans to sleep. But he didn't want to wander either. Beasts could strike in the dark.
'Can't aim properly if I can't see.'
Even with his godlike accuracy, his eyes were human. Without light, they were as useless as anyone else's.
Without proper night vision, fighting at night was suicide.
Yuseong pressed against the wall, sitting with a machine beside him for cover.
His eyes fixed on the entrance.
'Guard the entrance, and I'll be reasonably safe.'
Whether due to security or design, there were no windows. The entrance was the only way in.
But in this godforsaken reality, anything could happen for the worst.
He watched the door while scanning around occasionally. Checking the radar for red dots was routine.
But it didn't last long.
Soon, the sun vanished completely. Even that dim, feeble sun that barely pierced the hazy sky was still the sun.
Now, only devouring darkness and silence remained.
With vision—the primary human sense—cut off, anxiety spiked naturally.
Especially exposed outside, vulnerable to beast or monster attacks.
For an ordinary person, it'd drive them mad without effort.
'That's why I hate overnighting outside.'
Even Yuseong, whose mentality had transcended steel to orichalcum through ordeals and experience, felt his blood run cold.
This was better, though. He had multiple full magazines and the Railgun for firepower.
Before the Arc, he'd had nothing.
Compared to trembling in the dark with a single magazine and scant bullets, this was luxury.
Relatively speaking—absolutely, it was still hellish.
Hours passed like that.
Soon, even that hazy sun would rise again.
But darkness persisted.
As time dragged and Yuseong grew irritated,
Flash!
Click!
Nearly simultaneous.
A faint red glint flickered at the radar's edge and vanished. Yuseong reacted instantly, dropping to one knee for stability and aiming at the spot.
'Potions ready. Purchase Window open—can escape to the other world anytime.'
He double-checked the safety. As long as it wasn't instant death, he'd survive.
Yuseong stared straight ahead. But the unrelenting dark blocked his vision sharply.
'Infrared goggles would be nice.'
He had only the radar for now.
But the radar showed nothing, as if he'd imagined it.
Yuseong didn't waver.
'It wasn't a hallucination.'
Cold sweat trickled down his cheek, unpleasant.
But his stance was rock-solid, gaze piercing the front. Anxious, yes, but no muzzle wobble, focus sharp. He held steady as time passed.
Sunlight filtered in.
No windows in his room, but light from the hallway's seeped dimly inside.
Yuseong, still in position, slowly rose. He glared at where the red dot had appeared.
Nothing there.