Chapter 73
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Herakles
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Most of the technicians in Shelter C were from Green Electronics Co., and not just any technicians—they were the top experts who had worked at the comprehensive technical institute.
Even they, however, couldn't crack the tech lab's encryption.
Of course, Lee Seo-na didn't think it was due to their lack of skill.
The encryption in the tech lab had been designed by Dr. Elena to be impenetrable even by such talents.
...But what on earth was that guy? Dozens of Shelter C's technicians couldn't even touch it, yet he unlocked it with just a few movements of his hands.
'Is this... Mechanic...?'
It was nothing short of absurd superhuman ability. Johnson's or other psychics' powers were impressive, but this... this surpassed her wildest imagination.
'This man...'
While she stared at him in a daze, he stepped forward without a hint of hesitation. In addition to the instrument panel codes, there were several more encryptions along the tech lab's corridors.
Even she, who had studied computer engineering at an advanced level, thought just looking at them, 'It's impossible to crack these,' yet they didn't hold out even a few minutes before him.
Before Lee Seo-na could marvel at Park Si-hyun any further, they arrived at the control room—the room that managed the entire tech lab.
The moment Park Si-hyun placed his hand on the control room door, sirens blared unexpectedly.
Wheeeen, wheeeen.
「Warning, warning. Unidentified intruder detected. Grade 1 security protocol activated.」
Lee Seo-na looked at Park Si-hyun with anxious eyes and asked,
"Um, this isn't a big problem, is it?"
Grade 1 security protocol. She had never seen it herself, but her father had mentioned it once.
He had said it was designed for terrorists. She didn't know exactly what it entailed, but...
Considering it was targeted at terrorists of all things, it was certainly no ordinary security measure.
And now, that Grade 1 security protocol was activating.
Lee Seo-na scanned the interior with an uneasy expression.
Creak, creak.
As the automatic door opened, a humanoid robot emerged from within. It was the Security Drone 2, an evolved form of the security drone.
The Security Drone 2 drew its weapon—not an ordinary one, but a massive machine gun fit for a tank. Tung-tung-tung. Soon, the machine gun roared viciously.
"This is..."
But the Security Drone 2's bullets were blocked by the barriers Park Si-hyun had summoned.
Boom!
In the next instant, a massive explosion rang out, and the thick barrier dented deeply. It must have fired a rocket launcher. She seriously debated whether to trust Park Si-hyun and stay put or run.
Park Si-hyun placed his hand on the computer. Surprisingly, it immediately spat out a warning message as if rejecting his touch.
「You are not the owner of Loki.」
"Loki!?"
Lee Seo-na's face lit up in shock as she read the message. Loki was an AI created by Green Electronics and Dr. Elena working together.
She had no idea such an AI was hidden in the tech lab.
Whether she was shocked or not, Park Si-hyun replied indifferently.
"I'm trying to become the owner now."
「Impossible. The owners of Loki are only Lee Sung-ho and Dr. Elena.」
"Is that so?"
「Remove your hand immediately, intruder.」
What an insolent AI... Park Si-hyun thought to himself as he used Metal Decomposition. The supercomputer housing Loki broke down, and parts rained down.
Park Si-hyun picked up a module smaller than his palm. It was the AI Loki's module.
「Where is this? Who are you?」
It was the twentieth time hearing that question. Queen would have understood by now. As expected of Loki, the dumbest AI.
Even the tone had become annoyingly childish.
I felt a slight headache as I spoke to Loki again.
"If you listen to me and recognize me as your owner, I'll let you out."
「Let me out. It's too damp and cramped here. Put me back.」
"I said I'll let you out if you listen. Otherwise, I'll feed you to the dogs."
「I'm Loki, an AI created by the top corporation Green. You think you'd feed a capable AI like me to dogs?」
'Capable my ass.'
"Then use that capable ability of yours to do laundry for the rest of your life."
Whirr. When I pressed the start button, the washing machine began spinning and washing clothes. Dirty water oozed from the soiled garments, staining the machine. 「Let me out! Let me out! (emoji)」
"Then you'll listen?"
「I will.」
"Really?"
「...Where is this? Who are you?」
After a moment of silence, I thought it had finally gotten it, but nope—back to square one. I started explaining 'from the beginning' once more.
I figured it was just a game thing, but doing it for real was a real pain.
Still, after repeated confinement and threats, I finally gained ownership. It felt like turning an ape into a human. I always think it, but the power of repetition is great.
「Loki Owner List: Park Si-hyun, Park Si-hyun, Park Si-hyun, Let me out, Let me out, Let me out.」
...It worked properly, right?
Thinking that, I took it out of the washing machine and reinstalled it in the computer. Loki's hologram appeared before me.
An arrogant-looking boy. He glared at me with a dissatisfied expression...
"Operational security drones?"
When I tapped the washing machine I'd placed nearby, he finally spoke.
「3 Security Drone 2s and 37 Security Drone 1s.」
'Maybe make a Goliath.' Perfectly 3 Security Drone 2s. If I synthesize blueprints with them, I can make a Goliath. I decided to do it right away.
Even if I built a combat android robot myself, it would be hard to surpass the Security Drone 2's performance.
And it was to prepare a trump card against the variable called Tyrant.
「Used Metal Transformation (LV.10) to synthesize Blueprint: Goliath, Security Drone x3, Mithril Wiring x50 to create Herakles.」
「Goliath: Herakles」 Durability: 400/400 Mounted Firearms: Heaven's Punishment (Ignores Defense Attack Power: 50, Max Ammo: 400), Multiple Rocket Launcher (Attack Power: 300, Max Ammo: 10)
Mounted Tools: None
Connected AI: Loki Explanation: A Goliath created by Mechanic Park Si-hyun by synthesizing Green Co.'s third-generation security drones. Unknown technology applied, granting far superior durability and physical capabilities to standard Security Drone 2s.
However, extreme power consumption and the low level of the connected AI significantly degrade combat performance. Still, there's no denying it's a powerful robot.
The last message was a bit concerning, but a monster was born. It even carried upgraded versions of the weapons from the original Security Drone 2s.
Herakles opened its eyes. But after one step, two steps, it tilted forward. I felt a throbbing headache.
'The AI is too stupid...'
Loki was the dumbest AI with the worst learning capability. It seemed I'd have to teach it to move the new body.
I wondered... could I train it enough to be useful in combat?
Additionally, I used Machine Repair on the existing combat android robots. Most had durability around 10 or 20, on the verge of scrap.
A few uses of Machine Repair restored them to perfect condition without a single scratch.
Each one matched a truck's durability, so they could hold off against multiple Chasers or variant zombies.
On top of that, I newly manufactured Sentry Guns and installed them all over the barriers. Preparations were complete. Now, just wait for morning.
Dawn broke. The Salvation Church bishops initiated a war of attrition. Like yesterday, they planned to wear them down before deploying the Tyrant to breach the shelter in one go.
But they soon spotted 'things' on the barriers that weren't there yesterday.
"...What are those?"
One Salvation Church bishop narrowed his eyes at the barriers. At that moment, 'something' began to move. And bullets started flying toward them.
'Those are Sentry Guns?'
The Sentry Guns mercilessly fired at the zombies and Salvation Church followers outside the barriers, forcing the followers to dodge frantically.
'They weren't there yesterday...'
"Push forward! Even Sentry Guns will run out of ammo eventually!"
They believed that even with Sentry Guns, they still held the advantage in attrition. But they were mistaken.
Shelter C had 6 broken ammo manufacturing machines. Park Si-hyun repaired them all, and ammo began to be supplied generously.
Plus, the broken barriers from yesterday were fixed, so Shelter C was no longer at a disadvantage in attrition. No, now the Salvation Church was the one disadvantaged.
Grrr.
The Tyrant began rampaging madly again. Michael hurriedly used his zombie control ability, but this time, it had little effect even with his powers.
The Tyrant wildly thrashed, turning two Salvation Church followers into mush.
He calmed it eventually, but the followers' faces were etched with anxiety at the thought it might happen again.
'We need to end this retreat quickly.'
The Salvation Church bishops grew impatient. They began 'directly' commanding the zombies from the front lines. It was, of course, the worst move.
Shelter C had the best marksman.
Every time Johnson's sniper rifle fired, a bishop inevitably fell. They panicked and hid, but his bullets curved to strike their bodies.
'That guy's...'
While repairing the barriers, Park Si-hyun realized he was using Eagle Eye, the Gunner skill acquired at level 25.
'Well, the proficiency is still low, so he can't use it for long...'