Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Chapter 1 - Meteor #6
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One of the playable characters in Star Savior, Luther Lightseeker, was a combat-type homunculus equipped with 9th-generation nanomachines.
Depending on how the nanomachines were developed, Luther's final combat form would differ, and they could be broadly divided into three types.
'Long-range bombardment type, close-combat type, legion type.'
The long-range bombardment type and close-combat type were exactly as their names suggested.
Armed with not just energy guns and various beam weapons but also missiles and gatling guns and other solid projectile weapons, it melted enemies before they could even approach—with overwhelming firepower crushing everything in its path.
The close-combat type focused resources on the nanosuit's defense and mobility, charging into enemy lines and slicing them apart with ultrasonic blades and lightsabers.
'And then the legion type, which deploys multiple types of drones simultaneously.'
While the long-range bombardment and close-combat types used only one to three drones, the legion type was different.
It dominated the battlefield with a 'drone legion' numbering in the dozens.
If the first two were 'warriors' who fought on the front lines, the legion type was a 'commander' who directed the battlefield from a step back.
'It's a tough choice.'
In terms of pure firepower, the long-range bombardment type was the best, but in terms of individual combat prowess, the close-combat type was the strongest.
Of course, the legion type couldn't be ignored either.
Its role was entirely different from the other two, so the scope of what it could do was unique.
A true all-rounder capable of combat, healing, reconnaissance, hacking, and more all at once—that was the legion type.
'In the game, you have to pick one.'
Players were free to choose which tech tree to invest in, but ultimately, they had to select one of the three.
There wasn't a specific reason; it was for balance purposes.
If Luther had all three techs in one body, he'd become a game-breaking cheat character.
'But this is reality... so maybe I can max them all?'
Moreover, he could grow his nanomachines using mana stones.
'If it's not small fry like jackals, but larger ones.'
Something powerful like a Jogres, a lesser dragon.
Or even beyond mana stones—to dragon hearts from evil dragons.
Luther briefly imagined himself equipped with a dragon heart.
A true ultimate weapon, firing battleship-grade main cannons single-handedly while commanding a legion of drones to dominate the battlefield.
It had a bit of a chuunibyou vibe, but his chest swelled with grandeur all the same.
"Integra."
[Yes, Master.]
"Is it possible to level up all three techs at once?"
[It is possible, but in the current situation, it seems somewhat inefficient.]
[I recommend focusing resources on one function after you've built a solid foundation.]
"Got it. So eventually, I can max them all."
[If you secure sufficient resources, yes.]
That was good enough.
Nodding with a satisfied expression, Luther turned his gaze back to the floating letters of light before him.
Energy gun, nanosuit, drones.
'Let's learn what's needed right now.'
This place wasn't the world of Star Savior; it was the world of Dragon Hunter 3.
'So, energy gun it is.'
The nanosuit that greatly boosted close-combat abilities was tempting, but for now, acquiring at least one ranged attack option seemed best.
'It's Lv0, but I do have the nanosuit already.'
Moreover, Luther's basic physical abilities were already superhuman.
Going from nanosuit Lv0 to Lv1 wouldn't bring dramatic changes, so it was more efficient to add an entirely new function and expand his tactical options.
'Being able to do things Dragon Hunter 3 can't is the advantage of being a collab character like Luther.'
Having made up his mind, Luther touched the floating letters of light and selected the energy gun.
[Generating energy gun-specialized nanomachines.]
[Estimated time to completion: 31 minutes 27 seconds.]
Nodding once more at Integra's words, Luther turned to look at Karen and Max.
As expected, the two wore complicated expressions as they stared at him.
They seemed quite shocked after seeing him absorb the mana stone.
[Master, their reactions are close to awe and astonishment.]
[Max seems to have mistaken our conversation for some special incantation.]
That was a pretty plausible explanation.
To Max, it must have looked like Luther absorbed the mana stone and then chanted in some unknown language.
[It looks like he's starting to believe you're a real angel.]
It was the start of a misunderstanding, in a way, but Luther decided to roll with it.
In the current situation, having Karen and Max think of him as an angel was advantageous in many ways.
'Hoo... alright.'
Steeling himself, Luther straightened his posture and spoke to Karen and Max.
"Jackal's down. Jackal had big tooth marks. Proof it was attacked by another lesser dragon."
At Luther's words, Karen and Max snapped to attention, nodding with serious faces.
"Kid—no, Karen. It's weird that the jackal was alone. And wounds that size... there might be a Jogres nearby."
Max's tone toward Karen suddenly shifted.
But Karen nodded as if it were natural, without commenting on it, and spoke to Luther.
"We should move. Luther... no, Sir Luther, that's what you were saying too, right?"
The smell of the dead jackal's blood might attract other lesser dragons.
The campsite was in a relatively safe area of the Primordial Tree Forest, where patrolling lesser dragons were almost nonexistent, but an exception had already occurred.
And if there really was a Jogres nearby, they needed to move as quickly as possible.
"Let's go this way. Best to head as far as possible from the direction the jackal came from."
After speaking to Luther, Max hurriedly extinguished the campfire and gathered their gear.
"I'll take the lead."
Karen, slinging her side bag, skillfully pushed through the underbrush and began advancing.
She looked barely out of her mid-teens, yet every movement exuded seasoned expertise.
'No matter how I look at her, she's main character material.'
Her strikingly beautiful looks were one thing, but Karen had so many standout qualities that it was hard to see her as a mere extra.
'Max looks competent too.'
Not as visually striking as Karen, but Max carried the air of a veteran warrior.
[Master, we've arrived.]
It was the middle of the night to begin with, so traveling far was impossible.
After about 20 minutes, the group stopped in a spot where a fallen ancient tree blocked one side.
"Let's set up camp here for now."
The Primordial Tree Forest was full of ancient trees, providing natural camping spots like this everywhere.
Karen and Max set up first, and Luther naturally took a seat opposite them.
A brief silence followed.
Karen broke the awkward atmosphere again.
"Sir Luther, may I ask about what happened earlier?"
Luther nodded at her cautious yet polite question.
She was probably asking about the mana stone absorption.
"Thank you. If I didn't see wrong... you absorbed the mana stone, didn't you?"
It was exactly as he suspected.
But instead of answering immediately, Luther observed Karen and Max's demeanor.
Both looked expectant.
[Master, perhaps in this world, the angels that are believed in have the ability to absorb energy sources from alien lifeforms.]
[Or at least, there's a legend like that.]
Their reactions made it seem plausible.
So Luther nodded and said,
"I absorb mana stones. Absorb them and turn them into power."
Karen and Max let out small gasps of admiration at Luther's response.
Integra's guess had hit the mark.
[For now, letting them think of you as an angel like this seems best for gaining their cooperation.]
[Besides, you did come from the sky, so it can be interpreted as a kind of angel.]
[It's not really a lie.]
Integra said it in an unusually affectionate tone, like a con artist's pitch, but Luther agreed inwardly.
Having suddenly woken up in a game world—or a world almost identical to one—pragmatism had to come before conscience for now.
"Sir Luther, then let me continue the story from earlier."
Karen spoke up at just the right moment and glanced at Max.
"Ahem, then I'll take over the story from here."
It was about the meteor that had fallen in the Primordial Tree Forest.
"So, around dusk tonight..."
[In summary, they were about to head back when they saw a meteor fall, thought they might get meteorite iron or rare materials, so instead of leaving, they went deeper in.]
[And since it got late, they camped.]
Integra neatly condensed Max's long-winded tale.
Luther covered his mouth slightly and asked in a very low voice.
"Integra, what do you think?"
[Max seems to know the drop location fairly accurately.]
[We can't pinpoint exactly when Master crashed, but given the circumstances, the meteor they saw was likely the spaceship, so it's worth checking out.]
Luther agreed.
And right then—
As Max's rambling story wrapped up, Karen took a breath and looked at Luther.
"Sir Luther, can we help you search for the meteor?"
From Luther's perspective, it was music to his ears—he'd welcome it with open arms.
And with Karen, already pretty, flashing a bright smile, it was like flowers blooming.
But instead of nodding right away, Luther thought for a moment.
Traveling with them was definitely beneficial for him.
But was it for Karen and Max?
[It seems they want to do a favor for the 'angel' they believe you are.]
Integra delivered the dry analysis in her affectionate voice again.
Luther thought similarly, but he sensed it wasn't just that.
He felt genuine goodwill from Karen and Max.
Probably half calculation—wanting to help an angel—and half pure kindness.
"Alright. I'll travel with you two. Nice to meet you."
As Luther smiled softly in response, Karen and Max's faces lit up.
"Let me introduce myself properly again. I'm Karen."
Karen stood and introduced herself, prompting Max to rise as well, lightly thumping his chest in salute.
"I'm Max. Traveling with Karen."
With both standing to greet him, Luther couldn't just sit.
He stood too, thumped his chest, and said,
"Yeah, I'm Luther."
[Master, this is Integra.]
Integra suddenly introduced herself, as if not wanting to be left out.
Luther chuckled softly and was about to continue the conversation.
Like what year it was now, or if this was really the era of Dragon Hunter 3.
But right then—
Karen, quick on the uptake and about to start talking, suddenly looked dazed. Max was the same.
[Master! Foreign substances in the air!]
[Suspected poison!]
The moment Integra shouted urgently, Luther sprang up and quickly covered his mouth and nose with his hand.
'Paralysis mushroom spores!'
Inhaling them caused severe paralysis and bodily abnormalities.
But according to Luther's knowledge, in Dragon Hunter 3, only one type of monster used paralysis mushroom spores.
And that monster didn't exist in the Primordial Tree Forest.
'Then why?'
No time to think.
Luther whipped around and had Integra scan for life signs.
Integra's detection range was only about 10 meters radius, but its omnidirectional nature, ignoring terrain, was a huge advantage.
[Master! Behind you!]
Luther spun around and reflexively raised his arm.
Several poison stingers embedded into his arm.
'Damn!'
He'd be poisoned.
Or so Luther thought.
[Poison detected in bloodstream.]
[Commencing detoxification.]
9th-generation nanomachines.
Luther's fading mind cleared up again.