【You have successfully transported multiple times, bringing back the parts for manufacturing machines to your underground laboratory】
【You attempt to install the production machine】
【Your rough handling slightly displeases the machine spirit】
【In the end, you manage to assemble the production machine through trial and error, ensuring your survival in this wasteland】
【You lack energy, but luckily the machine comes with solar panels. You find a secluded hollow where sunlight filters down, perfectly meeting your needs】
【Due to the machine spirit's discontent, you are forced to endure a month of foul-smelling food】
【You do not feel much about it; you deeply understand that surviving in such a world is already a blessing】
【Time moves on, and plans are updated】
【Having resolved the most basic survival issues, your gaze turns to enhancing your strength】
【Unlike previous simulations where you relied on self-cultivation to grow stronger, this time your situation is different. You continuously learn and use various machinery, gaining resonance with mechanisms to understand their principles】
……
【The machine spirit is pleased, and mechanical resonance establishes a connection between you and the robotic arm. You successfully grasp the operating principles of the robotic arm】
【You feel that manipulating the robotic arm has become more intuitive】
【The machine spirit is pleased, and mechanical resonance occurs as you use the production machine for an extended period. You gradually understand the principles of the production machine】
【You notice that the instant food cubes and water produced are now more delicious】
【Due to prolonged use of the Gauss dual pistols, the gun spirit is highly content】
【Your shooting accuracy has become exceptionally high, hitting nine out of ten shots even without consciously aiming】
【You vaguely understand the design principles of the Gauss dual pistols】
……
【Simulation Year Two, you are 21 years old】
【You have successfully survived for a year in the city ruins infested with intelligent machines, mostly thanks to your reclusive lifestyle】
【You are immersed in the world of knowledge】
【Feeling that the laws of the universe are opening up to you】
【Long periods of solitude have not made you feel trapped; the numerous technological items in the underground laboratory provide a fresh experience each time you study one】
【You think, this might be the joy of learning】
【Your talent is terrifyingly strong; in just one year, you have rapidly grown from a naive state to a knowledgeable scientific researcher】
【Besides the growth in knowledge, you discover an unexpected bonus】
【The combined effect of the machine spirit’s pleasure and mechanical resonance causes subtle changes in your body. Your physical capabilities have improved, comparable to the gene warriors mentioned in the laboratory documents】
【You can even enhance the performance of different machinery at will】
【This new and unique ability is what you call Mech Force】
【Some unseen blessing watches over you; your Mech Force is amplified tenfold. A cold breeze passes, and you instinctively shiver, as if someone is staring at you】
……
【Simulation Year Three, you are 22 years old】
【Incredible, you are practically a superman among supermen】
Your knowledge reserve is incredibly vast; you have resonated and understood most of the machinery in the laboratory, with only a few still perplexing you due to their complexity.
【“The power of double golden force is downright terrifying!”】
【You reflect on this simulation with a look of nostalgia】
【Knowledge is power, capable of clearing away ignorance and helping you see the true world】
【Through prolonged research and study, you realize your current location is the Sixth Satellite City in the south of the Federation】
【Neither a major metropolis of the Federation nor an important spaceport】
【You feel fortunate; if you had been transported to a major city, you would have needed to confront starship intelligent machines, fighting space battles with your human body】
【Could you win?】
【You conclude in your heart: it would be a sure death】
【You start utilizing the knowledge you’ve gained to improve the poor environment of the underground laboratory, repairing damaged circuits such as the water and electricity systems, lighting systems, and power armor systems】
【Your progress is smooth, but in the midst of your busy work, you gradually realize an unavoidable truth】
【Human strength is ultimately limited】
……
On the surface, the sun is radiant, and the roaming metal monsters glisten under the sunlight.
Underground, it is dark and dim; calloused hands slowly arrange the new wiring.
Among the gaps of bricks and dust.
Silence pervades.
The collapsed and tilted buildings create a chaotic blockade, preventing sunlight from reaching the depths.
The rare spots with sunlight are occupied by solar panels, absorbing every bit of light, some even reaching the surface, quietly and discreetly harvesting energy.
Green moss slowly covers the crevices of the ruins.
Providing Xu Xi with scarce fresh air.
“I hope this works, otherwise, my research efficiency will be greatly reduced,” Xu Xi stops his work, completing the final adjustment.
Wearing slightly dirty clothing, he slowly retreats.
A massive, smooth mechanical object.
Is now presented before his eyes.
Its surface is silvery white, with numerous protruding and recessed ports, crossed by countless wires that flicker faintly as Xu Xi gazes at them.
“My strength, alone, is ultimately limited.”
“The machine spirit’s pleasure and mechanical resonance, although they make me stronger, mainly enhance my learning speed.”
“I’m still just one person, capable of nothing.”
“I cannot stand up to the numerous intelligent machines, nor can I calculate all laboratory data with a single thought.”
Xu Xi’s expression is complex.
Staring at the silver-white mechanical object.
He flips the switch with utmost caution.
The sacred and majestic tree of technology, the hallmark of a technological civilization, is ultimately not something one person can master.
Xu Xi now desperately needs something to assist him, to take care of trivial matters within the laboratory base, or even to provide combat support.
The items in the laboratory are almost all studied by Xu Xi.
If he wants to advance further.
He must venture to the surface.
To study and analyze those intelligent machines and the mechanical artifacts scattered throughout the city.
Therefore, Xu Xi rummages through the garbage in the underground laboratory, finding a severely damaged robot. He intends to use its core as an auxiliary AI for the laboratory.
“What a pity…”
“Such a level of laboratory would usually be equipped with a high-performance supercomputer.”
“But the best I can find here are just remnants of ordinary machinery.”
Tick.
Tick.
Xu Xi watches as the solar energy conversion slowly energizes the machine core, bringing it to boot-up state.
As a precaution, Xu Xi has already disassembled all the robot’s parts.
Now, he also holds the Gauss dual pistols.
He is on full alert.
Bracing for the possibility that the activated machine might join the intelligent machine rebellion, attacking Xu Xi as a human.
“Click,” Xu Xi silently activates the Gauss pistol.
The machine begins to make sounds, its voice module slightly screechy and sharp due to its age.
“Home service autonomous robot, RTX-9090, booting up self-check in progress…”