8 Converter and Another Machine Bites the Dust

The power plant is on the lowest floor of the base. Marco was able to determine what method was used here because he could see the radiation trefoil symbol plastered on the doors and hallway.it shouldn't come as a surprise as nuclear remains the most efficient and clean energy source, the other renewable energy just can't produce the same amount of energy in the same amount of time.

Well, he was kinda disappointed, he was hoping that the base used other methods such as a solar panel so that he can use it to charge his rail gun cell. But not everything will go according to his plan and hopes.

He left after taking a quick look at the power plant. Can't expect him to take out a nuclear reactor and carry it everywhere with him.

"Do you have any other option for my electricity problem?" Marco asked Prometheus,

[The Machines used a converter, which converts organic material into energy, just like any living being with a digestion system could. You can kill a machine and scavenge it then it'll solve your problem. ]

"Do the Machines used in war have it? How efficient are they? " Marco was surprised because he couldn't imagine how much organic material would be needed to support the war. 'The Earth should be bald by now if that's the case. Ugh, I forgot about human bodies.'

[The Machine used in the war don't have this biomatter converter or human's defeat will come sooner.]

"True… with it the machines can recharge on the fly. "

'if I know earlier about this I won't just abandon the [Colt} I killed' he sighed in regret. 'There must be Machines designed to take the carcass and recycled them.'

"Do you think the [Colt] I killed would still be there?"

[Extremely unlikely, we haven't seen any dead machines lying around, even in the base where a huge battle happened. ]

'Sigh gotta kill a new machine then' Marco sigh again, he's like an old man now sighing and lamenting every now and then.

[There's a record about a [Thunderclaw], a Machine based on panthers. Their converter should be better than others as they can produce lightning arcs and use them as attacks. ]

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Ding

New Quest

Hunt a [Thunderclaw]

Reward: 25 free attributes point

Obtain a Biomatter Converter

Reward: 5 free attributes point

1/? Machines killed ]

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*Bzzt

His bracelet buzzed and the holographic projector flashed, it projected the shape of [Thunderclaw]. It has the body of a panther, lean torso with larger and longer hind legs than the forelegs, there's a little protruding section of the spine on its back which a lightning arc would pass through. The head has two front-facing optical sensors.

He froze after seeing the lightning, he experienced being at the receiving end of it after all.

'30 free attributes point, a significant increase for sure. This will be easier with my new gun, risky but worth it.' He thought.

[They usually dwell and hunt in the forest, you're pretty close to a forest already. ]

Prometheus showed the map through the projector. It'll probably take one to two hours to reach the forest.

"That's good. Thanks " Marco started walking out of the base as he thanked Prometheus. He'll go after filling his belly. ' I remember that my old tribe's territory is named Eceon and all of the places I've been in is still in Eceon'.

============

Several hours later, Marco arrived at the edge of the forest, with the gun in his hand and a spear on his back. People called this forest the Silent Wildlands, no bird chirps, no sound of other creatures, not even the sound of water.

Shouldering the gun and nodding to himself, Marco resolutely walks into the forest. The glowing blue optical sensor and the lightning arc might help Marco spot the [Thunderclaw] and make the Machine stands out from the green forest.

Finding anything on the forest's edge is damn near impossible so heading deeper is all he could do. He also tried to keep a lookout for any tracks, not just paw prints. Tracks mean Marco will or might meet a company.

Lush foliage and dried leaves covering the forest floors didn't make Marco's job easier. Hunting is an activity that requires patience as it might take a few hours to find the prey. Marco could only hope he gets lucky and find what he wants.

==============

Marco was sitting down beside a tree, he has been searching for 4 hours but he hasn't even seen a glimpse of a [Thunderclaw]. While munching on a jerky, he looked around the forest and saw a blue light in the distance with a pair of…antlers.

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Ding

New Quest

Hunt a [Hopper]

Reward: 15 free attributes point

1/?? Machines killed ]

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Lean body covered with thin platings of alloys, small but long legs. Deer-like antlers sprouted from its head. One big optical sensor on the head making it a cyclops. Three small spinning blades substitute its mouth.

'It isn't what I'm searching for but ill take it.' Walking very slowly from tree to tree, Marco tried to get a better line of sight of the [Hopper].

After a minute or two, the distance between the two shorten.

With approximately 170-ish meters, Marco raised the gun and align the sights to the target. Regulating his breathing, putting the finger on the trigger, he waited for the best timing. The handguard of the gun opened a bit splitting into three with 3 cm in between.

[They'll run away but not after trying to nail you with their antlers once so destroy the optical sensor or go for the limbs first ] the AI advised in his head.

Deciding that he'll go for the limbs, he pulled the trigger.

The projectile broke the sound barrier.

*Bang

Sparks flew everywhere as it hit the thin armor plate on the left foreleg, penetrating it.

The blue emotionless optical sensors immediately locked on where Marco was. The machine's optical sensor turned red before it rushed to Marco although limping. Missing a limb didn't stop the machine, only slowing it down.

Marco didn't panic, he kept his gun pointing at his prey. As the second tick away, the [Hopper] was 50 meters away. Aiming at the now red sensor, Marco pulled the trigger.

*Bang

The sensor was destroyed to pieces and now the [Hopper] is blind, but this didn't stop the hopper, it jumped forward

*thump… crack

The sound of a tree split into two rang out, Marco saw this as an opportunity and rushed in with his spear. He targeted the other foreleg and stabbed it while it's down.

The plate covering the shoulder broke as it sunk in. After the limbs, he started to stab the neck through the gaps of the armor. It generated some electric sparks as the spear hit some cable on the underside of the neck.

The [Hopper] immediately slowed down, and the lights dim. It lowered itself down before completely stopped moving.

*phew

A relaxed sigh escaped Marco's lip and he sat down on the torso of the Machine. He tried to catch his breath.

[Do you want to take the [Hopper's] Biomatter Converter or continue the hunt for the [Thunderclaw] asked Prometheus for confirmation.

Marco answered, "I'm just gonna take this one, not confident I can find a [Thunderclaw] today and kill it."

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Ding

Quest Completed

Hunt a [Hopper]

Obtain a Biomatter Converter

2/?? Machines killed

Reward: 22 free attributes point

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[A/N: [Hopper]+[Converter]+[New Machines killed], 15+5+2]

"This is a worthwhile deal, it's not as fast as a [Colt] but has more strength."

Other than the converter, Marco also planned to take the thin armor and add it to his clothes. Although he didn't have much expectation for the protection it will give, but anything is better than nothing.

"Where is the converter at?" He asked Prometheus.

The AI answered by turning on his bracelet. Showing the [Hopper} body with a red arrow pointing at the converter.

Marco started the work, he 'skinned' the carcass and took the armor that is still in good condition. Neck armor can be worn on hands or feet as it isn't one huge piece. The armor on the chest can be fitted on his chest as it fits him perfectly.

Ten minutes, it took ten minutes to get the converter out. It's the size of a basketball and quite heavy.

With this done, he walked back to his base with his loot.

===========

It's been two hours since he started walking back, the sun is at the edge of the horizon.

As he didn't even have a torch, he decided to just camped it out here. Chopping wood, gathering small branches and leaves, he started the fire. with nothing else to do, he distributed the recently gained attribute points.

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[Attributes]

[Strength: 28->35

Vitality: 23->28

Dexterity: 40->50

Intelligence: 17]

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For some reason, Marco could feel the change happening to his body. Not very painful but still a bit of pain and uncomfortable. It felt like being bitten by thousands of ants as they crawled under the skin, he felt this on every inch of his body.

The sensation lasted 5 minutes. Marco wiped the sweat off his face. 'Ugh, that feels awful' he complained in his heart.

After a long day of walking, he was exhausted. Laying down on his leather bag as a pillow, spear on the right side, and gun on the left side, he closed his eye as he tried to sleep in this dark silent forest.

'This is too silent, it's giving me the creeps'

This is the last thing on his mind before he fell asleep.