Chapter 13: A Future Mechanical City Lord? A New Extermination Mission

In this world, monster zones differ based on the cultural background of the region they inhabit. For example, the Corpse Town Zheng Mu currently finds himself in is a standard Dragon Kingdom-style ghost town. Be it the low-level mutated corpse poison creatures in the outer perimeter or the zombies that exist within the core region, all of them wear clothing reminiscent of the Dragon Kingdom's whip-era.

However, Zheng Mu doesn't need to deal with them himself anymore. From within the cockpit, he watches the Licker leap out, slicing off the heads of several mutated corpse poison creatures with its sharp claws. Zheng Mu feels incredibly exhilarated.

Feeling the three-hour cooldown of his [Midas touch] ability end, Zheng Mu takes out a colorful, sticky brain from his slime backpack. Resisting his discomfort, he activates his skill.

[Green Excellent Grade Material "Diseased Brain" undergoing mechanical conversion...]

[You have obtained Green Excellent Grade Material "Basic Infantry Combat Core"]

The sticky substance disappears, replaced by a smartphone-sized chip module.

"[Basic Infantry Combat Core]: Green Excellent Grade Material (Crafted by Mechanic Zheng Mu). Can be installed in humanoid combat robots, granting them standard combat capabilities of ordinary infantry armed with conventional weapons."

Zheng Mu looks at the chip in his hand, deep in thought.

"Is it because it's only a Green Grade material that the chip isn't too intelligent?"

Zheng Mu murmurs to himself, already thinking of how to use the chip.

Installing it on a T-800 might lower its Blue Grade rating, but it would still be a valuable workforce. Without worrying about occupying processing power, a properly armed infantry combat robot might not amount to much in the wilderness.

But what about a hundred of them?

Or a thousand?

Zheng Mu has the blueprints, and as long as he has enough materials, he can create an infinite number of mechanical constructs.

Even...

Sitting in the cockpit, Zheng Mu can't help but think.

"Maybe one day, I can use these mechanical creations to build a city of my own in the wilderness!"

At this thought, Zheng Mu's blood boils with excitement.

"Optimus, Licker, give it your all! Our future mechanical city relies on you!"

Outside, the Licker roars in response.

As for Optimus, he increases his speed.

Soon, after killing thirty or forty mutated corpse poison creatures along the way, Zheng Mu finally maxes out his last non-maxed skill.

[Processing Power Enhancement lv3: Reduces processing power consumption when learning skills to a certain extent. Current reduction: 50%. Processing power occupied: 50]

The new skill reduces the processing power consumption for learning by half.

This makes Zheng Mu eager to embark on his leveling journey again.

Raising his level, unlocking more skills, creating more mechanical constructs, and striving for the pinnacle of the world!

Just as Optimus enters the core area of Corpse Town, a system voice echoes once more.

[Detecting that the host has entered the core area of Monster Zone "Corpse Town," a new extermination mission is issued]

[Please eliminate all monsters in Corpse Town within one week]

[Reward: Purple Rare Grade Mechanical Material x1]

Zheng Mu frowns; this time, there's no reward blueprint.

However, a Purple Rare Grade material is still a valuable prize.

At the same time, Optimus finally stops in front of an abandoned street.

With a series of transformation sounds, Zheng Mu nimbly sits on Optimus's shoulder.

Before them, under the hazy moonlight, twenty-odd figures are roaring and jumping towards them.

[Name: Fifty-Year Hopping Zombie]

[Race: Specter]

[Level: lv18-lv25]

[Skills: Pain Immunity lv2, Hardening lv3, Virulent Poison lv2, Enhanced Strength lv3, Zombie Roar lv2]

"Roar!"

Even with the dim lighting, the eerie glow of the fangs and the red eyes were more than apparent. As they hopped and roared while approaching, Zheng Mu didn't even have a chance to draw his twin guns.

In the next moment, a dark flash passed by, and one of the zombies leading the charge was instantly knocked to the ground. Its rigid body struggled with flailing arms, but the Licker's powerful and massive frame held it firmly in place. The razor-sharp teeth sank into the creature mercilessly.

Crack!

A Level 20 zombie, which would have easily dealt with a Level 10 newcomer like Zheng Mu on an ordinary day, fell victim to the "borrowed tiger's might" that Zheng Mu now possessed.

The zombie roared and waved its poison-infused claws, creating sparks on the Licker's body. However, the Licker's bite tightened with the sound of a buzzing chainsaw.

Another crack resounded.

[You killed a Fifty-Year Hopping Zombie (lv20), gained 422 experience points, and acquired a blue material "Cursed Evil Corpse"]

A blue material!

Without needing any instructions from Zheng Mu, the Licker, having dealt with this zombie, used its tail to coil the blue light orb on the ground and accurately tossed it into Zheng Mu's hand before pouncing on the next zombie.

"Hahaha! A great start indeed!"

Zheng Mu excitedly put the item in his backpack. According to his observation, this "Cursed Evil Corpse" could be converted into a "High Carbon Steel Humanoid Metal Skeleton."

Blue elite T-800, required material +1.

The subsequent battles proceeded as expected.

While the number of monsters in the Corpse Town was not small, they couldn't compare to the terror of the Venomous Ruins. The primary reason the Corpse Town was more dangerous than the Venomous Ruins was the higher average level of its monsters.

However, none of these posed any real threat to Zheng Mu.

Optimus Prime's cannon arm targeted the approaching hopping zombies and fired relentlessly. Amidst the thunderous explosions, even these tough creatures were reduced to mere fragments under the force of the attack.

[You killed a Fifty-Year Hopping Zombie (lv22), gained 510 experience points]

"As I thought, all fears of ghosts and ghouls simply stem from insufficient firepower!"