Level Up Machine

Chapter 117 My Gundam is Not Like This! (4)

After testing the power of the C-grade android, Yeong-sik immediately created a B-grade android. If he used all the materials he had, he could now create nearly a thousand androids, but the manufacturing itself took too long.

‘It would be great if I could make an automatic manufacturing device for androids too.’

As he created the B-grade android, Yeong-sik showed a disappointed expression.

If he made an automatic manufacturing device, he wouldn’t have to create each of the thousand androids one by one, and he could reduce the consumption of materials as well.

However, unlike refrigerators and other household items, it was impossible to make androids with an automatic manufacturing device. This meant that Yeong-sik had to make each one by hand.

*Ding.*

[Successfully created a B-grade android.]

[The user of this weapon is set to ‘Yeong-sik.’]

[The current maximum number of B-grade androids that the user ‘Yeong-sik’ can operate is 200.]

‘Well, as long as I have the materials, it doesn’t take too long to make them.’

Yeong-sik looked at the B-grade android that was created in an instant. Except for being a little bigger and having fewer visible components compared to the C-grade, there wasn’t a significant difference in appearance.

However, the performance, as verified through structural analysis, showed a powerful strength incomparable to the C-grade.

“Is this the B-grade android?”

“Yes.”

As soon as the B-grade android was completed, Yu-na stepped forward as if she had been waiting. She looked at the slightly larger android with interest.

“At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be much difference…”

“But you’ll see a significant difference when you actually fight it.”

“Great! I’m looking forward to seeing how strong it is.”

Yu-na stepped forward with a confident expression. Over the past six months, she had absorbed more of Ssang-sik’s power and had become much stronger than most rankers, so it was natural for her to be confident.

“It won’t be bad.”

Yeong-sik said, smiling slightly. He remotely issued a command to the android.

[Subdue the target according to the command of the user ‘Yeong-sik.’]

As soon as the B-grade android heard Yeong-sik’s command, it moved. Its red, glowing eyes fixed on Yu-na.

Thud. The warehouse floor shook as the android shot towards Yu-na. Its speed was markedly different from that of the C-grade android earlier.

A sharp blade swung at Yu-na, aiming for her. She raised her sword to block the strike.

-Clang!

With a clear metallic sound, the android’s body was pushed back. It spun half a turn and extended its right arm towards her.

A laser formed on its right arm and shot towards Yu-na.

“Huh? This is similar to Yeong-sik’s technique?”

Yu-na raised her sword and deflected the laser aimed at her.

The technique itself was similar to Yeong-sik’s energy blast, but the power was on a different level. If it had been Yeong-sik’s energy blast, she wouldn’t have been able to deflect it and would have been helplessly blown backward.

‘Still, this is amazing.’

She looked at the android swinging its blade at her with eyes full of wonder.

Its movements were precise. The swordsmanship, seamlessly incorporating feints, was so fluid that it was hard to believe it was being wielded by a machine and not a human.

Of course, given the vast difference in physical specs, she could easily handle its strikes, but that was because she was one of the top fighters on the continent.

If she had been an average summoner, she would have likely been overwhelmed by the android’s unconventional attacks and weapons.

“Haap!”

-Clang!

Yu-na drew even her Wol-sik, perfectly subduing the android. The android, its sword deflected, placed its hand on its chest and spoke.

[Judged that it is impossible to subdue the target by normal methods. Requesting permission to activate the self-destruct mechanism.]

“Ah, that’s enough.”

Yeong-sik stopped the android from attacking Yu-na with a self-destruct.

“How was it?”

“…Amazing. Its movements were impossible to think of as those of a machine.”

Yu-na spoke her honest thoughts.

If this B-grade android had attacked her in hundreds rather than alone, she thought it would be difficult to win even if she used all her strength.

“Like you said, it felt like fighting a level 60? No, a level 70 summoner.”

At her words, Yeong-sik nodded with a satisfied expression. A level 70 summoner would be highly regarded in any guild.

‘The fact that I can mass-produce such a force with just materials…’

Yu-na looked at Yeong-sik, finding it hard to believe.

Of course, she knew it cost a tremendous amount of money to make that machine.

With the money spent on that machine, several summoners of similar strength could be hired.

But the machines Yeong-sik created had enormous advantages that lightly outweighed the disadvantage of ‘high cost.’

Mechanical soldiers don’t betray. It would be different if they had a sense of self, but it didn’t seem like the androids had a sense of self.

Once created with money, they could be used with peace of mind until they were destroyed. Comparing this to hiring mercenaries, who could backstab at any time, was laughable.

Moreover, the longer mercenaries were hired, the more money they required.

But with androids, there was no worry of continuous expenditure.

Soldiers that required neither meticulous management nor constant support were the ideal existence dreamt of by all armies.

“Alright. Let’s test the next grade immediately.”

After checking the performance of the B-grade android, Yeong-sik immediately checked the manufacturing recipe for the A-grade android.

[A-grade Humanoid Machine Weapon]

[Required materials: 5000 metal parts, 2000 metal screws, 1200 metal plates, 20 A-grade metal cores.]

“Phew. At least the higher the grade, the fewer cores are needed, thank goodness.”

Yeong-sik sighed briefly as he checked the recipe. If the A-grade android required 100 metal cores like the C-grade android, it would have been quite troublesome.

*Ding.*

[Successfully created an A-grade android.]

“Ho.”

Yeong-sik’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the newly created android.

The A-grade android was wearing a suit similar to silver-white armor, with a few stylish decorations.

It looked more like a robot from a cartoon than an android.

‘It looks like a small robot.’

It felt like a robot from a cartoon, which would typically be about 20-30 meters tall, had been shrunk down to human size.

“Wow, this one looks pretty cool, huh?”

Yu-na also looked at the android Yeong-sik had made with an interested expression. She lifted Ssang-sik with an expectant look.

“Alright. I’ll check how strong it is.”

She smiled broadly and immediately took a fighting stance. Since it was said to have power comparable to that of a summoner above level 80, it seemed like a good warm-up.

“Ah, Yu-na. Is it okay if I try this time?”

At that moment, Gil-soo stepped forward and asked.

“Mr. Gil-soo?”

“I want to see how much I’ve grown myself.”

“Ah…”

At his words, Yu-na nodded. Gil-soo hadn’t awakened the Guardian class yet, but he had recently broken through his level limit and achieved tremendous growth.

“…Are you sure?”

Yeong-sik asked with a worried expression.

Gil-soo’s current level was 60. It would be one thing if it were a B-grade android, but he was in no condition to face an A-grade android.

“It’s fine.”

Gil-soo said as he grasped the Radiant Shield.

“Understood.”

Yeong-sik nodded and immediately issued a command to the android.

*Click.*

The android, following Yeong-sik’s command, extended both arms forward. Two gun barrels protruded from its wrists and began to fire.

*Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!*

Countless bullets targeted Gil-soo, like when a Gatling gun is fired. Gil-soo raised his shield forward.

“Fortress Wall.”

A blue light emanated from Gil-soo’s body, enveloping him entirely.

*Ting-ting-ting-ting!*

The bullets that touched the blue light bounced off.

With sharp eyes, Gil-soo kicked off the ground.

“Charge!”

His body surged forward with terrifying momentum. The android stopped shooting and swiftly dodged his attack. After evading Gil-soo’s charge, the android immediately extended its left arm.

-Whooom! Bang!

A blue energy projectile targeted Gil-soo. He stopped his charge and deflected the projectile with his shield.

“Ugh.”

A heavy impact reverberated through his entire body. The android nimbly rushed in and kicked his shield. Unable to withstand the force, Gil-soo’s body was thrown backward.

“The android is even engaging in melee combat…”

Ara, who had been watching, murmured in disbelief.

“Haap!”

Gil-soo sprang up from the ground and thrust his shield forward. A shockwave shot out from the shield and struck the android.

-Thud.

The android staggered backward under the weighty impact. At that moment, a jet engine burst out from the android’s back, propelling it forward at high speed.

A sharp blade had emerged from the android’s left hand.

-Whoosh.

The blade swung rapidly at Gil-soo. He raised his shield with a sharp glint in his eyes.

“Counter!”

-Boom!

The blue light on the shield exploded.

The android, taking the full force of the shockwave from its own blade, was violently flung backward.

“Phalanx of Steel!”

Seizing the opportunity, Gil-soo thrust his shield forward. Dozens of shields formed in the air, all targeting the android.

‘This is it!’

Gil-soo was certain this strike would subdue the android.

Then it happened.

-Click.

The android’s chest opened, releasing dozens of missiles.

The shields collided with the missiles.

-BOOM!

A deafening explosion shook the entire warehouse.

Thick smoke rose up.

“Ugh…”

Gil-soo swallowed a pained groan and stood up.

The android charged at him.

Quickly regaining his stance, Gil-soo slammed his shield into the ground with a fierce step.

-Thud!

The ground shook from the impact of the shield, momentarily disturbing the android’s posture. Gil-soo lifted his shield and struck the android.

The android’s body rolled across the floor.

However, being specialized in defense, Gil-soo’s attack seemed to have little effect, as the android got up as if nothing had happened and prepared to continue its assault.

“Stop.”

Yeong-sik stepped forward and gave the command to halt the android. The android, which had been charging at Gil-soo again, immediately stopped moving.

“Huff, huff.”

“Good job, sir.”

“I feel like I only showed you an unsightly performance.”

“Not at all.”

Yeong-sik shook his head at Gil-soo’s words. The A-grade android had the strength equivalent to an 80-90 level summoner, just as Yeong-sik had expected.

The fact that Gil-soo, who was only at level 60, could hold his ground against the android showed how hard he had been training.

However, that was all it amounted to.

The gap of over 20 levels was an insurmountable wall that couldn’t be overcome by sheer hard training alone.

Gil-soo, perhaps aware of this fact, put his shield into his inventory with a bitter smile. The weight of the shield in his hand felt unusually heavy.

Yeong-sik turned his gaze to him. Thoughts about Gil-soo’s future and the future of the guild members complicatedly crossed his mind.

After pondering for a while, Yeong-sik let out a short sigh and turned his head. It wasn’t a problem that would yield an answer by thinking about it right now.

‘Now then…’

The performance of the A-grade android was as powerful as expected. Only one thing remained.

‘The S-grade android.’

With a gleam in his eyes, Yeong-sik checked the recipe for the S-grade android. The S-grade was the highest level of android he could currently create and the only grade whose strength he was not yet familiar with.

[S-grade Humanoid Machine Weapon]

[Required materials: 10000 metal parts, 5000 metal screws, 3000 metal plates, 10 S-grade metal cores.]

With the remaining materials, he could make only one.

Without hesitation, Yeong-sik began the production of the S-grade android.

*Ding.*

[Successfully created an S-grade android.]

[The user of this weapon is set to ‘Yeong-sik.’]

[The current maximum number of S-grade androids that the user ‘Yeong-sik’ can operate is 5.]

[Crafting skill has increased to level 8.]

[Additional machine recipes have been unlocked.]

[Upon reaching crafting skill level 8, you have acquired the ‘Synthesis’ skill.]

-Aaaaah!

A brilliant blue light filled the entire warehouse. It was on a different scale compared to when he had created the other androids.

Then, an android over 2 meters tall revealed itself.

“This is…”

“Its appearance…”

The guild members, seeing the android’s form, let out incredulous chuckles.

“Gunman?”

The android that appeared before him had a very familiar appearance.