Ch.8787. Mechanical Beast

The meetings with Eun Serin continued.

Of course, we needed to test.

“Noona, honestly, I think Earth Bear is getting easy now since I’ve memorized all its attack patterns. Should we try a different gate?”

I pointed at the corpse of the Earth Bear I had defeated one-on-one.

M-points acquired: 2,000 points!

Clearly, this enhancement suit can “withstand” a “direct confrontation” with C-class monsters.

Against D-class, it’s possible to prevent damage situations altogether.

That said, continuing to fight head-on would still be disadvantageous. But it’s definitely possible to overcome with knowledge and sense.

Eun Serin turned off her tablet.

“By the way, the defense capability really can’t be improved, huh?”

“Exactly. That’s actually the problem.”

But my enhancement suit was damaged in various places from the creature’s attacks.

It’s not a major issue, but in terms of pure defense, C-class Jaegers are stronger.

That’s also why enhancement suit development stopped at D-class.

While Jaegers’ defense and attack power increase as they grow, even if not uniformly, enhancement suits can’t match that.

“Did you see the news? That purple monster appeared again in Sindorim, where you were two-timing.”

“It wasn’t two-timing, Noona.”

“Whatever you say.”

It would actually be better if I really had been two-timing. I quickly changed the subject to the news.

“Yes, I saw. But Park Taesang was angry because there were too many spectators. And while his attacks do shock the monster, they aren’t landing any decisive blows.”

“Plus, Park Taesang’s attacks are destroying surrounding buildings, so everyone had to evacuate. It’s really a troublesome monster.”

By now, if things were like before, Jo Seonghui would be analyzing coordinates diligently to formulate a perfect capture plan. It would take longer, but…

However, after failing on the first try, I can’t predict the next attempt. The situation is different now. All we can do is wait and look for an opportunity.

Eun Serin gathered her equipment and picked up her car keys.

“Well, we’ve finished investigating this gate, should we move to another location? Is your schedule okay?”

“Of course. I’d prefer that, actually.”

In truth, Serin’s tests themselves are a great help in strengthening myself.

In an emergency, I should at least be able to resist while in human form.

The time spent wearing this enhancement suit is time spent developing that ability.

Thanks to that, I’m also earning plenty of M-points.

Eun Serin drives a rugged SUV. Must be good for carrying equipment.

“Instructor, your car is quite old, isn’t it?”

“About 10 years old? It’s used.”

I almost suggested she buy something nicer since her salary is good, but I held back.

That would be overstepping.

“I think an SUV would be better for me too when I buy a car. Or maybe a wagon like they often drive in Europe.”

“Wagons don’t sell that well among Koreans though.”

As we chatted about various things while moving to the next location, I suddenly realized we were getting close to Sindorim.

“Isn’t this a danger zone?”

“Of course we’re not going in. I just have an errand at a nearby store.”

Eun Serin then entered a grocery store specializing in Jaeger supplies.

As I mentioned before, Jaegers’ food intake is about twice that of ordinary people.

Their caloric consumption is comparable to that of professional athletes.

This causes difficulties for Jaegers when it comes to meals, so these foods are made with all sorts of expensive-sounding labels like high-protein, concentrated, organic, etc.

It’s not quite like the senzu beans from Dragon Ball, but it definitely provides proper nutrition.

Eun Serin soon loaded the groceries and got in.

“It’s really fortunate these were developed. I heard that in the old days, many Jaegers developed dental and jaw problems because they had to eat so much food.”

“Haha, I heard that too. The pioneers had it rough.”

“Here, I’ll give you a set (4 pieces).”

“Thank you. I’ll eat them when I get home.”

I quickly accepted and put them in my pocket.

By the way, don’t ask about the taste. Like military combat rations, they’re strictly designed for calories.

Anyway, we were about to leave when a building exploded right in front of us.

“Noona!”

“I know. Let’s get out of here quickly.”

Through the debris scattered with purple aura, we could see it.

Meanwhile, the car began to reverse rapidly.

The steering wheel turned violently, and through our rotating field of vision, we could see cars getting entangled.

As vehicles collided here and there, dust from the debris enveloped the area.

Just as our car managed to turn, another vehicle cut in front of us.

With a loud crash, I felt the importance of seatbelts.

Grateful for the seatbelt that prevented my body from flying forward, I tried to assess the situation.

But then I sensed an ominous presence from behind.

Through the dust, purple magical energy momentarily left a flash.

“…”

And then screams came from the grocery store we had just visited.

“Get out! Jonghyun!”

Eun Serin’s judgment matched mine. In situations like this, you abandon the car and run.

The moment we got out of the car, purple magical energy exploded from the grocery store.

The Void Invader was standing there. With its disgusting tentacles writhing, the empty purple magical energy was destroying vehicles right before our eyes.

“Jonghyun. Call the security forces.”

As we were fleeing, Eun Serin stopped. I knew the reason without her saying it.

“I need to do my job as a Jaeger for once. Jonghyun, you go find shelter somewhere. I’ll hold it off.”

Another exhibition hall was being destroyed right before our eyes. Eun Serin was planning to fight that monster.

“Kuk!”

I ran away frantically. More precisely, I was looking for a place to transform.

What to transform into? Obviously, I want a monster with a smaller build.

I need a specimen that can block or nullify the enemy’s special abilities.

I also need the wild instinct to track the enemy’s movements at once.

A specimen that can break down the enemy’s special abilities, as Eun Serin mentioned.

And with a body size that’s either humanoid or therianthropic, or at least moderate enough to naturally enter buildings.

With all these conditions in mind, various monsters began combining in my head.

“Here we go.

[Half-Machine Half-Beast]

-Required DNA points: 13,000

-Current points: 17,100

The time for a new evolution has finally come.

*

Eun Serin had no intention of suddenly displaying a sense of justice.

‘I really don’t know why I’m doing this.’

Normally, she would have planned to escape appropriately.

It’s common for Jaegers to retreat based on their judgment.

But she stepped up again.

Despite having no desire to be a champion of justice, and despite not even liking this Jaeger society.

‘It’s really because of you.’

Eun Serin dodged the purple magical energy flying toward her face.

She felt a hot sensation on her cheek and blood flowing.

Licking that blood with her tongue, she gave a strange smile.

“I’ll really have to make him take responsibility later. Seriously, what am I doing?”

She began concentrating magical energy throughout her body.

Her summoned spirit was a 4-star earth spirit, Antinoa.

It’s a simply good ability that receives power from the earth and can heal.

However, the opponent was unfavorable.

Her attacks wouldn’t work against it.

‘I know. I can only buy time.’

Around Eun Serin, people with weakened legs were visible.

‘How stupid, they cause trouble like this and then blame the Jaegers. And no one protects the Jaegers who are unfairly condemned by public opinion.’

She felt emotions that most Jaegers couldn’t express.

Working with the Gogyeopdan as she did, her mindset contrasted with what might be called healthy common sense.

‘But to think I have to help these people, it’s all because of you, Do Jonghyun, so hurry up and come deal with this.’

Because Do Jonghyun was watching, she had no choice but to act.

The man who had declared he would help her—it might have been nonsense, but Eun Serin chose to believe it.

She avoided the enemy’s attacks much more easily than Aerial or Seol Yuhwa would have, but gradually the enemy’s attacks became sharper.

Like a narrowing impact zone, the “aftereffects” of the shots began to hit her body.

“…”

Eun Serin judged that getting too close was dangerous.

She maintained her distance, trying to buy time appropriately.

But people were the problem again.

“Please… save me.”

A person trapped under a building pitifully cried out during the fight.

“…”

Eun Serin was irritated by such interference.

‘No. What’s the point of saving them? They’ll just seek compensation later, blaming the Jaegers. How pathetic.’

As old memories surfaced, she saw the monster teleport in front of her.

Perhaps because of the loud cry, it was heading toward that person.

Eun Serin jumped in.

‘Why do I have to do this?’

Acting as a Jaeger, she raised the ground to create a temporary defensive wall.

But it was instantly shattered by the Void Invader, exposing her.

‘This is why…’

She skillfully reinforced her body with earth power to endure as much as possible.

Soon an explosion occurred, and Eun Serin ended up in a miserable state with her clothes torn.

As her legs gave out, the Void Invader was extending its hand.

“Couldn’t you come a little more promptly? You’re slower than I expected.”

Eun Serin finally showed a smile.

Just as the purple magical energy was about to burst in front of her, a metallic sound rang out.

“…”

After a dull impact sound, what she saw was a monster completely covered in metal.

A mechanical tail and sharp metal claws rose sharply.

A monster in wolf form, covered from face to paws entirely in machinery.

‘So he can transform into various monsters. Different from last time.’

It was emitting blue eye-light and mechanical sounds. Eun Serin retreated with relief.

*

[Half-Machine Half-Beast]

[Main Card]

-Species: Machine Beast Tribe Name: Half-Machine Half-Beast Sura Growth Form: Adult

Traits: Judgment (Analyze enemy abilities to increase all stats by 1 rank), Mechanized Wild Instinct (Can detect the presence of opponents once tracked), Understanding Complete (Can analyze and ignore enemy special abilities by activating circuits), Trait Transfer (Can apply traits to sub-cards)

Strength: A

Agility: S

Resistance: A

Magic Resistance: A

Energy: S

Magic Power: A

Skills: Wolf’s Claws, Luminescence, Output Focus, Pursuer’s Speed, Energy Cannon

Evolution: Machine, Half-Machine Half-Human, Half-Machine Half-Fish, Half-Machine Half-Bird, Half-Machine Half-Dragon

[New Sub Card]

-Self-Repair (Decrease attack, energy, and agility by 1 rank to recover injuries)

-Beast Mastery (A fighting style imbued with bestial instinct, increasing skill power and agility by 2 ranks for 5 minutes. After time expires, ranks decrease by 1 from original stats)

After the evolution was complete, text analyzing the surroundings appeared in my vision.

Not the view of a beast, but the sensation of a machine reading and processing the environment.

It was momentarily confusing.

But this sensation became familiar, like it was part of me.

The beast’s senses connected through the machine, allowing me to feel everything. The sounds of fighting and noise were estimating distances and stimulating my instincts.

Fight.

It’s different from a dinosaur’s wildness. The machine was clearly controlling and commanding the wild instinct.

As the sounds and movements grew louder, my body ran.

I could see the creature attacking Eun Serin, firing purple magic bullets.

[Judgment]

-Stats increased

[Mechanized Wild Instinct]

I need to run faster.

[Pursuer’s Speed]

At that moment, my entire body heated up. As if engines were roaring throughout my body, I moved like teleportation, bringing the magic bullet right before me.

[Wolf’s Claws]

Metal claws extended and burst the magic bullet in an instant.

As the purple magical energy expanded, I saw the creature slightly moving its tentacles from side to side.

Unlike before when I had to block or flee, I can counter now.

As the purple aura wavered, the creature disappeared again.

But Mechanized Wild Instinct reveals its position.

I run. With my 2-meter body, there’s no reason to be hindered by size. I smashed through buildings nimbly.

There, I see the Void Invader about to attack another person.

‘Let me end this in one go.’

The creature’s body begins to glow and fade again.

Trying to escape again?

But now it’s different.

[Understanding Complete]

-Enemy trait nullified for a certain period

I leaped toward my prey in one bound. This machine beast, faster than I thought and stronger than the enemy expected, successfully reached the target.

Like lightning, metal claws scratched the creature’s entire body.

“~~~!”

I saw the Void Invader flinch as chunks of flesh were torn from its chest.

Yes, I’m currently ignoring your special ability.

Thanks to my trait, this is fatal for you with your particularly weak defense compared to other SS-class monsters.

At this point, I activated the Beast Mastery sub-card.

I let out a high-pitched bestial cry. Not a dinosaur’s roar, but a howl.

My claws targeted the creature’s shoulder joints.

And its shoulder flesh was attacked like soft tofu.

Kill it.

From arms to legs, a literal high-speed brutal assault.

When all these attacks ended, the enemy no longer existed.

[Monster Daily Mission Complete!]

-4 Monster Points acquired!

-Extinction Risk has decreased.

In front of me, claw marks were scattered everywhere in the area. And gradually, the interior was collapsing from the aftermath of my attacks.

I finally succeeded in completing the Monster Daily mission.