-----
Not only did I have hundreds of "corpses" from various evil machines I've vanquished, but I've also been keeping a lot of Monster corpses, or, well, Martial Beast corpses.
My masters helped me hunt down more Martial Beasts and now I had over two hundred of their corpses inside my inventory.
And they were much stronger than most of the machines we've been up against. Once I raise them into Undead, and they receive all the benefits of my Specialization, they're bound to grow much stronger than when they were even alive.
"So if I combine everything I can summon… I probably have roughly almost five hundred units," I said. "The robots that are defending the tree might be very strong, but my undead, although less, will be even stronger; I can assure you of that."
The immortals glanced at one another; some seemed to be a bit afraid to doubt me and wanted to accept my words, while others boldly decided to just ask me if I was insane.
"Are you serious?! We're fighting tens of thousands of foes, and you think five hundred are going to cut it?" asked Saru Do, angrily hitting the ground with his foot. "Sorry if I'm being mean, daughter of the Heavenly Demon, but your plan seems utterly insane! Even for us."
"Well!" I said. "Can't you trust me even a little bit? Even I am quite the one-woman army. My techniques combine both of the Venerables and then create something anew. I am not saying I am recklessly confident in a power I don't have. I know my strength very well. I say, let's start preparations and give it a try. At the very least I can assure everyone's survival. And if the worst thing happens, we retreat, and then the Venerables can work out something; even if they might be weaker than before, they're still stronger than any of you."
"I mean, her strategy isn't so bad…"
"But charging forward like this is a bit…"
"Well, since when have you been such cowards?"
"We aren't cowards! We simply don't want to die against the machines."
"Tactics will be used," I said, hearing them fighting one another. "Oh, I can assure you they will. Don't worry about that. I just need… ten minutes to prepare, that's all. For now, how about this?"
I quickly explained to them a small strategy I had come up with, one that heavily relied on all my insane skills to work but that could potentially turn the tables even against tens of thousands of foes.
I also took into consideration each immortal's special abilities and specializations, and of course, of all my friends as well. They were grumpy and skeptical, but once they listened well, they rapidly started to look at me with different eyes.
"Now…"
I quickly released my Aura, as all my Egos appeared, and even copies of them, yes, I could create echoes of my main Egos.
The maximum amount? Infinitely, well, as much as my Ki could afford, so I didn't go beyond a few dozen; they were super weak compared to the true Egos, but they were useful for certain things.
I sent them to scout, to prepare the Undead, and also to set up everything as I had planned. Zero One and Zero Two were also getting ready with the rest of my friends.
I walked to a small tent where I decided to prepare, opening my inventory and checking my items.
[Body Strengthening Nanomachine Injection (S Rank)] x1
[Electromagnetic Core Crystal (B Rank)] x1
[Mechanoid Power Armor (B Rank)] x1]
[Heavenly Yin & Yang Elixir (S+++ Rank)] x5
[Black & White Heaven Pearl (S+++ Rank)] x5
[Martial Arts Evolution Scroll (S+++ Rank)] x1
[Skill Evolution Scroll: Yin & Yang Theme (S+++ Rank)] x1
[Random Spiritual Arts Scroll (S Rank)] x2
[Random Sorcery Arts Scroll (S Rank)] x2
[Mechanoid Themed Treasure Chest (S+++ Rank)] x1
[Heavenly Empress Divine Ring (SS+ Rank)] x1
[Heavenly Demon Demonic Ring (SS+ Rank)] x1
"Hmm, a lot of stuff, alright…"
These rings were interesting; they grew stronger based on who wore them, and it felt like they were ideal for me to… gift to someone else.
I had already considered giving them to my masters, or in a way, so they could gift them to one another in a romantic way.
Kind of like wedding rings, perhaps…
Their relationship so far has been going interestingly; I think something is happening between the two already.
I mean, they did say they loved each other and everything, right?
But I think the two are still a bit too shy, so I might have to interfere.
And I might as well do it before I have to leave this world, so once we're done with this, I'll give them to them.
If everything that I planned works, that's it…
But let's keep our positivity high for now!
"Now…"
I grabbed the themed treasure chest and opened it.
FLASH!
Bright silver and golden light emerged from it, as something inside was revealed.
Four goodies.
Ding!
[You have opened the [Mechanoid Themed Treasure Chest (S+++ Rank)] x1!]
[You have received the following Items: [Random Mechanoid Skill Scroll (S Rank)] x1 [Muscle Strengthening Nanomachine Injection (S+ Rank)] x1 [Big Electromagnetic Core Crystal (S+ Rank)] x1 [Mechanoid Laser Bladegun: EZ-009 (S+++ Rank)] x1]
"Oh wow!"
I felt a bit surprised; there was more than one new thing in here… Although it followed a similar pattern to the previous chest.
This time I got a nanomachine injection that specifically strengthens the muscles, huh?
Also a "big" electromagnetic core crystal, which is enough to make it S+ Rank in equality!
Also, I got… a Laser Bladegun?!
I took that out of the chest first.
It resembled a silver and blue-colored metallic stick at first.
But by placing a core crystal below, it activated by pressing the buttons on its handle.
FLASH!
Suddenly, a huge, long, blue-colored laser blade was generated; it glowed so brightly it released a laser sword sound like "bbzzzttt"!
It was really cool…
It seems to be also able to shoot beams by pressing another button, but I shouldn't do that here.
Hm, alright, I might use you as another of my swords; they're definitely going into the collection.
Thanks to my Myriad Self Aura growing so strong and precise, I can use it to gain several more arms and hands, so I freely equip a bunch of weapons.
This, with the power of Thousand Blades, becomes an insane power I haven't quite unleashed in its totality.
I've been waiting for this moment, as I've mostly trained without armor or weapons with my masters…
But this time it's different; anything goes, right?
Hehe.
There were also these items too.
[Body Strengthening Nanomachine Injection (S Rank)] x1
[Electromagnetic Core Crystal (B Rank)] x1
[Mechanoid Power Armor (B Rank)] x1
So my idea is that I'll inject the two nanomachine injections to get a bit stronger, then equip the armor and the laser blade.
Oh right, and use the skill scroll as well; this time it'll be an S Rank Skill so it should be even better, I think.
Before, I was a bit afraid of injecting these nanomachine jabs, and honestly, I still was a bit nervous.
I had imagined that somehow I could get "hacked" if I became slightly robotic myself.
But I quickly remembered these items are generated by the System.
And the System Description stated that they cannot be hacked by external influences unless I actually allow them.
The nanomachines are immune to external control, period.
I had actually tried doing an experiment, and I asked Zero One and her sister to try "hacking" my finger, which I had injected with a tiny bit of that first jab.
The result? They were unable to even detect it.
"It is as if it doesn't really exist… Is there something there?"
Zero One, who had hacked a whole Mechanical Tree didn't even detect it, so I think I'm good.
Worst case scenario, I can quickly expel the nanomachines using my [Initiate Nanomachine Manipulation] Skill.
Though, I believe that Skill will only make these machines within me even stronger, as I could potentially manipulate them to strengthen certain specific things for me…
"This is getting a bit like cyberpunk but fuck it."
I injected both jabs into my arms, one each.
FLUOSH!
"Ooh?!"
The moment I did, I felt an electrifying surge of energy coursing through my whole body.
I felt tiny little needles piercing my muscles, and it made me scream in pain a bit.
"Ouch! Agh!"
However, it was far from something I couldn't resist or hold on my own. I've definitely gone through worse pains anyway.
"I-Is it done?"
I sighed in relief, suddenly feeling it was finally over; a refreshing sensation washed over my entire body as I looked at my body, mostly remaining the same.
But by merely touching my arms or muscles, my stomach, and so on, it felt much harder!
Even harder than before…
"Combining physique cultivation and body strengthening with technology… Huh, this is pretty neat."
Ding!
[You have used the [Body Strengthening Nanomachine Injection (S Rank)] x1 and the [Muscle Strengthening Nanomachine Injection (S+ Rank)] x1!]
[Your body has absorbed two thousand nanomachines, assimilating them into your Body's Muscles, Bones, Cartilages, and Skin, strengthening them greatly.]
[All your Physical Stats have increased by +10.000!]
"No way, ten thousand?!"
I gasped in disbelief!
I guess the B Rank one gave me 3k and the other… 7k?!
They're super stat boosters!
Now I want more.
I need more!
"Ahem…"
I calmed down as I closed my eyes.
Using my Nanomachine Manipulation Skill, I could actually feel all of them, all two thousand of them.
I was sure that if I wanted, I could probably destroy them or expel them out of my body through my pores.
For now, however, I felt relieved I had full control of them as an extension of my body.
And I didn't feel weirder or anything either; they didn't affect the brain either.
If anything, I felt "upgraded" somehow.
"Alright, what's next… this."
I grabbed the silver-colored skill scroll and opened it, infusing energy into it.
FLASH!
Suddenly, runes flew into my body, infusing into me a new skill.
Ding!
[You have used the [Random Mechanoid Skill Scroll (S Rank)] x1! You will be given a random Skill based on the skill scroll's skill pool.]
[You learned the Skill: [Automatic Machine Assembly (S): Lv1]!]
-----
[Automatic Mechanoid Assembly (S): Lv1]
[Skill EXP]: [0/12.000]
A Powerful Skill only wielded by mighty Mechanical Lifeforms and their powerful Machines that work to create more of their kind. This Ability allows the user to gather materials suitable and assemble them into powerful Mechanical Lifeforms known as Mechanoids.
Completely made of metal and other similar materials, Mechanoids will work and obey the master's orders. Their stats will be based on the quality and durability of their ingredients plus another 20% of the master's physical stats.
By spending Mana or Ki, the Skill, once activated, can work automatically, and no direction, imagination, or projection is needed to create Mechanoids at all. New forms and shapes will be unlocked with each Skill Level. This Skill cannot be used on active Mechanoids or Machines that have not been destroyed or disassembled.
Available Mechanoids:
Level 1: [Soldier Mechanoid: Code A.N.T. 01] [Support Mechanoid: Code A.R.A.C.H. 02] [Assault Mechanoid: Code M.A.N.T.I.S. 03]
Level 2: ???
Level Bonus (1): Increases Created Mechanoid Physical Stats by +10% and Health Points and Energy Reserves by 50%.
-----
"Oh, a robot summoning Skill?!"
I was surprised I got something like this so early!
Well, these two other machine skills were pretty good already too.
-----
[Mechanical Body Transformation (SS): Lv1]
[Skill EXP]: [0/15.000]
A Powerful Skill only wielded by mighty Mechanical Lifeforms capable of controlling their bodies and transforming them through the manipulation of their inner workings and electromagnetic energy. It has been modified to allow for the ability to manipulate machines bodies, transform them, reassemble them, or disassemble them through touch, and if they aren't active, as long as they're within a range of the user.
When transforming mechanical parts of your body, modifying their shapes and more, your Transformation Speed, Shapeshifting Accuracy, and Body Functions increase by 300%, while the Physical Stats within those Mechanical Parts increase by 100%.
While doing the same to machines below your authority or that you're transforming and controlling, they receive half of these effects. Hostile machines can also receive this effect once physically touched by your body, although they may resist using electromagnetic energy; if they fail to defend, they might fall into a {Hacked} State, in which you can control them for 10 Minutes with mental commands. In their {Hacked} State, their Stats decrease by 25%.
Level Bonus (1): Increases All Skill Effects and Bonuses by 25%. Increases {Hacked} Status Durability by 5 Minutes.
-----
This was the first one I got; it is pretty much an all-rounder that can help me get an advantage on machines and manipulate them to an extent, or even Hack them.
It worked well when we invaded the first Mechanical Tree, though half of its function is still useless as I lack mechanical parts in my body…
I wonder if the nanomachines could count, though. They're so dispersed that I don't know.
Perhaps if I gather them within a point of my body, it might turn more mechanical.
We'll see how that works.
-----
[Initiate Nanomachine Manipulation (B): Lv1]
[Skill EXP]: [0/10.000]
A Powerful Skill only wielded by mighty Mechanical Lifeforms capable of controlling nanomachines is given, usually those that had been designed specifically to create or manipulate smaller machine lifeforms to create even more complex living beings of their own.
By spending Mana or Ki, the Skill, once activated, allows for the control of nanomachines within the vicinity, even from inside the body or around the user. Even when they belong to another body. However the force exerted on nanomachines is proportional to your INT and WIS Stats combined.
If a foe with a stronger amount of INT or WIS, or who is vastly stronger than you, or who is strengthened with protective fields, it might not work. However, physical contact directly with these nanomachines can strengthen and increase the chances of a successful takeover.
Manipulated Nanomachines can be reshaped and transformed as the user desires, changing their appearance, form, and power the more materials and energy they are fed, and the higher the user's INT and WIS Stat are.
Level Bonus (1): Increases Dexterity when Controlling Nanomachines by 30%. Increases the Stats of controlled Nanomachines by 20% and their Self-Repair and Multiplication speed by 50%.
-----
And this is the second I had gotten; this is more than anything pure manipulation. I think these two skills complement each other quite nicely.
The new and third skill will help me add my own machines to the battle, even better because they will also carry my own stats, so the stronger I get, the stronger they'll get!
"Alright, now this…"
I had a few more minutes before this "break" ended, so I moved to the last batch of items.
-----