Poverty makes me capable of anything.

“I can give you an extra week. Just give me any blueprint then,” Gray said.

"Deal!" An Ran looked up.

Five blueprints, which means five weeks.

She desperately needs automated equipment in the R&D center, which would greatly accelerate her upgrade process.

Even if it involves deception, the deal must be completed first.

“Deal.” Gray smiled and spoke gently. “You don’t need to worry about me cheating you. You saved Colin, and given my relationship with Colin, I will ensure that this deal is not affected by external forces.”

"Ah."

An Ran nodded coldly: "Don't we need any proof, like an agreement or something?"

She had a strong feeling that Gray's real goal was that [aiming code], and Gray's tone changed when he mentioned it.

Although Gray said he would ensure the transaction went smoothly out of respect for Colin, Anran suspected that Gray was also afraid of not being able to obtain the blueprints by force.

Blueprints are something that a normal NPC can destroy with a single fire.

“Take this badge.” Gray took a four-leaf clover-shaped badge out of his pocket and handed it to An Ran. “When you come to the research center, just show this to the security guard.”

Gray didn't mention anything else.

"Ah."

Anran carefully put the badge away.

The conversation should probably end soon.

Gray turned to leave, calmly putting down the metal rod he was using for polishing. Just as he was about to try out his newly made scabbard, Gray suddenly turned around again.

He took two quick steps forward, wearing a "simple and honest" smile.

“Oh, right,” Gray said with a smile.

what happened again?

Anran watched Gray warily.

Suddenly, he asked, "How did you manage to put this knife away? It wasn't a disposable one, was it?"

"..."

An Ran was truly impressed.

This is probably what it means to be dedicated to scientific research.

When I see something I don't quite understand, I always keep thinking about it. If I don't figure it out in the end, I always feel uneasy, like something is hanging over me.

"so."

An Ran held the mechanical spring knife flat in her right hand.

Press down on the spring with your left hand, then turn it counterclockwise half a turn.

With a snap, a flash of white light, and the blade swiftly retracted.

"So that's how it is!" Gray exclaimed with delight, his eyes lighting up.

Anran then turned the spring clockwise by a little half a turn and pressed it gently.

bass--

The blade suddenly thrust out.

At the same time, the spring automatically turns the remaining half-turn.

It happened so fast that Gray didn't even have time to react.

"It really is a good thing!" Gray muttered to himself.

He reached out to take the mechanical projectile knife, but pulled it back halfway.

"Are you selling this blueprint?" Gray asked tentatively.

An Ran shook her head.

"Fine." Gray stopped insisting. The principle of the mechanical spring blade was not complicated. If they wanted to replicate it, the research center's capabilities would allow them to do so without much time. Although they couldn't restore it 100%, they figured it wouldn't be too far off.

"It's getting late, so I'll be going now."

"Let's go, let's go." An Ran waved her hand.

Gray immediately puffed out his beard: "Don't you have any intention of trying to persuade me to stay?"

"Sorry, no." An Ran turned her back and went to the corner to get the metal block.

"Don't you understand the concept of respecting the elderly and caring for the young?!" Gray shouted.

"I don't understand, thank you!" An Ran picked up a flat piece of metal.

Gray: "..."

Whatever makes you happy, I'm leaving.

An Ran glanced at him and watched Gray walk away.

She placed the metal block on the forging press table and saw Eudora pushing Colin in.

"Uh……"

An Ran put down the large iron hammer in her hand, still thinking about how to greet him, when Colin spoke first: "Gray was my mentor at the R&D center. He's an expert in electronics. As you can see from his personality, he won't cheat you if you do business with him. It's just that the R&D center now is not the same as it used to be."

After saying that, Colin left.

They left!

I rely on!

An Ran's lips parted slightly, unsure of what to say. "Are you perhaps a Zen practitioner? Are you just going to guess the rest after saying a few words?"

Well, it wasn't really a riddle. Colin's words reassured Anran in some ways, but also heightened her vigilance in others.

Sometimes, unintentional acts of kindness can bring good rewards.

Anran started making the super-durable pressure cooker with a lot of clanging and banging.

Chapter 11 Playing Games Within Games

"Obtained [Super Endurance Pressure Cooker] *1, Free Experience Points +250".

"【Basic Mechanical Theory】Upgrade conditions have been met, automatically upgraded to Lv2."

"【Basic Assembly】Upgrade conditions met, automatically upgraded to Lv2."

"【Basic Mechanical Proficiency】has met the upgrade requirements and will automatically upgrade to Lv2."

She made a pressure cooker, and the game prompts overwhelmed Anran like flying pieces of paper, leaving her stunned for a long time.

The upgraded skill description for "Basic Mechanical Theory" is still rather general, but the latter two skills offer significant improvements in assembly efficiency and mechanical work.

At Lv1, it increases by 3%, but when upgraded to Lv2, it becomes 5%.

When crafting mechanical equipment by hand, combined with Anran's passive skill "Dexterity," the three factors can increase efficiency by 20%, which is quite overpowered.

What a great find!

Anran looked at the ordinary-looking pressure cooker and felt that it was a symbol of her good luck today.

Unlike job level upgrades, skill level upgrades can be done in three ways.

First, continuously use the skills to increase proficiency.

Second, invest in upgrading your free experience.

Third, use skill points to level up quickly.

Generally speaking, the second method is appropriate.

An Ran currently has very little experience points, so she is focusing all her experience on becoming a mechanic, aiming to level up to [Junior Mechanic] as quickly as possible.

Otherwise, she could have used some of her experience to upgrade other professions and increase her attribute points.

The difference between a Junior Mechanic and a Trainee Mechanic is significant.

The Apprentice Mechanic can only create simple mechanical structures, while the Programming branch in the Junior Mechanic skill tree allows the Mechanic profession to begin to flourish.

It truly showcases what makes it different from other professions.

This is why Anran is currently unable to produce the [inferior exoskeleton armor] and the [flat-top robotic vacuum cleaner], because she doesn't know how to program.

A mechanic who isn't a programmer isn't a good mechanic.

Even a mech master needs to be proficient in programming.

They can't even tinker with chips, how can they possibly build a mechanical army?

In Night of the Stars, gender will not be a factor that limits your growth; personality will.

……

"The R&D center is located at No. 123 Qiuyang Road, which is 4.3 kilometers away from Yudola's home in a straight line."

After checking the address and travel route online, Anran set off.

Ella wanted to go along, but Colin disagreed, so the idea was dropped.

"First, familiarize yourself with the situation, and then get those automated devices up and running as soon as possible."

An Ran made up her mind; time was of the essence, and she couldn't afford to waste any more time.

There are already players in the player community who are about to advance to the top of the apprentice profession. These are players born on the border planet, where war and conflict are the main themes, and they grow rapidly through constant killing.

An Ran arrived at Qiuyang Road in a short time.

This is a long and narrow street.

Located by the river, it lacks a strong commercial atmosphere, with lush green belts on both sides and bluestone-paved roads, deliberately creating a quiet living environment in the city.

You probably don't see many people on ordinary days.

But when Anran walked to Qiuyang Road, she found the street crowded with people, dozens of them, all gathered in front of a low building.

These people all have one thing in common.