Starting as a Mechanical Hunter

Balance Technology Branch, within a mechanical repair room.

”Dad!”

The first words from the hulking Jin Ba were enough to almost shock Gao Gong.

”With my mechanical body, I couldn’t possibly have a biological daughter like you.”

Jin Ba looked at the unfathomable mechanical skull before him, revealing a contemplative expression, and after a moment, tentatively said:

”Good son?”

Gao Gong extended a mechanical hand and unplugged the cables attached to him. In the absence of an organism, ’charging’ had to be done in this primitive way.

After unplugging the last cable, Gao Gong calmly said, ”Bring them in.”

”Huh? How did you know I was speaking on others’ behalf?” Jin Ba asked curiously.

”No one calls you ’dad’ for nothing; it’s either a scheme or theft.”

Soon enough, Jin Ba’s colleagues, a group of hulking corporate warriors, entered with bowed heads, completely lacking their usual arrogance.

”Do you want me to transform your organisms?” Gao Gong got straight to the point.

”Hehe, we’d really appreciate your help, big boss.”

”Mr. G, you’re so helpful and righteous, we truly admire you.”

”Mr. G, if you ever have any problems, feel free to come to us.”

The mechanical skull across from them extended a metallic finger.

”Ten million, per person.”

”Huh?” The group of corporate warriors was stunned.

”And it has to be paid in Mother City Coin.”

”Huh??”

Ten million Mother City Coin, if converted to regular Mechanical City currency, would be in the billions.

This group of top-notch corporate warriors usually spent money lavishly, living day-to-day without any savings.

”But, but, I heard you didn’t charge Jin Hanhan for their transformation,” a dreadlocked, tattoo-covered man cautiously said.

”Oh, right, that’s true,” Gao Gong turned to Jin Ba and said, ”Come, say it.”

”Dad,” Jin Ba said obediently.

”See, we’re family.”

The dreadlocked man mumbled a few words, seemingly wanting to imitate.

”It doesn’t work for men.”

Gao Gong detected the man’s intention and flatly refused.

Seeing the disappointed corporate warriors, Gao Gong spoke again, ”However, if you can help me get some materials, it’s not like I can’t help, since we’re all in the same department.”

The data refreshed on the prosthetic eye, and soon, a material list appeared on all the corporate warriors’ implanted chips.

FG-13 alloy, Mother City alloy, top-grade mechanical rotor, scorched rock, Noah Crystal Stone, isotopic polymer…

FG-13 alloy, the market’s most top-tier Tier 2 top-grade alloy material, known for its strength, ductility, hardness, and fatigue resistance—all at the highest levels.

Mother City alloy, a high-grade alloy from Cybertron, also used in crafting the Mechanical Main Brain and Mother City Mechanical Life, sourced from space, with no one knowing the formula.

Scorched rock, a mineral from Earth’s core, extremely heat resistant, maintaining its shape even at 6000 degrees Celsius.

Noah Crystal Stone, isotopic polymer, advanced metals from the Asteroid Belt, not produced on this planet at all.

”Uh, dad, didn’t you say you came to Balance Technology to restore your organism?”

After the others left, Jin Ba, who got a free pass by recognizing a dad, couldn’t help but ask.

”But if I want advanced biological materials or advanced biotechnology, will you give it?”

”Well, probably not.”

Jin Ba understood right away that as a top-tier biological company, they naturally possess the highest-grade biological materials, S-Level Radiation Beasts, unique life forms, and primitive species, but these things are out of reach for Gao Gong, and not even Han Tong would have the right to access them.

The secrecy department is no joke.

In fact, whether it’s Balance Technology or other top-tier corporations, the most dangerous and feared division remains the secrecy department.

If those corporate warriors really tried to steal materials, they probably wouldn’t see the next day.

”Then if I want money, will they give it?”

Jin Ba scratched her head, ”That probably won’t happen either.”

”Then if I keep stringing them along, won’t they bind me up somewhere and force me to transform them?”

Jin Ba thought about it, considering her knowledge of these beasts, such actions are absolutely within their capabilities.

”Therefore, asking for metal materials is a profitable trade.”

”True, our Balance Branch lacks everything except materials. Dad, I’ll hand over some of the materials I have to you later.” Adopted daughter Jin Ba patted her chest, immediately showing her filial piety.

As a biological company, possessing some advanced metal materials does sound peculiar.

However, as a close partner with military giants, possessing some advanced metal materials for experimentation makes sense.

And these corporate warriors, being the first choices for testing new weapons, wasting some leftover scraps is reasonable, right?

...

This matter wasn’t something Gao Gong planned to hide or could hide, and soon, Han Tong, the top expert of the Throne Department and also of the Balance Branch, knew about it and even got the list at first hand.

”Advanced metal materials?”

Han Tong pondered aloud. If the request was for biological materials, it would be more understandable given the person’s status as a Biological Transformation Master.

But why metal materials? What use are these?

Self-transformation? Is he not planning to become human again?

”Minister, what’s your take on this?” A cold voice spoke from the holographic projection.

”Let him look for now; the HR specialist from headquarters will soon arrive, and by then, he’ll become one of us.”

As a branch minister, encountering a master-level biological expert, of course he had to report it up.

And the HR specialist from headquarters is renowned for even being able to brainwash advanced AI.

Thinking of this, he instead worried about his subordinates.

”Keep an eye on them; some materials are confidential, and they should be cautious.”

Besides himself, those creatures who have undergone hundreds of transformations are notoriously fearless.

He was very concerned they might do something out of line.

The other side was silent for a moment, then said:

”I’m afraid it won’t work because the expert mentioned the materials needed are limited and first come, first served.”

”Forget it, I’ll see what happens after the meeting,” Han Tong paused then suddenly thought of something and raised his voice: ”You secured my spot, right?!”

”Sorry, Minister, I only secured my own spot.”

”...”

After the routine ministerial-level meeting at the Balance Branch ended, the big shots of each branch walked out, nodding to each other, then leaving.

Han Tong walked particularly quickly; if he didn’t hurry, that group of idiots might snatch all the spots.

”Minister Han, please take care.”

Han Tong turned his head and found it was Zhang Yu, the logistics manager. This was a cushy position not just anyone could hold. In several previous internal competitions, Zhang Yu’s opponents were eliminated for various reasons, further confirming Han Tong’s belief that Zhang Yu had someone backing him.

”Manager Zhang, is there something you need?” Han Tong asked, maintaining his patience.

”Director Han, I was wondering how my friend is doing under your care?” Manager Zhang asked with a smile.

Han Tong paused, thinking about the friend, that biological expert?

”He’s doing well, why?” Han Tong replied unemotionally.

Zhang Yu seemed taken aback, then said, ”If he’s doing well, could he transfer earlier? I’ve just had a spot open up here.”

Transfer, damn it, I haven’t even been transformed yet!

Han Tong decisively refused, ”No, according to company regulations, transferring requires passing our Throne Department’s review. Talk about it after we complete the review.”

Watching Zhang Yu’s departing figure, Han Tong was concerned. Zhang Yu hadn’t even given him such a small favor.

More importantly, has he discovered something?

...

Ever since he met that mysterious NPC, Ah Q felt his gaming experience worsening.

Firstly, the ’Ah Q’ within Balance Technology was contacting him increasingly frequently.

This gave him a sudden sense of creepiness because to him, the one who signed the agreement was just a tool, and then the tool became him.

Contacting oneself, with the same tone, style, and mannerisms—it honestly felt very eerie.

Worse still, he now had to grind on tasks, even though he was merely a casual player.

In Biological Zone 104, at a nine-story residential building, Ah Q raised his head with a face full of complaints and walked inside.

”You are?” Matsumoto Tetsu looked at the other person in surprise.

”Hello, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you regarding that secret experiment within our company.”

Following the task prompts, Ah Q spoke word for word.