Reboot: Mechanic

Shi Tian sighed inwardly, feeling the weight of the integrated chip's words resonating within him. The integrated chip was far from sugar-coating the truth, and it struck a nerve within him.

The integrated chip was right—Shi Tian had been caught up in schemes and trivial activities, all to gather resources and get ahead.

However, in the vast world of mechanics, without resources, progress remained a far-off dream. But the integrated chip's biting remarks weren't helping either.

It was clear that the integrated chip was enjoying his plight in trying to gather the resources while judging him for not working as a proper mechanic.

'Just do the analysis and tell me when it's done.' Shi Tian said, unwilling to converse with it further. With that said, Shi Tian subsequently closed the status screen and avoided looking at his pathetic stats.

He had already seen his level remain the same, and the stats were still quite low when the status screen was scrolling down to the description part which the integrated chip utilized to communicate with him.

The only positive part about him was probably his keen eyesight that could see perfectly and because of that, his aiming was great.

Other than that, there really wasn't much that Shi Tian could be proud of.

As Shi Tian was lost in thought, Vanessa nudged Mary's arm and asked, "I've been wondering for a while, but does he always look like he's in a daze?"

Confused, Mary turned to Vanessa. "What do you mean by that?"

Given Mary was focused on her screen and task, she didn't have the idle time like Vanessa to be looking at Shi Tian.

Thus, Vanessa needed to explain what she had just seen. "Nathan was looking at the empty air earlier, and his expression was changing from frustration to somewhat coy."

"Are you trying to accuse Nathan of imitating you?" Mary twitched her brows and questioned. After all, what Vanessa described was none other than what she had been doing all along.

She would act frustrated at times, yet at other times, she would act coyly. If it wasn't because Vanessa was normal in her brain, then they would have long suspected Vanessa to be suffering from a dissociative identity disorder

Meanwhile, Vanessa was not a bit amused when Mary was quick to point the finger at her and implying that she was the one acting insanely.

"No, listen, I swear Nathan is hiding something from us," Vanessa uttered and proceeded to whisper in Mary's ear, telling her why she suspected that Shi Tian was communicating with something invisible or unknown to them.

After listening carefully this time, Mary indeed found it weird, since she had seen her fair share of Shi Tian's abnormality.

The most recent incident would be when Shi Tian somehow managed to produce a blueprint of the rigged IC chip for her.

The blueprint was sophisticated and she was positive that Shi Tian shouldn't have that kind of skills to draw them, let alone identify the properties of the rigged IC chip that she failed to decipher.

However, Mary also understood that a person should have one or two secrets with them.

And it made sense that Shi Tian would have a big secret that he kept to himself. Otherwise, how was it possible for him to make it through the wilderness and arrive at Gearits City?

"Vanessa, I understand your point, but you shouldn't pry too much." Mary kindly advised. "I'm sure you have your fair share of secrets or schemes in your mind, so I doubt you would want either one of us to talk about you behind your back, right?"

"I guess you're right…" Vanessa bit her lips softly and realized she was indeed a bit too much for calling Shi Tian out for behaving weirdly.

Just when Mary wanted to tell Vanessa to leave her alone, everyone heard a loud shout from outside.

"Relaying Commander Theobold's order, the three of you are requested to be on the frontline for assistance!"

The voice came from a soldier belonging to Theobold, and everyone was somewhat surprised by the sudden call of arms.

The soldier also didn't stay much longer after announcing it as he quickly returned to his post, almost as if he didn't want to let them have a chance to refuse the request.

"That Theobold is scheming something again." Vanessa clicked her tongue and was quick to accuse Theobold's actions.

Though who could Theobold blame other than himself for being so cunning and untrustworthy?

While Vanessa was quick to complain and accuse Theobold, Mary noticed Shi Tian's expression.

"You don't seem surprised by the call to arms, Nathan?" Mary asked in amusement.

"Well, aren't you the same, Mary?" Shi Tian chuckled softly and returned the question back to her.

"I guess you're right. The other commanders are exhausting their resources and arsenal to combat the monster wave, with Theobold having to deal with the largest number. So how could Theobold stand by and let his resources drain tremendously while we get to sit back and relax?"

"Heh, if I was Theobold, then I would definitely not let them relax at all."

Mary nodded her head in agreement.

Being called to arms was expected from them, so Mary was long prepared for it.

"Gerald and the rest are in position already, so even if Theobold wants to do something to us. He'll definitely suffer for trying to." Mary informed them.

Shi Tian simultaneously retrieved a few traps that he had crafted earlier. "My traps are also ready, so any fools that want to seek trouble with us can receive a death sentence."

As Shi Tian and Mary stared at each other, seemingly understanding each other's plan, Vanessa didn't want to feel left out, so she stepped forward and announced something of her own as well.

"Well, I've also got my people on standby now. They are ready to assist me as soon as I make a signal." Vanessa proclaimed, and a hint of pride could be heard in her voice.

Alas, the reception was poor and she was ignored by the two of them.