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Redblaze Wasteland. Deeper inside.
If the industrial zone was a wasteland caused by over-mining, then this place was the forgotten edge of that wasteland.
The terrain transitioned from exposed rock strata and strip mines into a sparse, sickly-green jungle.
The air was thick with a strange odor—a mixture of rotting humus and rusting metal.
The sky was perpetually shrouded beneath Aurelian IV's signature pollution clouds, making the light permanently dim.
Hidden deep within this jungle was an abandoned outpost.
Judging from the remaining traces, it likely belonged to a prospecting team from the House Blaec era over eighty years ago, or perhaps even earlier colonists.
Several low, half-buried prefabricated barracks had mostly collapsed, leaving only rusting metal frames.
A watchtower leaned at a precarious angle, looking as if it might topple at any moment.
There should have been a perimeter wall surrounding the base, but now only scattered concrete foundations remained.
Most importantly, for hundreds of miles in every direction—aside from a few remote towns and small mining settlements that required days of trekking to reach—there were no major armed factions stationed here.
It was far from Aru City, separated from the industrial zone (which had now become a Chaos nest) by a vast expanse of wasteland. It was the perfect blind spot, a true no-man's-land.
This was precisely the starting base location the players had voted on after days of dying, respawning, and exploring multiple directions.
At this moment, within the ruins designated as Respawn Point 1, flashes of white light flickered continuously.
The silhouettes of players sprouted from every corner like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.
"Pfft! Pfft! What is that smell?!"
[Soul of Cadia] pinched his nose the moment he logged in. "It's stronger than the sulfur smell in the industrial zone!"
"Be content. At least there's no one here whipping you."
Tax Bro stretched the arms of his new body. He felt like the muscles on this new vessel were slightly firmer than his last one.
"Headcount!"
[Eternally Loyal to the Emperor] Zeke's voice rang out in the regional channel. "All squads, report numbers!"
"I repeat, this is our chosen main base and headquarters. It's temporarily safe, but maintain vigilance!"
The online counts for each squad scrolled rapidly through the channel.
Final tally: Out of 5,000 players, except for 17 who were temporarily offline due to real-life reasons, everyone else was present.
"Excellent," Zeke looked around at the dilapidated surroundings. "Brothers, behold our new home..."
Before he could finish his sentence.
In the top-left corner of every player's vision, a series of unprecedented System prompt windows popped up simultaneously!
[Major System Update Announcement]
To all esteemed Pilots:
In light of your outstanding adaptability and resource acquisition efficiency during the initial phase on Aurelian IV, System permissions have been partially unlocked.
Loading new functional modules...
[Loading Complete]
The new features are as follows:
[Chapter System]
Found a Chapter: Spend 1,000 Imperial Coins to found a Novice Chapter. A Chapter possesses an independent name, emblem, internal comms channel, contribution record, and basic command hierarchy.
Chapter Level: Initially "Skirmisher" tier. Levels up based on member count, comprehensive strength, completed game missions, or by independently achieving major legion milestones. Leveling up increases the recruitment cap and unlocks more Chapter functions and exclusive store items.
Chapter Vault: Shared storage space (initially 50 slots, expandable) used to store public Chapter supplies.
Note: In the Mecha Universe, huddling together for warmth is the first rule of survival. Please treat your members kindly. Loyal faith and shared interests are the best glue to keep a Chapter from falling apart.
(P.S: The Betrayal and Purge sub-modules are not unlocked in the current version. Please found your Chapters with peace of mind.)
[Physical Augmentation & Enhancement Database (Genetic Sequence Development Paths)]
Basic Physique Enhancement Chain:
Type I (Bone Density / Muscle Efficiency): Price 100 coins. Effect: Slightly increases carry weight, melee damage resistance, and maximum stamina.
Type II (Metabolic Optimization / Neurological Enhancement): Unlocks when Type I reaches ≥30% completion. Price 500 coins. Effect: Increases stamina recovery rate; slightly increases reaction speed.
Type III (Organ Redundancy / Trauma Tolerance): Unlocks when Type II reaches ≥50% completion. Price 1,500 coins. Effect: Increases resistance to toxins, radiation, and low-oxygen environments; slightly increases survival rate from critical injuries.
Subsequent Paths: Displayed as [Locked].
Perception Enhancement Chain:
Type I (Visual / Auditory Acuity): Price 100 coins. Effect: Slightly improves vision in dim environments and auditory range.
Subsequent Paths: [Locked].
Neural Interface Chain (Prerequisite for Mechanical Augmentation):
Basic Neural Interface Implant: Price 500 coins. Effect: Allows the installation and basic compatibility of the simplest mechanical prosthetics or exoskeleton interfaces.
Warning: Augmentations carry a risk of failure, which may lead to nerve damage or rejection reactions.
Note: This is the beginning of mortal flesh ascending to the extraordinary.
Attention: All augmentations require time to adapt and may slightly or significantly alter the physical appearance of the vessel. Please choose your evolutionary path carefully.
[Psychic Awakening & Guidance (High Reward, High Risk)]
Psychic Talent Screening: Price 100 coins. Effect: Detects the vessel's current psychic potential rating (E~S).
Psychic Awakening Ritual (Basic): Price 1,000 Imperial Coins. Effect: Activates latent psychic talents, granting the most rudimentary psychic perception abilities. Consequence of Failure: Mild to severe psychological trauma; extremely small probability of attracting the attention of the Warp (you know what that means).
Psychic Training Method (Basic Meditation): Price 500 coins. Effect: Provides the most rudimentary guidance on psychic control and growth.
Warning: Fumbling around with psychic cultivation on your own in the Mecha Universe is equivalent to tap-dancing blindfolded in a minefield.
Note: Psychic power is a key, but also a curse. Power and risk coexist; knowledge and madness dance together. The System will provide the awakening and the most basic protective guidance. For subsequent paths, you must pay Imperial Coins for protection. Please... weigh your choices carefully.
(Massive Red Warning Text: A Psyker without System training is the brightest torch in the darkness, and also the most delicious snack.)
[Store System Expansion (New Categories)]
New Category: [Xenos Tech-Style Equipment]
"High-Efficiency Solar Power Armor (Light)"
(Annotation: Suspected to originate from a civilization that extremely reveres solar efficiency): Price 15,000 coins. Provides basic protection. Energy is nearly limitless under sunlight, but efficiency drops sharply in dim environments.
"Rail Rifle Prototype"
(Annotation: A specialized branch of kinetic weapons, emphasizing muzzle velocity and penetration): Price 5,000 coins. Impressive firepower, excellent range. Specialized ammunition must be purchased separately (50 coins/magazine). High recoil.
"Phase Dagger"
(Annotation: Involves basic spatial cutting technology): Price 4,200 coins. Significant armor-piercing effects in melee. Extremely effective against energy shields. Unstable structure carries a risk of self-destruction.
"General-Purpose Engineering Mecha"
(Annotation: Heavy Industrial Mecha): Price 50,000 coins.
New Category: [Unknown Tech Tree]
"Warp Drive Principle Fragment (I)": Price 300,000 coins. Description: A fragment exploring an alternative theory for faster-than-light travel. Effect: ???
"Psycho-Mechanical Coupling Interface Theory Fragment (I)": Price 250,000 coins. Description: An approach to merging psychic power and machinery different from the Order of the Omnissian Mind's doctrine. Effect: ???
Massive Restock of Existing Categories: Added more models of las-weapons, kinetic weapons, various grades of armor, engineering tools, medical supplies, survival gear, etc.
New Services:
Vessel Resculpting: Spend 50 coins to micro-adjust the vessel's facial appearance.
[Final Prompt]: All new features and services require the expenditure of Imperial Coins.
Imperial Coins can be acquired through material recycling, mission completion, and specific behavioral rewards.
We wish all Pilots an even more spectacular pioneering journey on Aurelian IV.
–
Zeke stared at the footnote. Still calling it the Mecha Universe, huh! you fucking dev.