Leader Chen's fingers paused, "You want to assemble it yourself? Even after deleting many modules, this armor has tens of thousands of parts. Mechanical arms can assemble it in minutes, but doing it by hand takes at least a few hours. Are you sure you want to do it yourself?"
"That's right, I hope to assemble it myself, but I'd like you to give me an assembly sequence," Yang Yuan said.
"Even if you don't understand Power Armor, watching an assembly sequence video might not help you. Missing a screw could mean it won't work," Leader Chen said.
"Can you guide me?"
"I can, but my time is valuable. You'll need to give me ten more Spirit Monster Cores, making a total of sixty. Agree, and I'll personally guide you in assembly," Leader Chen responded.
Sixty cores?
Acceptable.
Yang Yuan nodded, "No problem."
"I don't get it. If you can steal the technology, I'll eat this computer."
Even if you learn to assemble, without understanding the working principle and how to manufacture various parts, it's useless.
Leader Chen shook his head speechlessly, then had the mechanical arms disassemble the recently assembled modules, and subsequently maneuvered the mechanical arms to move newly printed parts onto the assembly table.
"By the way, there's too much grime on you. It's best to wash up in the bathroom nearby, or wearing the Power Armor might cause discomfort, affecting functionality."
Leader Chen felt a bit embarrassed to call this thing Power Armor: "In light of your patronage, the shower is free, but don't waste water."
"Thank you." Yang Yuan eagerly dashed into the bathroom to shower, washing his clothes along the way.
This bathroom seemed to have some kind of supernatural power or perhaps some technology he couldn't understand—the laundered clothes dried automatically in just a few minutes.
After he bathed, shampooed, and scrubbed off the dirt, he felt refreshed.
Once he dressed and came out, all the parts had been printed.
"Come over, let's start."
Leader Chen came to the assembly table and patiently taught Yang Yuan how to assemble.
He seemed like a top-tier scientist, intimately familiar with the structure of Power Armor, not needing the computer at all, just directly handing parts to Yang Yuan.
After a full three hours, a camouflage-colored 'Power Armor' resembling Iron Man was assembled.
This Power Armor was perhaps only two meters high because many modules were removed.
When the last part was installed, a white light flashed by that only Yang Yuan could see.
[Experience +1]
Such information flashed across his mind.
The Power Armor in front of him also presented its data:
[(Pseudo) Power Armor LV.1: 0/100 (An adult children's toy. Do not wear it to fight, or you'll die horribly.)]
The preceding 'Pseudo' was quite interesting.
Yet Yang Yuan was still excited; there really was upgrade data, which was good.
"This thing..."
Leader Chen was too embarrassed to call it Power Armor, using 'this thing' instead to refer: "All the features you want are there, but they are all super downgraded. It weighs about twenty pounds, just a fragile shell. Don't even mention bulletproof; an average person might even slash it open with a blade. Its most valuable component is the energy converter on its chest; best not wear it to fight, or don't blame me when you die. Give me a Spirit Monster Core."
"Don't worry."
Yang Yuan smiled and handed over a Spirit Monster Core.
Leader Chen took the Spirit Monster Core, manually opened the energy slot on the armor's chest, and placed the core inside.
In the next moment, the eyes of the Power Armor lit up.
"Alright, you can enter now."
He pressed the exterior of the armor's chest energy slot again, causing the front portion of the armor to retract entirely.
The helmet, chest, abdomen, hands, and feet contracted by half, allowing a person to step in directly.
Yang Yuan stepped inside, aligning his hands, feet, and head, and the armor automatically closed.
Next, he found that he could control the armor by thought; there seemed to be some weak artificial intelligence inside?
But no, it wasn't related to artificial intelligence. This seemed like technology linking neurons, enabling him to control each function of the armor using thought.
He was a bit surprised; even neural links existed—this world's technology wasn't weak.
"Because all features are super watered-down, the ventilation system is poor too. Best to open the visor, or you might suffocate," Leader Chen said.
"...Alright."
With a thought, Yang Yuan caused the visor to retract on both sides, revealing his face, though the contraction speed was quite slow, with weak power.
He tried moving around, finding it akin to having a heavy shell on; though, due to the armor's light weight, speed wasn't slow, seemingly lacking any extra propulsion.
Immediately after, he tested the engine functions of the limbs, discovering that the palms and soles could indeed emit light particles, yet there was almost no perceived thrust.
Additionally, hidden shooting ports were located on both shoulders, capable of holding ten handgun-model bullets, although the power...
"Stop trying, the propulsion is nearly nonexistent. All the functions you want are there, but just as you wished, it's merely a showpiece. You must rely on your own strength to drive it to move, though the joints are flexible enough; theoretically, if your strength is sufficient, speed can also increase, but parts could wear out." Leader Chen shook his head helplessly: "A regular Spirit Monster Core can last twenty-four hours, replace it yourself when depleted; this energy converter is also watered-down, causing significant energy waste. Alright, let's go."
"Okay."
Yang Yuan followed, wearing the 'Power Armor.' Before exiting the lab, he suddenly noticed the Power Armor's experience increased by one point.
"Could this be a point of experience per minute? Just wearing it accrues experience?"
His heart delighted; in that case, this Power Armor's experience acquisition speed was easier than a handgun.
As long as it's worn continuously, experience will keep accumulating.
The sky outside had already turned dark.
Following Leader Chen outside, Yang Yuan saw several large objects resembling hot air balloons slowly ascending in the distance.
"What are those?" he asked, puzzled.
"Hot air balloon satellites," Leader Chen replied. "The atmosphere here is too thick; our rockets can't escape it, so we only use hot air balloons to carry satellites skyward."
Yang Yuan understood: "Do hot air balloons go bad?"
"The latest hot air balloon technology can probably last three days here; likewise for the satellites, as they are temporary, using ordinary materials. If left unchecked, they must be re-launched every three days," Leader Chen explained. "Even with ordinary materials, the cost is substantial, but we must maintain surveillance over a thousand-kilometer radius, or we're too passive."
"Is sending them up at night to avoid high-altitude predatory birds?" Yang Yuan inquired.
"Exactly," Leader Chen nodded.
Yang Yuan suddenly asked, "Are there other safety zones besides this one?"
Leader Chen fell silent at this question.
After some time, he replied, "Back when the alliance was slaughtered by the Drought Fiend, we split into thousands of teams to ensure the continuation of our species. Markets across the world may have safety zones now... or perhaps there is just us remaining."
Yang Yuan hastily said, "Since our team escaped, other teams must have also evaded the Drought Fiend's pursuit."
"Let's hope," Leader Chen replied with a forced smile.
Soon, they returned to the assembly room.
The now-lively Zhao Jiayan and Jiang Yiyi were still there waiting for Yang Yuan; seeing him emerge clad in 'Power Armor,' they all displayed expressions of astonishment.