Chapter Five: Type D Kinetic Rifle, Advanced Hunter Zhang Jie!

"Brainless" picked up the raider's arm. "This one's better than mine. Swap it out for me so I can play Black Myth, too. Watch me teach you how it's done!"

The mechanical limbs he was currently using didn't even qualify as prosthetics. They were remnants from the late Old Era, designed for the disabled, driven by electronic signals that controlled miniature hydraulic piston devices. Consequently, they were incredibly clumsy; aside from walking and simple grasping, they were virtually useless.

"What a shame its head exploded. I could have made do with that one otherwise." Brainless still held a deep obsession with heads.

"No need to piece things together like this anymore. I'll find a robot of your model and upgrade you properly."

"Another empty promise. Fine, I'll believe you this once."

Su Cheng picked up his shimmer cutter, put on a mask, and began dissecting the raider's brain. Every low-level cyborg possessed a backup mimetic photonic brain—a bridge specifically designed to connect the cybernetics to the biological brain, which could also serve as a temporary core for operating the prosthetics.

The mimetic photonic brain and the human brain influenced each other. This was precisely why the raider's head had to be completely destroyed; though, severing their neck would also prove fatal. Once the power source was cut, the backup photonic brain would cease functioning and eventually become scrap.

"A pile of trash, as expected." Su Cheng looked coldly at the ruined brain, losing interest in further dissection. Due to the Black Death virus infection, a raider's backup photonic brain would stay in a state of overload, leading to severe burnout, which in turn caused catastrophic damage to the original brain.

Su Cheng held out a hand. "Saw."

Brainless pulled out a saw and handed it over.

*Screech, screech, screech...*

The friction between the saw and the mechanical prosthetics showered the room in intense sparks, illuminating Su Cheng's expressionless face. Soon, all the intact mechanical parts were stripped away, leaving only the torso. There were two E-grade mechanical arms equipped with kinetic rifles, and two E-grade mechanical legs capable of running, all still functional. Su Cheng dismantled the guns from the arms and gathered the useful components. "Take the trash out."

"Ugh, he stinks, even though I don't have an olfactory system." Brainless grabbed the raider's remaining husk and headed out the door. Passersby on the street merely glanced at them, showing no interest. In the Old World, the one thing never in short supply was corpses.

Su Cheng retrieved a set of E-grade mechanical prosthetics from his locker—his personal collection, intended for his own future upgrades. He placed both sets of prosthetics down and activated the Eye of Dimensions to synthesize and upgrade them.

*Completion: D-grade mechanical prosthetics.*

[D-grade Mechanical Prosthetics: Low-level mechanical prosthetics crafted with a titanium alloy frame. Their strength exceeds that of the human body, and their flexibility is nearly identical to human limbs. Possesses 1,000kg of punching force, 500kg of grip strength, and 1,000kg of leg strength. First-dimensional technology.]

The rusted prosthetics were now a brand-new, metallic silver. Their surfaces were covered in titanium alloy armor, gleaming brilliantly. Though only low-level, their power far surpassed human limits. A single punch could deliver 1,000kg of force! A regular person could manage at most 100-150kg, and even a top-tier professional boxer would only reach 450kg. The D-grade prosthetics shattered human limitations entirely. Even the E-grade parts used as synthesis material had been stronger than a pro boxer, but the grip strength was even more monstrous—where a human's maximum grip was about 100kg, these could exert 500kg, enough to crush bone with ease.

As technology advanced, biological bodies struggled to compete with high-end tech, save for the brain. These prosthetics were powerful, but not powerful enough. Su Cheng put them away; he needed to collect more for further synthesis.

His father’s journals contained records of research into prosthetics that didn't require replacing biological parts—meaning, no need to saw off limbs. He had never possessed the means for such tech before, but now, with the Eye of Dimensions, he could synthesize and upgrade such designs. Once achieved, retaining a strengthened biological body combined with these prosthetics would surely yield even greater power.

However, the cost of purchasing prosthetics was exorbitant. An E-grade set cost 1,500 Alliance Credits. Most survivors sold their own limbs just to afford basic mechanical replacements that weren't even true prosthetics. While he could keep farming mid-level nutrient solutions to save money, a common mechanic constantly selling such goods would inevitably draw unwanted attention. The nutrient business was controlled by the Light-Tech Group, a super-corporation in Future City. No one could stand against such a titan. Thus, he could only trade in nutrient solutions sparingly. Furthermore, selling weapons privately was illegal without a permit.

Finally, Su Cheng picked up the two kinetic rifles and synthesized them. Light burst forth. A rifle with a highly sci-fi design appeared—a slender rectangular frame with a matching rectangular muzzle. At the firing mechanism sat a screen displaying bullet count and remaining energy.

*Synthesis: D-type Kinetic Rifle.*

[D-type Kinetic Rifle: Features an improved energizing device that uses electromagnetic acceleration to propel bullets, granting immense penetrating power. Capable of piercing 1 meter of homogeneous armor. First-dimensional technology.]

Kinetic rifles were the most common weapons today. They possessed great penetration, able to punch through obstacles, though their destructive power against soft targets was slightly lower than energy guns. Su Cheng aimed the rifle at the doorway. One shot to a raider's head would punch right through.

"I surrender! I surrender! Hey, handsome, I knew you were just jealous of my looks. I'll try to hide my magnificent face from now on." Brainless had just returned from dumping the trash and immediately raised his hands upon seeing the gun.

Su Cheng smiled. He decided to register as a Hunter, hunt down raiders, and use their parts for synthesis. With this rifle, he had a much better chance of success.

"Your companion robot is quite interesting." A deep, masculine voice suddenly came from behind Brainless. "We meet again."

Su Cheng quickly shifted his aim toward the intruder.

"You stabbed me with a titanium-alloy tang sword not long ago, and now you want to shoot me with a kinetic rifle?"

Su Cheng looked at the man with surprise; it was the high-level Hunter he had encountered earlier.

"Damn! You scared me! It’s very rude to just pop up like that!" Brainless turned, saw the man, and quickly retreated behind Su Cheng, using him as a shield. "Cousin, this guy looks pretty tough. You take the lead, I’ll run ahead, and later I’ll come back to collect your body..."

Su Cheng lowered his gun slightly and patted Brainless. "It's fine." He looked at the man. "How did you find this place?"

"Let me introduce myself first. My name is Zhang Jie, a high-level Hunter." Zhang Jie walked into the house and looked around. "The place is crude, but well-kept." He found a chair, sat down, and laughed. "I was finishing off that group of trash at the nearby disposal plant and happened to see you."

Su Cheng nodded. "What do you want?"

Zhang Jie didn't answer immediately, pointing instead at the shop sign. "You're a prosthetic mechanic?"

Su Cheng nodded.

Zhang Jie walked over to the operating table and lay down. "Maintain my prosthetics. I've been feeling a bit off lately. You should be able to handle that, right?"

Seeing the man lie down with no defenses, Su Cheng finally put the gun away. "I can, but my fee is very high."

"A sharp one. I like your guts." Zhang Jie chuckled, not asking about the price. He extended a silver arm. "The first time I saw you, I felt you were destined to become a Hunter like me. I like to associate with people who have potential, so I came to find you. Think of it as an investment."

"Why are you so sure I'll become a Hunter?" Su Cheng nodded to Brainless, took the tools handed to him, and began a routine check on the silver arm.

"Because you're different from the others." Zhang Jie pulled a cigar from his other hand—the hand itself was also a silver prosthetic! He lit the cigar and took a puff. "On this abandoned planet, everyone is like the walking dead—sinking, decaying, numb. But not you. I saw hatred and rage in your eyes!"