Volume 3, Chapter 57 – Random Number [777]

Combining blueprints and comprehending blueprints from reading books were the most luck-dependent ways of obtaining blueprints.

Anran’s luck was not exceptionally good, but it definitely was not bad either.

And she did not combine blueprints blindly.

She only spent EXP on combining them when she felt there was a real possibility that two particular blueprints could be merged.

That way, the chances of getting a satisfactory blueprint became much higher.

[Colin-style Ultra-Long-Range Sniper Rifle] + [Improved X9 Tactical Scope] + 300 EXP.

Combining!

The illusory animation tugged at Anran’s heart.

What kind of blueprint would pop out?

“Ding! Blueprint combination failed.”

Anran’s mouth twitched.

Fine. This was normal.

Second combination in progress!

“Ding! Blueprint combination successful. You have obtained the new blueprint [DW Sniper Rifle].”

A gun came out.

Anran immediately opened the blueprint to examine it.

A 5.56 mm sniper rifle, with an effective range of 500 meters and a maximum range of 2,500 meters.

Aside from having a better optical sight, it was not more useful than the Colin-style Ultra-Long-Range Sniper Rifle in any other respect.

Pretty useless.

Anran shook her head in disappointment.

But she did not give up and invested another 300 EXP.

Three more times in a row.

This time, the blueprint in the prompt finally satisfied her.

Rеаԁ οո КαtRеαⅾіnɡCafе

G7.

It was also a 7.62 mm sniper rifle, with an effective range of 1,000 meters. Most importantly, its shooting accuracy was greatly improved, and its wind drift was reduced.

Compared with Colin’s rifle, the G7 was a significant upgrade.

She still had 25,000 EXP left.

Anran was completely addicted to combining blueprints now.

She combined [High-Energy Explosive] with ordinary bullets and, using 200 EXP, produced the special ammunition [Incendiary Round].

Not only could it burn once fired into a human body, it could also serve as illumination. It was a rare gem.

During an accidental operation, she combined the [Ultra-Durability Pressure Cooker] with the [mechanical switchblade], and after spending 300 EXP, she somehow miraculously produced a [Pressure Launcher].

It looked like something with extremely broad practical potential.

So Anran then planned to combine the [Pressure Launcher] with [Exoskeleton Armor], but the moment she saw that the combination would require 2,000 EXP, she gave up at once.

Such a high EXP cost meant there was a certain chance of producing an extremely powerful blueprint, but the drop rate for that kind of blueprint was very low.

If her luck was even a little worse at a moment like this, she might not get it even after throwing all 24,000 of her remaining EXP into it.

Anran thoroughly understood the principle of quitting while she was ahead.

If your luck got too good, it could just as easily turn bad.

So after stopping her blueprint combinations, Anran began mechanical manufacturing again.

Having just come up with several new blueprints, she could not wait to turn them into physical objects.

For a while, the sound of machines running once again filled the workshop.

At noon, Anran ate something simple herself, but she did not skimp on Aila’s meals. On the contrary, she supplied her generously with copper and iron.

After spending half the morning fooling around in the workshop, Aila had no interest in going back that afternoon.

It just so happened that Aila had recently learned how to go online, so Anran let her stay home by herself and study it properly.

Aila had already mastered most common knowledge. In the span of just one short month, she had grown rapidly. Although she had not gone through systematic training, her ability to adapt to life in the outside world was clearly no worse than that of an ordinary high school student.

The whole business of eating money could now be completely avoided, because Aila not only understood the value of money, she also knew how to use money to buy things.

Rеαԁ οn КatRеаԁіոɡСаfе

Knock, knock!

Anran knocked on the door of Gray’s office.

Not long after, a voice from inside said, “Come in.”

When Anran walked in, Gray was sitting behind his desk, leisurely and cheerfully drinking tea and reading the newspaper.

What a damned office crowd!

Anran viciously complained inwardly.

“Oh, it’s you, Anran. Are you here to buy something from me again, or have you thought it through and decided to become my student?” Gray put down the newspaper in his hand.

He really never gave up on that idea.

Anran’s gaze happened to sweep over the newspaper Gray had been reading.

So it was the Military and Political Times, an internal government publication.

The top headline right now was praising the recent achievements of the Research Center.

Tsk.

Anran blinked.

“I’ve come to keep my promise and deliver the second blueprint to you.” As she spoke, Anran took out Colin’s sniper rifle blueprint.

Now that she had a better blueprint, she no longer felt reluctant to part with it.

“Mhm.”

Gray immediately straightened in his seat, and his previously lazy demeanor vanished without a trace.

He snatched up the blueprint from the desk and began studying it carefully.

Anran was directly ignored.

Since she had other business to attend to, she waited patiently without leaving.

Gray read that blueprint over and over five times, like a hunter parched for ages who had finally found prey, savoring it again and again, five times over.

Afterward, Gray looked refreshed and invigorated, with not the slightest sign of flagging.

Rеaⅾ оո ΚatRеaⅾіngСаfе

“I’ve already given you the blueprint, but I still have a request.”

“Go ahead.” Gray was in an excellent mood.

“Lately, I feel like I’ve run into a bottleneck. I need to read more mechanical books and materials to build up my foundation. Could I borrow some of the books in your center’s collection?” Anran asked.

“That…” Gray pondered for a moment. “Because of the rules, even though I’m the director, I still can’t let you read the confidential materials. But the books in the outer section of the archives room are open for you to browse as you please.”

That was enough.

Anran was delighted.

If one had to say where the most complete collection of mechanical knowledge books on No. 1886 could be found, it would definitely be the Research Institute in New City, the administrative center.

Although the Research Center in Twinmoon City was weak now, it had once been a branch of the Research Institute, so it was not lacking in materials.

Speaking of the Research Institute, Anran felt that if there were any knowledge books on No. 1886 needed to advance to Intermediate Mechanic, they would definitely be there. She would have to go take a look when she had the chance.

“I’ll get your access permissions opened in a bit,” Gray said.

“Thank you.”

This old man could be pretty nice sometimes, Anran thought.

Once her access was opened, Anran could not wait to enter the archives room.

The outer section of the archives room was lined everywhere with wide, heavy bookshelves.

She walked around the room a few times, and after finding her targets, she began reading.

This was when the advantages of the game really showed themselves.

With progress percentages constantly flashing through her mind, Anran could finish one book in about seven minutes on average.

Sometimes she was simply accumulating knowledge that could be used later to combine blueprints.

Some of the more special knowledge books brought Anran unexpected benefits.

Robot Behavior: Intelligence +1.

Applications of Mechanical Arms: Obtained blueprint [Three-Axis Mechanical Arm].

The Instant Explosive Force of Mechanical Impact: Intelligence +1.

Rеaⅾ on ΚаtRеаԁiոɡCаfe

The Contingency of Transmission: Obtained blueprint [777].

With huge gains, Anran felt thoroughly satisfied. Not only had she enriched her knowledge and increased her Intelligence, she had also gained two blueprints.

Right, what the hell was that [777]?

Anran suddenly remembered that strange blueprint name.

The moment she walked into the workshop, Anran immediately pulled up the blueprint’s information.

Judging from its appearance, it was a small cube-shaped box, with a display on the front and a lever on top.

“Holy crap, isn’t this just a device for rolling random numbers?”

Anran stared at the thing speechlessly.

[777] could roll any number from 0 to 999.

But what use did she have for something like this?

At most, it could be used for a prize draw, like a lottery.

Then Anran suddenly thought of a way to make money—

A raffle.

Number one thousand items from 0 to 999, then let players buy “raffle tickets,” which meant using [777] to roll a number. Whatever number they rolled, they could take away the item with the corresponding number.

Basically, it was just like opening loot boxes in other games. It just had to be implemented through a raffle because of technical limitations.

This would definitely make more money than simply selling equipment to players!

Anran’s eyes lit up.

She was busy, but if she let Aila run the shop, there would be no problem.

Aila had more than enough combat power to make sure no one robbed the place.

Heh heh heh.

Anran instantly felt filled with energy from head to toe.