Chapter 9

(Yeah. No matter how many times I look at it, it’s still weird.)

Taking the mechanic’s kind words to heart, which were essentially telling me to lift my head and listen to the explanation, I raised my head. There, as always, sat the prototype of the hybrid machine that was to be my personal unit, standing there prominently.

Of course, it’s there because it hasn’t been moved. But that’s not the important part. What’s weird is this hybrid machine.

Before I point out what’s weird about it, let me give a brief explanation of the machines.

I’ll skip over the formal names and materials, as I’ve already explained those, and start with the types.

There are two main types of machines.

The first is the standard type, which is modeled after a humanoid shape and is also known as the Kusanagi type in Japan.

The base for this type is the corpses of ogre-like monsters in Japan, such as the Nue and the Bishamonten, and in the West, the corpses of giant-like monsters such as the Minotaur and the Gigantes.

The biggest feature of this type is its ability to trace human movements.

It can be equipped with swords in both hands, a shield, and even heavy weapons. Naturally, the combat power increases with the rider’s proficiency, so it’s said that those who have studied martial arts from a young age or have experience with heavy weapons prefer this type.

The second type is the beast type, known as the Hachibou type in Japan.

This type is literally modeled after beasts and is basically a quadruped, so it’s lower to the ground compared to the standard type.

The material for this type is mainly the corpses of large mutated monsters such as tigers, bears, and wolves.

The features of this type include high stability and mobility due to its low height and the support provided by its front and rear legs.

While it lacks the flexibility of the standard type in terms of weapons, it can be equipped with cannons on its back or shoulders, allowing for sniping from special positions that the standard type can’t reach, sometimes even surpassing the standard type in firepower.

Additionally, its low height makes it easier to evade enemy detection, and its agility, which is superior to the monsters that the standard type is based on, compensates for its lower defensive capabilities with excellent evasion performance.

However, due to the size of the machine and the interference from the cannons, it’s difficult to operate multiple units at close range.

While it’s not impossible to achieve coordination like real wolves, it requires a significant amount of training. However, it’s easier to master than starting martial arts training from scratch, so it’s said that those without any special talents other than compatibility prefer this type.

In summary, the standard type is a versatile and highly defensive machine that can be operated in groups with the right training. It’s often deployed in the main force or vanguard due to its defensive and offensive capabilities. It can also perform construction and setup tasks, making it extremely versatile.

The beast type, on the other hand, is very useful for solo operations, particularly for reconnaissance, raids, and sniping. It’s said to be effective in situations where monsters that cause radio interference have appeared, as it can relay orders. It’s mainly deployed in reconnaissance units or vanguard teams.

This is the basic knowledge about the machines. Further specialized knowledge depends on the type of personal unit you receive, so there’s no point in studying it before receiving your unit.

However, by listing the features of the standard and beast types, one can’t help but come to a certain conclusion.

Namely, “What’s the concept behind this machine?”

The upper body is standard type, so it can hold weapons and armor like a human. That makes sense. But anyone who has studied martial arts knows that the lower body is more important than the upper body.

Now, what about this machine, which boasts the strength and agility of the beast type in its lower body?

(No matter how hard I try, I can’t use the techniques I’ve learned.)

If I try to use the techniques I’ve learned with this machine, there will inevitably be a lag.

Because I’m human, after all.

After struggling with how to use the upper body, I tried to think about how to use the lower body.

Even if I try to move with the agility of the beast type, the upper body gets in the way, and as I’ve mentioned multiple times, the low height of the beast type is its main advantage. The agility of the beast type is effective because it’s only 2-3 meters tall.

However, the machine in front of me is different.

The result of adding a 3-meter lower body to a 3-meter upper body is a height similar to the standard type.

Moreover, while the standard type can crawl forward if necessary, the machine in front of me is designed with a rigid connection, making it difficult to bend the upper body.

In other words, it’s fair to say that this machine has abandoned almost all the advantages of the beast type.

In summary, this hybrid type is a machine that, at first glance, combines the worst aspects of the standard and beast types.

But that’s only if you don’t know anything about it.

Of course, I could see a different possibility.

“The feature of this machine is that it can equip the weapons that the standard type can, while having the mobility of a quadruped, right?”

“Hmm, you understand?”

“Yes. It’s probably heavier than the standard type, right? The legs must be reinforced to support the weight of the upper body.”

“Haha, correct.”

Correct. Yeah, right.

“So the concept of this machine is to use heavy cannons for long-range sniping, which are too heavy for the standard or beast types due to their recoil, right?”

“That’s right.”

I knew it. Or rather, that’s the only possibility.

First, in the case of the standard type, the legs are structured to support the weight of the upper body and weapons, making them weak against the recoil and vibrations from firing. Therefore, it has the disadvantage of not being able to use heavy weapons with a certain level of recoil.

In the case of the beast type, it’s simpler. It’s lighter than the standard type, so it can’t equip heavy cannons with significant recoil, and even if it could, the recoil would throw off the aim, making it unusable.

In other words, this hybrid type was created to efficiently hunt monsters that can’t be defeated by the standard or beast types.

Additionally, the machine can switch between different types of cannons by using magic crystals, unlike tanks or battleships with fixed turrets, making it versatile in terms of sniping and artillery.

I understand the concept. It’s undoubtedly difficult to operate, but it targets a niche market, so there’s a demand if it can be used properly.

The key point is whether it can be used properly.

“So, how heavy is this machine?”

“…30 tons. 35 tons with equipment.”

I knew it! When dealing with tech geeks, it’s better to be direct than to be polite. Otherwise, the conversation might go in a strange direction. I decided to confront them head-on, discarding the respect I had been showing.

“Are you stupid?”

“What!?”

What!?

“The standard type is 15 tons. The beast type is 10 tons. Why is this heavier than the sum of both?”

It’s as heavy as a medium tank.

“To withstand the recoil of heavy cannons that can take down large targets, this much weight is necessary!”

“I understand that, but…”

I get it. If you want the same firepower as a tank, which increases its contact with the ground by using tracks, you need the same weight. But understanding and accepting are two different things.

“If I put this in a magic crystal, it’s 35 kilograms. Do I have to carry 35 kilograms all the time?”

“…In the military, it’s common to march with 40 kilograms of equipment.”

Sure, I get that. But are you saying they don’t take off their equipment when they rest? Can I take off my machine during operations?

“…”

The machine should be stored in the magic crystal as much as possible. That’s the norm for pilots.

For example, if you leave a 6-meter-tall machine out in the open while sleeping, it’s an easy target for the enemy. Therefore, it’s encouraged to store the machine in the magic crystal during rest.

There are other reasons as well. When stored in the magic crystal, the machine can self-repair using the mysterious power inside the crystal and grow by absorbing the mysterious power obtained from defeating other monsters.

In other words, the magic crystal is like an inn in Wizard〇y.

By staying at the inn, the machine can rest and grow, and it’s said that the link with the crystal’s owner is strengthened.

For these reasons, it’s desirable to store the machine in the magic crystal as much as possible. However, the item box function of the magic crystal has a clear disadvantage: the weight of the stored items is 1/1000th of the crystal’s owner’s burden.

So, can a young person who is constantly carrying 35 kilograms get any rest?

Of course not. Whether moving, in a car, in the bathroom, or sleeping, carrying 35 kilograms all the time? They’d collapse from fatigue before reaching the battlefield.

Using a dedicated trailer would be too much trouble.

If it’s that much trouble, it’s faster to use a regular machine.

“With proper training and growth, it will become half as heavy!”

Hmm, that’s great.

If it’s half, it might be manageable.

Perfect.

Except for the impossibility.

“If I can survive until then, that is.”

“Ugh…”

Ugh… Yeah, right.

If you level up, you become the strongest, but that also means if you don’t level up, you’re just cannon fodder.

This isn’t a game. How do you gain the experience needed to level up when each battle is a matter of life and death, and you’re constantly carrying 35 kilograms, leading to fatigue? Surviving, let alone reaching the battlefield, is difficult.

“Besides, the upper body is humanoid, and the lower body is quadruped. Can you even imagine operating this perfectly?”

“Well, it might be difficult…”

“Might be? It’s difficult.”

With the standard type, you can rely on your human experience. With the beast type alone, you can rely on instinct (or momentum), but combining them doesn’t work.

Are you telling me to control it with brain waves like a Sy〇mu?

“…”

Finally, silence. Of course. No matter how good the specs are, if you can’t operate it, it’s useless.

Think about how many weapons have been scrapped during the selection process.

The Panzerjan got the green light? That was because they were high on tea. Don’t take it for granted.

However, despite all the criticism, I think this machine has potential.

Because the concept is long-range sniping.

That means I can legally keep a distance from the dangerous front lines, right?

The 35 kilograms is heavy, but I’m already somewhat trained, and I won’t feel the weight while the machine is in the hangar.

Moreover, 35 kilograms is heavy, but it’s like carrying my little sister.

If I think of it that way, it’s not so bad.

If I die, she’ll be left on the streets.

Thinking of the weight of the machine as the weight of my responsibility, it’s actually a blessing.

If it’s still too heavy, I can train my body during the three years at this school and try to improve the compatibility rate with the machine to reduce the weight. I can train and get paid for at least three years in a safe place, so I shouldn’t complain.

“…Well, there’s no point in complaining about a machine I haven’t even tried. Let’s try the simulator.”

“Is, is that okay?”

“It doesn’t matter. We can’t exchange it now. Can you prepare the simulator? And if you have a manual, can I see it?”

“O, okay!”

To begin with, my position at this school is that of a test pilot.

There’s no good or bad when it comes to the machine being tested.

Since this is the machine assigned to me as a test pilot, I should conduct thorough tests and submit a proper report.

The military isn’t expecting too much from a prototype, so if I’m going to say no, I need a solid reason.

(And this machine, while it looks like a weird creation from a perverted company, has the potential to be something great.)

With this in mind, I read through the manual while formulating ideas on how to operate the machine, glancing at the mechanic, who looked half apologetic and half excited.

Reputation damage?

What are you talking about?

By the way, if I say out loud that “35 kilograms is like carrying my little sister, so it’s not heavy,” it will be a big problem.

Even if I don’t say it out loud, it will still be a big problem.