Chapter 133…
Recently, Ji-han had been feeling a subtle sense of déjà vu.
Sometimes it felt strange, almost like experiencing something unfamiliar, yet oddly familiar.
Mecha Academy… Liberty.
During this game, it especially happened.
[Ji-han, instead of that part… how about trying the pulse reactor you can get from the eastern scrap yard?]
[It’s much lighter than a gasoline turbine, so you can equip more stuff on it.]
[Oh, our newbie! Good job! Yeah, that’s exactly how you control it!]
[Our baby’s really good! The best! So cute!]
It had been like this during Gangho Sword Records, and also in Zombres, if he remembered correctly.
Veterans were always like that.
The moment a newbie entered their already-failing game,
the newbie would inevitably be treated like “the child of the whole village.”
[Why are there so many viewers today?]
[This is the first time we’ve seen daily viewership trend upward!]
[Is this right?]
[It’s packed!]
[It’s been a while since it’s been this crowded since Pung-sulli!]
Even longtime viewers were confused.
The so-called “Mecha Masters” were beginning to multiply exponentially.
[Ah, it’s on the community lol]
[A newbie came to revive a dead game?]
[We can’t resist lol]
[Ji-han! Our Ji-han’s doing great! Aww! So good!]
[Lol, the Mecha Masters are excited;;;]
[You can tell they really like it]
And just as the Mecha Masters had said themselves,
his room soon became bustling, as if the whole “love lounge” had moved in.
“But everyone…”
Squeak, squeak.
Ji-han, tightening a joint on his mecha part, carefully spoke.
“Really… there are a lot of you, Mecha Masters.”
It was the first time he had actually said the term “Mecha Masters” aloud, the very phrase the viewers had been using. And immediately,
[Ji-han recognized us!]
[He called us! Ji-han called us!]
[Yes, newbie! We are your teachers!]
[Good! We’ll guide you on the right path!]
[Lol, the Mecha Masters are loving this]
[What should we do lol]
[Info: Soon to be disappointed]
[Reason: Ji-han only takes advice he needs]
[Lol, thinking about the Mecha Masters getting angry is thrilling]
[No, we respect Ji-han! Try everything you want!]
[Of course, if you need modifications, just tell us! We love newbies so much!]
The effect was amazing.
“Haha… anyway. Yes. Now I have my personal mecha. And for any parts I might need help with… I’ll accept the help.”
After saying this, Ji-han thought for a moment and spoke again.
“But you said the pulse reactor is light… wouldn’t the damage be severe if the core gets hit? Compared to other reactors, it’s lightweight, but I’ve heard the armor is really weak.”
His words were as innocent as a newborn college student timidly saying, “Professor, I want to go to graduate school.”
As a result, the chat exploded:
[Woooah!!!]
[It’s a newbie question!!!]
[Newbie! Listen closely! Operating a lightweight mecha means preparing to take zero hits!]
[Only the ultimate glass cannon dominates everything!]
[Don’t trust that literally, but it outputs high power and can equip other medium armors]
[In the current meta, the pulse reactor is considered the best]
[Meta… existed in our game?]
[Friendly fire! Don’t shoot your allies!]
[Aaah! But… but we can’t deny it’s a broken game!]
[Anyway, based on your play style these few days, the light reactor suits you better]
[Right, super stylish…]
[And it’s semi-auto, unbelievable. Full auto or manual would make that movement possible;;;]
[You wondered if it was possible, right?]
[Newbies ask such great questions, not just blindly digging in]
[…Ji-han, we’re so happy… we’ll reach enlightenment now…]
[Don’t disappear!]
Leaving the boisterous Mecha Masters behind,
Ji-han clicked the pulse reactor into place.
Vrrrrr!
[Finally complete.]
[How far are you in the main chapter? Did I miss anything?]
[Lol, you’re late!]
[Currently on Chapter 2]
[Chapter 2? Slower than expected?]
[Finally, you have your personal mecha. No loss.]
[Okay, now it starts.]
“This is… my personal mecha, huh.”
Ji-han smiled faintly as he looked at the heavily vibrating mecha.
[You need to name it too]
[Give it a cool name!]
[Ah, this is it. This is the one.]
Eight meters tall.
Slightly smaller than a standard Liberty mecha, but sleek and sharp.
With reverse-joint legs, a pulse reactor, and lightweight armor…
This was literally an assault-type mecha.
It wasn’t something Ji-han had made alone.
Over the past few days, he had been accompanied by the Mecha Masters and his original viewers.
And, reflecting Ji-han’s tastes:
“Because it’s a werewolf… werewolf? Lycanthrope?”
[Intuitive name, but…]
[Feels a bit lame…]
[Hmm… any other names?]
[How about a red cloak? Red Hood?]
[Huh? The disguised wolf from Red Riding Hood?]
[Lol, actually fits]
[True… Ji-han has that image. Gentle outside, fierce inside… wow!]
[Lol, wow?]
[Stop this nonsense lol]
“Red Hood. Pretty good.”
Thus, the werewolf-type mecha was born.
Liberty’s Chapter 0 was literally a tutorial.
When he first enrolled, bearing the “underachiever” title and causing chaos, that was Chapter 0.
Chapter 1 showed his daily life:
Bellum dorm students training, mastering advanced controls.
A few rivals (or not-really rivals) stirring trouble, which he crushed, solidifying his place.
At the end of Chapter 1, he became the Bellum dorm’s first personal mecha owner, acquiring Red Hood.
[From Chapter 2, the story really starts to feel like a mecha game.]
[Chapters 0-1 were academy stuff, now real action begins.]
[With a personal mecha, he’ll do rankings and hunt mechanical enemies outside, story gradually expanding.]
[Mecha Masters, you’ve done enough. Time to sit back.]
[Let’s watch.]
The cutscene announcing Chapter 2 played:
“Damn, he got a personal mecha before me.”
“Is the headmaster only favoring him?”
“Leo worked hard too! How can they ignore him like this!”
Leo Martis, the blonde boy competing against him, stomped his feet in frustration.
[Lol, first time seeing Leo like this]
[He got wrecked all Chapter 1]
[Same spec mecha, Ji-han just controlled better lol]
[Showing the difference properly lol]
“…I need a personal mecha too.”
“But Leo! Isn’t that dangerous? You haven’t been approved yet.”
“Better to ask forgiveness than permission. Results speak for themselves. Bellum dorm cares only about results.”
The young master of the prestigious Martis pilot family glinted fiercely.
“So, what will you do? Use your family’s influence?”
“No, rumor says there’s a hidden mecha in the ruins by the south gate.”
“Huh? Leo?”
“…Isn’t that super dangerous?”
“I heard there’s a monster there.”
“Just machines. They detect heat. As long as we hide our body heat, we’re safe.”
Leo Martis’ eyes shone.
[Whoa, that’s a death flag lol]
[Lol, cliche character, more pitiful than annoying]
[What can you do? His opponent is Ji-han]
[Don’t be too disappointed, Leo. Your opponent was just a monster.]
[Our top student… being crushed!]
[Lol, of course his opponent is Ji-han. Natural disaster.]
“Haha, everyone. Watching the cutscene, you’re siding with Leo too much. I’m not blocking him either.”
In fact, Ji-han naturally couldn’t hate others easily.
He had only given a few tips and friendly sparring,
but people exaggerated his behavior, twisting his goodwill.
[Lol, right]
[Ji-han helped so much!]
[But Ji-han, remember what we said?]
[If someone dislikes you for no reason, give them a reason lol]
[We’re on Ji-han’s side. No one’s siding with Leo!]
[Lol, kick out anyone siding with Leo!]
Ji-han smiled lightly, glancing at the chat before returning his gaze to the cutscene.
“…Scared? Huh? Cowards like you aren’t needed! I’ll go alone! Don’t follow me!”
“L-Leo!”
“Hey! Martis! Hey!”
Bang!
He kicked open the lounge door and headed somewhere—probably south gate.
The screen briefly went black, then—
Flash!
The screen lit up again.
“So, this is how Chapter 2 begins. Decide whether to protect or stop Leo. That’s it.”
Ji-han got off his dorm bed, stretched, and stepped out.
“Yo! Top student!”
“Good morning, Ji-han!”
“You look happy today. How’s the personal mecha?”
Thanks to his exploits in Chapter 1, or perhaps his insane physical and piloting skills,
academy students approached him first.
“Good morning. The mecha is complete. Today, I’ll get instructor permission for a test run.”
“Oh! During class?”
“Nice! Finally, we get to see it!”
“Can’t wait!”
This strange new feeling made his heart flutter.
Even during his national team days, everyone looked at him as a monster.
Except for a few friends, he was always isolated.
Later, even at the brief company he worked at,
he received similar gazes. But streaming changed everything.
NPCs respected him without fear.
He treated them like living people.
[Ah… proud to see Ji-han’s treatment change]
[Truly…]
[Healing lol]
[He heals in Liberty lol]
Viewers were on his side too.
He walked cheerfully toward the instructor’s office—or at least intended to.
Tap-tap-tap!
“Huff! Huff! Hey, underachiever!”
Someone’s urgent footsteps.
Those calling him “underachiever” were Leo’s crew.
Ji-han realized the moment had come.
“Huff! Big problem! Leo! Leo went south gate!”
The burly guy’s brow was furrowed—not in anger, but in worry.
Ji-han firmly held his shoulder.
“Slowly explain everything first.”
One step deeper into Chapter 2, he moved forward.
