Reboot: Mechanic

Sitting next to Shi Tian, Mary was using another screen to search the dense area with a special filter.

Shi Tian noticed the special filter being added and his head nearly got a headache from glancing at the screen. 

It was filled with a bunch of thermal images, but worse than that, complex mathematical equations and data charts were overlaying the images.

"What are all those numbers and equations?" Shi Tian asked, squinting at the screen in confusion.

Mary glanced over at him briefly, her focus still on the screen. 

"These are calculations for the magicule density in the atmosphere. I'm trying to pinpoint any anomalies or fluctuations that might correspond to the presence of these evolved Gilaso variants." Mary explained.

Vanessa had mentioned that the strange energy could not be detected by most people, including Theobold. Mary decided to not look into the strange energy specifically. 

Instead, she would rather pay attention to the magicule density, allowing her to derive a location. 

Given that the strange energy shrouding the corpse could allow it to undergo an evolution, it was clear that the density of the magicule would surely be high. Thus, this was the best-approaching method to determine a location. 

Meanwhile, Shi Tian scratched his head, feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the technical nature of the data. 

"So, you're looking for changes in the magicule density to detect them?" He asked, unable to comprehend a thing on the screen. 

Mary nodded. "Exactly. These creatures seem to have some connection to magicules, and if we can find a pattern in the fluctuations, we might be able to predict their movements or appearances more accurately." 

As Shi Tian observed Mary's work, he couldn't help but be impressed by her expertise. She was clearly a master of her craft, even if it involved diving deep into complex data.

What Theobold failed to think of, Mary was able to figure it out in the snap of a finger. It was indeed a stark contrast between the two and Shi Tian wondered if Mary was the true prodigy. 

Her intelligence and adaptation were simply through the roof. 

"Well, don't just stare at me," Mary said when she noticed he had stopped working. 

"Keep working on your code and then finish up the semiconductor I left. This is going to take me quite a bit of time." She added. 

"Yes, you can continue with your thing." Shi Tian didn't bother to glance at her screen any further. 

It was simply way too technical and complicated for him to process. His eyes nearly turned blind from the overlapping image. 

Mary chuckled for a bit when she saw Shi Tian's reaction. "Heh, now you know how impressive I am despite not trying."

"Of course, I've never once thought of you as unimpressive, Mary." 

"Save your flattery words to Mechanist Isaac. That doesn't work on me." 

"I'm merely stating a fact, Mary. It might sound like flattery, but I'm truly envious of your skills." Shi Tian smiled bitterly and said. 

"If I have at least half your talent, then maybe my fate would have changed." He added, recalling a distant past. 

Just when the atmosphere was getting somewhat palpable, Mary's screen made a beeping sound.

Shifting the topic, Mary turned her attention back to the screen, and her expression changed drastically.

"Holy shit!" Mary exclaimed, clearly in complete disbelief and shock.

"What happened?" Confused, Shi Tian moved his seat closer to Mary and glanced at the screen.

And although he didn't utter any words, Shi Tian's expression had changed subtly. 

"I might not be an expert, but this whole red circle is the dense area, right?" Shi Tian pointed at the screen and asked. 

Mary nodded her head. 

"Yeah, the whole perimeter of this particular zone is filled with the density of magicule to the brim. The density is too abnormal, and it's clear that the environment and atmosphere in this zone are affected to an unimaginable degree." She explained. 

Normally, an environment filled with an abundance of magicule was great as it meant the environment was rich and capable of sustaining life. After all, these magicules could purify the pollution and corrosion that the world had been infected with.

However, the situation now was a stark contrast from the supposedly good density of magicule.

Not only did the data on the screen indicate that the pollution and corrosion were at an alarming danger rate, but the possibility of it being a no-man's land was high.

"If we allow this to continue to fester, then it's safe to say that District C is no longer able to sustain life, and is another District F zone," Mary exclaimed. 

"District F zone huh…" Shi Tian swallowed a mouthful of saliva. 

He had heard that District F's corrosion was too high and only those wearing a special-made protective gear could walk around for an estimated 15-20 minutes. 

But there was one more important factor that Shi Tian had kept to himself. It was the fact that the graveyard zone that he came out from was located in District F. 

Back when he first discovered such information, it became clear to him why the place was deserted, with zero sign of life. 

However, that wasn't the main point. 

It was the fact that he was able to breathe normally and walk across District F without any protective gear. That was when he realized he might appear normal like any human, but his functionality was far different. 

"Nathan."

"Nathan!" 

While Shi Tian was in deep thought, he suddenly heard Mary screaming in his ear, prompting him to snap out of his thought process.

"Y-Yes?" Shi Tian looked confused as he glanced at Mary, seemingly lost. 

"What's with you? Did you get scared?" Mary raised an eyebrow and asked in confusion. 

She had been calling him for quite a while, yet he had given her zero response until now. It was as if he was an electronic device that had lost signal, unable to browse anything. 

"Ah, no, I was just thinking about the situation. My bad." Shi Tian quickly gave an excuse and scratched his head awkwardly.