Reboot: Mechanic

After teasing Mary and realizing her inner self was slowly being unveiled, Shi Tian had finally completed the drone.

"Phew, now this drone could officially be used." Shi Tian stretched his hand and muttered. 

The drone's properties were also analyzed and printed out on the computer. 

Within the computer, there was a set of functions that would soon deconstruct the drone virtually, essentially helping them to construct a blueprint of the item.

Of course, the process wouldn't be done in a snap of a finger as it could even take months before the computer could finally make some progress. 

"Mary, I'm done with the drone. Do you want to inspect it?" Shi Tian yelled out, seemingly believing that Mary might feign deaf, and refused to answer him if he said it normally. 

"Who are you?" Mary shouted back from afar, clearly still a bit mad regarding Shi Tian's prank.

"Oh come on, I've defended you from Vanessa earlier. So it's only right that you shouldn't get mad at me." Shi Tian responded, reminding her that he was the one that saved her from any humiliation. 

With that said, Mary finally emerged from the back, but her eyes were still glaring at him fiercely. It was clear that she was not amused by his prank.

"Scoot over," She waved her hand around, an indication to tell Shi Tian to give up his seat. 

Naturally, Shi Tian wouldn't mind such a trivial matter, so he gladly stood up and gave his seat up to her. There were other seatings around, so why would he make a scene? 

Grabbing the seat from another side, Shi Tian asked, "So, what do you think of the drone now?" 

Mary didn't respond right away, her eyes focused on the drone as she inspected it thoroughly. She even checked up on the data in the computer, indicating that everything was working properly despite swapping the rigged IC chip out.

"Hmm, it seems like my crafting skills have not degraded." Mary praised herself. 

"Yes, you're the best. No one can beat you." Shi Tian smiled and said. 

"Was that sarcasm?"

"Do I dare to be sarcastic in front of you?" 

"Totally, especially when you got the guts to prank on me now." Mary squinted her eyes. 

She then placed the drone down at the desk and turned to Shi Tian, her expression completely solemn. "Now tell me, what is happening to you? Why are you acting like this?" 

Shi Tian scratched his head in response. 

However, Mary was adamant and kept her stare up, prompting Shi Tian to take a deep breath and answer her.

"I don't know, Mary. It's just that knowing someone could be behind all of these and we're just some chess pieces… doesn't sit right with me." He said, wanting to give up and get away from this mess. 

He felt like he was a fish on the chopping board, not knowing when or where he would be chopped by this unknown power. 

It was the same feeling he had gotten back when he was forcefully captured and woke up in a laboratory tube, unable to do anything.

Not to mention, he wasn't even concerned whether or not the monster wave was suppressed. So if he knew something big was going to happen with this incident, then why can't he just drop it and leave? 

He had no attachment or sentiment toward Gearits City. He was just a foreigner, stopping by Gearits City until he gathered enough information about the current world. 

Meanwhile, Mary seemed to have understood that Shi Tian was undergoing a phase. A phase that usually symbolized burnout or question of their action. 

"Nathan, come over here." Mary stood up and said. 

Shi Tian raised an eyebrow, seemingly confused by her request.

"Stand up and come over here." Mary urged once again when she saw Shi Tian not moving. 

Breathing softly, Shi Tian slowly stood up from his seat and walked closer to her, leaving only a few distance between them. 

"What now-"

Just when Shi Tian wanted to ask why she wanted him to come closer, Mary suddenly wrapped her arms around him and gave him a hug. 

She then whispered softly into his ear, "You're lost because you think too much sometimes, Nathan. Thinking too much accumulates stress, and once the stress reaches a peak level, you'll start to crumble down even if you can maintain a calm composure. Emotions and mentality work together, but they're also in different categories." 

With her mellow tone, Mary began patting on his back, seemingly trying to soothe him. 

Shi Tian was speechless as his arms hung in the air, unsure whether or not to keep it still or hug her back. 

Being indecisive for the first time since awakening to the chaotic world, Shi Tian didn't know how to respond to Mary's consolation. 

"This won't ease your stress completely, but I'm sure it'll help lessen you a bit." Mary continued with her mellow tone, her hand rubbing his back softly. 

She understood what kind of phase he was going through. After all, she had been there, and gone through with it as well. 

"Yeah, I'm alright, Mary." Shi Tian managed to speak after a struggle, his hand patting her back, indicating that he was fine. 

The hug remained for a few more seconds until Mary stepped back and smiled genuinely at him. 

"Consolation fee, that'll be 100 Source Crystals. Will you pay now or by interest?" She then said cheekily, extending her hand out. 

Glancing at her extended hand, Shi Tian burst out laughing, clearly understanding what she had just done. 

"You're not being serious, are you?" He laughed heartily for a few moments before asking nervously. 

"Hmm, I'm not sure, but my hug is worth a lot." Mary rubbed her chin, seemingly in deep thought. "You know, I don't hug people, and you're one of the few who gets to embrace me without having to lose a few limbs or so."

"Is there any other form of payment? I'm broke." Shi Tian sweated profusely and begged for another form of payment. 

Mary walked back and forth before nodding her head and agreeing to another form of payment. 

"Fine, we can test the drone and you'll be the pilot as payment for the consolation fee." She clasped her hands and said.