Aiko, now holding her completed long spear. The length was over two meters. Its particular sharp silvery head stands out from its dull ashen grey body. Similar to the outer shell of things crawling outside of her cave.

Aiko gave thrust using the spear as a test. It was light and easy to control but definitely had some weight.

'Good.'

She moved her head sees all of the failed ones neatly arranged on the wall. Some of them looked like the process was stopped in the middle. Some of them looked more like poorly made paddles rather than a spear.

Those were proof of many trials and errors Aiko went through. But now she is holding a fruit of her hard work. With her spear, she walked towards the cube.

With a usual procedure, Aiko established a connection with the cube. Then following the instruction, she slowly moved her spear through the scanner.

-Scanning the complete.-

-The creation added to the recipe tab.-

-Ordinary grade mold spear price: 80 Essence-

-Headquarter: Lv.0

Exp: 0/1000

Completed Projects: Improved Black Box Lv1, Lesser Foreign Material.

Essence: 1500

Reserve Exp: 300-

With one of her goals completed, Aiko opened the projects tab and went through the list of available projects.

-Improved Battery: 0/100% exp rate 1/10

-Improved Transmission: 0/100% exp rate 1/1

-Fligreium 0/100%: exp rate 1/500

-Improved Body Material: exp rate 1/10

-'Mold' Breakdown: exp rate 1/100-

-Improved Black Box Lv2: exp rate 2/1

'I should start saving after this.'

Aiko said to herself and decided to choose one project then entirely focus all exp on improving the cube. Before falling into an eternal loop of only choosing small projects without improving her exp earning rate.

-Would you like to invest in 'Improved Transmission'?

'Yes.'

-Project 'Improved Transmission' complete.

Core-to-body power transmission and efficiency have improved. Overall body strength, precise control, and fuel usage improved.

New project unlocked 'Improved Transmission Lv1': exp rate 1/5-

After receiving the notice, Aiko opened her information tab, checking the change.

-Worker Bot Mk.1

Exp: 0/200

Battery: 4:50 hours.-

'So it's about 20% improvement.'

Aiko thought it would be only about five or ten at best. It is far better than what she imagined. But that is enough for now.

Putting a halt to her curiosity, at least for now. Aiko walked towards her workbench. Her crude-looking workbench looks very messy due to its size and things filling its every space. From all those mold scraps, tools, and other things, two things stood out from the rest.

One was Aiko's old black box fastened to something that can be described as a beggar's belt. The belt is made out of a thick hairy looking cord with a hook and end tip at each end that is made out of the mold.

While protecting herself from the things she found out, her other black box can also absorb and store exp. With some experiments, she understood the exp absorption priority was dependent on the distance and capacity of both boxes.

With that knowledge, Aiko's other black box promoted from ruler to extra exp pack.

The other was a simple spear shoulder strap made of a cup and long string. Both the belt and the string is made out of sinew that Aiko made from dried tendons of the things she killed.

Equipping her belt with her black box, a few stone knives, and a spear with a strap. Aiko went out for a hunt before taking another spear from the box, just in case.

As something like a mechanical doll-like body she possesses, Aiko doesn't feel fatigued unless her fuel runs out and can carry or hold anything in any amount if it's within her body's capacity.

Carrying one or more spears didn't pose much of an issue.

Therefore, Aiko decided better be safe than sorry. She knows herself more than anyone that she doesn't know how to use a spear other than a few simple moves.

With her preparation done, Aiko went towards the cave's entrance then. First, she peeked over the large rock, checking the surrounding.

Unusual, the silent world of ash and dust entered her vision. She saw dark silhouettes of things crawling on the ashen grey floor without any care. Seem her hunt didn't do much change to their routine.

With confirmation, Aiko walked out of from her position. Without taking much time, one newborn and one normal thing noticed her.

Like a moth to the flame while dragging its large sack on the ground. The newborn ran past the other thing before jumping towards the prey using all of its strength.

As someone who hunted both types for more than a week, Aiko already learned to take advantage of those things of mindless but savage nature.

Aiko immensely raised her spear and gave a simple thrust towards the newborn in the air with both hands while placing her spear's butt on the ground.

*Pierce!*

Combined with the prey's weight, the spear pierced through the soft fleshy part of the newborn before stoped by its newly formed shell.

The newborn gave its last struggle by trying to reach Aiko's hand before dropping on the ground with the whole spear stuck on its body. But it was too early for her to celebrate her victory as she notice the other one moving only a few steps away from her.

With thug, she tried to pull off her spear but found out the spear lodged too deep into the newborn's body, and it didn't even budge seems it was clamped tightly by the thing's muscles.

Look like she still underestimated the thing's simple goal of mind.

Aiko drops the idea of pulling her spear. Letting go of her spear, Aiko quickly took her spare one from the holster by simply pulling down the string strapped on her shoulder. It was at this moment the thing aiming its tendrils to her face and preparing to rush in.

'I definitely get some kind of phobia due to those things!'

Aiko immediately gave thrust with her spear. It missed the thing's mouth and stuck in a joint connecting its leg and body.

The thing's movement stopped for only a moment, seems no matter how simple-minded it still-living thing.

Of course, Aiko didn't miss the chance. She pulled her spear and gave a second thrust at the thing's non-existing head.

The thing tried to catch the incoming spear with its tendrils but only ended up guiding it towards its maw before turning into another kebab like its friend.

'Nice! OH!'

But Aiko didn’t have the leeway to stay there and admire this scene. More the things attracted conflict now running towards her at the moment, too. At least she got time to pull her spear.

'Shit!'

Counting two normal-sized things and one newborn. Aiko understood her previous method won't work against those numbers. Then another solution appeared in her head.

It was something stupid, but maybe it will work.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

'Do or die.'

Changing the grip of her spear Aiko took a stance then aimed at first thing moving in front and threw using her full strength.

*Swish!*

Creating a beautiful ark in the air, the spear pierced into the thing's body. After giving out a spasm, the thing's body drops on the ground, dead.

'One down!'

The other two ran past the thing with a spear shaft protruding out from the body and closed the distance in almost instant.

'Shit!'

Seeing its speed, Aiko drops her throwing stance and lowered her spear. With her other hand, she reached for her belt. It was at this moment the newborn aimed for her face and leaped up.

Taking out her stone knives, Aiko threw towards the newborn's exposed belly and rolled to her side. Due to its knives lodged on the body, the newborn flew over her head and landed face-first on the ground after failing to stop in time.

*Crack!*

The familiar scene happened while hitting the ground it broke legs leaving the newborn struggling on the ground upside down like the world's most ugly turtle.

'Another down.'

Aiko immediately switched to the next target. Which currently stood so close to her that almost breathing right in front of her face, and there are another shadow running right behind it.

'Ah! I shouldn't have rolled it.'

At that moment, Aiko feels like she going to have a very bad time.

*   *   *

After picking up his siblings from foreign countries, Sangwook returned to the USA. Taaliah and Maxwell had incompatible personalities, so they frequently clashed with each other. They would keep it in check for the near future because of him. However, when he saw them fight again, Sangwook let out a burst of forced laughter.

“I want you guys to go home first.”

“Huh? You aren't going to come with us, Big Brother?”

When she heard Maxwell, Taaliah acted like she was about to throw up.

‘Barf! He said Big brother!’

It sounded like a little girl sweetly calling her brother, at least to her.

Maxwell glared at Taaliah.

“I get stressed out being with you two. I’ll bring your elder sister. You guys can go first.”

“Are you talking about Nina? Do you know where she is right now?”

"Sadly, Yes."

One could say every one of his big brothers and sister is a very troublesome person. Sangwook unconsciously massaged his temples. Well, at least they somewhat obey their father.

***

Sangwook arrived at a huge, luxurious establishment. As if he had been here before, he easily navigated the building and stepped inside an elevator. The elevator stopped on the nineteenth floor, and Sangwook walked down a corridor to stop in front of a particular front door.

Ding-dong!

He pressed the bell, but no response came.

Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Ding-dong!

He pressed it several more times, but the interphone remained silent. Was no one inside?

‘There’s no way.’

Sangwook let out a sigh, and he started pounding on the door.

“Big sis NINA! I know you're here! Open up, or I’ll call mother and father!”

Sangwook continued pounding on the door.

*Creak!*

The front door opened after a while, but the person who came out wasn’t her big sis Nina. It was a quite handsome man he didn't know. However, Sangwook wasn’t surprised.

“Excuse me.”

The man walked past Sangwook and left through the front door calmly. Ignoring the man's retreating figure, Sangwook entered the house. It was a large one-room apartment, so he saw the bed as soon as he entered through the front door. He found the person he had been looking for.

“Hello~~ my little brother.”

Nina, who was still lying down on the bed, shamelessly waved her hand toward Sangwook. Sangwook let out a sigh.

“I should've known when they said you raided the dungeon here. I knew you were here meeting another host again.”

“Don’t be so harsh. I fulfilled all of my quotas for at least a half month.”

Nina was telling the truth, and her party members had told Sangwook the same thing.

‘She’s too talented for her own good.’

All children of his father Chen are awakened with at least one unique skill and two or more skills with at least a C rank.

Especially for his big sister Nina possess two unique ability along with the other five skills. Makes her one of few people in the whole world that can be counted by two hands.

It was obvious for someone like her to receive an A rank in just a few years.

“Still, you have to train for a certain amount of time to maintain your skill. At the very least, you should stay in the training facility for the allotted time. Even other big brothers and your little sisters doing it.”

“Let’s get this out of the way. Our ways are different.”

Nina got up from the bed. Sangwook immediately turned back giving her some time for privacy.

“It isn’t because of a big difference in the way. You just want to have fun with hosts.”

“I’m saying this because there is some truth to what you say. However, I planned on showing up on time for our gathering. I was just meeting him for a short time because it’s his birthday. You know what happens when you don’t celebrate your boyfriend’s birthday.”

Sangwook doesn't know what to say about those men acting like a woman, but they are dealing with her sister so maybe gender was not an issue when dealing with one with strength. Nina took her time as she put on her clothes.

“I can’t believe a literal fox-like you were born from mother Joana.”

Amongst all their mothers, Joana was the gentlest and kindest person. She also had a courteous and obedient attitude. It was almost hard to believe that Nina was her child and even daughter.

“Well, the world would be boring if children were born with their parents' personalities. Am I wrong?”

“Bullshit.”

Nina giggled.

“I’m just making sure, but you didn’t tell anyone about this place, right?”

“Don’t worry about it. I didn’t say a thing.”

Sangwook hadn’t done it out of loyalty. If Nina lost this place, Sangwook would have a hard time tracking her down.

‘When she goes missing, she’s usually here.’

“That’s why you're my little brother.”

Nina gave a small kiss on Sangwook's cheek and walked out of the room.

Sangwook let out a deep sigh and followed behind her big sister leaving the apartment. How much he wishes that there is another person who put a leash on his unreasonable big brother and big sister.

*   *   *

-Headquarter: Lv.0

Exp: 1000/1000

Completed Projects: Improved Black Box Lv1, Lesser Foreign Material, Improved Transmission.

Essence: 2850

Reserve Exp: 90-

'Finally!'

Aiko dropped her last empty black box on the ground with the other 8. She thought it gonna be hard, but she never imagined that it would that hard enough to lead her to experience death seven more times.

She underestimated her opponents' numbers and other types.

As result, she ended up being dead on tentacles or arms of new unseen things. But more than half of her death happen due when she was trying to recover her black box.

But now she is finally collected all of her boxes and required exp.

Aiko hurriedly chooses to upgrade the cube.

-Would you like to upgrade the Headquarters to level 1?-

'Yes!'

Following her choice, Aiko watched the various carving on the cube begin to move in directions like parts of a rubric cube.

After half hours later the cube grew in size and took root on the ground.

-Upgrade Complete-

-New Projects unlocked.-

-Connection system is upgraded.-

-Exp Absorption Rate improved by 20%-

-Modifying device granted and ready to acquire from the fabricator.-

-Tier I evolution tree unlocked.-

Following the message, a small hatch opened beside the place where Aiko used to connect with the cube.

From the hatch, Aiko took out a long thick cable with a plug-in. She already got the gist of how to use from simple instruction, so she carried it toward the back of her head and flipped open a small cover of her new port.

*Click*

-Connection established.-

With a satisfying sound, the cube connected to Aiko with cable. This would greatly help her work as now she doesn't have to spend time refuel her tank by standing beside the cube.

'Now for that Modifying device.'

Aiko moved her hand and took out a tool from the cube. It shaped like a medalion made of similar material like a cube, black luster with light blue lines.

'How do I use it ?'

The Modifying device had no screw or key to open any part of her body. Then she received instruction.

'Oh, that is how.'

Following the instruction, Aiko gently moved the device around her chest part. A moment later...

*Click!*

-Front cover has been released.-

With a sound, Aiko's front chest component drops on the ground. Fully revealing her interior workings.

'Now then.'

Aiko moved the device again. This time she moved the cover around her core then carefully removed it.

-Warning Core has been drawn. Please beware of not removing the charging cable in case of a complete system shut down.-

Just as a thought, she can now remove her core as long as she stays connected to the cube.

There is a small blue crystal about big as her middle finger inside the container with its front part removed. The crystal linked to the top and bottom of the container with thick treads like a blood vessel holds a blue liquid that is her fuel.

'Maybe it will work.'

Aiko said to herself and reached towards her cord on the back of her head and removed it.

-Warning the fuel supply removed while missing its core. The system will shut down in ten seconds unless the supply has reconnected.-

-10-

-9-

'Heh, 10 seconds just like human brain..'

-2-

-1-

That was the last thing in Aiko's mind before she return back to the void.

A moment later Aiko appeared in front of the cube again. This time she saw her previous lifeless body laying on the bench while still holding a completely intact core.

'First stage is complete.'

Aiko took her intact core from and placed her previous body beside her spears.

To die just to steal an intact core from her own corpse, was an idea that only someone like her could think of or maybe only someone like her.

'Now for a second!'

First Aiko plugged in the supply then removed her core. As usual, she received the warning message, but she ignored it.

Holding another core, Aiko carefully removed the veins from the container using a modifying device and carefully removed it. Then she placed it inside her current container right beside her crystal and she has begun to connect the veins one by one.

It was a stupid idea but also the most plausible one as it was what people have done through all ages.

What is better than one?

TWO!

*I should make some tong before that.*

Her stubby flat fingers almost ruined her work, but she was finally able to connect all the veins of the second crystal.

'I hope it works!'

After giving herself a last pat in the back Aiko gently placed her improvised dual-core back into her chest.

-Detected modified core.-

-Estimating grade-

-Crude-

-Crude Dual Core

A dual-core made using the most brutish way by one without a drop of experience or knowledge but it will work.

Advantage:

-Overall strength it could generate has been doubled.

Disadvantage:

-Fuel cost is also doubled.

-Have a chance to malfunction due to the fuel pump haven't connected properly.

-Reduced power to transmission due to no optimization or stabilization.

-Chance of explosion due to close space between core.

It did work as Aiko thought but at what cost?