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58.64% Arcane: Twin Cities Mechanic / Chapter 251: CHAPTER 251 - Terrifying Power

Chapter 251: CHAPTER 251 - Terrifying Power

The plasma cannon installed on Gaboga's arms served as its main weapon, akin to its primary cannon, so its construction naturally couldn't be sloppy.

Under Heimerdinger's leadership, they first created a small-scale plasma cannon for experimentation. Once Gaboga was nearly complete, they would directly assemble the large-scale cannon onto Gaboga.

As they made their way to the underground blast-proof test chamber, Heimerdinger muttered professional terms like "sequential entropy," "cyclic sequences," and "Vamurinne ring."

It wasn't until they descended to the lowest level via the elevator that they saw a massive energy cannon, three meters in diameter, positioned on the central construction platform. It was being fine-tuned by several humans and Yordle professors.

Inside the blast-proof chamber, a huge power supply mechanism over ten meters tall was installed with hundreds of energy crystals. These crystals were connected to the plasma cannon via thick cables, providing it with energy.

Li Lin opened the Data Mind to check its attributes.

[Plasma Cannon (Prototype Artifact): The most advanced plasma weapon, this cannon is the upgraded version of previous plasma cannons. Its plasma projectiles are even more lethal.]

[Attributes: 5000 health points, 60000 energy, 98 combat power.]

[Ability Effects]

[Advanced Constraint Field: Restrains high-energy plasma, reducing energy dissipation when plasma projectiles fly toward their target.]

[Armor Incinerator: Plasma projectiles are particularly effective against various types of armor but can be blocked by energy shields.]

[Instability: The plasma cannon is still in an unstable phase. Storing energy for more than 5 seconds has a 2%—10% chance of causing unpredictable consequences (extremely dangerous).]

[Charged Cannon: After storing energy for 3—10 seconds, delivers a devastating blow to the target.]

Even as a prototype, it had reached the level of an artifact, possessing combat power comparable to that of a typical deity. And this was before it underwent upgrades from Li Lin's "Mechanical Enhancement" skill.

If it were completely finished, just this cannon alone would be at least of epic-level equipment standards.

"Is the calibration work complete?" Heimerdinger asked an elderly man wearing a single-piece Hextech detection lens, research uniform, with graying hair, looking nearly fifty years old.

"It's almost done. We can start the experiment," the old professor replied.

"Very well. Is the experimental material ready?"

The old professor asked an assistant beside him, who nodded to Heimerdinger. "The marble with the added Hextech compression coating is ready."

"Hmm... Where are Jayce and Viktor? Call them over. We're ready to begin the experiment."

Heimerdinger, Rumble, and Ziggs received goggles and protective gear from the old professor's assistant and quickly put them on with the help of other Yordle assistants.

Li Lin declined these items and instead chose to close the visor of his armor, allowing the AI to measure the energy index of the cannon.

The old professor quickly briefed Li Lin and Heimerdinger on the various attributes of the cannon.

According to their research and testing, storing energy for 3 to 4 seconds was the most reasonable and safe range, which coincided with the display on Li Lin's system panel.

After waiting for more than ten minutes, Jayce and Viktor arrived.

In addition to supervising, they were also responsible for leading the team to build the most important parts of Gaboga's arms. Therefore, they also needed to participate in the development and manufacturing of the plasma cannon.

After exchanging greetings, they didn't waste time with unnecessary words. They immediately put on goggles and protective measures and joined the others in the blast-proof chamber not far away, which had large blast-proof glass.

With a gesture from Heimerdinger standing on the platform, a Yordle assistant pressed the remote control button on the console, causing a compressed Hextech metal-coated marble, five to six meters tall, to slowly rise from the ground.

Once the platform came to a complete stop, Heimerdinger personally pressed the start button on the central plasma cannon's power supply device.

"The power supply device is activated, running smoothly."

"The energy crystal's energy is continuously increasing... Currently at 57%."

"The plasma cannon platform is activated, receiving power."

"Energy supply is normal, and there are no anomalies with the plasma cannon."

"Auxiliary functions are being calibrated... Calibration complete."

"The plasma cannon's safety charge limit is set to 3 seconds."

"The power supply device is ready, and the plasma cannon platform's energy has reached normal charge levels."

"Professor, shall we begin charging?"

Heimerdinger paused briefly, then solemnly gave the order: "Proceed."

"The plasma cannon is aimed, target: Hextech-coated marble."

"Charging countdown: 3, 2, 1..."

In a mere 3 seconds, the plasma cannon's barrel shimmered with a deep blue light, nearly overshadowing the underground space's illumination.

[Warning! Detected potential annihilation energy charging. Should countermeasures be initiated?]

The AI didn't record data on the plasma cannon, so it didn't react to its charging.

"Just measure and analyze energy data; no need for countermeasures," Li Lin swiftly commanded the AI.

As the research personnel counted down, everyone in the containment room held their breath, their eyes fixed on the distant plasma cannon platform through the glass.

"Fire!"

As the cannon reached its safe energy limit, an even more blinding light burst forth, followed by a deafening roar. 

Simultaneously, a searing beam of energy shot from the cannon's barrel, instantly annihilating the hex-clad marble hundreds of meters away, leaving nothing behind.

But it didn't end there. Even with just 3 seconds of charging, the plasma projectile's energy overwhelmed the hex-shielded structures in its path, obliterating them.

Within a heartbeat of its launch, before Li Lin could react, the plasma projectile struck the steel-reinforced blast wall over 200 meters away, leaving a massive blackened crater.

The resulting shockwave covered an area of over a hundred meters, devastating all experimental machinery in its path, even shaking the entire construction yard, with tremors felt in the ground.

The people in the containment room gasped, then erupted into jubilant cheers. Unlike the other researchers, Li Lin, Jayce, Viktor, and Heimerdinger, who had been sweating profusely, breathed a sigh of relief.

Even Ziggs was deeply shocked. This plasma cannon's power far exceeded his recent research in Bandle City, where he'd developed a compression bomb named "scientific hellfire," but it paled in comparison.

The terrifying power of the plasma cannon far exceeded their imagination, even at its lowest power.

If fully charged for 10 seconds, its energy release would increase exponentially.

According to the AI's estimates, let alone demolishing Piltover University, it could easily decimate half of the northern city districts in one shot.

Seeing this scene, even Rumble's legs were trembling by now.

He turned to Heimerdinger, whose expression was also grave, and trembled, "Heimerdinger, it seems you guys are much crazier than I thought."

"This... was just a small accident," Heimerdinger sighed heavily.

Jayce, on the other hand, suggested, "I think we need to classify the plasma cannon as an extremely dangerous controlled device and have it guarded 24/7."

"I agree," Viktor hurriedly added, "Moreover, until it's fully completed, we should lock it to a 3-second charge limit, accessible only with a key."

With that said, Jayce and Viktor turned to Li Lin.

Because he hadn't removed his mask and hadn't said a word until now, they didn't know what Li Lin was thinking.

Little did they know, Li Lin was having the AI analyze the current state of the plasma cannon's data, considering how to further increase its power.

This level of energy cannon, fully installed on Gaboga, with a caliber of at least a dozen meters, could potentially destroy half of the twin cities in a single shot.

But compared to ascended warriors or even demigods representing natural elements and laws, it was far from enough, let alone facing the Void in the future.

The plasma cannon wasn't sufficient; electromagnetic coil cannons were only useful against small fry, and even against demigods, they were just scratching the surface. They needed to find a way to continue upgrading...

Li Lin quickly calmed his scattered thoughts and removed his mask, looking at Heimerdinger. He then said something that shocked everyone in the room:

"Professor, I believe we need to further upgrade Gaboga's weapon system."

(End of this chapter)


Chapter 252: CHAPTER 252 - A Visit

Li Lin's radical ideas shocked everyone.

Even the prototype small plasma cannon displayed incredible power, and the one to be installed on Gaboga would be even more formidable. Not only Heimerdinger, Jayce, and Viktor, but even Rumble couldn't understand what Li Lin was aiming for.

The old professor still thought Li Lin was an Ionian who had fled to Piltover because of the Noxian invasion, now wanting to develop a nation-destroying mech to exact revenge on Noxus.

Li Lin felt exasperated by their assumptions.

Why did Caitlyn think I wanted to take revenge on the world? And now, you all think the same?

Just because I enhanced my body with gene serums, grew a few centimeters taller, and bulked up a bit?

I don't look like a villain, do I? Clearly, my wish is for world peace...

Li Lin found a plausible reason to convince them:

The plasma cannon, at any level, carries certain risks. Gaboga's mech is crucial for the twin cities; it can't afford any danger.

Therefore, continuing to upgrade the plasma cannon until it becomes a completely stable weapon is essential.

No one disagreed with this.

Subsequently, Heimerdinger held another meeting to introduce the newly joined distinguished scientists, Rumble and Ziggs, and to establish regulations for managing the plasma cannon.

After clarifying the construction processes and each person's responsibilities, the meeting adjourned, and everyone returned to their tasks on the Gaboga project.

By dusk, Li Lin flew back to the Kiramman mansion.

Before he could remove his battle armor and continue perfecting the defense system for the manor's side house, the AI reminded him of something he almost forgot:

[Master, it's been 16 days since Progress Day. You promised Miss Seraphine you would visit her after the event.]

"—Ah! I forgot about that!"

Li Lin quickly glanced at the time on the holographic display. It was almost five o'clock.

Considering the time Seraphine usually chatted with the sweet cake vendor, an elderly woman named [Yia], she should be home by now.

He hurriedly removed his battle armor and put on a smart earbud, equipped with the "AI" system, resembling a Bluetooth earpiece.

Since the fourth-generation Project Genesis Infinite Armor, when mimicked as clothes, couldn't utilize the AI and network, Li Lin invented the smart earbud for convenience.

As for why he didn't invent smart glasses...

He already had the Data Mind; why would he need AI analysis?

The system panel is far more useful than AI.

The distance between Seraphine's home and the Kiramman mansion was considerable. Walking would take Li Lin at least an hour.

After thinking it over, he decided to fly there and bring Kai'Sa along.

After all, she was friends with Seraphine but hadn't seen her for almost a month.

At this time, Caitlyn was still working on cases and hadn't returned home. Kai'Sa usually retreated to her room to play on the computer Li Lin installed to keep her entertained.

True to her reputation in the parallel universe as the Arcade Goddess, Kai'Sa quickly mastered computer games.

She cleared Minesweeper's highest difficulty in less than an hour, excelled at Spider Solitaire with four suits, even surpassing Li Lin.

These two games couldn't satisfy Kai'Sa, so Li Lin had the AI program famous card games from the twin cities to play with her.

He even uploaded data on ancient labyrinths into the AI, which autonomously generated classics like [Chess], [Super Mario], [Monopoly], [Contra], [King of Fighters], and [CS].

Although these games differed somewhat from Li Lin's memories, the AI-generated games sufficed for Kai'Sa's daily entertainment, and he couldn't ask for more.

A few minutes later, Li Lin stood outside Kai'Sa's room and knocked on the door.

"The door's unlocked, come in."

With Kai'Sa's permission, Li Lin turned the doorknob and entered, seeing her seated at a computer in the small parlor, playing chess with the AI.

Seeing it was Li Lin, Kai'Sa smiled sweetly, "Finished with your work at the academy?"

"More or less, but I need to check on the ongoing construction to ensure everything goes smoothly," Li Lin replied, approaching the desk to watch her game.

After a few moves, Kai'Sa checkmated the AI.

Li Lin suspected the AI might be letting her win, though. Otherwise, with its level of intelligence, it could calculate every possible outcome and Kai'Sa wouldn't stand a chance.

As the game ended, she turned off the computer and swiveled her chair to face Li Lin. "I heard from Caitlyn that you're building a large mech... much bigger than your Titan Warrior."

"To be precise, it's larger than the Ascended form of Nasus," Li Lin said with a slight smile, explaining.

"Wow! That must be over a hundred meters tall?" Kai'Sa's eyes widened in surprise, "Are you building such a big mech for…"

She paused, hopeful, waiting for Li Lin to continue.

Li Lin gently ruffled her hair, "Yes, just as you guessed, it's to prepare for the Void."

"But can one mech fight the Void?" Kai'Sa showed a hint of worry, "The Void can corrupt even stone. I doubt machinery can resist its invasion."

"Who said I'm building only one mech? This is just the first."

Li Lin shook his head, "And even if it's corrupted, so what? Without human or AI control, a mech is just metal. The Void can't control lifeless things."

In other words, even if the Void corrupted a mech, it could only affect the material, not the intangible data, leaving the AI unaffected.

If one mech failed, another could take its place. The corrupted mech couldn't turn against them.

Kai'Sa nodded, somewhat understanding.

Though her teacher had taught her the basics of mechanics, she was never good at it and didn't grasp much.

Seeing her confusion, Li Lin decided to change the topic.

"Let's not talk about this. I have another reason for coming today."

"Hm?" Kai'Sa's smile grew, "If I can help with anything."

"It's not exactly help… Do you want to visit Seraphine?"

...

Five minutes later, Li Lin, driving the Warrior in its vehicle form, arrived at a commercial street in the southern district with Kai'Sa.

With the AI's scan, they found Seraphine's Hextech sound shop.

Amid the surprised stares of passersby, the Warrior smoothly landed and parked in front of the shop.

As Li Lin and Kai'Sa, dressed in youthful attire, stepped out, Seraphine's cheerful voice came from upstairs, "Li Lin, Kai'Sa! I'll be right down!"

Looking up, they saw Seraphine waving from the window before quickly withdrawing.

Soon after, her parents, wearing work clothes, rushed out to greet them.

Unfamiliar with Li Lin and Kai'Sa's relationship with their daughter, they seemed somewhat apprehensive.

"Welcome, distinguished guests. How can our humble shop assist you?" said Seraphine's father.

Using Data Mind, Li Lin learned his name was Modeemore, and his wife was Klarana.

Modeemore wore Hextech glasses for measuring, fitting the traditional twin city image of a man.

Despite his lean build, his muscular forearms, revealed by rolled-up sleeves, showed he was used to physical labor.

Klarana, with a headscarf, was a petite woman, resembling her daughter in some ways.

Especially those bright blue eyes, though slightly weary.

Though under forty, her skin showed signs of aging due to lack of care, with visible traces of time on her face.

Nonetheless, Klarana had been a beauty in her youth, much of Seraphine's charm inherited from her.

Modeemore and Klarana, originally from the Undercity, had worked hard to move to Piltover, providing a better start and environment for their soon-to-be-born daughter.

Even without Li Lin's interference, Seraphine lived up to their expectations.

Noticing they didn't recognize him, Li Lin introduced himself, "Hello, I'm Li Lin from the Kiramman family, and this is Kai'Sa."

"Li Lin… Kiramman family…"

Modeemore and Klarana gasped.

"You're the 'Future Pioneer' Li Lin?" Modeemore repeated in disbelief, looking even more shocked.

A person of such status and renown, the youngest and most outstanding craftsman in Piltover…

He must have a reason for visiting our small shop, not just to fix a Hextech speaker.

Modeemore pondered.

But Klarana, more detail-oriented, noticed something, "Mr. Li Lin, this young lady… is she Kai'Sa?"

"Hello, I'm Kai'Sa, a friend of Seraphine," Kai'Sa smiled politely.

"So you're the Kai'Sa Seraphine often mentioned?"

Klarana's face lit up with realization, "Before Progress Day, Seraphine told us Li Lin from the Kiramman family was sponsoring her to study at Piltover University. We thought she was being deceived…"

"Your concern is understandable, ma'am. I intended to visit Seraphine right after Progress Day, but work kept me busy," Li Lin said apologetically.

Modeemore smiled, "No need to apologize. It's an honor to have you here."

Despite his polite words, Li Lin noticed a hint of worry in his eyes.

As Seraphine's parents, they knew her talent well.

Concerned about their daughter being exploited by unscrupulous nobles, they had previously declined many sponsorship offers.

Busy with work, they rarely read newspapers and only knew of Li Lin from neighbors and customers.

Even positive newspaper reports couldn't completely ease their worries, aware of the city's darker side.

Thus, their attitude towards Li Lin was cautious, as with previous sponsors.

Though Seraphine believed Li Lin was a good person, Modeemore and Klarana needed to observe him themselves.

As they spoke, Seraphine, in her coat, ran downstairs, interrupting them, "Mom, Dad, why are you keeping Li Lin and Kai'Sa outside?"

"Oh! My apologies, Mr. Li Lin and Miss Kai'Sa. Please come in."

Modeemore, realizing his oversight, invited them inside.

"Please, come in. Let's talk inside."

The door closed, and the bustling street quieted.

Inside the cozy shop, Modeemore and Klarana offered seats, ready to hear why this renowned craftsman and his friend had come to visit.

(End of Chapter)


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