As a player, can you be normal?

262, Steam Magic (Free)

Sun rise.

Li Nuo was sitting on the roof with a nail in his mouth, a brown hammer in one hand, and he was lowering the wooden board.

"Really..."

"Why is this world so hard..."

In the past, no, I should say, in the "Endless Corridor" world view, he could easily drive nails into the board without a hammer.

The pig didn't let them go and asked Li Nuo and Marjie to repair the roof.

And it is required that no women participate - "Women should not do this kind of work."

There are posters floating around the city.

Li Nuo's eyesight can see far away, and the poster is "The Train Arrives at the Station".

"This is a movie from 1895 or 1905...even though this is 1864."

He was a little distracted thinking that this world had all the same things as his real world, such as the man on the train who threatened to kill all of a certain race, "Gulliver's Travels", and the "Bible" , what takes over these realistic and helpless things is one, or in other words, many animations with the color of adult fairy tales.

It was like returning to the magically altered world of Novigrad.

It also made Li Nuo think about why the same games exist in many worlds.

The sound of footsteps interrupted his thoughts.

"Do you need me to help you?"

A dark voice came from behind. She used [Transformation: Brand of the Pretender] to change her outfit. Her boots turned into women's flat shoes, no longer covering her calves. She wore a long black skirt and stood behind Li Nuo.

Since you're staying in a town, you can't dress too much like a player.

"No need to help me."

Li Nuo nailed one board with a hammer and picked up another.

"I just want to see what's going on in the world. I can take in the whole scenery and see what's going on on the surface."

Cha Bai smiled and asked, "What did you see?"

Li Nuo snorted coldly and smiled: "I didn't see anything."

"I really don't know if your crazy self-confidence is an advantage or a disadvantage." Cha Bai rolled his eyes.

At the foot of the mining town are large factories and docks.

The minerals below the canyon are the economic backbone of the town. Judging from the looks of the people here, it seems that the economy is not good, but what is very special is that they have no bitterness or hatred.

This is completely different from the same steampunk Novigrad and Kovir.

If there is anything similar to the world of "The Witcher"...

There are many casinos.

Casinos are everywhere in the streets and alleys. In an era when the people at the bottom lacked entertainment, some things that seemed to be against morality were often sparse and common.

【2P has been connected】

【Connect? 】

"Yes."

[Li Nuo, how did you become a bricklayer? 】

The thin brother came up and struck with lightning.

Li Nuo chuckled: "Being taken care of by a pig."

A roar came from the house: "Who are you talking about being a pig, boy!"

This pig's name is "Capone". Whether it's Li Nuo or Marger, you can tell at a glance that this guy is some kind of substitute for the protagonist in "Porco Rosso", but we haven't talked about it, so I don't know. What interesting insights.

[Well, after you enter the town... I have unlocked a map here, a map of the locations of alchemy and magic. 】

"Send it here. Is there anything else?"

【none. 】

"What do I need you for?"

[That’s not what you said yesterday! 】

"People are fickle."

Li Nuo raised his eyebrows at Cha Bai, who sighed helplessly and recited a spell to repair the roof automatically.

Cha Bai slanders that people are fickle...

[Side mission completed]

【Repair roof】

[Task reward: 500 experience points, 2 pounds of world currency]

This is the reason why Li Nuo keeps repairing the roof.

And he felt that he needed to give himself a break. The experience of "Cyberpunk" and "NieR" was too intense, and he needed to rest.

In addition, after leaving the Sky Pirate airship, the side mission at the beginning was also resolved.

【Survived the Sky Pirates' attack】

[Task Difficulty: lv40]

[Task reward: 10000 experience points, 2 random cards, a good landing place (no attention was attracted after falling)]

A random card has been drawn.

The first is a speaker.

It comes as standard.

But the speaker is quite useful. Don't underestimate this small object, it may kill the God of Creation at a critical moment.

Then there is a bag of coins, the common currency of this world, totaling 25 pounds, which can be regarded as a worker's quarterly income.

He doesn't worry about money, he can rob it at worst.

[Map mark received]

Li Nuo clicked on the map sent by Brother Shou. Since there was no sound from Chen Shou, he ordered: "Lao Ma's electric Mewtwo aircraft cup is placed in the second mezzanine of the warehouse on the left side of the maintenance room."

Chen Shou, who was about to lift his leg, was shocked.

"Do you have a God's perspective..."

Li Nuo laughed.

Then he gave Chabai a map marked with magic-related areas.

"Li Nuo, main line..."

"Don't worry, don't think too much, I'm here."

Li Nuo's words will always be useful to Cha Bai.

If someone like Marjie or Sauron heard him say this, he would definitely turn his head and look like, "You idiot, why are you pretending to be so cool?"

At this time, seeing the roof being repaired, the pig knocked the bell in the room and yelled at Li Nuo outside the dormer window: "Come down when it's repaired."

After Li Nuo came in, the pig "Capone" first closed the curtains to let the rare light in the room disappear, and then lit the kerosene lamp.

In the dim light, you can see the bullet holes in this guy's pig ears.

Capone handed over a military lunch box filled with mashed potatoes.

"Eat, this is your lunch."

"Such smelly mashed potatoes..."

Li Nuo took the military box lunch. This thing reminded him of the Cairo uncle who grew potatoes, and at the same time he thought about the problem of floating stones.

"The losses you have caused are not just the repair work on the roof." Capone took a piece of paper and pen and calculated a line of numbers on it: "As for the losses I suffer from daily business, you will have to work for at least a few days to pay it off."

Capone pressed the torn off bill onto Li Nuo.

Capone is an arms dealer and is also responsible for maintenance work, so he is a professional counterpart to Marger.

"okay."

Li Nuo agreed and took a mouthful of mashed potatoes with a spoon. After confirming that it was not pig food, he scooped up a full spoonful and fed it to Cha Bai.

Capone yelled, "How could you let a lady eat pig food!"

"To put it bluntly, it's still pig food!" Li Nuo gritted his teeth and took back the spoon: "By the way, Mr. Capone, can you tell me about the floating stone?"

"Who knows what happened to something that has existed for tens of thousands of years." Capone dismissed it.

At this time, there were shouts and roars of steam engines coming from downstairs. Capone said "lunch break" and hurried down.

"Speaking of which, Marger seems to have gone down early in the morning."

Li Nuo scooped up another spoonful, and just as he was about to bring it to his mouth, he saw that Cha Bai still had his mouth open.

Eyes facing each other.

Li Nuo ate all the mashed potatoes in one bite.

The witcher's shout came from upstairs. Capone had no intention of thinking about it and hurried to the mine workshop on the underground floor of the house.

A girl with orange curly hair was standing on the stairs. She had a delicate face and a somewhat sweet look, but at the moment she had a gloomy face. In a workshop filled with soot, she cursed in a way that did not suit her image.

"You are just a bunch of pigs! I spend money to hire you, but you can't do anything in exchange for just a word from you? I say it for the last time, stop this damn thing immediately, immediately! Stop it!"

The girl's name is Sophia, she is Capone's apprentice and a mechanical caregiver.

Sophia was referring to the furnace unit in the house.

The metal chimney is densely covered with blood vessels, covered with staggered glass dials and brass valves. There is an intricate gear structure further up, and a large amount of smoke is sprayed into the air from the chimney.

This is the core furnace that runs the conveyor of the coal mine below, which can run the floating stone, helping miners save manpower and transport anti-magic metal and coal directly to a safe location.

Basically, all large-scale mechanical equipment in the steam age were equipped with floating devices of the same size.

For example, some large cities have long been converted into steam flying cities floating in the sky.

Part of the function of the sky train is to transport supplies on the ground to those cities in the sky.

Marger was sitting on a box eating mashed potatoes. This scene reminded him of the new slogan he heard when he first went to the New Year's Eve City in 2076 - Welcome to the City in the Sky!

At this moment, sparks were shooting out from all over the steam plant.

It roared and trembled, indicating that it was about to crack.

In the morning, a collapse accident occurred in the coal mine below, triggering a series of chain reactions, causing problems with the furnaces here. Sofia hired a group of people. She originally thought it was a small job, but what she didn't expect was that they didn't work at all. Energy leakage cannot be prevented.

"Miss...if you want to stop it, the best way is to destroy its engine..."

Hearing a worker say this, Sophia blushed.

"You are pigs!"

"you are a pig!"

Capone slapped Sophia on the back of the head.

"Master..."

Sofia stuck out her tongue as she watched her pig teacher appear.

Capone is one of the best mechanics here.

This is not a place he is responsible for, but Capone's store happens to be built on top of the furnace. Because it is hot all year round, the rent is cheap.

The reason why I didn't ask him to help me at the beginning was entirely because his labor fee was relatively expensive, which shows that this world is still very trustworthy.

Capone took off his coat, revealing his puffy white shirt, picked up a wrench, and asked, "I need at least four people to hit me."

Sofia glanced around, and none of the workers recommended by the mayor spoke to her.

"Then it's up to me."

Sophia rolled up her sleeves.

A worker shook his head: "Don't question our ability. Even if Capone is really good at your level, our judgment will not be wrong. The best thing to do is to close this furnace."

Sofia yelled, "That would cause a steam leak in the mine below, and there are workers down there!"

The worker shrugged his shoulders: "It's too late. In half an hour... it will explode."

Capone said calmly: "How will you know if you don't try."

Marger put the empty rice bowl on the box, moved his butt, wiped his lips, and raised his hand.

"I can hold up to three people."

Capone looked over.

"Boy, are you sure?"

"Humph~"

[Side mission has been triggered]

【Maintenance worker】

[Task Difficulty: lv20]

[Task reward: Capone’s friendliness, teacher of magic technology]

[Mission details: Player 5899, you need magical compression technology. For example, investing a large amount of floating stones in the construction of aerial cities is one of them. Find a way to impress Capone. He will teach you some simple knowledge. , don’t place too much hope, Capone is not a top mechanic, he is just a pig abandoned by the old era]

Mr. Victor is a doctor who is proficient in prosthetic body modification.

But what Marger needs now is someone to help him figure out how to make his own exclusive equipment.

That was why he was interested in Capone, the pig.

Otherwise, he would have gone to the brothels all over the streets.

"Are you okay?" Sofia met Marger for the first time. She couldn't trust a guy who looked like a "boy."

Although her tone was doubtful, Sofia's first impression of Marge was very good. Compared to the rough and tumble workers here, Marge looked very attractive as long as he didn't hum.

"Hmph..." Marjie smiled: "Girl, your pretentious arrogance cannot attract my attention."

Sophia blushed: "Master! There is something wrong with this guy!"

Capone ignored it, threw a toolbox to Marger, and said, "You know what will happen if you delay it, right?"

Marjie remained silent, knowing that now was not the best time to show off.

Li Nuo was sitting on the stairs, biting his lower lip and smiling.

"Don't let it go..." Cha Bai ordered.

"Don't worry." Li Nuo took out the money bag that he had just randomly drawn, took out 5 pounds from it, and then pressed it on the wooden steps of the stairs.

Then he knocked on the floor to get the workers' attention.

"Five pounds, I bet he can fix it."

A group of workers looked over.

5 pounds is not a small amount.

Moreover, what Li Nuo ordered was that Marger could repair it, so there was nothing fishy about it.

This guy was a kid who had made a fortune, and most of the workers thought so.

As I said before, there are casinos everywhere in the city, and this scene is as common to them as having to take off your pants when peeing.

"50p."

"I'll press another pound."

"Hey, I only have 50p."

"I'll add money, a total of 10 pounds." Li Nuo slapped another 5 pounds on the ground and said, "God conveyed his thoughts to me. He said that my friends will definitely be able to help fix it. In fifteen minutes, you will Prove that you are nothing more than a bunch of domestic animals sitting around eating and waiting to die.”

He succeeded in irritating these guys with the words "God," "friends," and "livestock."

"I still have 10p!"

"I press 2 pounds!"

Capone's pig ears moved, and he said to Marger: "Your friends trust you very much." Marger: "He didn't think about trusting you, he just thought he could make money, and no one who preaches is a good person. "

"Haha, hahahaha!" Capone laughed: "That's right."

The corners of Marjie's mouth curled up slightly: "Hmph, it seems that you and I are in love."

"Then let me see your craftsmanship." Capone said: "Throw me the accessories of the crane, and then pull the valves from the operating table in front of you one by one, and listen to my command."

Capone stared up at a bronze gear, holding a small wrench in his hand.

Li Nuo wiped his hands while looking at the two people from a distance.

The same goes for Sophia, who made a big bet, at least a month's wages.

"It's a beautiful thought, how could he complete a job that requires several helpers."

Among the huge integrated machinery, Marger stood in front of the operating table and threw the parts in the tool box to Capone.

Capone's back was wet with sweat, and the smell of pigs almost covered up the smell of coal in the room.

Halfway through the job, Capone needed Marger's help with the gears for another furnace.

"Remember what I said, don't do it wrong."

Capone explained it specifically.

Marger used his own thinking to understand that the steam technology here is related to magic, which can be roughly divided into three key points.

First, some liquids and metals that are not easy to vaporize can be vaporized at extremely low temperatures to play their role. For example, mercury vapor can emit strong light, and tungsten vapor can be used to make fully automatic individual soldiers.

Second, inject the fire into the magic power and let the flame burn the magic power. People who can use magic can directly inject the energy. If not, they can use stones containing magic power. In short, the magic power injection is the key. If the [Shit Block] contains magic power , the biogas can be decomposed as a magic reserve, so that the manufactured equipment can have biogas attributes similar to elemental attributes.

Biogas is a special thing. If it goes to the left, it will explode. If it goes to the right, it will be extremely poisonous. It is the cornerstone of Marger's growth.

Third, materialize magic power, compress magic power, and allow large things to be stored in capsule magic. This is portable magic technology, but its core is the "incredible" energy in the floating stone (funny compression technology) , which is very similar to some aspects of magic. For example, Cha Bai, who has strong control over magic, can use magic to store weapons, and even use magic to make a transparent chair or small furniture.

Fourth, since the beginning of magic technology, there has been a creative idea called "unpredictability". In other words, even if Marjie controls the manufacturing methods of magic technology, he cannot fully predict what he will make. Equipment The system of "entries" is completely random. This is the disorder of magic power, which is the result of poor and complicated control of magic power.

A good mechanic should know the general type of thing he will make when creating and injecting magic power.

The above four points are imprinted in Marger's mind.

"Don't be dazed, brat." A magic ball popped out of Capone's hand, and he said: "I need someone who can withstand the huge magic power to help me withstand the pressure when the engine is restarted. This It might be a big risk, what about it? Can you do it?"

"That's it..." Li Nuo secretly nodded: "Lao Ma's magic control is very messy and he is not qualified for this kind of work."

Marjie also nodded: "That's true."

A worker said: "Look, this is why we can't do it. All the good magicians in this town have left."

Sophia curled her lips and looked at Li Nuo. She said, "It seems that Mr. Father is going to lose this bet."

She walked up the stairs.

"Just set aside the money I won from gambling and give it to Master."

Sophia didn't want to waste any more time. Anyway, her pig master would leave if he knew it was a waste of time. She wanted to go to the sentry in the mine to remind the workers to leave quickly to avoid being burned by the steam generated by the engine explosion.

"Hey, hey, hey, give us the money, we have to go." A worker stretched out his hand.

Li Nuo shook his head: "It's not over yet."

Marger laughed, held the card between his fingertips, and flicked it into the air.

Then, there was a flash of white light.

Dozens of mechanical life forms crowded the mine's studio.

"Lecturer - Hail!"

The deafening roar shook the ears of the workers, and a group of summoned mechanical life forms amazed everyone.

Marger knew that now was the time to show off.

He assigned the work to the little guys.

Capone was a pig who had seen a lot of things. He was not surprised at all. He just said: "Are you ready?"

Sophia just walked out of the room, trotted out of the door frame, and hurriedly put on her coat. Time was running out, and she thought she could help a worker.

Just as the soles of the women's short boots touched the dirt road outside the door, suddenly the chimney on the roof "coughed".

Sophia looked over.

The chimney blew out a stream of fiery red fire, then resumed operation.

This means...the repair work has been successfully completed.

"No way..."

Sophia was shocked.

When she returned, the maintenance workers who had just watched the excitement came out one by one with a sullen face.

He muttered words like, "I've been fooled, I've been cheated."

"Excuse me!"

Sophia pushed through the crowd.

She walked down to the basement.

She saw the priest baring his teeth and smiling and counting the coins. The beautiful white-haired girl helped the priest pick up the coins from the ground.

Capone sat in a chair while Marger lit the pig's cigarette.

A group of mechanical life forms knelt in a fan shape.

"What, what's going on?"

Sophia is incredible.

Li Nuo stretched out his hand: "By the way, your share is still one coin short."

Sophia gritted her teeth: "No, why are you... all of a sudden..."

Cha Bai raised his head coldly: "Miss, are you going to refuse to pay the money you owe?"

His gray-blue eyes stared at Sophia, sending shivers down her spine.

Sophia took out a coin and handed it to Li Nuo.

Then I heard Capone say: "Sofia, go buy some bread and make some meatball soup."

……

Meatball soup is better than mashed potatoes.

At least Capone wouldn't call this pig food.

"Are you interested in working here?"

Capone asked Marger.

"How dare you hire us without asking where we come from?"

Marger said, finishing off the broth.

A mechanical life form handed him a handkerchief and asked him to wipe his mouth.

Li Nuo poured the broth into Cha Bai's rice bowl and said, "Mr. Capone knows where we are coming from."

Capone looked over.

"People who fall from the sky cannot be people without stories." Li Nuo took out his money bag, counted the money, and lowered his head and said: "But at least we are willing to be 'bricklayers' to make up for our mistakes, so Mr. Capone feels , the three of us are just passing by and suffering little guys, so we took them in, at least no matter how bad they are, they are kinder than the people in the military, right, Mr. Capone?"

"How did you figure that out?" Capone asked.

"You used to be a soldier, isn't that true?" Li Nuo asked.

Capone's clothes smelled of gunpowder smoke, and the military lunch box given to Li Nuo proved that he was a soldier in his youth, possibly an engineer.

And there were serious scars on his ears from gunshot shrapnel.

He was afraid of light and would have to draw the curtains during the day and live next to the tunnel, which shows that when he was young, he might have dug tunnels in trenches and penetrated into enemy positions to carry out blasting operations.

He seems to be afraid of the wind, but he is not allergic, so he may have served in the air force.

Furthermore, the protagonist of the story "Porco Rosso" is also a retired soldier.

Even if Capone is not the protagonist, the above is enough to prove this guy's past.

Oh yeah...that being said, Capone was a good guy.

"How could a good person turn into a pig?" Li Nuo asked. He just wanted to introduce a topic, and the answer was not important.

"Good people turn into pigs."

Capone paused.

"You missionaries should know best."

"It's magic." His dark gray-blue eyes flashed: "You are under magic."

"I don't want to be used as bullets for those lunatics who started the war, so the magicians who were recruited into the army turned into useless pigs, smelly pigs. Those high-ranking military officials controlled the resources of magicians and turned the disobedient ones People turn into smelly pigs, put them in factories, and let the pigs make perfume." Capone seemed to be talking about something that had nothing to do with him: "Back to the topic just now, whether you want to give me a job or not, the money is easy. "

"Besides money, what's the benefit?" Marger asked.

"What do you want?" Capone knew that the other party had his own ideas, so he threw the question back.

"Do you know Icarus?" Marger asked.

"Oh~ Icarus." Capone laughed with a pig-like grin: "I also searched for Icarus when I was young. I said, I want to find evidence of the existence of Icarus, and then take that thing To my love, to formally propose to her."

"It seems to be a sad story." Li Nuo gave the standard answer.

Capone said: "Icarus is in the sea and in the sky. This is a rumor within the military. No one knows where it is specifically."

"Is there anything else?" Li Nuo asked.

Capone said: "I only know that it is best not to find that thing. Legend has it that it is a weapon that can change the world. Although the legend is unreliable, it would be terrible if it is reliable."

Li Nuo touched his chin, staring at the wooden beams above the pothole, and said, "So, do we want to know the whereabouts of Icarus, or are we going to harm the military?"

"The military controls the vast majority of the world's resources. This is not the medieval period when hidden masters were hidden in the mountains and plains. The most reliable information is always in the hands of the government." Capone looked at them and said with a smile: "Kid. Guys, if you plan to find that thing, I advise you to find a job and live an honest life. Airships and planes are not for you to take risks, they are war machines."

Li Nuo laughed: "So flying is a curse given to mankind by the sky?"

Capone: "What do you want to say?"

"It's okay." Li Nuo stood up: "Old Ma, what do you think?"

"I like this pig and I want to help him," Marger said.

Capone: "That means you are willing to stay and help me work?"

"Of course, but there is a premise. I want to make some weapons, can you help?" Marger asked, and added: "I need a craftsman who knows magic steam, such as you."

Only then did Capone realize that it was not he who was testing them, but them who were testing him.

Li Nuo turned and left.

Cha Bai bowed slightly and followed him out.

"Marjie has found what he wants to do, let's not waste time."

Li Nuo pushed open the door of the house, and the sunlight was dazzling.

"I'm going to find the hiding place of magic knowledge. You go... to find alchemy." Cha Bai looked at the panel sent by Li Nuo, and then asked: "Are you not full?"

"I am full."

The intersection of shacks was narrow and dark, and the two turned around a dilapidated neighborhood.

The alley in front of me suddenly took on a familiar magical character. In a foreign country with row upon row of spiers, the buildings and pedestrians in front of me had a strong two-dimensional style. Dry goods and vegetables were hung by the windows, and tobacco pouches, pots, and mining tools stood at the door.

The stalls on the street displayed crude jewelry, and the crowd burst into laughter and crowded together to form noisy crowds.

Cha Bai glanced at the bracelets and earrings on the stall, then turned his eyes and followed Li Nuo.

"Go find the magic thing first, and I'll go with you."

Li Nuo slowed down.

"No, go separately to save time."

"Ah...but..."

"You are too protective of me."

After hearing this, Li Nuo took out the money bag from his belt and handed it to Cha Bai, then took out two coins and put them into his lining pocket.

"So much money..."

"Well, they are all prepared for you." Li Nuo said: "The magic thing should be a book. Since it is a magic book, you need to spend money to buy it."

Cha Bai thought that Li Nuo just set up a gambling circle on a whim to pay for his living expenses.

"What about you?" she asked.

"If necessary, I will just grab it." Li Nuo said bluntly, and then said with a smile: "Don't dirty your hands."

Cha Bai watched Li Nuo turn to another alley, then turned around and left.

Entering the outer corridor of the town, there is a cliff on the outer edge of the town, a mine below, and a suspended plank road made of old wooden boards on the edge of the cliff.

Looking down, you can see the steaming mining area.

Behind the airship in the sky is a steam flow facing the wind, and the burning floating powder turns into magical factors and spreads in the air, forming stars like sunlight fireflies.

After walking along the plank road, Chabai stood in front of a house with an abstract art style.

The house is more than ten meters high, but it seems to have only two floors.

Its door opens sideways.

She knocked on the door.

I found that when my knuckles were pressed against the door, magic was sucked in.

Hey~

A wind chime sounded from the window that opened on the roof.

The door opened on its own with a creak.

"Is he a mage...little girl, come in."

Cha Bai checked the map marked by Chen Shou and found that this was indeed the best place to acquire magic knowledge within a radius of hundreds of kilometers.

So Cha Bai covered her skirt, raised her legs and kicked into the horizontally opened door.

The moment the soles of the shoes hit the ground, the gravity of the ground reversed, and she stood suddenly in the room inside the door, originally kicking on her side.

The house is filled with magic props.

Glittering gold.

There was an old lady sitting behind the desk. She moved her fingertips and the door closed by itself.

Cha Bai: "I..."

Old lady: "Don't talk, girl."

The old man's kind face was covered with wrinkles. She took out a fruit basket and walked over with her back bent.

"You came to me just for magic, but if you want magic, you need to pass the test."

She took out a red apple from the basket.

The old man's face was as red as an apple and he smiled and said:

"Eat it."

Chabai took the apple.

"Quick, eat it." the old man urged.

"Okay." Chabai nodded and crushed the apple.

Then he grabbed the old lady's throat with one hand and stuffed the broken apple meat into the kind old man's mouth.

……

……

ps: (A few days ago, a banned duplicate chapter was released by the system, causing someone to spend wrong money, so this chapter is free, just consider it to make up for it)

(End of this chapter)