5.
(Hmm. No matter how many times I look at it, it’s strange.)
Accepting the mechanic’s kind words to raise my head as he was going to explain, I lifted my head to see the same hybrid type machine, which was to become my personal machine, sitting there imposingly.
Well, of course it’s there since they haven’t moved it. That’s not the important part. What’s strange is this hybrid type itself.
Before pointing out what’s strange about it, let me briefly explain about the machines.
Skipping the explanation about the official name and materials of the machines, let’s start with their types.
Machines are broadly divided into two types.
The first is the standard type, also called orthodox, which is shaped to mimic human form. In Japan, it’s also called the Kusanagi type.
In Japan, these are based on the corpses of demon-type monsters like the ox-headed (gozuki) or horse-headed demons (mezuki), while in the West, they’re based on giant-type monsters like Minotaurs or Gigantes.
The biggest feature of this machine is that it can trace human movements.
It can be equipped with swords in both hands, or with a shield. Of course, it can also be equipped with heavy weapons. Naturally, as the pilot’s proficiency increases, so does the combat power, so it’s said that people who have studied martial arts since childhood or have experience with heavy weapons tend to prefer this type.
The second is the beast type, also called the beast model. In Japan, it’s called the Yafusa type.
As the name suggests, it’s a machine modeled after beasts, basically quadrupedal, so it’s lower in height compared to the standard type.
The materials for the beast type are mainly the corpses of mutated monsters of large tigers, bears, wolves, and so on.
The features of this machine include high stability and mobility due to its low height and the support of its four legs.
Although it lacks the flexibility of weapons compared to the standard type, it can mount cannons on its back or shoulders in addition to its inherent fangs and claws, allowing for sniping from unique positions that standard types can’t reach, sometimes surpassing standard types in terms of firepower.
Also, due to its low height, it’s easier to evade enemy detection, and because it’s more agile than the monsters that standard types are based on, it has superior evasion capabilities that more than make up for its inferior defense capabilities.
However, due to the size of the machine and the interference of the cannons, it’s difficult to operate multiple units at close range.
Coordination like real wolves is not impossible… but it requires considerable training. However, because it’s easier to master than training in martial arts from scratch, pilots who have no talent other than compatibility rate tend to prefer this type.
To summarize, the standard type is a machine that is versatile and has high defense, and can be operated in multiple units depending on training. In normal times, it’s often deployed in the main force or advance units, expected for its defensive power and annihilation capability.
It can also perform civil engineering and construction work, so its range of applications is extremely wide.
The beast type is a very useful machine for solo operations, suitable for reconnaissance, assault, and sniping. It seems to also play an active role as a relay for orders when monsters that cause radio interference, which are said to be increasing recently, appear. It’s mainly deployed in reconnaissance units or advance units.
This is the common knowledge about machines. Beyond this is specialized knowledge tailored to the type of personal machine you receive, so I haven’t researched further as it would be meaningless to study before receiving the personal machine.
However, as we list the characteristics of standard and beast types, we naturally come to one conclusion.
Namely, “What’s the concept of this machine?”
The upper body is a standard type, so it can hold weapons and armor like humans. I understand that. But anyone who has even a little martial arts training would know that the lower body is more important than the upper body in martial arts.
On the other hand, how about this machine where the four limbs of the lower body, boasting the beast type’s unique strength and flexibility, are excessively asserting themselves?
(No matter how hard I try, I don’t think I can use the techniques I’ve learned.)
If I try to use the techniques I’ve learned with this machine, there will definitely be a lag.
Because I’m human, after all.
After wracking my brain about how to use the upper body, let’s think about how to use the lower body.
Even if I try to make the flexible movements characteristic of the beast type, the upper body gets in the way, and I’ve said many times that the advantage of the beast type is its low height. The beast type’s agile movements are effective because of its height of two to three meters.
However, how about the machine in front of me?
As a result of adding a three-meter upper body to a three-meter lower body, it’s about the same height as a standard type.
Moreover, while a standard type could crawl forward if it wanted to, this thing in front of me has a rigid connection part, making it difficult to even curl up the upper body.
Just looking at this, it’s no exaggeration to say that it has thrown away almost all the advantages of the beast type.
To sum up, at first glance, this hybrid type seems to be a machine that combines the worst aspects of both standard and beast types.
That’s how it would appear to someone who knows nothing, but.
Of course, I could see a different possibility.
“The feature of this machine is that it has the mobility of quadrupedal locomotion while being able to equip weapons that a standard type can, right?”
“Oh, you understand?”
“Yes. It’s probably heavier than the standard type, right? The legs must be considerably reinforced to support the weight of the upper body.”
“Hmph. Correct.”
Don’t ‘correct’ me.
“So the concept of this machine is long-range sniping with cannons too heavy for standard or beast types to use due to recoil, right?”
“That’s right.”
I knew it. Or rather, that’s all it can do.
First, in the case of the standard type, the legs are structured to support the weight of the upper body and armaments, so they’re weak against recoil and vibration caused by cannon fire. Therefore, they have the disadvantage of not being able to use heavy weapons with a certain amount of recoil.
For the beast type, it’s even simpler: it’s lighter than the standard type, so it can’t be equipped with heavy artillery that generates large recoil, and even if equipped, it becomes unusable because the recoil throws off the aim.
In other words, this hybrid type is a machine designed to efficiently exterminate monsters that cannot be eliminated by standard or beast types.
To add, since machines can use magic crystals to switch turrets, unlike tanks or battleships with fixed turrets, they can use various types of cannons.
In other words, it’s versatile when it comes to sniping and shelling. That’s about it.
I understand the concept. It’s undoubtedly difficult to use, but conversely, it hits a niche point, so there should be demand for it. If it can be properly operated.
Yes. Whether it can be properly operated or not.
That’s the most important point.
“So, how much does this machine weigh?”
“…30 tons. Including equipment, 35 tons.”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
I knew it! It’s better to confront these tech geeks directly rather than being humble. Or rather, if you don’t confront them directly, they’ll take the conversation in a weird direction. Having judged this, I decided to confront him, dropping the respect I had been maintaining until now.
“Are you an idiot?”
“What did you say?”
Don’t ‘what’ me.
“The standard type is 15 tons. The beast type is 10 tons, right? Why is it heavier than the sum of both?”
It’s as heavy as a medium tank, isn’t it?
“H-Heavy artillery capable of taking down large monsters needs this much weight to withstand the recoil!”
“Well, I suppose that’s how it is.”
I get it. I understand that if you want the same attacking power as a tank, which increases its ground contact area by using tracks, you’d need the same weight as a tank. But understanding something and accepting it are two different things.
“This thing weighs 35 kilos when stored in the magic crystal? Am I supposed to carry a 35-kilo load all the time?”
“…In the military, it’s common to march carrying 40 kilos of equipment, isn’t it?”
Sure. Did you think I’d accept that? What you’re saying makes sense, but your eyes are shifty.
“But they put down their gear during breaks, right? Can I put mine down? Won’t that mean the mech suddenly appearing during operations?”
“…”
Mechs should be stored in magic crystals as much as possible. It’s common sense for pilots.
Take sleeping, for example. If you leave a six-meter-tall mech out in the open because it’s heavy, wouldn’t it be an easy target for enemies? That’s why we’re encouraged to store mechs in magic crystals during rest periods.
There are other reasons too. When stored in magic crystals, mechs can self-repair using the mysterious power within the crystal. They can also grow and upgrade by absorbing the mysterious power obtained from defeating other monsters.
In other words, for a mech, being inside a magic crystal is like staying at an inn in Wizard[redacted].
By “staying at the inn,” the mech rests and grows. It also seems to strengthen the link with the crystal’s owner.
Given these circumstances, it’s preferable to store mechs in magic crystals as much as possible. However, as mentioned in the guidance, the crystal’s item box function has a clear downside. One-thousandth of the stored item’s weight affects the crystal’s owner.
So, let me ask you this: Can a young person who’s constantly carrying a 35-kilo load really rest?
Of course not. Carrying 35 kilos all the time – while moving, riding in a car, using the toilet, sleeping? You’d collapse from fatigue before even reaching the battlefield.
But transporting it on a special trailer would be too much hassle.
At that point, you might as well use a regular mech.
“W-well, as your compatibility improves and you grow, it could become about half that weight!”
Oh, that’s great.
Half the weight might be manageable.
Perfect.
Except for the fact that it’s impossible.
“I hope I’m alive by then.”
“Ugh.”
Don’t “ugh” me.
Saying it’ll be strongest after leveling up is just another way of saying it’s weak until then.
This isn’t a game. How is an inexperienced pilot, exhausted from constantly carrying 35 kilos, supposed to gain the experience needed to level up in life-or-death battles? Forget about coming back alive, it’d be hard to even reach the battlefield.
“Plus, it has a humanoid upper body and four legs on the bottom? Can you, as a mechanic, imagine perfectly controlling this yourself?”
“W-well, it might be difficult…”
“Not ‘might be.’ It is difficult.”
With a standard type, you could manage with your experience of living as a human. For a beast type, instinct (and sheer willpower) might work. But combining both? That’s not going to work.
What, are we supposed to control it with brain quantum waves like in that space century robot anime? That’s way too ahead of our time.
“…”
Finally gone silent, huh? Well, no surprise there. Even if it has excellent specs on paper, it’s useless if you can’t operate it.
Think about how many weapons have been rejected at the selection stage.
The Panjandrum got approved? That’s because those guys were high on tea. Don’t assume that’s normal.
tlnote: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panjandrum
But you know what? Despite all my complaints, I actually think this mech has potential.
After all, its concept is long-range sniping, right?
That means I can legally keep my distance from the dangerous front lines, doesn’t it?
Also, while 35 kilos is heavy, I’m already somewhat trained, and I won’t feel the weight while it’s in the hangar. It’s only an issue on the battlefield.
More importantly, it’s still just 35 kilos.
It’s about the same as my little sister.
If I think of it as carrying her, it doesn’t seem so bad.
In reality, if I die, she’d be left on the streets.
If I consider the mech’s weight as the weight of my responsibility, it’s actually kind of reassuring.
If it still feels tough, I can train my body during these three years at school. Even if the mech can’t grow… well, that’s impossible, but I can at least improve my compatibility with it to reduce the load. I shouldn’t complain when I can train for at least three years in a safe place while getting paid.
“…Well, there’s no point in complaining without even trying to pilot it. Shall we do a simulation?”
“R-really? Is that okay?”
“It doesn’t matter if it’s okay or not. We can’t exchange it now anyway. Could you please prepare the simulator? And if there’s a manual, I’d like to see that too.”
“S-sure!”
To begin with, my position at this school is that of a test pilot.
There’s no good or bad when it comes to the mech I’m testing.
Since this is the mech assigned to me as a test pilot, I should conduct thorough tests and submit proper reports.
The military probably doesn’t have high expectations for prototypes anyway, and if I’m going to say NO, I need a good reason.
(Besides, while this mech looks like a monstrosity made by some perverted company at first glance, that’s exactly why it has the potential to surprise us.)
With that in mind, I started reading the mech’s manual, formulating ideas on how to operate it. From the corner of my eye, I could see the mechanic, half apologetic and half unable to hide his excitement, watching me.
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