Author corner: Welp, my editor is to unmotivated to edit so i don't know when i will get any proper proofing on stuff so it will be as it is. Now then on today's menu is brutal combat with a side of dwarf robot rider doing epic stuff that only lacks heavy weapons for extra fun.

After a few long hours of repairing all the broken and damaged stuff, which pretty much showed us all just how important a mechanic is to a crew or team, I go to my robot and get inside.

I need to train with moving this thing and see my current limits with it.

I have only been moving around without reinforcing it. Its really hard to do with just controlling it with Psi but apparently there is a piloting skill for this which I get after completely mastering the how to move around as if it was my normal body.

“Hey Noah, want the information on the suit that you?” A young woman’s voice came from within the robot. The next moment, Lia’s face appeared on a hologram screen that I use as my eyes when inside the robot. Yes, she is very happy to be able to talk normally and not through text now.

“Yeah, I really ignored most of it so I need to check all the information and get used to the robot.” I replied.

The screen changes to an info table.

Dwarven Fighter RobotA basic model combat and utility dwarf fighter robot. This model was created by a novice Dwarf fighter but with with an extra psi container.

Consumption outside of combat: 100 psi/h

Consumption during combat without weapon: 400 psi/h

Consumption during when using tools 800 psi/h

Psi container: 14,980/15,000 psi capacity

Durability: 1000/1000

Armor defense: 60 without reinforcement, 120 with reinforcement

Boost:

Physical Proficiency: 30 points without reinforcement, 60 points with reinforcement.

Agility: -20 (with reinforcement this debuff vanishes)

Exterior Psi abilities are blocked as long as armor is in use. (must unequip an arm or leg to use psi)

Well it’s kind of explained why my speed was so low. Exterior psi usage being blocked was also expected since the robot's run on inner psi manipulation. The max psi capacity I already knew since I checked that part before as well as the psi consumption but seeing it laid out like this really shows how much it takes up.

I did the exact count for the psi consumption unlike before where you asked an estimate.

100 psi/h results in 150 hours which is 6.25 days or 6 days and 6 hours.

400 psi/h results in 37.5 hours which is 1.75 days or 1 day and 18 hours.

800 psi/h results in 18.75 hours or 18 hours and 45 minutes. (i ran some simulations to figure out how you would waste 800 psi for mining and it seems 100 is normal operating cost, 300 for reinforcement and 400 for drill reinforcement. The body reinforcement is to handle the vibrations of the drill)

So at those are the exact times huh, it would probably lower the consumption with better parts but I can’t pilot something more advanced than this so it doesn’t matter.

I have the robot stand and slowly walk outside.

Getting a bit away from the ship I finally try to truly test this robot out. Having a big ass mecha and not enjoying to use it to its fullest is the biggest waste possible. MECHA’S ARE A MAN’S, and dwarf’s, DREAM!! ITS A MAN’S ROMANCE!!

Okay, playtime over let’s get busy.

I push the psi in my control into the containers and like opening a dam’s doors I release the contained psi while trying to keep it under control.

The flood of Psi wasn’t actually that large a flood. I look at the monitor and I see the psi dropping from 14,980 to 14,830 and stopping.

At this point the entire robot’s psionic tech nerves were filled with psi.

Now for the second phase, I pushed the psi out of the nerves and make them enter all the parts and plates making the “skin” of the robot. What I found surprising is that this also caused my body to reinforce itself just like the robot. This is probably part of why I gain extra strength.

Psi Reinforcement has leveled up.

I couldn’t help smiling to that. Its level 6 now and it was a pain to level up.

Anyway I look at the monitor again and the psi drops to 14, 680 to fill up all the parts without exception and leave the nerves also filled.

Alright, considering that utility work is 100 for basic operations and 300 for reinforcement to hold the drill then this state is the basic minimum for combat mode.

With that thought I start to walk around and feel no resistance like before. The restriction of the suit is gone like the info on it said it would do and my strength also tripled with the reinforced boost which is 60 extra physical proficiency.

I say that but my HP doesn’t rise, I checked and it seems that this isn’t like fantasy setting games were items boosts affect HP.

I start walking then running but the robot even with reinforcement was bulky and heavy. 25 agility isn’t something that will make it faster.

I stop a moment and focus on my legs.

I start to move the psi in the legs and turn it into topaz structure.

The psi in the upper body slowly drained to the legs as it compressed and compacted. I did foot, muscle and skin. Seems hands and feet were the same.

Reinforced FeetRarity2Level 1Feet that has been reinforced by psi that has been structured like a very hard material. It makes the kick several times harder and the strength of the body part higher. This also increases the strength of the steps taken increasing speed of the caster.

Psi cost: 100 per foot

Reinforces foot increases attacks damage 5%

Reinforces foot increases movement speed by 10%

Remains active but takes 0.30 from psi regen to maintain

I look at the new skill with a smile.

“I don’t want to be a spoiled sport or anything but Noah, deactivate one of the reinforcements.” Lia suddenly says.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because the three reinforcements you currently have active surpasses your psi regenerations rate and its draining the robot's psi faster.” She says.

When I looked I saw the number dropping slowly every 2 seconds.

I pale and quickly undo the skin reinforcement making the dropping psi stop.

“That… was bad.” I said breathing heavily.” I said.

“You need more Willpower to maintain the entire robot or we need to build some kind of reinforcement amplifying tech to decrease the cost of the psi consumption.” She said.

“I think it’s easier to raise willpower.” I said.

“Really? Though you raised it to a high level up to now that probably won’t work anymore. You opened the entire robot's system so you are experienced in it. Unless it’s a much more advanced robot I don’t think it will work.” She said.

I frown listening to her explain.

“Also I don’t suggest using Stat points on this because you are a dwarf, even as a dwarf your strength is much more pitiful compared to others because you didn’t get to train properly.” She says hitting a slightly sore spot.

“I know my stats suck so don’t rub it in.” I complain but all I hear is a giggle.

I mumble my complain but taking a look at my stats I notice how the agility gained 2 extra points with the extra foot reinforcing which is 10% of my stats. I really need to do physical training to take advantage of these skills I have.

I start running and it feels a bit smoother but I don’t feel much change with or without the foot reinforcement for now. What I did notice is that with each step the topaz structures vibrates and is slowly loosening up with each step.

I start to focus to strengthen it again and I notice it takes psi to repair.

I stop and unwind the topaz structure and start moving with the simple reinforcement and found it doesn’t break apart or consume more.

“Seems the robot's work better with regular reinforcement.” I said.

“But you still have to punch and defend so the skin, fist and muscles are needed just not in the legs and feet.” Lia replies.

“Not unless I learn to fight martial arts with this robot.” I said trying to imagine myself doing my martial arts.

Frowning a moment I say “That’s a bit far away with my current robot and stats.” I say.

“Yeah, just~ a bit~!” She replies.

After testing my speed I did shadow boxing and other martial arts but since I didn’t have a target to try on I couldn’t progress much.

Still, with a nearby rock I could figure out that my fist is really hard. A punch with a topaz reinforced fist I left a nice fist print on the rock and not a scratch on my robot fist or even internal damage.

After that I headed inside and after talking with Lisa and dad we worked together to refill the psi that I used. Dad helped until his small capacity ran out and left us, who had high regeneration and a larger capacity, to it.

It wasn’t really much though it took us both to fill up what was needed. Tomorrow we will go back to the cave and hopefully with me tanking we will get much further than before.

***

I stand behind Alex while she flies towards our destination all the while Lia updates me on the kinds of enemies we will fight.

Alright, I spoke with the other AI and gathered the information. Most native creatures from Kelha II were based off of deformed earth based animals from earth so their look determined the name they obtained.

From largest and strongest to weakest.

Bear: base level range lvl 12-15

Gorilla: 8-12

Wolf: 4-8

Horse/animals similar to horses.

Bears are an uncommon type that can be considered a mini boss type mob. Though it is ranked as such your father finds them easy to kill because they normally use charging attacks or stand up revealing the underbelly when near the enemy.

Gorilla is only that in name. The format of its body is bulky upper chest and arms with weaker smaller legs. Their smash and punch can be compared to the bears charges and could possibly beat a bear if it doesn't get the chance to charge at it.

Wolves are, like the earth ones, pack animals. They move in clusters within the mass of Kelha beasts in numbers between 7 to 14 and are the beast your father hate the most due to the numbers. The aren't smart but with instincts they can coordinate to a degree.

Horse and similar beasts don't fight. They are skittish and only when they are cornered will they fight. They are used as food for the others because of its large size.

This is all the info I could gather from the local database and the other AI. The wildlife isn't really studied because they could either adapt to the terraforming or die off.

I was rather surprised by the amount of info. It wasn't as much as I expected. I guess they think "if the wildlife adapts its worth studying, if not then its no sweat off my back."

To me, I don't see them dying off like other organic animals.

"We are almost at the cave Noah, since you're going to tank you should get ready." Alex said.

"Alright, I'll be getting ready." I replied and went to the cargo. Entering I go to my robot and start preparing it.

I grab two small air tanks that go into the life support of the robot and put those in place. Then attach the valve into them to allow the air to exit.

Those attached I did a quick once over before entering the robot.

Hatch closed. Air tight seal closed. Pressurizing.

In a moment the sound of the air exiting came from all around and the parts that worked through pressure also gained pressure.

Robot pressurized and sealed.

"Start up sequence is done~! You can start it up~!" Lia said playfully.

The start up is simple just like turning off. I push my own psi into the robot and pull psi from the containers. When I poked it the psi leaked out into the nerves and I pulled my psi back making a weak flow and gaining back my psi I started to control the robots psi making it circulate the robot turning on the systems by feeding it psi.

After five minutes the robot was totally online and I began to reinforce the body by flooding the body. This was the simplest and best method to use.

As I finish a screen showing Alex appeared.

"Noah, we arrived, we are about 200 meters from the hoard around the cave. Captain and Hilda are heading down and the cargo will be depressurized so be careful." Alex warned me.

"I have air inside the robot and its air tight so don't worry." I replied and he nodded before the screen vanished and only the view from outside was left.

I get up but I had to stay bent over since the ceiling was just a bit shorter then my robot.

I walk a bit over near the hatch for the cargo as my robot's systems registers the air pressure dropping in the room and it becoming a vacuum.

After a bit the air lock that leads into the cargo from the stairs coming down from the second floor opened.

Hilda didn't have a helmet since she didn't need it but dad had an air tank and his helmet on covering the last bit of skin which was his head from the vacuum of space.

Noah: You guys ready?Roktar: Of course!Hilda: Kind of hope we don’t get trashed again or the leader of the terraformers will give up and recruit a new crew as backup and we will lose half our pay.

Dad turns around and flicks her forehead.

Roktar: No pessimism! It only makes your fighting worse and you only stay on the defensive. Now that Noah is here you can focus on attack while he becomes our huge metal meat shield.Noah: wonder how good a Roktar shield would be. The shield bash would be interestingRoktar: So cruel!Hilda: Isn't that kind of mean Noah, he is your dad after all.Noah: Don't think so. Not the first time I do it either. We once went to fight a green drake and I was tanking but because dad was an idiot the day before we switched rolls.Roktar: Freaken brat! That time I wasn't even playing a tank class. I was a vanguard and DPS yet you drew hate and then bolted leaving it only for me!Jessica: Alright you to stop the fighting. Get ready to jump because Alex is opening the hatch.

After Jessica's warning the vibrations from the hatch could be felt.

Slowly the wall on the right side of the room opened up completely. From here I saw we were 12 meters in the air.

Didn't seem like a height that would damage my robot so I walk off and jump.

In an instant I landed with a loud thud making the dust from the barren ground lift up.

Following me was dad and Hilda soon after.

I look up and see a turret compartment open and the structure that was made for snipers came out with Jessica sitting snug in it.

After a few minutes dad looked up and stuck and following his eyes I saw Lisa floating down and landing beside dad.

Noah: Guess everyone is here so let's go. I'll go in first while Hilda and Dad will follow soon after when I have most of the hate targeting at me.

Everyone nods and we get going.

I look upwards towards the mountain in front of us. We were on a rough but barren hilly plain that suddenly rose into a mountain.

Even from far I can see the cave entrance about 1 km away but the monsters were only 200 meters away. I expected the place to be packed but they are surprisingly spread out.

Noah: I thought the place was swarming?Roktar: Getting within 100 meters of the cave will cause those inside swarm out.

So that's how it is. There is cannon fodder outside for trash that can't fight while the swarm for the strong ones. No wonder even a tank character like dad would have a hard time. From what guess dad is more of a Vanguard type then a tank.

I look around and find a cluster of monsters.

Don't know if dad thought of this but the best thing to do to cannon fodder is use it for exp. Dad's level is currently 11 and he can even apply for a class. Though it's not as important as in fantasy setting games, it still gives boosts so there are still advantages.

I plan to wipe out the monsters outside so that we can't be flanked from behind.

I start running towards the monsters and dad and Hilda behind. I was slower than them but the held their speed so I would get most of the hate.

Hate is how much an enemy is targeting you. Mostly the person that makes a surprise attack or takes the most damage usually has the most hate. Tanks normally specialize in using skills like taunt that draws targets to them. Can't do that at the moment so I need to get creative.

As I get close to the cluster, Lia scans and highlights all the monsters with a small green line before it all turns red.

“Targets locked and identified. 1 bear, 3 gorilla, 13 wolves.” She said.

As she said that a warning showed towards the back as the bear began to rush my way.

It was also the first time I saw it and it reminded me of a monster golem. Player race golems normally possess 75% or more human like body and most of their body is properly attached to each other. Monsters on the other hand were rough and looked like several boulders somehow connected together.

I charge at him as he does to me and knowing that I can kill him if I smash the head I run until he is about 4 meters away before my right arm came from behind in a slow, heavy downward swing striking him right on the head as he got in front of me and was about to spring at me to add more damage.

My fist connects and pushes the bears head into the ground and backed by the momentum of the charge the head was cleanly smashed off and separated from the body because the body did filled almost completely over while my fist held the head in place.

“Damn~!! Instant kill! Aren’t you overkill with this robot!” Lia shouted.

“Shut up!” I shouted back as a warning appeared on the screen. I turned my head and saw a gorilla rushing me. Like Lia had described it, the upper body was bulky and the legs were small like some poorly proportioned bodybuilder.

It rushed me and as it got close it pulled its right arm back and swung.

Seeing so many wolves getting close I got and idea and quickly lifted my own right arm and caught the gorilla’s hand.

“OI! Be careful! That actually almost caused damage even reinforced as it is. If you want to do stupid stuff add the reinforced skin skill!” Lia complained.

I ignore her as I grip the gorilla’s arm with both hands as it started to struggle. Then shifting my weight I began to turn and pulled the gorilla behind me as I began to spin him around and just by chance some wolves were coming from behind that I absolutely weren’t jumping to attack me from behind.

The body of the gorilla smashed into the wolves and carried them a bit before throwing them onto the others.

I spun several times and let it go so that it could smashed into other beasts.

I was a bit dizzy but I didn’t have to worry as dad and Hilda came in at the moment and began to cleave down animals.

I had effectively gained all the hate in this cluster because besides the one those two attacked the rest came at me with.

The gorilla I tossed was effectively stunned and on the ground while the remain two came at me with a vengeance.

Seeing it wasn’t going to end well I take some steps back while reinforcing my fists.

When I was done one of them came swinging like the one before but this time I didn’t grab and instead punched.

Since it was swinging horizontally it made a huge opening for me. The opening crippled it because I punched right at the elbow and completely crushed the joint the causing the arm to fall.

I quickly grab the fallen arm and doing a turn I swing the arm like I club and smashed the head of the beast.

I let go of the club arm and turn to the final gorilla and stick both hands out to grab the two descending arms. I was pushed back for a moment but that was brief.

Catching both arms made the gorilla powerless since its power was in its arms.

I left my leg and stomp on chest and face and slowly extend my back as I quickly pull back on the arms until finally the both broke off at the shoulder.

The gorilla fell backwards and died after I smashed both its arms down on its head.

With a grin I say through the communicator.

Noah: This is fun!”Jessica: Noah! You're too ruthless! At least have some pity for them.Roktar: Bahahahah! Now this is a fight! Getting a proper tank sure makes a difference!Noah: Jessica, no need for support fire at the moment, wait until we get near the cave.Jessica: Roger

After that quick exchange I tighten my grip on the two gorilla arms and look at the remaining wolves and a grin surfaces on my face as we completely destroy the remaining weaklings.

You have gained 2 levels.You have gained 10 stat points

With the end of the fight over we were rewarded the exp and I’m surprised that I got two levels for so few mobs. Maybe it’s because I killed the bear and gorilla’s which are relatively high leveled.

With my 10 new stat points I put them all in agility so that I won’t be so slow with the suit. It takes effect instantly as my body feels lighter and more free.

Noah: Well that was a good warm up if I ever saw one.Roktar: Ah~! How refreshing it feels to stomp on these things so effortlessly now. Having a tank in a party has far too many advantages but still Noah, did you have to have so much fun crushing the four strongest monsters?Noah: I did, I really did. I’ve been cooped up in the station since the start suffering under Colonel’s teachings. I need to unwind and it was good!Alex: Okay~! It’s official, though it’s not the proper crew ranking but Noah clearly meets the condition for a proper captain unlike Roktar.Roktar: OI! I make a great captain!Jessica: Then why have we not been able to complete this mission until now!Lisa: Come on guys, no fighting! It’s not like he can help it, we just didn’t have the proper manpower and numbers.Noah: We should get moving, before we move to the cave I want to clear out all those that are outside because I don’t want to get flanked. Also I need to catch up in level, your all above level 10 already right?Roktar: Lvl 11Jessica: Lvl 10Hilda: Lvl 10Lisa: Lvl 8Alex: Lvl 4

I wanted to ask Alex why his level was so low but then I remembered that he was just the pilot and besides in a space fight he doesn’t get to fight much.

Noah: Welp, let’s get started then.