The System Mecha is so unscientific

The mutated rats lunged at Da, their grotesque forms illuminated by the harsh beam of his lantern. He braced himself, wrench held high, ready to defend himself against the screeching vermin.

"System, analysis and strategy!" he barked, his eyes narrowed.

"Target analysis: Mutated Rats. Threat level: Low-Medium. Primary weakness: Vulnerable underbelly. Strategy: Utilize swift strikes to the underbelly, prioritize defense to avoid bites," the system responded quickly.

Da moved swiftly, sidestepping the first rat's attack. It snapped its jaws, narrowly missing his leg. He pivoted and brought the wrench down hard, aiming for the exposed underbelly. The wrench connected with a sickening thud, and the rat let out a final squeal before collapsing lifelessly.

The other rat hesitated for a moment, then lunged again, emboldened by hunger. Da ducked under the attack and delivered another precise blow, ending the second rat's life as swiftly as the first.

"Not as tough as the robot," he muttered, catching his breath. He scanned the area, ensuring no more rats were lurking in the shadows. Satisfied that he was safe, he began to assess the surroundings, pushing aside debris.

He noticed something glinting beneath a pile of discarded cables. He pulled away the cables, revealing a metal footlocker, its surface corroded with rust. Excitement surged through him. Could this be the hidden loot Gara had mentioned?

"System, any sign of traps on the footlocker?" he asked cautiously.

"Scanning... Minor pressure plate trap detected. Disarming recommended before opening," the system advised.

Da carefully examined the footlocker, identifying the subtle pressure plate concealed beneath a layer of dirt. Using the tip of his wrench, he gently disengaged the plate, deactivating the trap.

With a final surge of anticipation, he opened the footlocker. Inside, nestled among faded cloth and decaying papers, lay a treasure trove of artifacts from a bygone era.

"Bingo!" he exclaimed, his eyes widening. He pulled out the first item, a worn leather-bound manual. "Physical Training Manual? This could be useful." He flipped through the pages, noting the detailed illustrations and exercises.

Next, he unearthed a tightly rolled scroll. "Internal Breathing Meditation Scroll? From the old era? This is incredible!" He carefully unrolled the scroll, revealing intricate diagrams and ancient text detailing breathing techniques designed to enhance inner strength and focus.

He continued to rummage through the footlocker, his heart pounding with each discovery. He found five energy cubes, their power levels dangerously low. "Almost out of power," he muttered. "But still better than nothing."

Then, he found two pills encased in small, ornate vials. "Black Iron Level Talent Enhancement Pills?" He examined the vials closely. "System, what are these for?"

"Black Iron Level Talent Enhancement Pills are designed to enhance the innate talents of Awakeners. However, as a non-Awakener, these pills will have no effect on you," the system informed him.

Da sighed, slightly disappointed. "Well, can't win them all." He set the pills aside, knowing they could be valuable for trade or future use.

Finally, he reached the bottom of the footlocker, where he found a collection of ancient manuals detailing battle techniques for various weapons. He carefully stacked the manuals, noting the diverse range of combat styles.@@novelbin@@

"Old era battle techniques for unarmed fighting, swords, spears, short and long bows, axes, hammers, shields, and whips," he read aloud. "This is a goldmine!"

He carefully repacked the loot into his rucksack, his heart filled with excitement. He had struck gold in the junkyard, discovering resources that could drastically improve his chances of survival and success.

"System, assess the value of the loot," he commanded.

"Assessment: Physical Training Manual - Moderate Value. Internal Breathing Meditation Scroll - High Value. Energy Cubes - Low Value. Black Iron Level Talent Enhancement Pills - Moderate Value (Trade Potential). Old Era Battle Techniques - High Value."

"Excellent," Da said, beaming with satisfaction. He slung his rucksack over his shoulder, its weight now significantly heavier. "Time to put these treasures to good use."

He decided to find a relatively safe location to rest and study the training manual and meditation scroll. He scanned the area, searching for a sheltered spot out of the wind. He noticed an overturned transport container that seemed relatively secure.

"System, scan the container for threats," he instructed.

"Scanning... Container clear. Minimal structural damage. Suitable for temporary shelter," the system confirmed.

Da cautiously approached the container, its rusted metal groaning as he entered. Inside, it was surprisingly spacious and relatively dry. He set down his rucksack and activated his lantern, illuminating the interior.

He pulled out the Physical Training Manual and began to study the exercises, committing them to memory. He then unrolled the Internal Breathing Meditation Scroll and began to practice the techniques, focusing on his breath and inner energy.

As he meditated, he felt a sense of calm and focus wash over him. He could sense a subtle shift in his inner state, a growing awareness of his own potential.

After several hours of study and meditation, Da felt refreshed and invigorated. He knew he had only scratched the surface of the knowledge contained in his newfound loot, but he was eager to learn more.

He packed up his belongings and prepared to continue his exploration of the junkyard. The night was still young, and he knew there were more treasures waiting to be discovered.

As he stepped out of the container, a sense of purpose washed over him. He was no longer just scavenging for scraps. He was on a quest for knowledge and power, a quest that would test his limits and shape his destiny.

With renewed determination, Da West ventured deeper into the labyrinthine depths of the old junkyard, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The junkyard would not be the end, but merely the start of his legacy.