Chapter Sixty: Encyclopedia Search for the Mecha Maidens

"Energy replenishment equipment, energy replenishment equipment, where is the energy replenishment equipment?" She searched every corner of the armory, but aside from the towering simulation devices, there was nothing else. To begin with, Zhuang Xiaoyuan had no idea what the so-called energy replenishment equipment even looked like—how was she supposed to find it?

Anxiously, she paced in circles, growing more frantic the longer her search proved fruitless. Perhaps the so-called energy replenishment equipment wasn’t here after all? But if not in the armory, where else could it be? The area outside was simply too vast. She couldn’t believe the Guardian’s trial would force her to wander aimlessly like a headless chicken. There must be some clue.

"Speaking of clues, I recall Xiaosi could connect to the central host of this world and search for information. I should be able to do that as well. If I’m considered an emotionless gynoid, they probably wouldn’t worry about traitors, so certain permissions shouldn’t be restricted." With this thought, Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s eyes lit up. She reached out and tapped the status panel on the wrist guard of her left hand.

Undoubtedly, the option to connect to the host and search wasn't going to be under [Weapons Equipment] or [Power Modules]. That left only auxiliary functions. Last time she checked, there had only been two available options: [Terminal Connection] and [Area Map]. The rest were all displayed as question marks.

She opened the status panel, selected auxiliary functions, and as expected, only [Terminal Connection] and [Area Map] appeared. The options below were all marked with question marks. "Tch. What’s going on? Did I remember incorrectly? Can’t all gynoids connect to the host to search for information?"

Staring at the endless string of question marks, Zhuang Xiaoyuan furrowed her brow tightly, biting her right thumb out of habit as her gaze remained fixed on the window before her. Yet, just as she finished voicing her complaint, a small window popped up: [Information Query Function Application in Progress... Application Complete. Confirmed Mecha Identity: Experimental Unit No. 99, Prototype Unit Zero. Permission Granted. Information Query Function Activated.]

Under Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s excited gaze, the question mark on the third option gradually faded, revealing the [Information Query] button. Without hesitation, she selected it. A new interface opened up—a familiar one—with "Gynoid Encyclopedia" grandly displayed at the top, and below it, a blank search bar.

Time was of the essence. Zhuang Xiaoyuan could afford no delay, and neither could Xiaosi, who might be in danger at any moment. She quickly tapped the search bar and typed "energy replenishment equipment," then hit search. Fortunately, the written language of this world matched her own; whether it was the Guardian’s doing or simply a coincidence, it greatly facilitated her search.

The query was completed in an instant. As soon as she clicked search, a data window appeared: [Energy Replenishment Equipment: An essential item for gynoids to replenish energy and also a vital power source for most operational tools.] Below the entry was an image depicting the equipment.

"So that’s what it looks like. It seems familiar." The description stated it was a necessary power source for operational tools. Suddenly, it clicked. Hadn’t she seen this before? As she recalled the last line of the description, realization dawned: it was the small box attached to the back of each compartment around her.

The room was filled with chambers for weapon storage and simulation training. Behind each chamber sat a small box, much like the portable drives from her previous life. She’d assumed they were data storage devices and ignored them. Only now, after searching the encyclopedia, did she realize—they were power banks!

To think such advanced chambers, equipped with weapon mounts and sophisticated simulation functions, were powered by nothing more than a small power bank! Who would have guessed? The design of this gynoid world was truly exasperating. So much precious time, wasted for nothing.

Swallowing her urge to complain, Zhuang Xiaoyuan hurried to the backs of several nearby chambers and unplugged the connecting cables from the "power banks." Uncertain how a gynoid would recharge, she decided to take all the connecting cables as well.

She didn’t know how much energy a gynoid required to recharge, but considering such a small power bank could support a chamber of this size, it must hold a considerable amount. Still, to be safe, she detached a dozen power banks in total. Hugging the pile, she dashed out of the room.

Luckily, she’d remembered to take the cables. Soaring into the sky, Zhuang Xiaoyuan congratulated herself on her foresight as she clutched a bundle of cables, the power banks dangling beneath. This way, she could carry everything with just one hand.

Once airborne, she opened the area map to locate District Fifteen and flew straight toward it. Flying was a wonderful ability—no need to wind through narrow city alleys, just a straight line, no fear of getting lost.

Because her gear was set to the ninth level, her acceleration was rather slow, increasing step by step—much like an automatic car from her former life. Her acceleration might lag compared to others, but her top speed wasn’t slow at all, and the city built for gynoids wasn’t very large. Soon, she spotted the site of the demonic invasion.

From afar, the hills ahead were swarming with countless soldier-class demons, densely packed like a tide. Among them were numerous officer-class demons, and occasionally, a tank-class demon could be seen. She saw no higher-class demons—perhaps they were hiding, or perhaps they simply weren’t present. If they truly weren’t, that would be a blessing, for the sheer number of demons was already terrifying.

As she drew closer, she finally glimpsed the battlefield. The demons surged forward in waves, a seething mass on the ground. Floating slightly above their path, a line of gynoids hovered in midair—some wielding beam rifles, others hefting gatling guns loaded with live ammunition, and a few shouldering rocket launchers.

With each volley from the gynoids, ranks of soldier-class demons fell in droves. Occasionally, officer-class demons managed to break through their lines of fire, but even then, they only advanced a few more steps before being cut down by the concentrated barrage. It seemed thermal weapons were not useless against demons; with enough firepower, they could be destroyed—at least the lesser ones.

"Report: 7-6, remaining energy at 10%."

"Report: 7-88, remaining energy at 10%."

"Report: 7-154, remaining energy at 10%."

"Report: 7-24, remaining energy at 10%."

"Units 7-6, 7-88, 7-154, 7-24, fall back. Units 7-8, 7-76, 7-141, 7-55, advance and fill the gap." Amid the intense barrage, reports of low energy occasionally came from the gynoids. From her vantage point, Zhuang Xiaoyuan could see that behind the firepower net stood a mature, commanding gynoid, orchestrating the defense, directing the front-line units, and calmly rotating her troops as needed.