The Legendary Mechanic (WN) - Chapter 42: The Research Department's Greed

He lived like a king, died like a grandpa... and woke up as a bratty villain inside a fantasy novel.Nice.Born into the mighty Arkanveil family, he’s expected to grow up spoiled, arrogant, and doomed. But sorry, fate — he’s got better plans.Armed with a broken Proficiency Panel, two god-tier Traits, and the mind of a seasoned conqueror, he’s here to rewrite the script.Demigods plotting. Councils scheming. Demon Emperors laughing.They’re all just EXP waiting to happen.Pretending to be a clueless baby genius, he secretly trains, conquers, and stacks power like a final boss.Because this time, the EX-Rank Villain isn’t playing to survive.He’s playing to win.The world’s greatest families have no idea what’s coming. But hey... they’ll find out soon enough.“EX-Rank problems require EX-Rank solutions.”

He is a firefighter, his face blackened by smoke, coming from the flames, and in one glance, his life was set.The first time he met the young girl, she bent slightly towards him and said, “Sir...”He was amused, thinking she was a little eccentric...She had never seen such a handsome man, tall like a general, and when their eyes met, she was bewildered and forgot she wasn't in the palace...Later, during the school art performance, the young girl sat on stage, dressed in ancient costume, with a veil covering her face, holding a pipa, her eyebrows shy, appearing both delicate and graceful...He raised his alluring eyes, recalling the girl said she knew a little about musical instruments and chess; she was modest.Seeing him in the audience, her heart raced, wanting to perform well but accidentally struck the wrong chord, fortunately unnoticed by him...Later still, the young girl, now grown, suddenly confessed to him, and the usually calm and composed man was caught off guard...It was a love she had hidden deep in her heart for many years, like shards of glass in her palm, both a patient endurance and impulsive agony...The joy of love at first sight, a hidden affection...She would never know that the brother she secretly admired had been waiting for her to grow up...

Linky transmigrated to the Magical Land and became the third young master of a noble family. Just when he thought it was time for him to enjoy a life of luxury.

He was sent out for the family’s tribulation, and had to set off to the “Land of Death”

— Black Wind Castle! Here, dark elves, frenzied orcs, and blood-thirsty dragons were regular occurrences! Everyone thought that Linky would surely die, and had even prepared to collect his body.

But just then, Linky awakened the [Super Gourmet System]. As such, things changed.

The Elf Queen loved his fruit salad, while the Orc Saint couldn’t get enough of his grilled steak. The Sorcerer of the Holy Palace couldn’t live a day without the “Linky Brand” whiskey.

Even the Vampire Prince Nikolas would sacrifice anything to get a long-term order of Linky’s fresh blood coffee.

Until one day, when a gargantuan dragon that blocked out the skies came to his door…

The world was cruel.....Especially for those who had lost their chances to shine.Aether was one of them....Aether, an individual born with a silver spoon, found himself discarded like a defective product. He had longed for love and tenderness, but what others showed him was nothing but pain.Even in the face of that pain, he smiled not because he wanted to, but because he had no other choice. Despite the heartbreak, he entered into a hell called society with a beautiful smile.....“Can't you do a single thing!!”“...”“You are fired!!!”“....W-Wh..”“I am sorry, Sir, but you need at least a bachelor's degree to enter our company!!”“....I-I am...”“I am sorry, Sir, but we cannot provide a loan for your ideas without reassurance!!”“....W-Why?”“I heard your father is a politician.... So, You know....”“...”After a long struggle, he finally got a job, but his brother's words rang in his ears:“Yeah, yeah… I know you got the job thanks to me, of course. So, don't ever contact me or even MY parents” his brother declared.“...Heh...”Just as he believed he had earned society's recognition, an unforeseen event claimed his pathetic, seemingly worthless life....“HONK!! HONK!!”Yet, amidst the cruelty of society, he defiantly cried,“I JUST WANT TO LIVE!!!!!”Witnessing his heartfelt cry and desire to live in the hellish place called society, he was granted a second chance.~Ding!~However, even in this new life, his situation remained unchanged. He continued to struggle not only to live and eat but also..... seduction.“HOW DARE YOU SEDUCE THE PRINCESS!!”“.....he..he... B-But I didn't seduce her!!”“HOW DARE YOU SEDUCE MY MOTHER!!”“...Hehe”“YOU HAVE SOME NERVE TO SEDUCE MY WIFE, DON'T YOU?”“HEHEHEHEHEE.....”