Chapter 31: The Devil’s Gift, Section 3

Adapt it for the Killing Emperor?
Monkey had thought about it, but he didn’t dare.
Joke aside, the Killing Emperor was the pinnacle of Black Prison’s efforts—a culmination of countless experiences, with most of its technologies still classified as top secrets on Death Star. Though it was merely a mecha, its true technical complexity was no less than that of a warship! And what was most remarkable was the record the Killing Emperor still held…
The highest level of coordination in the field of mechs!
After all, a mech’s structure wasn’t like building with blocks. The length of its arms, the proportions of its body, even every piece of armor—all played a crucial role in its functionality. It might not be apparent when standing still, but once it entered high-speed, ultra-frequency maneuvers, these seemingly minor details became vital. A well-balanced mech and a haphazardly assembled one were incomparable—this was what was meant by mech coordination!
In a sense, the importance of mech coordination accounted for 50% of a mech’s overall performance! Different levels of coordination might not show up in ordinary pilots’ hands, but in those of elites, the difference was like heaven and earth.
The Killing Emperor was the only mech on Death Star to achieve perfect coordination—this was why Black Prison was so proud.
Because no matter who they faced, they could proudly claim that the highest-grade mechs in the universe were all created by them! You might be stronger in terms of individual hardware or weapons, but you could never surpass them in the most critical aspect of mech performance.
Never…
What an ambitious slogan. It was also the dream of countless top mech designers. Unfortunately, to this day, no one had succeeded. Even Black Prison’s version was the result of all the prisoners’ combined efforts.
Under such circumstances, would Monkey dare touch the black-haired Killing Emperor?
Only a fool would do that. Monkey smirked. He said nothing but glanced secretly at the young man beside him.
Damn it. If I touch your Killing Emperor, won’t those lunatics from Black Prison fight to the death with me? Fine, I’m not afraid of a fight, but my mech is still in their hands. Hey, you’re not asking me to go into space to fight naked, are you?
“It can be modified!”

“Hmm, yes, it can be modified… What!?” The monkey’s eyes widened instantly as it stared in disbelief at the person who had just spoken. Wasn’t it the young man who had been guiding them all along? The one among the Black Prison gang who loved to use his own creations to destroy others’ homes? At this moment, the young man seemed unaware of the monkey’s shock, his expression remaining as blank as ever, his thick glasses completely covering his eyes and hiding his true feelings. Noticing Black Hair’s gaze, he nodded again. “It can be modified. But we need the help of the Wandering Clan.” “Ku?” Black Hair frowned and suddenly raised his head toward the ceiling of the cave. “Did you hear that, Ku?” “I heard you, Black Hair. You don’t need to shout. It’s inside my body; I’ll know whatever you do.” A lazy voice echoed above Black Hair’s question—wasn’t that Ku? “So what’s your opinion?” Hearing Ku’s long-absent voice, Black Hair seemed to relax as well. He took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and took a deep drag. “There’s no problem helping. It depends on what the kid wants me to do. Is it just like those two things—attach enhanced cells?” “Of course not,” the young man interrupted Ku rudely, appearing quite impolite. He pushed up his thick glasses. Only after noticing everyone’s attention on him did he continue. “Don’t stare at me like that. The specific modifications involve too many aspects. Without the help of other members, I can’t come up with a complete plan. But Black Hair’s sudden suggestion just now gave me a new idea.” “Oh? Go on then.” Black Hair became interested. “In general, it’s also a form of adaptive modification. Just more complicated. During the modification, we need to remove the Emperor’s engine, redesign the joints, and set up internal components. If conditions permit, I’d like to add something else too. But for that, we need the help of the Wandering Clan. I’ve heard their bodily tissues are very strong—no, extremely strong, comparable to any machinery.” The young man spoke at length, unaware that in just a few words, the monkeys around him were stunned, and even usually calm Black Hair was a bit confused.

Remove the engine, rearrange the internal components, and adjust the joints… What’s the difference between this and reassembling it? Can’t these guys from the Black Prison think a little more logically? How dare they call such a complicated process “modification”?
Oh, and there’s also a little “thing” to add. What exactly is this “thing”?
“Hormones,” the young man said with a kind smile. “Very simple hormones. Well, similar to those I just extracted from those octopus-like creatures. I must say, I’ve got a real treasure this time. If I combine the organization of the Wandering Tribe with this strange hormone, I’m curious to see what kind of reaction it will bring.”
To be honest, though the cave where Black Hair and Monkey were now located wasn’t small, its environment was excellent. The temperature and humidity were kept at the most comfortable levels for humans. But for some reason, after hearing the young man’s casual words, both Black Hair and Monkey felt a chill deep in their hearts.
Hormones… It was actually hormones!?
If it weren’t for the young man mentioning it, Black Hair would have almost forgotten that part of his haul from Death Star—those octopus-like crew members. And the unique hormones of those creatures would never have crossed his mind.
Those creatures, usually extremely cowardly, could still become the best crew members of the Moor tribe—wasn’t it because of those hormones? Thinking of their bravery and fearlessness after secreting those hormones, even Black Hair had to admit that they were indeed the ideal crew members in any captain’s eyes.
But what would happen if those hormones were combined with the bodies of the Wandering Tribe? That was something Black Hair had never even considered.
The strongest physical structures, combined with strange hormones…
One plus one equals two?
But… but the Killing Emperor is a mech, a product of mechanical and magic civilizations. How could it use such hormones like a living being? Black Hair opened his mouth to speak but then closed it again.
Because he suddenly remembered what the young man had said earlier—about modifying the Killing Emperor as if it were being reassembled.
“Good. It seems not only have you gotten a treasure, but I’ve also obtained one. Tell me, what’s your name?” After a moment of silence, Black Hair finally spoke, his tone more solemn than ever. His gaze toward the young man was no longer casual but filled with respect.
Respect for a stronger person. Even if that person didn’t necessarily fight, as long as they excelled in a certain field, they remained a strong individual.

The young man before him undoubtedly deserved that title.
“I’ve long forgotten my own name, but my companions gave me a nickname—they call me Cobra.” The young man smiled, bent down, and performed the respectful gesture unique to the leaders of the Black Prison clan. “I am at your service, my respected leader.”
“I’m honored by your help, Snake. I await your good news.” Blackhair accepted the young man’s salute with a smile, though his pupils contracted sharply.
Cobra—what a fitting nickname. Did this young man also possess a similarly fierce gaze beneath his thick glasses?
Blackhair didn’t know. But he liked this young man. For in him, Blackhair could see a reflection of his own darker side. Though he was merely a mecha designer, the mechs he created could very well become terrifying entities. Their hands would turn blood-red from drenched in the blood of countless lives.
Turning quietly, Blackhair didn’t look back at the young man but walked straight outside, leaving behind his cold words in the air.
“Delight me properly, Snake. If you satisfy me this time, you’ll get time off—and thirty fully armed companions. They’ll pilot the mechs you designed to fulfill one of your wishes. Don’t you have an elderly mother back home? I heard the local ruler is still that same man who left you with bitter memories? From the moment you killed the Emperor, their fates are in your hands.”
The young man was stunned. Even after Blackhair’s figure disappeared at the door, he couldn’t recover. But the sensitive Monkey noticed that, at some point, something shiny appeared beneath the young man’s thick glasses.
What was it?
With a grin, Monkey patted the young man’s shoulder before leaving the cave as well. He didn’t look back or intend to ask further questions. Yet at that moment, his heart was filled with joy. Unconsciously, he even whistled the tune he used on Earth.
Above the canyon, a fleet of hundreds of transport ships was rising into the sky. Their cargo holds were filled with various energy crystals. To the inhabitants of Death Star, the fleet soon disappeared into the distant horizon. Yet no one knew that its target was the distant and mysterious Planet of the Rock People.
Blackhair’s promises were gradually coming true.
Weren’t they?