Twin Cities: Who says scientists can't be conquerors?

Urgot outside the main plot in Chapter 22

If all Zaunites were to vote for the most popular item they've owned in recent years, the number one choice would undoubtedly be the "Zaun Empowering Claw" that Aaron currently holds.

Aaron invented this thing six years ago.

As a byproduct of research on the Chengying mecha, its structure appears to be very simple, consisting only of an operating handle and a steel clamp with a "C"-shaped opening.

However, it is versatile, lightweight, and can be disassembled as a whole.

So, unsurprisingly, the force-applying clamp, originally invented for miners, began to be used in various other situations.

Its primary function is to grasp ore, but it can also crush hard objects directly.

Because it can crush hard objects, it can also be used as a weapon and can be disassembled and installed on a prosthetic arm.

Because it can be disassembled and modified, removing the oil bottle from the jaws can yield a can of decent quality concentrated diesel fuel...

In short, once Aaron invented it and widely promoted it, this thing began to spread like a virus in Zaun.

Nowadays, miners in Zuan can live without breathing masks or protective nail polish, but they absolutely cannot live without these honest and reliable big pliers.

In Aaron's own words, now everyone in Zaun can become "Mario".

His current cosplay of Mario isn't because he's also embraced the "Cult of the Empowered Claws," but rather because after hearing Jinx say that Hilcoe wasn't home, Aaron immediately guessed how things would unfold:

With armored monsters rampaging, what else could Hilco be doing if he wasn't staying at the Fugen Tavern?

He probably still listened to what he said and is leading people to fight against those monsters, fulfilling the duties he should have as the ruler of Zaun!

Thinking of this, Aaron felt an indescribable sense of accomplishment.

He felt that he had indeed achieved remarkable results in the "transformation of Hilko" project.

But problems also arise—

Jinx says those monsters were brought out by Smitch and have no sight; and fighting alongside Zelly proves that removing their armor is the most effective way to exploit their weaknesses.

Does Hilko know any of this?

If we don't know, then can Sevika and the others, who are also not in the tavern and seem to be going to face the monsters head-on, really deal with those invulnerable big guys?

Aaron was worried.

He couldn't bear to see those monsters slaughtering the people of Zaun, couldn't accept them destroying the hard-won stability, and couldn't stand by and watch Hilko be in danger.

According to Jinx, she and Caitlin escaped from the market and even confronted Smitch.

Aaron no longer hesitated and decided to take the already excited Zeli and head straight to the market where Smith was.

He didn't have time to guess whether Hilko had also come to the "main battlefield" of the market, nor did he have the mind to investigate where Smitch had gotten this strange team from.

He simply believed he had some methods for fighting armored monsters and decided to eliminate as many as possible while minimizing potential losses!

After all... he's already a member of the Zaun people.

"power ups!"

Aaron didn't turn around, but shouted at Zeli. The electric sparks from the two electric guns responded and instantly froze the nearest monster in front of Aaron.

He extended the power-enhancing pincers, allowing the jaws to precisely bite into the gaps in the monster's armor.

He then pressed the button on the control lever all the way down, and black diesel smoke billowed from the jaws as they clamped down completely on the edge of the armor.

"one!"

Aaron planted the lever of the power-enhancing pliers diagonally into the ground, then kicked it hard, turning the power-enhancing pliers into a gripper even more suitable than the previous iron pipe, tearing off the entire piece of armor from the monster's body!

The monster immediately collapsed to the ground.

"power ups!"

Aaron set his sights on a new monster...

He traversed the dangerous streets, his feet paved with the sticky blood and severed limbs of innocent people, as well as fragments of monster armor and corpses.

Intermittently, he would encounter the glimmer warriors who were still fighting in vain, or even those familiar mid- to high-level personnel.

This was a stark reminder that Hilko had indeed arrived in the market and had indeed begun the battle ahead of schedule.

But he didn't have time to pay attention.

Even though he could vaguely hear his adoptive father's angry and terrified roar, Aaron temporarily put it aside and focused on increasing his speed to kill these armored monsters in a more efficient way!

thump—

Another monster's corpse fell.

It was clear to the naked eye that the area surrounding him had become a graveyard for these monsters, with not a single armored monster still standing intact.

Aaron had cleared out a quiet area in the city center, which was originally filled with wailing and crying!

Even with Aaron's daily rigorous training, he couldn't keep up and was panting heavily.

He saw the fluorescent green liquid mix with the blood that had been on the ground, turning into a dark black color, faintly reflecting light...

"So close, so very close."

Zeli's voice came from behind, still shaken: "The electrician's gun almost overloaded!"

The girl looked at Aaron with a smug expression, as if she wanted credit.

There was no resentment at being bossed around, nor any worry about danger in his eyes. Instead, he raised his hand with great enthusiasm and promised, "But luckily, I brought repair tools!"

"I'll fix it soon, and then, Young Master Aaron, you'll need me to go..."

"Ha! Aaron!"

Suddenly, Zeli's words were interrupted by a voice from afar.

The half-Yordle who should have appeared long ago was now making a triumphant entrance, perched on the shoulder of an armored soldier.

He seemed completely unconcerned about the casualties Aaron had inflicted on his own soldiers, and was instead quite pleased with the piles of corpses and blood.

"Look who I've met!"

Smith, hands on his hips and eyes darting around, suddenly leaned close to Aaron.

"Be careful!"

"He's that squirrel-like monster who killed so many people in the sewers!"

Zeli reacted immediately, quickly pulling the trigger and unleashing her magical power through the electric gun at Smith.

The lightning bolts that had been so effective against the armored monsters in the team just now met with a resounding failure this time.

Smith, like some kind of indescribable masochist, laughed as he bathed in the electric sparks emitted by Zeli, completely oblivious to the fact that the collar of his clothes was on fire.

"Yes! Yes! That's exactly the feeling!"

"The more pain the better!"

Smith laughed uncontrollably, and Zeli's four-second cooldown ended, forcing her to stop launching.

She had practically become Aaron's "personal confidante," and ran to his side with a grave expression: "No! This guy is completely immune to electric shocks!"

"Um."

Aaron's reaction was surprisingly calm.

As if he had anticipated the current situation, he weighed the Power Pliers in his hand a couple of times, recalling the key information Jinx had given him earlier—

"Urgate, is that right?"

Aaron muttered to himself, squinting at Smith, who was still in a state of excitement.

"Does this guy, who's outside the original storyline, really think I don't know your weaknesses?"