**Episode 5
For the Family (2)**
Im Du-ho slowly looked around inside the Garage.
It was a small space—about the size of a modest workshop.
Old lights hung from the ceiling,
and metal shelves lined the walls, packed with parts.
Hmm…
‘No workbench.’
Then Isto spoke:
- Do you like it?
For a machine enthusiast like Du-ho,
this wasn’t just “likable.”
It was a dream.
To spend his later years quietly tinkering with machines in a place like this—
“Feels like I’ve already achieved my dream.”
- …Your dream is rather small.
“…What did you say?”
- As your level increases, the Garage will expand and gain more functions.
“I see.”
- Of course, you’ll have to upgrade me yourself.
“…Me?”
- Of course! That’s how I escape this tiny body!
Du-ho looked up.
There—
hanging from a ceiling wire—
was the same worn humanoid.
“Isto?”
- That’s my current body. Could you lower me?
Du-ho pressed the hoist control.
Whirr—
The humanoid descended.
Thud.
It landed.
- Ahh… much better.
Its LED eyes curved into a smile.
Then it walked toward him.
Du-ho frowned.
“…Wait. Walk again.”
- Huh?
“Just do it.”
After a few steps—
“Yeah. Your right knee joint is misaligned.”
- What?! How did you notice that?
“I saw it during the fight. I’ll fix it.”
- You? This requires expertise—
“I’ve worked on androids for six years.”
As Du-ho looked at the parts shelf—
Zzzzt!
Information appeared in his vision.
Part numbers. Descriptions.
“…What is this?”
- Your skill ‘Parts Detection’ has activated!
Du-ho looked at Isto’s knee.
A warning sign appeared:
No. KJ-047 – Joint Servo Error
“…Wow.”
‘This is basically cheating.’
But—
no matching part.
“…That’s a problem.”
- It’s fine. We can fix it later when the Garage upgrades.
“No way.”
He examined the shelves.
“I can modify another part.”
- You’ll make one yourself?
“Why not?”
- Then use your skill ‘Metal Manipulation.’
“…Right.”
- But precision matters. Even 0.1mm off = failure.
“I know.”
Then—
a blueprint unfolded in his mind.
The left knee design.
Perfectly detailed.
‘…They’re really tempting me.’
A quest window appeared:
[Quest] Modify a part using Metal Manipulation
Condition: 85% precision
Reward: Workbench
“…Now I definitely can’t quit.”
- Wait!
- You only have as many tries as materials.
“…How many?”
“Four.”
- Four chances.
Du-ho swallowed.
“…That’s nerve-wracking.”
He picked up scrap metal.
“Practice first.”
- Good choice.
“Move mana to your fingertips—”
“…I don’t feel anything.”
- Then hold my hand.
Du-ho grabbed Isto’s hand.
Hummm—
A faint blue glow.
Energy flowed into him.
- Close your eyes. Follow the flow.
He did.
And saw—
a thin thread of light flowing through his body.
“…I see it.”
- Good. Follow it.
“…It’s going to my heart…”
- Now move your own mana along that path.
He focused.
Struggled.
Then—
Whoosh—
Something moved.
“…I did it!”
- Excellent!
He opened his eyes.
A small glow at his fingertips.
- Now imagine the shape clearly.
He tried.
Without an image—
the metal melted uselessly.
“…Whoa!”
- You need a clear image.
He practiced.
Again and again.
Fatigue hit.
“…Harder than expected.”
- You’re doing well.
Then suddenly—
he grabbed a real part.
- You’re trying already?!
“Yeah. I’ve got the feel.”
[Precision: 99.97%]
[Quest Complete]
- WHAT?!
[Bonus Reward: Mana cost -2%]
Isto’s eyes widened.
- I’ve never seen this!
Du-ho jumped up.
A workbench materialized.
“…This is insane.”
“Get up here. I’ll fix you.”
- Yes!
He worked carefully.
Unscrewing. Replacing.
Precise. Fast.
Soon—
the repair was complete.
“…By the way, what powers you?”
- Look.
Click—
Its chest opened.
Inside—
a glowing core.
Blue circuits flowing like veins.
“…What is that?”
- Mana Circuit. A Mechromancer technology.
Suddenly—
knowledge flooded his mind.
Structures. Flows. Systems.
“…Ugh…”
Too much.
- Your level is too low to fully understand.
“…So you eat mana stones?”
- One per day is enough.
“Got it.”
Isto tested its leg.
- Much better than my previous master!
“…Previous master?”
Isto froze.
- …What do you mean?
“You just said it.”
- I… don’t remember.
“…Memory block?”
- Maybe…
Du-ho shrugged.
“Not important right now.”
* * *
Back in his room—
“…Only a minute passed?”
He lay on the bed.
Awakened.
Got a workshop.
And—
“…a weird companion.”
- I am perfectly normal.
Du-ho smirked.
“If my family sees you…”
- Say you built me.
“…Fair.”
- Hehe.
“…But how did I bring you here?”
- …Oh.
Its eyes turned watery.
“…Relax. No one’s coming.”
- Oh… good.
“I’m sleeping.”
- Understood.
Soon—
Du-ho fell asleep.
Meanwhile—
“Oho… wow…”
Isto sat with an old laptop.
Eyes wide.
Crunch… crunch…
Eating mana stones like snacks.
Completely absorbed—
like a gamer in his room.
