Chapter 6: Sparks and Scraps
The blueprint was precise.
Lines clean, measurements exact. Even the material stress points were marked in soft red, thanks to the system's overlay. It looked like something drawn by a professional engineer.
The problem? He wasn't in a modern workshop.
He was in a dusty side room of a barely-functioning motorcycle factory, armed with a dull saw, an old vice, and tools from the '70s.
Let's see what this system can do when I've only got rusted equipment and scrap aluminum…
He placed a small aluminum block onto the workbench and locked it into place. The system flared in the corner of his vision.
[Detected: Raw Material - Aluminum Alloy]
⚙️ Suitable for Prototype Carburetor Body
Precision Tools: ❌
Manual Carving Mode: Engaged
Estimated Difficulty: ★★★★☆
Clang. Clang. Screech.
The file scraped against the metal. His hand slipped.
Blood bloomed from the base of his thumb.
He hissed, dropping the tool.
This isn't a game. There's no "build part" button. I have to grind through it with my own hands.
He bandaged the cut with a rag and went back to filing.
One hour turned into two. Then four.
Sweat soaked his collar. Metal shavings stuck to his face. The room reeked of oil and effort.
[Progress: 37%]
Rough Shape Completed
Precision Slotting Incomplete
Fuel Channel Error: 1mm Misalignment
He nearly slammed his fist into the wall.
I need better precision. At this rate, I'll ruin the whole block.
Then he remembered: in the storage room, his father kept an old manual milling machine — half-forgotten and rarely used.
Ten minutes later, he was in front of it, brushing off layers of dust.
The belt was frayed. The crank squeaked. But it still turned.
He secured the aluminum block, referencing the system's visual overlay — his eyes following faint glowing lines as he guided the cutter.
Slow. Careful. Focused.
Ding!
[Prototype Carburetor Body - Tier 1] Created!
Compatibility: 89% with current motorcycle model
Innovation: +3% Fuel Efficiency
System XP: +30
Skill Progression: Mechanical Insight II - 8%
He stared at it, stunned.
It wasn't perfect. It wasn't beautiful.
But it was his.
Outside the workshop, the morning sun was just beginning to rise.
He wiped the sweat from his brow and held the part up to the light.
It caught the sun like a mirror.
One part down.
Hundreds more to go.