From behind, this prosthetic suit's back is almost indistinguishable from Lark's prosthetics in the game.
To fend off EMP attacks, Mercer racked his brains to develop a prosthetic plug-in called an Active Surge Suppressor.
This 'Active Surge Suppressor' can be understood as an 'electric circuit guard' specifically for EMP attacks.
Upon detecting an electromagnetic pulse, it sacrifices itself in nanoseconds to absorb the pulse and direct it into a 'discharge unit,' protecting the main circuits of the prosthetic equipment.
Additionally, Mercer sacrificed some lightness in the casing to design a set of 'reverse Faraday cage' subdermal implants for his entire body.
This is a subdermal conductive grid made of highly insulating nanomaterials, with a bulletproof function that is barely sufficient. Its main role is like an electromagnetic lightning rod, allowing currents to slide over the skin and prosthetic surface without penetrating inside.
With these dual measures, Mercer tested it several times: at least when facing an EMP impact, it could ensure over 90% functionality upon initial attack.
That's already enough. Achieving 100% protection with the current design isn't feasible, and should Mercer be in a cooling state with the panels open, its EMP resistance would further decrease.
This would require other equipment to compensate for this aspect of defense.
Mercer named it the 'Devil May Cry Type I Integrated Operating System.'
This prosthetic not only has Sianwistan's neural and physical acceleration functionalities built-in.
After repairing Arasaka's Soulkiller Network Access Vault, Mercer integrated and spliced it with a high-level Military Science network access vault to enhance his network data transfer rate, deploying it directly at the back of his neck.
Moreover, due to the vast real-time data transmission of this prosthetic, it includes an advanced microprocessor, utilizing Mercer's armor-developed conscious data conversion system to optimize data transmission of the prosthetic.
This processor is also linked to the network access vault, further accelerating Mercer's data transfer capabilities.
But in reality, this is just Mercer's first step in self-modification—because to become faster and stronger isn't achievable through an operating system alone, but through his body.
However, apart from his astounding intellect, Mercer lacks V's extraordinary physical gifts, and his physique isn't even as robust as Rebecca's.
So what to do?
He must continue to modify.
Thus, Mercer is forced to confront a tough decision.
The advantages of artificial muscles now almost boil down to just the negligible benefit of 'human-likeness.'
By contrast, mechanical bodies offer limitless expandability.
Mercer could even rebuild himself to be sturdier than Mann, allowing more cooling, more ports, more integrated functions, and even higher bulletproof, explosion-proof, and EMP-resistant properties...
Hesitating, pondering for a long time, ultimately, Mercer, rarely, didn't choose efficiency and practicality but stuck to a human-centric philosophy in body modification.
Utilizing stronger synthetic muscles, metal skeletons, artificial tendons, and other prosthetic components to pair with the Devil May Cry operating system.
But instead, Mercer's demand for equipment increased.
If simple modification is insufficient to support his intended operating system limits, he can only rely on more robust external equipment, directly integrated with the operating system to maximize his abilities.
Mercer unhesitatingly developed the 'Devil May Cry' series single soldier armor. His design concept and requirement have only one aim: it must be strong enough, strong enough that even under attack, he wouldn't have to worry about being powerless and at the mercy as before.
And what does strong enough mean?
Money, a lot of money, far beyond what was ever available in the Spark Team!
Thus, Hansen looked at the financial expenditure that Gago handed over, his fingers trembling slightly as he placed the cigar in the ashtray: "Tens of millions of euros... just gone?"
Now, Gago, the financial director, could only show an awkward smile, everything under control.
Hansen's vision went black.
A Chimera Main Battle Tank's price, even smuggled at a high price, wouldn't exceed three million euros in the current market; if not in Night City, the price would be even lower.
How many days has Mercer been at the base?
Hansen counted the days, fifteen.
Did he just burn through ten tanks' worth!?
Hansen, furious, slammed the report onto the table: "That's a quarter's research budget; you're telling me he used it all in fifteen days, that the materials are used up?"
"Uh, from the standpoint of production, actually, we're not severely in loss, it falls under reasonable research expenditure..." Gago cautiously said: "Would you look further?"
Hansen, suppressing his anger, cursed while flipping through it: "Once this is used up, don't expect me to approve funds quietly. If these bastards don't earn triple the revenue back, they won't get a cent. I'd rather spend money on equipment than continue..."
He stopped mid-sentence, eyes widened at the numbers on the report, sitting up straight in disbelief: "No mistake?"
"No, I personally checked, ensuring these figures are true." Gago offered a somewhat ingratiating smile: "You can check personally."
"In fifteen days, he built 11 tank armors and made eight units of his newly developed advanced robots?" Hansen couldn't sit still anymore.
If it's all true, that means these 11 tank armors could meet most of his globally secured orders from banquet presentations, accounting for tens of millions of euros in revenue!
And what are these 8 new advanced robots?
It's just fifteen days, not fifteen months!
And just from this report, Mercer also developed a new prosthetic and a new set of armor for himself, with that armor's 'expenditure on damages' reaching an astounding 11 million euros!
That's the damage cost!
The real cost was an astounding eight million euros!
He spent eight million euros on a set of armor for himself?
Damn...
Hansen was momentarily speechless—scolding him, but the work was indeed commendable, at least it wasn't all a waste of investment, but refraining from scolding... damn, that amounts to 20 million euros just for himself to acquire new gear?
Damn, even he himself only used Military Science's Sianwistan, only ever piloted the standard tank model armor, and after seven minutes of operation, would be severely headache-stricken, forced to remove the armor...
Upon arriving at the development lab, Hansen found no sign of Mercer, his face grim.
"Where is Director Mercer?"
"Testing his prosthetic and equipment at the shooting range," an originally dejected-looking researcher truthfully said, then suddenly excitedly added: "Should I take you to him?"
Hansen cast him a glance—clearly, this kid wants to see for himself.
"Lead the way!" But he still commanded, requiring this researcher to take the lead.
Upon arriving at the shooting range, Hansen's gaze was involuntarily drawn to the floating armor in the distance.
This tall armor, with an overall tone of matte black, had dark red tracings at joints and energy channels, like cooling magma, with cold, metallic luster flickering through the air at speeds imperceptible to the naked eye.
The external armor was seamlessly integrated; the joints had a multi-layer plating design, ensuring flexibility while safeguarding its joint areas.
The four compressed thrusters at the back folded like the skeletal frame of demon wings, expanding with the emission of deep blue light streams.
The helmet appeared alien with blood-red eyes that left trails of red light in the air, with black protrusions at the sides resembling devilish horns, which Hansen recognized as integrated radar and signal amplification devices, not mere styling.
Miniature compressed propulsion devices at the feet and hands allowed for agile aerial maneuverability, nimble as a bird in flight.
The robust chest did not appear cumbersome, gleaming with solid armor while Hansen faintly spotted the white steam floating from the back—it's cooling!?
In this underground shooting range's ambient temperature, how high is the internal temperature of the armor to see white steam?
Most critically...
Hansen's expression turned serious.
He was observing Mercer while running Sianwistan, yet even so, Mercer's speed made it slightly challenging to see clearly...
This guy... what on earth is he up to!?