Arcane: Twin Cities Mechanic

Gardes Island was the location of the battle between Li Lin and Malphite when they faced off against each other, following the creation of Gaboga by the latter. 

The reason for choosing this place was twofold. First, the island was uninhabited, devoid of both people and animals, making it an ideal location without the need for excessive concerns. 

Second, the southern region of Telishni, with its proximity to the vast Mountains, was nearly isolated from the rest of Shurima. It remained under Noxian control, as per rumors from the Kiramman expedition team. Nasus seemed intent on forming an alliance with the resurrected Shuriman ambassador, Dart Paoya, in order to rally the elite Golden Legion and retake this city. 

This was the butterfly effect of Li Lin's involvement in Shuriman affairs. In the original timeline, Azir had never succeeded in driving out Noxian forces from his territory, not even by the present day. 

At that time, the southern part of the Sun City was threatened by the Void Burrower, Rek'Sai. Xerath's forces, who had defeated Nasus, were growing in power, while desert bandits still hindered the nomadic tribes attempting to reach the capital. 

Taliyah, the stoneweaver, was unaware of Azir's true intentions. She believed he sought to reinstate slavery and was instead wandering, leading others to search for new water sources rather than focusing on the Sun City. 

Nasus had long been restrained by Renekton and could not unite with Azir. Coupled with the return of the darkin, Varus and Aatrox, Shurima, which was only beginning to awaken from its slumber, faced both internal and external threats.

However, with Li Lin's intervention, the Grand Scholar had already resolved most of the Void threats and had communicated with Azir in advance. Vekaura had also grievously wounded Xerath, buying time for the Sun City. 

As a result, Azir, with Nasus' aid, was now able to reclaim lost lands years ahead of the original timeline. 

But ever since Nasus and Renekton's battle in the Nashramae Great Library, Renekton had been harassing Nasus intermittently, even after his retreat. 

Although Azir intended to first eliminate Renekton, who had gone mad, the ongoing threat posed by Xerath in the west had left him with no time. Moreover, Nasus, burdened by the guilt of having sealed his brother away, still harbored hope of waking him, despite Renekton's insanity.

As a result, progress toward the Tereshni Port had been severely delayed.

Coincidentally, Li Lin had come to Gardes Island to test new mechs, allowing Noxian officers stationed locally to send news back to the Immortal Bastion, which made Swain cautious. 

Four seconds passed, and Li Lin, along with six massive floating folding boxes, arrived at Gardes Island.

"Let's begin assembly," he commanded.

At his signal, the AI took control of the six floating folding boxes, which began to extend rapidly. 

The two largest boxes landed on the ground and quickly unfolded into legs. The largest box transformed into a massive torso, while the medium-sized boxes turned into arms. The smallest box formed into a head. 

The six parts quickly interconnected through electromagnetic sensing, and tiny parts and armor plates clicked into place. In under half a minute, a 228-meter tall mech had fully assembled.

Suppressing his excitement, Li Lin activated the "Data Mind" to check the stats of the giant mech:

[Overlord Mech: Beast (Epic)]

[Model: M2]

[Height: 228 meters]

[Function Modules:

Nuclear Fusion Reactor, High-Energy Booster, AI Neural Connection System, Transformation: Planetary Drill Fortress Tank, Hyperpulse Propulsor, Anti-Gravity System, High-Density Zero-Sum Synthesis Steel Plates, Hextech Armor Coating, Liquid Metal Shield Armor, Perfect Energy Conductor, Synchronized Firing Defense Mode, Ammo Loading Efficiency, Hextech Teleportation, Overload Charging, Optical Camouflage, Shield Capacitor, Energy Barrier, Forcefield Shield, Dual High-Energy Piercing Drills, Plasma Cutting Sword, Quantum Bomb Cannon, Material Projection Cannon, Plasma Cannon, Focusing Particle Spear, Electromagnetic Shockwave, Overload Operation, Material Disintegration Main Cannon, Folding Seismic Flywheel Blade, Thunderstrike, Earthquake Tremor, Unstoppable Force.]

[Overall Attributes]

95% Damage Reduction (Maximum), 1% Maximum Energy Recovery per second.

[Rune Enchantments]

Energy Amplification, Efficient Energy Charging, Sturdy Shield Barrier, Rapid Repair, Energy Weapon Efficiency Boost.

The Overlord Beast Mech was known for its "tank-like" attributes. Whether in the original parallel universe of the Overlord Mech or the newly designed version modified by Li Lin, it was constructed for heavy combat.

One notable feature was the liquid metal chargeable armor shield, similar to Malphite's granite shield. By charging the liquid metal, an additional layer of protection was added over the mech's external coatings. Even if this protection was breached, due to the properties of the special liquid metal, it would regenerate after a brief recharge.

The Folding Seismic blade, Thunderstrike, Earthquake Tremor, and Unstoppable Force functions were reminiscent of Malphite's abilities. These included throwing self-stored wheel-shaped cutting blades, enhancing the arms to strike the target with immense force, striking the ground to release a plasma energy circle, and charging towards the target at high speed, using the mech's high-energy spikes for impact.

Li Lin was not concerned about the mech's offensive power at all.

Once the Enchantment System was integrated into the armor, the gear's stats would be shared by the mech when linked to it.

This meant that the magic-penetrating rod "Void Staff" could grant the mech 75% magic penetration, which would act similarly to how energy weapon penetration would apply to the Overlord Beast.

Moreover, the Petricite Stone had been fully analyzed by the AI, though the materials for cloning had not yet been prepared.

Had this been ready, Li Lin could have infused the armor and coatings of the Overlord Beast with Petricite powder, adding the "Anti-Magic" effect like Galio's abilities.

With the inclusion of the Banshee's Veil effect, the mech would be nearly immune to magic damage.

Shutting off the "Data Mind," Li Lin activated the mech's propulsors and flew directly to the mech's head—the cockpit.

Like the mechanical titan Gaboga, the effectiveness of this mech was far greater when Li Lin personally operated it, as opposed to AI-controlled remote operation.

As the cockpit hatch opened, Li Lin stepped into the center of the control panel. Under the AI's guidance, numerous mechanical limbs connected the armor to the mech's exterior, attaching connectors, the helmet, and spinal components, securing them at the temples.

In the blink of an eye, Li Lin was covered by the heavy mechanical apparatus, making him seem much more encumbered than when he was "light" in the initial setup.

[Gene Match Completed, Identity Verified: Li Lin.]

[Welcome, Creator.]

[Overlord Mech: Beast Data Sync Complete, System Loaded, Full-Body Scan Initiated.]

[Current Fusion Reactor Power: 47%]

[Anti-Gravity Device Activated.]

[Mech Integrity: 100%.]

[Current Mech Energy: 99.99%.]

[Arms and legs energy supply normal, operation is flawless.]

[Weapon system check completed, all weapons are ready.]

[Auxiliary systems check completed, all auxiliary functions are normal.]

[Diagnostics complete! All mech functions are operational.]

The voice of the AI echoed in Li Lin's ear.

The interface on the Infinite Battle Armor suddenly shifted, changing from the cockpit's view to the world seen by the Overlord Beast.

As Li Lin's thoughts changed, the mech's vision adjusted accordingly, essentially offering a 360° field of view without dead zones.

He raised his right hand in front of him, and with almost no delay, the Overlord Beast's giant fist mirrored his motion, fingers retracting and stretching with his hand's movement.

The next moment, as Li Lin thought, the massive components of the Overlord Beast's right arm rapidly shifted, two enormous high-energy piercing drills attaching themselves to the large fist.

Following another thought from Li Lin, the drills transformed into large-caliber energy particle light spear launchers.

"It's so much smoother than when I piloted Gaboga," he murmured.

[This is thanks to your improved mental and physical abilities, as well as my upgraded computing power and the mech's technological advancements.]

There was a hint of excitement in the AI's voice.

"Once we're back, I'll have to upgrade Gaboga as well. That way, when facing the Darkin, Xerath, or them, I can use the Overlord Beast for close combat, and Gaboga can provide long-range support," Li Lin thought aloud, his mind flashing to the Quantum Teleportation Device.

"Once the quantum teleportation is perfected, Gaboga can sneak in and land surprise punches. Even gods won't see it coming."

Muttering to himself, he raised his right hand and pointed toward the eastern side of Gardes Island, where the mountains lay, several dozen kilometers away. The energy particle light spear began charging.

As deep purple-blue light gathered, the energy index on the system's data panel surged rapidly.

In less than a second, the charging power of the energy particle light spear reached 50%, and a beam of energy, brighter than daylight, shot out of the barrel in the shape of a spear, almost instantly reaching the targeted mountainside.

With a violent explosion, the blinding light spread out, capable of blinding anyone who looked at it. The deafening blast echoed moments later, though all of it was blocked by the mech's intelligent system.

When the light faded, Li Lin zoomed in to observe the target, only to find the once barren mountainside had been completely flattened and wiped from existence by a half-powered energy particle light spear.

Li Lin couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.

If he had been piloting the Overlord Beast against the Lava Beast, Malphite, back then, a full-powered shot would likely have shattered its outer shell in a single strike.

In his estimation, this mech's strength had surpassed more than half of the celestial warriors, and easily defeating Nasus should be no issue.

Just as Li Lin was thinking about Nasus, the AI detected a familiar force rapidly approaching—it could only be the Grand Scholar!

He turned his body toward the southwest, toward the port city of Nashramae, and saw a figure breaking through the sea, quickly closing the distance.

In less than three seconds, Nasus had crossed dozens of kilometers, reaching Gardes Island. Even though Nasus' face was not visible, Li Lin could still read his shocked expression.

"Is that... Li Lin?!"

(End of Chapter)