Chapter 6: The Junk-collecting Mechanic (Part 2)

"What reaction do you want..." Eddie gently sipped his red wine, his face expressionless.

His calm demeanor wasn't because he was truly unfazed by the impact of the Death Star competition; on the contrary, he was initially puzzled as to why such a crude contest had become so popular. However, before this puzzlement could show on his face, he had already figured out the reasons behind it.

Indeed, as Curly said, the Aether Prime system, as an interstellar civilization with advanced technology, had official superpower and mech leagues.

These leagues, like Europe's top five football leagues, were broadcast on mainstream platforms and television, using higher-grade mechs, with more sophisticated mechanisms and well-established rules.

In comparison, the combat of these high-security prisoners on Death Star seemed quite lowbrow.

However, official leagues have two fatal flaws in attracting audiences.

First, they are out of touch with the public.

Granted, official leagues have higher standards, stronger mechs, and mechanics with synchronization rates over fifty percent. But the mechs in these competitions aren't something an ordinary person can pilot, and the fighting style of professional Iron Riders isn't something an ordinary person can learn.

In other words, there's a high barrier to entry, creating a sense of distance because they don't give people the illusion of 'I can do this too.'

But the Death Star competition is different. Although the conditions here are rudimentary and the arena is crude, the soldier-class mechs used have virtually no piloting threshold – a mechanical synchronization rate of just over twenty percent suffices.

Compared to the fifty percent rate, which would disqualify ninety-nine percent of people, a twenty percent synchronization rate is much more attainable.

This narrows the gap between the players and the audience, significantly increasing the discussability among viewers.

For example, it's like traditional sports vs. esports.

Why do traditional sports have lower viewership than emerging esports? Why do young people choose to watch esports rather than traditional sports?

Simply put... sports leagues are somewhat disconnected from the public.

Take the NBA, for instance. We ordinary people can't have professional courts, dedicated coaches, referees to call fouls, let alone the monstrous physical abilities of those athletes.

We watch professional athletes perform spectacularly in games, clapping and cheering, feeling like we've participated.

But we can't perform like them and attract widespread attention.

Esports is different. We don't need venues, coaches, or explosive physical abilities – just a computer is enough to have an experience similar to that of professional players.

And no matter how bad a player is, there's always one or two highlight moments worth boasting about, right?

As long as there are highlights, there will be discussions, and with discussions, comes popularity.

The official leagues and Death Island competition are somewhat like the relationship between traditional sports and esports events.

Next is the second point, and the key reason why the Death Island competition is hotter than professional leagues.

That is – nobody dies in professional leagues.

They have complete protective mechanisms, advanced mech defenses, layers upon layers of insurance to ensure that even if a mech is scrapped, the Iron Riders remains safe.

In contrast, the Death Star competition is the exact opposite.

Unregulated combat allows killing.

According to Curly, in the first five matches, three mechanics have already been crushed into scraps by tens of tons of steel.

This kind of bloody and explosive combat naturally awakens people's subconscious thirst for blood and violence, naturally leading to higher viewership.

After all, a match where players come out unscathed can't possibly be more captivating than a match where 'one side is bound to die.'

"You make a good point; my boss said the same thing to me," Curly told Eddie.

Right, otherwise why would someone else be the boss, and you're just an employee... Eddie finished his wine, greeted Adam, and casually found a room to rest.

...

The night passed without incident.

The next day, Eddie was woken up by Curly. It was apparent that he was very loyal to Adam, knowing well that fixing the mech meant risking his life, yet he was still full of enthusiasm.

After quickly finishing breakfast, he dragged Eddie out of Adam's presidential cell. From a distance, Eddie saw a flying car parked in the exercise yard, surrounded by several armed guards.

"Death Star is a planet, after all, with vast area. Under the condition of wearing power-suppressing collars, we must use transportation to move quickly from one area to another."

Sounds like you wouldn't need transportation if you took off the collar... Eddie glanced at Curly but said nothing.

Iron Riders, especially professional ones, need to maintain the highest mechanical synchronization rate, which means no other form of energy can exist in their bodies.

Even their mental power must be the purest kind. Apart from the neuro-connected mechanical creations, they can't use any mage's methods; otherwise, the neuro-connection would be affected, and the mechanical synchronization rate would plummet.

In other words, aside from specialized training and higher combat prowess, Iron Riders aren't much different from ordinary people.

Without a mech, a Iron Rider is like a mage without mental power or a warrior without strength – just an ordinary person.

"Let's talk about you, buddy."

On the flying car, seeing that the guards were sitting in the corner silently, Curly turned to Eddie out of boredom: "How did you get in here?"

"You pulled me in."

"..."

"I mean, what did you do to get into Prison Nine?" Curly asked, exasperated.

Eddie glanced at him: "Do you know why I didn't ask you and Adam about your detailed identities yesterday?"

"Why?"

"Because I knew we hadn't established trust yet. Even if I asked, you would just brush me off and not tell the truth."

"…So?"

"So there's no trust between us yet. If you ask me now, I won't tell the truth either."

"…"

You're not even willing to make up a lie to appease me?

Curly tugged at the corner of his mouth, losing interest in further conversation, and quietly waited in silence.

About half an hour later, Eddie felt the flying car slow down and gently land.

As the car door thunderously opened, revealing the outside scene, countless mechanical wrecks piled up like mountains. Broken cables were everywhere, with the crackling sound of electric arcs faintly audible. Far away, large machines were sorting through the trash, and the air was filled with the scent of metal.