The hum of the hovercar was the only sound between Arlo and Maria for the first few minutes as they cruised down the brightly lit highway. The city's neon lights reflected on the vehicle's smooth surface, streaking past like colorful comets.
"Thanks for inviting me tonight," Maria said suddenly, breaking the silence.
Arlo glanced at her, surprised. "What? It's no big deal."
Maria shook her head, her expression firm. "No, you don't get it. Contacts are everything for a Pioneer. Having the right people in your network can make or break you. Invitations like this open doors."
"Doors?" Arlo frowned slightly.
Maria smiled knowingly. "Because of you, I got to meet Cleo—a Trailblazer member. That's a valuable connection. If I ever need to work with Trailblazer in the future, or if Cleo needs something alchemy-related, we already have a starting point. Trust and familiarity make business smoother, especially in the HUB where trust is rare."
Arlo processed her words, leaning back into his seat. "So, because Aria is my guide, and she introduced me to all these people, that makes me... credible?"
Maria nodded. "Exactly. Aria has a reputation for excellence, and by extension, her trainees—like you—are seen as trustworthy. That's a rare advantage for a new Pioneer."
Arlo let that sink in. So, it's not just about training. A guide isn't just a mentor—they're also your bridge to the HUB's vast and complicated social web.
Maria chuckled softly, pulling him from his thoughts. "That's why I'm thanking you. Your invitation made things easier for me. Without that connection, I'd have had to work twice as hard to gain Cleo's trust."
Arlo smirked faintly. "Well, I'm glad it worked out. But you make it sound like you weren't sure about coming."
Maria grinned. "Honestly, I was surprised you invited me at all. We've barely known each other outside of me selling you potions."
Her tone turned teasing. "Lucky for you, I'm one of the good ones."
"Yeah, I figured." Arlo's voice carried a hint of amusement. In his mind, though, he reflected on his past as an orphan. You learn to read people fast when survival depends on it. Knowing who's genuine and who's out for themselves becomes second nature.
The hovercar slowed as they neared the Quantum Cube apartment complex.
Maria pulled into the parking bay, and the vehicle settled with a quiet hiss."Thanks for the ride,"
Arlo said, opening the door.
Maria smiled. "No problem. Get some rest—you'll need it."
Arlo nodded and stepped out. He watched as the hovercar lifted smoothly into the air and disappeared into the cityscape. Turning toward the building, he let out a small sigh. Long night, but a good one.
In his apartment, Arlo released Link from his Pokéball. The Rockruff stretched, his tail wagging lazily before letting out a big yawn.
"Yeah, buddy, I'm beat too," Arlo said, scratching behind Link's ears. "Let's call it a night."
Link barked softly before hopping onto his bed.
Arlo lay down next to him, staring at the ceiling as the events of the evening replayed in his mind. Connections, trust, strength... there's so much more to being a Pioneer than I ever thought.
As sleep pulled him under, one thought remained clear: I've got a long way to go, but I'm
***
The days following the celebration passed quietly, offering Arlo a rare moment to relax. He spent most of his time lounging in his apartment, indulging in laziness he hadn't realized he needed. Link seemed to enjoy the downtime too, snoozing in various spots around the room or playfully gnawing on a chew toy.
But even in relaxation, Arlo's mind couldn't sit still. Curiosity about his new role as a Pioneer gnawed at him. Between meals and naps, he found himself diving into the HUBNet—its forums and archives a goldmine of knowledge.
The forums were bustling with advice from seasoned Pioneers, recounting their early days and offering tips for rookies. One concept that caught Arlo's attention was the idea of consecutive quests: stacking multiple quests back-to-back to maximize experience and rewards.
"Learn something new every day," Arlo muttered, scrolling through a thread.
The posts painted a picture of relentless challenges and rapid growth. Sounds efficient, he thought. If I'm careful and prepared, I could give it a shot. By the third day of peace, Arlo felt restless. The idea of testing his limits burned in his mind.
"Alright, buddy," he said to Link, who perked up from his nap. "Vacation's over. Time to get back to work."
Arlo spent hours combing through the Pioneer quest board, his focus sharpening as he narrowed down his options. Most quests felt too advanced or too vague, but after what felt like forever, he found two that seemed... doable.
The first quest caught his eye immediately.
---
[Disney Multiverse: Caribbean Universe]
---
[Quest: Destroy the Curse of the Aztec Gold Coins]
Objective: Travel to the Golden Age of Piracy and the destroy the Curse of the Aztec Gold Coins. Do be careful a great undead pirates guard the treasure.
Difficulty: D-Rank
Reward: 400 EXP and 800 Credits
Failure: Undeath/Cursed Life
---
"Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl?" he murmured, reading the details. The quest was labeled D-Rank, with the goal of assisting in a search for cursed treasure while navigating pirate-infested waters.
"What the hell?" Arlo laughed. "Jack Sparrow better show up, or I'm out."
The low rank and small reward made it ideal for testing the waters. Plus, knowing the movie's plot gave him a potential edge. I might actually have fun with this one. The second quest, however, made him pause.
---
[Capcom Multiverse: Remake Universe]
---
[Quest:Escape the Zombie Outbreak from Raccoon City]
Objective: The Raccoon City is overrun by the Zombie Outbreak all of the creature is infected by the T-Virus, You must survive and escape Raccoon City before the USA Government drop a nuclear bomb into the City
Difficulty: C-Rank
Reward: 7000 EXP, 13000 Credits, and ????
"Escape from Raccoon City," he read aloud.
---
It was a C-Rank mission with the singular goal: survive and escape the zombie apocalypse.
Arlo frowned, considering the implications. "This could be the game version... or the movie version." Both had their dangers.
The game had relentless zombies and more variation of zombies, while the movie added limited creatures to the mix. Either way, it's not gonna be easy due to the sheer number is the real danger.
Despite the difficulty, Arlo felt a strange pull toward the challenge. "If the forums are right, a two-quest run will push my limits. No better way to test if I'm ready for this."
With the decision made, Arlo closed the quest board and turned to Link, who was already wagging his tail excitedly.
"Well, Link," Arlo said with a small grin, "looks like we're back on the job."
Link barked happily, bouncing in place.
"Let's get started on preparations," Arlo added.
***
Morning sunlight filtered through the blinds of Arlo's apartment, casting soft patterns across the floor. He groaned, rubbing his eyes as he pushed himself out of bed. Link was already up, wagging his tail and staring expectantly at his trainer.
"Alright, alright," Arlo muttered, stifling a yawn. "Let's get moving." As he brushed his teeth and went about his morning routine, his thoughts drifted to the quests he had chosen. They were perfect for testing himself—a mix of familiarity and challenge. But one thing was clear: he needed better equipment.
His Pit Viper was reliable, but Arlo knew it wasn't enough.
"I'm gonna need something for close combat," he said aloud. "A sword, a dagger—something that won't leave me stranded if things get up close and personal."
After a quick breakfast, Arlo decided to head to Mr. Seaworth's shop. He knelt down to Link's level, scratching behind the Link's ears. "Not this time, buddy. I'll be back soon, I promise."
Link barked softly, his ears drooping in disappointment.Arlo sighed, rolling his eyes. "Fine. I'll bring you back some snacks. Happy now?"
Link perked up immediately, tail wagging furiously.
"What a drama queen," Arlo muttered, shaking his head as he grabbed his jacket and stepped out of the apartment.
---
The residential district train station wasn't far from his building. Arlo navigated the sleek, efficient system with ease, scanning his BrainLink to purchase a ticket. The train itself was a marvel of HUB technology, gliding silently along its tracks with holographic displays providing updates and maps.
When Arlo reached the shopping district, the contrast was striking. The bustling streets were alive with vendors, flashing neon signs, and the hum of conversations in countless languages. His destination, however, stood out from the chaos.
"The Hidden Junk," Arlo muttered, spotting the familiar sign above Mr. Seaworth's shop. The place looked as mismatched as ever, with its haphazard displays of wares spilling onto the sidewalk.
As he stepped inside, the familiar smell of oil and metal hit him immediately. The shop was as cluttered as he remembered, shelves crammed with weapons, gadgets, and tools of every kind. Arlo made a beeline for the weapon section, scanning the displays.
The smell of oil, leather, and metal hit him immediately, an oddly comforting mix. He made his way past rows of disorganized shelves stacked with everything from scrap tech to magical trinkets. At the back of the shop, he found the weapon section, a chaotic array of swords, daggers, axes, and other tools of destruction as he remember.
Arlo scanned the shelves, his eyes darting between the different weapons. A broadsword gleamed under the flickering shop lights, its ornate hilt encrusted with fake gems. Beside it, a war hammer sat propped against the wall, its size so absurd it looked like something a boss in a hack-and-slash game would wield.
"Nope," Arlo muttered, shaking his head. Too flashy. Too bulky. Too 'come fight me.' He moved further down the aisle, stopping at a rack of knives and daggers. These were more manageable—sleek and deadly—but even they felt... off.
What he needed was something discreet, something he could carry without screaming combat-ready. A weapon that blended into the background until it was needed. None of the options here fit the bill.
"Looking for something specific, kid?" a familiar voice called out.
Arlo turned to see Michael Seaworth emerging from behind a cluttered counter, wiping grease off his hands with a rag. The older man's face lit up with a grin.
"Good to see you again, kid," Michael said, tossing the rag aside. "What brings you back?"
"Good to see you too, Mr. Seaworth," Arlo replied, stepping away from the rack. "I'm looking for a weapon. Something for close combat, but it has to be... discreet. Nothing obvious or flashy."
Michael raised an eyebrow, his grin fading into a thoughtful expression. "Discreet, huh? Most people want the biggest sword they can swing or something that shoots fireballs."
"Not my style," Arlo said, crossing his arms. "I need something practical. Something that doesn't scream weapon just by looking at it."
Michael stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Subtle, huh? Alright, I might have something for you."
Michael nodded slowly, rubbing his chin. "Alright, I think I've got something that might fit the bill. Follow me."
He led Arlo toward the back corner of the shop, where a towering shelf loomed over them. The shelf was packed with dusty crates, old relics, and tools that looked like they hadn't been touched in decades.
"Give me a sec," Michael said, grabbing a ladder and climbing up to the higher levels of the shelf. He rummaged through a pile of boxes, muttering to himself as he searched.
"Ah, here we go," he said finally, pulling down a long, rectangular box covered in dust. He climbed back down carefully, holding the box with both hands.
"Been a while since I've had someone ask for this," Michael said, blowing the dust off the lid.
Arlo watched with curiosity, wondering what kind of weapon lay inside.
Michael set the rectangular box on the counter with a sense of reverence, the dust he'd blown off still faintly lingering in the air. The aged surface bore faint scratches and scuffs, hinting at the years it had been stored away. Arlo leaned closer, his curiosity piqued.
Michael smirked as he undid the latches with a soft click. "You're in for a treat, kid. I don't show this to just anyone."
The lid creaked open, revealing the contents: a weapon that instantly caught Arlo's attention. His eyes widened as recognition washed over him. The sleek, intricate design, the unmistakable craftsmanship—it was a weapon from a game he knew well.
"No way..." Arlo muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Is that the Threaded Cane?"
Michael chuckled. "You know it? Most people just think it's some weird antique."
Arlo couldn't tear his eyes away. In his mind, the hauntingly beautiful theme of Bloodborne began to play, the memories of countless hunts and dodges flooding back. He reached out, fingers brushing against the cane's metallic surface.
Michael gestured toward it. "Go ahead. Try it out."
"This is a Hunter's weapon," Arlo said, his voice barely above a whisper. He took the cane from Michael, marveling at its appearance. The shaft was sleek, with faintly segmented lines hinting at its hidden functionality. The curved handle was pure Victorian elegance, adorned with intricate carvings that looked both regal and deadly.
Arlo swung it experimentally, the weight perfect in his hands. It moved with a grace that belied its sturdy construction. The sharp tip at the bottom of the cane gleamed faintly, its lethal purpose hidden beneath the guise of a gentleman's walking stick.
Michael chuckled. "Nice, isn't it? But you haven't seen its best feature yet. See that button near the grip? Press it."
Arlo flipped the cane into a reverse grip, his thumb brushing the hidden button. With a satisfying click, the cane unraveled, its segments snapping apart to reveal a whip-like weapon.
"Holy—" Arlo exclaimed, stepping back to test the whip's flexibility. Each metallic segment moved fluidly, the jagged edges designed for maximum damage. He gave it a few experimental swings, the whip slicing through the air with a sharp whistle.
"When transformed," Michael explained, watching Arlo test the weapon, "this thing is deadly. The whip's jagged segments can tear through flesh like paper. It's perfect for crowd control or single combat, depending on how you use it. And when you're done? Just press the button again."
Arlo did as instructed, pressing the button once more. The segments snapped back into place, locking seamlessly into its cane form. He ran his fingers over the shaft, amazed at how it transitioned back into a sophisticated walking stick.
"This feels... perfect," Arlo admitted, turning the cane over in his hands. "How did something like this even end up here?"
Michael shrugged casually. "Picked it up in a trade lot years ago. Most people don't know what they're looking at, so it's been collecting dust. Lucky for you, though, huh?"
Arlo opened his BrainLink to check the weapon's stats.
---
Threaded Cane [Unique] (Upgradable)
Cane/Whip, Level 12
Durability: 200/200
Damage: 50 - 78
Stats: None
Effect: 20% Serrated Damage (against Beast-type enemies) / 20% Righteous Damage (Holy Damage) / 20% Increase Attack Speed (Whip Form)
Description: One of the trick weapons of the Hunter's workshop, commonly used by hunters on their duties. Sufficiently deadly as a rigid bladed cane, but also serves as a whip when its blade is split into many. Concealing the weapon inside the cane and flogging the beasts with the whip is partly an act of ceremony, an attempt to demonstrate to oneself that the bloodlust of the hunt will never encroach upon the soul.
---
The cane was marked as "Unique," with excellent durability and a special attribute: Increased attack speed during whip form.
"Alright, what's the price?" Arlo asked, already bracing himself.
Michael's grin widened. "5,000 credits."
"Five thousand?" Arlo winced, running the math in his head. That would leave him with [16,510 credits]—not ideal, but manageable. He stared at the cane, torn between practicality and his inner Bloodborne fanboy.
It's durable, versatile, and... it's the freaking Threaded Cane. How can I not?, Arlo thought
"Fine," Arlo said, his resolve hardening. "I'll take it."
Michael swiped the payment through Arlo's BrainLink, the confirmation beep marking the transaction. "Congratulations, kid. You just bought yourself a masterpiece."
Arlo tucked the cane under his arm, a grin spreading across his face despite the hit to his wallet. "Thanks, Mr. Seaworth. This was worth every credit."
"Take care of it," Michael replied, his tone lighter. "And try not to die out there. That thing's too nice to get covered in blood and guts."
Arlo chuckled as he stepped out of the shop, the Threaded Cane in hand. For the first time in a while, he felt genuinely excited about what lay ahead.