Ray woke to the familiar hum of his depot's core generator, the faint glow of dawn filtering through the cracked window. His muscles felt primed, ready for his first mission with Mike as a squad. Time to make our mark, he thought, fingers brushing his Anansi-core short sword (0.5 attack boost, illusion resistance). The weight of his hidden past lingered, but he buried it deep, focusing on the job ahead.
Ray's HUD
Level: 12 (EXP: 1670/2000)
Stats (Max 100):
Strength: 14 (Enhanced by Orc Mutagen)
Endurance: 14 (Enhanced by Lizardman Mutagen)
Speed: 12
Agility: 14 (Enhanced by Dark Elf Mutagen)
HP: 170/170
Mana: 170/170
Magic (Level 12, Mana Costs):
Elemental:
Fire: Flames (10), Fireball (20)
Water: Drip (10), Torrent (20)
Lightning: Spark (10), Bolt (20)
Ice: Frost Touch (10), Frost Nova (20)
Earth: Pebble Toss (10), Quake (20)
Wind: Gust (10), Tempest (20)
Universal:
Healing: Minor Mend (10), Major Mend (20)
Spatial: Short Blink (10), Long Blink (20, detectable by high spatial users)
Mutagen-Derived:
Shadow (Dark Elf): Shadow Cloak (10), Shadow Veil (20)
Enhancement (Orc): Muscle Boost (10), Power Surge (20)
Bone (Lizardman): Bone Spike (10), Bone Spear (20)
Beast (Nagual): Rat Agility (10, clawed limbs, +2 Agility), Boar Strength (10, tusked muscle, +2 Strength), Gorilla Resilience (10, gorilla arms, +2 Endurance), Lion Ferocity (10, clawed hands, +2 Attack), Tiger Stealth (10, striped skin, +2 Stealth), Bear Endurance (10, furred torso, +2 HP), Whale Vitality (10, gills and fins, underwater breathing, no combat)
Skills (Level/Uses to Next Level):
Hacking: Level 2 (1/4 uses toward Level 3)
Engineering: Level 2 (2/3 uses toward Level 3)
Swordplay: Level 6 (1/7 uses toward Level 7)
Markmanship: Level 6 (1/7 uses toward Level 7)
Forging: Level 3 (0/5 uses toward Level 4)
Stealth: Level 5 (0/6 uses toward Level 6)
Alchemy: Level 4 (2/5 uses toward Level 5)
Inventory (Dimension Pocket):
Crafting Materials:
Rat Pelts (x830), Rat Blood (x828), Rat Claws (x170)
Boar Hide (x1)
Anansi Silk (x46), Trickster Venom (x48)
Sonic Essence (x1), Mana-disruptive Residue (x17)
Copper Wiring, Rubber Grips, Silicone Components, Bone Fragments, Basic Alloys
Orc Tusks (x8)
Mana Crystals (x10), Vitae Roots (x5), Essence Vials (x3)
Cores:
Lesser Anansi Cores (x4)
Lesser Gremmeling Cores (x6)
Low-tier Goblin Cores
Weapons and Gear:
Impundulu-core Light Armor Chestpiece (0.3 Defense Boost, Lightning Resistance)
Impundulu-core Boots (0.2 Agility Boost)
Impundulu-core Gauntlets (0.2 Strength Boost)
Impundulu-core Crossbow (0.4 Attack Boost, Lightning Affinity)
Impundulu-core Bow (0.3 Attack Boost, Precision Enhancement)
Anansi-core Short Sword (0.5 Attack Boost, Illusion Resistance)
Core-forged Short Sword (Goblin Core, 0.05 Attack Boost)
Bow, Crossbow, Arrows (x40), Crossbow Bolts (x40), Shuriken
Tools and Misc:
Portable Alchemy Set
Empty Canisters (x3), Meshes (x2)
Truck Keys
Silver Dust, Sea Salt
Ward Tech Mana Sensor (Torin's Gift)
Encrypted Data Crystal
Currencies: 1165 Daalers, 200 Quetzals, 200 Draks, Lumen 200, Durin 300
As Ray stepped into the depot's common area, he spotted Mike, his new roommate, mid-workout, sweat gleaming on his bulky frame as he powered through push-ups on the rusted floor. Mike's patched gear lay in a heap nearby, a reminder of his rough life before moving in. "Morning, Mike," Ray called, smirking. "You're gonna wear out my floor before we even hit the wasteland."
Mike grinned, pausing to catch his breath. "Gotta stay sharp, Ray. Can't let you outshine me on our first job." This guy's giving me a home, Mike thought. I'm not slacking now.
Ray nodded, heading to the shower. The core-powered hot water eased his tension, prepping him for the goblin hunt. After dressing in his impundulu-core armor, boots, and gauntlets, he walked to the depot's small kitchen. The smell of sizzling protein bars and brewed stim-drink hit him—Mike had set up breakfast, a spread of scavenged rations on a battered metal table.
"Didn't know you were a chef, Mike," Ray said, raising an eyebrow as he sat.
Mike shrugged, scratching his neck. "Ain't fancy, but it's fuel. Figured we'd need it for that goblin nest." His voice carried a rough gratitude, echoing their talk from yesterday.
Ray nodded, then reached into his Dimension Pocket, pulling out his old core-forged short sword (Goblin Core, 0.05 Attack Boost) and his basic crossbow (no core enhancements, standard bolts). "These ain't much compared to my Anansi blade or Impundulu gear, but they're better than that patched junk you're carrying. Consider it a squad welcome." He slid the weapons across the table.
Mike's eyes lit up, his fingers tracing the sword's edge. "Ray, this is… damn, man, solid stuff." He's gearing me up like a real partner, Mike thought. I'm not letting him down. "Thanks, brother. I'll make these work out there."
[Yomi Protocol: Gearing up the rookie, kid? Hope he doesn't miss with that old crossbow, genius.]
Ray whispered, "He'll figure it out, Yomi. He's got the muscle." He took a bite of the protein bar, the stim-drink's bitter kick sharpening his focus. "Let's move. We've got goblins to clear."
They headed to the depot's garage, where Ray's armored truck waited, its hull scarred from wasteland runs. Ray grabbed the truck keys from his Dimension Pocket, tossed them to Mike, and slid into the passenger seat. "You drive. Get us to those ruins."
Mike nodded, revving the engine as the truck rumbled out of the depot, kicking up dust across the wasteland's scarred terrain toward the old ruins. The mission loomed: clear a nest of 50 goblins, vicious creatures that swarmed with cunning traps and brutal ambushes, led by a goblin shaman, its dark runes pulsing with corrosive magic that could weaken armor and flesh. Fifty of those bastards, plus a rune-slinger, Ray thought. Gonna need a tight plan.
[Yomi Protocol: Fifty goblins and a shaman, kid? That's a swarm. Got a plan, or you just winging it, mastermind?]
Ray smirked, whispering, "Got a plan, Yomi. We choke 'em out and take the shaman first." He turned to Mike. "We're not charging in blind. That shaman's runes will melt our gear if we let it cast. I'll scout with shadows, rig the ruins to collapse their exits, and smoke 'em out to a choke point. You hold the line with fire and bolts. We hit the shaman hard, then mop up the rest."
Mike nodded, gripping the wheel. "Sounds good, brother. Burn 'em and bolt 'em." Ray's got the brains for this, he thought. I'll follow his lead.
The ruins loomed ahead, a crumbling maze of shattered stone and twisted metal, shrouded in a sickly green mist. Ray and Mike dismounted, weapons ready. Ray activated his Ward Tech Mana Sensor, its readings spiking with chaotic energy. "Goblins are holed up deep," he whispered. "I'm scouting. Stay low."
Ray triggered Shadow Cloak (10 Mana, Mana: 160/170), his form blurring into darkness, and slipped into the ruins like a wraith. His Mana Sensor guided him through the maze, pinpointing three side entrances where goblins scurried, their chatter echoing. Too many ways in—let's cut 'em down. He activated Tiger Stealth (10 Mana, Mana: 150/170), his skin rippling with striped patterns, enhancing his concealment as he moved unseen. Using his Portable Alchemy Set, he mixed Mana-disruptive Residue (x2) and Sonic Essence (x1) into volatile charges (Alchemy: 3/5 uses toward Level 5, Mana-disruptive Residue: x17 to x15, Sonic Essence: x1 to x0). He planted the charges at two entrances, rigging them to collapse the stone arches. The third entrance he laced with Trickster Venom (x2, x48 to x46) to create a choking smoke trap.
Ray's Shadow Cloak held firm as he located the shaman, its gnarled frame draped in rune-etched rags, standing atop a broken pillar, eyes glowing with malevolent energy. Got you, he thought. He returned to Mike, pointing to a narrow corridor flanked by high walls—a perfect choke point. "We funnel them here. I'll take the shaman with shadows. You hold this spot with fire and bolts."
Mike nodded, gripping his basic crossbow. "Got it. Burn these runts." His HUD flared, prepping Fire Magic (Flames: 10 Mana).
Ray triggered the charges, explosions collapsing two entrances in a shower of rubble. Smoke from the venom trap billowed, driving goblins coughing and stumbling toward the choke point. Ray cast Shadow Veil (20 Mana, Mana: 130/170), cloaking himself in a deeper haze of darkness, and used Short Blink (10 Mana, Mana: 120/170) to teleport behind the shaman. He unleashed a Bone Spear (20 Mana, Mana: 100/170), piercing its chest and disrupting its corrosive rune casting (EXP: 50, Swordplay: 2/7 uses). The shaman's aura grazed Ray's armor, weakening it slightly (-0.1 Defense Boost). Ray followed with his Anansi-core sword, slashing its throat (EXP: 20, Swordplay: 3/7 uses), ensuring it stayed down.
At the choke point, thirty goblins surged forward, wiry and snarling, wielding jagged blades and crude explosives. Mike unleashed a burst of Flames (10 Mana), incinerating five (EXP: 50). Ray, still cloaked in shadows, cast Bone Spike (10 Mana, Mana: 90/170), a jagged bone impaling three goblins (EXP: 30, Swordplay: 4/7 uses). Mike fired bolts from his basic crossbow, dropping two more (EXP: 20).
The remaining goblins triggered their own traps—venom-tipped darts and a collapsing wall. Ray's Rat Agility (10 Mana, Mana: 80/170) sprouted clawed limbs, letting him dodge the darts and pull Mike clear of the falling stone. "Traps, like I said!" Ray hissed. Mike grinned, unleashing another wave of Flames, torching five goblins (EXP: 50).
With the shaman down, the goblins' coordination faltered. Ray recast Shadow Veil (20 Mana, Mana: 60/170), cloaking both himself and Mike to avoid a final explosive trap. From the shadows, Ray's Bone Spear skewered three more goblins (EXP: 30, Swordplay: 5/7 uses). Mike's Flames and crossbow bolts mopped up the rest, their screams fading into the mist (EXP: 150).
The ruins fell silent, littered with goblin corpses (total EXP: 350, Ray: 2020/2000 EXP, Level 13; Mike: Level 11). Ray's auto-loot system activated, collecting goblin claws (x50), shaman runes (x3, corrosive magic), goblin cores (x10, low-tier, some damaged), a shaman core (mid-tier, corrosive magic affinity), and 200 daalers into his Dimension Pocket. He used Minor Mend (10 Mana, Mana: 50/170) to heal a dart graze (HP: 165/170). Not bad for our first run, he thought.
Mike, catching his breath, knelt by a goblin corpse, rummaging through its tattered rags. His brow furrowed as he moved to another, then another, finding nothing. "What the hell? These runts got no loot! No claws, no runes, not even a damn daaler!" He stood, scratching his neck, looking at Ray with mock indignation. "You see this, brother? We just cleared a whole nest, and I'm coming up empty-handed!"
Ray stifled a grin, his auto-loot system's work safely tucked away in his Dimension Pocket. I didn't think this through, he thought, realizing the auto-loot might draw attention. "It's a spell I've got, Mike," he said, leaning casually against a crumbling wall. "Spatial magic. Snags the loot before you can blink. Handy trick, keeps my pockets full." Gotta keep the system under wraps, he thought, his isekai secrets locked tight.
Mike raised an eyebrow, half-amused, half-skeptical. "Spatial magic, huh? You're full of surprises, man. First shadows and bones, now you're yoinking loot from under my nose?" He chuckled, shaking his head. Ray's got more tricks than a wasteland scavenger, he thought. Long as he's got my back, I ain't complaining. "Fine, keep your fancy spell. But you're splitting that haul, right, brother?"
Ray smirked, tossing Mike a small pouch of daalers from the loot. "Fair's fair. You did good out there." Mike caught the pouch, grinning, their bond unshaken.
Mike's expression shifted, his brow furrowing again. "Ray, you're human, yeah? So how the hell are you slinging Dark Elf shadows and Lizardman bone spikes? That's not standard human magic, even for someone like you."
Ray met his gaze, keeping his expression guarded. "I've got my tricks, Mike, and they're mine to keep. You don't see elves or lizardmen pulling my kind of moves, right? Let's leave it at that. You're my brother out here—trust me to watch your back, and don't go digging." No one's learning about the mutagens or how I got them, he thought, the weight of his hidden origins buried deep.
Mike nodded slowly, a mix of curiosity and respect in his eyes. He's got his reasons, and he's got my back, he thought. That's enough for me. "Alright, brother. Your secrets, your call. I've got your six."
As Mike turned to check his gear, Ray's mind buzzed with Yomi's voice. [Yomi Protocol: Kid, that was a close one. Mike's sniffing around your shadows and bones like a wasteland hound. 'Not standard human magic'? He's got a point—humans don't pull those tricks. You gonna keep dodging, or is this rookie gonna crack your little secret, mastermind?]
Ray whispered, "He's loyal, Yomi, but damn, he's sharp. Didn't expect him to clock the magic like that. I deflected, but I gotta be tighter with this stuff. No one's finding out about the mutagens—or where I'm really from." Mike's too close already, he thought, unease creeping in. Gotta play it smarter.
[Yomi Protocol: Smarter, huh? You're juggling spatial lies and mutant powers like a street performer, kid. One slip, and your whole 'mysterious merc' act's done. Keep those cards close, or Mike's gonna deal you a bad hand.]
Ray smirked faintly, whispering, "Noted, Yomi. I'll keep him in the dark, brother or not." They climbed back into the truck, the engine roaring as they headed to Zyra to collect their mission reward. The wasteland's jagged trails gave way to the city's steel-and-crystal skyline, the White Claw guildhall looming ahead.
At the guildhall, they approached Kaelin at the counter, her HUD interface glowing. Ray slid a mission token across, etched with the goblin hunt contract. "Nest's cleared," he said. "Fifty goblins, one shaman, all down."
Kaelin tapped her interface, verifying the contract. "Clean work, mercenaries. Guild's confirmed the ruins are quiet. Payment's 300 daalers, split as you see fit." She transferred the funds to Ray's HUD (Currencies: 1165 to 1465 Daalers). "Anything else?"
Ray glanced at Mike, who nodded eagerly. "Got those ghouls next," Ray said. "Necrotic alghoul's gonna be a pain, but we're ready." Plenty of fights left to carve our name, he thought. Mike grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Let's roast some undead, brother." They stepped away, their first mission as a squad officially complete, already gearing up for the next hunt.
Ray's Updated HUD
Level: 13 (EXP: 20/2500)
Stats (Max 100):
Strength: 15 (Enhanced by Orc Mutagen, +1 from Level 13)
Endurance: 15 (Enhanced by Lizardman Mutagen, +1 from Level 13)
Speed: 13 (+1 from Level 13)
Agility: 15 (Enhanced by Dark Elf Mutagen, +1 from Level 13)
HP: 180/180 (+10 from Level 13)
Mana: 180/180 (+10 from Level 13)
Magic (Level 13, Mana Costs):
Elemental:
Fire: Flames (10), Fireball (20)
Water: Drip (10), Torrent (20)
Lightning: Spark (10), Bolt (20)
Ice: Frost Touch (10), Frost Nova (20)
Earth: Pebble Toss (10), Quake (20)
Wind: Gust (10), Tempest (20)
Universal:
Healing: Minor Mend (10), Major Mend (20)
Spatial: Short Blink (10), Long Blink (20, detectable by high spatial users)
Mutagen-Derived:
Shadow (Dark Elf): Shadow Cloak (10), Shadow Veil (20)
Enhancement (Orc): Muscle Boost (10), Power Surge (20)
Bone (Lizardman): Bone Spike (10), Bone Spear (20)
Beast (Nagual): Rat Agility (10, clawed limbs, +2 Agility), Boar Strength (10, tusked muscle, +2 Strength), Gorilla Resilience (10, gorilla arms, +2 Endurance), Lion Ferocity (10, clawed hands, +2 Attack), Tiger Stealth (10, striped skin, +2 Stealth), Bear Endurance (10, furred torso, +2 HP), Whale Vitality (10, gills and fins, underwater breathing, no combat)
Skills (Level/Uses to Next Level):
Hacking: Level 2 (1/4 uses toward Level 3)
Engineering: Level 2 (2/3 uses toward Level 3)
Swordplay: Level 6 (5/7 uses toward Level 7)
Markmanship: Level 6 (1/7 uses toward Level 7)
Forging: Level 3 (0/5 uses toward Level 4)
Stealth: Level 5 (0/6 uses toward Level 6)
Alchemy: Level 4 (3/5 uses toward Level 5)
Inventory (Dimension Pocket):
Crafting Materials:
Rat Pelts (x830), Rat Blood (x828), Rat Claws (x170)
Boar Hide (x1)
Anansi Silk (x46), Trickster Venom (x46)
Sonic Essence (x0), Mana-disruptive Residue (x15)
Copper Wiring, Rubber Grips, Silicone Components, Bone Fragments, Basic Alloys
Orc Tusks (x8)
Mana Crystals (x10), Vitae Roots (x5), Essence Vials (x3)
Goblin Claws (x50), Shaman Runes (x3, corrosive magic)
Cores:
Lesser Anansi Cores (x4)
Lesser Gremmeling Cores (x6)
Low-tier Goblin Cores (x10, some damaged)
Shaman Core (mid-tier, corrosive magic affinity)
Weapons and Gear:
Impundulu-core Light Armor Chestpiece (0.2 Defense Boost, Lightning Resistance, weakened by shaman)
Impundulu-core Boots (0.2 Agility Boost)
Impundulu-core Gauntlets (0.2 Strength Boost)
Impundulu-core Crossbow (0.4 Attack Boost, Lightning Affinity)
Impundulu-core Bow (0.3 Attack Boost, Precision Enhancement)
Anansi-core Short Sword (0.5 Attack Boost, Illusion Resistance)
Bow, Arrows (x40), Crossbow Bolts (x40), Shuriken
Tools and Misc:
Portable Alchemy Set
Empty Canisters (x3), Meshes (x2)
Truck Keys
Silver Dust, Sea Salt
Ward Tech Mana Sensor (Torin's Gift)
Encrypted Data Crystal
Currencies: 1465 Daalers (+200 from mission, +300 from guild reward), 200 Quetzals, 200 Draks, Lumen 200, Durin 300