Location: Manhattan – S.H.I.E.L.D. BioTech Outpost (Lower Levels)Time: 12:43 A.M.
The moment Dr. Elyra Monroe decrypted the last Omega Genesis file, your system flared.
[WARNING: Energy signature detected – Ascendant Operatives inbound][Combat Alert: Engage or Evade?]
Monroe's eyes widened. "They're here already?"
You turned to the monitors. Three figures entered the perimeter—clad in dark exosuits, faces hidden behind black visors. You recognised the emblem on their chest plates:
Echo Protocol. Elite-tier. Adaptive suppression squad.
You activated your skills immediately:
[Skill Activated: Stealth Lv. 5][Skill Activated: Iron Tiger Style – Lv. 3][Skill Activated: Intercepting Step – Lv. 3]
"Stay hidden," you said to Monroe, pulling your hood up. "They don't get the files."
She nodded, backing into a hidden lab alcove as you melted into the shadows.
Objective: Neutralise or Distract Echo Protocol Agents. Protect Elyra Monroe.Bonus: No alerts triggered.
Combat Begins
The first operative stepped through the blast door. You dropped down behind him like a ghost, your elbow crashing into the base of his neck.
CRACK.
+250 EXP[Iron Tiger Style: Strike Bonus – Organs Vulnerable]
The second turned, too slow. You used the Intercepting Step to close the gap, delivering a fierce palm strike to the solar plexus and spinning into a sweep that sent him into a server rack.
+200 EXP[Skill Level Up: Intercepting Step Lv. 4]
The third operative activated a shock baton, charging forward. You barely dodged as the electricity arced toward your ribs. You ducked, then snapped upward with a precision strike to his throat, disabling his voice modulator.
[System Alert: Adaptive Combat Pattern Detected – Matching Technique…][New Passive Trait: Reflex Read – Lv. 1]Allows partial reading of the opponent's next move during melee combat. Requires WIS > 15
The enemy tried to counter, but your new instinct kicked in—your body shifting ever so slightly as if it knew where the strike would land.
You countered perfectly.
He dropped.
+350 EXP[Combat Complete]
Level Up: 12 → 13Stat Points: +5 (Auto-distributed)
STR: 19
DEX: 19
END: 19
INT: 19
WIS: 19
CHA: 19
LUCK: 10
Dr. Monroe emerged from hiding, stunned. "You handled them like you've fought them before."
"I have," you replied, eyes still locked on the fallen agents. "But they're getting stronger. Faster."
She handed you a data chip. "Then you'll need this. All remaining files. Locations. Backdoors into their next lab."
You took it.
[Item Acquired: Black Key Drive – Omega Genesis Files Encrypted]Usable with Deep Analysis Lv. 2+Quest Update: Trace & Destroy the Remaining Cradle Labs
You both escaped through a maintenance tunnel as security bots flooded the upper floor.
Outside, the sky was beginning to turn grey with the coming dawn.
A war was brewing — not on the surface, but beneath it, in the shadows of labs and data cores.
You didn't know how long you had.
But with every fight, every level, every choice, you were evolving.
And when they came again?
You'd be ready.