It was on the 17th of July when chaos and destruction plunged the world.
Nobody could have expected the world to collapse so easily when demons - mythical creatures only said to exist in tall tales and nightmares suddenly appeared in this world through several gaps in space.
With the arrival of the demons , ambient chaotic energy from hell plunged the world along the chaos , mutating most of earth's inhabitants - humans included.
The Earth had been left in a pitiful state when the demons left , having had their fill of eradicating Earth.
However even though the demons left and some of the gaps in space now called dungeons remained , the world didn't take a turn for the better but instead civilisation was at its lowest in this sudden apocalypse where it could be concluded humanity had reverted close to being in the stone age with each man out there for himself.
There is a saying - " Divided we fall , United we conquer "
This saying was especially true to some of the humans who didn't decide to be free people living alone in the depths of the danger of the world , these humans decided to unite in order to create something that could help them survive against the mutated animals which had now become their predators - to create something called a team.
At first it was simply a handful of humans who used their developed skills of survival to compliment each other ; those who were better at scouting would alert others when either a weak or dangerous monster was close and preparations to attack or evacuate would be made in time , those who were able to make even the most inedible-looking plants and mutated animals edible would naturally become the food takers and finally those who had combat and strategical skills that surpassed others would become those who would defend the team if the monster was within their power.
However as time continued that chaotic ambient energy that came from the gaps in space no longer remained chaotic and unstable as it seemed to be cut off from where it came from. Humans found out that some of them amongst themselves had even assimilated with this now calm and friendly energy and were able to utilize it in ways the previous civilization could have never imagined.
Humanity took a large leap for the better.
Civilisation was restored again but not exactly completely , barricaded tall and large walls were built with the regained power of humanity, in order to keep the monsters out , and technology was evolved to also assimilate with this energy the humans called 'mana'.
Humans had technologically evolved to the point that they were no longer cornered by the monsters they once called pets , they were on a slightly higher ground with technological machinery and weapons which were created for the sole purpose of eliminating them and with the emergence of hunters - humans who could use otherworldly powers thanks to mana , Monsters now wouldn't even dare to get nearer the barricaded walls of Area 64.
And deeper in Area 64 , precisely in a larger lab of engineer and scientist Apollo who had white hair ,a slightly wrinkly face with round goggles on top of his head and a long lab coat.
He was in his lab.
Apollo was one of the world pillars which paved the path for nanotechnology and development of mechanised robots hence earned the seat and title of 'head scientist in artificial intelligence and robotics' , there was a hunter who was rapidly rising in the ranks as well , hunters were different from normal humans who could only rely on the new technology to protect themselves.
Hunters could directly use the mana in the atmosphere for a stronger effect than the likes of technology could ever imitate , they had a variance in affinity to mana ; one who had more affinity would naturally be stronger and one who had the lowest affinity would only be slightly stronger than the average human.
However hunters weren't abundant over the world but rather scarce as civilisation had only just picked itself up , therefore couldn't completely understand the process which led to assimilation of mana in the human body - that could control external mana for a desired effect.
It could be said that hunters were infact close to rare so even a hunter who had an affinity in mana would be treated in a higher regard than a normal average human no matter how low the affinity for mana was.
Hunters who could be said to be elites were even rarer as some of those hunters gave up their lives in order to exterminate the stronger monsters which were bold enough to attack Area 64 and give a chance for other people to live.
Yet even though elite hunters were rare , it didn't mean there were very few of them.
Atleast there were 8 elite hunters which had been acknowledged by the organization called Hex which was basically a world guild which took care of hunters all over the world with branches of it stationed all over the world in places of human rehabilitation.
Among those 8 elites , one of them was the one who faced Apollo at that moment - Caesar ; A hunter with a strong constitution ,ruffled blonde hair with several bangs , light brown eyes and a scar with ran down from his left eye to his cheek and along a few small scars - testaments of the cruel battles he had undergone to emerge as an elite.
Yet , Apollo who had been lecturing Caesar daily about getting atleast a sidekick and abandon his lonewolf-iness couldn't help but stare at him in pity.
He had seen many promising stars like him come and go , swallowed by the monstrosities outside the barricaded walls.
How long would Caesar last ?
And naturally that day was one of those days when he would lecture him about him being a lone wolf and how he should look for worthy companions like the rest of the elites , but this day would be different as he had already come up with a solution he just couldn't refuse.
" Doc , the extermination in B4 was a success - the new equipment you gave me was a total blast. The were-bears didn't even stand a chance. I especially liked the mana rifle , what do you call it again , rifle ultramax 200 ? "
" correct but it's 202 instead of 200. "
" Does it make much of a difference ? "
Caesar rolled his eyes at Apollo who was correcting him for leaving out a few numbers.
'Scientist and their sensitivity to every creation of theirs'
Caesar critized internally. Apollo however instead of immediately replying to the unneccesary report Caesar had given him stared deeply at him in silence before a long sigh escaped his mouth.
" How long are you going to continue to live like this ? "
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Apollo asked in a fatherly tone.
Caesar who already knew what Apollo was inquiring acted oblivious to what he was referring to.
" What do you mean live like this ? "
He mumbled in his mind ,
'Not this again'
" Caesar you're not a fool , certainly if you were you wouldn't be alive at this moment but devoured by those things out there. "
Apollo said with a bit of bitterness in regards to the monsters before continuing.
" You know what I'm talking about , you can't continue being the daredevil and taking on hunter missions all on your own , even though the Hex encourages independence that is not enough reason for you to throw yourself directly into the fires outside without having atleast a few partners by your side. "
" Apollo you kn- "
" Shush , I am still speaking. "
' Oh No. '
Caesar muttered in his mind. Apollo normally was a friendly scientist who was assigned to Caesar to not only provide him with equipment but also to make sure that his body was always in shape. Each elite would have a scientist which specialized in something to aid them.
Apollo was naturally a warm human being with a soft and careful tone when speaking with Caesar , like a father who diligently teached a son how to ride a bicycle. It was only when Apollo spoke with a sense of authority that Caesar knew that he had already took the necessary steps in order to make sure Caesar could not retaliate.
So Caesar could only watch in anticipation as Apollo continued to speak.
" Caesar , you can't keep distancing yourself from other hunters for eternity just because of the incident that happened 5 years ago , nor will I continue to watch you as you basically throw your life away
" As you may or may not know there has been an increase in the activity of monsters recently and its only a matter of time before that becomes gradual and eventually life threatening to us all , the monsters now seemed to have gained a big of intelligence and no longer attack purely out of animal instinct. They have gotten stronger thanks to that as well
" Infact they have even began to form large groups, its only a matter of time before they bare their fangs at us , we probably would be able to survive a monster stampede but not unscathed. The higher ups have already decided to send some few elites to take care of this issue before it comes thorny in the future. You are one of those elites which will be chosen , take this as a spoiler.
" knowing you , you probably won't support that idea of having other hunters next to you during this mission and would rather go alone. "
Apollo stopped speaking to took a breathe , eyeing Caesar who had a face of indifference to the sudden news.
' Oh boy , you don't realize how lucky you are. . Atleast you aren't locked up in a huge lab with no contact with the outside world. '
Apollo muttered silently to himself.
" Which is why I especially made this for you. "
Apollo took out a slim remote out his lab coat before pointing it at one of his chamber, particularly the one where his robotic creations were placed with those that were still in production.
A beep sounded across the lab as he pressed a green button on the remote causing the futuristic sliding doors to open which wouldn't nudge or crack open even if they were attacked by several bazookas at once.
A bright blue light escaped the chamber before finally dimming in order to give spectators a view of what was inside ; it was a large chamber which had metallic walls and floors like the rest of the lab with intricate patterns and shapes which illuminated in a blue light. Several metallic tubes could be seen all over the place with many robotic parts in different shapes and design such as a robotic hand with installed missile launchers and another similar robotic arm with an installed mechanic gun instead with a large revolver and filled bullets.
In wasn't an understatement to say one who hadn't been in this part of the lab before would be completely at awe after seeing it.
" Follow me. "
Apollo said to Caesar , his arms crossed behind his back.
" Cynthia , bring over XV-283 to me. "
Apollo said , however there was no person besides Caesar who was in the Lab with him.
However-
*Yes Master*
A woman's voice responded to the command , sounding as if she was speaking from all of the corners of the chambers at once.
This was Cynthia - Apollos' personal artificial intelligence(AI), with the evolution of technology artificial intelligence had taken a huge leap, it was now common to see some AIs among the new human society with particular jobs - some were owners of restaurants, some maids at homes and some even construction workers.
Humanity had finally banished the fear of Artificial Intelligence revolting against them and infact managed to live together with them in harmony , AIs were more than willing to commit to human needs and wants without expecting to be rewarded anything.
As AIs were common out there , they no longer had that great value and awe they once had in the face of the public 285 years ago before the apocalypse.
However, Cynthia was different from these common AIs who could only act on the scope of what they were already programmed to do , Cynthia was the world's best supercomputer and Apollos' trump card , Cynthia's was one of the world's great information provider and analyzer.
Even though Cynthia didn't have a physical body like most of AIs which were robotic , it could be considered that the entire lab itself was Cynthia's body as the entire metallic lab was like a system connected to her.
Hence it was easy for Cynthia to perform this simple task Apollo had given her.
The sound of moving gears permeated the room , Caesar was caught by surprise when the chamber floor seemed to move and shift into proportions in an unnatural manner. It was like watching a messy puzzle arrange itself.
It was only after a minute that the shifting stopped and not so far from Apollo was some kind of robot Caesar had never seen before ; Unlike the large and complex robots Apollo maked, this one seemed rather too small and frail ,betraying him.
It had a small robotic head and poorly crafted robotic eyes which looked more like bulbs wrapped with copper wire. It looked more like the craft of an 8th grader which was made at a last ditch effort than anything he had ever seen.
The only thing eye-catching in the robot was the small navy crystal implanted in its chest which had a bit of purple and white, giving it the appearance of a starry sky.
" So what do you think ? "
Apollo asked Caesar while closely looking at him with a weird smirk.
" Think about what ? "
" Do you think my little creation is worthy of being a life-long companion helping you in life and death situations ? "
Apollo seemed rather humble about the thing , Caesar could even make out an aura of pride emanating from him.
" This ? You're joking right ? "
How could something as pathetic as that even show a shred of assistance to Caesar , it would be shredded to pieces by the savage monsters out there before it could even do anything useful for him which he doubted it could do anything for him anyways.
" Contrary to your expectations , I am not. This is my latest creation, XV-283 it's still basically a prototype however I am more than willing to hand it over to you. "
Caesar was speechless.
" Doc , are you sure you don't need to retire a bit or did you hit your head today ? "
Apollo didn't answer the question , the strange smirk and confidence never left his face. He looked at the prototype and then back at Caesar constantly - seeming to urge him on
" Take it , it is yours. Cynthia , give it to him. "
The sound of moving gears reverberated the chamber again , the prototype XV-283 was moved closer to Caesar and the metallic screws on the ground which had been holding it in place were removed making the thing land infront of Caesar with a loud thud.
Caesar simply stared at it , obviously having no intention of picking the thing up.
Just as he was about to refuse , the sound of Apollo's ring tone picked the perfect time to ruin his opportunity.
Apollo who usually checked who the call was coming from and even when he had figured out who it was would usually take a few minutes of mumbling in disdain to himself before answering the call , immediately took out his cellphone and picked it without even looking for the identity of the caller.
" Yes , It's Apollo here. Oh your request ? I haven't forgotten about it Sir- "
Apollo took the initiative to walk away from Caesar his distant voice fading slowly.
He obviously had known he would receive that call specifically at that time and had ocherstrated this , Caesar now couldn't even make a half-assed excuse to why he didn't want the robot.
' Sigh '
Caesar knew that even if he left it there , it was no use , Apollo knew his apartment and would send the robot to him.
There was simply no running away from it.
So to his dismay, he picked the robot which had been off the entire moment - it was surprisingly light that it's weight could be comparable to a new born baby making Caesar further doubt this new creation of Apollo. Being this light meant it didn't have much parts in it.
Caesar looked at the dark eyes of robot which currently had no light and then to the crystal core in its chest which looked like a starry sky.
' This better be good. '