The world beyond the radio complex felt different, heavier. The revelation of the Black Tower and its connection to the mutations had shifted the stakes for everyone in the group. No longer was survival their sole purpose—answers and the promise of unraveling the mystery of Project Genesis now pulled them forward. The desolate landscape stretched ahead of them, a barren expanse of cracked earth interspersed with skeletal remains of buildings long abandoned. Occasional groans from wandering infected echoed in the distance, a grim reminder of the dangers lurking at every corner.

For the first time since they’d banded together, no one spoke as they walked. The tension among them was palpable, their minds burdened by the weight of what lay ahead.

Evan walked at the front of the group, his crowbar resting on his shoulder. His steps were purposeful, but his mind was a battlefield. The system’s revelations—the effigy, the memory fragment, the broadcast from the Black Tower—had left him with more questions than answers. Who were the people behind Project Genesis? Why had they chosen him? And what exactly was the system guiding him toward?

“Host Synchronization: 15%. Greater resonance required for advanced system capabilities.”

The system’s calm voice cut through his thoughts, its tone as emotionless as ever. “What happens at 100%?” Evan muttered under his breath. No response came.

As they crested a small hill, a new sight greeted them: a narrow canyon flanked by towering cliffs of jagged rock. The path through it was littered with debris—fallen boulders, abandoned vehicles, and the charred remnants of what might have been a military convoy.

Claire raised her hand, signaling the group to stop. “This doesn’t feel right,” she said, her sharp eyes scanning the canyon’s entrance. “She’s right,” Kara added, her rifle raised. “It’s too quiet.”

Jake rolled his eyes. “It’s a canyon. What do you expect? Birds chirping?”

“Shut up, Jake,” Claire snapped. “Something’s off. Stay close and stay alert.”

Reluctantly, the group pressed forward. The air in the canyon was still, suffocatingly so. Every step seemed to echo unnaturally, the sound bouncing off the rocky walls and amplifying their unease. “Does anyone else feel like we’re being watched?” Lila whispered, her voice barely audible. Evan nodded, his grip tightening on his weapon. The system hummed faintly in his mind, but no alerts came. Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very wrong.

They were halfway through the canyon when it happened. A loud crack echoed above them, followed by the sound of shifting rocks.

“Move!” Claire shouted, and the group scattered as a cascade of boulders came crashing down, blocking the path behind them. Before anyone could react, figures emerged from the shadows. They were human—or at least appeared to be—but their movements were unnervingly precise. Clad in tattered clothing reinforced with scavenged armor, they wielded an assortment of weapons, from crude blades to modified firearms.

“Drop your gear!” one of them barked, his voice cold and commanding. Claire leveled her crossbow. “Not happening.”

The standoff was tense, both sides poised to strike. Evan’s mind raced as he evaluated their options. These weren’t mindless infected or raiders—they were organized, disciplined. Whoever they were, they’d been waiting for them.

“We don’t want trouble,” Evan said, stepping forward with his hands raised. “We’re just passing through.”

“Passing through?” The man laughed, his grin humorless. “No one just passes through our territory.”

“What do you want?” Claire demanded, her voice steady. “Simple,” the man said. “Leave your weapons and supplies, and we’ll let you go. Refuse, and we’ll take them off your corpses.”

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Evan clenched his fists. They couldn’t afford to lose their gear—not now. Before he could respond, the system buzzed.

“Tactical Analysis: Hostiles possess superior numbers but limited ranged capability. Suggested Action: Engage strategically.”

Evan glanced at Claire and gave a slight nod. She understood immediately.

“Fine,” she said, lowering her crossbow. “We surrender.”

The man smirked. “Smart choice. Now—”

Before he could finish, Claire fired. Her bolt struck one of the attackers in the chest, and chaos erupted.

The canyon became a battlefield. Kara opened fire with her rifle, her shots precise and deadly. Jake grabbed a discarded metal pipe and swung it wildly, keeping the attackers at bay. Evan activated Catalyst Burst, his enhanced speed allowing him to dodge an incoming blade and counter with a crushing blow to his attacker’s head.

Lila moved like a shadow, darting between the chaos and striking with lethal efficiency. Despite their superior numbers, the ambushers were unprepared for the group’s coordinated assault. One by one, they fell, their advantage of surprise nullified by the group’s determination and skill. As the last attacker collapsed, the canyon fell silent once more.

The man who had initiated the ambush lay on the ground, clutching a wound in his side. Evan knelt beside him, his expression cold. “Who are you?” he demanded. “Why did you attack us?”

The man coughed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. “You... don’t know what you’re walking into.”

“What does that mean?” Claire asked, stepping forward.

“The Black Tower,” the man rasped. “It’s not just a place... it’s a fortress. You think you’ll find answers there? You’ll only find death.”

Evan’s eyes narrowed. “What do you know about Project Genesis?”

The man chuckled weakly. “More than you ever will. They won’t let you get close. You’re already marked...”

Before he could say more, his eyes glazed over, and he went still.

The group searched the bodies, finding minimal supplies but nothing of great value. “Marked?” Lila repeated, frowning. “What did he mean by that?”

“I don’t know,” Evan admitted. “But we can’t turn back now.”

Claire nodded. “We need to keep moving. Whatever the Black Tower is, it’s the only lead we have.”

Kara glanced at the blocked path behind them. “Looks like we’re committed, anyway. No going back the way we came.”

Emerging from the canyon, the group found themselves in a vast desert. The sun blazed overhead, its heat oppressive, and the landscape was barren save for the occasional outcropping of jagged rocks. The journey was grueling, each step an effort as they trudged through the sand. The weight of their packs and weapons only added to the strain. Despite the heat, Evan felt a chill. The system had gone silent, its usual hum absent.

“Why now?” he thought, frustration bubbling within him. “Why go quiet when I need you most?”

As if in response, a faint buzz returned.

“Host Mental Stability Critical. Rest Recommended.”

“Rest?” Evan muttered under his breath. “We don’t have time for that.”

Just as exhaustion threatened to overtake them, they spotted something in the distance: a small cluster of trees surrounding a shimmering pool of water.

“An oasis?” Jake said, disbelief in his voice. “Finally, some good luck.”

“Or a trap,” Claire cautioned.

Despite her warning, the group approached cautiously. The oasis appeared genuine, its water cool and clear. “Looks safe enough,” Lila said, kneeling by the pool and splashing water on her face. The others followed suit, filling their canteens and resting under the shade of the trees.

As they sat, Evan couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. “Claire,” he said quietly, “set a watch rotation. We can’t let our guard down.”

She nodded, her expression grim. “Agreed.”

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the desert was plunged into darkness. The group huddled around a small fire, its light flickering against the trees. “We need a plan for the Black Tower,” Claire said, breaking the silence. “We can’t just walk in blind.”

Evan stared into the flames. “We’ll figure it out when we get there. For now, we keep moving.”

Jake scoffed. “Great plan, fearless leader.”

“Got a better one?” Kara shot back, her tone sharp.

Before Jake could respond, a loud snap echoed from the darkness. Everyone froze, their weapons at the ready.

“What was that?” Lila whispered. Evan’s system buzzed.

“Warning: Anomalous Entity Detected. Proximity: 50 Meters.”

“Something’s out there,” Evan said, his voice low. The group formed a defensive circle, their eyes scanning the shadows. And then, from the darkness, they came.