Detective Rhyner stooped low, at a crawling pace moving forward, head wrapped in his coat to block the dust from the dust storm battering his face. He made sure to be positioned behind his overweight hired mercenary to use him as a shield against the turbulent weather.
They had come to a backwater town in the Wasteland located just outside of the nearest Warlord territory. Some Wastelanders chose to settle in the wilderness instead of being under the protection of any Warlord, given the propensity of such rulers to unfairly tax the inhabitants of their land, leaving them with barely enough to scrape by on.
A gas station fashioned into a home was their last stop.
“Shut the damn door, you fucking morons,” shouted a voice as Rhyner and his mercenary entered with the rush of strong winds carrying in swaths of dirt.
A woman in her fifties stood at the counter, a hand-rolled cigarillo dangling from her mouth, skin dry and her blond hair seeming greasy. She had bagged eyes that had seen more than her fair share of loss—loss of loved ones, loss of dignity, and loss of humanity—a typical Wastelander. Atop the counter around her stood instruments usually found in a science lab. Baggies of blue crystal lay in piles below her with price tags varying with the size of each bag.
“Elysium crystal,” commented the mercenary, Rolf Dergen, shaking off dust and catching sight of the blue crystal that slightly glowed.
“Sure is,” the middle-aged woman responded, taking a drag of her cigarillo and offering up a bag, “Best shit you can get in this fucking dust bowl, fatty. Pure crystal, baby. Tired of getting fucked by reality? This’ll give you a chance to fuck reality right back and it’ll feel real good.”
An expression of chagrin was drawn on Detective Rhyner’s expression. “We’re alright, thanks,” he rejected, pushing the baggy away from his face. “I need to talk to you about something that happened a couple of years ago in New DC.”
“Huh. So, you two are fucking Wall Hugging bitches,” she scoffed, “I should’ve known by the look of your soft pussy skin.”
Rhyner couldn’t stand the way Wastelanders talked. It was like they went out of their way to be rude. Regardless, he needed information. This woman was one of the last pieces that needed to be put into place to make the case he was building solid.
The mercenary, Rolf Dergen, kept an eye out for trouble as the detective went into an in depth conversation with the Wastelander woman.
***
Blood dashed against the pavement as Lucian’s shoulder was torn by a claw from one of the imps. He blanched at the sight of half his leather armor being ripped off his body. Another imp dove from the sky to swipe a piece of meat off Lucian’s flesh when he suddenly hit the ground in a duck and roll and avoided it. There was no fighting the flock of monsters with any hope of success and Lucian knew as much as he began to sprint without thinking, seeking any closed building with a roof that the imps would lose their advantage of flight.
A bowling ball man appeared like an angel, offering Lucian safety through the doors of the bowling alley, the mascot’s speech bubble reading, “Roll this way for fun and games!”
Splinters of wood went up into the air as Lucian crashed loudly through the doors. Chains had been latched to secure the entrance but fell away as if made from plastic when faced with Anointed strength. Lucian wasn’t a fool and knew by the continual giggling of the imps that they weren’t going to give up.
“Choose your fighter!” An old arcade machine blared to life as Lucian roughly picked it up and yanked it off the wall, silencing it by tossing it toward the door, effectively blocking the entrance.
Mischievous giggles from the imps turned into furious shrieks seeing the obstacle and made to tear through. When one managed to claw through the wood to squeeze through a gap, a white glowing fist fell upon its devil-like face, exploding its head into black goop.
[Goblin Bash]
The brutal and gruesome end of one of their kind was what the monsters needed to witness for them to fly away and give up on catching Lucian.
A long, drawn-out breath left Lucian. He was safe—for now. Turning around, Lucian beheld a place from the past, a sight only glimpsed in old magazines. Streaks of sunlight, filtering through cracked windows, illuminated the space, casting shadows across the bowling lanes. There was once laughter and play here, now only echoes of a bygone era remained.
An abrupt shift twisted the scene, revealing an eerie contrast. Alongside one wall, broken beds lined up, their privacy curtains nearly rotted away. The floor was dotted with storage chests covered in dust, some spilling out toys. In a corner, stacks of aged canned food caught the eye. The unexpected sight started to make sense as human skeletons came into view—a group of people had sought refuge here when the Monster Invasion devastated the city years ago. The chains that had been on the door was most likely had been their doing.
They only thing that seemed to be intact in this old survivor enclave was a bed made entirely of wool, tempting Lucian to rest upon it. He had slept in worse places. Flopping down, Lucian had to jump back up when the wool bed began to stir the moment he landed. To his surprise, the bed was made of wool-covered creatures that turned their sleepy, round heads to stare at him. Sheep came to Lucian’s mind as he observed these creatures with button noses and floppy ears, covered in white fluff and walking on two legs.
“How cute…” Lucian couldn’t help but say.
His words stirred one of the two-legged sheep into action, causing it to launch upward and strike him on the jaw with its hoof-like hand, bloodying his face. Stumbling back and covering his mouth, Lucian grunted, “You little shit—” before his stomach was struck, knocking the wind out of him.
An angry cloud of wool soon covered him with rapid blows finding soft parts of his body exposed through his broken armor, forcing him to curl up into a shrimp shape to protect himself. The sheep’s baaing sounded like war cries to Lucian under their relentless assault. Not only were they swift, the walking sheep were abnormally good at boxing. Whenever Lucian tried to lash out with [Goblin Bash], he would be countered with blitzing punches and forced to transform back into shrimp position, covering himself as best he could.
Bruise-covered, blood oozing from his face, Lucian stooped low, unable to believe he was about to die to a herd of sheep.
A screen like that of a computer popped up in his view, seemingly stuck in the air. It was the Master System. Its message read: “Magic Art: [Mimicry of the Wild] has been activated. Skill: [Cotton Flurry] has been copied from [Wool Boxer]!”
With nothing to lose, Lucian flung out the new Skill.
[Cotton Flurry]
His hands moved in a rapid blur as punches, bowling over a group of sheep monsters, or [Wool Boxers], and created an open path. With no hesitation, he broke through the encirclement of white fluff and ran down the bowling lanes. Disgruntled baas erupted from the [Wool Boxers] and they gave immediate chase.
Stolen novel; please report.
A series of glowing punches suddenly was turned on the sheep creatures when they least expected it.
[Goblin Bash] x [Cotton Flurry]
Dents sank into their wool covered skulls and every two-legged sheep hit fell unconscious, the force from the blows sending them sliding down the dusty lanes. The two Skills in combination was a match made in heaven. This was what Lucian had come to the Wasteland for, to get stronger.
The giddiness of improvement mixed in with the adrenaline coursing through him as he shouted, “That’s right!” He thumbed his nose at the sheep. “I’m from the Broken Ring, bitch. I’ve been fist fighting since I was a kid!”
A sharp pain shot through Lucian’s mind and brought him to his knees, the lack of Mana becoming unbearable, leaving him weakened. Shadows loomed over him as fluffy sheep encircled his kneeling form, vengeance for their fallen kin reflected in their shiny round eyes.
***
In the Heart Rings, Level B, a towering glass structure called “Vivid” loomed like a skyscraper, completely transparent and grand. Through its clear walls, one could glimpse men and women draped in the latest fashions, blissfully ignorant of the apocalyptic reality beyond New DC’s inner rings. Vivid, a versatile mall, operated both day and night. In daylight, it showcased international fashions and sold trendy Gatetech gadgets, while at night, it transformed into a glamorous nightclub frequented by Wardens, singers, actors, and other high-status individuals.
On the mid-level floor of the mall, Amelia and Two Tap browsed a clothing store as part of Amelia’s strategy to befriend Two Tap, a plan she dubbed “Operation Makeover.” This tactic had successfully deepened her bond with Elina when they were still getting to know each other, and she hoped it would work again with Two Tap. It was Two Tap’s vulnerability and frail constitution that reminded Amelia so much of Elina, triggering her protective and nurturing instincts.
For this excursion, Amelia changed her outfit, donning a hoodie and shades, and added a surgical mask to conceal her identity in case those seeking her return home came looking for her. She went as far as using cash only to avoid being traced through her bank cards. Utilizing the gap in the New DC walls that Lucian showed her to reenter the city solidified her chances of remaining hidden.
Two Tap faced a store mirror, draped in a yellow dress with a sunhat shading her gaunt expression. Her slender frame revealed visible bones through her dry, sun burned skin. The relentless use of the Elysium crystal consistently stifled hunger, causing the user to neglect eating. Two Tap's malnourished body showed the detrimental effects accumulated over years of using the drug.
“Oh, you’re so cute!” Amelia praised as she hugged Two Tap.
Two Tap wanted to stop shopping already. It had been hours since they arrived and she had been dressed in several outfits so far. She couldn’t help but feel like Amelia’s personal toy doll. Though she wanted to beg Amelia to halt her actions, Two Tap didn’t have the courage to say anything, so she remained silent.
“Alright, we got the look,” Amelia chirped, her freckles spreading as she smiled widely, “Now we just need to unleash the natural looks I know you have, queen. Are you ready for your makeover to be completed, Two Tap?”
Two Tap desired to shake her head, but the force of Amelia's strong personality couldn’t be denied.
“Okay!” Amelia cheered and grabbed Two Tap’s hand to lead her away.
Two Tap became confused seeing someone come and pick up the bags of clothes Amelia had left behind.
“Oh, that’s just the bag boy,” Amelia remarked, noticing Two Tap’s distracted gaze, “He’ll take our things to the front.” She hoisted a finger upward with zeal. “Now, to the salon!”
Two Tap entered a salon where sleek white and pink adorned the furniture and walls. Tables scattered with magazines featured men and women in revealing clothes. Girls filled the space, eagerly awaiting their turn with beauticians renowned not just in New DC but in most Megacities. Two Tap, with her sun-baked skin and dry hair, drew narrowed eyes as someone who didn’t belong here. Walking up to the counter, Amelia and Two Tap were granted immediate entry, leaving onlookers' eyes nearly falling out in disbelief.
“Who are they?!” one of the girls said, indignant.
“That’s not fair!” whined another.
“I’m an Anointed working for the Black Whale Company,” informed a professionally dressed young woman, walking up to the counter to the salon worker who let Amelia and Two Tap through, “How can they go in before me?!” When the salon worker whispered Amelia’s full name, the Corp Anointed fell backward. “N-never mind then. I’ll just wait…”
Whispers grew the moment the Corp Anointed sat back down and was hounded by the other girls about Amelia’s identity.
Two Tap sat on a comfortable salon chair with only her reflection visible in a wall mirror for company. Amelia had gone to the restroom, leaving Two Tap alone with her thoughts. Although the beautician had yet to arrive as they were still attending to another client, Amelia had given Two Tap her phone to keep her occupied. The Wastelander, however, had no interest in the phone.
While sitting in the chair, Two Tap maintained a scrutinizing stare with the emaciated young woman who looked back at her through the mirror. She couldn’t fathom that Dougy had spent all those months worrying and sacrificing his own needs to take care of this underfed creature before her. Sensing encroaching grief for her deceased brother, an urge for Elysium crystal came to combat it. She licked her dry lips as she contemplated the release from reality the drug could provide her. Without Lucian around, she thought she might be able to score some crystal.
The phone in her lap lit up as a pop song played, its lyrics about needing a hero to save the day. Two Tap’s finger slid across the green on the screen, and the call came through. She heard a frantic voice.
“Melly, where are you?!”
“Um, I’m Two Tap,” Two Tap corrected. The speaker started cursing as hisses and roars of monsters sounded in the background. She recognized the voice. “Lush?”
“Two Tap, tell Melly I need to get picked up pronto!” Lucian urged with a panic stricken voice. An aggravated grunt came after as if he were striking out at something. What followed was a monster’s pained cry. Lucian returned to the call, “You were right about the Wasteland, Two Tap. This place is hell. I don’t know how you and Dougy survived living out here.” More monster noises came, almost drowning out his voice. “Shit, I got to go. Remember to tell Amelia to come back now!”
The phone call ended.
Two Tap’s horrified expression reflected in the phone’s black screen. Her fears had come true. If only Lucian had heeded her warnings of the Wasteland’s dangers. But what mattered now was that he needed to be saved. Just then, Amelia walked in to find Two Tap sitting and staring at a blank phone.
“Oh, you don’t like to play on phones?” Amelia asked and flipped on a TV hanging from the ceiling. “Do you like any shows? Let’s see if anything’s on.”
“…M-melly,” Two Tap stammered, having gathered enough courage to get Amelia’s attention. “W-we need to go b-back to the W-wasteland…”
Interrupting her, on the TV, a news anchor began reporting, “City Congress has met today to try and impeach City President Vork for negligence and lack of leadership due to the growing number of Monster Gate breaks. Also, his many mistresses with whom the City President has children with are suing him for late child support payments…”
Amelia denied Two Tap, stating, “We can’t go back now. Not until we’re finished with our important work here. A girl can be as pretty as she feels, but to feel pretty, you have to have pretty things!”
Two Tap attempted to argue, though weakly, “B-but Lush said…”
“Hello, everybody!” a flamboyant voice cried out loudly. Swinging the door wide, there appeared in the entrance a portly man dressed loudly in vibrant colors with a leopard-spotted dress shirt tied up to reveal his belly button. Very short shorts exposed long, hairy legs that moved like a gazelle. Hair smoothed back with a single bang resting upon his forehead, a goatee perfectly trimmed around a pursed mouth, he seemed a creature Two Tap had never seen before. Unbeknownst to Two Tap, this was the most famous and sought-after beautician on the continent.
“Amelia, darling!” he chirped happily and skipped as if frolicking with arms out toward Amelia, kissing both her cheeks in greeting, “Oh, how I’ve missed you. But our appointment isn’t for another few weeks, my love. Pray tell me of which of my many delicate, splendiferous skills have you come to me for today?”
“It’s an emergency,” Amelia said solemnly and gestured toward Two Tap.
“Oh, my word! Look at the poor creature. She looks like a drowned cat and a rat cooked to a crisp all at the same time! I can’t believe something so terrible could happen to such a pitiful creature in this dreadful world. Me, oh my, what a travesty! An utter injustice to mankind!”
“Then you’ll help?”
“Dear, they don’t call me faiseur de miracles for nothing!” He tippy toed his way around Two Tap, causing her to flinch. “Don’t fear me, my love,” he said, reacting to her shivering, “Fear what could’ve happened had you not met me, Dillon Marr the Miracle Worker!”
Two Tap murmured, “B-but Lush…”
“Do not worry, darling. You’ll be more than lush when I’m done with you. You’ll be magnifique! You’ll be exquis!”
Before Two Tap could say anything more, Dillon Marr set to work on her, unsheathing tools whose purpose she did not know but recognized as Gatetech by the bright blue light they emitted. With a whirring and a thumping, the machines went to work on her, nearly beating her down as they made her over.