I sat down next to Aubrey with a wide grin on my face as I dumped the loot I had acquired during my latest hunt on the table. The most impressive piece was the Cloak of the Wasteland Wanderer, an epic-grade item that shimmered with its adaptive camouflage. As soon as I laid my eyes on it, I knew I had struck gold.

"You're one lucky bastard, Connor," Aubrey remarked, her eyes lingering on the cloak. "Epic-grade gear usually only drops as quest rewards. You hit the jackpot."

I chuckled, my chest swelling with pride. "Yeah, I guess the System is looking out for me this time around. Still hate it for putting us all in here but…yeah, it gave me this carrot today."

We sorted through the rest of the loot, which was mostly mundane stuff like ammunition, crafting materials, and a gun-cleaning kit. However, one particular item caught our attention: a small, intricate metal sphere that looked like it could fit in the palm of my hand.

"What do you think this is?" I asked Aubrey, turning the sphere over in my hands.

She leaned in for a closer look, her brow furrowing in concentration. "I'm not entirely sure, but it could be a component for some sort of advanced tech. Maybe we can find someone who can tell us more."

I nodded, setting the sphere aside. Mystery object acquired, I guess. With all of the different tech I’ve seen so far, it wouldn’t be too far fetch if this ended up being some component to a mecha—or it could just as well be junk.

"Anyway," Aubrey continued, "you've definitely earned yourself a break. You did well today, Connor. You're really starting to get the hang of things."

I felt a warm glow spread through my chest at her praise. "Thanks, Aubrey. I couldn't have done it without you."

She gave me a small smile and a playful nudge. "Yeah, well, don't get too comfortable. There's always more to learn. Next time, you’ll really be on your own so be extra serious and cautious ‘cause I won’t be nearby to save your ass."

I grinned back at her, excitement coursing through me. I had come a long way since I first arrived here. This feeling...this sense of accomplishment felt similar to when I completed basic training back in the day. Feels great—invigorating even. There are probably going to be worse days ahead. But for now, I was content to enjoy the fruits of my labor and bask in the satisfaction of a job well done.

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With my loot sorted, Aubrey decided it was time to teach me how to clean and maintain my SMG. I had never been much of a gun enthusiast before arriving in Nexus, and I’d already forgotten what I learned about it during basic training, but I had quickly come to appreciate the power and protection that a well-kept firearm could offer. This SMG is my girl—I’ll call her Ripley.

"First things first," she began, pulling out a cleaning kit from her backpack. "You need to disassemble the gun. It might seem intimidating at first, but it's actually pretty simple once you get the hang of it."

She demonstrated the process, her nimble fingers deftly removing the various components and laying them out on the table. I watched closely, doing my best to follow along with my own gun.

Once our guns were disassembled, Aubrey showed me how to use a cleaning rod with a cloth patch to clean the barrel. She explained the importance of removing any residue that could affect the gun's performance.

"So, why did you join the military?" Aubrey asked casually as we worked. "I mean, you were an architect, right?"

I hesitated, unsure of how much I wanted to reveal about my past. But Aubrey had been nothing but supportive since I arrived in Nexus, and I figured I owed her some honesty.

"Yeah, I was an architect. But before that, I joined the military when I was 18. I guess I wanted to prove something to myself and to my family. And, you know, serve my country and all that."

Aubrey nodded, her eyes focused on the gun in front of her. "Makes sense. You've got that whole 'determined soldier' vibe going on."

I chuckled, feeling a little more at ease. "Thanks, I think. Anyway, after my service, I used the GI Bill to help fund my schooling. That's when I got into architecture."

As we cleaned the other parts of our guns, carefully wiping down the springs, bolts, and receivers, Aubrey asked more about my passion for architecture. "What was it about architecture that drew you in?"

I thought for a moment, trying to pinpoint the exact reason. "I guess I've always been fascinated by the idea of creating something that could stand the test of time. Plus, I've always had a thing for design and aesthetics."

"Did you have a favorite project or building you worked on?" she inquired, genuinely interested.

I smiled, remembering the sense of accomplishment I felt when I completed a particularly challenging project. "There was this one residential building I designed. It was a mixed-use development, combining residential units with commercial spaces on the lower floors. The building had a unique, modern look with large glass panels and green spaces on the terraces. The structure incorporated a lot of sustainable features, like solar panels, rainwater collection systems, and green roofs."

Aubrey's eyes widened as I went on, "We used energy-efficient materials and technologies to minimize the building's environmental impact. The apartments themselves were designed to maximize natural light and airflow, creating a comfortable living space. I was really proud of how it turned out, and it got some recognition in the architectural community."

Aubrey smiled back, clearly impressed. "Wow…that’s…something, cool I guess. Hey, if I ever decided to settle down somewhere, you’ll be the first I’d ask to build my house.”

“Oh, I don’t actually do the building. I design them.”

“You know what I meant!”

I laughed. “I know, I know. Just teasing.”

“Nerd,” she joked.

“Ouch. Thank you for the compliment.”

We continued to clean our guns, Aubrey guiding me through each step with patience and expertise. I found the process surprisingly soothing, a welcome distraction from the constant danger and uncertainty of Nexus.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

By the time we finished, our guns were gleaming and ready for action. I felt a newfound sense of connection to my weapon, as well as to Aubrey. We were both strangers in a strange land, doing our best to navigate the perils of Nexus together.

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I headed to my room, my thoughts swirling around the day's events and the new Umbrakinesis ability I had acquired.

Shadow Sense Rank 1 Description You tap into the subtle energies of shadows, allowing you to interpret the fluctuations and patterns within the darkness that reveal the emotional state and intentions of others. Effect Allows you to gain insight into the emotional state and intentions of a target, enabling you to anticipate actions, reactions, or potential deception. In combat, you receive a +3 bonus to all Attack and Defense values against the target. Target 1 Range 20 meters Duration Concentration, up to 1 minute Activation Time 1.5 seconds Activation Cost 8 mana

It felt strange, having this power at my fingertips, and I couldn't help but wonder how it would change the way I interacted with others.

"Shadow Sense, huh?" I muttered to myself, pacing back and forth. "What kind of power is that, anyway? Reading emotional states and intentions? Sure, it could be useful, but it's not like I can throw fireballs or control the weather or anything. What the hell do shadows have to do with feelings anyways?"

I sighed, flopping down on my makeshift bed. "But I guess it's better than nothing. And who knows? Maybe it'll come in handy someday."

I stared up at the ceiling, letting my mind wander. "What would I even use it for? Trying to figure out if someone's lying to me? Reading a room to see if I'm in danger? I mean, I'm sure there are plenty of uses, but it just feels... invasive, you know? But it’ll let me read people's emotions and intentions through shadows. I mean, that's pretty damn useful, right?""

It was definitely invasive, but in a place like this where trust is few and far in between, it would give me the edge I need to come out on top.

I got up and paced around the small room, trying to come up with possible applications for my new ability. "Okay, so I could use it to tell if someone's lying to me. That's good, I guess. But what else? Could I anticipate someone's next move in a fight? That could be handy."

I stopped pacing and glanced at my reflection in the mirror. "What about in social situations? Can I use it to figure out what people really think of me? Is that even ethical? Damn, this is tricky."

I chuckled at my own ramblings, feeling a little silly talking to myself. But there was something cathartic about it, like I was working through my thoughts and feelings in real-time.

"Look at you, Connor," I said to my reflection. "You went from designing buildings to fighting for your life in a matter of days. And now you're developing freakin' superpowers. You're like some kind of comic book character."

I laughed at the absurdity of it all, a mix of disbelief and frustration bubbling up inside me. "And yet, here I am, talking to myself like a crazy person. Great job, Connor. Real hero material right here."

I sighed, trying to regain my composure. "Alright, so maybe I can use Shadow Sense for more than just detecting lies. Maybe it can help me understand people better. Maybe it can help me connect with them on a deeper level. That's not so bad, right?"

I paused, considering the idea further. "I mean, I've always been a bit socially awkward. Maybe this is the System's way of giving me a leg up. Maybe it's trying to help me survive in more ways than one."

I ran my fingers through my hair, feeling a bit overwhelmed. My life had changed so drastically since coming to Nexus, and I was still struggling to come to terms with my new reality. Fighting robots and monsters, relying on a gun for survival, it all felt so surreal.

"And what about my life here in Nexus? I'm fighting robots and monsters just to survive. Is this really what I want? I mean, I was an architect, for crying out loud. I used to design buildings, not take down killer robots."

I let out a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. "But maybe this is just what I need. A chance to prove myself, to find out what I'm really capable of. I've always been good at adapting, and Nexus is definitely a place that requires adaptability."

I glanced over at the loot from our hunt, my eyes lingering on the Cloak of the Wasteland Wanderer. "And hey, I'm already making progress. I've leveled up, gotten stronger, and even found some pretty sweet gear. Maybe, just maybe, I can make a life for myself here."

I laid back down, my mind still racing but feeling a little more settled.

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I approached Aubrey in the living area, trying to hide my nerves. "Hey, um, would you mind if I tried using my new ability on you? I want to see how it works."

Aubrey raised an eyebrow, suspicion clouding her expression. "I don't know, Connor. I'm not really comfortable with you poking around in my head."

"Ah, it's not like that," I tried to downplay the extent of the power, "I won't be reading your mind or anything. It's more like... getting a general sense of your emotions. I promise I won't pry too much."

“That doesn’t make it sound any better.”

“Look, I think it might be like…letting me see the color of your emotional state, or something. I really don’t know exactly how it works. That’s why I want to test it out first before I have to use it out there on complete strangers and mess something up. So, please?”

Aubrey hesitated for a moment before reluctantly agreeing. "Fine, but keep it brief, alright?"

I nodded and activated my Shadow Sense. “Thank you. Alright, I’m starting.”

The room seemed to darken as the shadows around Aubrey came to life, their shapes and patterns swirling with energy. I focused my attention on her, trying to decipher the subtle shifts in the darkness.

The sensation was overwhelming at first, a torrent of emotions and intentions flooding my senses. I struggled to make sense of it all, feeling as though I was trying to untangle a complex knot. Gradually, however, the chaos began to take shape, forming a clearer picture in my mind.

I could feel Aubrey's genuine warmth and concern for my well-being, a testament to the bond we had forged over the past few weeks. Yet, intertwined with those emotions was something else, a sense of importance that I couldn't quite place. It felt as if I held some great significance to her, but it didn’t give me the reason why.

As I withdrew from her emotional landscape, I couldn't help but crack a joke to lighten the mood. "Well, that was... illuminating. Turns out, you're not secretly plotting to stab me in the back. Good to know."

Aubrey rolled her eyes, a hint of amusement flickering across her face. "Gee, thanks. I'm glad my intentions have been deemed acceptable."

I grinned, feeling a bit more at ease. "In all seriousness, though, I don't fully understand how this new power works yet. But I appreciate you letting me give it a whirl."

Aubrey gave me a small smile, nodding in understanding. "No problem. Just remember, we're in this together. If you ever need help figuring things out, you can always count on me."

Feeling emboldened by our banter, I decided to push the joke a little further. "So, uh, just to be clear, you don't have a secret crush on me or anything, right?"

Aubrey burst out laughing, playfully punching my arm. "You wish, old man! But seriously, no. We're friends and allies. Trust me, that's valuable enough in this world."

I just got friend-zoned without meaning to—and I just got called an old man, again. This girl…

I laughed with her, relief mingling with a twinge of disappointment that I quickly pushed aside. "Fair enough. Thanks for putting up with my nonsense, Aubrey. I’m gonna go grab that nasty bottle of beer now.”