The glow of Fii's dome-like camera cut through the swirling fog that hung over the industrial district of Mordenstrad. With a mechanic whir, Fii froze in its tracks, its slender robotic arms extending forward, pointing at a hulking, indistinct figure that lumbered through the desolate streets in the distance.
"Entity detected. Probable Riftspawn. Recommended action: Avoidance," Fii intoned, the synthesized voice resonating in the damp air.
I squinted through the fog, my Interface feeding me information about the entity.
Name Iron Revenant Type Mechanical Threat Level Formidable Health 700
Towering at least fifteen feet tall, its large patchwork form of rusted metal plates and cogs seemed to defy logic, held together by some arcane energy housed inside its chest that pulsed with an eerie blue light. It dragged a massive, iron chain behind it that ended on a gnarled hook, the sound of metal scraping against the ground announcing its presence.
"Jesus, look at the size of that thing," I muttered, taking a step back. "Fii, what can you tell me about this thing's combat capabilities?"
Fii's camera lens whirred and focused, the glow of its visual sensors reflecting off the rusted, grime-covered walls of the buildings. "Calculating threat level," it stated in its synthesized voice, rigid and robotic.
"What's the verdict, Fii?" I asked, keeping my eyes on the Revenant.
"Risk parameters: High. Riftspawn type: Mechanical entity. High resilience. Considerable strength. Estimated combat ability: superior," Fii responded, its tone rigid and factual.
I grimaced. Figured this wasn't going to be easy. "So, we shouldn't engage it directly?"
"Negative. Direct engagement is not advised. High probability of failure."
I mulled over Fii's words. If that was what Fii concluded then it was probably the right call. I couldn't find a more objective assessment.
Damn, this place was a pain in the ass. I was starting to realize why there were so few Riftspawns on this Server. It seemed like each one was like some sort of unique mob that was more capable than the usual Riftspawns I've encountered in the previous Server. Just dealing with that Crimson Harbinger used up almost all of my resources and I barely cheesed out a strategy to win. This one looked like it'd be able to shrug off bullets from SMG. Maybe my rifle would be able to do more but I only had one magazine left.
How the hell was this place supposed to be clearable for one player? Well, maybe if that player was overgeared or over-ranked, then maybe it wouldn't be too bad but what if the creatures here scaled with the player's power? There was no way to tell and the System never mentioned any information that implied that to be the case.
My Interface chimed with an additional message:
Quest: "The Iron Revenant" Defeat the Iron Revenant Quest Reward: Arcane Conduit (unique item) Experience Reward: 1000
There it goes again, enticing me with the promise of rewards. I pondered the situation, running various scenarios through my mind. If going toe-to-toe with that thing was out of the question, then maybe we could try a different strategy.
"Alright, Fii. Let's say we don't engage it directly. We could set up traps around the area, and whittle it down slowly. What do you think?"
Fii's camera lens focused on my face for a moment before shifting its gaze skyward while tapping its claw on the side of its bulbous head. It looked back at me and replied. "Trap deployment: A viable strategy. But materials required for trap construction are not currently in our possession."
Hmm, Fii's right. I didn't have any materials that I could McGuyver into a viable trap against a human, let alone a powerful mechanical riftspawn. Oh, but there was one place that could have some parts to build one. "We could go back to the dropship wreckage, scavenge some parts. Maybe even repurpose some SCAVs. It'd be a lot of work, but it might be our best shot."
Fii paused for a moment, its camera lens whirring as it seemed to consider the proposition. "Proposal: Accepted. Proceed to dropship wreckage. Commence scavenging operation."
I grinned, despite the daunting task ahead. "Alright, let's head over."
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The wreckage of the dropship was a graveyard of twisted metal and shattered machinery. As we arrived, Fii's camera lens refocused, scanning the mangled remains of the SCAVs scattered around the area.
"Suitable components detected. Commence collection," Fii's voice echoed through the quiet.
I nodded, my gaze scanning the wreckage. Just yesterday, I wouldn't have had any clue about what to do with all the mechanical junk littered around the area without my Interface guiding me. Now, I knew what to look for and how to assess if parts still had the potential for use.
I still wondered if something took the dropship down or maybe it encountered an error that caused it to crash. Based on the damage around the area, something did attack the SCAVs after the fact.
"Fii, do you remember if the dropship had a malfunction that caused it to crash or did something attack it?"
Fii stopped in the middle of prying a piece of scrap from a broken SCAV, swiveling its camera lens towards me before answering. "There are no recordings of this incident stored within Fii's data banks. Unable to answer your query." It turned back towards the pile of debris, moving over to pull off another piece of twisted metal.
I forgot that Fii's AI core wasn't the original one that came with that body. Made sense that it didn't have any memory of that event. Oh well, guess that's a mystery that'll remain unsolved.
We spent a couple of hours combing through the wreckage of the dropship, looking for anything we could use to build our traps. I found some scrap metal and wiring that could still be of use, while Fii's clawed hands made short work of dismantling machinery and salvaging parts that could be repurposed for explosive and electrified traps.
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"Found: high-density capacitors. Useful for energy-based traps," it reported, its voice echoing slightly in the hollow shell of the dropship.
"Good job, Fii. Keep them coming." I replied, working on disassembling a damaged turret that was fixed on the side of the dropship with the help of my Interface.
After a while, our combined efforts yielded a decent stockpile of materials. Capacitors, power cells, trigger mechanisms, and a plethora of wires lay organized in Fii's storage compartment. We even managed to salvage three relatively intact mini-turrets from the wreckage.
With our haul ready, we returned to the industrial district. The Iron Revenant was still there, its eerie glow casting long, haunting shadows on the crumbling brick walls. It hadn't noticed us, and we intended to keep it that way.
"We need to set up the traps in places that can maximize damage," I stated, scanning the area. "And we need to create a path to kite it through."
"Understood. This unit will assist," Fii responded, its camera lens focusing on various points in the district.
We began to set up our traps. Fii's built-in crafting module on the inside of its storage compartment was an invaluable asset, allowing us to construct the devices with remarkable speed and efficiency. Mini-turrets were hidden atop abandoned machinery and under debris, their sensors programmed to lock onto the Revenant once it entered their range. They didn't come with a lot of ammo, maybe had enough for half a dozen or so short bursts each, but it should deal enough damage to wear it down. Too bad none of the ammo was compatible with any of my guns.
We rigged explosives in the narrow alleyways, the high-density capacitors providing a deadly burst of energy upon detonation.
Lastly, we set up a series of electrified traps. I attached wires to the power cells, designed to immobilize the Iron Revenant by ensnaring its chain weapon and delivering a powerful electrical charge. Fii's precision and speed were instrumental in the setup, its mechanical claws making short work of the intricate task.
As I worked, I felt a sense of appreciation wash over me. My Advanced Mechanics skill was definitely proving its worth, but it was Fii's assistance that made the difference. The way it handled the materials, the precision, the efficiency - it was like watching a master craftsman at work.
By the time we finished, the district was a labyrinth of concealed death. It looked no different from before, but to the discerning eye, it was a deadly battlefield waiting to unfold.
"We're ready," I declared, wiping the sweat off my brow. I glanced at Fii, its camera lens reflecting the glow of the nearby gas lamps.
"Affirmative. Trap setup: complete," Fii announced, its camera lens shifting to look at me.
Afterward, we spent a bit more time formulating a plan to kite the Iron Revenant into our traps and minimize direct confrontations. Eventually, we settled on a strategy.
"Now, we wait," I murmured, my hand instinctively reaching for my rifle. The battle was yet to come, but for the moment, I allowed myself to savor the calm before the storm.
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Crouched behind a decayed brick wall, I positioned my bolt-action rifle to line up a shot. Fii stood close, its camera lens focused on the path we anticipated the Iron Revenant to take. The industrial district was quiet, save for the occasional creak and groan coming from the dilapidated buildings around us. A cold rain pattered against the pavement, the droplets falling faster than they could be absorbed into the thick layer of grime covering everything.
"Ready," Fii's synthesized voice echoed in the silence. I nodded, my gaze narrowed on the scope of my rifle.
Even through the thin blanket of fog, the Iron Revenant lumbered into view, its hulking form a stark contrast against the decaying landscape. The eerie blue glow of its eyes illuminated the foggy path, casting long, dark shadows across the street.
Taking a deep breath, I focused on the crosshair, lining up the Revenant's metal mass in my sights. I felt the cool, familiar pressure of the trigger against my finger. With a gentle squeeze, the rifle recoiled against my shoulder, and the bullet sped towards the Iron Revenant.
Attack Hit. You deal 24 Kinetic Damage
The bullet hit with a resounding clang, echoing through the desolate district. The Iron Revenant roared, its blue eyes flaring as it turned towards the source of the attack. The chase was on.
"Initiate maneuver Delta," I said to Fii as I mounted on top of its cephalothorax.
Fii whirred into action, its clawed feet retracting and replacing with wheels as it sped off, leading the Revenant through our maze of traps. Surprisingly, the Iron Revenant was fast despite its hulking form and almost kept up with Fii's speed.
The first turret opened fire, bullets spraying across the Iron Revenant's metallic hide. It bellowed in fury, swinging its massive chain to smash the turret into a shower of sparks and debris. But the damage was done – the monster was already weakened, and we pressed our advantage.
The Iron Revenant charged after us, its long gait shaking the ground beneath its feet. We led it into the narrow alleyway, where an explosive trap awaited. As the creature triggered the pressure plate, it detonated with a thunderous boom, the shockwave rippling through the district. The Iron Revenant stumbled, its chains clanging against the ground, but it didn't stop. Its eyes, glowing with a ferocious intensity, remained locked on us.
Fii moved deftly through the district, its wheels kicking up dust as it led the Iron Revenant towards another turret. A high-pitched whirring filled the air as the turret activated, bullets raining down on the Revenant.
"Electric trap activation in 3... 2... 1..." Fii's synthesized voice counted down, and with a bright flash, the electric trap came alive, ensnaring the Iron Revenant in a web of crackling energy. It roared in pain, the energy coursing through its metal frame.
Despite the speed, riding atop Fii was surprisingly stable. I took the chance to land another shot, the bullet ricocheting off the Iron Revenant's metallic form with a sharp ping. But it was still standing, its massive form wavering but unbroken.
Attack Hit. You deal 19 Kinetic Damage
We raced around the corner, the Iron Revenant's roar echoing through the streets behind us. The fog swirled around us, making it difficult to see, but I knew we were close to another series of traps.
Bit by bit, we were whittling it down. With every trap sprung, its movements grew slower, more sluggish.
As we neared the end of the alleyway, I caught a glimpse of the tripwire we'd set up earlier. A cascade of heavy steel beams dangled precariously above, ready to come crashing down on the Iron Revenant as it passed beneath.
"Alright, Fii, get ready to move. As soon as it hits the tripwire, we'll make our escape."
As Iron Revenant reached the spot, the tripwire snapped tautly, and the steel beams came crashing down with a deafening roar.
But it wasn't finished. Its massive chain shot out, wrapping around one of the steel beams and stopping it dead in its tracks. The mechanical monstrosity roared, using its immense strength to hurl the beam at us while continuing its pursuit.
"Fii! Incoming!" I yelled while hanging on for dear life. Fii lurched forward, dodging out of the way in a blur of spinning legs. The heavy beam smashed into the wall behind us with a deafening crash, sending chunks of cobbled stone flying everywhere.
The Iron Revenant followed hot on our tail, its footsteps shaking the ground below us and raising clouds of dust. Its form looked even more imposing than before – its metal plates and rivets were covered in cracks, scrapes, and scratches from our attacks. Pieces of cogs and gears littered the street behind it as it continued its relentless pursuit.
My Interface chimed an update on the riftspawn:
Name Iron Revenant Type Mechanical Threat Level Formidable Health 247/700
Our plan was working. Only a little bit more to go. There was only one problem.
"Fii, we're running out of traps!" I shouted. "We need to finish this thing off!"