A rock crumbled to dust under Eric’s metal-booted feet as he shifted his stance behind a large doorway, grimacing at the slight grating sound it generated. A couple of hover-drones, in fact the same two that had ridden on his shoulders during yesterday’s probing foray, were shuttling back and forth from his position to several areas around a small clearing surrounded by piles of rubble and twisted metal that opened up before a small cavern formed by several buildings leaning against each other. It was a barren, unremarkable area except for the fact that scores of chitterers had rushed out of this hole yesterday when their comrades had sent out the general alarm.

Located about seven hundred meters from the Eldehan Gate of the Fortress Belzond, the small area was almost at the edge of the wide street that marked the border of the First Quadrant. It had taken Eric a little over thirty minutes to arrive at the site, which had been the furthest away of all the places that large groups of chitterers had emerged from during yesterday’s attack. The journey there had been relatively easy but time consuming for Eric, as he detoured around sporadic chitterer patrols or over and through the many damaged buildings that dominated the Quadrant.

Not all the structures in this section of the Stage were damaged though, or rather, not all were completely crumbling death-traps: Close to the Fortress was a cluster of three tall skyscrapers labeled on Luna’s map as the Three Sisters, whose lower levels were sheathed in windowless walls made of some dark stone that looked like it had weathered the ages of neglect pretty well. Then there was the First Arena, which was a wide building capped with a white dome, its sealed entrances covered with large scratches and signs of attempted, but apparently unsuccessful, forced entry. Yet of all of these, the most impressive building that Eric had passed on his lonely, silent journey was the squat, truncated structure that Luna’s map labeled as the Crimson Vault, its red stone and metal walls protected by a shimmering curtain of aetheric energy covered by an endlessly moving swirl of protective glyphs.

The streets around the Vault looked scorched and especially shattered, littered by heavy bones and a veritable cloud of bone chips and other debris floating over them due to the weak gravity. It was a sight that had been more than enough to ensure that Eric took care to stay clear of the Vault’s immediate area.

All of these Eric had noted on his own slowly populating personal map, aided by his Auto-Map skill, but he had purposefully ignored the intriguing structures as he made his way to his target destination. He had found the specific area after some careful searching and had then began, with the help of the drones, to set up the specially prepared remote-activated explosives around the entrance as part of what the team had all agreed would be the first stage of their revised assault plan.

As they waited for Eric, the rest of his team were waiting back at the Gate, ready to go full-out in a madcap dash for the ruined apartment complex where their primary target was laired, but it was up to Eric to give them all the go-signal.

The drones returned, one went up to hover a few meters overhead, keeping watch over the area, having placed the last of the explosive packets. Eric waved the other one off, sending it back to inform the team that he was ready. As soon as the drone left Pig started a twenty-minute countdown on the top left corner of Eric’s helmet screen.

Eric took a deep breath to settle himself, still finding himself amazed at how the D-S Battlesuit provided breathable air, clear and distinct sound gain, and a crystal-clear view through its outwardly smooth helmet faceplate. Two thin lines at the edges of Eric’s vision were the only indications that he was wearing an actual helmet rather than just being barefaced. Even the weight on his head was negligible.

Though that could also be due to his enhanced attributes.

Having time to burn, Eric mentally pulled up his Status sheet, looking over all the changes that had occurred since he had last looked it over.

Eric Rama

Non-Standard Human

Type: Striker (Hunter)

Profession: Hunter

Attributes:

Corpus (Non-Standard) 8.8

Nerve (Non-Standard) 16.5

Psyche (Basic) 8.8

Gen (Basic) 8.8

Titles: Blood-Soaked, Commander of the Obsidian Moon (Unique), Eater of the Mighty, Oath Holder, Seeker, Titan-Slayer

Cores (2/3):

Prime: Ancient Void Dragon (Epic Beast)

Gate: Pseudostar Beast Core (Mythic Beast)

Aspects: Destruction 1, Hunger 3, Void 5

Gens Tier: Least-Acolyte

Traits: Assisting-Interface (Designate: Pigafetta), Outsider, Perfected Genes, Celestial-Forged Body, Quest-Driven, Ur-Blooded

Flaws: Loot Mad

Abilities (8/11): Auto-Map, Burden, Black Spot, Combat Style Evolution Seed (Inactive), Dragon Sight, God-Tongue, Squad Net, Tendril Trap, Transparent Body

Attribute points: 0

Ability points: 37,525

Looking at the words on the screen, Eric felt underwhelmed, surprised that the wondrous and life-changing alterations to his entire being could look so lifeless and uninspiring when presented in this manner. He was now stronger, deadlier, and a far more a formidable opponent than he had ever been in his life, and he was not even near being finished growing his personal power. In fact, as far as he understood the System, at this stage he was yet one of the weaker adepts in the Universe.

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It was simply incredible.

Eric focused on his ability list, largely satisfied with what he had, despite almost all of them being at the very base level. Something he would have to work on soon.

This was because his abilities would be the cornerstone of his build, and Osar had repeatedly stressed the importance of making sure his abilities were being used constantly in order to increase their effects levels before he even thought of consolidating his three cores and received the option to choose his Archetype. Something about ability compression and Archetype capacitance and the need to maximize gains.

“Mr. Baratuu explained that having maxed abilities before merging the cores at the end of the Foundation Stage will increase the Archetype choice variety and rarity as well as allow ability compression, therefore freeing more slots for new and better abilities.”

Pig’s voice was a bit strident and somewhat annoyed. Hearing it, Eric gave a low laugh, pleased that he had gotten a rise from his AI.

“I am glad you can be amused about something so vital to our survival, sir.”

Definitely annoyed. “It’s just a life Pig; it has to end sometime.”

The AI chose not to reply to that, but the sullen silence indicated to Eric that Pig had not yet conceded the point. Eric turned his attention to the most recently added ability:

Tendril Trap (Hunter [Base, Trap]): A mass of grasping tendrils erupts from a 15cm spot anywhere within line of sight. This is a physical touch attack.

Pig had pointed out the ability to Eric, after scanning through the hundreds of ability choices among the various Catalogues that Eric had access to. It worked well with the fifty percent success chance for traps that he had received when he chose the Hunter specialization of the Striker Type. He had actually been leaning towards the Stalker specialization, liking the bonuses to concealment and additional damage when hitting something while concealed, but after due consideration the Hunter appeared to have the best options for his desired fighting style. Osar’s assurance that another specialization choice would be available once he slotted in his third core made up Eric’s mind: Stalker would be great but Hunter was what he needed for the current mission.

Next, Eric looked at the tab listing the two spells he had chosen: The first was Absorb Energy, whose stone was placed on the back of his left hand, which for him used Hunger aether and allowed him to intercept a spell or any aetheric emanation with a chance to absorb it before the effect could discharge. The second spell he had taken was Imbue Weapon, a generic spell that increased the charge capacity of any weapon it was cast on, as well as taking on offensive effects based on the aether used. The spell stone was placed on the heel of his right hand. Eric not only planned to use the spell with his trusty sword, which he still had not replaced despite having seemingly better options, but also with the Ciquillian pain-lance.

Pleased with his inspection, Eric pulled out his black sword and looked down its one-meter length, admiring the intricately carved glyphs along its length and happy at how the blade felt in his hand, before using destruction aether to cast Imbue Weapon on it. He felt the stored aether around the stone drain out and enter the sword, making it glow briefly with violet light. Pig started a new timer, counting down from one hour, which was the duration the effect would stay on the weapon unless discharged first. Satisfied, Eric set the point of the sword on one of the pieces of rubble close to him, waiting for the time to start the mission he was here to do.

When Pig’s first timer finally fell down to zero Eric moved out of the shelter of the doorway, the joints on his armor humming softly as they went into action. He raised his hand and pointed at the cave entrance. The remaining drone streaked down from its overwatch position, shooting straight into the hole in the ruins at the same time it activated the bulky device on its dorsal carapace. It was a strange device that Cid and Serra had discovered that was capable of sending out loud waves of noise.

With rhythmic booms shaking its hovering body the drone streaked down the tunnel, hoping to create a great enough disturbance that it would attract the lesser chitterers from wherever they laired in the tangled depths.

Eric waited for several seconds after the drone disappeared, his left hand gripping the trigger that would cause the explosives he had had placed to explode. He stared intently at the hole the drone had disappeared into, slowly becoming aware of a trembling of the ground beneath his feet.

Then the first wave of chitterers emerged, moving forward on multiple legs, blade-like arms ready to engage anything they found. Most of the creatures were about a meter in diameter, with one or two distinctly larger than the rest. Eric waited until the entire bowl was filled by the searching, swarming creatures, before pressing down on the trigger.

The explosive packets burst outward, but instead of fire and concussive force, which was rendered largely ineffective by the weak atmosphere, the packets discharged corrosive liquids and solid metal ball bearings, hoping to damage or maim as much of the horde rather than outright kill. At the same moment, one special packet sent a bright beam of red light upward into the air.

Many of the packed beasts died of course, crumpling into heaps of metal and biological tissue leaking black, thin blood, globules of which also hung low in the air along with chunks torn from chitterer bodies. A white mist rose from each stricken creature, streaking towards Eric, visible only because of his Dragon Sight. That could be useful in locating attackers, Eric thought, except for the fact that something or someone had to die before Eric could see the telltale mist. The rest of the first chitterer wave tumbled and scrambled about in eerie silence, confused but still belligerent, searching for assailants. As they did so more and more creatures poured out of the entrance with every passing second, pushing aside the dead and injured, eager to tear apart any invaders they found.

Some signal had likely gone out to the other chitterers of the hive, because other groups began to appear from the surrounding ruins, scrambling over the ridges to pour into the bowl. Finally, when Eric figured there were about three- to four-hundred individuals swarming in the vicinity, he then set out to perform the second part of his mission.

Eric pulled out several thick braids of linked mini-grenades, some of the last in their arsenal. He set the timers on the primary grenades and started swinging the braids above his head. His movement did not go unnoticed, and many among the gathered horde looked up to his position.

Engaging his Voidwalker’s jump-jets, Eric leapt into the air and with a final swing, sent the linked grenades into the midst of the teeming mass of creatures. The grenades exploded, creating more chaos, as Eric landed heavily at the side of one of the creatures that Pig had identified as one of those that commanded the rest.

This particular commander chitterer was two meters tall, with a massive primary claw and several blade-like arms, protected by a spiked carapace topped by a long, extendable stinger. As Eric landed the creature protected its main body with its shield claw, while its stinger extended with incredible speed towards Eric. Acting on reflex, Eric cut outward with his charged sword, hitting the base of the bulbous stinger and feeling a surge of destruction aether that caused the entire bulbous end of the stinger to burst apart upon contact with his sword's edge.

Eric twisted aside, avoiding the spray of liquified venom, flesh, and ichor, his metal-booted feet sliding across the rocky ground. He reached out as he passed, slapping one armored hand on the defensive claw.

Mark.

Burden.

The claw dropped, suddenly several tons heavier, exposing the tight cluster of eyes and metal-edged chewing jaws. Seeing the opening, Eric surged forward, striking with his purple-glowing sword, smashing the creature’s face into black-faced ruin.

The beast dipped its head downward, its other legs pushing backward in a vain attempt to get away from Eric. Several of the blade arms struck at him with blinding speed, most of which he parried away with his sword and armored left hand, with only one getting through his guard and landing a hit on the side of his armored breastplate. Eric staggered, but Pig immediately reported there was no discernable damage, even as the chitterer leader gave a final shudder and crashed heavily onto the ground. As expected, around a score of the surrounding chitterers went wild at the big one’s death, allowing Eric to escape by leaping up and using the leader’s rugged carapace as a springboard to launch himself into the thin air.

For the first time, Eric engaged the D-S Battlesuit’s built-in anti-gravity module, feeling a small trickle of aether moving from his Schema to the armor’s inner layer as he shot up above the ruined, swarming bowl. About ten meters in the air Eric oriented himself, hands splayed out for balance, seeing the plume of slowly drifting dust that showed his companion’s rapid progress as they hurried towards the now hopefully unguarded lair of the Chitterer Behemoth.

As Eric engaged his Voidwalker jets to propel himself forward the drone he had sent into the cave sped upward to fly beside him. Together, the two headed for the beast’s lair and what the team hoped would be a decisive blow against the chitterer nest.