The HUDD flickered to life in front of my eyes, the stat allocation screen flashing like a nagging pop-up ad I couldn’t ignore. Four unspent stat points. Four opportunities to make myself better, stronger, smarter. Or at least, that’s what the game promised.

I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to shake off the lingering tension from the last fight. Four points. A world of possibilities—and I still felt like I was stumbling my way through this whole damn thing.

“Elmo,” I grumbled, still a little winded, “which stat helps with Techsmithing?”

“Oh-ho! Asking for advice now, huh?” Elmo chirped, clearly enjoying my moment of weakness. “Well, Techsmithing’s just a fancy term for ‘I’m a huge nerd who needs a giant brain.’ So, Intelligence. That’s your ticket. But hey, if you’re feeling adventurous, dump it all into Strength and start living out your WWE fantasies.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re a real gem, Elmo.”

“I try,” he responded smugly.

I stared at the screen again, trying to make sense of the options. Strength would make me less of a punching bag in combat. Constitution would help me take a beating and keep going. But Intelligence—that was my bread and butter. My tech skills had saved my ass more than once. I needed the edge, and I knew it.

I made my decision.

+1 Strength.

A warmth spread through my limbs, but not in the way you’d expect. It wasn’t like I was suddenly ready to throw boulders, but my muscles definitely felt more... solid. Like I could at least hold my own in a fight now.

+1 Constitution.

This one was subtle but effective. It felt like my body had just braced itself for impact, as if I could take a punch and not immediately collapse. It didn’t make me invincible, but it was a hell of a start.

And then, for the big one:

+2 Intelligence.

Instantly, my mind felt sharper. It was like a fog that I hadn’t realized was there was suddenly lifted. Thoughts flowed faster, ideas clicking together almost effortlessly. It wasn’t dramatic—no epic transformation or glowing lights—but it was enough. Enough for me to feel like I was thinking a few steps ahead for the first time in what felt like forever.

I flexed my fingers, testing this new clarity. Nothing about my body screamed “superhuman,” but my mind felt... different. More alert. Like there were a thousand potential solutions to every problem swirling around in my head, all just waiting for me to grab one.

“Whoa,” I muttered, half to myself, half to Elmo. “This actually feels... good.”

“Oh yeah?” Elmo’s voice was practically dripping with sarcasm. “Because the bar was so high to begin with. You’re basically a walking genius now.”

I smirked, resisting the urge to roll my eyes again. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Elmo.”

He snickered. “Hey, don’t let me rain on your parade. You’ve just unlocked the true power of: one-point-stronger punches, slightly fewer bruises, and—drumroll, please—your extremely impressive ability to come up with snarky comebacks! You’re basically unstoppable now. World, beware!”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Wow, Elmo, you really know how to make a guy feel special.”

“Hey, someone’s gotta do it!” Elmo chirped with too much enthusiasm. “I’m just here, giving you the encouragement you need to be your best self.”

I shook my head. “Yeah, sure. Best self. We’ll see how that plays out.”

The screen flickered again, and I shut it down with a tap, ready to move on. Whatever came next—whether it was another swarm of tiny ponies or something worse—I was feeling more prepared than I had before. And that, for once, made me feel like I might just have a chance.

I let out a tired chuckle, rubbing my temples. The subtle shifts in my body and mind—thanks to my new stats—gave me a flicker of confidence, but Elmo’s commentary was a cold shower, as usual.

“All right,” I muttered, flexing my fists a couple of times, testing my new strength. "Next move?"

“Oh, I don’t know,” Elmo chirped, his voice thick with sugar, “maybe run? You know, before some other oversized death machine shows up to congratulate you on your shiny new stats.”

I shot a glance at my HUDD. A waypoint blinked ahead, marking the way. I sighed and glanced at the Ravager standing next to me—still looking like it was two seconds away from tearing something apart. It hadn't attacked yet, but I wasn't going to hold my breath. “Fine. Let’s get moving.”

As I walked, the buzz of my upgraded stats hummed in the background of my awareness. That last fight had been a nightmare, but right now? This felt like progress. Not a lot of it, but enough to make me think I might actually survive whatever came next.

I glanced at the Ravager, still lumbering behind me, its massive claws scraping against the stone floor with each step. The creature’s glowing blue eyes fixed on me like it was waiting for instructions. And for some reason, I felt like it needed a name. A good name. Something that made sense.

“All right, Elmo,” I said, after a moment of consideration. “If this thing’s sticking with me, it needs a name.”

Elmo's voice pinged in almost immediately, clearly anticipating the moment. “Oh, of course. A beast like this deserves something dignified. How about... 'Cuddles'? Really throw people off.”

I rolled my eyes. “Right. Nothing says ‘deadly apex predator’ like Cuddles. Try again.”

Elmo snorted in the background, clearly enjoying himself. “Well, what are you thinking then? Something fearsome? Or are we leaning into your whole ‘underdog-with-a-chip-on-his-shoulder’ vibe?”

I glanced over at the Ravager again, taking in its size and the thick rippling muscles beneath its armored hide. The claws on its forearms alone looked like they could tear through steel. “Grinder,” I said after a beat, the word falling from my mouth with casual finality.

There was a pause before Elmo replied, his voice dripping with amusement. “Grinder, huh? Hmm. I like it—short, sharp, a little rough around the edges. Very fitting. But, uh... what’s the inspiration behind the name?”

I shrugged, keeping my face neutral. “Simple. This thing’s relentless. It’ll chew through anything in its way and leave nothing standing. Grinder just fits.”

There was a hum from Elmo, thoughtful but still a little mocking. “Oh, it fits, all right. Let’s just hope your enemies aren’t the sensitive type, or this might get awkward.”

I glanced down at the Ravager, then gave its flank a solid pat. It growled softly, almost like it approved of the new name. “Grinder it is, then,” I said, stepping forward. “Let’s keep moving. I’ve got a feeling we’re going to need that name to live up to its reputation.”

“Hmm, oh, I’m sure it will,” Elmo chimed in, quieter now, but his voice still held that mischievous edge. “Grinder’s gonna leave quite an impression. One way or another.”

I barely resisted the urge to shake my head. “Yeah, let’s hope it’s the right impression.”

As we moved down the corridor, Elmo’s voice floated back to me, like an annoying shadow I couldn’t shake. “Grinder, huh? I gotta say, that's a pretty solid name. He’s really gonna pound through anything you throw him at, huh?”

“Yeah, that’s the idea,” I muttered, feeling a little more confident with each step. “Relentless, efficient. No mercy.”

Elmo’s voice suddenly took on that tone again—the one that made me regret ever naming anything around here. “He’s really gonna grind your enemies down.”

I blinked, momentarily confused. “What? He’s gonna—what?”

“Nothing, nothing,” Elmo chuckled, trying to keep it together. “But seriously, with a name like Grinder, he’s gonna be plowing through the opposition. Really get in there and work it.”

I frowned, my mind racing. “I don’t think that’s the best way to put it.”

“Oh, he’ll be all up in their business,” Elmo continued, as if this was somehow normal. “Digging into them from behind, playing in the dirt with the best of ’em. Just make sure he doesn’t sweep anything under the rug.”

I felt a weird half-smile tug at the corner of my lips. “Uh... yeah, sounds great, Elmo. I’m just here to survive this. Not to—uh, whatever it is you’re saying.”

“Oh, you’re gonna crush it,” Elmo said, practically gleaming with excitement. “Grinder’s got that power. Just wait until you see him in action.”

Before I could respond, I rounded the next corner, and my HUDD blinked with an alert—dots moving in the distance. Another pack. My heart rate spiked. My hand instinctively gripped the hilt of my weapon.

“What now?” I muttered to no one in particular.

“Oh, you know," Elmo said, still too gleeful for my liking, "just more death machines, probably. You’re a magnet for them.”

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever was next. The corridors had been long and relentless, but I had a feeling that this next fight was going to be a real test. And with Grinder by my side? I just hoped it lived up to its name.

“Don’t ask me,” Elmo replied, feigning innocence. “You’re the one who keeps walking into danger.”

I tightened my grip on my improvised weapon, scanning the dim-lit space ahead. “I don’t like this,” I muttered, unease crawling up my spine.

The first thing I noticed were small, swift shapes moving between the shadows. Horses. No, not just a few—there were easily over thirty of them, grazing or trotting along in a tight-knit group. Their hooves clicked against the floor with a rhythmic beat, almost like a stampede in the making.

But then, something even stranger caught my eye. Riders. Miniature humanoid dolls perched on the backs of the horses. They couldn’t have been more than a foot tall, each wearing little outfits that looked like something out of a twisted toy chest. Their eyes were cold, unblinking, and their movements were unnervingly precise, like they were on some kind of weird autopilot as they steered their steeds forward.

“What the hell are those?” I muttered, voice tight as I squinted to get a better look.

“They look like a bunch of… doll-sized nightmares,” Elmo quipped, clearly enjoying himself. “I can already hear the tiny battle cries in your head.”

Yeah, I wasn’t laughing. As I stepped forward, one of the horses let out a sharp snort, its rider snapping to attention, eyes locking onto me with a ferocity that made my pulse spike. I instinctively took a step back, but the horse didn’t hesitate. In fact, they all surged forward with an unsettling quickness, whinnying in a chorus of high-pitched shrieks that made my skin crawl.

"Okay, we’re just gonna back away slowly," I muttered, raising a hand in a half-hearted gesture of surrender. But it was too late.

Before I could react, I flicked my finger across my HUDD, activating its Scan function. My vision blurred briefly before sharpening, the interface zeroing in on one of the leading ponies. The creature was small, but it was unnervingly aggressive, its dark eyes locked onto me as if it had already decided I was its next target.

“Well, this is just great,” I muttered under my breath, a sinking feeling settling in my gut. Whatever these things were, they weren’t friendly. And it didn’t look like they were planning to let me go without a fight.

Ponyback Polly

A diminutive menace perched atop a deceptively cute, brightly-colored steed, Ponyback Polly is the embodiment of small but deadly. Her "majestic" pony, complete with glittery hooves and a flowing, synthetic-looking mane, prances like it belongs on a shelf in a toy aisle. Polly herself wields a toothpick-sized spear with the fervor of a pint-sized warlord, her beady eyes scanning for ankles to target with unerring precision.

Despite her tiny stature, Polly radiates an over-the-top confidence that would make a general blush, barking high-pitched commands in a voice that’s one part squeak, two parts fury. She compensates for her lack of height with an oversized attitude, as if riding a sparkly death pony gives her the right to terrorize anything over a foot tall.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

Her pony, a creature you’d expect to fart rainbows and sing songs about friendship, has a dead-eyed determination that suggests it’s tired of Polly’s nonsense but too loyal—or cursed—to quit. Together, they’re like a nightmarish parody of a children's fantasy, spreading chaos one tiny gallop at a time.

Level 8

Health: 180/180

Energy: 120/120

"Great," I muttered, my heart racing. "Tiny, angry, and they fight better in packs. Just what I needed."

"You forgot ‘adorable death machines,’" Elmo chimed in, his voice annoyingly cheerful for the situation. "Really, Blake, how do you keep stumbling into the most entertaining ways to die?"

"Not helping!" I snapped, ducking as a dart zipped past my ear. "What do I do? There’s like thirty of them!"

"Thirty-two, to be exact," Elmo corrected with smug precision. "And you’d better figure it out before they turn you into a human pincushion. Oh, and don’t forget—those tiny hooves hurt. A lot."

I groaned, sidestepping another dart, my mind scrambling for a plan. I glanced at Grinder, who was still waiting for a command, its glowing blue eyes locked on the swarm of tiny death machines. "Okay, Grinder, time to shine!"

"Good plan," Elmo snickered. "Let the big guy do the heavy lifting. You’ll just stand there and look pretty, huh?"

I ignored the jab and focused on the nearest pony, my eyes flicking back to the Scan results. "If I can break their coordination..." I muttered, strategizing. "Disorient the pack... maybe we stand a chance."

"We?" Elmo laughed. "You mean Grinder. You’re just the guy screaming orders from the sidelines."

I didn’t dignify that with a response. Instead, I activated the Mark Target function on my HUDD, locking in the lead pony for Grinder. "Grinder, take out that one first! Break their formation!"

With a deep, resonating growl, Grinder launched into action. The Ravager’s massive form blurred as it barreled toward the lead pony—a tiny creature barely able to react. In one fluid motion, Grinder swiped with its powerful paw, sending the pony flying, crashing into the wall with a high-pitched squeal.

+275XP

The effect was immediate. The rest of the ponies faltered, their tight formation breaking apart as confusion rippled through the group. Without their leader, they scattered, their coordinated attack falling apart.

"Bingo," I said, a flicker of hope igniting in my chest.

"Aw, look at them scatter!" Elmo crooned. "It’s like someone kicked over a toy box. Isn’t that cute?"

I didn’t have time to respond as the remaining ponies and their riders refocused their aggression. Without their leader, their tactics were disrupted, but they were still coming at me. They came at me individually now, but they were still dangerous. One of the riders launched another dart, and I felt a sharp sting in my leg. The pain was immediate, but I pushed through it, gritting my teeth.

"Grinder, keep going! Smash through them!" I shouted, my voice hoarse from the adrenaline.

Grinder roared in response, charging forward. It swatted ponies left and right, each strike sending the little creatures skidding across the floor. They were fast, but not fast enough to evade Grinder’s relentless onslaught.

+275XP

+550XP

+275XP

+275XP

+550XP

+275XP

The hallway morphed into a chaotic blur of miniature hooves, glittery manes, and flying debris as Grinder tore through the fray. Each swipe of the Ruxpin Ravager’s claw sent ponies tumbling, their high-pitched whinnies of indignation adding an absurd soundtrack to the carnage.

I ducked as one of the tiny riders hurled a spear no bigger than a knitting needle. It grazed my arm, drawing a thin line of blood. I winced, clutching my arm as the sting spread through me. "Great. Death by doll accessories. That’s how I go out," I muttered, narrowly avoiding another charge.

-10HP

“Careful, Blake!” Elmo’s voice chirped, dripping with mock concern. “You don’t want to lose an eye to the world’s cutest cavalry!”

I stumbled backward, narrowly dodging a pony that leapt at me, its rider swinging a tiny mace. “Grinder! A little help here!” I shouted, panic creeping into my voice.

Grinder didn’t need to be asked twice. The mechanical bear lunged forward, slamming a paw down with enough force to crush two ponies at once. The floor cracked beneath the impact. Polly and her minions regrouped, circling us like vultures preparing for the next strike.

+550XP

One particularly brave pony darted forward, its rider aiming straight for my leg. I tried to sidestep, but my injured arm threw off my balance. The pony slammed into my shin, sending me sprawling onto the cold, hard floor. Pain shot up my leg as I scrambled to push myself up, only to feel another pony nip at my ankle.

-50HP

“Grinder, NOW!” I yelled, swinging my Arcbolt weakly in an attempt to fend off the tiny attackers.

Grinder roared again, the sound reverberating through the hallway. The Ravager charged forward with reckless abandon. Ponies scattered in all directions, but a few weren’t fast enough. Grinder’s claws sliced through the air, catching one mid-leap and sending it flying into a wall. Another rider screamed as Grinder’s jaws closed around its pony, reducing it to sparks and splinters.

+275XP

+275XP

I managed to crawl into a corner, clutching my leg. Blood seeped through the fabric of my pants, and my chest heaved as I struggled to catch my breath. "This is ridiculous," I groaned. "Am I seriously getting beat up by pocket-sized warriors on sparkly ponies?"

“Well,” Elmo said, unbothered, “technically, you’re getting beat up while your scary teddy bear does all the work. But hey, points for surviving, I guess.”

The ponies regrouped for one last charge. Polly Prime stood at their head, her glittery armor catching the dim light as she raised her toothpick spear. "For the herd!" her tiny voice shrieked.

Grinder stomped forward, his glowing blue eyes locking onto the leader. With a final, mighty roar, he swiped his claws in a wide arc, scattering Polly’s forces like bowling pins. Polly herself flew off her mount, landing unceremoniously on the floor with a high-pitched squeal of rage.

+150XP

LEVEL UP!

The remaining ponies, now riderless and clearly outmatched, bolted down the corridor, their hooves clattering against the floor as they disappeared into the shadows. Grinder stood victorious, his massive frame heaving as steam vented from his sides.

I groaned, pushing myself upright and leaning heavily against the wall. My leg throbbed, my arm stung, and my pride was in tatters. "Thanks, Grinder," I muttered, patting the Ravager’s furry shoulder weakly.

“Wow,” Elmo said, syrupy with mock admiration. “What a heroic victory. Do you want me to call you a medic, or just a clown to commemorate the occasion?”

I glared at nothing in particular, my patience wearing thin. "I’d settle for silence, Elmo. Just five seconds of it."

“Not a chance,” the AI chirped, clearly amused. “But hey, congrats on not dying. Barely.”

I slumped against the wall, my body screaming in protest. Every muscle was sore, every bruise a reminder of just how badly I’d underestimated the power of a pocket-sized pony brigade. Grinder stood nearby, its glowing eyes scanning the area for any stragglers dumb enough to stick around.

“Well,” I said, wiping the sweat from my brow, “that was... a lot.”

Elmo’s voice piped up in my ear, dripping with sarcastic enthusiasm. “You’re telling me. I haven’t had this much fun watching someone flail around since... well, ever. Props to Grinder, though. MVP of the day. You? Not so much.”

I glared at nothing in particular. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. At least we’re still alive.”

“For now,” Elmo countered, his tone shifting just slightly, the mockery fading for a moment. “But don’t get too comfortable. If that was just the warm-up, I can’t wait to see what’s next.”

I glanced at the wreckage around me, and despite everything, a small, exhausted smirk crept onto my face. “Yeah, well, I’ve had enough sparkly rides for a lifetime.”

Taking a deep breath, I tried to shake off the lingering exhaustion. The usual notifications flashed across my HUDD, but I barely paid them any mind. “The Power is Yours…” I muttered, still out of breath, my voice barely above a whisper.

There was a pause before Elmo responded, as if he was processing that line. Then, with barely contained amusement, he said, “I mean, the power is yours, but mostly it’s the power of crushing tiny things into oblivion.”

I grunted, rubbing my eyes. “You’re hilarious, Elmo. Really. A comedy genius.”

“Thanks,” he replied, completely unbothered. “I’m here all week. You might want to go ahead and use one of those health potions you’ve been hoarding. You’re looking a little rough.”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself after the chaos of the first wave. My body still hummed with adrenaline, but I had to stay focused. I wasn’t dead yet, and that was something worth celebrating. For now.

Elmo’s voice crackled in my ear, dripping with sarcastic enthusiasm. “You’re telling me. I haven’t had this much fun watching someone flail around since... well, ever. Props to Grinder, though. MVP of the day. You? Not so much.”

I shot a glare at the air. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. At least we’re still alive.”

“For now,” Elmo countered, his tone briefly lacking the usual mockery. “But don’t get too comfortable. If that was just the warm-up, I can’t wait to see what’s next.”

I gulped at the thought. My gut was already telling me that whatever came next wasn’t going to be any easier. The clattering hooves grew louder, an ominous rumble that seemed to shake the stone beneath my feet. I rounded the corner, hands tightening around my improvised weapon as the flickering sconces cast long, shifting shadows.

And there they were.

Seventeen ponies, each with an overly shiny, glittering coat like they’d just stumbled out of a 90’s fever dream—pastel colors with deadly intent. The riders were garbed in full battle regalia, ready to charge. It was like the worst crossover in history: a bizarre mix of rainbows and violence. It took me a moment to process the absurdity, but then I saw them: Polly, sitting high on a particularly gleaming pony, the rest of the cavalry behind her, each pony rearing up in preparation for battle.

“Oh, no,” I muttered, rubbing my temples. “Not these guys.”

Polly raised her lance with an almost theatrical flair, her voice shrill and over-the-top. “You survived the first wave, Outsider, but the Glitterhoof Cavalry is here to teach you what real strength looks like!”

I blinked, half-expecting them to break into song, but no—this was definitely no joke. These ponies were armed, and they looked ready to kill. As serious as a freight train.

I looked at Grinder, who was already flexing his claws, and then back at the line of charging ponies. “Here we go again.”

Elmo piped up, his voice dripping with mockery. “Nice. I love how you’ve embraced the chaos. Let’s kick some tail!”

I didn't need any more encouragement. I raised the Arcbolt, aiming it straight at the line of ponies charging toward me. There was no time to second-guess myself. The first shot fired, a blast of crackling energy that hit one of the ponies in the rear. It bucked wildly, tossing its rider into the air like a ragdoll. The rider hit the ground with a satisfying thud, but the pony kept charging like a maniac. The others weren’t far behind.

+275XP

“Grinder!” I shouted, as the rest of the cavalry closed in. “Let’s show them we don’t play fair!”

With a roar, Grinder sprang into action. He charged forward, claws slashing through the air, and took down two ponies in a single swipe. It was like watching a bulldozer plow through a cardboard wall—pure destruction. The ponies didn’t stand a chance as Grinder plowed through them, sending them flying like they were nothing more than playthings.

+275XP

+550XP

“Not bad, Grinder,” I said, watching the chaos unfold. But there were more coming.

I barely dodged the thrust of Polly’s lance, rolling to the side just as her pony came barreling toward me. The weapon grazed my shoulder, and I winced at the pain, but I wasn’t about to let it slow me down. In a flash, I grabbed a chunk of debris from the ground and swung it like a club, knocking the rider off his pony. The glittering beast kept coming, but it was too slow to dodge. The pony’s rider tried to scramble up, but I kicked him in the face, sending him sprawling into the dirt. The pony kept charging ahead—no sense of self-preservation at all.

-15XP

“Grinder!” I yelled again. “Handle the rest. I’ve got a date with Polly.”

Grinder turned, eyes glowing as he ripped through the remaining ponies with all the gusto of a freight train on a rampage. His claws tore into them like they were paper cutouts, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

+550XP

+550XP

+275XP

+275XP

+275XP

+550XP

+425XP

+0XP

Meanwhile, Polly was furiously spurring her pony, trying to regain some semblance of control. She saw me coming and instantly aimed her lance at my chest, but I was ready this time. I side-stepped, narrowly avoiding the point of the lance as I grabbed another Arcbolt. “No, not today,” I muttered, firing it directly at the pony’s flank. It reeled back, knocking Polly off her high horse (literally).

She tumbled onto the stone floor, scrambling to regain her footing, but I wasn’t going to give her the chance. I stomped toward her, grabbing her lance and wrenching it out of her hands with ease. She looked up, her eyes wide with frustration.

“You think you can defeat me so easily?” she snapped, but there was a crack in her voice. The Glitterhoof Cavalry was in tatters, her ponies scattered, their riders either knocked out or running for cover. It was clear—her reign of sparkles and chaos was over.

I looked down at her, breathing heavily, feeling the adrenaline crash against my body. “Yeah, I think so.” I kicked her lance aside. “And you can take your ponies and go back to wherever you came from. This isn’t Ponyland, lady."

+0XP

Elmo’s voice crackled again, dripping with satisfaction. “Nice job, Blake! G.I. Joe would've been proud! Or, you know, at least Beast Wars would've been impressed. Whatever works.”

I didn’t have the energy for a retort. I was too busy trying not to collapse from exhaustion. But as I looked around at the defeated ponies, I couldn’t help but smirk.

“Yeah, I think I’ve had enough of glittery nonsense for a lifetime.”

As if on cue, a small glowing vial appeared near the wreckage of one of the ponies, its liquid swirling with a soft green light. A health potion.

“Well, well,” I muttered, kneeling down to grab it. “Look what we have here.”

I twisted the cork off and downed the contents in one gulp. Almost immediately, the warmth spread through my chest, and the familiar rush of energy surged through my veins. The pain in my arm lessened, the dizziness in my head faded, and my muscles began to feel less like lead.

+50HP

“Better?” Elmo asked, his voice sweetened with mock concern.

“Much,” I said, feeling some of the fog lifting. “Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it,” Elmo replied. “But you might wanna stay sharp. I’m getting a strong feeling there’s a boss fight ahead. I mean, you just obliterated an army of mini-ponies. Something tells me the game’s about to throw something real nasty your way.”

I grimaced at the thought of more combat. “Yeah, well, it’s not like I have much of a choice. Let's just get this over with.”

I stood up, feeling the full effects of the potion kick in. The world seemed a little clearer now, even if I was still surrounded by the wreckage of those tiny horses.

Elmo’s voice broke through again, chipper as ever. “You know, you’re really starting to get the hang of this whole ‘hero’ thing. I’m so proud of you.”

I just sighed. “Yeah, yeah. Let’s go find this so-called boss before I lose what little sanity I have left.”

The corridor ahead of me seemed to stretch on endlessly, but my HUDD blinked, marking a new waypoint. I walked toward it, Grinder by my side, the ravager’s metallic footsteps echoing in the silence.

This was about to get a whole lot worse, I just knew it.