Panic surged through Vera. She couldn’t let the drone spot her. She sprinted toward the nearest cover, ducking behind the remnants of the power plant. The drone’s searchlight flickered through the debris, illuminating the ground around her.
Enemy Detected: Corporate Drone (Level 12).
Vera's heart raced. This wasn’t just a random enemy; this was a serious threat. She glanced at her HUD, calculating her options. She could either try to sneak away or engage. But with her newfound abilities, she felt a spark of confidence.
As the drone hovered closer, she made her decision. “Time to show them what I can do.”
Summoning the Core's energy, she launched a pulse toward the drone, but it swiftly dodged, returning fire with a barrage of energy blasts. She rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the strikes. The drone was quick, and she needed to outsmart it.
Energy Manipulation activated: Shield Deployment.
Vera created a shield of energy that absorbed the incoming fire. She could feel her MP depleting, but she focused, channeling it back into her blade. With the drone’s attention momentarily diverted, she seized the opportunity.
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
She dashed forward, leaping up onto a nearby structure to gain the high ground. From there, she could see the drone's weak points—the joints, the power core. She just needed to aim right.
“Let’s dance,” she whispered, summoning a concentrated bolt of energy. She took a deep breath and hurled it toward the drone.
The blast struck true, causing the drone to shudder and veer off course. Alarms blared, and it began to lose altitude. She grinned, adrenaline coursing through her.
But the victory was short-lived. The drone steadied itself, and a turret deployed from its side, aiming straight at her. Oh no, you don’t!
With a quick reflex, she activated Temporal Acceleration, feeling time slow around her. She darted to the side as the turret fired, narrowly escaping the blast. The energy from the Core surged, granting her speed and precision beyond normal limits.
In one fluid motion, she closed the distance, leaping onto the drone’s surface. With her energy blade poised, she slashed at its exposed wiring. Sparks flew, and the drone screeched in protest.
With one final blow, she plunged her blade into its power core, and the drone exploded in a brilliant flash of light.
Enemy Defeated: Corporate Drone. Experience Gained: +500 EXP.
Panting, Vera landed gracefully, her heart racing. She couldn’t believe she had just taken down a Level 12 enemy. As she stood there, the energy from the Core still buzzing in her system, she knew she was no longer the same girl who had first entered Xolum. She was evolving, becoming a force to be reckoned with.
But with that power came responsibility. She had to uncover the truth about Xolum, the secrets of the Core, and the looming threat that would surely come for her. The journey was just beginning, and Vera was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.