I had five seconds left before the bot reset, this is only going to get harder I have to be prepared for anything. I watched as the bot snapped and twitched its damage back into place dents disappeared and functions resumed. It slowly stood up and turned towards me then went into a battle stance. Ready for any movement I went into a guard position waiting to see if it will rush me or wait. Times moving and the longer this goes the stronger it gets looking to the timer in the corner of the room its 3.20 three minutes 20 seconds and counting.
The higher the timer the more points I get lose one round and it's game over I get kicked and have to wait for the next part. I spot movement in the corner of my eye the bot took advantage of me being distracted and moved towards me with a sidekick. I barely avoided it by backing up leaving an opening in my defense which was used as another kick slamed into my stomach. With the wind knocked out of me I went with the flow and rolled with the momentum to gain distance. The bot followed up trying to capitalize with the advantage, I didn't let it grabbing my side I used one of my throwing knives it flew through the air and landed right in its forehead. Halting any purposeful movement the bot slid across the floor from momentum and died just like that.
Next round in 15sec difficulty increased to level 5.
"Stupid stupid stupid never take your eyes of the enemy, man I'm glad the instructor didn't see that." Pulling myself up I went forward to retrieve my knife and then to gain space for the next round. As I turned to get eyes on the bot again the familiar self-repair took place but this time it had a knife about 5in long. And light body armor that resembled mine with renewed strenth it once again focused on me. "Great now it has weapons and armor"
Pulling out my trusty curved knife I used a reverse grip and grabbed my knuckle knife which is like brass knuckles with a blade attached on both ends a small one inch on the backside and a three inch on the front side. Great in any close combat situation this will be my first time useing them in combat. Deciding to make the first move this time I inched forward at a steady pace the bot mirrored me in-kind confidence in its victory.
We clashed as I attacked with a jab from the knuckle blade it blocked with the knife and countered with a hook to my side with its freehand but I cut its arm at the joint with the other knife. Jumping back with its arm disabled the bot proceeded to try another assault slashing at my neck. Acting fast I blocked with both blades, the bot then proceeded to try and kick my center again but I was ready this time. Blocking with my knee up I nullified the attack then triped it and pounced on top of it stabing down on the chest and neck it tried resisting but with one arm disabled it was over quick.
"Man I'm getting tired I at least get a short break" my words were wasted as the bot started to repair it's self "Dang it, a minute passed already."
The zombie bot proceeded to grab a second knife and position its self for a counter-attack. Now with both combatints duel wielding the challenge got that much harder. " Now it's time to get a little more serious." Not having many more cards to play I got ready to end this round fast. Using two throwing knives from the jump I decided to blitz the bot, forced to dodge one and block the other the bot was cought of guard and vulnerable. Rushing forward I threw the last one at its hand forcing it to drop a knife and then I got close and slit its throat ending the fight.
Round over next in 40sec. Difficulty increased to level 8.
The notification flashed in my face, I decided to go collect my knives and compose my self with this small breather.
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Meanwhile unknown to Asa many of the other contestants were eliminated in this last round on the Level 7 difficulty, overwelmed by there bot's fast and lethal actions that she did not give her's time to use. Watching all this take place where the grownups and elders of the family. Many were paying attention to her and the others who were able to pass this hump in the test. The surprise was clearly on the face of some of them who were paying more attention to her specifically.
"Well look at that the newly returned heir is doing better than some of the potential top 30 picks. I wonder how she prepared so fast little Helena." The one speacking was the elder procideing over the test this year Elder Landel a member of the male main line and great great grandfather to Fauder and grandson of the founder Rendal.
"None of your business old goat her progress is of her own efforts and talent. Just watch and enjoy the show." With a smile he chuckled "Haha no need to get so defensive her secrets are her own no one was trying to pry, I was just curious from the rumors I heard her upbringing was a low resource area. But I guess even humble beginnings can't hide talent."
Their conversation was happening in the VIP lounge of the arena all around them were other High profile members of the main branches. Each having their own conversations in whispers and low tones and at the top level of the VIP lounge was an even higher section were there sat only two individuals. The Ancestors and founders of the current Tonoute family the twins Rendal and Celta.
Their booth was quiet and dark beside the screen showing the highlights of the current test. With a deep and aged voice, the male started talking."Sister, seems the talent of this generation is especially good, maybe its time we implement the plan before our old bones rot out."......."Yes, maybe it's time we don't have much longer our rejuvenation treatment has run its course we have maybe 20-30 more years before our bodies fail us." Her voice filled with worry "The times are changing and the family must expand and adapt if we hope to survive, signs of unrest are already showing all across the Cluster. But first, you should deal with the trouble makers in your descendants we can't afford infighting during this time." With sadness in his voice ", I know those stupid youngsters don't they realize family is all you can count on, sigh... I'll deal with it don't worry."
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While all this was going on the test was still in progress Asa has continued to survive the last few rounds.
Round 11 complete next round in 5sec.
"Come on creep bot go away" she saw a bot walking past. At around 10 the terrain changed into a maze-like structure with more than one opponent armed with stun pistols, knives, swords, and increased body armor. The maze has short hallways and many blind corners Asa's luck was low this last round she was stunned from behind and then stabed in the leg decreasing her mobility. Now injured she became more cautious and trying to avoid being surrounded.
Limping down the short halway she pined around the corner, finding this exsperience very similar to her stealth training she felt she could last a little longer. "Man my luck was quite bad, that second bot really got me good." Moveing around the corner she saw no bots but something told her to go back so she did. And good thing "Darn it a pair of bots" just walking into the corridor two bots were scanning their surroundings and walking toward Asa.
Ok time for pistol action drawing her silenced Saint 231 that had a 30 round mag with thin blade-like shaped projectiles desinged to be silent and pass through gaps in armor not designed for stoping power but accurate shots. Pointing the pistol towards the corner she waited for the bots to turn towards her. Seconds passed as she waited for sweat dripping from her scalp creeping into her eyes.
Come on you bastards turn the corner so I can get this done before more show up and the difficulty increases. Her wish came to pass the first bot came around the bend and she took action. I shot my first round missed slightly off due to the tension in my body. The second round struct true hitting the first bot right in the ear and going straight through, my third round deflected off the armor plating and from the sound ricocheted down the hall behind me narrowly missing my face. Reacting to the ambush the second bot drew a plasma eged saber and slashed towards me sliceing through his companion's neck trying to reach my face.
Barely ducking under the strike the blade passed by me and struck the wall going in half a foot deep. "That needs to go!" I fired a few rounds into its wrist forcing it to leave behind a hand and the blade. Drawing its sidearm the bot was about to send a few stun rounds my way "Like I'll let you do that". Fireing for several more seconds I used half the clip before stoping the bot was down and out the fight.
" That was very close, my neck was almost gone like that first bot." Looking down while rubbing my neck the severed head of random bot #1 was staring blankly into nothing. Man those are still creepy faces I'm complaining about that later, looking to the blade stuck in the wall I walked up to it and yanked it out.
Almost falling back because it gave no resistance I gained back my balance more eager to examine the blade then before.
Round 13 dificulty double increase begins in 10sec.
"Really now of all moments! and a double increase come on!" "Ughhhhhh" the frustration was really piling on at this point. No breaks and no healing I can't last much longer playing smart is what keeps me alive and with more points. But there is a limit and its fast approaching. Grabbing my newly acquired blade I looted the sheth from the bot and hooked it to my hip. "Time to move to a defensive position if I can find one."
I continued to roam the hallways through two more rounds and by a miracle avoided the bots I never found a good spot and my luck finally ran all the way out. It was a dead end with a room and three bots were on my trail. It's done or dies time, with nowhere to hide in the empty room I posted next to the entrance waiting for them to get close my pistol at the ready like before. But I was not prepared for what happened next, with no caution in them the bots rushed the door and sacrificing the first one to my rounds.
It was full of holes but the other two used its body as a shield to get close, one was holding a knife and pistol the other just a sword. Time slowed as my brain tried to process and react to the danger shoving its buddies body toward me I was forced to back up. I Avoiding the dead one while grabbing my knuckle knife, with my pistol in the other hand I sent rounds out at the pistol one. It rased the knife deflecting some and tanking the rest with armor.
"Oh no," The bots have become so strong there processors can predict the trajectory and their reaction time increased by several levels......I won't win this one. Backing up to not be flanked by sword bot, I continued to fire at pistol bot hoping to either destroy or disarm it. But that's not working I need a new strategy fast....I rushed up to pistol bot trying to close in and finish it fast. I discharged my last few rounds as I charged up, is blocked with the strong points of the armor.
Prepared for me it fired a stun round but I moved to the side, there not the only ones who can predict movements. Now close and pesonal I stabed out at the pistol hand but was countered by the knife. It became a contest of strength that I was losing so I went with the flow and backed up right as the other bot slashed at me doing my job for me cutting the pistol in half along with the other bot.
"Hehehe Stupid bots" My smile turned into a frown as the blade continued to move through the bot and towards me too late to doge I used my pistol and knife to block and it slowed but then went right through both then my left hand severing it completely. I watched as it flipped and flew through the air as the pain assaulted me "Ahhhhhhh" knife and gun lost the bot approached me fast blade over the head and chopping down.
Bang Bang bang! Clang "Shatter" My second pistol hidden in my aneckle holster sounded off, at the last moment. The room was quiet and I was still alive but barely.
Right before it got me I leaned back to the ground grabbed the pistol and quick shot at the handle. My two rounds hit the base of the blade cracking then shattering it the last one went past right into the bots neck.
"Ok I'm done I request test completion"
Test Complete Congratulations On passing round 16.
The score will be added later, transfer in 5sec Stage battle Royal.
I lay there slowly bleeding out awaiting transfer to the next part of the test I never want to feel that pain again but I know my luck is not that good. Everything went white as the transfer took place.