The journey to NeoRhodes was hell, even for someone like Aklion. Cloaked in darkness and fueled by a cocktail of vengeance and glitch-induced focus, he traversed the wasteland between city-states. NeoRhodes stood isolated, an artificial island fortress glimmering like a beacon of prosperity amidst the desolation. But beneath the polished surface lay a rot he intended to expose and destroy.
System Notification:
Objective: Infiltrate NeoRhodes
Status: Hidden
XP Reward: 7,500 + Completion Bonuses
Aklion crouched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the shimmering waters separating NeoRhodes from the mainland. The city’s advanced Paxxer defenses loomed ahead: high-tech drones patrolled the perimeter, AI-guided sentries monitored every inch of the water, and the island’s singular bridge was a marvel of fortified engineering. The Conglomerate didn’t just control the city; it had designed it to be impenetrable.
He clutched the vial of PRIME INPAXX in his hand, the faint weight a cruel reminder of why he was here. The vial, filled with blood-stained secrets, held the essence of his son’s sacrifice. It wasn’t just fuel for his glitch-ridden body—it was purpose condensed into liquid.
He slid the vial into a secure pocket and tapped into his stolen Zeus credentials. Through his visor, the HUD projected a digital overlay of NeoRhodes.
NeoRhodes: Operational Summary
Defenses:
•AI Controller: HELIOS (High-Efficiency Logistics for Island Optimization System)
•Automated Drones: 50 Active Units
•Sentinel Turrets: 20 Active Towers
•Paxxer Guard Units: 200+
Reconnaissance: Recommended
Stealth Level: Critical
He sneered. “Critical, my ass.”
The Kolossus
As he moved closer, Aklion’s gaze locked onto the city’s imposing centerpiece: a colossal statue towering above the main gates, depicting a Paxxer soldier in pristine armor. The figure’s pose was unnervingly familiar—a proud warrior standing tall with a rifle in one hand and a blade in the other. It didn’t take long for him to see the resemblance.
The statue’s face mirrored his own.
Aklion’s fingers twitched, his sanity wavering under the weight of recognition. “Those bastards…”
System Notification:
Sanity Stability: -10%
Current Sanity: 48% (Critical Instability Imminent)
He forced his focus back to the mission, taking deep breaths to suppress the glitch clawing at his mind. There would be time for rage later. For now, he had to stay unseen.
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Reconnaissance
NeoRhodes’ perimeter was suffocatingly tight, but Aklion had a knack for turning impossible odds into bloody victories. He activated the enhanced optics in his visor, scanning the defenses.
System Notification:
Recon Mode Activated
•Drone Pathways: Analyzing…Complete.
•Turret Blind Spots: Mapping…Complete.
•Paxxer Patrol Routes: Calculating…Complete.
The HUD painted a detailed layout of enemy movements and blind spots. Every sentry, every drone, every turret became a piece in a puzzle. And Aklion was the hand solving it.
He slipped into the shadows, moving with the precision of a ghost. The faint hum of drones buzzed overhead, but he stayed just outside their detection range. The turrets’ targeting systems swiveled in predictable arcs, giving him narrow windows to advance.
System Notification:
Skill Activated: Shadowstep
Effect: +25% Stealth Movement Speed
A Paxxer patrol passed mere feet from him, their mechanical voices exchanging clipped orders. Aklion froze, his blade drawn, the glitch urging him to strike. But he resisted, clinging to the discipline honed through years of war.
Combat Avoided:
XP Gained: 200 (Stealth Bonus)
His path led him to a vantage point overlooking the city’s entrance. He crouched behind a ridge, his visor zooming in on the Kolossus and the main gate below. The defenses were daunting: multiple turret arrays, layers of force fields, and squads of Paxxers standing vigilant.
But what caught his attention was the Kolossus itself. Embedded in its base was a shimmering core, pulsating with energy. His HUD flagged it immediately.
System Notification:
Potential Weakness Detected: Kolossus Core
Analysis: Core Serves as Energy Relay for Entrance Defenses
Aklion smirked. “That’ll do.”
The Plan
He retreated to a hidden alcove to plan his approach. Every step needed precision; a single mistake would turn him into Paxxer scrap. He accessed the stolen Zeus credentials again, probing NeoRhodes’ internal systems.
The credentials granted limited access, but it was enough to identify key nodes controlled by HELIOS. The AI operated like a conductor, orchestrating the city’s defenses with machine efficiency. If Aklion could disable the Kolossus core, it might create a chain reaction, giving him an opening to breach the gates.
System Notification:
New Objective: Disable Kolossus Core
Reward: XP + Access to NeoRhodes
“Piece of cake,” Aklion muttered, sliding a smoke grenade into his belt.
He moved under the cover of darkness, the glitch whispering chaotic suggestions in his ear. The temptation to unleash violence was palpable, but he kept his rage on a tight leash.
Breaching the Defenses
The Kolossus loomed ahead, its base surrounded by Paxxer guards and patrolling drones. Aklion slipped into a blind spot, waiting for the patrols to pass. When the moment came, he moved swiftly, planting a series of EMP charges around the perimeter.
System Notification:
EMP Charges Armed
Countdown: 30 Seconds
He retreated to a safe distance, his heart pounding as the countdown ticked away.
3…2…1…
The explosion was silent, but the effect was immediate. The drones fell from the sky like metal rain, and the Paxxer guards stumbled as their systems glitched. Aklion didn’t hesitate.
Combat Start:
He lunged from the shadows, his blade carving through the first Paxxer’s neck. Sparks flew as the machine collapsed, its severed head rolling across the ground. The remaining guards recovered quickly, their weapons locking onto him.
Enemy Detected: 6 Paxxer Guards (Level 50)
Aklion’s rifle barked, each shot finding its mark. The glitch amplified his reflexes, turning him into a whirlwind of destruction. He weaved through the chaos, his blade and bullets tearing through steel and circuitry.
System Notification:
Enemies Defeated: 6
XP Gained: 4,500
The path to the Kolossus core was clear. He approached the pulsating energy node, his glitch flickering like static in his mind.
“Almost there,” he growled, planting the final charge.
System Notification:
Kolossus Core Disruption: 90% Complete
Warning: Incoming Reinforcements
Aklion turned to see a new wave of Paxxers descending upon him. He grinned, the glitch roaring in his veins.
“Come and get me.”