The safehouse was silent, lit only by the glow of the data drives you pulled from Blackstone Shipping. Daredevil sat across from you, scanning blueprints, logistics manifests, and a series of encrypted communications—all tied to Project Ascendant.
But your attention was locked on a highlighted shipment route.
Origin: Blackstone Port Facility
Destination: New Jersey Industrial Zone
Cargo: [REDACTED]
Escort: Level 3 Clearance – Echo Protocol Operatives
Time of Departure: T-minus 3 hours
A secure convoy. Reinforced. And according to the documents—transporting one or more subjects related to "Adaptive Potential."
You were one of them.
They weren't moving equipment anymore. They were moving people.
"Three hours," you muttered. "That's our window."
Daredevil nodded. "They're using military-grade vehicles and Echo Protocol mercs. These aren't street thugs—they're trained for tactical engagements. We'll need to hit the convoy fast, hit it hard, and get out before reinforcements show up."
⸻
[Quest Accepted: Convoy Interception]
Objective: Intercept the Project Ascendant convoy before it reaches its destination.
Sub-objectives:
• Neutralize Echo Protocol escort (0/6)
• Retrieve any Adaptive Subject data
• Rescue potential subjects (if applicable)
Time Limit: 3 hours
Reward: EXP, intel, rare loot
⸻
Before leaving, you opened your system menu.
[Level: 10 | EXP: 850/1000]
Skill Points Available: 0
Stat Points: 0 (Auto-distributed)
Still, you had options.
You focused on optimizing what you had.
⸻
[Skill Upgrade Unlocked: Martial Proficiency]
Increased usage of Iron Tiger Style has honed your muscle memory.
→ Iron Tiger Style (Lv. 3) evolved into Iron Tiger Style – Adept (Lv. 1)
+15% melee damage, +10% counter success rate, +5% movement speed while in melee combat
[Skill Gained: Intercepting Step – Lv. 1]
Quick burst of speed to close gaps and intercept opponents. Usable once every 20 seconds.
⸻
The city rolled beneath your boots as you sprinted across rooftops with Daredevil. Rain slicked the metal. Sirens echoed in the distance.
But in your mind, the system overlay marked the path clearly—red lines for convoy movement, enemy patrol zones, and the point of interception.
Convoy ETA: 27 minutes
You reached a vantage point overlooking the industrial causeway leading into the Jersey zone. Three black trucks—armored, shielded, armed. Each one had a symbol etched on its side: a stylized black hand.
The lead vehicle had two gunners. The middle one was sealed tight. The rear was filled with troops.
Daredevil spoke calmly, "I'll draw fire and take the gunners. You breach the middle truck. Whatever they're transporting—it's inside."
You took a deep breath and activated everything.
⸻
[Skill Used: Intercepting Step]
[Skill Used: Iron Tiger Style – Adept]
[Perk Triggered: Gamer's Focus]
Combat accuracy increased by 10% for 30 seconds
⸻
You blurred across the bridge, slamming into the side of the convoy. Your hand found a grip, your feet skidded across the frame. With a grunt, you wrenched the rear hatch open and lunged inside.
Three Echo Protocol mercs raised rifles.
Too slow.
You disarmed the first with a spinning palm strike, shattered the second's visor with a heel kick, and dragged the third into a choke before he could scream.
+450 EXP
[Skill Leveled: Intercepting Step – Lv. 2]
[Skill Leveled: Iron Tiger Adept – Lv. 2]
In the dim light of the truck, you saw a cryo-pod.
Inside—an unconscious teen, maybe 16. Electrodes along his spine. Breathing, but barely. A screen above him read:
SUBJECT 11-B
Status: Active Stabilization
Genetic Compatibility: 67%
Adaptive Response: Unknown
You braced the pod. "Hang on, kid."
Suddenly—
[WARNING: High-threat combatant approaching]
The top of the truck exploded. A figure in silver-black tactical armor dropped in—6'4", built like a tank, with a glowing red HUD.
"Subject Y/N confirmed," he said. "Termination authorized."
⸻
[Boss Encounter: Echo Elite – Commander Rourke]
Level: 15 | HP: 2500
Status: Active Augmentation
⸻
You rolled back as he swung a shock baton. Sparks ignited the floor.
Rourke charged—fast, efficient. You barely sidestepped in time, countering with a gut punch and elbow to the jaw.
-71 HP (Rourke)
[Effect: Iron Tiger Critical Strike]
He grunted and retaliated with a body slam. You hit the wall hard, HP dipping slightly.
-34 HP (Y/N)
But you weren't alone.
The roof tore open again—and Daredevil dropped in with a baton strike to Rourke's temple.
"You're late," you coughed.
"I like dramatic entrances."
The fight escalated. You and Daredevil traded blows with the Echo commander, pushing him to the limit. At last, you landed a final intercepting strike under his ribs while Daredevil tripped him from behind.
He fell. Hard.
[Boss Defeated: Commander Rourke]
+1200 EXP
Level Up: 10 → 11
Stat Points Gained: 5 (Auto-distributed evenly)
[Loot Gained: Adaptive Data Key, Echo Armor Fragment, 300 Credits]
⸻
[Skill Unlocked: Triage Analysis – Lv. 1]
You can assess and stabilize downed allies with higher precision. +20% medical support effectiveness.
⸻
You stabilized the teen in the pod, rerouted power to keep him alive, and hit the convoy's emergency shutdown. Sirens wailed in the distance—but you and Daredevil were gone before reinforcements arrived.
⸻
Back at the safehouse, the boy was stable. He was still unconscious—but alive.
Daredevil reviewed the Adaptive Data Key. "They were building more of you. And this—" he held up a string of coordinates "—this looks like where they're doing it."
You clenched your fists.
"You said it before," Daredevil muttered. "They made a mistake testing you."
You nodded. "Let's show them why."