[If weaponized, could level an entire continent in just a single second.]
"Huh?"
[If weaponized, it coul-]
"I heard what you said Hava, I'm just asking if you're saying what I think you're saying. Level an entire continent in a single blast?"
[It is recommended you stop them from getting away with the power source.]
"Great, I just came to test out my tech, now I'm stuck trying to stop an end of the country crisis, damn it, those heroes really are good for nothing. What's the plan Hava?"
[I recommend you use the level 1 gear before you approach them, input code DS-346.]
As H.A.V.A. suggested, a holographic panel lit up from the screen of the watch, revealing a floating interface of shifting symbols and data streams.
Mason's fingers moved with precision, tapping in the sequence code H.A.V.A had given. With each input, the panel pulsed brighter, responding to his command like a living thing.
When he pressed the final key, the panel flared.
[Dual Specter initialized.]
The next instant, the touch panel of Mason's watch split in two and slid back into the casing, a soft mechanical whir followed. From the narrow opening, a stream of dark nanites poured out like liquid smoke, swirling in the air around his right hand. The nanites twisted and pulled together, shaping into a solid intricate black glove that covered his hand.
"Awesome.."
The Dual Specter clung to Mason's hand like a second skin — a matte black glove etched with fine, futuristic lines. Each fingertip bore a unique fingerprint outlay, not for identification, but for function.
With the right pressure, those prints triggered controlled pulse waves — electromagnetic or kinetic depending on Mason's will, fired straight from his fingertips.
Hidden beneath the wrist, a narrow slot housed wired grappling hooks, ready to launch without warning.
As the hijackers continued loading the van, Mason stepped out with his hood up from behind the container in silence. He moved with calm purpose, crossing his arms and leaning back against the metal wall, the shadows clinging to him like a cloak.
When he finally did.
"I'm in a bad mood, you hoodlums picked the wrong night." He deepened his voice, trying to sound cold and intimidating.
The moment they heard his voice, the hijackers spun around fast, like instinct had taken over completely. Weapons snapped up in unison, aimed straight at him.
Plasma blasters, pulse cannons, and tech Mason hadn't even seen before — all charged and ready, humming with lethal energy.
"Huh, you'd actually think they wouldn't ship loaded weapons."
"Who are you?" The leader spoke with a calm, measured voice. Despite being caught red-handed, he didn't flinch — his tone steady, his stance relaxed.
It was the composure of someone who had been in this situation before… and had walked away every time. "You don't look like a cop, and none of those self centered heroes will actually go out of their way to stop a robbery, so I'll ask again, who the hell are you?"
They all pointed their futuristic rifles with intent, they made it perfectly clear to him, a wrong answer would result to his permanent end.
As the rifles were pointed at him, he understood immediately, that he was no match for the kind of firepower in their possession.
"Hava." He whispered under his breath.
[Yes master?]
"Run me through the appropriate course of action."
[As you wish.]
[The appropriate course of action — run.]
"Run!?"
The hijackers opened fire without hesitation, unleashing a barrage of blazing plasma beams. Each shot screamed through the air, burning bright with one intent, to disintegrate him on the spot.
He darted behind the nearest container, but the plasma beams tore through it like paper, melting the metal in seconds. Small explosions burst from the impact points, casting sharp flashes across the dark sky.
Without pause, Mason bolted again, diving behind another container before the next wave could vaporize him.
"We're leaving." The leader snatched the glowing translucent tube from the back of the van and slammed the doors shut in one swift motion, just as his companions unleashed a storm of fire behind him.
"What!? What about the weapons!?" One of his companions shouted after him, frustration lacing his voice.
"Thanks to this stupid wannabe hero, the police will be here soon, this is supposed to be a simple mission, steal the tube and leave. The weapons were a bonus but now that it's come to this, we're leaving, we have what we came for."
The hijacker gritted his teeth, frustration burning in his eyes underneath the mask. With no other option, they fell back — firing wildly at the containers to cover their retreat as they sprinted toward the getaway car.
"Wannabe hero?" The leader's words hit a nerve in Mason, stupid he could take it, but a wannabe hero was simply taking it too far.
"What gave you the impression that I wanted to be a fucking hero?"
The optical lenses of his mask flared a menacing white, a low hum building as he activated the full capabilities of S.K.U.L.L, and the system roared silently to life behind his eyes.
"Hava."
He stretched out his hand, fingers flexing as the grappling hook deployed from beneath the glove. With a sharp click, it fired upward, latching onto the top edge of the container beside their car.
In one swift motion, the line retracted, yanking him forward through the air, straight toward the container… and straight into the path of the fleeing hijackers.
The hijacker at the rear spun around, panic flashing in his eyes as he unleashed a rapid volley of plasma beams.
[In 0.1 seconds, rotate your body at a perfect 360°]
Mason twisted midair, spinning in a sharp 360° arc, the plasma beam grazing past him by an inch. As he closed the distance, he released the latch on the grappling hook, landing hard. His hand shot forward, aiming straight for the man's chest.
"Activate pulse wave."
A sharp hum burst from Mason's glove as concentric rings of blue energy surged outward from his palm — a focused pulse wave that slammed into the hijacker's chest with brutal force.
The impact launched the man like a ragdoll, his body crashing into the other two mid-escape. The force sent all three sprawling — and in the chaos, the red translucent tube slipped from his grasp, flipping through the air before plunging into the dark waters below with a muted splash.
"No!"
The leader shot to his feet immediately, enraged as he immediately fired off several rounds of plasma at Mason who immediately took cover.
The leader ran to the edge of the dock and looked down, but the tube was already gone, lost beneath the water.
He gritted his teeth in frustration and slammed his fist against the metal railing, then turned and rushed back to the car without a word.
"Go go go! We're leaving now!" He jumped into the back seat as his two companions climbed in, and without wasting a second, they sped off.
The tires screeched against the pavement, leaving the sound of their escape echoing through the dock.
"Not so fast!" Mason took off in a sprint, eyes locked on the fleeing car. He fired his grappling hook at the edge of a nearby building and launched himself into the air.
The latch snapped free mid-swing, but he didn't slow down, he fired another hook toward a taller structure ahead.
One after another, he swung between buildings, his momentum building with each leap, as he chased the hijackers through the city like a shadow that wouldn't let go.
One of the hijackers glanced into the rearview mirror and his eyes widened at the thought of being caught.
"He's still on us... swinging after us like he's freaking Spider-Man!" He shouted, panic rising in his voice as the figure in the hooded mask closed in, soaring between buildings with relentless speed.
"Take a sharp turn on my count." The leader remained calm, his voice steady despite the tension.
He reached into his vest and drew a small blaster — sleek, compact, and laced with intricate glowing patterns. It hummed softly in his hand, charged and ready.
"What is that?" His companion driving asked.
"We're about to find out, now." On his command, he took a sharp right turn, leaving Mason with no choice but to force himself around the building. However as he did, he found the leader's upper half outside the window, aiming a gun at him.
"Bang."As Mason swung into view, mid-turn in the air, the leader fired a bright proton blast that sliced through the night.
"Fuck!" At the very last second, Mason released the latch, thrusted out his hand, and his fingers snapped into position over the glowing nodes of his glove.
A blinding pulse wave erupted from his palm, meeting the incoming proton blast in a violent clash of energy.
The collision tore through the air with a thunderous crack, the explosion sent shockwaves rippling in every direction and Mason was caught in the blast, flung backward like a ragdoll.
He crashed hard into the side of a building, shattering glass and metal on impact before falling to the ground below.
"Yes!" The driver let out a wild cheer, gripping the wheel with adrenaline-fueled excitement.
The leader gave a smug smirk, casually blowing the smoke off the barrel of his blaster.
And just like that, with tires screeching and engine roaring, they vanished into the night, as swift as they came.
Mason dropped fast, the world spinning around him as his vision blurred from the blast.
Right before hitting the ground, he raised his arm and fired his grappling hook at the roof of a nearby building.
The line caught and pulled tight, slowing him down just enough before he hit the ground and rolled across it.
[Secret Quest: Testing Gear — has been completed!]
[You have gained +10 experience points!]
[You have levelled up!]
[You have gained two rewards!]
[Nano Creation (level 1)]
[Nano regeneration (level 1)]
[Severe injuries detected.]
[4 broken ribs detected.]
[10 fractures detected.]
[3 missing teeth detected.]
[Initiating Nano regeneration...]
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