Ray Moss woke in his depot's bedroom cot, his body thrumming with the effects of the lizardman mutagen. The pain from the previous night's activation had subsided, leaving his skin tougher, bones reinforced with a density that made him feel nearly unbreakable. He stretched, joints cracking under his reinforced bones, a grin spreading across his face. This is my life now, he thought, William Hatcher's failures—foster homes, bank rejections, a cafe dream crushed by reality—now a distant shadow. I'm a mercenary, and today I prove it. He checked his HUD, the Yomi Protocol's blue screen flickering to life, ensuring his mutagen-derived abilities—Shadow Cloak, Muscle Boost, Bone Proficiency—remained hidden. A human wielding such magic would draw too many questions.
[Level: 6. EXP: 600/800]
[Stats: Strength 8/100 (Enhanced by Orc Mutagen), Endurance 8/100 (Enhanced by Lizardman Mutagen), Speed 6/100, Agility 8/100 (Enhanced by Dark Elf Mutagen), HP 110/110 (Full Recovery Overnight), Mana 110/110.]
[Magic (Level 6): Fire (Flames: 10 mana), Water (Drip: 10 mana), Lightning (Spark: 10 mana), Ice (Frost Touch: 10 mana), Earth (Pebble Toss: 10 mana), Wind (Gust: 10 mana), Universal Healing (Minor Mend: 10 mana), Universal Spatial (Short Blink: 10 mana, high spatial users detect), Shadow (Dark Elf Mutagen: Shadow Cloak, 10 mana), Enhancement (Orc Mutagen: Muscle Boost, 10 mana), Bone (Lizardman Mutagen: Bone Spike, 10 mana).]
[Skills: Hacking (Level 2, 1/4 uses toward Level 3), Engineering (Level 2, 1/3 uses), Swordplay (Level 5, 1/6 uses toward Level 6), Markmanship (Level 3, 1/5 uses toward Level 4), Forging (Level 1, 0/3 uses), Stealth (Level 4, 0/5 uses toward Level 5), Alchemy (Level 3, 0/4 uses toward Level 4).]
[Inventory (Dimension Pocket): Rat pelts (x30), rat blood (x30), boar hide, impundulu core, sonic essence, portable alchemy set, canisters (x4), meshes (x4), shuriken, bow, crossbow, lizardman scales, orc tusk, low-tier armaments (pistols, daggers, tonfa, spears), core-forged warhammer (troll core, 0.2 attack boost), core-forged short sword (goblin core, 0.05 attack boost), dark elf mutagen (Shadow Proficiency, Stealth Agility), lizardman mutagen (Bone Proficiency, Scaly Resilience), orc mutagen (Enhancement Magic, Enhanced Muscle Density), truck keys, currencies (300 daalers, lumen 200, durin 300), metal ingots, copper wiring, rubber grips, silicone components, bio-energy scraps, bone fragments, basic alloys, steel tips, troll core, low-tier goblin cores.]
The Bone Spike spell, unlocked from the lizardman mutagen, allowed Ray to summon sharp bone projectiles for 10 Mana, but he'd save it for a private fight—too risky to reveal in public. The Scaly Resilience perk boosted his Endurance to 8, making him tougher against physical hits. Ray showered in one of the depot's three bathrooms, the core generator's hot water a luxury that steadied his nerves. First mission today. Time to make White Claw proud.
[Yomi Protocol: Feeling tough, kid? That lizardman mutagen's got you built like a scaly tank, but don't flash those bone spikes in Zyra unless you want a guild inquisition. Pick your missions, meet that quota, and don't nap through it. EXP: 600/800. Let's see if you're worth the hype.]
Ray dressed, strapping his goblin-core short sword (0.05 attack boost when wielded) to his belt and slinging the crossbow over his shoulder. He sat in the depot's living room, the guild wrist watch buzzing on his wrist. He tapped it, pulling up the mission board. The list glowed with options, each with a recommended level and reward. His monthly quota required completing enough missions to prove his worth, but as a Level 6 recruit, he could choose freely. He scanned the board, selecting three to cover his quota:
Mutated Rat Extermination (Zyra District 12, City Hall, 50 daalers, Recommended Level 5–7): Thousands of mutated rats infesting the sewers, a manageable threat for his level.
Gremmeling Problem (Earth Mining Co., 150km from Zyra, 150 daalers, Recommended Level 8–10): Prospecting operations disrupted by gremmelings, trickier foes for a future challenge.
Mutated Insect Issue (Monster Ranching Farm, near ruins, 75 daalers, Recommended Level 6–8): Mutated insects plaguing a farm, another job for later.
The rat mission was the safest bet to start—low risk, high volume, and within Zyra's wards. Planning wins wars, Ray thought, his excitement tempered by strategy. He hopped into his core-powered truck, the engine purring smoothly, and drove to Zyra's market district, passing the demon scanner without issue. At a butcher's stall, he spent 20 daalers on raw meat chunks for bait, their bloody scent perfect for luring rats. At a weapon shop, he bought 50 crossbow bolts for 30 daalers, adding them to his Dimension Pocket for ranged precision. His remaining 250 daalers felt lighter, but the investment was worth it.
[Yomi Protocol: Spending like a big shot, huh? 50 daalers down, 250 left. That meat better not stink up your truck, and those bolts better hit something. Get to city hall—don't keep the bureaucrats waiting.]
Ray parked near District 12's city hall, a squat building with glowing wards and bustling clerks. Inside, a human official in a worn suit handed him a sewer map and intel: "Rats are swarming a feeding ground near a portal scar remnant in the lower tunnels. Thousands—mostly standard, some betas, a few alphas. They're disrupting water flow. Clear 'em out, no collateral damage. White Claw's been contracted; they'll pay you through the guild." Ray nodded, memorizing the map's layout—narrow tunnels, a wide chamber for the feeding ground, and a glowing scar likely attracting the rats' unpredictable spawn. The official stamped his wrist watch, logging the mission. "Report to White Claw for your 50 daalers when it's done."
Ray's jaw tightened as he pocketed the map. Fifty daalers for the job, but I just dropped fifty on meat and bolts. Break even? Seriously? he thought, a flicker of William's old cynicism surfacing. I'm risking my neck in a rat-infested sewer for zero profit. This better count big for the quota, or I'm getting hosed. He shook off the frustration, his mercenary drive kicking in. Doesn't matter. This is my shot to prove I'm not William, scraping by on dreams that never pay off. I'll make it worth it.
Ray descended into the sewers through a rusted grate, the air damp and reeking of decay. His Scaly Resilience kept the chill at bay, and his Dark Elf-enhanced Agility (8) made his steps silent as he entered Stealth mode (Stealth: 2/5 uses toward Level 5). The tunnels were a maze of dripping pipes and flickering core-powered lights, the portal scar's faint glow pulsing deeper in. Inspection revealed: Mutated Rat Feeding Ground, 1000+ Rats, Standard (5 EXP), Beta (10 EXP), Alpha (15 EXP), Portal Scar Remnant Nearby, High Activity.
Thousands of rats. One shot to clear them. Ray crept to the feeding ground, a cavernous chamber littered with refuse and gnawed bones. The rats—cat-sized standards, dog-sized betas, and cat-like alphas with razor claws—swarmed over scraps, their glowing eyes darting. He scouted the chamber, identifying choke points and raised ledges for cover. Planning wins wars. He touched three strategic spots—two on the chamber's walls near the densest rat clusters, one near the center—imbuing each with 10 Mana to create Healing Runes (Mana: 80/110). The race-specific plague would spread among rats, maximizing area-of-effect damage. He used Inspection to ensure no guild members or civilians were nearby, then cast Shadow Cloak (Mana: 70/110), blending into the dim light, invisible to the rats. The sewers' isolation let him use his Dark Elf magic without fear of scrutiny.
Ray tossed the raw meat into the chamber's center, the bloody chunks splattering across the floor. A chittering roar erupted as thousands of rats poured in, standards scrambling, betas shoving through, alphas snarling at the edges. The swarm was a writhing mass, clawing over each other for the bait. Ray waited, heart pounding, until the rats clustered tightly. A few standards nipped at him in the chaos, their tiny claws scraping his legs (HP: 100/110). Now. He triggered all three Healing Runes simultaneously, sickly green mist erupting across the chamber. The plague infected hundreds of rats, their HP draining as the contagion spread—standards dropped instantly, betas staggered, alphas writhed. Squeals filled the air as the swarm thinned, bodies piling up. Auto-loot hummed, collecting rat pelts, blood, and claws, the sheer volume overwhelming his Dimension Pocket's interface.
[Yomi Protocol: Plague party, kid! That rune trick's nastier than sewer sludge. Thousands down—bet you're swimming in EXP. Don't get sloppy; stragglers can still bite.]
Two hours later, the mist cleared, revealing a few dozen survivors—mostly betas and a handful of alphas, weakened but alive. Ray, still cloaked, climbed a ledge and loaded his crossbow. He fired bolts with precision, each shot downing a rat (Markmanship: 2/5 uses toward Level 4). A beta lunged, its claws grazing his arm (HP: 90/110), his Scaly Resilience absorbing some impact. He fired again, finishing it (Markmanship: 3/5 uses). The alphas charged, but Ray's bolts were faster, each hit clean (Markmanship: 4/5 uses, Level 4, +10 EXP). The last alpha landed a scratch before falling, its claws raking his leg (HP: 80/110). The sewer's hazards—slippery pipes, jagged debris, and a brief tangle with a small rat pack—took their toll, minor scratches and bruises accumulating (HP: 20/110). Auto-loot stored the final pelts, blood, and claws. Ray estimated the kill count: ~800 standards (5 EXP each, 4000 EXP), ~150 betas (10 EXP each, 1500 EXP), ~20 alphas (15 EXP each, 300 EXP), totaling 5800 EXP. His HUD flashed: Level 7 Unlocked! EXP: 5800/1000. Level 8 Unlocked! EXP: 4800/1200. Level 9 Unlocked! EXP: 3600/1400. Level 10 Unlocked! EXP: 2200/1600. Level 11 Unlocked! EXP: 600/1800. New, more powerful spells unlocked at Level 10, their potential thrilling him for future battles.
With the rats eradicated, the chamber fell silent, the portal scar's glow flickering in the distance. No more beasts swarming. Time to shut that scar down for good. Ray approached the scar, a pulsating rift of Mana embedded in the sewer wall. Inspection revealed: Portal Scar Remnant, Low Mana, Unstable, Attracts Mutants. Drawing on his Yomi Protocol knowledge, he combined Short Blink and Minor Mend, channeling 20 Mana (Mana: 50/110) to destabilize the scar's Mana structure. He touched the rift, focusing his magic to collapse it. The scar pulsed violently, then imploded with a soft crack, leaving behind a shimmering portal crystal. Auto-loot stored it: Portal Crystal, Useless for Crafting, High Value (500 Daaler Bounty from White Claw). Jackpot, Ray thought, his exhaustion tempered by the prospect of the guild's bounty. This'll make them sit up and notice.
[Level: 11. EXP: 600/1800]
[Stats: Strength 13/100 (Enhanced by Orc Mutagen), Endurance 13/100 (Enhanced by Lizardman Mutagen), Speed 11/100, Agility 13/100 (Enhanced by Dark Elf Mutagen), HP 20/160, Mana 50/160.]
[Magic (Level 11): Fire (Flames: 10 mana, Fireball: 20 mana), Water (Drip: 10 mana, Torrent: 20 mana), Lightning (Spark: 10 mana, Bolt: 20 mana), Ice (Frost Touch: 10 mana, Frost Nova: 20 mana), Earth (Pebble Toss: 10 mana, Quake: 20 mana), Wind (Gust: 10 mana, Tempest: 20 mana), Universal Healing (Minor Mend: 10 mana, Major Mend: 20 mana), Universal Spatial (Short Blink: 10 mana, Long Blink: 20 mana, high spatial users detect), Shadow (Dark Elf Mutagen: Shadow Cloak, 10 mana; Shadow Veil, 20 mana), Enhancement (Orc Mutagen: Muscle Boost, 10 mana; Power Surge, 20 mana), Bone (Lizardman Mutagen: Bone Spike, 10 mana; Bone Spear, 20 mana).]
[Skills: Hacking (Level 2, 1/4 uses toward Level 3), Engineering (Level 2, 1/3 uses), Swordplay (Level 5, 1/6 uses toward Level 6), Markmanship (Level 4, 0/5 uses toward Level 5), Forging (Level 1, 0/3 uses), Stealth (Level 4, 2/5 uses toward Level 5), Alchemy (Level 3, 0/4 uses toward Level 4).]
[Inventory (Dimension Pocket): Rat pelts (x830), rat blood (x830), rat claws (x170), boar hide, impundulu core, sonic essence, portable alchemy set, canisters (x4), meshes (x4), shuriken, bow, crossbow, crossbow bolts (x46), core-forged short sword (goblin core, 0.05 attack boost), truck keys, portal crystal (useless, 500 daaler bounty), currencies (250 daalers, lumen 200, durin 300), metal ingots, copper wiring, rubber grips, silicone components, bio-energy scraps, bone fragments, basic alloys, steel tips, troll core, low-tier goblin cores.]
Ray slumped against the sewer wall, his body aching, scratches and bruises throbbing (HP: 20/160). The mission was complete, no collateral damage—White Claw's code upheld. The sewer's stench clung to him, and his low HP warned of his battered state. He climbed out, limping slightly, and drove to the White Claw guildhall to report. At the guild, Varg verified the kill count via Ray's wrist watch and examined the portal crystal, his tusks glinting with approval. "Rats cleared and a portal scar shut? That's rookie work that'll turn heads. City hall's paying us 50 daalers for the rats, and the guild's got a 500-daaler bounty on that crystal. Nice haul, kid."
Varg's eyes narrowed, his voice turning stern. "But don't get big ideas, Moss. Shutting a scar in Zyra's safe—outside the wards, it's a death trap. Portal scars draw nastier beasts than rats—mutated boars, impundulus, even trolls. Takes a full squad to handle one, not a lone rookie. You got lucky. Don't make it a habit." Ray nodded, chastened but proud, the crystal's weight in his pocket a reminder of his feat. The guild transferred 550 daalers to his account, his funds rising to 800 daalers. The break-even on the rat mission still stung, but the crystal's bounty made it worthwhile. Zero profit on the rats, but 500 daalers for a shiny rock? I'll take it, he thought, a smirk replacing his earlier frustration.
As Varg turned away, Ray's mind drifted to two other portal scars he'd seen. One was in the cave where he'd rested on his way to the depot, its faint glow dormant but unpredictable. The other was near the depot itself, pulsing faintly in the wasteland's dark. More crystals, more bounties, he thought, excitement flickering. But Varg's right—outside Zyra, those scars are trouble. I'd need a plan… or a squad. His body ached, HP dangerously low. Not today. I'm done.
Ray drove back to the depot, exhaustion heavy in his bones. The mission's success and the portal crystal's bounty fueled his drive, the new spells—Fireball, Torrent, Bone Spear—sparking excitement for tougher fights ahead. But his battered body demanded rest. He stood under the depot's hot shower, scrubbing away the sewer's grime, the water soothing his wounds. He collapsed onto his cot, the depot's quiet hum lulling him to sleep, dreams filled with battles and glory. His HP and Mana would recover overnight, readying him for the next mission.
[Yomi Protocol: Rat slayer and scar buster, huh? 5800 EXP from that vermin horde—jumped you to Level 11! Mana and HP pools up to 160, stats climbing, and those new spells like Fireball and Bone Spear? Nasty. 550 daalers earned, 800 total—bet that crystal shut up your whining about breaking even. That plague rune gambit was slick, and collapsing the scar? Ballsy. Varg's got a point, though—scar hunting outside Zyra's a suicide run without backup. You're beat to hell—20 HP left? Don't expect every job to hand you a payday like this. Those gremmelings and insects won't cough up crystals.]