Ray Moss woke in his depot's bedroom cot, his body stiff but thrumming with the resilience of his lizardman mutagen. The aches from yesterday's sewer fight lingered, scratches and bruises pulsing faintly (HP: 20/160). He stretched, joints cracking under his reinforced bones, a determined grin spreading across his face. Another day, another fight, he thought, William Hatcher's failures—foster homes, bank rejections, a cafe dream crushed by reality—now a distant shadow. I'm a mercenary, carving my name in Zyra. 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: 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 (800 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 touched his bruised arm, casting Major Mend (20 Mana) to heal his wounds. Warmth spread through him, mending scratches and bruises, his HP restoring fully (HP: 160/160, Mana: 140/160). The new spell, unlocked at Level 10, felt like a lifeline. He showered in one of the depot's three bathrooms, the core generator—powered by a monster core—humming steadily, washing away lingering tension. Time to tackle that spider mission. Let's make it quick. By the time he prepared for the day, his Mana had fully recovered (Mana: 160/160).
[Yomi Protocol: Morning stretch, kid? Nice to see you patching up with Major Mend—beats limping around like a half-dead rat. HP and Mana at 160, 800 daalers in your pocket, quota to fill. Don't get cocky; those new spells like Bone Spear won't help if you trip over your own plans.]
Ray strapped on his goblin-core short sword (0.05 attack boost when wielded) and crossbow, then hopped into his core-powered truck, its engine humming with energy from a monster core. He drove to Zyra's market district, passing the demon scanner without issue. At a weapons stall, he bought two explosive gas canisters (30 daalers), a pouch of silver dust (20 daalers) for spectral fights and stifling Mana-based spells via bombs, and five empty canisters (10 daalers) for bomb crafting, spending 60 daalers (funds: 740 daalers). A familiar merchant, one he'd helped by returning stolen supplies from the bandits, spotted him. "Ray Moss, the bandit-slayer!" the man boomed, grinning. "Heard you bagged a portal crystal. Take this—sea salt, imported from off-planet. Earth's seas are lost to kraken and leviathans; fisheries and salinas are gone. My thanks for saving my shop." Ray accepted the gift, adding it to his Dimension Pocket, its value against spectral entities noted.
[Yomi Protocol: 60 daalers spent, 740 left—better hope those canisters go boom. Silver dust for spectrals and Mana-jamming bombs? Smart buy, but toss it in a bomb and it'll mess with your spells too. Free sea salt? Score, kid, but don't expect handouts every day. That off-planet stuff's rare—Earth's oceans are a monster playground. Get to that ranch before you start daydreaming about scar bounties.]
Before leaving, Ray stopped at the depot's recycler, tossing in the orc tusk and lizardman scales. The machine whirred, producing additional bone fragments and bio-energy scraps, bolstering his crafting reserves (Alchemy: 1/4 uses toward Level 4). Mindful of Torv's warning about the Anansi's disorienting venom, Ray used his portable alchemy set to craft an antidote, mixing rat blood and trickster venom from his inventory to prepare a vial for quick use (Alchemy: 2/4 uses toward Level 4). Better be ready for those tricksters.
Ray drove to the ghoul ranch, a sprawling compound 20km from Zyra, its pens filled with tier 3 ghouls—alien monsters sent by the hive-king's demons during the early industrial age to destroy humanity, now domesticated as livestock for their immortal cores, which power Zyra's wards, vehicles, and weapons, and for crafting materials like bones and essence used in alchemy and forging. The owner, Torv, a grizzled human, greeted him with a scowl. "White Claw sent you? Intel's off—thought we had mutated fauna like spiders, tier 3, nesting in ruins half a click east. Turns out they're outright Anansi, tier 5 mythical monsters, alien fauna from the demonic invasion, breeding in there. Labrador-sized, trickster bastards—mimic sounds, weave decoy webs, shift shapes, venom clouds the mind. The alpha's worse, leads the swarm like a storyteller, playing head games. They're eating cores, ruining our crafting stock. Clear 'em out, no damage to the ranch—White Claw's orders. Ranchers are paying the guild; your share's 75 daalers, but you're in deep, kid." Ray's pulse quickened, but his mercenary drive surged. Tier 5 Anansi? That's no mutated beast. Gotta outsmart a trickster.
He approached the ruins, a crumbling pre-portal fortress overgrown with vines, its stones cracked by time. Using Stealth (Stealth: 3/5 uses toward Level 5), he scouted the perimeter. Inspection revealed: Anansi Nest, ~50 Mythical Monsters, Tier 5 (40 EXP each, Alpha 80 EXP), Labrador-Sized, Sound Mimicry, Illusory Webs, Disorienting Venom, Shape-Shifting, Alpha with Swarm Control. The Anansi skittered in the shadows, their golden eyes glowing, webs shimmering with illusory nests and ghoul shapes. A telepathic "story hum" echoed from the alpha, mimicking Varg's voice: "Rookie, you're dead meat." Yomi Protocol blocked the mind control, keeping his focus sharp. Alien fauna, reproducing like roaches. Those webs are Mana-based—silver dust bombs could jam them, but I'd lose spell accuracy. Stick to Inspection and fire.
[Yomi Protocol: Outright Anansi? Alien trickster fauna from the demon invasion, kid. Tier 5, 40 EXP each, alpha's 80—way above mutated rats. That hum's mind control, but I've got you covered, no Mana needed. Those webs are Mana illusions—silver dust bombs could disrupt 'em, but you'd screw your own spells. Antidote ready for that venom? Blowing the ruins is smart—burn those illusions, but don't torch the ranch's core stock, or White Claw'll skin you. Watch the alpha's shifts.]
Ray readied the two explosive gas canisters he'd bought, imbuing each with Fire Runes (10 Mana each, Mana: 140/160) for explosive blasts. From a vantage point, he used Inspection to spot the real Anansi amidst decoy webs, though the illusions slowed his targeting, requiring focus to differentiate. He considered packing a silver dust bomb to disrupt the Mana-based webs but held off, wary of stifling his own spells. He used Short Blink to teleport the first canister into the ruins' central chamber, near the alpha's web (Mana: 130/160), and the second near an illusory nest (Mana: 120/160). The hum taunted, now mimicking Torv: "You'll fail, Moss." Yomi blocked the mental pressure. He triggered both runes, the canisters erupting in fiery explosions that shattered the ruins. Walls collapsed, illusory webs burned, and the alpha's hum faltered as ~40 Anansi perished (40 EXP each, 1600 EXP). Auto-loot collected Anansi silk, trickster venom, and 3 lesser cores—most destroyed by the blast but some intact due to their immortal nature—prized for crafting ropes, armor, illusion potions, and high-tier tech.
[Yomi Protocol: Boom! You burned their storybook, kid. 1600 EXP from 40 Anansi—nice haul. Got a few cores, but most went up in smoke. Alpha's still humming, and survivors are pissed. Good call skipping the silver dust bomb—kept your spells tight. Antidote ready for that venom?]
Dust settled, revealing ~10 surviving Anansi, including the alpha—a spider-humanoid shifting to a ghoul-like form, its hum taunting: "Moss, you're no match." Yomi blocked the mind control. Ray, on a ledge, fired his crossbow, downing two lesser Anansi despite their illusory decoys (Markmanship: 1/5, 2/5 uses toward Level 5; EXP: 80). A venomous bite grazed him, the disorienting effects setting in (HP: 150/160, Scaly Resilience, -2 Agility). Ray swiftly applied his pre-crafted antidote, neutralizing the venom's haze and restoring his Agility. He cast Frost Nova (20 Mana, Mana: 100/160), freezing three Anansi mid-shift, locking their spider forms. Crossbow shots finished them (Markmanship: 3/5, 4/5 uses; EXP: 120), yielding 1 more lesser core. The alpha and five others flanked, their webs glowing with illusions, slowing Ray (HP: 140/160). Inspection pierced the decoys, spotting the alpha's true form. Ray cast Bone Spear (20 Mana, Mana: 80/160), piercing the alpha and one lesser (EXP: 120), collecting the alpha's core—more powerful than the rest. The last four mimicked ghoul moans, their illusions flickering, and charged. Ray fired his crossbow, downing one (Markmanship: 5/5 uses, Level 5, +10 EXP; EXP: 40), then cast Bone Spear (Mana: 60/160), skewering the final three (EXP: 120), yielding no additional cores. Auto-loot stored more Anansi silk, trickster venom, 4 lesser Anansi cores, and 1 alpha Anansi core, totaling ~50 Anansi killed (49 lesser at 1960 EXP, 1 alpha at 80 EXP, 2040 EXP). His HUD flashed: Level 12 Unlocked! EXP: 410/2000.
[Level: 12. EXP: 410/2000]
[Stats: Strength 14/100 (Enhanced by Orc Mutagen), Endurance 14/100 (Enhanced by Lizardman Mutagen), Speed 12/100, Agility 14/100 (Enhanced by Dark Elf Mutagen), HP 140/170, Mana 60/170.]
[Magic (Level 12): 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 5, 0/6 uses toward Level 6), Forging (Level 1, 0/3 uses), Stealth (Level 4, 3/5 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 (x0), empty canisters (x5), meshes (x4), shuriken, bow, crossbow, crossbow bolts (x42), core-forged short sword (goblin core, 0.05 attack boost), truck keys, silver dust, sea salt (imported), currencies (740 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, Anansi silk (x50), trickster venom (x49), lesser Anansi cores (x4), alpha Anansi core (x1).]
Ray stood amidst the rubble, panting, the ranch's ghoul stock safe for core and material harvesting, preserving Zyra's power and crafting supply. The mission was complete, no collateral damage—White Claw's code upheld. He drove back to the guildhall, where Varg reviewed his wrist watch data. "Anansi, not mutated fauna? You got lucky, Moss. The ranchers paid the guild for saving their stock; your share's 75 daalers." Varg eyed the Anansi cores Ray presented, lingering on the alpha core. "Four lesser cores and a tier 5 alpha? That one's a beast—don't waste it at the market." The guild transferred Ray's 75-daaler share, bringing his funds to 815 daalers. Better than breaking even, he thought, the 75-daaler share and rare cores a victory after the rat mission's sting. His mind drifted to the two portal scars he'd seen—one in the cave on his way to the depot, another near it. Varg warned me off, but 500 daalers a pop? Worth a plan… later. For now, he was spent.
[Yomi Protocol: Anansi slayer, huh? 2040 EXP from those alien tricksters—Level 12, 410/2000! Frost Nova and Bone Spear outsmarted that alpha's tale. Smart move prepping that antidote, kid. Skipping the silver dust bomb was wise—kept your spells tight. 75-daaler share earned, 815 total, and four lesser cores plus that alpha beast? That's a haul—not a crystal's payday, but that alpha core'll power something mean. Blowing the ruins was clever, but tier 5's no joke—Varg's right about those scar remnants. You're banged up; head home.]
Ray drove back to the depot, the day's success fueling his drive. The new spells, alchemy skill, and Anansi cores—especially the alpha core—sparked ideas for crafting, and the quota was shrinking. He showered in one of the depot's three bathrooms, the hot water easing his aches, and collapsed onto his cot, the depot's hum—powered by a core—lulling him to sleep, dreams of portal scar remnants and bounties flickering in his mind.
[Yomi Protocol: Another shower, kid? You're cleaner than your bank account. Level 12, 410/2000 EXP, quota's looking good. Rest up—those gremmelings won't fall for illusions like mutated beasts. Sleep tight, or a stray mythical might crash your nap.]