[Setting: The Geo-Thermal Valley, Ancient Walled Settlement]
Having bypassed the major rockfall via the Challenge Tomb, Leo and Lara emerged onto a higher plateau overlooking the main river gorge. Below them lay the Ancient Walled Settlement—a sprawling ruin of stone houses and collapsed fortifications, currently overrun by Trinity forces establishing forward command posts. The Archive, their next destination, was tucked into the high cliffs beyond the settlement.
"Trinity is using the walls for defensive positions," Lara observed, peering through her magnified scope. "Two snipers on the main watchtowers, heavy machine gun nests covering the central courtyard, and at least six armored patrols moving through the housing blocks."
Leo activated his enhanced Recon Sense (Mind 20). The ability was now global, painting the entire settlement in a tactical overlay of enemy signatures, equipment, and structural weak points.
"We need to eliminate the snipers first to open the traversal routes," Leo stated. "Then, we hit the heavy machine gun emplacements. We will use the housing blocks for stealth and cover. No head-on assault."
Lara pointed to a long, icy aqueduct running along the eastern ridge. "I can use that aqueduct to reach the first sniper tower undetected. You take the second tower from the central market ruins. We coordinate the takedown."
"Agreed. I'll prepare some new munitions," Leo replied, his focus already on the immediate need for armor-piercing power against the entrenched positions.
He quickly dipped into his salvaged materials, using his mastery of Tier 3 crafting to assemble specialized arrows.
System Notification!
[Crafting Action: 4x Armor-Piercing Arrows (High Penetration)]
Materials Consumed: 4x Hardwood, 8x Salvage, 4x Ceramic Plating.
Result: Extreme penetration capable of piercing Trinity composite armor and light shielding.
Leo loaded the newly crafted Armor-Piercing Arrows into his Tier 3 Suppressed Tactical Bow. He began his silent infiltration through the lower market ruins. His Ghost Movement (Dexterity 20) made him virtually soundless, allowing him to bypass small patrols and scale ruined walls without detection.
Lara, meanwhile, moved like a spider across the slick, icy aqueduct. She reached the first watchtower and dispatched the sniper silently with a quick, brutal strike from her Grapple-Axe, securing the high ground.
"Sniper One down. Your turn, Leo."
Leo was already in position at the base of the second tower. He fired a single Armor-Piercing Arrow. The arrow sliced through the thick composite plating of the sniper's vest and lodged deep into his chest. The sniper slumped over the railing without making a sound.
[Trinity Snipers (2/2) Neutralized!] - +800 EXP
With the high ground secured, the pressure was now on the machine gun nests.
"I'm targeting the gunner on the north wall," Lara announced. "He has a clear line of fire across the courtyard. I need to take him out with a single shot before he can sound a full alarm."
Lara used her Tactical Bow, loading a high-grade Explosive Arrow. She aimed for the large, exposed fuel tank feeding the machine gun.
FTHWIP! KA-BOOM!
The resulting explosion was catastrophic. The machine gun nest was obliterated, the gunner vaporized, and the section of the wall collapsed in a shower of stone and dust.
The remaining three Trinity patrols in the courtyard were thrown into immediate confusion, abandoning their routes and converging on the massive explosion site.
"Chaos initiated! Trinity forces are clustered!" Leo shouted. "I'm using the Scrap-Grenade Master skill!"
Leo hurled three Scrap-Grenades in a tight cluster toward the converging patrols. The resulting triple detonation was devastating, turning the central courtyard into a kill zone of shrapnel and flying debris. The armored patrols were shredded, their movements instantly neutralized.
[Trinity Patrols (6/6) Neutralized!] - +2100 EXP
Lara rappelled down from the watchtower and joined Leo in the center of the now-silent settlement. They quickly secured the area, scavenging the high-value materials.
"We need to find the entrance to the Archive," Lara said, reloading her pistol. "It's hidden somewhere in the ruins, beneath the main idol."
They used the map retrieved from the Copper Mill to pinpoint the exact location. It led them to a massive, crumbling stone idol carved into the cliff face at the far end of the settlement.
As they reached the idol, they found the entrance—a dark, narrow fissure. But guarding the fissure was a single, heavily armored Trinity operative who seemed to be waiting for them.
It was not a Heavy Trooper, but an Elite Commander—a powerful foe, identifiable by his unique black and red armor and a silenced battle rifle.
"They knew we were coming," Lara murmured, raising her weapon.
The Commander opened fire, forcing them to take cover behind the idol's broken base.
"He's Tier 4, Lara! His armor is too thick for even the explosive arrows!" Leo shouted, his Anatomical Insight skill showing the minimal damage their current munitions would inflict. "I need a distraction! Focus fire on his head for a single second!"
Lara complied instantly, unleashing a barrage of precise pistol fire that pinged harmlessly off the commander's helmet but successfully distracted him.
In that brief moment, Leo acted. He took the only item that could penetrate the armor—his Pry Axe. Using the full force of his Strength (19), Leo threw the axe in a lightning-fast arc, aiming for the Commander's exposed elbow joint—the single, vulnerable seam shown by his new skill.
The axe struck true. The force and precision instantly shattered the joint, causing the Commander to drop his rifle and scream in pain.
Lara finished the fight with a swift, close-range headshot.
[Trinity Elite Commander Neutralized!] - +1000 EXP
[Tier 4 Foe Defeated!]
The path to the Ancient Archive was now open. They recovered the Pry Axe, its blade stained with blood, and Leo quickly scavenged the unique Tier 4 Composite Plating from the Commander's armor—a crucial material for their final upgrades.
"The Archive is next," Lara said, her eyes fixed on the dark entrance. "We find the Cosmic Ring and we move on to Kitezh."
Chapter End.