The air was thick with the acrid smell of scorched earth and the coppery tang of blood. Joel leaned heavily against a half-broken chair, his chest rising and falling in uneven bursts. His arms trembled as he wiped the sweat from his brow, leaving a streak of grime across his face. Every muscle screamed in protest, but the ache wasn’t unfamiliar—it was the kind that followed a job well done.
For the first, time the group wasn’t looking at him like a liability. Gideon nodded in his direction, a rare expression of respect softening his otherwise stern features. Ren was already busy securing the makeshift perimeter, but even she tossed Joel a quick, approving glance.
Joel shifted his weight, wincing as his ribs protested. The lizard men—six of them—lay scattered across the clearing, their scaled bodies already dissolving into a black sludge that hissed as it seeped into the dirt. He glanced at his hands, still sticky with the creatures’ blood, and couldn’t help but smirk. He’d done it.
“Gideon,” he called, his voice hoarse. “How are we looking?”
The burrow leader stepped out with the others, his eyes scanning the area. He gave a small nod. “Looks like your trap worked, eh? Or should I say, the fight worked. The captives are safe.”
Joel’s heart skipped a beat. “They’re okay?”
“They’re fine,” Gideon assured him, his expression softening just slightly. “You’ve earned your place here, Joel. You did well.”
Joel let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. He had done it. He’d proved he wasn’t just dead weight. Two things left to do, get stronger and find a way to his family. But then the picture of that boy, trapped in the cage flashed into his mind. “No,” he whispered to himself. “I have to free them, and then I can hit the road.” Nodding in satisfaction, he knew what to do.
Notifications flashed before Joel''s eyes from the system. He blinked, briefly disoriented by the sudden influx of information overlaid on his vision.
<hr>
Personal System Notification
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Combat Log:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Combat Experience Gained:</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Defeated Savage Lizardman (x3): +300 XP (Brutal Efficiency Bonus)</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">[Lizardman Squad Leader] - Critical Hit Bonus! - 500 XP</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">[Lizardman Grunt] - Defeated - 250 XP</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">[Lizardman Grunt] - Defeated - 250 XP</li>
</ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Quest Log:</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">[Rescue the Captives] - Completed! +150 XP</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Experience Bonus: 450 XP</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Objective Complete:</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Rescued Civilians (x5): +150 XP (Swift Action Bonus)</li>
</ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Total Experience Gained: 2050 XP</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Joel couldn’t help but grin as the rush of levelling up coursed through him. His muscles felt stronger, his reflexes sharper. He effortlessly swung the hammer, the head whistling through the air with a speed he hadn’t been capable of before. For the first time in a long while, he felt ready for whatever came next. He looked to Jace, Ren, Gideon, and Logan, his grin wide and infectious. They were gathered in the bustling marketplace of Oakhaven, stalls overflowing with wares lining the cobblestone streets.
“So,” he said, hefting the hammer onto his shoulder, “when do we dungeon dive?”
Logan chuckled, his deep voice carrying a hint of humour. “How about you finish looting those Skill Cards first? Never know when you’ll need a trick up your sleeve. They might save your skin down there.”
Ren crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing at Joel as if measuring his enthusiasm against practicality. “We’ll get ready and dive into the dungeon within the hour. But don’t think levelling up means you’re invincible, newbie. The monsters inside aren’t known for their mercy.” Gideon nodded in agreement, sharpening his daggers with a practiced hand. "And the rumours say a cave troll has taken up residence deeper in."
“A Troll?”Joel shrugged, still riding the high. “Not invincible, but I’m feeling pretty damn good.”
Joel walked over to the first lizardman he had killed, picking up the heart card. He reviewed it. The art on the front depicted a lizardman crouching low, its scaled body perfectly blending into a swampy backdrop of cattails, moss-covered trees, and murky water. Its eyes glinted faintly, the only visible feature betraying its presence. The background hinted at other indistinct figures, perhaps more lizardmen or predators lying in wait.
Joel turned the card over and examined the back. Ripples spread out in concentric circles across dark, reflective water, with the faint outline of disappearing footprints on a muddy bank. A hint of reeds and lily pads completed the swampy scene.
Then he got a notification.
<hr>
Personal System Notification:
Swampland Camouflage
Rarity: Common
Type: Utility/Stealth
Level: One
Description: A tactical card ideal for stealthy approaches or evasion, especially in natural environments like swamps, forests, or wetlands.
Swampland Camouflage: When activated, the user becomes nearly invisible in swampy, forested, or similarly natural environments.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Reduces the chance of detection by enemies by 70% for 2 minutes.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Movement speed is slightly reduced while the effect is active (-10%), emphasizing stealth over haste.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">The effect ends immediately if the user attacks or takes damage.</li>
</ul>
Cooldown: 15 minutes.
<hr>
Joel had space in his heart deck, so he added the card. That was when he got a strange notification.
<hr>
Notification. The card Swampland Camouflage has synergy with the mechanical core. Feature activated.
Absorption: When Joel encounters a creature and defeats it (or comes into contact with certain parts of it), his heart card activates, pulling a feature of that creature into the armour. For example, an encounter with an oil-based void creature might grant him a slippery, stealth mode or a resistance to poison.
Due to killing the lizardman that this card belongs to, the core has altered it, and adapted it to the core.
Adaptive Camouflage
Card Details
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Rarity: Rare</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Type: Utility/Stealth (Integrated with Biometal Core Armor)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Starting Level: 5</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Description: A stealth-focused ability that utilizes Joel’s mechanical core armour. The biometal surface dynamically adjusts its texture, colour, and reflectivity to blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment, rendering Joel nearly invisible until he is detected or his armour''s energy reserves are depleted.</li>
</ul>
Ability: Adaptive Camouflage
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Activation: Joel channels his armour’s energy to create a camouflage effect.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Effect:</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Environment Matching: The armour automatically adapts to the surrounding terrain (forests, deserts, urban rubble, etc.).</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Reduces detectability by 90% for enemies relying on visual cues.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Energy Usage: The effect persists until Joel is detected, takes damage, or the armour''s energy reserves are depleted (duration scales with remaining energy).</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Slight energy drain while active; faster depletion if Joel moves quickly or engages in combat.</li>
</ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Limitations:</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Stealth is broken instantly if Joel takes direct damage or uses a loud, flashy attack.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Movement speed is reduced by 15% to enhance stealth during activation.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
Cooldown: 15 minutes after deactivation.
Upgrades & Synergies
Potential Upgrades:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Advanced Mimicry: Includes mimicking thermal and infrared signatures, making Joel undetectable to advanced sensors.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Combat Cloak: Allows Joel to remain camouflaged for 5 seconds after initiating an attack.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Extended Efficiency: Reduces energy drain, allowing the camouflage to last longer.</li>
</ul>
Synergy with Other Cards:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Enhanced Reflex Cards: Combine stealth with quick reaction times to ambush effectively.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Energy Restoration Cards: Use these to extend the duration of camouflage mid-mission.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Trap/Explosive Cards: Set up ambushes while remaining undetected.</li>
</ul>
Narrative Flavor
This adaptation of the card highlights Joel’s ingenuity and the merging of his mechanic skills with the system’s powers. The armour’s biometal nature reinforces his connection to machines, while the camouflage ability provides an edge in hostile environments, allowing for reconnaissance, infiltration, and ambush tactics.
Flavor Text:
"When the world disappears, so do you."
<hr>
Joel’s jaw dropped. He couldn’t believe how the card had levelled up. He felt truly lucky. He summoned the card from his deck and looked it over. The artwork had changed. The front image depicted Joel’s mechanical armour mid-transformation. Its sleek, reflective biometal panels rippled like liquid, shifting hues to match a dense forest backdrop. The scene showed Joel half-blended into the terrain, his silhouette distorted and nearly imperceptible. A faint blue energy glow traced along the armour''s seams, hinting at its advanced technology.
Turning it over, as he had done with the lizard card, he saw that the back had changed as well. It now featured a biometal pattern spiralling outward like tree rings, with faint circuitry lines glowing in a soft, ethereal green. Small clusters of leaves, mud, and moss were woven into the metallic structure, showcasing its ability to mimic natural textures.
He went over and added the other two cards to his heart deck as well. After looking over the artwork. The first card’s front was of a lizardman is captured in motion, leaping to avoid a volley of arrows. Its wiry frame is silhouetted against the warm glow of torchlight in a dense jungle setting. The arrows are frozen mid-flight, their sharp tips barely missing their tails. The background features a dense wall of vines and shadowy figures emerging with weapons drawn.
The back of the card had a picture of a coiled spring engraved with overlapping scales. The metallic sheen of the spring suggests tension and readiness, while faint energy pulses ripple outward, hinting at the card’s dynamic ability.
The second card had a figure wielding a longsword is caught mid-spin, its blade slicing through a blur of incoming projectiles. The backdrop features a chaotic battlefield, but the figure moves with such fluid precision that they appear untouchable amidst the chaos. Light glints off the weapon, creating arcs of energy in the air that echo the fluidity of the motion.
The back was simpler with a circular pattern resembling the flow of a whirlwind, with etched lines representing speed and grace. A faint image of crossed swords lies at the center, symbolizing mastery of weaponry.
<hr>
Personal System Notification. Heart cards were added to the deck.
Reptilian Reflexes
Card Details
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Rarity: Uncommon</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Type: Utility/Agility</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Starting Level: 3</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Description: This card channels the swift and instinctual reflexes of a lizardman, granting the user a temporary boost to speed and reaction times. Perfect for evading attacks or creating openings in combat.</li>
</ul>
Ability: Reptilian ReflexesThe story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Activation: Grants a burst of enhanced agility and heightened reflexes.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Effect:</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Evasion Boost: Increases dodge speed and agility by 50%, allowing the user to evade incoming projectiles and melee attacks with ease.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Reaction Time: Sharply boosts the user''s reaction time, making split-second movements feel effortless.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Duration: Effect lasts for 10 seconds of peak performance.</li>
</ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cooldown: 30 minutes.</li>
</ul>
Flavor Text:
"What you can’t catch, you can’t kill."
Blade Dancer
Card Details
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Rarity: Rare</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Type: Combat/Weapon Mastery</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Starting Level: 4</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Description: This heart card enhances the user’s proficiency with bladed weapons, allowing for graceful and devastating attacks in combat. It grants an intuitive fighting style, blending offense and defense seamlessly, making it invaluable for close-quarters combat.</li>
</ul>
Ability: Blade Dancer
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Activation: Grants enhanced weapon handling and combat instincts for any bladed weapon.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Effect:</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Enhanced Mastery: Increases damage dealt with bladed weapons by 30% and adds fluidity to attacks, chaining combos more effectively.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Evasion Boost: Automatically integrates footwork into attacks, increasing dodge speed by 15% during melee combat.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Defensive Flow: Allows the user to parry and counterattack with minimal energy expenditure.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Weapon Adaptation: Works with all bladed weapons, including swords, daggers, machetes, or axes.</li>
</ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Duration: Active for 60 seconds.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Cooldown: 10 minutes.</li>
</ul>
Flavor Text:
"A blade is not just a weapon—it’s the rhythm of battle, the dance of survival."
<hr>
He had seven out of his ten card spots filled in now. Joel felt ready. With that, the group made their way back down into the warren. The underground village bustled with activity, rabbits scurrying around with baskets of supplies, and a few humans sharpening weapons or inspecting equipment. Joel couldn’t help but take it in. Despite the surreal setting, there was a strange sense of camaraderie in the air.
They gathered near a large table in Gideon’s quarters, supplies laid out in an organized mess. Joel took stock alongside the others, noting the mix of modern gear and makeshift weapons crafted from salvaged materials.
“You’re packing light,” Ren commented, eyeing Joel’s loadout.
“Don’t have much to pack yet,” Joel replied, pocketing the cards he’d looted. “But these might help.” Remembering his truck parked just outside of town. Not having supplies and resources was one of the reasons he was hoping to hit The Company office before heading back out. However, this dungeon might be better than anything he could find in town.
Jace tossed him a small pouch. “Couple of potions, some dried food. Should keep you alive in there, at least.”
“Thanks,” Joel said, catching the pouch.
As the group made their final checks, Joel realized something was missing. He looked to the others, curiosity in his voice. “So… what kind of dungeon is it, anyway?”
Logan smirked, leaning against the wall. “Oh, you’re gonna love this.”
Gideon glanced at Logan, a slight frown creasing his brow. “Don’t mess with him, Logan.” Turning to Joel, he explained,
“It’s called the Void Observatory. One of the older ones we’ve found, but it’s… different,” Gideon said, his voice steady but tinged with unease. “It’s not just traps or creatures in there. The place itself feels alive, like it’s watching you.”
Joel raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “Alive how? Are we talking ‘creepy sounds’ alive or ‘trying to kill us’ alive?”
Jace chimed in, pulling his goggles down around his neck. “Bit of both, really. The whole place messes with your head. One second you’re walking through a normal hallway, the next you’re upside down, or you’re staring at a door that wasn’t there before. It’s… unpredictable.”
Logan grinned, clearly enjoying Joel’s growing discomfort. “And then there’s the creatures. Shadows that melt out of the walls. Stalkers that follow you but vanish the moment you look at them. Mimics that—”
“Enough,” Gideon cut in sharply, his frown deepening. “We don’t need to scare him off before we even start.”
Joel shrugged, gripping the strap of his pack. “I’m not scared. Just trying to get the lay of the land. If we’re walking into some kind of nightmare maze, I’d like to know what to expect.”
Ren, who had been quietly sharpening her blade, finally spoke. Her voice was calm but laced with a challenge. “You don’t. That’s the thing about void dungeons. You can’t plan for them like you can with others. They’re chaos made real. Adapt or die.”
Logan’s grin widened. “She’s not wrong. But hey, at least the rewards are worth it. That void alloy we use? All from this place.”
Jace nodded, adjusting his gear. “And the heart cards. We’ve found some powerful ones in there—though some come with… side effects.”
Joel tilted his head, intrigued. “Side effects?”
Jace hesitated, glancing at Gideon, who sighed and nodded. “Some cards tied to the void can mess with your mind. Voices. Visions. That’s why we don’t use them lightly. But not all of them are dangerous. The trick is knowing what you’re willing to risk.”
Joel looked between the group, their expressions ranging from wary to amused. “Sounds like a real treat. But if this place is so unpredictable, how do you even prepare?”
Jace gestured to the supplies laid out on the table. “We bring redundancy. Spare light sources, extra rations, and enough gear to last if we get stuck or something.”
Gideon stepped in, his tone serious. “The key is to stay focused. Stick together. Don’t let the place get in your head. If you start seeing things or hearing things, speak up.”
Ren stood, sliding her blade into its sheath. “And don’t fall behind. If you get separated, you might not find your way back.”
Joel nodded, his determination hardening. “Got it. Stick together, stay sharp, and don’t let the void mess with my head.”
Logan clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s the spirit. You’ll do fine, new guy.”
Jace smirked. “Or you’ll lose your mind and start talking to the walls.”
Gideon shot them both a warning glare. “Enough. Let’s move. The gate won’t wait forever.”
As they began heading toward the dungeon entrance, Joel felt a mix of apprehension and excitement. The Void Observatory sounded like a nightmare—but one that could make or break him.
Before going in, he decides to check his status page, one more time.
<h4>Character Sheet: Joel Level 6</h4>
<hr>
General Information
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Name: Joel</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Level: 6</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Occupation (Pre-Merge): Heavy-Duty Mechanic</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Core Heart Card: Adaptive Mechanized Armour</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Rarity: Rare</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Description: Allows Joel to absorb the features of creatures, monsters, and beasts he encounters. Upgrades features based on his mechanic level.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<hr>
Attributes (Base Stats + System Buffs)
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Strength: 14 (Above average for manual labour)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Dexterity: 12 (Slightly above normal)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Constitution: 16 (Highly resilient from years of physical work)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Intelligence: 15 (Problem-solver, skilled mechanic)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Wisdom: 13 (Street-smart but emotionally guarded)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Charisma: 12 (Socially awkward, reserved personality-improvement granted from deeds)</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Health and Resources
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">HP: 130 (High durability due to Constitution stat)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Stamina: 70 (Moderate, reflects a labour-intensive job but developing athletic finesse)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Mana (or equivalent): 30 (Low, used only for system abilities)</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Abilities & Features
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Armour Adaptation (Heart Core Ability)
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Upgrade the suit to increase this ability</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Energy Absorption: Converts a small portion of absorbed energy (e.g., electricity, steam or impact force) into stamina regeneration. Overuse risks overheating the armour. (Gained from the fight with Jeremy the Gator.)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Void Resilience: Reduced damage from eldritch and void-based attacks (gained from void creatures).</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Lightning Capacitor: Absorbs and redirects small amounts of electrical energy (gained from lightning otters).</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Enhanced Grip: Stronger grip strength for climbing or holding onto tools.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Absorbs features from encountered creatures and integrates them temporarily into the mechanized suit.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Current adaptations (level 5)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Past Adaptations (Level 5):</li>
</ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Mechanic’s Ingenuity (Passive)</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Grants +2 to problem-solving when dealing with mechanical or technical challenges.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Reduces resource cost for repairing equipment by 10%.</li>
</ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Overclock Armour (Active Ability, Cooldown: 2 minutes)</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Temporarily boosts speed and strength by 20% for 15 seconds, but doubles stamina drain.</li>
</ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Field Repair (Passive)</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Can restore 10% durability to armor or tools without additional resources.</li>
</ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Training
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Close Quarters Combat (CQC): Basic (Training under Gideon)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Hand-to-Hand Combat: Basic (Training under Gideon)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Weapon Proficiency (Hammer): Specialized (On the job training)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Key Drills: Sparring, improvised weapon drills, pain conditioning.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Gideon''s Training Focus: Brutal efficiency, improvisation, and pushing beyond physical and mental limits.</li>
</ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Pain Tolerance: High (Conditioning under Gideon combined with oil worker background)</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Lingering Effects: Multiple scars on arms and back, heightened vigilance.</li>
</ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Perk: Rig Survivor (Passive)</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Increased resistance to environmental hazards like water, oil, and extreme temperatures.</li>
</ul>
</ol>
<hr>
Heart Deck- 10 slots, 7 in use:
Adaptive Mechanized Armor (Equipped)
Rarity: Rare
Level: Five
Description: an armour interface that adapts to his environment and incorporates unique abilities from the creatures he encounters.
Cool Down: Energy level
Adaptive Camouflage
Rarity: Rare
Level: 5
Type: Utility/Stealth (Integrated with Biometal Core Armor)
Description: A stealth-focused ability that utilizes Joel’s mechanical core armour. The biometal surface dynamically adjusts its texture, colour, and reflectivity to blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment, rendering Joel nearly invisible until he is detected or his armour''s energy reserves are depleted.
Cool Down: 15 minutes after deactivation.
Shelter Card
Rarity: Legendary
Level: One
Description: It grants the ability to create a temporary, durable shelter for up to 6 hours. The shelter is resistant to harsh weather and moderate physical attacks.
Cool Down: 24 hours.
Grit of the Forgotten (Mack’s Card) (In Memoriam)
Rarity: Common
Level: One
Description: Provides resilience against despair and fear-based effects.
Cool Down: 10 Minutes
Steam Gator’s Fury
Rarity: Rare
Type: Attack/Battle
Active Ability: Scalding Burst
Passive Ability: Gator’s Resilience
Secondary Effect: Swamp Walker
Cool Down: 15 minutes
Reptilian Reflexes
Rarity: Uncommon
Type: Utility/Agility
Starting Level: 3
Description: This card channels the swift and instinctual reflexes of a lizardman, granting the user a temporary boost to speed and reaction times. Perfect for evading attacks or creating openings in combat.
Duration: Effect lasts for 10 seconds of peak performance.
Cool Down: 30 minutes.
Blade Dancer
Rarity: Rare
Type: Combat/Weapon Mastery
Starting Level: 4
Description: Grants enhanced weapon handling and combat instincts for any bladed weapon
Duration: Active for 15 seconds.
Cool Down: 10 minutes.
<hr>
Personality Traits
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Loyal: Committed to his family and the survivors.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Determined: Stubbornly pushes forward, especially when survival is at stake.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Reserved: Often keeps his thoughts and feelings to himself.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Background (Key Events)
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Before the Merge:</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Joel worked tirelessly on an oil rig, supporting his family.</li>
</ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Post-Merge:</li>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Forced to survive the chaos of the system’s integration, Joel quickly adapted to using his heart card and relying on his mechanic skills to stay alive.</li>
</ul>
</ul>