《Breachers》 (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 0 (Prologue) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 0 Prologue - - - Amidst an expanse of endless darkness, the man drifted, a timeless wanderer touched only by fragments of sensation¡ªa distant sound of feeling, a lingering scent, a feeling. It offered him a strange kind of peace, an escape from the chaos outside that he wasn¡¯t familiar with. He was devoid of understanding, his identity, and the passage of time as foreign to him as his own mind, hollow in every aspect. In this state of existence, he simply was... disconnected from the complexities of anything else. Out of nowhere, a piercing pain stabbed his center, snapping him back into existence within his ruined body and fractured mind. Weakness, weariness, and searing agony flooded over him, confusing him beyond words. In an instant, a burning wave of energy crashed into him, forcing his eyes open while suffering indescribable pain. He grappled with his own confusion at what he was seeing and hearing. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. His eyes struggled to focus, the world appearing strange and unfamiliar. Yet, even through the haze, he could see a creature hovering above. Grime and shadows clung to its form, hiding any recognizable features, including a face. Instead, he could only see a warped image of himself reflected back, sending a shiver down his spine. The smell that came off the figure was one of rot and decay. With a forceful grip, the creature¡¯s claw pressed against his chest, piercing his flesh with a chilling coldness. All the while, an alarm blared relentlessly, and a chorus of distant shouts swirled around him, amplifying his confusion to new heights. Desperation welled up within him, urging him to scream, to fight it off, but his feeble body and clouded mind prevented any sound from escaping. Not that he recalled the words needed to. He remained imprisoned within his own flesh, forced to watch as the creature exerted pressure on his convulsing frame, siphoning something important from his body and mind. Ultimately, all that remained in his mind were silent screams, amplifying the violence of his trembling body until darkness embraced him. - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites Copyright NOTICE: Welcome to Breachers by OsiriumWrites on Royalroad.com/scribbleHub/wattpad. If you¡¯re reading this message on another website, my work has been reproduced without permission. (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 1 (Marks) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 1 I Marks - - - Marcus Across a worn desk, two men sat on opposing seats, their presence a study in contrasts. One, a police officer, occupied his chair with a commanding presence, his uniform crisply pressed and shoulders squared. The other, a young man wearing jeans and a shirt, appeared disheveled, his clothes marred by bloodstains. The young man had just been brought in by another officer. His face bore the aftermath of a recent scuffle¡ªhis nose swollen and bruised, his skin marked with various shades of blue and purple. Despite this, his blue eyes remained locked onto the uniformed man in front of him. The officer''s fingers danced across the keyboard with deliberate slowness, each keystroke echoing in the heavy silence that filled the room. A soft smile played upon the police officer''s lips as he reviewed his freshly typed report, his eyes crinkling at the corners. ¡°Marcus Laurens Smit, twenty years old. Dutch nationality and lives near Utrecht,¡± he mused, his pause hinting at the significance of the name. ¡°Presumably named after his incredibly handsome uncle,¡± the older man added, his gaze briefly drifting towards Marcus, a glint of familiarity in his eyes. ¡°Suspect is around one hundred and ninety centimeters tall and has a physique that mimics his uncle¡¯s impressive build, although an obvious lesser variant.¡± In his desk chair, the older man seemed almost ready to burst from his short-sleeved police uniform, the fabric clinging to his robust frame. His cleanly shaved head gleamed under the light, its polished surface a stark contrast to the hint of character provided by his reddish beard. Like Marcus, his eyes contained the same bright blue hue. His right arm bore a sequence of seventeen inked notches, each etch seemingly harboring a tale. "Come on, Uncle Laurens," Marcus implored, his voice carrying the weight of hours of suppressed frustration stemming from the recent altercation and the following stay in a holding cell for the last few hours. He leaned forward, his words suddenly calm and warm. "This all just started as a heated discussion in a cramped bar. The situation escalated after a while, and I had no choice but to defend myself." Marcus''s fingers gingerly raked through his tousled black hair, fingertips skimming over his scalp, wincing at the slightest hint of tenderness or soreness. ¡°And how is mentioning yourself related to my file?¡± "Oh, it¡¯s not related," Laurens chimed in, a mischievous glint noticeable in his eyes as his fingers slowly tapped the keyboard to a finishing tune. "I just want it in your file that you have an attractive uncle." His gaze pivoted back to Marcus, the hint of challenge evident in his eyes. "Now, regarding your ''defense''..." Laurens leaned forward before continuing. ¡°The officer who handled the incident described it more like a one-sided cage fight, with you single-handedly beating the shit out of two young men.¡± He paused, running his hand through his beard, feeling the coarse texture brush against his fingertips. ¡°They were older than me. And like I said, I was just defending¡ª¡± ¡°Defending... Right, and I suppose I¡¯m secretly a stunning Norwegian blonde with a tickle fetish,¡± Laurens interrupted, voice thick with sarcasm as his expression momentarily hardened. ¡°Let¡¯s make things clear. One of those guys you ¡®defended¡¯ against, has a broken nose, and the other is limping around like he won¡¯t be jogging anytime soon. And let¡¯s not overlook the myriad of bruises you so generously adorned their faces with.¡± Leaning closer, he fixed Marcus with a stern gaze. ¡°You got lucky, Marcus. This isn¡¯t the first instance where you¡¯ve found yourself embroiled in such trouble, and it¡¯s only thanks to a colleague of mine recognizing your last name that the consequences aren¡¯t more severe. When all is said and done, you should consider yourself lucky if all you¡¯ll face is a slap on the wrist and the biblical wrath your mother has in store for you." ¡°Wait! You called her?¡± Marcus asked, his voice nearly breaking off at the end. ¡°What, and jeopardize my own hide? I¡¯m not an idiot. Hell, I¡¯m the one who taught you half of those moves you employed tonight while ¡®defending¡¯ yourself,¡± Laurens retorted, rising from his seat. ¡°I called your dad. He¡¯s right outside, ready to jump on that grenade.¡± He then gathered his belongings before he made his way over to the door and cracked it open, revealing the silhouette of a man waiting just outside. Marcus¡¯s attention was momentarily captured by the murmur of voices seeping in from outside, though too distant to decipher, the tone alone conveyed the judgments cast upon him. His gaze shifted towards the entrance, revealing the arrival of his father, Bas. With well-defined features, clean-shaven, and piercing blue eyes like Marcus¡¯s own. Deep lines etched with disappointment appeared on Bas¡¯s face as he took in his son¡¯s current state. Marcus wanted to justify himself, parting his lips to speak, but a single raised finger from his father silenced him instantly. ¡°Was my son in the right?¡± Marcus¡¯s uncle cast a glance at his brother, his eyes then settling on his nephew. ¡°Tough to say. He¡¯s the spitting image of you,¡± Laurens remarked, his voice tinged with a mixture of familiarity and concern. ¡°Too much passion and a very, very short fuse... but I believe his intentions were good. Something about sticking up for a friend of his.¡± With that, he stepped aside, creating an opening for the two men to exit and join him. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best to ease the weight on the whole thing. But it¡¯s already flagged in the system, so his brief dance with the judicial system isn¡¯t over. I¡¯ll keep you and your son informed, alright?¡± Bas acknowledged his brother¡¯s presence with a nod before extending his hand, revealing a series of tattooed notches on his right arm¡ªtwenty-one in total. ¡°I owe you one.¡± ¡°Consider it added to the long list of debts you already owe me. But hey, I never say no to a free meal when I drop by,¡± Laurens chuckled, taking the lead down the hallway. Not long after, they arrived at a door that led them outside. ¡°Don¡¯t forget to pass along my regards to Liane and the rest of the kids. Though, I might not swing by for a while, if you catch my drift.¡± Laurens flashed a reassuring smile, while his brother simply nodded and stepped out. Just as Marcus was about to follow suit, Laurens stopped him with a hand. ¡°Listen, kid. You did a bad thing despite your intentions. Your old man won¡¯t be lenient with you. Accept it for what it is and recognize that he sees a reflection in you.¡± Marcus just nodded silently before stepping outside into the open air. Yet, before he could go further, his uncle tapped him on the shoulder once more. ¡°And try not to be a little shithead the next time you go to a bar, alright?¡± He then handed Marcus his phone and wallet that had previously been taken from him when he had been detained. With that, Laurens retreated back indoors, forcefully slamming the door behind him, leaving father and son alone in the empty parking lot. - - - The car ride home hung heavy with an oppressive silence, broken only by the soft hum of the engine and the occasional sound of Marcus''s fingers nervously tapping against his thigh. Marcus stole glances out his window, his gaze tracing the passing houses near Utrecht that he knew so well. He couldn¡¯t help but notice the familiar bar where he had been arrested, his friend¡¯s house, and the gym where his father taught martial arts. At seeing the latter, a sense of unease settled over him, prompting his gaze to fall upon his own hands. His knuckles throbbed beneath the surface, a vivid reminder of the intensity of the recent fight. ¡°Dad,¡± he began softly, breaking the heavy silence. ¡°I just want you to know¡ª¡± The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. His father''s voice cut through the air, its measured tone betraying a stark absence of emotion. ¡°Why did you do it?" Marcus sighed, replaying the events of the previous night. The memory of the men''s insults and slurs resurfaced, each word echoing painfully in his ears. He had tried to maintain composure, exercising restraint for over an hour. But eventually, the anger and pressure had become too much. ¡°I messed up,¡± he admitted, his voice tinged with remorse. ¡°Felix and Oscar... two pricks were insulting them. It just kept going on and on. I just reached my breaking point... I snapped. I know... I shouldn¡¯t have.¡± The car navigated another turn as another stretch of silence fell between them, accompanied solely by the gentle hum of the engine. After a minute or so, his father broke the quiet, catching Marcus off guard with his words. ¡°Marcus, loyalty is commendable, but being a good friend demands more than anger. You were a shitty friend to them last night.¡± His father¡¯s voice held a mix of disappointment and concern. ¡°You¡¯re quick to anger... your impulse to solve problems with violence... your failure to consider alternatives... did you even pause and think about the repercussions your actions might have on your friends?¡± ¡°But I couldn¡¯t just stand there! They¡¯re my friends, Dad! How would you feel if someone insulted your friends, or Uncle Laurens?¡± Marcus¡¯s words spilled out, a mix of frustration and sincerity. ¡°Twenty years ago, I would have acted in the same manner as you... probably even worse. But that doesn¡¯t justify your actions,¡± his father admitted, steering the car to a stop in front of their house, feeling the weight of two pairs of eyes instantly upon them when a curtain slid to the side. ¡°Your friends deserve the right to face insults on their own terms. They deserve the opportunity to grow from those experiences without you dictating the course of action. Instead, you chose violence, forcing your friends to witness it and the potential of losing a friend.¡± ¡°I know, Dad,¡± Marcus said, his fists involuntarily clenching at his sides. The weight of his anger issues, the lingering fury within him, remained ever-present. ¡°I regret hitting them.¡± "No, you don''t," his father corrected, his gaze turning icy as it bore into his son''s, as if recognizing a familiar trait he hated within himself. ¡°Marcus, you¡¯re not a bad person... but that doesn¡¯t mean you are a good one either.¡± He let out a sigh and retrieved the keys from the ignition before settling back into his car seat. ¡°I wish the world had more individuals like your mother, your siblings, or even your two friends. The world would be a better place if only those kinds of people were born in it. However, I also know that there are despicable individuals who only yield when faced with people who don¡¯t mind violence.¡± Bas¡¯s gaze drifted to his own arm, glancing at the twenty-one marks. ¡°All I¡¯m asking is for you to utilize that neglected brain of yours... find out what you were born to do beyond being a mere destroyer." Bas¡¯s gaze fixed on his son¡¯s clenched fist, taking note of the battered knuckles and the bruises adorning his arms. ¡°You¡¯re my son, and I love you for your loyalty. It¡¯s the one redeeming quality that we both possess,¡± he said, his voice slowly turning more affectionate. ¡°But don¡¯t let it consume you... channel it wisely. Look at your uncle and your friends as an example.¡± He offered a gentle pat on his son''s leg before swinging open the car door and stepping out onto the pavement. Afterwards the two men made their way towards the house, crossing the threshold together. ¡°Take care of those knuckles first. Ice them up. Then barricade yourself in your room until I can appease your mother,¡± he instructed. Marcus entered the living room, while his father intercepted his mother with both arms, her expression a torrent of emotion from the moment they entered the living room. Still, Marcus could feel her gaze stare green daggers in the back of his head as he retreated further into the house. The mixed stares of his younger brother and sister, Martin and Joline, in the living room also didn¡¯t help things as he maneuvered past them, stepping into the kitchen. Marcus hesitated for a moment before he snatched a sack of frozen peas from the freezer, his fingers brushing against the cold surface, a shiver running down his spine. The coolness of the package seeped through his fingers, providing a momentary relief from the throbbing pain. With a careful grip, he pressed the icy compress against his bruised knuckles, wincing at the immediate sensation of chilling coldness. ¡°Are you hurt?¡± Martin suddenly asked after tailing his older brother, his green eyes fixed on Marcus¡¯s injured fist, filled with genuine concern. Despite the considerable age difference of nearly nine years, it was clear to all that the eleven-year-old held his older brother in high esteem. ¡°Nah, just a little bruising. I tripped when I went out with Felix and Oscar,¡± Marcus lied before letting out a soft chuckle, ruffling Martin¡¯s black hair in an attempt to lighten the mood. ¡°I¡¯ll be right as rain tomorrow.¡± He could sense his sister¡¯s skepticism from the next room through a snort, as if she saw right through his feeble excuse. As he left the kitchen, Marcus sensed the weight of Joline''s watchful gaze trailing him, a palpable sense of her amusement hanging in the air as he approached the staircase. With each step he took, his sister¡¯s mischievous voice sliced through the air, teasingly laced with something. "So, how was your stay in prison? Did you make any new friends? Or did you find a girlfriend there?" Her golden hair framed her face as a sly grin played on her lips, just daring Marcus to retort. He was tempted to respond in kind, but he resisted the urge, recalling his father¡¯s words. Masking his true feelings, he offered her a forced smile, then ascended the staircase to his room, closing the door with a soft click. Seconds later, he sank onto his bed while pressing the bag of frozen peas against his bruised knuckles, harder than what was necessary. A wave of remorse washed over him, fully aware of the troubles he had caused for his family. ¡®Way to go, Marcus,¡¯ he rued silently. Marcus''s gaze swept over his room, landing on a battered laptop that was placed precariously on his desk while a hamper stood in the corner like a forgotten friend. Next to it was a small wooden cabinet, its glass panel revealing a trove of medals and trophies, drawing his attention. Some of them were his own, remnants of his prior athletic feats, but the majority belonged to his father and uncle. Among the mementos, a framed newspaper article stood out the most, its headline proudly proclaiming, ¡® The Twin Wolves of Utrecht¡¯, and their most recent fights they had won. Comparing his father¡¯s youthful visage to his own, Marcus couldn¡¯t deny the similarity, despite his father having blonde hair. He clicked his tongue before he closed his eyes. ¡®Mom¡¯s going to tear me a new one,¡¯ he thought before he felt the urge to yawn, realizing just how tired he truly was at that moment. Just then, Marcus¡¯s pocket vibrated, alerting him to the arrival of several new text messages. Suppressing a groan, he carefully slipped his injured hand into his pocket and retrieved his phone. With his eyes fixed on the screen, he read the group messages displayed before him while sending out a few of his own. ©³ ©· Felix - ¡°Dude! Heard you got out!¡± ¡°Also heard you dropped the soap.¡± - Oscar Felix - ¡°Lol, but seriously. How are you holding up?¡± ¡°Need anything? And how pissed are your folks?¡± - Oscar Marcus - ¡°Banged up but doing fine. Sorry about last night, lads. Dad gave me a speech. Mom cursed me with her eyes.¡± ¡°No worries. Glad to see they didn¡¯t lock you up for longer. So... grounded for life? Or are you allowed to come with us this weekend?¡± - Oscar Marcus - ¡°...?¡± ¡°Really? The Amsterdam Tech Expo.¡± - Oscar Felix - ¡°Dude. Don¡¯t tell me you forgot! You¡¯re not going to bail on us, right?¡± ©» ©¿ Marcus dropped the phone beside him, letting out a deep sigh. He buried his hand in the bag of frozen peas once more and closed his eyes as he tuned out the distant murmur of his parents¡¯ discussion downstairs. He couldn¡¯t help but feel sympathy for his dad, knowing his father was bearing the weight of his mother¡¯s anger. Clicking his tongue in thought again, he recalled his father¡¯s words from the car ride. ¡®Find out what I¡¯m born to do, huh?¡¯ - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 2 (The Old Wolf) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 2 I The Old Wolf - - - Several days later Bas Bas''s lips curved upward, his mouth guard clamped between his teeth, revealing a design of painted wolf fangs against the dark protective material. His gaze settled on his two sons standing in a corner of the boxing ring. The eldest, Marcus, stood with an air of certainty, his finger tracing the path of a jab as he guided his younger brother, Martin, who nodded in eager agreement. ¡®He¡¯s always so gentle with Martin. Like he¡¯s a different person,¡¯ Bas thought as he looked at his sons for a while longer, enjoying their interaction. ¡®He¡¯s a good kid. He just needs to realize it himself.¡¯ Afterwards, Bas''s gaze swept across his gym, tracing the faded marks on the floor while inhaling the familiar scent of worn gloves and the lingering tang of old sweat. Two boxing rings dominated the space, each bearing the scars of countless sparring sessions and heated disputes resolved through time-honored combat, or just a good old fashioned brawl. His place also had several mats for wrestling, Jujutsu, or judo. Next to that were boxing bags dangling from sturdy chains, swaying gently as if still reverberating from the force of the punches they''d absorbed mere seconds ago. ¡°Are you ready, old man?¡± Marcus shot him an arrogant expression, his lips curling upward in challenge. In response, a smile crept across Bas''s face, a mix of pride and nostalgia intertwining as he saw Marcus''s bold spirit¡ªthe very same fire that had burned within Bas during his younger days. He nodded at his sons and assumed a fighting stance. Martin, the youngest, clapped his MMA gloves together, a determined look in his eyes. Despite his age, the youth managed to look as focused as most professional boxers. His gloves shielded his face as he swiftly closed in, feinting left before swiftly sliding right. Two jabs shot toward Bas¡¯s chest, but he evaded them while launching a few counterattacks of his own. Despite possessing more mass, power, and reach than Martin, Bas couldn¡¯t help but admire his son¡¯s progress. Clearly, Marcus had imparted some valuable tips, as well as stoked a fire in his younger brother. The father and son clashed once more, Bas testing Martin¡¯s skills with a series of jabs and hooks, gradually increasing the pressure. With a sudden surge of energy, Martin''s fists blurred, his blows landing with precision against his father''s midsection. Shrugging them off, Bas stepped in and closed the distance, seizing Martin¡¯s arm and neck in a firm hold. Following that, Bas hooked his leg behind Martin¡¯s, leveraging his leg to knock his son off balance. The forceful collision with the canvas echoed throughout the dojo as a resounding thud. Martin¡¯s face lit up with a grin, his hands hanging loosely at his sides as he grasped what had just happened. Rising to his feet, he removed his mouthguard and faced his father. ¡°I landed a few hits!¡± His once determined fighting expression now transformed into childlike innocence, betraying his age. ¡°I saw that, buddy,¡± Bas replied, lowering himself to a kneeling position beside his son, his fingers playfully tousling Martin¡¯s dark hair that was sticking out at the top of the headguard. ¡°But remember, you lost the fight because of it. Was this the trade-off you wanted? A few blows for a loss?¡± he asked, observing a shift in Martin¡¯s expression, as if contemplating the question further. ¡°You¡¯ve inherited your mother¡¯s intelligence, so make good use of it. Think strategically. Don¡¯t charge recklessly, like a bull... or your brother.¡± ¡°Big words, coming from a fossil,¡± Marcus called out, leaping into the ring and landing on the canvas with a dramatic thud. He then put on his head protector before slowly putting on his own gloves. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s time someone made you eat them.¡± Bas felt his body tense up as he watched his son slowly advance toward him, akin to a predator closing in on his kill, gloves now in place. Although it was only a training match, there was something about his oldest son that ignited a competitive fire inside of Bas. It felt reminiscent of his teenage years whenever he sparred with his own brother, Laurens. ¡°Mind your words, arrogant pup,¡± Bas warned, closing the distance to Marcus with a cocky grin of his own, stopping just shy of their foreheads touching each other. ¡°Or I¡¯ll show you why people call me the Wolf of Utrecht.¡± ¡°Perhaps that was true at one point... but now? You¡¯re more like an aging mutt in need of a kennel and a warm blanket, or be put down behind the shed,¡± Marcus retorted as he took a few steps backwards, inserting his own mouthguard and offering a smile. His piercing blue eyes remained fixed on his father¡¯s, increasing the tension in the ring to an almost palpable degree. "And don''t confuse arrogance with pride, old man." Father and son locked eyes, a silent challenge passing between. In a heartbeat that hung suspended, time itself seemed to hesitate¡ªuntil their bodies sprang forth in a synchronized burst. Fists collided with a thunderous thud, the impact jarring their skulls as brutal hooks met the sides of their heads, sending a shockwave through bone and flesh, despite the thick protective padding they had on. They swiftly retreated, their bodies coiled like springs, before launching a barrage of jabs. The tempo quickened as they lunged at each other repeatedly, with Marcus¡¯s youthful agility on full display. Bas¡¯s experience allowed him to outmaneuver his son, predicting many of his moves. The dance continued, punctuated by a symphony of jabs, straights, and grappling attempts. Marcus, relentless and determined, pressed forward, threatening to overpower his father through sheer stubbornness and stamina alone. Marcus gritted his teeth and powered through a barrage of his father''s jabs, disregarding the toll they were taking on his muscles and the sting of each impact. Each blow taken was a testament to his resolve and akin to pointing a middle finger at his father. Instead of backing off, Marcus closed the distance between them, enveloping his father in a tight embrace to prevent further punches. With a swift maneuver, he wrapped his arms around Bas¡¯s neck and arm before contorting his body sideways while accelerating, lifting his father off the ground while executing a hip throw. ¡®A Koshi Guruma?¡¯ Bas thought, sensing the imminent lift as his son propelled their motion. Rather than resisting, he seized the opportunity, augmenting the throw¡¯s speed by jumping along with it, forcing the speed to surpass his son¡¯s control. In this risky gamble, Bas countered Marcus¡¯s throw, redirecting the force of the throw and driving them both forcefully into the canvas below them instead of just him. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Once on the ground, Bas lunged forward like a coiled spring, his hands snaking around his son''s arm as he aimed to lock in an armbar, the tension of their struggle coming alive through the pressure on Marcus¡¯s elbow joint. Marcus reacted quickly, rolling along with the movement and managing to free his arm at the last moment. In a fluid motion, the young man surged ahead, his fist forcefully slamming into the ground beside his father¡¯s face, the blow narrowly evaded by Bas. The intense grappling continued, with Bas maneuvering to gain dominance through sheer combat experience, coming dangerously close to securing a leg lock on his young adversary. The mat reverberated with the symphony of their struggle, slick skin slipping and locking as they vied for control. Sweat plastered their bodies, mingling with the effort that made their breaths ragged and labored as they ignored bystanders that said the first round was already over. As Bas watched his son''s movements, a mixture of exhaustion and paternal pride played across his features, etching a weary yet affectionate smile onto his lips. ¡®He¡¯s gotten a lot better. No doubt I¡¯m seeing some of his uncle¡¯s hard work here,¡¯ he mused, thwarting Marcus¡¯s attempt to immobilize his wrist. Pride swelled within him for a moment before his competitive nature took over again. Bas shifted his weight with a sudden twist, as years of experience guided and suddenly turned his son''s own momentum against him, pinned Marcus¡¯s back atop of his stomach. Within moments, he ensnared his son¡¯s arm and neck, exerting pressure on the young man¡¯s throat while simultaneously trapping his legs. Bas tightened his hold, gradually increasing the pressure, making it nearly impossible for Marcus to breathe. ¡°Where is that pride now, pup? Come on, show me that you¡¯re my son. Show me those fangs.¡± The young man struggled, elbowing against his father¡¯s side, yet Bas persisted, his vice grip not letting go while Marcus¡¯s resistance was choked out of him. ¡°Or are you ready to apologize for the aging mutt comment?¡± Bas taunted. Marcus strained to speak, his mouth opening, but no words escaping. Still, he refused to tap out. With a grin, his father loosened his grip slightly, granting his son a chance to voice his thoughts. ¡°You¡¯re... not... a good wolf.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Bas responded, extending his legs to exert pressure on Marcus¡¯s trapped limbs, inflicting just the right amount of discomfort. ¡°And why is that?¡± ¡°Because...¡± Marcus struggled to articulate his words. ¡°Wolves... work together... in packs, right... Martin?¡± Marcus¡¯s gaze shifted towards his younger brother, silently pleading for assistance. In an instant, Martin leaped forward, joining the fray as he slammed into his father with all the fury his eleven-year-old frame could produce. It didn¡¯t take long until the two brothers gained the upper hand, overpowering their father¡¯s arms. Marcus attempted an armlock, while Martin mischievously slid a wet finger into his father¡¯s ear. At the same time, the door to the gym swung open, and the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the space, slowly approaching the three Smits that were fighting. Liane''s voice sliced through the charged atmosphere, her words an amused scolding breeze that swept over the gym. ¡°Now, boys,¡± she admonished, ¡°What did I tell you about trying to murder your father?¡± She made her way toward the ring, her daughter in tow. At seeing their mother, the young men released their father, with Martin playfully prodding him one last time before getting up and joining his brother. ¡°That we should kill him when he¡¯s asleep and make sure that we have a solid alibi?¡± Marcus suggested softly, chuckling at his own joke and ignoring the face his sister was giving him. ¡°I managed to land a hit on Dad. Twice!¡± Marcus exclaimed, a wide grin illuminating his face. ¡°I¡¯m proud of you.¡± Liane smiled and planted a kiss on the top of his head. ¡°Go and take a shower, Martin. You have piano practice in two hours,¡± his mother instructed before shifting her gaze to her eldest. ¡°The same goes for you.¡± ¡°Piano practice?¡± Marcus sarcastically remarked, only to receive a warning jab from his father¡¯s finger in his ribs. ¡°Your tech-event-thingy is in forty minutes, or did you forget? Come on, I¡¯ll give you a ride,¡± Liane offered, her eyebrow raised as she sensed resistance brewing in her son. ¡°Isn¡¯t that thoughtful of your sweet mother?¡± Her tone conveyed both affection and a veiled threat. Bas breathed a sigh of relief when Marcus nodded and joined his brother in climbing out of the ring. He glanced at Marcus, noticing how his broad shoulders were filling out even more, as muscles adorned his frame. ¡°He¡¯s almost as big as I am,¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°Was,¡± his wife corrected him with a smile, leaning closer. ¡°You¡¯re not the spring chicken you once were. And if he had applied himself to his education as much as he does in your gym, I wouldn¡¯t have to worry as a mother.¡± ¡°Maybe you guys dropped him on his head as a child or used lead-based paint in his nursery. That would explain why he dropped out... thrice,¡± Joline, their daughter, chimed in, raising up three fingers, briefly tearing her attention away from her cellphone to take a playful jab at her brother before returning to texting her friends. ¡°Joline, remind me again, what grade did you get on your last test?¡± Liane asked, her green eyes narrowing at her daughter momentarily before softening again. ¡°Husband, you¡¯re on Martin and Joline duty today. Piano lessons for the former, while the latter needs help with her French homework.¡± Bas let out a fake groan, his lips curving into an affectionate half-smile as his wife''s finger traced a teasing path up his damp arm before her whisper danced across his ear that tickled his senses. ¡°Why did you think I volunteered to chauffeur Marcus?¡± ¡°You¡¯re pure evil,¡± Bas said, shifting his focus back to his daughter, who was still engrossed in texting. He vividly remembered their last attempt at tackling French together, stumbling over words he didn¡¯t understand, with him nearly contemplating a petition to ban the French language from the world. "But you love it," Liane said, planting a tender kiss on her husband''s lips, effortlessly preventing any potential protest. With a swift motion, she snatched the cellphone from their daughter''s grasp before handing it, along with a ring attached to a chain she retrieved from her purse, to her husband for safekeeping. ¡°And if you know what¡¯s good for you, you won¡¯t let me catch you without your ring again," she playfully added, before making her way to the locker room, rapping lightly on the door to get Marcus to hurry up. A rueful shake of his head accompanied Bas''s action of peeling off his gloves and headgear, his gaze shifting to his daughter with a blend of bemusement and fatigue. ¡°Please don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re going to turn out just like that crazy mother of yours?¡± he asked, returning her phone. Joline''s shoulders lifted in a dismissive shrug, her attention turned to her cellphone again as she resumed her texting with an air of casual indifference. ¡°Who knows... Probably worse,¡± she halfheartedly replied to her father with all the enthusiasm a sixteen-year-old could muster for a parent. Shaking his head, Bas made his way to his office to gather his belongings as he placed the chain and the attached ring around his neck. - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 3 (Neanderthal Tech) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 3 I Neanderthal Tech - - - Forty minutes later Marcus A while later, Marcus sat beside his mother in the car, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. Soon, a towering building came into view on the left, capturing his attention. The colossal modern structure jutted into the skyline, its sleek silver fa?ade reflecting the sunlight, while vibrant banners fluttered defiantly in the breeze, displaying ¡®Tech Expo¡¯ in clear text. He could see several people standing in front of it craning their necks to look up at the banners. ¡°Perhaps you could bring your brother with you next year,¡± his mother suggested, maneuvering the car to a vacant spot near the entrance. They both observed the throngs of people gradually streaming inside, eager to experience all that awaited within. ¡°Martin would love events like these.¡± Her words trailed off, a hint of wistfulness in her green gaze as it settled on her son. Marcus''s chin dipped in a careful nod, tension visible in the twitch of his jaw, aware of the delicate ground he was standing on. The sound of his mother¡¯s voice echoed in his ears as she continued to talk about his little brother, praising his scientific interests and how well he was doing in school. Each word carved a fissure into his confidence, the weight of being the family''s ''black sheep'' settling heavier. ¡°Sure, Mom. Next time, I¡¯ll bring him along,¡± he muttered, hoping to ease the tension. ¡°Felix might be able to fix an extra ticket next year,¡± he suggested. An uncomfortable silence settled between them as they waited for his friends to arrive. Usually, his father would drive him to such events, as he had a more flexible schedule compared to his mother, who worked as a general practitioner and had her own practice. However, on her day off, his mother had insisted on bringing him, claiming it would be a bonding experience with her eldest. ¡®It¡¯s like she¡¯s deliberately trying to make me feel just how disappointed she is without explicitly saying it,¡¯ he thought before he diverted his attention to the radio, focusing on the updates about a recent protest regarding a nearby solar park, the miserable weather forecast for the upcoming days, and the meteor shower that had been visible the last few days. The car''s roof suddenly shuddered because of a large thud, while Marcus and his mother shot up from their seats. As if on cue, Felix and Oscar peered through the car window with amusement. ¡®Idiots neatly gave me a heart attack,¡¯ Marcus thought as he shook his head, undid his seatbelt and stepped out of the car. ¡°Thanks for the ride, Mom,¡± he muttered, closing the car door with a thud. He waved one last time at his mother before joining his friends as they made their way toward the entrance, each friend greeting one another by fist bumping twice in a row. "Marcus, Mommy loves you!" Liane suddenly called out to her son, freezing him in place. In response, Felix''s grin stretched, revealing a row of mischievous teeth, while Oscar''s laughter bubbled up, unable to be contained. ''She just had to twist the knife, didn''t she?'' Marcus thought, feeling a mix of shame and resignation. Ever the diplomat, Oscar wrapped his arms around Marcus and Felix, pulling them close as they entered the building. He handed three tickets to a female employee at the entrance, making sure his smile was extra wide. ¡°So, gentlemen, what¡¯s the plan?¡± he asked while he was already steering them to the left with a determined stride. ¡°How about¡ª¡± Felix began, only for Oscar to playfully silence him by wrapping his arm tightly around his neck, nearly choking him. ¡°Ah, Felix, my sweet, sweet boy. What I just offered was a rhetorical question,¡± Oscar grinned, as they turned the corner and caught sight of a colossal Formula One driving rig equipped with VR technology in the helmet. ¡°I¡¯ve already mapped out our entire day, tailored to our preferences and, of course, your endearing low attention span,¡± he teased, giving his friends a playful nudge while forcing them in line. ¡°First stop, an adrenaline rush at a blistering speed of three hundred and seventy kilometers per hour. Hope you lads have brought spare underwear,¡± he added as they edged closer to the machine. - - - A few hours later, Marcus found himself leaning against a wall, fighting the urge to empty his stomach right there and then. Beside him stood Oscar, equally pale and sick, his blond hair clinging to his sweaty face. ¡°How is that freak managing that?¡± Oscar asked, both turning around to watch their friend. Felix remained securely strapped into the gyroscopic ride, his dark skin and brown hair visible only as a blur of motion and infectious laughter. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s too thickheaded to even feel nausea?¡± Marcus suggested, tearing his gaze away from Felix. Merely watching the contraption¡¯s relentless rotations intensified his own nausea. The ride consisted of multiple hoops and rings arranged in different orientations, with a central seat spinning in various directions at once, replicating the sensations of astronaut training and multidirectional forces. Marcus had endured it for a mere minute and a half, while Oscar barely lasted forty seconds. Meanwhile, Felix had already surpassed the three-minute mark. ¡°God, I feel sick,¡± Marcus admitted as Oscar just nodded and swallowed a bit of bile. ¡°I don¡¯t think those bio-printed burgers we had earlier were such a bright idea,¡± Oscar commented weakly as they heard Felix being unstrapped from the ¡®vomit machine¡¯. Marcus reached for his water bottle and cautiously took a few sips, testing his stomach while Felix joined them. ¡°That... was... amazing!¡± Felix exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across his face as he embraced his friends, who tensed up in response. ¡°You guys feeling better? We could get something to eat if that helps? I usually eat when I feel sick. It clears me right up.¡± Under his breath, Oscar started muttering in response, "If you hug me again or mention food, I swear I''ll stab you." Afterwards he peeled off Felix''s hand from his body before taking the lead towards the next section, eager to get away from the gyroscopic puke machine. Despite his usual disinterest in technology and science, even Marcus had to admit that the tech event had been surprisingly enjoyable. It struck the perfect balance between being informative and entertaining, arousing curiosity before going into explanations. From bio-printed hamburgers and AI software to drones and even peculiar materials that could shift from fluid to solid like granite in a matter of seconds. "Let''s head to the robot section next," Oscar said, guiding his companions down another hallway, occasionally exchanging smiles and playful banter with every attractive woman along the way. Marcus shook his head in exasperation, convinced that, ¡®That man will never change.¡¯ His friendship with Felix and Oscar spanned countless years, ever since kindergarten. Felix was the group¡¯s lively and compassionate center, always armed with jokes and weirdly affectionate hugs. Oscar, the ringleader, was always leading them towards the next thing to explore. Oscar always attributed to himself the label of the brain, Felix that of the heart, and Marcus the brawn. However, observing his friend¡¯s shameless flirtations with any woman in his path, Marcus couldn¡¯t help but feel that Oscar was better likened to an entirely different organ. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. The three friends strolled through the next section of the expo hall, marveling at the sights that greeted them. They spotted self-driving cars showcased on display, with large banners claiming that the future of autonomous transportation was around the corner. Beyond that, there were dog shaped robots capable of climbing ladders and stairs, demonstrating impressive agility. Among the exhibits, they also encountered humanoid-looking robots, mostly in model form, and small drones that flew above their heads, zipping left and right. Oscar nudged Marcus in the ribs, his eyes lighting up as he spotted a chair with a helmet and gloves hooked up to a machine with a robot a few paces next to it. After steering the group towards it, the blonde quickly lost himself in conversation with the staff nearby, his curiosity piqued. Meanwhile, Marcus directed his attention to the robot connected to cables leading to the rig itself. The robot itself had a simple, utilitarian appearance, with basic steel framing, wires, motors and pistons. Its head sported a single lens, positioned in a way that granted it a distinctive cyclops-like appearance. Covering most of its body was a hardened plastic exterior. As Marcus observed it, he couldn¡¯t help but grin. ¡®It looks like a budget-tier Terminator.¡¯ Suddenly, the robot¡¯s arm surged forward, startling him. The moment it happened, Felix and Oscar burst into laughter, with the former sporting a helmet on his head while he was being scolded by the staff members nearby. ¡°This is awesome, dude,¡± Felix exclaimed, slowly moving his own arm while the robot mirrored his actions. The robot remained securely fastened to chains hooked up to a small crane, which not only kept it in place, but also provided the necessary power and data through thick cables. Enjoying the experience, Felix flexed the robot¡¯s fingers, marveling at its responsiveness. Meanwhile, Marcus headed over to Oscar, who was engaged in conversation with one of the staff nearby, who naturally was female. ¡°The command rig allows for direct user input of our experimental model,¡± the staff member explained, holding Oscar¡¯s attention, while the blonde quickly asked a dozen more questions, some of which Marcus never would have thought to even ask. Meanwhile, Marcus kept himself busy by looking at the array of robotic limbs sets on display, ranging from intricate systems with dozens of digits to simpler features like steel grips or magnetic clamps. The staff member chatting with Oscar went on to emphasize that despite the progress that they had made in developing the robotic framework, years of programming and research were still required to achieve even a semblance of autonomous functionality. The challenge ahead involved enabling the robot to respond to basic commands, achieve mobility, and operate without direct human control. Nonetheless, the existing framework held tremendous promise for future advancements. ¡°Marcus, it¡¯s your turn to go Skynet,¡± Felix¡¯s voice called out. Stepping out of the rig, Felix didn¡¯t waste any time dragging Marcus towards the chair and nudging him into the proper position. Simultaneously, another staff member aided Marcus in putting on the gloves and helmet, ensuring a snug fit. This staff member then proceeded to outline a comprehensive set of rules and expectations, emphasizing the importance of strict adherence to staff commands to avoid the kind of rebuke Felix had experienced. Marcus nodded, not wanting to break anything and risk crippling financial consequences. ¡°Just so you know, there might be a bit of initial discomfort. It can be a little disorienting in the beginning when it switches on,¡± the man cautioned, though Felix arrogantly chimed in to say he hadn¡¯t felt anything of the sort. With a press of a button, the system came alive, and Marcus¡¯s helmet sprang into action, displaying a Heads-Up Display as the system went through its startup sequence. ¨X ¨[ [Booting up...] [System diagnostics in progress...] [Component calibration¡­] [Loading subsystems...] [Initialization complete] [System activation: 100%] ¨^ ¨a Marcus¡¯s perspective suddenly shifted, his vision now through the lens of the robot¡¯s camera. It felt strange and disorienting at first, causing him to even lift up the helmet momentarily to witness the robot¡¯s reactions with his own eyes. ¡°This is so bizarre,¡± he exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face. He flexed his hand slowly, observing with fascination as the robot mirrored his movements. As Marcus scanned his surroundings through the lens of the robot, he noticed the HUD encompassing the edges of his vision. It displayed vital information like time, remaining battery life, core temperature, and other readings. Intrigued, he couldn¡¯t resist the temptation to test the things on his HUD further. His robotic fingers reached out, attempting to make contact with the virtual interface. A faint chuckle escaped him as he imagined how idiotic it must have seemed to those observing him. ¡°Hey, Marcus, make the robot flip Oscar off,¡± Felix suggested, a mischievous grin on his face as he patted Marcus¡¯s shoulder. Sharing the same eagerness, Marcus obliged, robotic fingers deftly curling into a fist before the robot¡¯s hand extended its middle finger towards Oscar as the two of them started laughing. Oscar let out a mocking sigh. ¡°Classy, guys,¡± he said as he did a sarcastic slow clap. ¡°Real classy. And here I was, bringing you two Neanderthals with me in an attempt to intellectually and culturally enrich you, only to have you two fall back to your basic instincts.¡± He then approached the robot, pointing his cellphone towards himself to snatch a selfie. ¡°Hey, Marcus, make it look like the robot is choking me,¡± he said, an amused glint in his eyes while a nearby staff member immediately started to scold him, causing him to hastily raise his hands in surrender. ¡°Kidding! I¡¯m just kidding,¡± he quickly said as he moved back a few paces to calm the staff members down. ¡°But seriously, this whole setup of you guys, and lovely lady, have here is simply¡ª¡± Sudden violent tremors seized the building, cutting Oscar¡¯s words short, followed by cracks forming into the concrete structure. In response, a tsunami of terror cascaded through the once-energetic crowd, panic seizing their hearts as chaos painted the scene in hues of desperation and survival. People scattered in a frenzy, displays collapsing and scattering their wares, or toppling over and hitting people. The very foundation quivered beneath their feet, a symphony of even more cracks and groans on display as if the world itself were coming apart. ¡°Felix! Are you alright?¡± Oscar yelled, although his voice was drowned out by the mounting clamor as he witnessed people rushing past them, nearly trampling over Felix in the process. The tremors persisted, reverberating through the structure, while ominous sounds of impacts could be heard, coming closer and closer. Marcus¡¯s body and the robot went rigid, his gaze fixated on the carnage that surrounded them. The building groaned and cracked as a barrage of objects tore through its concrete and steel defenses, mercilessly striking people and objects alike. The impact was catastrophic, rending bodies apart and eliciting agonized screams from those unfortunate enough to be hit and survive. Horror clawed at Marcus''s gut as he watched the horrifying spectacle¡ªhuman forms reduced to grotesque pulp by unrelenting projectiles, while others convulsed as the searing strange debris melted into their flesh. The echoes of their anguished cries etched itself into his mind as he heard it all. An icy grip tightened around Marcus''s heart, his senses dulled by the sight of all the death and devastation. Yet, beneath the numbness, a fire suddenly ignited when he heard his friends cry out. It instantly snapped him back to reality. The thought of losing them banished all traces of doubt and hesitation. He stretched out his hand, only to be reminded of his symbiotic link with the machine. A metallic limb surged forth, snatching Felix and yanking the dark male back, keeping him protectively behind the metal frame of Marcus¡¯s temporary robotic frame. Through the camera lens of the robot, he glimpsed his own vulnerable body strapped to the chair, still mimicking his every movement. ¡®Your body doesn¡¯t matter. Save your damn friends first!¡¯ he mentally commanded himself. The motors and pistons within his frame whirred to life, propelling his steel and plastic body toward Oscar who was struggling to get back up on his feet. As Marcus did so, he fought against the resisting steel cables and wires. A sudden jarring impact tore through the right side of his actual body, followed by dozens of fragments flying into and scorching his flesh as he howled in pain. Through the robot, he could hear the cries of his actual body while blood filled his mouth. ¡®Screw the pain. Oscar¡¯s right there!¡¯ He kept the robot moving through sheer willpower as the pain in his body suddenly went away with a jolt. He could see his friend rushing towards him, eyes wide and staring at something, but before his steel fingertips could bridge the gap, a sudden impact launched them both backwards in an explosion of blood, fire and steel fragments. During that moment, a violent snap reverberated through the air, as the power cable that breathed life into Marcus¡¯s robotic form came apart and destroyed the sensory link, instantly plunging his world into darkness. - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 4 (Untethered) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 4 I Untethered - - - ¨X ¨[ [Booting up...] [System diagnostics in progress...] [WARNING: Critical damage detected...] [Component calibration... Partial failure...] [Loading subsystems... Impaired functionality...] [Initialization incomplete] [ERROR: Malfunction in primary circuits...] [WARNING: Structural integrity compromised...] [ERROR: Communication with core systems lost...] [ERROR: Power supply is not detected...] [ERROR: Motor control exceeds standard parameters...] [WARNING: Emergency shutdown failed...] [EMERGENCY REBOOT INITIATED...] [System activation: 100%] ¨^ ¨a Marcus¡¯s consciousness flickered back to life, his body jerking as an unfamiliar surge of energy coursed through him. Memories of excruciating pain and scorching heat flooded his mind, accompanied by the lingering aftertaste of blood. He recalled the sensation of a powerful force colliding with the right side of his body before it shattered and started to melt into his flesh. Chaotic and fragmented memories swirled in his mind, images of a warm liquid cascading over him and an unrelenting pressure bearing down upon him. Then, as suddenly as they had come, the memories vanished, leaving him in a void devoid of any sensation¡ªno pain, no scent, no touch, not even the reassuring rhythmic throb of his own heartbeat His vision gradually flickered back, but in a peculiar manner, as if someone had switched it on, rather than him simply opening his eyes. The instant he caught sight of the Heads-Up Display, a startling realization struck him¡ªhe was still connected with the robot and was perceiving the world through its mechanical lens. A growing unease and terror gripped him as he comprehended the absence of his own physical sensations, replaced by the cold embrace of the metal shell encasing him. ¡®What¡¯s going on?¡¯ he wondered, his thoughts a storm of confusion and fear. ¡®What the hell happened to my body?¡¯ With his vision restored, he tilted his head back, staring past the edges of the broken building and collapsed roof around him. Beyond it, he saw the vast expanse of the night sky, awash in an eerie blue hue, as if dyed. ¡®Why is it nighttime? How long was I out?¡¯ Thoughts raced through his mind in a panic as he barely registered the peculiar blue hue to the night sky. He could still hear the mixture of further destruction around him; structures breaking apart, things on fire, and anguished cries filling the air. He tried to move, but his body didn¡¯t respond right, as if trapped by something heavy, yet he couldn¡¯t actually feel the pressure. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Confusion gripped him as he struggled to orient himself. ¡®What the hell happened here... to me?¡¯ he pondered, his thoughts battling against the disorienting haze. ¡®Were those bombs that hit us? It looked more like meteors,¡¯ he thought as he recalled hearing about meteors on the radio before. While doing so he shifted his gaze to the left, where Felix¡¯s form lay motionless, cloaked in layers of dust. Worry clenched Marcus¡¯s soul at seeing his friend like that until a sense of relief washed over him as he observed the gentle rise and fall of his friend¡¯s chest, showing that he was still clinging to life. ¡®Thank god... he''s breathing... he¡¯s alive.¡¯ The relief was short-lived as Marcus recalled the last minutes with his friends. ¡®What about Oscar?¡¯ Memories of the meteoric onslaught flashed through his mind. He recalled how an impact had slammed through Oscar and into his robotic frame, afterwards causing his blackout. He turned his head, hearing the pistons and motors in his frame as he scanned left and right in search of his friend, only to discover Oscar¡¯s broken form atop him, buried under a heap of rubble, a large hole visible in the center of his chest. ¡®No! Oscar!¡¯ His friend was barely recognizable, save for a few strands of unscathed blonde hair. Marcus¡¯s mind nearly broke as he gave in to the urge to scream and howl, yet no sound escaped his steel frame. His heartache and grief reverberated within, unable to give voice to it, inflicting wounds that cut him to his core. ¡®Oscar¡­ it can''t end like this, not like this,¡¯ Marcus thought as he fought to liberate his arm, the sound of shifting rubble echoing as it slid off his steel and plastic limb. With great effort, he reached out and embraced what remained of his friend, holding onto Oscar¡¯s lifeless form. Struggling to free his other arm and legs proved futile¡ªthey remained trapped, refusing to budge underneath the weight of all the debris. ¡®NO!¡¯ Defeat tightened its grip around his heart, his body now also a prisoner beneath the emotional weight of his friend''s lifeless form. He tore his gaze from the wreckage that once was Oscar, keeping it pointed at the blue night sky, as if attempting to shield his very essence from the nightmarish reality he held in his arm. Time slipped away from him, its passing unnoticed amidst the cacophony of screams and impending danger. Seconds stretched into minutes as Marcus remained motionless, his mind numb and detached. Gradually, a sense of weakness overcame him, as if something essential was slipping away from him. He couldn¡¯t quite grasp what it was. It resembled fatigue, but it wasn¡¯t quite the same. Still, Marcus didn¡¯t mind the feeling. He wanted to give into it, to stop seeing things and detach himself from the outside world that threatened to overwhelm him, but the mechanical lens refused to comply. It didn¡¯t have the ability to close. Fate, it seemed, wanted to force Marcus to bear witness. After what felt like eons, a gnawing certainty slowly rooted itself within him¡ªhis body was out there. Intact or in a similar condition to Oscar¡¯s, but it was out there, somewhere. ¡®How the hell am I still even connected to this thing?¡¯ he pondered, skeptical that the cable connecting him to his body had long been severed or damaged. ¡®And how come it works without power?¡¯ A disturbing sound reached Marcus¡¯s ears. It sounded like flesh being torn apart, accompanied by a deep growl. He instinctively shifted his gaze downward, only to find a strange creature ripping off bits of what remained of Oscar. In an instant, Marcus¡¯s clouded mind snapped back into focus, a clear objective that even his broken mind could grasp; Protect your friend! ¡®Get off him!¡¯ he shouted in his own mind, forcefully colliding his steel limb into the creature¡¯s chest, propelling it quite a distance until it crashed into a nearby pile of rubble with enough force to shift bits of concrete to the side. As the creature swiftly regained its footing, Marcus¡¯s steel hand made an instinctual fist out of anger and sheer terror. He felt captivated and repulsed by the creature¡¯s unearthly appearance. Its features were a haunting blend of feline and human, devoid of fur but exuding an unsettling resemblance to both. Standing at the height of a child and partially covered in a sickly white fur, it emanated a predatorial aura. The creature¡¯s hiss sliced through the air, a chilling sound that reverberated within Marcus¡¯s metal frame. Marcus watched the creature¡¯s mouth, transfixed by the sight in front of him. Rows of sharp bloody teeth glistened malevolently while hinting at its savage nature. Each tooth seemed to be designed for one purpose alone¡ªtearing flesh. ¡®What the hell is that thing?¡¯ Marcus thought, mentally feeling the need to tremble in fear, but his steel frame wasn¡¯t cooperating. Moments later, the creature scurried away after another hiss, its movements incredibly quick. In its hasty retreat, something peculiar caught Marcus¡¯s attention¡ªa protrusion on the back of its skull emitting a dim glow. As the creature vanished from sight, Marcus¡¯s mind raced, consumed by uncertainty. ¡®First meteors¡­ now this? It looked like a monster.¡¯ His gaze shifted towards the spot where he had thrown the creature into. With bits of debris now shifted, he could now make out several lifeless bodies buried beneath the rubble, including the broken remnants of the staff members he had previously interacted with. Their forms were twisted and stained with blood, yet their blank expressions concealed the pain they had endured at the end of their lives. Amidst the grim scene, Marcus noticed another body caked in dust and blood. A shattered helmet partially obscured the face, but enough of it had been smashed apart to reveal an expressionless blue eye staring into nothingness. Dread tightened its grip on Marcus¡¯s being, or what remained of it that was now trapped in this metal shell. His own body lay before him, buried underneath rubble and marred by a blackish material that appeared to have burned or melted into parts of his body along the chest, arm, and the top right side of his face. ¡®Am I... dead?¡¯ Marcus thought, fear gripping him as he noticed the black marks on his head. Marcus¡¯s eyes locked onto his motionless body, his sanity shattering under the weight of the brutal truth. He realized that he was staring at his own corpse, cursed to witness it all from the confines of his mechanical prison until that too died. A desperate urge to weep and wail surged within him, but the unyielding metal frame merely quivered¡ªa hollow echo of the searing pain he experienced. Marcus felt his strength ebb away, drained by the unnatural tether linking him to the machine. ¡®I¡¯m going to die like this... I¡¯m going to just fade away without even being able to feel my death.¡¯ A short distance away from him, among the shattered debris, a faint scraping noise reached him, hinting at movement. In the last seconds he still had left in this world, he clutched the remains of his deceased friend, determined to make his last moments have some sort of meaning. ¡®Find out what I¡¯m born to do,¡¯ he thought, recalling his father¡¯s words as he gripped Oscar tightly, determined to have his last moment on Earth be one of him actually being a good friend. He¡¯d go out protecting the memory of Oscar from the creature that had come back to feast. And as his thoughts dissolved into nothingness, his last glimpse revealed a figure tripping over his metal form before slowly stumbling towards the buried corpse pile that contained his actual remains. - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 5 (Recycled) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 5 I Recycled - - - Pressure pressed into his stomach, legs and arms, rocking him from side to side. Moments of slipping and the sensation of Marcus¡¯s feet scraping across an uneven surface punctuated the journey. Time drifted by in this bizarre fashion, leaving him uncertain of how many days had slipped through his grasp. He then suddenly felt a sharp object pierce and cut into his flesh, gradually prying him apart before inserting something within. ¡®Oscar! Felix!¡¯ Marcus¡¯s mental cry reverberated in his mind, reliving his last desperate moments with his friends, recalling the desperation in their eyes. His body convulsed, overwhelmed by searing pain until he abruptly regained consciousness again. ¨X ¨[ [System activation: 100%] ¨^ ¨a Darkness enveloped him, reducing his visibility to near nothingness, save for a tiny blue glow coming from a hole in his torso. Amidst the darkness, his HUD flickered to life, echoing the same flawed feedback as before. Despite the error messages, a momentary strange relief washed over him, confirming that he was still inside the metallic frame and not somewhere even worse. ¡®Where am I?¡¯ Marcus pondered, attempting to move arms and legs, only to find himself ensnared on all sides. He sought out Oscar, but his search proved fruitless. Each attempt to move his limbs met with resistance, as well as increasing the strange sensation of him running out of something. ¡®Oscar!¡¯ he screamed inwardly, yet no sound escaped his lips. His fists collided with the nearest object, his legs lashing out in a flurry of kicks. The things around him refused to budge, resulting only in the harsh clang of metal meeting metal. ¡®I¡¯m still trapped inside this robot!¡¯ Overwhelmed by a torrent of emotions, Marcus pounded with more force, venting fears, sorrows, and anger upon the unfeeling objects. Each strike became a desperate attempt to feel something, even the sting of pain. Minutes passed like this as he lost himself in a frenzied rage, only stopping his assault when he was mentally spent. Then, he just stayed there, motionless, save for his metallic form trembling as he silently wept, robbed of the ability to cry and properly mourn his friends. Giving in to the overwhelming weight of his emotions, he allowed himself to shatter for a moment, his metallic form a reflection of the emptiness that consumed him. ¡®It all happened so swiftly.¡¯ he thought, the memories of his fun moments with his friend abruptly giving way to the harrowing chaos that had followed. In mere minutes, he had witnessed the merciless rain of meteors, the crushing impact of debris upon unsuspecting people. ¡®They didn¡¯t deserve this... Oscar... Fuck¡­ Why did he have to die!¡¯ he thought, the image of his friend¡¯s mangled and bloodied remains on top of his steel frame was forever seared into his mind. The revulsion swelled within him, threatening to engulf him, but his steel body denied him this, not even allowing him to find solace in the act of retching. Eventually, after quite some time, he stopped shaking as parts of his broken mind sought an anchor amidst the pain and loss. Striving to regain composure, he recalled some of his uncle¡¯s words about the power of collecting your thoughts. ¡®Stay calm, block out the world... fixate on a single point,¡¯ he reminded himself as he tried to push aside the jumble of thoughts, forcing himself to focus on a task, but it was hard to keep his focus. ¡®I don¡¯t know why I got those pain sensations when I woke up,¡¯ he thought, recalling how something similar had happened previously, back at the Tech Expo. ¡®Were those dreams? A side effect of this form? Some sort of malfunction?¡¯ He spent a few minutes pondering it further before deciding to set it aside for the moment. He then shifted his attention to Felix and Oscar, realizing that grief and frantic thoughts would not aid him in the present moment. ¡®Oscar¡­ Oscar is dead,¡¯ he thought, repeating the words until they etched themselves into his soul but didn¡¯t break his concentration anymore. ¡®Oscar is dead, but Felix isn¡¯t. I watched him on the floor, still breathing. He could... No! He IS alright. I just need to focus on finding him and getting him out.¡¯ A fire surged within him as he focused on the immediate task at hand: securing Felix''s safety. Amidst the tempest of emotions swirling in his mind, the urgency of finding his friend drowned out most of his other thoughts, though some still managed to seep through. ¡®Perhaps I¡¯m still alive as well?¡¯ he mused, stretching the truth within his mind, grasping for even a sliver of hope. ¡®Let¡¯s focus on getting out of here first,¡¯ Marcus¡¯s thought as he cautiously extended his limbs, each movement a deliberate test of the surrounding stability. He didn¡¯t have any feeling in his limbs, which made finding loose debris harder. Instead, he had to pay attention to how far he thought he was extending his fingers or limbs, or the sound he was hearing. Slowly, he began to shift parts of scrap metal to the side, careful not to cause a cave in. ¡®Up would be wise¡­ I think,¡¯ he mused, grappling with the problem of orientation. Figuring it out was hard at first, until he could almost imagine seeing his little brother shaking his head at him, reminding him of a thing called gravity. Finding small bits of metal such as screws that weren¡¯t lodged in place indicated where down was. Just to be sure he occasionally picked up bits and dropped them, hearing them land underneath him as he crawled further upwards, using what little blue light came out from a hole in his torso. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Shifting aside another piece of metal, a glimmer of red light seeped in, illuminating more of his surroundings, and making it easier to make his way upwards. ¡®Emergency lights are red, right?¡¯ An occasional self-reprimand reminded him not to rush, cautioning against hasty movements that might cause a collapse and entomb him fully, or worse. At times, he froze, startled by the distant clamor of screams and the discharge of weapons. ¡®Police or the military?¡¯ he wondered each time as a surge of hope would bubble up inside him. Still, even in his current mental state, he understood that where firearms were present, people were nearby. Just the sound alone was enough to keep his hopes up. The sensation of time running out intensified as whatever kept his mind tethered to this robot was being drained. ¡®Just a little bit,¡¯ he thought as more and more red light poured in until he smashed apart an old sink, creating an opening to the outside. As he crawled through, he noticed the strange red hue around him. He could vaguely make out the sun in the sky, yet everything around him was reddish, as if looking through colored glass. When he finally was out, he realized that he was on a massive towering heap of scrap metal. His gaze swept across the expanse, revealing several other large mounds. Some neatly formed stacks of objects such as cars or washing-machines, while others resembled chaotic jumbles, much like the pile he found himself on. ¡®I¡¯m in a junkyard?¡¯ His mind whirred with recognition, a disheartening reality that he was no longer at the Tech Expo, or close to Felix. It took him a few seconds to collect himself again and look around, his camera spotting the encompassing fence and the numerous paths that led to a building near a gate. Despite having heard gunfire and shouting previously, he couldn¡¯t see any people around. ¡®There¡¯s got to be someone out there, right?¡¯ he thought as he watched the building for a few more seconds before mustering the courage to rise to his feet, his unsteady form swaying hesitantly as he grappled with the unfamiliar sensation. Instead of muscles and sinew, he had pistons and motors to balance with. Every movement felt like a puzzle to solve, a symphony of mechanical parts working in unison, a stark contrast to the fluidity of his human limbs. ¡®This feels so weird.¡¯ As he took his first hesitant step, his legs gave way beneath him, his steel knees slamming into the garbage underneath him. Forced to look downward, he caught a glimpse of his distorted reflection in a shiny piece of metal. A wave of unease washed over him as he stared into his robotic form, his camera lens staring back at him. The protective plastic encasing his frame exhibited signs of wear and tear, with fragments of shattered pieces scattered here and there. He flexed his robotic hand, once again experiencing how different it all was. Back at the tech expo with his friends, he had felt his own body move, with the robot simply mimicking his actions in a way that felt like synergy. But now, it was just him inside the machine¡ªa direct connection. Now that he was finally free from being trapped under rubble or garbage, he had a chance to actually examine his new body. He noticed the damage on his torso where the meteor had struck him and Oscar. Grabbing the reflective metal, he held it sideways and peered inside the hole. He spotted a round, blue rock-like object emitting a soft, continuous glow, with peculiar tendril-like strands extending from it. The surface of the rock appeared unusually smooth and spherical, almost unnaturally so. It seemed to cause the air around it to distort in a subtle blue hue before gradually dissipating. ¡®What the hell is that? Is that some sort of meteor clump?¡¯ he wondered, sliding a metal finger through the hole to tap the round object, but nothing happened. He examined the rest of his body, noticing the fractured electrical wires in his limbs. However, when he moved the hand, it functioned flawlessly. Similar to his chest, he observed peculiar bluish strands connected to important mechanical components slithering along his arm underneath the protective plastic barrier before disappearing into his torso and connecting to the strange round and blue thing. ¡®All of this isn¡¯t weird at all,¡¯ he remarked, lightly touching a section of the strands but sensing no response. ¡®They almost have an organic quality... like metallic veins or roots.¡¯ He then checked his other limbs and found a similar situation there. ¡®Alright, enough with all the messing around,¡¯ he decided before crawling closer to the ledge of the garbage pile in search of a clear route down. ¡®Clearly, walking down is out of the question. Maybe sliding would work?¡¯ Marcus pondered as he turned around and pressed his chest against the debris before slowly pushing himself backward, descending legs first. As he moved, he dislodged various objects, their clattering echoes punctuating his descent. He proceeded cautiously, testing his grip each time, ensuring stability before letting it carry his weight. As time passed, he found his trust in his limbs growing. Still, not even midway through, the feeling of him running out of this strange energy became more pressing, like how he had felt back when he had held onto Oscar. Realizing he was on the brink of losing consciousness again, he began to panic, resulting in him picking up the pace. In his haste, he clutched a rusted steel pipe, which snapped under his weight, causing him to slip and careen downward, colliding with metallic debris as he tried desperately to curl himself into a protective ball. Down the heap of garbage Marcus went, his steel body colliding with rusted metal objects that either shattered under the impact or caused him to bounce off, further damaging the protective plastic casing around his frame. ¡®Oh shit... shit... shit¡­¡¯ Marcus¡¯s thoughts raced as he was slammed upwards, experiencing a fleeting moment of weightlessness before reconnecting with the refuse below with a loud crash. Eventually, he slid to a halt at the bottom amidst a pool of filth and mud, gradually sinking deeper into the repulsive mixture as the energy that tethered him to his metal frame ran out. - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 6 (Pinky Promise) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 6 I Pinky Promise - - - Around him, voices murmured¡ªsome measured and composed, while others carried the weight of raw emotion, even tears. Suddenly, a forceful pressure against Marcus''s jaw tore through the auditory haze. It stretched his mouth wide open, introducing an unfamiliar object that forced its way into his throat, triggering a gag reflex. The sensation surged within him, as though an intruder invaded the core of his being. He wanted to scream and protest, but his body lay unresponsive, rendering him voiceless. ¨X ¨[ [System activation: 100%] ¨^ ¨a Marcus then suddenly woke up, his steel frame tensing up as a surge of power coursed through his body. The sight that greeted him wasn''t a pile of mud and dirt but the vast, star-speckled night sky, stained in an unnatural blue hue again. ¡®Blue again? What the hell is going on?¡¯ he wondered, before shifting his attention to more pressing concerns. He could hear his mechanical components whirring as he took a look at his surroundings while the HUD flared up again, giving error message after error message. He realized he was no longer in the same place he had been in when he had lost consciousness. Instead, he now sat on a rickety chair, flanked by a plastic mannequin and another robot. Around him were piles and piles of garbage. It took him a while, but he realized that he had seen the robot before. ¡®That thing was at the Tech Event too, just a few booths away from where Oscar had brought us,¡¯ he recalled. ¡®But why does it look so banged up? How much time has passed already?¡¯ Marcus wondered, seeing the frame partially covered in rust and dust. Beyond the rust on its frame, dents and puncture holes marked both the robot and the mannequin, along with graffiti plastered on them. ¡®Bullet holes?¡¯ Marcus wondered for a moment before a sudden sheer panic overwhelmed him as he examined his own steel torso, which also bore three similar holes. However, he swiftly calmed himself as he realized that the danger had long since passed. Alongside the trio of holes in his metal frame, a new ¡®paint job¡¯ covered it, brimming with derogatory words and offensive icons. ¡®Oh, come on! They used me for target practice?¡¯ He ran a metallic finger along the three new bullet holes in his framework, wondering what type of weapon had been used to do this. Upon doing so, he discovered that he was also missing a finger on his right hand. ¡®Shot off?¡¯ he thought as he wiggled his remaining four fingers. ¡®Just great¡­ perfect. It¡¯s not like I needed a right pinky.¡¯ Burying some of his irritation and anger, Marcus moved his hands, arms, neck, and torso, testing his mobility, until he rose on wobbly legs. Marcus then slowly shifted his weight, taking small steps while using the chair for support. When he felt more confident, he let go of the chair and moved forward on his own. The lack of balance and the inability to feel the ground beneath his feet made it challenging. He stumbled and tripped multiple times, feeling frustrated by his unsteady movements. ¡®Next time I reincarnate as a robot, I hope it¡¯s got better sensors... or wheels,¡¯ Marcus grumbled, pushing himself up from the ground. Despite knowing his energy would eventually run out again, he had decided to spend a few more minutes practicing walking, figuring efficiency would win out in the end. - - - Several minutes later, Marcus awkwardly maneuvered through the junkyard, no longer stumbling every step but still occasionally losing his footing on wet mud. Seeking a vantage point, he clambered onto a small stack of washing machines in order to better see his surroundings and figure out where he needed to go. A sense of unfamiliarity washed over Marcus at what he saw. He failed to recognize any of the places he had previously spotted from atop the colossal pile of scrap metal before he had blacked out. ¡®Has this place changed, or did they dump me in some other spot?¡¯ he thought as he looked down again, thinking about how best to get down again. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. With an awkward descent, he managed to land on his steel feet, barely maintaining his balance. Pushing forward, he walked on, eager to spot something recognizable. The sight of massive mounds of jumbled junk, a disorganized mess of metal, concrete, and endless bags of garbage, was everywhere. Each passing second reinforced the weird messy state of it all, as if speed trumped any notion of organization. ¡®This place is odd¡­ even for a junkyard,¡¯ Marcus pondered, noticing a few items in surprisingly good shape. ¡®Why not sort these things or recycle them? Why are they throwing away perfectly fine things?¡¯ he thought as he picked up a small cooler that appeared to be intact, afterwards dropping it again. After navigating around a corner cluttered with stacked cars, he noticed something strange on the dirt road he was following. ¡®Footprints?¡¯ Closing the distance and crouching down, his steel fingers delicately traced the outline of the tracks. ¡®It doesn¡¯t look human... maybe a dog?¡¯ he speculated, noting the unusual paw-like shape. Growing up in the city and seldom venturing into rural areas left him inept in tracking or even identifying things like this, but even Marcus could make out canine characteristics. ¡®Perhaps there is some sort of guard dog?¡¯ he wondered before moving on, deciding to follow the trail. As he did so, he could feel his time running out again, forcing him to pick up the pace. He followed the tracks until he stumbled upon a trail of blood leading to a half-eaten fox carcass. Marcus stood there, his single camera checking out the lifeless creature. ¡®It¡¯s been pulled apart,¡¯ he realized. Something had eaten several parts of the fox, but it had torn it in half beforehand. ¡®What kind of dog does that?¡¯ he thought before he recalled the strange monster that had eaten parts of Oscar back at the Tech expo. Noticing several more footprints scattered in the vicinity, Marcus suddenly felt vulnerable, alone and low on energy. ¡®I need to find shelter first, or I¡¯ll end up as target practice again or a dog¡¯s plaything... or worse.¡¯ He moved away from the carcass and tracks. ¡®I need someplace sturdy and secure where I can hide before I black out again,¡¯ he muttered to himself as he spotted a large section of stacked cars nearby. With a steady pace, he made his way over, gradually growing more comfortable with his movements. It felt strange not feeling the ground or his body in motion, but athleticism had always been his forte. It was one of the few things he was actually good at in life. He moved past several rows of cars that were on the bottom, spotting the occasional discarded item inside, ranging from clothes, plastic bags, to old lighters. In a rusty old pickup truck, he noticed a dirty-looking grey tarp sitting on the passenger seat. He tried to open the door, only to find out that it was locked. Weighing his options, he glanced at the door handle. ¡®A robot should be stronger than a normal human, right?¡¯ he asked himself while bracing his left hand against the car frame and gripping the door handle with his right. He then yanked at it as hard as he could in one motion, causing the handle to snap off, with him slamming on his back in the muddy ground because of the sudden momentum. He remained still for a while, his steel frame not showing any movement, yet internally he could hear an imaginary slow clap. ¡®Great performance... Idiot.¡¯ Embarrassed, he rose slowly, his motors and pistons bringing him back to an upright position. He then approached the car again and nonchalantly punched through the window with his fist before reaching inside to loot the tarp. ¡®Stop thinking like a human. You can¡¯t bleed or feel pain,¡¯ he thought, shaking his steel head. His gaze then shifted to the row of cars elevated one layer above the ground, hoping it would provide some measure of safety. An unsightly brown van caught his eye, and he climbed up towards it, opening the rear door to reveal a dusty interior with enough space for him to lie down in. He awkwardly slid his mechanical frame inside, pulling the door shut behind him. The outside world remained visible only through a dirty window at the back, as the rusty cars blocked the other sides. He wrapped the tarp tightly around his metallic form, pausing to rub a section of the dirty window with it to provide a slightly clearer view to the outside. Thoughts of Felix¡¯s safety crossed his mind, unsure of the duration between the Tech event and his robot frame getting dumped in this junkyard. ¡®He¡¯s fine... He¡¯s got to be alright by now, right?¡¯ he mused. ¡®He¡¯s a survivor. He¡¯ll pull through.¡¯ Clenching his fists, he pulled the tarp tighter around his frame, sensing the strange energy gradually running out. By remaining still, he felt the drain lessening slightly. ¡®I hope someone has found my body by now,¡¯ he thought, before his spark of hope turned sour again. ¡®But even if I am still alive out there¡­ how the hell do I get out of this metal one?¡¯ A moment of respite washed over him, an unusual sensation of silence and peace. No longer engaged in a desperate struggle against a bizarre creature or trapped within a mountain of scrap metal, he found himself with a rare opportunity to collect his thoughts. Within that moment of peace, an unsettling ache surfaced, as if lacking a valid excuse to distract himself with. ¡®Mom... dad...¡¯ he whispered inwardly, feeling his strength wane with each passing moment, prompting him to lower himself onto the cold metal floor. ¡®Please, just hold on a little while longer before you give up on me. I¡¯ll find you,¡¯ he promised his family. As the darkness closed in, the sound of metal meeting metal echoed in the van for a moment. - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel – Chapter 7 (All Left) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 7 I All Left - - - Something brushed against Marcus''s face, prompting his eyelids to part, revealing the hazy silhouette of a woman in white just before an intense, blinding light flooded his vision. He wanted to move, but his body remained stuck, unresponsive to his own will. Amidst the disorientation, he could hear voices in the background, their words a jumbled mess along with people moving around. ¨X ¨[ [System activation: 100%] ¨^ ¨a Within seconds, a surge of energy jolted through him, pulling him out of his strange dream and causing him to shoot upright with such force that his robotic head collided with the steel frame of the van¡¯s interior. ¡®Well, good morning to you too,¡¯ Marcus thought with a hint of sarcasm, as he patted the van¡¯s interior like greeting a lover in the morning. He then pulled the tarp off his body, noting a thin layer of dust that had settled atop it. ¡®How long was I out of it this time?¡¯ Memories from earlier moments flashed through his robotic mind. ¡®I think the energy lasted longer when I stayed still,¡¯ he mused for a while before deciding on a course of action, desperately thinking what his mother or brother would do in a situation like this. ¡®The smart thing would be to establish some sort of baseline¡­ to get a rough idea how long I have until I run out.¡¯ He then guessed how much time he had already lost since waking up before he started to count in his mind, knowing full well that it was about as accurate as a toddler drawing a circle. While counting, he pushed open the rear door of the van, his lens taking in the night sky, tinted dark blue. He felt more and more confused as he looked around. Patches of grass now sprouted along what used to be a dirt road, and thin vines snaked their way atop towering heaps of debris. Some piles of garbage had collapsed or bore gaping holes, almost as if several explosions had occurred at one point, while other piles looked deformed, as if the plastic was changing. ¡®What in the world is happening here?¡¯ he wondered as he struggled to keep count. Leaving the tarp behind, Marcus leaped out of the car¡¯s rear, landing on his feet with as much grace as a steel object could. Still, he was able to maintain his balance. He turned around a few times to check out the junkyard more closely. A cluster of massive scorch marks near the van he had ¡®slept in¡¯ caught his attention. ¡®It looks like it caught fire at one point. Perhaps some teenager throwing Molotov cocktails at it?¡¯ he hoped, still aware of the graffiti on his frame. He spotted a few more scorch marks around the place but he couldn¡¯t tell whether they were from a recent event or had occurred weeks ago. ¡®Well, this place is going to shit,¡¯ Marcus thought as he shrugged his metallic shoulders and began walking northward, feeling a strange pull towards it. His plan was to walk straight until he reached the fence, and then reassess his path or climb over it. Faint sounds echoed from afar, accompanied by the occasional sight of shifting trash and debris cascading down a colossal mound, but Marcus never could locate the source. An unsettling feeling came over him as it kept happening. He finally arrived at the fence, seeing the rusty and broken state of it. More than one section of it looked like something had torn it apart at one point. A distance behind it now stood an imposing wall of concrete and robust steel, crowned with barbed wire. It reminded Marcus of a military or prison setting. ¡®Right¡­ so I am not getting over that wall quickly, now am I?¡¯ Marcus mused, stepping to the side as he pondered whether he even wanted to attempt to climb it, or just follow it and see if there was a gate somewhere. While doing so, he tried his best to continue counting despite occasionally losing track. As Marcus strolled alongside the wall, he noticed the occasional claw mark etched across its surface. Bits of chipped stone caught his eye, evidence of a swift impact from something small yet powerful. It slowly dawned on him that the wall¡¯s purpose wasn¡¯t solely to deter intruders from stumbling into the junkyard; rather, it seemed built to contain whatever was inside. ¡®I guess that makes¡ª¡¯ Without warning, a guttural growl rumbled from behind, jolting him. It instantly triggered memories of the monstrous creature he had encountered at the Tech expo. Marcus turned slowly, his pistons and motors carefully moving his frame until he relaxed as he noticed the threat was a Rottweiler, emitting a warning growl. ¡®Thank god. A normal dog.¡¯ He relaxed his posture for a moment, no longer balling his fists. ''Alright, easy now, doggo,¡¯ he thought, hoping that this particular dog was telepathic. He cautiously sank to his knees and extended his steel hand, hoping the dog would see the gesture as non-threatening. ¡®How about you give robots a chance.¡¯ The dog paused for a moment, its curiosity obvious as it slowly edged closer and sniffed Marcus¡¯ steel hand, as if testing the waters. Marcus responded by petting the dog, employing the time-tested method technique of scratching behind its ear, which soon resulted in the animal relaxing as well. Continuing to stroke the dog, Marcus did his best to establish trust with the creature, while at the same time realizing just how much he craved the social interaction as well. As he examined the dog¡¯s collar, its name tag caught his attention. ¡®Bumper?¡¯ Upon reading it, he shook his head with a hint of amusement. ¡®Classy owners¡­ I¡¯m sure. But, from the looks of it, you do have an owner. You might just be my ticket out of here.¡¯ Marcus retrieved a filthy rag from a nearby heap of garbage, twisting and knotting it into a makeshift ball. With a playful wiggle, he dangled it in front of the dog, hoping to get it hyped up before tossing the makeshift toy. When he threw it, the dog shot off like an hyperactive arrow, chasing after the thrown object, snatching it, and promptly returning to Marcus. Bumper dropped the rag and barked enthusiastically, his body tensing up as if demanding another go. ¡®Good dog,¡¯ Marcus thought, his steel frame unable to display his own enjoyment of the interaction. He desperately hoped that a few more minutes spent like this would be enough for the dog to trust him. ¡®Let¡¯s hope when the owner sees a robot and a happy dog, he¡¯ll at least give me the benefit of the doubt.¡¯ He was still very much aware of the bullet holes complimenting his steel frame. Once again, Marcus grasped the makeshift toy, giving it a lively wiggle that triggered another playful bark from the dog. He hurled the toy with even more force, watching as the dog immediately sprang into action, chasing after it and seizing it in mid-flight. The momentum sent the dog skidding across the dirt, leaving behind a trail of temporary tracks. ¡®Holy shit. That was actually impressive!¡¯ Marcus thought before he began signaling for the dog to come back, watching the dog do so at full speed, only for something massive to slam into the animal from the side, revealing itself to be a monster. The monster savaged the dog in a frenzy, its repulsive appearance defying any earthly description. It stood as large as a bear, with distinct canine and avian traits. With its massive front paws, it tore into the unfortunate dog, causing blood to stain its black feathers. Marcus remained rooted in place, unable to tear his gaze away from the gruesome spectacle as it tore the dog apart within seconds. Its twisted, razor-sharp beak then began to feast on the dog¡¯s insides. Seconds later, it moved on to the dog¡¯s head and swallowed it whole, the horrible sight was enough to compel Marcus to flee, his metallic body propelling him as fast as possible. He clenched his metallic fists, praying that the dog''s remains would keep the monster distracted a while longer as he dashed faster than he had ever pushed the motors and pistons in his body. - - - Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. After a mad sprint and several wrong turns, Marcus found himself back in the van, tightly clutching a steel pipe he had picked up along the way. His camera lens remained fixated on the closed backdoor, anticipating the monster to jump through it at any moment. He gripped the pipe with all his strength, his mind solely focused on counting, desperate to keep busy with the mental task. ¡®5355¡­5356.¡¯ Each second brought him closer to eventually blacking out again. He wasn¡¯t sure if he preferred it or not, seeing as he wasn¡¯t sure if he could even fend off a thing that could kill a big dog in mere seconds. The monster had struck a deeper terror within him than the one he encountered during the Tech event. During this encounter there had been no hint of hesitation in the monster¡¯s actions, just blind fury and an insatiable hunger. The smaller creature he fought off while protecting Oscar¡¯s remains had at least exhibited caution, behaving more like a cunning beast rather than a mindless monstrosity. ¡®5400¡­ 5401,¡¯ he counted, feeling his energy gradually wane. He knew he had lost track a few times and that the actual number was likely much higher. Though not great with numbers or any form of math, he guessed that each time he woke up, he¡¯d have around an hour and a half worth of energy at the very least. Holding the pipe out in front of him, Marcus strained to hear the thunderous rush of something massive hurtling past his position, occasionally slamming into a metal object. The sound alone put him on edge, yet his steel frame remained impassive, showing no response to his mounting fears. ¡®Don¡¯t you dare,¡¯ he hissed in his mind, still struggling to keep counting. He nearly dropped his weapon when he suddenly heard shouting and gunfire reverberating through the air. As he listened, more lumbering creatures rushed past his van. Eventually, he forced himself to slide closer to the door and peer out of the dirty window, seeing two more of the large feathery monsters running across the ground, emanating hisses and growls as they surged towards the sounds of combat. Trailing in their wake were smaller, fur-clad monstrosities adorned with rows of menacing spikes. ¡®There are people there,¡¯ he thought as the monstrous reinforcements stopped passing his van, granting him a moment to consider. ¡®There are people fighting out there. This could be my opportunity to be saved!¡¯ Firmly gripping his weapon, he cautiously opened the door and looked outside, making sure he was alone. Afterward, he leaped out and headed toward the sounds of battle while reminding himself how stupid this plan was. Intermittent tremors shook the earth, sending debris falling nearby, putting Marcus further on edge. Turning the corner, his optics locked onto the lifeless bodies of several slain monsters¡ªsome riddled with bullet holes, others hacked apart. One of the larger monsters even had arrows sticking out of its skull. ¡®Arrows? What the hell is going on here?¡¯ he wondered, his camera drawn to a nearby expanding ball of fire that shot upwards before bits of fleshy debris began raining down. Carefully he moved towards that direction, slowly climbing up a large heap of garbage until he reached the top. From his vantage point, Marcus witnessed the bloody end of a battle¡ªa dozen fighters locked in fierce combat with a small horde of monsters. The air crackled with automatic gunfire and the deafening blasts of shotguns as row after row of monsters were mercilessly shot apart. Yet, the larger creatures shrugged off most bullets, only to be put down by four fighters who rushed in, swords, axes, and bows in hand, frames clad in a mix of modern tactical armor, chain mail, and plate armor. ¡®What¡¯s up with knights in armor killing monsters? Did I get send back in time?¡¯ he thought as he watched how an arcing swing of a great sword killed the last monster. The monster¡¯s feathery head careened across the dirty ground, abruptly stopping its motion when another fighter forcefully stamped her foot upon it, obliterating the skull beneath her heel before picking up a bit of gore. As the fighters secured the area, some of them began mimicking her actions, extracting strange objects from the slain monsters, cutting them or even just ripping them out of the back of monster heads. ¡®They look like crystals. Like a mixture of glass and metal.¡¯ Even from his current position, he could see the harvested items emitting a faint glow, reminiscent of the one he had encountered in the monster back at the Tech expo. ¡®Are those things important somehow¡­ or valuable?¡¯ Marcus studied them intently and concluded that most of them were experienced in handling situations like this, or had at least done it a few times before. Most of the individuals that carried assault rifles and shotguns had moved with practiced precision, their movements synchronized with one another. ¡®Maybe they have a background in law enforcement or are they military?¡¯ Marcus speculated, even though the concept of those kinds of individuals fighting off monsters still felt bizarre to him. The four fighters clad in chain mail and steel plate appeared notably more at ease, almost to the extent that their guard seemed lowered compared to the others. They shared laughs amongst themselves while the archer casually retrieved his arrows. ¡®What¡¯s happening in this world that such things are considered ordinary? First meteors, then monsters, and now this?¡¯ Marcus wondered. Processing it all, he just remained prone, contemplating his next move. Verbal communication seemed impossible since he lacked the ability to speak. To make matters worse, he also didn¡¯t know any sign language. He only knew that holding his hands up in the air would usually be seen as nonthreatening, or so he recalled from movies. After a moment, he mustered the strength to rise, his mechanical components supporting him to his full height. With his right hand still gripping the steel pipe, he extended both hands in the air, desperately hoping to convey, ¡®I am not a threat! Please don¡¯t blow my circuits out!¡¯ He slammed his foot on a metal object a few times to create a loud bang, drawing the attention of the fighters. To his amazement, the four armored figures were the first to notice him, despite their relaxed stance. Their penetrating gaze bore into him from a distance. ¡®All right, Marcus, you got this,¡¯ he told himself, taking a step forward and extending his arms further to his sides. He mentally rehearsed the words he would draw in the dirt nearby, hoping to establish some basic form of communication. ¡®Everyone likes a cute robot, right? Should I write in Dutch or English? I¡¯m horrible at German, but I¡¯m sure I can manage something.¡¯ Some of the fighters exchanged glances, pointing in Marcus¡¯s direction as they engaged in hushed conversation. The fighter with the great sword playfully nudged the archer in the ribs, prompting a few chuckles before the archer nodded. Marcus felt his mechanical joints almost lock up in fear as the archer notched an arrow and drew back his bowstring. In an instant, the arrowhead ignited, and a blazing fireball formed out of thin air. ¡®Shit, shit, shit!¡¯ Marcus thought, his instincts kicking in as he spun around and scrambled up the heap of garbage. However, he was too late. The arrow struck the ground a few paces to his right, triggering a colossal explosion. The force of the blast sent Marcus hurtling over the edge, tumbling downward amidst a cascade of debris, burned plastic and what remained of his steel pipe. Eventually, he came to an abrupt halt, disoriented and dangling upside down. With a sense of urgency, Marcus scrambled to his feet and fled the scene, fearful of the fighters who might give chase. His mechanical form surged forward as fast as he could make it, driving his motors and pistons to their very limits. ¡®What the hell is wrong with those people? And what the hell was that explosion!¡¯ He ran with all his might, occasionally vaulting over the remnants of crushed vehicles and discarded appliances, or just falling over objects and quickly getting back up as he desperately searched for ¡®his¡¯ van. His eyes locked onto it, and a surge of hope propelled him to leap and grasp the ledge, aiming to haul himself up. But gravity turned against him as he crashed back down, slamming onto his back, producing a flood of confusions. His gaze shifted to his right hand, or rather, the wreckage that remained. All that was left of his once-functional robotic right hand and wrist was a jagged stump of twisted steel and shattered machinery. Shrapnel and scorch marks marred the right side of his body, with some of it still smoldering. The plastic protective plating on his right side was also mostly gone, either melted or broken off. ¡®No¡­ No¡­ This is bad.¡¯ Panic coursed through him as he stared at the stump of his right hand, but stuffed all those emotions down when he heard voices nearby. Survival instincts compelled him to act, as he jumped up towards the van again, relying solely on his remaining hand for support. Clumsily, he dragged himself upwards and threw himself inside, hastily closing the door behind him before covering himself beneath the gray tarp. Soon, shouts and the sound of footsteps filled the air. ¡°What the heck was that creature?¡± a deep voice called out, coming closer to Marcus¡¯ van. The unmistakable click of a shotgun being loaded followed. ¡°Could be one of those anomalies we keep hearing about?¡± another person suggested as the group moved forward. ¡°Nah, not likely. I mean, what are the odds of that happening in a dark blue? It¡¯s probably just a strange looking monster. Let¡¯s just keep looking. Collectors usually pay more for weird ones.¡± Marcus just remained motionless, his robotic form frozen in place as he heard the fighters move on, slowly leaving his position. All the while, he struggled to maintain his count, his gaze locked on the wreckage of his right arm and the sharp bits that were sticking out. ¡®7007... 7008... 7009,¡¯ he murmured under his breath, knowing full well that he had missed count dozens, if not hundreds of times throughout the commotion. He clung to the count, each number a lifeline as time blurred around him and his consciousness faded, plunging him into darkness once more. - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 8 (A Bite to Eat) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 8 I A Bite to Eat - - - His body was ravaged by tremors, and his eyes widened as he tensed up. His blurry vision came and went as he struggled to stay conscious. Fragmented memories showed medical personnel rushing in and out of a room, their actions a blur. He recalled seeing the faint outline of a strange machine strapped to his chest, holding him firmly in place while an odd layer of what appeared to be countless suspended and glowing glass pieces enveloping his body. Within the machine, five pulsating lights dimmed slowly until one of the medical staff replaced them. The machine pulsed on top of him, doing something to him. It felt like it infused every cell of his body in a strangely familiar manner. He caught glimpses of worried faces, some unfamiliar, others vaguely recognizable like his brother and sister, their features distorted by his blurred vision. ¡®They look different somehow,¡¯ he thought as his vision faded again, returning a while later and seeing an empty room. A sign on the wall caught his attention, seeing a fancy name on it. ¡®A hospital name?¡¯ he pondered, straining to make out the number four etched below it. ¨X ¨[ [System activation: 100%] ¨^ ¨a His robotic vision flickered back to life, his consciousness returning in a rush. His steel form suddenly moving according to his will as his gaze settled on his mangled lower right arm, seeing the sharp metal edges protruding and machinery broken at its core. His mind focused on it, feeling a sort of panic again before he snapped out of it. ¡®No... focus dammit!¡¯ he thought, remembering the need to start counting again. Numerous thoughts swirled in his mind, some adding to his distress, while others sparked a glimmer of hope. ¡®Are those fragmented dreams actual memories?¡¯ he wondered, struggling to both keep count and ponder his fate. ¡®I¡­ Shit... I think I¡¯m still alive out there... somewhere,¡¯ he decided, knowing that, at worst, it would provide temporary false hope. Yet, deep within, he ¡®felt¡¯ as if the dreams were actually fragmented memories. It felt like what his body was going through in the hospital was bleeding into his mind. ¡®I¡¯m alive.¡¯ He rose slowly, causing layers of dust to fall from the gray tarp that he had wrapped around him. ¡®How much time has passed this time?¡¯ he wondered, watching the fabric drop to the floor, revealing the van¡¯s worsened rusty condition. His left hand moved across his own frame, the dust giving way under its touch. His attention then returned to his destroyed arm, a mix of anger and confusion lingering as he questioned why those fighters had attacked him without reason, despite him displaying himself as nonthreatening. ¡®That poor dog had a better grasp of people than those idiots.¡¯ He flexed his left hand, turning it into a tight metal fist. Although he had never used his previous weapon, he still felt vulnerable without the steel pipe. ¡®Alright, step one: find a weapon and more protection¡¯ he thought as he slid his way over to the backdoor and opened it up, stepping into a world tinted in light blue shade. - - - Several minutes later, he was tearing off another piece of fabric and tied it around his limbs. Numerous rags were now secured around his body lined with scavenged hard leather and plastic, providing extra padding while hiding a lot of his steel frame. He stole a quick look at himself in a nearby car''s side mirror. ¡®Well... style wise it¡¯s absolute dogshit,¡¯ he thought, realizing how ridiculous his appearance was. ¡®But at least now I resemble a homeless person instead of an evil robot that needs to be shot on sight, not to mention hide most of the graffiti. I suppose that¡¯s an improvement?¡¯ He covered his head with a worn hood, fashioned from a torn-up hoodie. ¡®This should buy me at least five seconds until some other prick decides to take my left hand.¡¯ Just as Marcus was about to move on in search of more fabric and plastic, a shifting sound reached his ears. He turned around and watched a twisted shape emerging from a pile of garbage. He watched the monster shake off the filth it had been hiding underneath. The creature''s appearance was rat-like, but grotesquely oversized, roughly the size of a large dog. Had Marcus the anatomical parts to do so, it would¡¯ve sent shivers down his spine at seeing the monster. A strange green liquid dripped out of the end of the creature¡¯s many tails, hissing when it came in contact with the ground, as if acidic. ¡®Should I¡ª'' The creature shot forward at an unnatural speed, shattering Marcus¡¯s thoughts and his chance at running away. It leaped from one position to the next with a disturbing swiftness until it lunged at Marcus, crashing into him. ¡®What the hell are you?¡¯ Marcus exclaimed mentally as the creature sank its crooked teeth into his left arm, tearing through several shreds of fabric and plastic that formed his makeshift armor. The two of them slammed into the ground while the creature continued its relentless assault, biting and scratching. Marcus fought to free himself from the creature''s grasp, narrowly evading a swipe of its deadly claws, which threatened to tear into his robotic head. They wrestled and rolled across the dirt in a violent struggle. In a stroke of luck, Marcus managed to land a powerful blow, driving his right arm, and most of its jagged metal remnants, into the creature¡¯s side. Agonized hisses escaped the creature as Marcus pressed the advantage, clutching its throat with his left hand while relentlessly thrusting his weaponized stump into its writhing form. With every stab, the monster became less of a threat and Marcus could almost feel his metallic fingers crushing flesh and obliterating the monster¡¯s windpipe. He just kept squeezing as he witnessed the monster¡¯s convulsive twitches. It eventually stopped thrashing and went limp. Just to make sure it was actually dead, Marcus relentlessly plunged his right arm into the creature¡¯s body, over and over again, until he found himself drenched in blood and gore. He cautiously rose to his feet, swiping his metal hand across his face to rid it of the crimson splatters on his camera while circling the lifeless monster. Uncertain if it would get back up or if others lurked nearby, he released his pent-up aggression by delivering a series of kicks to the corpse. The sound of snapping ribs filled the air as its appearance gradually morphed into a less recognizable shape. ¡®That was for Oscar,¡¯ Marcus declared, his robotic hand rising to flip off the lifeless monster. With a final kick to its skull, he released his pent-up frustration and accepted that he had actually killed it. The realization struck him, for he had never before taken a life. Surprisingly, he found himself extremely at ease with the death aspect, even now that he had a minute to calm down. A part of him wondered if it was because of his unfeeling, mechanical shell or if his action just now revealed a hidden aspect of his own personality¡ªa part unafraid to delve into deeds that others might shy away from. He turned his attention to his right arm, checking if he had damaged it even more as his robotic fingers tracing over the jagged remnants. He observed the strange intertwining sinewy glowing tendrils ensnaring the shattered pistons and motors, mirroring glowing veins. Nearly losing himself in it, he quickly remembered where he had left off his count and picked it up again, knowing it was wise to know just how long he had left. Just before he wanted to leave, his camera caught sight of the odd object lodged in the back of the monster¡¯s skull, pulsating weakly now and again. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡®Those bastards who shot me were collecting these things, right? Why do these monsters have them in their heads?¡¯ he pondered, kneeling beside the mangled creature and clumsily extracting the rock from the back of its skull with one hand. With a determined pull, he freed it, accompanied by a horrible sound and a small amount of brain matter and skull fragments. ¡®Alright, that¡¯s just nasty.¡¯ Marcus wiped away the gory residue off on the monster¡¯s fur before examining the object further. ¡®It¡¯s sort of pulsating... but it looks somewhat similar to that thing inside me¡­ inside this robot,¡¯ Marcus contemplated as he approached a nearby car mirror. He forcefully detached it before positioning it in a way that allowed him to peer into the hole in his steel torso. There, he spotted the strange blue object. It was coated in a layer of mud and filth, but after scratching at it, he revealed more of the blue core, seeing it attached to hundreds of smaller light blue veins that spread throughout his robot body. As his gaze shifted back to the thing he had pulled out of the monster, he noticed certain similarities. ¡®That thing inside me is larger and spherical. This... Orb¡­ inside me feels... stronger? It also gives off a constant glow, rather than pulsating,¡¯ he pondered, unsure why he had settled on the term Orb out of the blue. He dropped the mirror so that he could better examine the small bloody object in his hand. He wondered how it had found its way into a monster¡¯s skull and what purpose it served. The strangest part was the nagging familiarity it evoked¡ªan uncanny sense of having encountered it up close before. ¡®Monster-Glass,¡¯ he whispered in his mind, the word reverberating through strange, fragmented memories. Though he couldn''t quite explain why, he felt certain that it was called that. Just as certain as he was that the thing inside of him was called an Orb. It was difficult to put it into words, but weirdly he thought he recalled people referring to those things as such. Shaking his robotic head, he pondered whether he was gradually losing his sanity. Securing the ¡®Glass¡¯ within a layer of fabric, he concealed it carefully. As he turned to leave, the distant echoes of combat and the discharge of automatic weapons reached him, hastening his footsteps. - - - Huddled behind a nearby car, Marcus caught sight of his van in the distance¡ªa rusty haven that beckoned to him. Though a strong desire to reach it surged within him, he remained crouched behind a vehicle, forced to witness the fight in front of him. In front of him, three men valiantly held their ground against a small horde of monsters similar to the one he had killed earlier. Some of the creatures fell under the barrage of gunfire, while others evaded the shots, launching fierce attacks on the men, even taking down one of them. Marcus was confused when he watched one of the men stop shooting and, with outstretched hands, conjure a sudden wall of fire that formed a protective wall, incinerating three monsters in the process. The two surviving men turned their gaze to their wounded companion, swarmed by an ever-growing horde of creatures. They paused for a few more seconds before they fled the scene, unloading their magazines in bursts of fire as they made their escape, their companion screaming as he was left behind. Marcus observed the wounded man on the ground, desperately fending off the ravenous monsters. With gunfire and frantic kicks, the man fought to repel the creatures that had already torn into his legs and abdomen. The sight stirred an intense urge within Marcus to rise and aid him, but the overwhelming number of monsters kept him crouched. ¡®There is nothing I can do. He¡¯s already dead,¡¯ Marcus thought, witnessing chunks of flesh being ripped away from the man¡¯s body while he howled in agony. During the brutal assault, the man managed to switch to his sidearm, dispatching two more monsters while five others closed in. A howl of despair pierced the air before the man turned the pistol on himself, granting himself one last act of mercy. The gunshot reverberated through Marcus¡¯s steel frame, echoing even into his very soul. As he watched the tragic end, his heart ached at the thought of the man''s final moments. ¡®I don¡¯t blame him,¡¯ Marcus thought as he tried to suppress how sick it all made him feel. Still, he couldn''t look away from the gruesome event playing out before his eyes. The monsters tore into the man''s remains with an uncontrolled hunger, biting and clawing apart both the equipment and the corpse with reckless abandon. Mentally blocking out the sickening sounds of flesh being torn and bones snapping, Marcus just focused solely on his counting. He observed the monsters squabbling over the remnants, some fleeing with parts of a limb or pulled out organs. The repulsiveness of the sight intensified, but he remained motionless. The area had now become overrun with more of the abominations, and he dreaded the slightest twitch that might betray his presence. Instead, he stayed crouched, unmoving and concealed behind the car, hidden within his grime-laden fabric that shielded his robotic form. Marcus just kept staring ahead while counting the passing seconds. Over time, the two tasks he was juggling gradually drifted further apart in his mind, reaching the point where it started tugging at his mind. The broken heads-up display flickered sporadically, bombarding him with an increasing amount of error messages until it blinked out of existence entirely. In that disconcerting instant, Marcus felt a fracture within his mind, as if something was snapping loose. ¡®Wait... no! Did I just break a part of my mind?¡¯ he wondered, nearly teetering backward in a mixture of awe and fear. He sensed a sliver of his mind seeping away from the main part, trickling into something else¡ªa separate version of himself focused solely on the counting. Then, the HUD flickered back into existence, free from error messages this time. A timer appeared in the top right corner of Marcus¡¯s vision, ticking upward, even without him focusing on it. ¡®Ok, what the hell did I just do?¡¯ he pondered, feeling the split part of his mind still carrying out its task. Curious, he carefully mentally reached out to it and absorbed the portion again. As he did so, the HUD vanished, and he suddenly recalled having been counting all this time. ¡®This isn¡¯t weird at all,¡¯ Marcus thought sarcastically as he reminded himself to keep calm and remain still. He repeated the process, deliberately splitting his thoughts, feeling them separate into distinct parts and experiencing a sliver of himself separate from his core being. A peculiar sensation washed over him, as if he wasn¡¯t complete somehow, yet the separated part was only a mere fraction of his whole, like a few droplets from a full cup of water. ¡®Is this a consequence of what I¡¯ve been through, or is this just because of a machine brain?¡¯ Marcus continued messing around with the HUD like a child that gained a new toy, experimenting with its functions while observing the monsters gradually lose interest in the carcass. A few of them bickered over the final scraps before eventually dispersing, with one concealing itself amidst a nearby heap of garbage. ¡®How many of those things are out there, hidden like violent hungry landmines?¡¯ he wondered, his mind recounting the hectic fight he had a short while ago. His eyes remained fixed on the scene, wondering if more would return while he felt his connection to his robotic frame weakening. ¡®Nearing the two-hour mark¡­ I think,¡¯ he concluded, mentally reviewing the seconds he had tallied, even if the count was far from precise. He eyed his surroundings one last time before cautiously making his way toward the van with as much grace as his metal frame could produce. He kept his gaze on the spot where the monster had concealed itself, unsure if it was now asleep or actively waiting in ambush. As he approached the van, he noticed the carcass and the ruined gear. ¡®This is stupid,¡¯ Marcus thought, hesitating for a moment before he snuck towards the bloody remains. He grabbed the man¡¯s torn backpack and the discarded pistol the man had used to end his own life. Marcus¡¯s gaze shot towards the rifle in the distance, but he forced himself to turn away, knowing that taking even more risks went beyond mere stupidity. Instead, he made his way over to his hideout as he clambered awkwardly up the rusted cars. He finally threw himself into his van and hastily closed the door behind him. In mere seconds, the sound of rubble shifting echoed outside, accompanied by scurrying creatures. ¡®And cue the hissing landmine,¡¯ he thought, praying that they wouldn¡¯t be able to sniff him out from where he was. He cradled his loot in his arms as he hid beneath the grey tarp, his attention fixed on the timer as he ignored the Orb¡¯s blue light pouring out of the holes and cracks in his frame. Despite the threat outside, Marcus was determined to figure out just how much time he had each time he regained consciousness. Mere minutes later, he blacked out once again. - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 9 (Gearing up) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 9 I Gearing up - - - ¡°I know you¡¯re in there, boy,¡± a man whispered softly, provoking a rush of recognition and emotions that Marcus struggled to process. His hand felt the gentle pressure of the man¡¯s grip, offering a sense of familiarity. ¡°You¡¯re a fighter, just like your father.¡± The man¡¯s tone echoed through Marcus¡¯s memories, a blend of affection and anger that had accompanied him all his life. ¡°The others are doing the same... fighting for you. I...,¡± the voice trailed off abruptly, the grip on Marcus¡¯s hand easing as the man withdrew. Minutes passed as it left Marcus drifting in his dazed state until he heard the familiar voice again. ¡°The doctors say talking helps. That it gives you something to live for... something to fight for.¡± The voice turned fragile, weaker in the brief moment where the man allowed himself be weak. ¡°We need you, Marcus.¡± ¨X ¨[ [System activation: 100%] ¨^ ¨a Marcus''s mind snapped back, like a sudden jolt of electricity. His robotic frame shot upright, causing the dusty grey tarp to slip off. ¡®Uncle Laurens?¡¯ He recounted his uncle¡¯s last words before he collected himself, reminding himself of what he needed to do. He quickly allowed a sliver of his mind to break off and focus solely on counting. The minute he did so, the heads-up display flickered into view, initiating a counter. ¡®Let¡¯s see if that two-hour guess was correct,¡¯ he thought as he slowly crawled onto his knees and inspected his surroundings. A faint, crimson hue trickled through the grime-covered window of the van''s rear door, casting a beam of light. Marcus pondered the different hues, recalling how he had seen both a red and blue hues before. He remembered one of the fighters who had attacked him mentioning a ¡®dark blue¡¯, indicating that it held some sort of importance. Examining his remaining robotic hand, he noticed the glimmers of light reflecting off the metal. ¡®I heard you loud and clear, uncle,¡¯ he thought as he processed the fragmented memories as best as he could. ¡®Somewhere out there I¡¯m still alive, and so is my family. I can¡¯t waste any more time here in this place,¡¯ he thought, clenching his fist tightly as he felt the subtle pull tugging him northward, as if beckoning him towards something. He grabbed the items he had looted off the dead man, focusing on the pistol first. Taking a moment to inspect it, he figured out how it worked and how could remove the magazine without shooting himself in the process. With his one hand, he emptied the pistol and its magazine, counting five bullets in total. ¡®Well... five is better than nothing, right? And even I can keep track of that.¡¯ He fumbled a bit as he reloaded the bullets before sliding the magazine back into place, afterwards setting the pistol down with the safety on. He had never handled a gun before, but he had seen enough movies to know it was wise to keep the safety on to avoid shooting himself in the foot. He grabbed the worn backpack and checked out the damage before unzipping it. Inside, he found fifteen more Monster-Glass bits, along with mold covered rations, ruined medical supplies, and spare socks. Slipping on the socks to muffle his steel feet, Marcus counted all the Glass and placed the one he had looted himself last time next to the others. ¡®Is sixteen a lot?¡¯ he wondered, realizing he had no idea of their rarity, value or use. He cleaned them all as best as he could before placing all the Glass and the pistol inside the backpack, afterwards securing it around his hip using bits of torn fabric while making his way towards the door to get out. - - - For an entire hour, Marcus moved like a ghost, slipping between heaps of trash with silent steps, keeping low and disregarding the sounds of combat that seemed to be everywhere. Still, eventually he stealth was thrown out the window when danger popped up. Rushing as fast as he could, bits of dirt and shattered garbage peppered his steel body when another mortar struck nearby, taking out a group of monsters. He slid to a halt behind a rusty refrigerator, surrounded by the roar of heavy machinegun fire and a growing number of explosions. Under the frayed, gray tarp he''d fashioned into an improvised cloak, he was tightly gripping the pistol. He found comfort in the five rounds inside of it, each round possibly able to save his life. He remained perfectly still as he watched a large swarm of thirty or so monsters race past his position, emitting fierce growls and hisses. Insect-like in appearance, they boasted elongated chitinous limbs ending in razor-sharp claws, while rows of sharp teeth adorned their fur-covered mouths. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. He froze, his eyes locked onto the hail of bullets slamming into the oncoming horde as they tried to charge up a nearby hill, determined to attack the humans positioned there. Explosions followed as the monsters triggered mines and other explosives, while icy shards fell from the sky like frozen spears. ¡®Magic?¡¯ Marcus wondered, witnessing the unnatural display. He recalled other occurrences, like the fireball arrow that had claimed his right hand and the wall of fire he had encountered before acquiring his pistol. Still, the humans he could see in the distance were left with no choice but to retreat and find a new position while an ever-growing number of monsters surged forward, joined by towering behemoths rivaling the size of trucks. When most of the monsters were out of sight, Marcus rushed forward again, only to lose his footing and trip over the vine covered ground as the earth trembled beneath him. What followed was an unnatural rumbling that filled the air, as the red hue in the sky suddenly shattered in millions of pieces, dissipating to reveal the familiar, normal sky above. ¡®Ok, what the hell is going on?¡¯ he wondered, his mind reeling, as more violent tremors shook the surroundings, causing piles of garbage to collapse and forcing him to jump over a nearby car to avoid getting hit. Fearing the risk of being crushed, he quickly fled the area. After a frantic sprint that felt like an eternity, the ground stopped shaking, allowing Marcus to move more slowly again, allowing him to focus on being silent and avoid detection. The occasional sound of gunfire still reached his ears, but it had diminished both in frequency and intensity, as if the fighters were now in the process of cleaning up rather than engaged in an active fight. As Marcus turned the corner, he came face to face with one of the insect-like monsters. His gaze locked onto the struggling creature as it desperately tried to navigate a treacherous slope of garbage, tangled with purple vines and an eerie, glowing moss. He could almost feel the monster spotting him before it lunged towards him with a primal ferocity that sent a jolt of panic surging through Marcus. ¡®Shit... Shit... Shit!¡¯ Instinctively, he raised his gun and squeezed the trigger twice, desperately discharging two shots in rapid succession. The first bullet struck the monster¡¯s chitinous hide, creating a dull thud as it ricocheted off, ultimately landing harmlessly on the ground. The second round found its mark, but even then, it only managed to partially penetrate the creature¡¯s thick skin, provoking it further. In a mere heartbeat, the monster closed the gap between them, poised to strike at Marcus. Before it could carry out its attack, it suddenly faltered as it began to hiss. The creature clutched its own head with its massive claws, writhing in apparent agony. Marcus watched in astonishment as the monster¡¯s movements grew sluggish and erratic, its ferocity waning until it finally stopped moving and simply collapsed onto the ground. Confusion and relief consumed Marcus as he stood there, his hand trembling while still clutching the pistol. He couldn¡¯t see any visible injuries on the creature that might¡¯ve killed it, aside from the minor mark his bullets had inflicted. ¡®There¡¯s no way I did this,¡¯ he thought, his mind racing to comprehend the strange turn of events. But before he could process it any further, nearby voices jolted him out of his momentary shock. Marcus sprinted away from the scene, leaving the monster and the Monster-Glass inside its skull behind. He headed northwards once more, swiftly vaulting over debris and leaping across mortar-made craters. In the distance, he noticed a massive wall adorned with barbed wire at the top. The wire entangled several dead monsters, most of them riddled with arrows, spears or covered in burns. As the wall grew nearer, he also spotted people in the distance. Recalling his previous encounter with armed fighters, he chose to move around the group until he caught sight of a gate in the distance, guarded by several men in military gear. Marcus swiftly went prone near several burned-out cars and crawled underneath it, burying himself as deep as he could in the filthy mud. In a matter of seconds, the sound of people filled the air as many of them moved back towards the gate. Numerous individuals carried assault rifles and heavy machine guns, while the majority of them were wearing thick metal armor and wielded axes, swords and hammers. Marcus also spotted some wounded men on stretchers who were being carried away, alongside others carrying large backpacks or mortar setups. ¡®Is this some kind of private army?¡¯ Marcus wondered as the sounds of cars and trucks came pouring in, followed by even more people. Marcus just watched from his hiding spot, catching glimpses of the busy scene. Trucks arrived, and new arrivals unloaded crates and bags, while some began setting up workstations. Gradually, more and more arrived, including guards who seemed less armed than the fighters who were now leaving the junkyard. The majority of people wore similar uniforms, or at least Marcus thought so. He couldn''t make out the details clearly, but he did catch a glimpse of a sword emblem on their shoulders. ¡®They don¡¯t look like any branch of the military I am familiar with. What are they doing?¡¯ Marcus thought, watching as they brought in more equipment. Most of them walked past his position, heading further into the junkyard while guards accompanied them. Minutes ticked away, and Marcus watched with a mix of curiosity and unease as the first monster corpses were transported back to the entrance and placed onto trucks. Others carefully handled transparent bags that looked like they was filled with a crystal-like slime, placing them in crates before storing them away. He briefly wrestled with the idea of just crawling out and making himself be seen, quickly drawing things in the dirt or anything else to show that he was human, but each time he recalled the fire arrow. Marcus thought his best option for now was finding his family and having them on his side to figure this all out. So, he just took it all in, his mind filled with confusion at what he was seeing, while most of his attention was on the main gate that would lead him out of the junkyard. With painstaking care, he pressed himself further into the muck and grime as he concealed himself even more, seeing as his HUD was letting him know that time was running out before he even felt his tether with his robotic frame starting to unravel. ¡®Soon,¡¯ he thought, focusing his optics on the gate. Moments later, Marcus pulled his hoodie over his face, trying to hide himself as best as he could before storing his pistol in his backpack, hoping to keep it dry. Now in the mud, his trusty brown van felt like a distant memory, and uncertainty gnawed at him as he wondered if he''d be discovered before he woke up again. Nonetheless, if he wasn¡¯t moved, he¡¯d be close to the gate. It meant he could take off running and hopefully reach whatever was drawing him northwards. ¡®Just a little longer,¡¯ he thought, spending the next few minutes recalling the faces and voices of his family and friends before darkness came for him again. ¡®Just wait for me.¡¯ - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 10 (Inequivalent Exchange) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 10 I Inequivalent Exchange - - - Marcus¡¯s awareness fluttered in the depths of unconsciousness, blending with memories that he didn¡¯t recognize. Amidst the hazy state, he became aware of a subtle weight pressing against his chest, accompanied by a gentle warmth that seeped through his body. Strange sounds, like the soft whir of a machine, echoed in the air, blending with the rhythm of his breath. He basked in the calmness of that moment. There was an ache within him, a longing for that calmness, to abandon the constant struggle for survival and simply let go. Still, something was gnawing at him, telling him to wake up. ¡°We need you, Marcus.¡± ¨X ¨[ [System activation: 100%] ¨^ ¨a With a sudden explosive jolt, Marcus snapped awake, the back of his head colliding with the underbelly of the old vehicle with a loud thud. Confusion swirled inside his mind as his camera lens caught the sight of moss and vines clinging to his frame as if nature itself was embracing him. ¡®How long was I out this time? Months? Years?¡¯ he questioned silently. He picked up on the shouting all around him, accompanied by the sound of rushing footsteps. Pushing his hood back, he scanned the gate in front of him, spotting fleeing people dressed in overalls. ¡®Don¡¯t overthink it,¡¯ Marcus told himself, crawling forward and tearing through the dense overgrowth. Breaking free from beneath the car, he stood upright, shedding dirt, moss, and fragmented vines. His gaze lifted toward the night sky, obscured by ominous thunderclouds, tainted with an eerie light blue hue. Rain showered down in a strange way, coating his optics with droplets that he couldn¡¯t feel. Movement beside him caught his ear, causing him to turn his head in response. Marcus noticed two men sprawled on the ground beside him. They wore overalls and raincoats, their faces drained of color, as if they had just seen a ghost. One of them trembled uncontrollably, his eyes widening as he stared at Marcus. Every now and then, his gaze flickered to Marcus¡¯s right arm, seeing the sharp metal poking out where a hand should be. The three of them remained like that for a moment before Marcus raised a finger to his face where his lips would have been, signaling the men to remain silent. With cautious steps, he made his way toward the gate, gradually picking up the pace until he broke into a jog. As Marcus passed through the open gate, his camera captured the sight of another wall ahead, larger and fortified with imposing barbed fencing. A sense of confusion washed over him as he couldn¡¯t recall this wall being there during his previous times he had been awake. The ground between the walls stretched out, a barren expanse of dirt with no other objects in sight beyond rows of barbwire. In the distance, he spotted more people fleeing the scene, making their way towards the gatehouse, while some of them were suddenly slowing down for some reason. Marcus increased his pace, determined to catch up with the others and blend in with them, or at least try to. Suddenly, he spotted a blue shimmer in his path. Figuring it was just a distortion, he sped up, before crashing into it with full force, abruptly halting his momentum in an instant. It had felt as if he had run into a brick wall. The collision caused further damage to the plastic plating on his body, not to mention rattle him beyond words. ¡®What the hell was that!¡¯ he thought as he shook his head before he examined the peculiar, semi-transparent field before him, stretching out as far as he could see. It had been hard to see from a distance, but up close, he now could make out its strange quality, like seeing billions of fragmented blueish crystals floating in mid-air, interweaving constantly. He carefully reached out and pressed his hand against the strange transparent wall, applying gradual pressure and feeling how his hand slowly slid through it. Though it seemed as if he were pushing through a jumble of shattered and floating crystals, it seemed more like moving through a dense, invisible gel until his hand emerged on the other side. Confused, he followed his hand, noticing that the resistance was barely noticeable as long as he moved slowly. Seconds later, the resistance disappeared, causing him to stumble forwards on the other side and momentarily losing his balance. As he struggled to steady himself and maintain his forward motion, he observed that the blue hue had vanished, revealing a normal night sky. Looking back over his shoulder, he saw the thing he had just crossed covering most of the junkyard in a light blue. ¡®It¡¯s confined to that huge area?¡¯ Marcus wondered while picking up the pace again and shifting his gaze forward. His camera captured the presence of two guards stationed at the gatehouse, urgently signaling for the fleeing crowd to hurry up. When Marcus noticed the guard on the left, he sensed a mix of confusion and wariness in the man¡¯s expression, unable to fully comprehend Marcus¡¯s unusual appearance as he came closer. The guard raised his left hand to halt Marcus, while his right hand hovered near the gun holstered at his hip. Remembering the fire arrow, Marcus charged forward. Like his father and uncle had taught him, Marcus delivered a powerful punch to the guard¡¯s side, hitting him in the liver. Meanwhile, the second guard scrambled to draw his weapon and managed to fire twice before Marcus closed the distance and took hold of the man¡¯s wrist. What followed was a quick steel knee strike to the guard¡¯s stomach before the man collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath in uncontrollable heaves. Marcus wasted no time and sprinted away from the gate, leaving bewildered workers and the two wounded guards behind him as he rushed to the surrounding neighborhood, intent on disappearing. And as the shouting near the gate picked up again, he began to panic while hoping the two fresh punctures in his torso hadn''t struck anything vital. - - - A while later, Marcus inspected his HUD, taking note of the time that had elapsed. ¡®1829 seconds have passed already. So, I¡¯ve already spent about a fourth of my time just reaching this point,¡¯ he pondered, standing atop a tall building a few blocks away from the junkyard after climbing up via the external fire escape. From his elevated vantage point, he watched the junkyard at the outskirts of town. ¡®How many months or years did I spend in that hellhole?¡¯ he pondered; his mind plagued by memories of the torment. Shaking off the unsettling thoughts, he redirected his optics toward the north while his steel finger traced circles around the two new holes in his torso. The city sprawled before him, boasting towering skyscrapers and apartment complexes at its center, while smaller houses dotted the surrounding areas. Noticing a street sign that read ¡®Nieuw Haven¡¯ in Dutch with the English translation ¡®New Haven¡¯ beneath it, Marcus went over what he had learned, ¡®I know I¡¯m in the Netherlands. But I''ve never come across a city quite like this, and it seems way too big for me to have never heard of it before. So, time has passed, I guess.¡¯ Speeding towards a large building in the North were the flashing lights and the blaring sirens of an approaching ambulance. Marcus immediately recognized the familiar colors and was glad that some things were still the same. ¡®The hospital,¡¯ he told himself as he connected the building to the unexplainable pull he felt towards that direction. ¡®That has to be it. I¡¯m there!¡¯ With a clear path in mind, Marcus made his way off the rooftop, descending using the fire escape before proceeding down the alley. As he walked, his gaze lifted towards the night sky, drawn to the stars and the moon shining in all its glory, no longer tainted by unnatural red or blue hues that had taunted him before. It felt comforting to him to see and experience the world like this again, despite being trapped in his robotic frame. Reaching the end of the alley, he glanced left and right before crossing the street and entering another narrow passage lined with dumpsters and stacks of cardboard. Despite his attempts to muffle the noise, his metal feet still produced an audible sound, despite the socks and dirty fabric he had wrapped around them. ¡®I can¡¯t imagine how disastrous this little stroll would¡¯ve been if it happened during the day,¡¯ he mused, picking up the pace. Soon, he arrived at the end of the alley, where a small group of people were walking down the street, occasionally passing around a lit cigarette or a beer. Pausing there, Marcus counted down the seconds, forced to patiently wait for the group to pass. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. The desire to rush toward the hospital grew stronger with each wasted second. However, Marcus maintained his composure, hiding in the darkness, his eyes fixed on the group as they turned a corner. Seizing the opportunity, he darted forward, swiftly entering the next alley and onto the next one after that. Continuing his path through the city, he chose the alleys and less crowded areas, avoiding encounters with people as much as he could. Each step he took made the hospital seem larger on the horizon, slowly coming into focus as he closed the distance. Eventually, he reached a small hill covered in mowed grass and neatly trimmed bushes, which provided a little cover as he snuck his way upward towards the hospital. From his vantage point, he observed the entrance, where he could see a few individuals entering or leaving the building. ¡®Alright... now what?¡¯ Marcus wondered, slowly realizing that he hadn¡¯t really planned this whole thing beyond desire and instinct. He paused for a moment, observing the hustle and bustle of people entering and exiting through the main entrance. Considering his options, his attention eventually shifted to the entrance of an underground parking garage on the right, which appeared more promising. He moved cautiously from bush to bush, swiftly crossing the street, before making his way inside the underground parking garage. He avoided the cameras he could see and the well-lit areas, moving from car to car, slowly progressing towards the end where he spotted an elevator and staircase. Upon opening the door to the staircase, he saw a hospital floor plan on a nearby wall, displaying the different floors. ¡®Fourth floor. I think I need to go there,¡¯ he thought, recalling seeing the number four during one of his fragmented memories. Having made up his mind, he then started climbing the stairs. - - - Marcus slipped on the disposable shoe covers he had snatched from a tray on the third floor, hiding the dirty footprints he had been leaving behind. Despite the route to the fourth floor being straightforward, he had retreated a few times when he had heard someone enter the stairwell. Luckily, he still had some time left when he finally did reach the fourth floor. Moving slowly down the dim hospital hallway, he passed several rooms and spotted the night shift nurses engrossed in their cellphones inside their office. A sign identified this particular floor as the hospital¡¯s coma ward. The weird pull he always felt only grew stronger, as if he were mere moments away from whatever was in here. Stopping near a door, he reached for the handle but froze, his mind burdened by what he might find inside. ¡®Don¡¯t overthink it,¡¯ he thought to himself, but remained motionless for a while, recalling the last time he had seen his actual body, buried underneath rubble and dead bodies. It wasn¡¯t until he heard the door to the nurses¡¯ office open that he quickly entered the room and closed the door behind him. When Marcus turned around, he found himself within a dark room, with only the lights emanating from the machines inside the room providing any illumination. He could vaguely make out a bedridden figure in front of him with countless tubes and wires hooked up to it from various directions. The steady hum and rhythmic beeps of the machines filled the room, intertwining with the gentle flow of air emanating from a mask covering the figure¡¯s face. Marcus slowly moved forward, his camera lens fixed upon the figure resting on the bed, struggling to recognize what lay before him. Connected to the machines, he saw his own body with long black hair and a slender frame, a stark contrast to his once athletic physique. What was even stranger was the shimmering effect that covered his body, like a dome of thousands of crystalline shards hovering around him, somewhat similar to what he had seen back in the junkyard. ¡®No... How long was I out?¡¯ he wondered as he stared at his own face, inspecting the strange blackish material on the top right side, almost looking like metal claw marks ¡®It looks melted or burned into my flesh.¡¯ His gaze then shifted downward, revealing more black marks scattered across his chest and right arm. ¡®Alright... here we go,¡¯ he thought, mentally steeling himself before he extended his robotic hand towards his actual body, pushing through the ethereal layer of floating fragments. Like what he had experienced at the junkyard, it felt like passing through a thin layer of gel until he breached it and made contact, although there was far less resistance. The instant he touched his own body, an odd sensation coursed through him. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he could feel something again. The weight of something pressing against his body, the unyielding hardness pushing into him, and the coolness of the metal limb against his skin. ¡®I¡¯m alive.¡¯ His steel legs shook beneath him, a sign of the realization sinking in. ¡®I¡¯m actually alive!¡¯ Amidst the soft hum of the machines and the steady beeping of his own heartbeat, actually feeling something was the proof he needed. However, unease nagged at him. ¡®Now what?¡¯ he wondered, uncertainty clouding his thoughts. Time passed, but nothing changed. He then let go of his body before gently touching his own eyelid with a steel digit, sliding it upward. His blue eye stared back at him, while simultaneously seeing his own robotic form. Instantly, he recoiled at seeing himself from two points of view. The nauseating feeling gripped him even within his metallic frame. After a few seconds, the discomfort subsided. ¡®Fuck that was weird!¡¯ He then tried to shake his body, hoping to wake himself up that way, but nothing happened. ¡®Come on, wake up.¡¯ Glancing at his HUD, he noticed his time rapidly depleting, fueling a growing desperation within him as he began to feel himself weakening. ¡®Wake up!!!¡¯ Panic surged as he frantically scoured the room, desperate to find a way to get back in his body or wake himself up. He nearly dared himself to flick random switches on the machines in the room, but he held himself back. Instead, he leaned down and inspected the largest machine in the room. He spotted a thick metal security box concealed within it, with cables leading to and from it. Soft pulsating light seeped through the small openings, strangely familiar to him. Despite trying to pry it open, the locked box remained locked tight. In his desperation, his hand reached for his damaged backpack, retrieving the pistol he had hidden inside. ¡®Will this thing still even work after all this time?¡¯ he wondered, pointing the gun at the lock before hesitating. He realized the repercussions if the gun went off¡ªit would attract security to the location. He cast one final glance at his fragile and emaciated frame lying on the bed, a surge of anger coursing through him as he squeezed the trigger. The pistol discharged with a deafening blast, Marcus¡¯s steel frame enduring the sudden recoil. He attempted a second shot, but frustration set in as the pistol jammed, with him unable to resolve the issue. Reluctantly, he stowed the malfunctioning weapon in his backpack, knowing he lacked the dexterity or the time to fix it. Leaning forward, he inspected the aftermath¡ªthe damaged lock now having a hole in the mechanism, providing an opportunity. Carefully, he inserted a steel finger into the compromised lock, exerting pressure. Slowly, he pulled the already weakened mechanism apart and bent the latch, forcing it open. Peering inside, he discovered a tangle of cables, wires and a lot of machinery that he couldn¡¯t make sense of. Attached to it all were five pulsating objects that he had seen before. ¡®Monster-Glass? Inside medical equipment?¡¯ he wondered, perplexed by the unexpected discovery. A draining sensation coursed through Marcus as his energy was running out, with his connection to his metallic frame slowly untethering. His mind raced as he watched the five pieces of Glass, trying to come up with a plan before suddenly slamming his hand into the machinery, wrenching the Glass pieces free and triggering an alarm in the process. Moments later he could see the thin layer of thousands fragmented crystals that were hovering around his body dissipating into thin air. ¡®Is the Glass linked to... No! Don¡¯t worry about the rest. Focus on getting back in your body!¡¯ he commanded himself as he realized none of this was making sense to him. Placing the five Glass on his comatose body, he expected some sort of reaction, but nothing happened beyond the pulsating glow. ¡®Shit¡­ I¡¯m running on empty here,¡¯ he thought, eyeing the disheartening countdown on his HUD. Taking a gamble, he reached into his backpack once more, retrieving the 16 Monster-Glass pieces that he had previously stored there. Placing them alongside the other five in his hand, he observed a minuscule blue spark flickering across the surface of the Glass pieces. Gripping them tightly in his steel fist, the spark intensified, surging across his robotic fingers, almost to the verge of him actually able to feel the coursing energy across his metallic form. ¡®This is a bad idea,¡¯ he told himself, examining the bundle of Glass in his hand, noting their sharp edges. He glanced at his vulnerable frame lying on the bed, disregarding the blaring alarm in the background and the commotion he was hearing outside. ¡®This is a really, really bad idea!¡¯ With the countdown on his HUD ticking away, he held the twenty-one Glass pieces above his body. ¡®WAKE UP!¡¯ In a sudden, determined motion, he forcefully slammed them into his actual body, the edges piercing his flesh and striking the strange blackish material in his chest. A small blue flash of energy erupted moments later, expanding briefly before flowing into his comatose body, causing him to back off for a second. The Glass disintegrated in his hand until only one piece remained. He could almost feel the energy flow within his comatose body when his eyelids suddenly snapped open, staring at his steel frame in fear before violent convulsions overtook him. Marcus quickly pressed down against himself, trying to lessen the convulsions and prevent injury. However, the second he did so, a torrent of memories assaulted him, shouting to be recognized. The sensation of knives cutting into his flesh, tubes suffocating him, and injections piercing his skin overwhelmed him. He suddenly remembered being carried and dragged for what felt like days as a familiar voice kept shouting at him. Then he vividly recalled the sheer agony, the feeling of being trapped inside his unresponsive body, tormented by his own senses that were still working. ¡®Years!¡¯ he howled in his mind while his convulsing body tried to utter the word itself, but failed. The process forced him to remember every year, every day, every second of his body¡¯s immobility, witness it all without pause as it crashed back into his mind. He could sense the slivers of his consciousness that had endured the Tech-event and how profoundly broken they had gotten because of it all. Those slivers had lived it, had suffered through it, had endured a personal hell for years. Each memory he regained also took something from him, bleeding parts of his mind away and pouring into his actual body. Fear consumed him, a sense of impending doom, uncertain of what would become of the parts of his mind that poured out of him in exchange for more memories. He clung on for as long as he could, mentally hemorrhaging, until he could bear it no more and recoiled, letting go of his actual body. His movements wavered as he fought to stay upright, staggering backwards with sluggish steps. A haze enveloped his mind, slowing his thoughts to a crawl, as if most of his mind had left him. He observed his convulsing body on the bed, wide-eyed and staring back at him while the commotion outside was getting worse. Marcus quickly stored the single remaining Glass piece in his backpack, then exited the room as fast as he could. He spotted security and screaming nurses at the end of the hallway, their attention drawn to his shrouded and hooded figure. In response, Marcus just sprinted in the opposite direction, his weakened mind acutely aware that the connection binding him to his steel frame was unraveling within seconds. ¡®Please, let this work!¡¯ - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 11 (A Breachers Resolve) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 11 I A Breacher''s Resolve - - - Joline Joline Smit sat squeezed inside the cramped vehicle, surrounded by thick steel and mechanical components. Alongside her were nineteen others, all equipped with sturdy armor and shields, while most carried swords or axes. Their attention was focused downward, some looking at pictures of loved ones, engrossed in a book or even trying to solve a Rubik¡¯s cube. The uneven terrain caused their bodies to shake as the vehicle jolted. Joline glanced at her own hand and noticed the greenish material fused to her flesh on three of her knuckles. She noticed a slight nervous tremor, but clenched her fist tightly, suppressing her emotions through sheer willpower and years of experience. ¡°Keep your eyes on what''s ahead," Joline murmured, clinging to her father¡¯s words and drawing strength. A steel latch at the front violently slid open, granting her a view of the driver and the heavily armored vehicle that was driving in front of them. ¡°We¡¯re approaching the Sphere. ETA 1 minute,¡± the man called out. In response, the fighters beside Joline stored their items in protective canisters before stowing them away underneath their seats. Joline ran her hand through her blonde hair, feeling the shaved sides, her fingertips tracing the scars and the faint remnants of greenish material embedded in her flesh. She noticed a subtle blue mist enveloping a couple of passengers in the vehicle. ¡®Stop burning through your Mana, idiots,¡¯ she thought, shaking her head. Still, she could empathize with the anxiety many of them were feeling at that moment. Her thoughts then drifted to the chain around her neck, concealed beneath her armored suit. With a delicate touch, she pulled the chain out, revealing two wedding rings, one masculine and one feminine. As she held onto them, memories flooded her mind as she felt the mental weight of the items. She brought the rings to her lips for a second before sliding the chain back beneath her armor, close to her heart. She then put on and secured her helmet, revealing only her bright green eyes behind the sturdy transparent visor. As a final touch, she slipped on her gloves and protective gauntlets. ¡°Close, close, close!¡± the driver announced before all the hatches in the vehicle suddenly slammed shut. Seconds later, the truck was bathed in a dim, eerie glow from a few gas lamps. Joline felt the vehicle slow down to a crawl and then bump into something. After a moment, it moved forward at a snail¡¯s pace. A strange blue hue slowly appeared inside of the truck, gradually advancing towards her. It swallowed her whole for a brief moment before she passed through a wall of untold floating crystalline fragments. Internally she could feel her body adjusting to the unnatural elements in the air and the almost suffocating pressure of the potent Mana in the air. ¡®And into the Sphere we go,¡¯ she thought as she watched the rest of her squad pass through before the vehicle accelerated again. As the vehicle jolted once more, Joline couldn¡¯t help but ponder the strangeness of the thing they had just breached. People had all sorts of names for it, from official jargon to simpler ones like ¡®Mana Barrier¡¯ or ¡®Null field.¡¯ But the most common name, the one everyone, including her, used, was simply calling them Spheres. Even after all these years since the Great Impact, there was still so much humanity didn¡¯t understand about these Spheres and how they messed with the world. She had given up trying to figure out why the Spheres had formed on Earth and, instead, focused on the dangers they posed. Advanced systems or even anything that relied on electricity couldn¡¯t function within a Sphere without getting fried by the raw Mana saturating the air. Even high-tech weapons like bombs and rockets had proven ineffective against the Spheres¡¯ kinetic-resistant barrier. Moreover, she had firsthand seen how the distortion effect deep inside the Sphere could throw a wrench into whatever plan someone had made beforehand. The vehicles continued to surge forward, accompanied by loud collisions, some of which were just debris that had been sent flying, while others were of the vehicles hitting a group of monsters and resulting in the critters getting smashed apart as the vehicles plowed through them. ¡°Hot sauce! Ten seconds!¡± the driver called out. Joline could feel the vehicle ram through yet another group of monsters before the driver suddenly slammed on the brakes. The armored vehicles skidded to a dramatic halt as they reached their destination while enraged monsters began pounding against the sides of the vehicles, determined to breach their sturdy frames. ¡°Five seconds!¡± the driver announced before calmly pulling on a latch. The sound of gas pouring out and igniting enveloped the vehicle, giving birth to anguished cries and the sizzling hisses of monsters engulfed in fire as they burned to death. A man got up abruptly, slamming his palm against a piece of metal to get everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°Switch on The O2,¡± he said before turning a valve on his suit. Seconds later, he closed his helmet visor, relying on his own oxygen supply. As everyone followed his lead, they stood up and took their positions. The vehicle''s hydraulics sprang into action, and a ramp at the back slammed down, unveiling a transformed landscape. The once flat grassland area had morphed into a peculiar desert-like terrain, adorned with towering hills and weird rock formations entwined with crystal branches and pulsating tendrils. Soon after, the twenty fighters rushed out of each vehicle, shields at the ready as they dealt with the remaining monsters that hadn¡¯t been burned to a crisp. - - - Several hours later, Joline clenched her teeth, her gaze focused as another wave of monsters slammed into the shield wall formation that she was in. Breathing heavily, she fought to hold her ground, despite being pushed backwards bit by bit, a mist of blue forming around her as she poured more of her Mana into her equipment and body to strengthen it. ¡®Don¡¯t move,¡¯ she chastised herself, feeling the sting in her arm and chest from the impact, while keeping her shield up. She endured it, protecting herself and those next to her from the enraged monsters in front of her. The sounds of combat echoed all around¡ªthe cries of dying monsters, claws clashing against metal, and the constant gunfire filling the air. Anticipating what came next, she spotted several canisters hurling past her and descending into the heart of the monstrous horde. In a matter of moments, a dense green cloud emerged, swiftly enveloping the battleground. Joline kept her position, trusting in her team and her equipment. Her thick armor shrugged off the occasional claw strike that made it past her shield, before she quickly retaliated with another sword thrust. The monsters reacted with aggression, hissing and clawing at their own faces in a frantic attempt to rid themselves of the noxious gas invading their lungs and eyes, while others simply threw themselves even harder against the shield wall, or tried to slip past it. A sharp whistle pierced through the chaos, signaling Joline¡¯s group to begin their coordinated attack. Without hesitation, they moved forward two steps. The clash of shields against monsters echoing in the air. Operating like a well-oiled machine, they thrust their swords and swung their axes, quickly slaughtering several creatures before repeating the pattern. Joline blocked another slash aimed at her head, observing the fur-clad monster relentlessly biting and scratching at her shield. Its four eyes were a fiery and unhealthy red from all the toxic chemicals biting into its flesh. She swiftly smashed her shield into the monster¡¯s face, shattering its jaw, while the woman on her left finished it off with an axe to its skull. Sensing the man on her right getting pushed back, Joline slammed her shield into the sand in front of her, as a surge of energy inside her flowed into her left arm and poured out through the shield. ¡®Bulwark¡¯ The energy surged through her shield, enveloping the metal in a brilliant blue glow. It burst forth from the edges of the shield, extending its reach to four times its original size. With a steady grip on the shield, she kept maintaining her Ability, burning through her Mana reserves as she held back some of the monsters. The creatures crashed into the shield, only to be forcefully repelled, but they persisted, charging at them again and again. "Running out of mana," Joline shouted, seconds later hearing the woman next to her step forward, brandishing her axe. Joline watched as the woman''s axe glowed momentarily before she brought it down with a mighty force just as Joline¡¯s Mana ran out. A surge of immense energy erupted from the axe strike, propelling forward in violent bursts of air, sand and rock, hurling back scores of monsters in its wake. Joline¡¯s lips curled into a smirk as she observed the chaos left in the attack¡¯s wake. However, her expression abruptly shifted to one of horror when she spotted a monstrous figure lunging toward her head amidst the settling dust, seemingly frozen in place. Her eyes widened in shock as the creature closed the gap in a second, only for it to suddenly hiss in agony, gripping its own head with both its hands until it abruptly snapped its own neck. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Turning her gaze backward, she saw her squad commander with his left hand extended in a claw-like stance, a strange reddish mist dissipating around him, showing that the man had used an Ability. In an instant, the man delivered a forceful punch to her shoulder, snapping her out of her shocked state. ¡°Maintain the line!¡± the squad leader barked, instructing the team as they prepared for yet another wave as they had been doing for the past few hours. In the distance, explosions resonated, accompanied by occasional bursts of lightning and ice, signifying the progress of the main assault party composed of their guild¡¯s strongest fighters. More monsters began to swarm around them, clambering over the peculiar rock formations before encircling the fighters and the armored vehicles. ¡°Get ready with the next round of gas canisters!¡± the squad leader bellowed, eying the approaching threat. Suddenly, the world shook with great force. Violent tremors caused several rock formations to crumble, crushing several monsters beneath their weight. Then, in a breathtaking spectacle, the sky shattered into billions of dissipating pieces of crystal. The once dark blue hue instantly began dispersing and returning to its natural state, signaling that the main attack force had completed their objective. Joline eyed the monsters warily, observing some still charging at them while others writhed in apparent agony, clawing at their own bodies. Minutes passed, and one by one, they all met their demise. Some perished because of the sudden scarcity of Mana in the air, while others succumbed to the unforgiving nature of sharp steel and momentum. Once they finished up, all the fighters paused, a collective breath held, waiting for something more. Then, as if on cue, a colossal green flare shot up in the distance, followed by a smaller one that was dark blue. ¡°Alright, team one has confirmed and secured a single dark blue Orb,¡± the team leader abruptly announced, tearing his gaze from the flares. ¡°That means teams two, three, and us¡ªteam four¡ªare to prepare the site for harvest and extraction.¡± His words carried through the air, a palpable wave of relief washing over the fighters surrounding the armored vehicle. Like Joline, most were relieved there was no additional smaller Sphere to contend with today. Joline¡¯s tense expression gradually eased, and she took a few steps back, leaning against the vehicle. Her gaze swept across the aftermath, seeing the scattered carcasses of defeated monsters. ¡®We did well drawing the aggression of a few waves, considering this was a dark blue Sphere,¡¯ she pondered, a smile tugging at her lips, hopeful that the other teams had experienced similar success in serving as a distraction. ¡°Well, time to earn my pay,¡± she murmured, mustering her resolve as she pushed herself forward once more. Disregarding the numerous bruises adorning her body, she joined the others in stacking the lifeless monster bodies to the side to clear a path. - - - Several hours later, Joline sat with her team, devouring a sandwich. They had stowed away their gear in crates, ready to be shipped back for repairs and cleaning. She wore her overalls, the zipper slightly undone at the front, with traces of sweat and blood still clinging to her body and the chain necklace she wore. Several trucks were now parked at their position, their beds slowly being filled up with monstrous carcasses. Dozens of workers toiled diligently, ripping out Monster-Glass and storing them safely before moving each corpse. ¡°Luuk, want some chicken?¡± Joline asked, offering half of her meal, before raising an eyebrow as her teammate, Luuk, raised his hand. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re still following that strange diet?¡± She asked as she stared at the older man, amused by the way the light danced off his bald head. ¡°I am,¡± the man countered, setting down his steel tray after finishing his salad. ¡°You should give my diet a try sometime.¡± Luuk¡¯s gaze shifted towards a nearby truck that was being loaded with yet another monster corpse, ready for transportation and processing. ¡°Luuk Telman, are you calling me fat?¡± Joline retorted with a smirk, taking the last bite of her sandwich. Like him, she observed the workers lifting another lifeless creature, their attention drawn to the scene. She could hear Luuk starting to defend himself, but his words trailed off when one of the workers collapsed, drenched in sweat. ¡°Looks like the Mana hasn¡¯t completely dissipated here yet.¡± Luuk nodded in agreement, his brown gaze narrowing. ¡°Well, considering it was a dark blue Sphere, it might take a few more hours before it¡¯s safe for non-Breachers.¡± The two of them watched the scene for a few minutes, their attention fixed on the sweating man as he retrieved a plastic tube from his backpack. The man then pressed it against his shoulder and administered an injection with the push of a button, seconds later getting back on unsteady feet, looking slightly better. ¡°I can¡¯t even imagine being in a place like this and having to constantly rely on those¡ª¡± Luuk¡¯s words trailed off as he witnessed Joline rising from her spot and heading towards the workers. Joline approached the struggling men and effortlessly lifted one of the monsters on her own. With a display of strength, she tossed the lifeless creature into the truck before repeating the process a few more times. ¡°Our lord and savior won¡¯t be too pleased,¡± Luuk muttered under his breath. At that moment, a tall man with blond hair and piercing blue eyes approached her. An unpleasant expression marred his otherwise striking features. A number five marked the left shoulder on the man¡¯s jumpsuit, while the right displayed an emblem resembling a droplet of blue blood. ¡°Speaking of the devil,¡± Luuk hissed, rising from his spot and heading toward Joline and their squad leader, Adam Hayes. ¡°I see you have plenty of energy left,¡± the man addressed her, flashing a smile that felt insincere and left a bitter aftertaste. ¡°Perhaps next time, channel that surplus when facing monsters, rather than lift their remains. Or need I remind you of your close call earlier?¡± Joline and Luuk sensed the man¡¯s gaze lingering on them, then shifting to the number three displayed on their left shoulder. ¡°Sorry, squad leader,¡± Joline responded respectfully, gesturing towards the truck as it completed its loading. ¡°I had a few spare minutes, so I thought I¡¯d lend a hand to our fellow guild members.¡± Though her tone remained respectful, inwardly Joline entertained thoughts of the countless unpleasant objects their sour-faced squad leader could shove up a certain dark place and piss off. ¡°Don¡¯t promote laziness, Miss Smit,¡± Adam admonished, his gaze fixed on the workers climbing into the truck. ¡°We all have our assigned roles to fulfill. Ours is battle, while theirs is to clear away the aftermath.¡± He observed as the workers filled up another truck before driving off, heading towards the nearest highway. ¡°I assume you don¡¯t require a second reminder, given how much the guild has already done for you?¡± ¡®Screw you,¡¯ Joline seethed inwardly, though she nodded outwardly. ¡°Yes, squad leader.¡± She forced a smile as insincere as his own before she and Luuk retraced their steps toward their belongings. ¡°That bastard deserves a punch to the throat... or groin... I¡¯m good with either.¡± Luuk grinned briefly, placing a comforting pale hand on her shoulder. ¡°One can only hope for both.¡± ¡°I was just helping our own people, for crying out loud! They¡¯re on our guild¡¯s payroll, fellow guild members. Insignia and all!¡± Joline¡¯s anger surged, pointing at the blue blood emblem on her right shoulder. Adam¡¯s not-so-subtle reference to her debt to the guild had only worsened her temper. ¡®I appreciate the guild¡¯s support, but I didn¡¯t need that slimy jerk to remind me¡¯. Inwardly she felt dirty after the man had mentioned it, as if it meant he was in some way attached to it. ¡°I mean, who the hell does he think he is, ordering us around like that?¡± She asked as she grabbed her smartphone from her pack and switched it on. ¡°Yeah... it¡¯s not like he¡¯s an experienced Delta recruited by our guild to ramp up our guild¡¯s ability to tackle Spheres. Not to mention someone who actually survived a few red ones,¡± Luuk remarked sarcastically, shifting tactically to the side to avoid getting hit. ¡°Look, he¡¯s an asshole. You know it, I know it. His cat probably knows it too. But he¡¯s a tough asshole, despite his dislike for most heavy weapon support. But he¡¯s the kind of asshole that our guild went out of their way to recruit all the way from Canada. Best thing you¡ª¡± Luuk¡¯s words trailed off as he noticed her staring at her cellphone, her hand trembling violently, her eyes widening in shock. ¡°Joline?¡± ¡°I... I need to go,¡± Joline uttered, her attention fixed on the message from her younger brother, Martin. She also noticed the fifty or so missed calls from him and her uncle. She could hear Luuk stepping closer towards her while mentioning something about how her leaving would piss off their squad leader even further, seeing as they were supposed to run after action drills in a few minutes. Joline ignored it all. The only thing that mattered was the text message from Martin. As she nearly stumbled backward, her phone slipped from her grasp and landed on her pack, allowing Luuk to read what was being displayed. ©³ ©· ¡°Marcus got attacked in the hospital. He¡¯s fine¡­ and he¡¯s awake! Sis, Marcus is awake!¡± - Martin ©» ©¿ Luuk¡¯s expression changed in an instant when he read it, seconds later rushing to gather Joline¡¯s belongings, stuffing them into her backpack unceremoniously and thrusting it into her hands. ¡°What¡¯re you waiting for, girl? Run!¡± At that she turned around and took off, heading towards the nearest car she could find. - - - Joline burst into the waiting room, gasping for breath, mentally acknowledging the numerous speeding tickets she must have racked up during her frantic rush towards the hospital in New Haven. She brushed her blonde hair back, acutely aware of her disheveled appearance, stained with sweat, blood, and grime. Her gaze fell upon her uncle standing near the coffee machine, while her younger brother anxiously clutched his crutches in a nearby chair. ¡°How is he!¡± Joline demanded with a harsh edge, but quickly softened her tone upon realizing her own anxiety and volume. ¡°Sorry... Marcus, how is he?¡± ¡°We haven¡¯t had a chance to speak to him yet. We only caught a glimpse of him as they rushed him into surgery a few hours ago,¡± Laurens, her uncle, replied, pouring her a cup of coffee. His salt-and-pepper beard was unkempt, as if he had been running his hands through them for hours. Paying no mind to her blood and grime smearing on his own clothes, he embraced her tightly, his small gut pressing into her. As he released Joline, he handed her the steaming cup with a fragile smile playing on his lips. ¡°But we saw him. Blue eyes open and all. He¡¯s awake.¡± ¡°But he¡¯s out of surgery now, right?¡± she asked, her gaze shifting between her uncle and her brother, their slow nods confirming her hope. ¡°Then we¡¯re going to see him... now.¡± Her younger brother leaned back, resting his head against the wall, one hand rubbing his right knee where his leg abruptly ended. ¡°We can¡¯t, Joline. He¡¯s still in the recovery room, and the hospital has strict protocols after an attack takes¡ª¡± his words suddenly cut short as he witnessed his blood-stained sister striding toward him, effortlessly lifting him to his foot with one hand as if he weighed nothing. ¡°Thirteen years.¡± she whispered, her eyes narrowing as she felt the weight of what she had just uttered. ¡°Our brother has been alone in the dark for thirteen years, and the first thing he wakes up to is some maniac stabbing him, followed by an army of doctors and nurses sticking needles into him.¡± Releasing her brother, she grabbed his crutches and placed them firmly in his hands. ¡°He needs family... now. And good luck to anyone in this hospital that dares to stand in the way of an emotionally unstable Breacher trying to see her brother.¡± With that, she led the way to the door, her brother and uncle trailing behind her. As she walked, she gently clasped the two rings on her chain, determined to carry them with her. - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 12 (Reunion) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 12 I Reunion - - - Day 1 Marcus In his hospital bed, Marcus¡¯s gaze was on the nurse as she carefully flushed out his IV. He watched as she connected a syringe to the IV line, pushing a clear liquid into the tube, snaking its way towards his arm. The young man could almost feel the coolness of the liquid as it entered his vein. It was a peculiar sensation, both calming and weird at the same time. The sterile smell of the hospital room enveloped him, a mix of antiseptic and disinfectant, subtly mingling with the faint scent of old sweat. When he once again looked at the sight of his frail arms and lack of muscles, it nearly broke him. Marcus strained against the heaviness that weighed down his arm, desperately willing it to obey his command. His muscles burned with effort, but all he achieved was a faint flicker in his fingers, like a dying spark struggling to ignite. In that moment, nothing made sense to him. His memory was a jumbled mess¡ªthe only clear bits he remembered were heading to the Tech expo with his friends and then suddenly waking up in the hospital as he someone stabbed him. Beyond that, his head buzzed with fragmented dreams that refused to align into a coherent picture. Panic and confusion threatened to consume him, but suddenly, a sense of calm washed over him as he felt a sudden pressure. Struggling to turn his head, he spotted his brother and sister seated by his side. His sister was gripping his hand tightly, her face smudged with dirt and streaked with tears, yet radiating an enormous smile. It struck him how much they had changed. He studied his sister further, seeing the shaved sides of her head, and the intricate web of scars and mysterious greenish marks etched into her skin there. She had grown up into a mature woman, a stark contrast to the girl he once knew. He could barely recognize her, covered in blood and grime, but her infectious smile and the familiar glimmer in her green eyes were still the same. Just looking at her brought back memories of their mother. As he observed her athletic frame and lean muscles, he couldn¡¯t help but think, ¡®She looks healthy... strong even.¡¯ Joline had transformed since the last time they were together, no longer immersed in her phone and showing disdain for physical activity. Faint memories resurfaced of their last conversation, the lingering irritation and the sharpness of their exchange. He suddenly felt a strong yearning to take back the hurtful things he had said back then. His brother, once a scrawny 11-year-old, now stood before him as a grown man. Just seeing the change was enough to terrify Marcus, realizing how much time might have passed. Martin looked healthy, even sporting a neatly trimmed beard and a crumpled suit, as if he had slept in his clothes. His once unkempt black hair was now neatly styled. Marcus tried to smile at his brother, but his facial muscles could only manage a crooked twitch, which went unnoticed by his younger brother. Still, a surge of relief washed over Marcus at the sight of his brother¡¯s maturation. His gaze lingered on the crutches in Martin¡¯s hand, as well as the absence of the man¡¯s lower right leg. ¡®He¡¯s okay... Joline as well,¡¯ he assured himself, vaguely recalling the devastation of the Tech expo and the people crushed by meteors and falling debris. The weirdest part was the fragmented memory of something monstrous tearing into something. ¡®They are alive. That¡¯s all that matters.¡¯ Marcus strained to catch the murmur of conversation between his uncle and the doctor near the foot of his bed. Determined, he forced his head to turn again, fixing his gaze on his uncle, Laurens. He could see the fine lines now etched deep into his uncle¡¯s face, with grey hairs in his beard and sporting a slight paunch that had replaced the once chiseled physique that had always defined his uncle. The man¡¯s beard had also grown out, adding to the noticeable changes. A subtle vulnerability seemed to shadow the man, a quality that Marcus couldn¡¯t quite place. ¡°He¡¯s showing positive signs of awareness and comprehension. We conducted some basic tests, and his reactions were well above what we expected. It appears the coma might not have severely affected your cognitive functions,¡± the doctor explained as he looked at Marcus while saying it, respectfully trying to keep him involved. "That''s a relief to hear,¡± his uncle said, leaning over to pat Marcus¡¯s leg. ¡°What about his body? Will he be able to regain full function?" This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. The doctor hesitated; his gaze fixed on Marcus as he carefully selected his words. ¡°Honestly, it¡¯s a challenging question. Made even harder after the recent attack he sustained,¡± he began, his tone thoughtful. ¡°Your nephew has endured a great deal, and the experimental type of treatment he received, and his unexpected recovery are areas where we lack sufficient data. What I can tell you is that the operation he just underwent went great, and the experimental treatment he¡¯s gotten these years appears to have slowed down the decline that I am normally used to, both mentally and physically. It is truly remarkable.¡± Marcus struggled to form coherent words, only managing certain sounds or producing a bit of drool. All of it frustrated him beyond words. The sensation of being trapped in his own body resurfaced something, a fragment of a weird dream where he felt buried and voiceless. Irritation and fear gripped him as he made another attempt, locking eyes with his uncle. ¡°Ma... n... ye?¡± Each syllable felt like a battle, even though he knew exactly what he wanted to ask. His uncle¡¯s face snapped towards him at hearing him actually speak for the first time again, the others reacting in kind. The fragility of his uncle suddenly became evident as he clenched the edge of the bed, knuckles turning white with strain, his lower lip trembling as he spoke Marcus¡¯s name. ¡°I want to stress once more the significance of rest and a gradual adjustment in regards to information and recent events. There have been considerable changes,¡± the doctor advised, interrupting Marcus¡¯s uncle. The room fell quiet at that while Marcus¡¯s gaze shifted between his family members, pleading for help, until his sister made a slow rise from her chair. ¡°We¡¯re grateful for your advice, Dr. Berends. But we¡¯d like to have a moment alone with our brother,¡± she stated, her eyes briefly showing a hint of firmness when the doctor hesitated. Eventually, he nodded and informed them he would return in a few minutes to run some more tests. As the doctor and nurse exited, a heavy silence settled in the room, almost to the point of becoming deafening. The rhythmic beeping of the machine monitoring Marcus¡¯s vital signs filled the air, its monotonous tone punctuating the otherwise hushed atmosphere. The family members exchanged uncertain glances, waiting for someone to break the heavy silence and take the lead. Finally, Joline shattered the stillness with two brutal words. ¡°Thirteen years.¡± The number echoed through Marcus''s thoughts, his eyes widening as if struggling to grasp its magnitude. ¡®I¡¯ve been in a coma for thirteen years?¡¯ The doctor¡¯s prior explanations about how he had been in a coma and that some time had passed suddenly became painfully real, striking him with a gut-wrenching blow. At the same time, the change of his family was now fully sinking in. ¡®Thirteen years of my life wasted!¡¯ his thoughts sluggishly formed, struggling to grasp the enormity of what he had missed. It was a struggle to handle his emotions, and he struggled with his own thoughts. It made him wonder if it was because of the lingering effects of his recent awakening or some permanent damage. He took his time, allowing the weight of those lost years to sink in, accepting the magnitude of what he might have missed. ¡°M... Mo¡­ D... ad,¡± he managed to say, the words faltering. ¡°Mom and dad... they¡¯re... no longer with us,¡± Martin said softly as he stared intently at the floor, unable to meet Marcus''s eyes, oblivious to the shockwave and tears welling up on his brother¡¯s face upon hearing those words. Yet, everyone could hear the jumble of words escape Marcus¡¯s lips as the man was suddenly dealing with the sudden painful reality of losing both his parents. Trapped in his bedridden state, his gaze darted around frantically, searching for any sign of his parents as if they might miraculously appear next to him. Joline gripped Marcus¡¯s hand again, offering a reassuring squeeze. ¡°A lot has happened, Marcus. We... everyone has lost a lot these last thirteen years,¡± she hesitated, as if weighing whether to elaborate further. Her features softened, her gaze fixating on him with a gentle understanding. ¡°But you¡¯re here now... back with us. And we¡¯re not going anywhere.¡± ¡°M... y?" Marcus questioned, his thoughts spiraling as he observed his sister, noticing the unfamiliar greenish material on her knuckles and along the side of her head. His gaze shifted to his own right arm, where a blackish substance had fused with his flesh. ¡®None of this makes sense! And I still don¡¯t know what this is,¡¯ he wondered, moments before a searing headache struck, stabbing at his temples with merciless intensity while it was accompanied by vivid images of him seeing his own body buried among a mass of corpses and debris. The room around him blurred, and he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the overwhelming onslaught of images that danced behind his eyelids. Each flash of memory felt like a lightning bolt tearing through his mind. ¡°How many?¡± His uncle, Laurens, leaned forward, his voice hushed. ¡°Do you mean how many people died?¡± He paused, observing Marcus¡¯s weak nod. ¡°A lot of people, boy. It¡¯s hard to put an exact number on it. Too many. But like your sister¡ª¡± ¡°Around a billion people died,¡± Martin interrupted, his voice detached. ¡°Dead because of the events of the Great Impact when thousands of meteors struck Earth, or the subsequent consequences in the years that followed: starvation, flooding, lack of healthcare, Mana sickness and roaming monst¡ª¡± His words faded into silence under the weight of his sister''s sharp, disapproving gaze, a palpable tension settling over the room. The mood remained like that for a while, only interrupted by the entrance of a nurse. ¡°Sorry to interrupt,¡± she said in a polite tone, acknowledging the somber atmosphere. ¡°The neurologist needs to examine Mr. Smit now, and after that, the Physical Therapists will want to go over and explain a few things. Alright?¡± Martin and Laurens exchanged looks, their eyes briefly meeting Marcus¡¯s before Joline spoke up. ¡°Thank you,¡± she offered, directing her attention back to Marcus, as if sensing uncertainty. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll explain things over time. You just need to know that we¡¯re not going anywhere.¡± Marcus nodded slowly, his movements strained and unfamiliar. He then stared up at the ceiling, tears streaming down his face, as he went over his last memories of his father and mother. And as the weight of grief tightened around his heart, he felt a sense of incompleteness, as if a part of himself was missing. - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 13 (Making Memories) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 13 I Making Memories - - - Day 3 Marcus squeezed the ball of gel tightly, his muscles in his hand straining. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he pushed himself. The physical trainer sat beside him, cheering him on. ¡°Keep going, Marcus! You¡¯re doing great!¡± the man exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. With each attempt, Marcus¡¯s grip on the ball grew stronger, though progress came slowly. His fingers trembled as he struggled with his weakened body. ¡°And done.¡± The man then helped Marcus release the ball before placing it on a tray next to him, along with some rubber bands and other tools to help further his rehabilitation. Marcus¡¯s uncle sat slouched in a chair a short distance away, head tilted against the wall, snoring loudly while occasionally twitching. The trainer glanced at the snoring man, then turned his attention to Marcus, awaiting his response. ¡°Should I wake him up?¡± he asked. ¡°N... o,¡± Marcus faltered, grappling with the word before he finally managed to utter it. In response, a grin crept across the trainer''s face as he watched the man¡¯s progress. Marcus let out a long breath, ignoring the throbbing in his hand as he shifted his gaze to his sleeping uncle. Listening to his uncle''s rhythmic snores, Marcus felt a sense of peace wash over him. After being deprived of familiar sounds, smells and sights for years, the rhythmic snores almost felt like a soothing melody to his ears. After the reunion two days ago, Marcus¡¯s uncle and brother had taken turns watching over him, allowing his sister to return home, take a shower, and get some much-needed rest. Before that, his family had explained a few more things about the current state of the world, or what it had turned into. They had tried to reassure him that things were much safer now, even going so far as saying it had gone back to normal. But Marcus was doubtful of that. ¡®Nothing as reassuring as hearing that meteors took out a massive chunk of the world¡¯s population and that I¡¯ve been kept alive in a weird machine that ran on ¡®Mana¡¯, or whatever you want to call it,¡¯ Marcus thought, still recalling the absurd things he had been told. His family had hesitantly explained that 13 years ago, the world had been bombarded for days on end by a cascade of small meteors that had come from beyond our solar system. Not a single nation had escaped the cataclysm, or its aftermath. The initial day alone witnessed the loss of millions, and that death toll had continued to climb as more and more problems emerged. As society crumbled under the strain of resource scarcity, flooding, wildfires, and the deadly consequences of widespread Mana exposure, the situation had become even worse. They had tried to steer the conversation to more neutral topics, but Marcus had constantly insisted, or mumbled and drooled as best as he could, forcing them to explain further, including explaining what Mana was. ¡®Trying to explain the state of the world and the concept of Mana to someone who had been in a coma for 13 years couldn¡¯t have been easy on them¡¯ Marcus thought, remembering how often his uncle and sister had backtracked on something, only for his brother to pick up where they had left off. Eventually, they had settled on describing Mana as a kind of ¡®energy¡¯ found within the meteors¡ªincredibly potent but dangerous for most people to be near to. Marcus learned that this energy also flowed within survivors of meteor impacts, and that it had been the source of his experimental treatment that had sustained him all these years. According to his brother, the total death toll had surpassed a billion people at the end of the first three years. Among the living, a staggering low amount had survived a direct meteor impact, leaving them scarred, transformed, forever altered by the constant presence of Mana coursing through their bodies. Joline had explained that this Mana had left its mark on people, making some individuals faster, stronger, or even more perceptive than before. ¡®Even now, what they have told me seems weird... bizarre even.¡¯ Marcus shifted his attention back to the balls of gel on the tray, his hand and arm trembling as he attempted to reach for them. However, the trainer subtly moved the tray a little farther away, showing a mischievous grin. ¡°Practice is important, but so is recovery. I¡¯ll be back in a few hours. Until then, nutrition and rest, alright?¡± he asked, pausing until Marcus finally nodded in agreement. A moment later, his sister walked into the room, now dressed in clean civilian clothes. The sight of his sister, clean and free from blood and dirt, seemed almost strange to him, considering the powerful first impression she had made. Even now, he didn¡¯t know why she had been covered in blood, beyond her saying it wasn¡¯t hers and it was ¡®just¡¯ work related. Making her way over to Marcus, she gently squeezed his shoulder while placing a small cactus plant on the tray next to him. ¡°I brought you a little friend, just as stubborn and durable as you,¡± she playfully teased. A chuckle escaped her lips as she noticed Marcus struggling to make a fist, except for his middle finger. ¡°Charming. It looks like you two have been working hard on the important things.¡± The trainer took a moment to jot down a few notes on his notepad for the doctor¡¯s approval before responding. ¡°Your brother is exceeding my expectations. It¡¯s rare to see such progress within a few days, even among people like yourselves.¡± Afterwards he explained to Joline about today¡¯s exercises and provided the schedule for this afternoon and the days ahead. When there were no further questions, the trainer departed, leaving the three of them alone. His sister glanced at her sleeping uncle, her eyes narrowing the louder the man started to snore. ¡°Has he been like this for a while?¡± she asked, looking back at Marcus for confirmation. Marcus nodded silently. ¡°The entire night?¡± Another nod from Marcus confirmed her suspicion. With a disapproving click of her tongue, Joline rose from her seat and approached her uncle. She gently squeezed his shoulder, gradually increasing the pressure until the man abruptly woke up, startled. ¡°I¡¯m up! I was merely giving my eyes a break,¡± the man excused himself, attempting to rise from his chair, but Joline firmly pressed him back into the chair. ¡°So... you were watching over your nephew the whole night then?¡± she probed, spotting a dried patch of drool on his shirt. ¡°Like a hawk!¡± Laurens exclaimed, brushing her hand aside as he stood up. He stretched his back and shoulders, hearing a few satisfying cracks, before his gaze fell upon the wall clock. ¡°Hold on, what time is it?¡± If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. ¡°It¡¯s time to head home, old man. You need a proper nap and a mandatory shower,¡± Joline responded, snatching his coat and pressing it into his arms. Taking charge, she led him out of the room, disregarding her uncle¡¯s protests and his futile attempts at resistance. ¡°You can see our patient again tomorrow,¡± she assured him calmly, closing the door behind her. Her lips curved into a smile as she heard the door take a few protesting hits, then everything went quiet. Afterwards, his sister made her way back to Marcus, grabbing a chair and sitting down beside the bed. ¡°La... ns,¡± Marcus struggled, trying to ask her about his uncle. The last two days, he had mostly listened to his family, absorbing the details of what had happened. However, it had felt like and been a one-sided conversation because of his weakened state and inability to properly communicate. Beyond that, he also felt like they were withholding information from him. ¡°How¡¯s Uncle Laurens doing?¡± Joline inquired, one eyebrow lifting briefly. Marcus nodded in response, and her expression softened. ¡°Well, I think it¡¯s up to him to share his full story. But...¡± she paused, contemplating for a moment. ¡°After the Great Impact happened, he had it rough. He and other police officers, along with the military, did their best to ensure everyone¡¯s safety. However, they were lacking crucial information back then. Many of them lost their lives or suffered crippling injuries.¡± Joline leaned back in her chair, reflecting on the past. ¡°It took a toll on him, I think. Losing colleagues, witnessing all that death... not having his own brother anymore. It was a heavy burden for him to bear.¡± She briefly folded her hands. ¡°Eventually he got demoted, and his marriage crumbled after a few tumultuous years. You waking up is good for him. I think he needed a win.¡± Marcus nodded as he imagined the hardships his uncle had gone through. His father and uncle had always been close, seeing each other regularly. ¡®He must have felt crushed,¡¯ Marcus thought, recalling the first day in the hospital and his uncle¡¯s hollow demeanor. He took a moment, closing his eyes and concentrating on forming an important word. ¡°An... d... Mar... t... in?¡± he struggled, experiencing a sense of discomfort while managing to utter the words. Afterward, he opened his eyes and saw his sister¡¯s wide smile, causing him to feel like a three-year-old that had just spelled a word correctly. ¡°That¡¯s amazing,¡± Joline offered, her smile lingering for a few more seconds while Marcus simply stared at her until she got the hint. ¡°Right! Martin,¡± she said as she rubbed the greenish spots on her knuckles. ¡°He¡¯s a smart lad. Losing mom and dad was tough on him... on all of us. But Marcus is a tough cookie, getting into university and now working at some fancy tech company. Although for the life of me, I can never remember what it is they make there,¡± she explained as she leaned further back in her chair and grabbed the small cactus before settling it in her lap for a moment. ¡°He doesn¡¯t like me discussing his leg... or talking about mom and dad,¡± she said as her tone became flat while Marcus watched as she pressed her index finger against the cactus¡¯s spines, witnessing the sharp object pressing against her skin without it being able to puncture it. ¡°I was out shopping when it happened. Martin was at home with mom and dad. They all got buried under the rubble... Mom died instantly. I was told that it was quick,¡± Joline stated as she pressed harder against the cactus spine until it snapped, her finger remaining unscathed. ¡°Dad wasn¡¯t as lucky. He...¡± She then paused suddenly, as if forcing herself to pick her words carefully. ¡°He died trying to free his son from the debris... Martin says dad was brave until the end.¡± She pressed her finger against two more spines, breaking them without it harming her. ¡°Dad died while Martin was forced to listen.¡± Another spine snapped off before Joline jerked out of her trance and quickly placed the cactus back on the tray. ¡°Shit. Sorry about your plant. It¡¯s just... None of us really likes talking about what happened. Well, I guess that goes for most of the world. The Great Impact is a bit of a touchy subject.¡± Marcus¡¯s gaze shifted to the chain around his sister¡¯s neck, carrying the wedding rings of their parents. He was about to speak, but his sister abruptly stood up. ¡°Let¡¯s do something less depressing. How about I¡¯ll fetch a nurse that can find us a mirror? I think it¡¯s time for you to meet the new you,¡± she said while nodding to herself before heading towards the door and stepping outside. - - - A few minutes later, Joline was holding onto a small mirror as a nurse adjusted Marcus¡¯s bed, gradually raising it into a seated position before the woman left the room. ¡°Now, keep in mind what the doctor mentioned, okay? Small steps. You know that you''ve slimmed down a bit, and despite 13 years having passed, you don¡¯t look 33-year-old. Alright?" Marcus hesitated for a moment before he finally nodded, and Joline turned the mirror around, revealing his reflection. ¡°You could use a shave and a haircut, but you¡¯re still all you.¡± He gazed at his own reflection, taking in his long black hair and the uneven patches of stubble on his face. With his gown now slightly opened up, he could also see more of his upper body, which had significantly lost its muscular size. It had been replaced by a fragile and thin frame, adorned with several stitches marking the site of his recent surgery. Dark, blackish, metal-like spots were scattered across his skin, especially on his right side, extending from his arm to the top right side of his face. They resembled claw marks, with prominent black stripes adorning his body. What caught his attention the most was his youthful appearance. It was as if time had stood still for him. Despite all the years that had passed, his reflection appeared no older than twenty-one years of age. ¡°Yo... ng,¡± he uttered, his gaze narrowing at what he was seeing. ¡°Yeah... it¡¯s pretty weird, isn¡¯t it? It took us a while to get used to it as well, but we had years to adjust to seeing you stop aging. Guess I¡¯m the older sister now, right?¡± Joline asked with a wide grin before bringing the mirror a little closer to her brother. ¡°The doctor can explain it a lot better than I can, but it¡¯s something to do with that machine that kept you healthy. They called it ¡®Mana stasis¡¯ or something fancy-like. Apparently, being exposed to high concentrations of Mana strengthens the body of people like you and me, before we suffer from Mana-sickness. Usually, we don¡¯t notice it when we get close to Mana sources for a while, but you¡¯ve had years of constant exposure, but at a low dose.¡± Her smile grew more reassuring as she tapped the mirror. ¡°Your young looks might take some time to get used to, but honestly, I¡¯d choose this over the alternative any day. You know what I mean?¡± ¡®It¡¯s like time stood still for me,¡¯ Marcus thought, his mind clouded as he tried to comprehend how something so unthinkable could happen, let alone try to understand how it worked. His gaze shifted to his right side, examining the black streaks that marred his body, including the lines etched on the top right side of his face. He recalled what his family had told him about those things, including why his sister had the greenish ones on her body. ¡®Sis said that people call them ¡®Marks¡¯, but it feels more like a curse.¡¯ He struggled to recall what had transpired during the Tech expo. Everything remained a hazy blur, splinters of memories further torn apart and reassembled. He could still vaguely remember the meteors striking the building, him shielding Felix somehow before one of the meteors collided with him and Oscar, but beyond that, his memories were filled with chaotic sensations and feelings he couldn¡¯t quite place. His family had told him about Oscar''s passing, but deep down, he had already known it somehow. This knowledge usually was accompanied with the sound of flesh tearing and an unclear image of something haunting his thoughts for a second¡ªsomething monstrous. The fragmented memories weren¡¯t the biggest issue he was dealing with. The worst part was the occasional sensation that gripped him¡ªa strange pressure building up inside his body, as if he was struggling to contain something. His sister noticed him focusing on the Marks on his body. ¡°Marcus... you¡¯ll get used to them, or at least learn to live with it. There¡¯s not much else we can do,¡± she said, placing the mirror down and picking up a nearby pen, moments later tapping it against one of the green Marks on her knuckles. ¡°They are the fragments of the meteors. Stronger than steel and fused with our bodies. They come in all sorts of colors, green like mine, or black like yours, but I¡¯ve seen all sorts of colors out there. What you see is just the surface, but they go deep, intertwined with important bits. Arteries, bones, and other stuff. It¡¯s what produces Mana to flow through our bodies and strengthen us. Being among the Marked, those of us who endured a meteor''s impact, sets us apart from others. Some of the Marked opt to have them removed, but it usually comes at a high price.¡± She took a seat on his bed, gripping his hand, and tapped the pen against the black Marks on Marcus¡¯s knuckles. ¡°You survived... you¡¯re back with us... and in time, we¡¯ll figure out the rest, alright?¡± With a sudden creak, the door swung open, and a man in his early 30¡¯s stepped inside. He grinned, the brightness of his smile standing out against his rich, dark complexion. "So, how¡¯s my favorite vegetable doing?¡± - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 14 (Vegetable) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 14 I Vegetable - - - 30 minutes earlier Felix Felix cruised along in his truck, steering smoothly to the left while singing along with the radio. With his arm resting nonchalantly out the window, he tapped the side of the door with the palm of his hand, missing every beat, and his off-key singing echoed through the vehicle, turning the melody into a discordant symphony of questionable vocal prowess. He took another left before driving down a ramp into the hospital¡¯s parking garage, narrowly avoiding a car pulling out of a parking spot. A mischievous grin stretched across his face as he found a spot close to the entrance while ruining the last few verses of the song before he switched off the engine. Grabbing the keys, he got out and sent them soaring into the air before catching them with his other hand. He stole a quick glimpse of his reflection in the side-view mirror, ensuring his dark hair was perfectly in place. ¡°I¡¯ve got this,¡± he said to his own reflection, his brown eyes betraying his uneasiness. ¡°I¡¯ve waited years for this. I mean, if anything, Marcus should be nervous, right?¡± He took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing nerves, then nodded to himself before he made his way towards the stairs. When he remembered what floor he needed to go to, he quickly changed his mind and drifted towards the elevator instead. Pressing the button, he waited for it to arrive before stepping inside. As the doors closed, another wave of nervousness washed over him. ¡°He¡¯s fine and he needs his friends. That¡¯s what I should focus on.¡± While the elevator started climbing, he thought about what to say to Marcus, and what to keep to himself. A pang of guilt stirred within him as he recalled the last time that they had seen each other, with him being the only one able to walk out of the destroyed Tech expo building. Even now, thirteen years later, he could still recall the way Marcus had used the robot to try and protect him and Oscar. ¡®Shit¡­ Oscar. How the hell am I going to break that to him? Did his family explain Oscar¡¯s death to him?¡¯ he thought before he grabbed his phone to distract himself. He went over the text messages from Martin and Joline, along with his own replies filled mostly with emoticons and an inappropriate GIF. When the doors opened, he hesitated briefly before stepping out. Making his way through the hospital halls, he got turned around a few times, but a kind old lady showed him the right route he should take. He walked down the corridor at a leisurely pace, hands tucked in his back pockets, intentionally slowing down. Felix glanced around, desperately seeking something to divert his attention and prolong his journey, even stopping to pause and carefully examine the artwork on the walls, inspecting each piece. He even took the time to straighten any paintings that were slightly askew. Finally, he arrived at the correct door, where he saw Marcus¡¯s last name listed below the room number. He hesitated when his hand touched the door handle. ¡®Crap... I didn''t bring anything! Flowers? A card? Is that what you''re supposed to bring for someone waking up from a coma?¡¯ Thoughts raced through his mind as he discreetly looked around for a solution, or flowers he could ¡®borrow¡¯ for a few minutes. ¡®Nah, dudes don¡¯t give each other flowers¡­ do they?¡¯ Nervousness surged through him like a tidal wave, his throat parched, and his palms slick with sweat. ¡°What am I gonna say to you, Marcus?¡± he muttered softly. He just stood there, his expression frozen, only for it to transform quickly into a relaxed smile as a nurse passed him by. Upon seeing her expression, he realized how strange it must have seemed for him to linger near the door while he figured out what to say to his friend. ¡®Ah, what the hell! Let¡¯s go with a joke. Afterall, the dude hasn¡¯t had a decent laugh in years,¡¯ he thought, firmly grasping the handle and stepping into the room with a proper shit-eating grin. ¡°So, how¡¯s my favorite vegetable doing?¡± - - - ¡°Still, it¡¯s great to see you up again. Minus the drooling bit,¡± Felix teased a few minutes later as he played with Marcus¡¯s cactus, gently rotating the small pot in his hand and seeing a few broken spines. He felt the urge to hug Marcus again but remembered the uncomfortable groan the man had let out when he had hugged him in the beginning. Marcus¡¯s sister was standing a bit to the side, folding some clothes for her brother and placing them in the closet. ¡°Still, you look good, buddy,¡± he lied, offering a gentle smile as he twirled the cactus. ¡°You¡¯re thirty-three, but you still have a baby face going on. Must¡¯ve been quite the power nap, huh?¡± Marcus managed a smile, afterwards forcing out a word that vaguely resembled a yes. Just hearing the sound tugged at Felix¡¯s heart. ¡®Remember, just keep it light and positive. Like I promised his family. Don¡¯t mention the destroyed cities, dead parents, friends, neighbors, people fighting monsters, or the fact that a lot of weird monster producing objects are still out there, lying in wait like dormant ticking timebombs,¡¯ he silently reminded himself, recalling the instructions from Marcus¡¯s family. He had been told how Marcus had been assaulted two days ago, and that the attack might have triggered his awakening. Felix felt conflicted about it all. On one hand, he was relieved by the turn of events, seeing as he got one of his best friends back, but on the other, he couldn¡¯t help but feel the need to repeatedly drive his truck into the person who would attack someone in a coma. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡®Still, he¡¯s alive. And he¡¯s awake. Focus on the good.¡¯ With a grin, Felix kept the conversation going, gossiping about their former classmates, sharing amusing anecdotes about their peculiar jobs, ugly babies or how fat and bald most of them had gotten. While talking he steered clear of the topics of death, loss, and anything that might be too overwhelming. Joline¡¯s phone suddenly rang, drawing Felix¡¯s attention. He watched her stare at it, realizing it was probably related to her job. ¡°It¡¯s okay, go ahead and take it. I¡¯ll stay with sleeping beauty over here and share all the things I can¡¯t say when the opposite sex is around,¡± he remarked, a disarming grin spreading across his face. Joline snorted at his comment, accepted the call and stepped outside. Felix then shifted his focus back to his friend. ¡°So, any burning topics you want to discuss? Trust me, TV and movies have only gotten worse in recent years. But music! Buddy, there is this weird mix between pop and¡ª¡± ¡°Tr... th,¡± his friend suddenly muttered while his expression turned serious, as if he had been waiting for this moment to be alone with Felix. Marcus¡¯s intense gaze sent a shiver down Felix''s spine. ¡°The truth?¡± he asked hesitantly, noticing his bedridden friend¡¯s nod. ¡°Sure. The truth about what?¡± Felix noticed his friend pause for a moment, fingers clenching the sheets, as if trying to gather his thoughts and strength. ¡°Mon... s... ers.¡± The mention of monsters gave Felix pause, making him question if Marcus¡¯s family had already explained a few things about the appearance of them and how the world functioned and what his sister did for a living. Just as Felix was about to change the subject, his friend continued, ¡°K... ll... Os... car.¡± ¡®Really? Straight for the gut punch?¡¯ Felix thought while sighing, his eyes fixated on the cactus cradled in his palms for a moment. ¡°How about we talk about something else for now?¡± he suggested before looking up. He noticed his friend¡¯s expression growing harder, though he could see him struggling to maintain it. ¡°Come on... don¡¯t give me that look. Why don¡¯t you ask your sister that in a few minutes?¡± Marcus trembled as he forced himself to lean forward, nearly losing his balance. Felix instinctively moved to help, but his friend¡¯s ice-cold gaze halted him in his tracks. With a frail and trembling hand, he pointed a finger at Felix, his violent shaking intensifying with each passing second. It was clear to both of them that Marcus wasn¡¯t able to maintain it and that it was painful to do so. ¡°Ow...e me,¡± his slurred words struggled to emerge. ¡°Sav... d. You.¡± Felix just stared at his friend at that, thoughts racing. ¡°You just had to hit me with the guilt trip, huh?¡± he muttered quietly as he made sense of his friend¡¯s broken words. He again recalled the way the robot¡¯s frame had shielded him from all the impacts and flying debris. ¡®He saved my ass back there, despite suffering horribly for it,¡¯ he thought as he ran a hand through his dark hair. He knew full well that he was going to tell his friend what he wanted to hear, but he didn¡¯t like the fact that it would upset the man¡¯s family, especially his sister, since he had promised them. ¡°Alright, but only a basic explanation. And please, don¡¯t go sharing that I spilled the beans, alright? I don¡¯t think you understand yet how scary your sister is,¡± he replied, his gaze fixed on the floor as he pondered how to explain everything. ¡°You¡¯ve heard about what happened to your parents, right? And the boatload of other people that died all those years ago?¡± he asked cautiously, visibly relieved when he saw his friend nod. ¡°Thank God for that!¡± he said before his eyes widened immediately. ¡°Oh shit, that came out wrong. I mean... it¡¯s awful that your folks passed away, but it¡¯s good that I¡¯m not the one breaking the news. Could you imagine that?¡± In response, his friend just stared at him, impatience evident in his expression. ¡°Alright... moving on,¡± Felix said, taking the hint. ¡°Look, at first, we all thought the meteors were just that, meteors. Terrible enough, really, as they caused the deaths of millions and widespread destruction. But it got worse when the remnants of those meteors started creating these strange fields around them, like giant bubbles of distorted light. They have fancy names for them, but most people just call them Spheres. Inside those Spheres... Wait, do you know what Mana is?¡± Felix asked, before feeling an instant relief at seeing Marcus nod once. ¡°So, inside those Spheres, Mana began to form and gradually transformed their surroundings. People who stayed within those Spheres started falling ill within hour or even minutes, most even dying because of it. Well, except for people like your sister who had managed to survive a meteor impact.¡± He glanced at his frail friend, unsure if he was overwhelming him with the information, or if his botched attempt at handing out information was even helpful. ¡®His sister is going to be furious with me,¡¯ he thought before taking a deep breath. ¡°After the Spheres and Mana-sickness came the monsters ¨C nasty creatures roaming inside Spheres. If you want a better explanation, ask someone with a degree or experience, but basically, the Orbs inside of the Spheres spawn or grow those nasty creatures.¡± Felix stopped talking then for a moment, gaze focused on the cactus as he remembered the first horrible year after since the Great Impact. The people he had lost, the things he had done in order to survive. He regretted a lot of things during those first few months, but he knew he had at least done one thing right. ¡°The only good thing about those bastards is that most of them die when they leave the Sphere or when it gets destroyed. Well, that, and Breachers usually kill them.¡± With a flick, Felix sent one of the already broken cactus spines off the table. ¡°So Breachers are... Well, officially, they¡¯ve got some fancy official name for people like you and your sister. Governments made an effort to make a nice label, but everyone stuck to calling those who survived the meteor as ¡®Marked.¡¯ You know, with the whole Marks covering your bodies. It¡¯s hard to miss. That and the fact that most of you guys now have weird Abilities or are freakishly strong.¡± He then searched for another spine to toy around with. ¡°Those Marked that went out to actually fight monsters started calling themselves Breachers, named after the first official group of people that used their new Abilities to carve a bloody path through those Spheres and started pushing back and reclaiming cities. I think they were some party or early form of a guild in New Zealand or something?¡± With a nonchalant shrug, Felix continued. ¡°History isn¡¯t exactly my strong point, so don¡¯t go quoting me on this stuff. During the start of it all, I was busy pissing myself and hiding in shelters with the rest of the masses. Anyway, the Breacher group didn¡¯t last long, with most of their members slaughtered during one of their runs. Still, the name stuck, and it ignited a whole new generation of ¡®Breachers¡¯ who took up the torch. Eventually, it actually became a proper profession to kill monsters, just like what your sister¡¯s doing.¡± When he shifted his attention back towards his friend, he could see Marcus¡¯s eyebrows narrowing, causing Felix to freeze momentarily before the realization struck him like a lightning bolt. ¡°No... Fuck, I forgot! She never told you what her job was, did she?¡± The door then swung open as Joline entered while stowing her phone away. Felix''s eyes widened as his best friend jabbed a trembling, accusing finger in his sister''s direction before muttering the fragmented word ''Breacher''. Time then seemed to stretch as if the world had hit slow motion around Felix while he witnessed the room erupting into chaos. Amidst the turmoil, a pair of green venomous eyes locked onto him, narrowing with female rage. ¡®Well, at least I know why I¡¯m going to die.¡¯ - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 15 (Measuring Up) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 15 I Measuring Up - - - Day 5 Marcus The neurologist slowly guided Marcus¡¯s hands forward, encouraging him to stretch his arms while his brother and sister were watching him. Marcus''s limbs shook as he struggled to maintain the position for several seconds. The neurologist then checked his nerves and sense of touch, gently pressing on the young man¡¯s fingertips with a pen and asking for any unusual feelings. Next, he checked Marcus''s movements, watching as the young man clenched his hand into a feeble fist and then tried to open and close it. Finally, after holding out his own hands, he instructed Marcus to squeeze them as hard as he could. Afterwards, the neurologist offered a warm smile. ¡°Well done, Marcus,¡± he said, letting go of one hand. ¡°Now, let¡¯s check those motor skills,¡± he said, handing Marcus his pen and observing as the young man fumbled for a moment before managing to grip it between three fingers. ¡°So... am I... ready... to go... home?¡± Marcus asked, struggling with some words, while his sister snorted, a mix of amusement and annoyance evident on her face. His younger brother, Martin kept quiet and focused on what the neurologist was doing and saying further. Marcus''s speech had steadily improved the last few days, but bigger and more complex words remained challenging for him, not to mention mentally and physically exhausting him. ¡°Based solely on the examination just now, if someone had informed me that you had got up from a 13-year coma just five days ago, I would have found it hard to believe. Your progress in these last five days has been remarkable, and the physical therapist is optimistic for the coming few weeks,¡± the neurologist said while retrieving his pen. ¡°Weeks?¡± Marcus asked, shifting his gaze to his sister¡¯s reassuring smile and his brother¡¯s affirmative nod. He nodded as well, silently wrestling with the frustration of his weakened body that could hardly hold a spoon for more than a few seconds. He then shifted his attention back at his sister, noticing fresh bruises on her left arm. ¡®She¡¯s taken on another Breacher job.¡¯ Marcus couldn¡¯t forget the shitstorm he had set in motion two days ago when he pushed his best friend for the truth. He had felt bad about throwing Felix in front of the bus, but back then it had felt like it had been the only way he could get some actual answers. Apparently, monsters now infested parts of Earth, and his sister, a Breacher, was among those who went into dangerous ¡®Spheres¡¯ to kill them. ¡®I still don¡¯t like the idea of Joline doing this,¡¯ he thought, recalling the fragmented memory of a monster he thought he had seen during the Tech expo. Despite his concerns, even he couldn¡¯t ignore just how much his sister had changed after becoming a Breacher. Her strength and ability to physically endure things now seemed almost superhuman, even though she explained to be at the lower end of the Breacher spectrum. Marcus thought his sister¡¯s explanation about using this ¡®Mana¡¯ within herself and channeling it was strange at first. However, any doubts he might have had went away the moment he had witnessed her in action. He had seen some sort of energy envelop her body in a reflective glow for a few minutes, resembling a protective cloak. Beyond that she had also mentioned two other powers, or Abilities as she called it. ¡®The two of them have changed so much these last few years,¡¯ Marcus mused. Memories of conversations from 13 years ago resurfaced, recalling the times when he and his sister clashed when she had been sixteen and going through puberty, or how his little brother clung to him like a devoted fan. Now, his sister had turned into the pillar of the family, providing protection and support for the others. ¡®I can¡¯t even imagine what she¡¯s been through these last few years or what she had to sacrifice.¡¯ Seeing her in that light, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of pride, witnessing a blend of their father and mother¡¯s strength and wisdom within her. His brother, too, seemed different. Not just physically, like his missing leg. ¡®He¡¯s distant... more withdrawn. He never used to be like that,¡¯ Marcus thought as he watched his brother, who met his gaze before shifting his focus to the neurologist who continued explaining things to them. Marcus had tried talking with him in the last few days, but his brother¡¯s replies had been lukewarm at best. ¡°Marcus?¡± the neurologist called again, snapping his fingers a few times to grab the man¡¯s attention. A soft ¡®hmm¡¯ was all the neurologist got in response, prompting him to repeat the question. ¡°I was asking how you¡¯re feeling.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Marcus lied, opting not to share the restless nights he was having the last few days, where strange dreams haunted his nights, or the nagging feeling that he wasn¡¯t properly whole, like something was missing something. ¡°Just... slow... thoughts,¡± he shared, struggling with the words. He knew he should be open about his weird and fragmented dreams and what he was feeling, but he didn¡¯t want to burden his family further. ¡®They have already been through so much. Right now, I just need to focus on my physical recovery for their sake.¡¯ ¡°It¡¯s not uncommon to experience that,¡± the neurologist explained in a reassuring tone. ¡°After the trauma your body has experienced and the period of inactivity, it needs time to readjust. As it heals and repairs, we¡¯ll gain a clearer understanding of its progress and possible damage. For now, it¡¯s essential to maintain your daily schedule and give your body and mind the opportunity to recover effectively, alright?¡± ¡°Well, don¡¯t set your expectations too high for the last part. He wasn¡¯t exactly the picture of intellectual prowess before all this,¡± his sister interjected with a wry smile, even causing the neurologist to chuckle briefly before he composed himself again. Just as the man was about to discuss medication, they heard a knock on the door. After rising from her seat, Joline walked to the door and swung it open, revealing two men in sharp suits, government IDs dangling from their necks. Just beside them stood a woman in jeans and a sweater, holding a police ID in her hand and a cigarette behind her ear. An awkward expression appeared on the woman¡¯s face as she glanced at the men before speaking to Joline, ¡°Well, this is rather awkward, isn¡¯t it?¡± - - - A couple of minutes later, Marcus was in his bed, a machine strapped around his chest, and thick cables connecting it to another device. Curious, he reached out to touch it with a finger, only to have one of the suit-clad men calmly guide his hand away. ¡°Let¡¯s not break the expensive machinery, alright?¡± The man, a technician called Ali, said with a reassuring expression. Ali carefully tightened the machine around Marcus¡¯s frame, softly whistling to drown out the commotion going on outside of the room. Marcus¡¯s sister and brother were engaged in a heated argument with the other government official. They could occasionally hear the neurologist and the female police officer, who apparently had worked with his uncle, contribute with the occasional murmur. Marcus couldn¡¯t help but sigh. ¡°Is it... always like... this?¡± ¡°What? People shouting and your sister threatening me and my colleague to the point where I could actually see Mana bleed from her frame in a blue mist around her?¡± Ali inquired, a smile gracing his features as he tapped Marcus¡¯s rig with apparent satisfaction. ¡°It¡¯s fine. It¡¯s been quite some time since we had this level of excitement. Taking a reading of a new Marked individual usually happens when another meteor hits, and they are a rarity in itself and generally singular in nature.¡± He then grabbed another steel suitcase before placing it beside him on the seat. ¡°Years ago, when mandatory testing became the norm, there was a lot more resistance. People had differing opinions, some adhering to the rules, while others distrusted anything smelling of government¡¯s involvement or worried about the possible implications of high or low readings. Still, like I said. It¡¯s rare to take the reading of a Marked these days. Most of the time we deal with the Forged.¡± ¡°Forged?¡± Marcus asked, raising his eyebrow. ¡°Man-made Breachers," Ali replied, giving the steel suitcase an affirming pat. ¡°We¡¯ve figured out how to turn everyday folk into our kind, the Marked. I¡¯ll let you decide for yourself if that is a good or bad thing,¡± he said as he gave Marcus a soft smile. ¡°The Forged are generally not as powerful, and there are all sorts of risks involved in the procedure. But many still take the leap, hoping to change their fortunes. But, keep in mind, I¡¯m simplifying this. It¡¯s a lot more intricate than that." ¡®People actually want this?¡¯ Marcus thought as he glanced at the black Marks adorning his skin while feeling a wave of disgust. He then noticed Ali press his thumb on a scanner attached to the suitcase. In response, Marcus grew more nervous, his gaze fixed on the case. Ali had already explained how the machine operated, describing how it measured Marcus¡¯s Mana output to assess his power. The higher the reading, the stronger he could be. ¡°Is... is it painful?¡± While shaking his head, the technician unlocked the suitcase, revealing three round objects nestled within along with several smaller objects, all of them pulsating. As he did, the room¡¯s lights started flickering, as if something was interfering with it. ¡°No, it won¡¯t hurt. You might feel a slight tingle because of the Mana in the air, but it¡¯s harmless for people like us for quite some time. I underwent the test ten years ago and still have a full head of hair, so don¡¯t worry about the side effects.¡± The three objects bore different shades of blue, each one a different shade and intensity. ¡°Your family told you about Monster-Glass and Orbs right?¡± The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Marcus¡¯s gaze swept over each object, his mind still processing everything he had learned when Felix had spilled the beans. Afterwards, he had confronted his sister and pried the truth from her, or at least what he had learned in the last two days. ¡®I know that these ¡®Orbs¡¯s are the power sources behind the Spheres and the spawning of monsters on Earth,¡¯ he thought as his gaze shifted towards the light blue Orb. It triggered vague chaotic memories of pulsating blue veins inside of him that didn¡¯t make any sense. Shaking off the odd sensation and weird thoughts, he pointed at the Orbs. ¡°Why do... they have... different... colors?¡± he asked as he struggled with some of the words. ¡°Yeah, this must be confusing to you, considering you¡¯ve been out of it for so long,¡± Ali pitched, as he moved the case closer to Marcus. ¡°Alright, let me break it down for you. Each Orb contains an energy source we now call Mana, although the eggheads in the scientific community are still crying about the ¡®fantasy¡¯ name that was eagerly adopted by the public, mind you. We call these things Orbs, but in reality, they act more like seeds. Most of them were in the meteors that hit Earth, and they¡¯re what power the Spheres and spawn those monsters.¡± He then pressed his finger against the first Orb before slowly moving sideways. ¡°The light blue Orbs are the weakest, then they gradually darken until they turn light red, red, dark red, and eventually, they reach gold.¡± Marcus¡¯s eyebrow raised in disbelief. ¡°Gold?¡± he questioned, his gaze locked on the objects, vaguely recalling a red hue of sorts. An odd heaviness filled the room as Marcus sensed an uncanny pressure emanating from the objects. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve never seen a gold one myself. I mean, nobody¡¯s allowed to carry a red one without a hefty military or Breacher escort, so I don¡¯t even want to think about all the security that revolves around a gold one,¡± Ali remarked, his eyes fixed on the objects in front of them. ¡°I¡¯m pretty low in the Breachers¡¯ pecking order, with a power rating of eight points. A light blue Sphere would be a serious threat to me. For others, a red Sphere might be manageable. And the strongest among us might stand a chance against a gold Sphere,¡± he explained, gingerly picking up the light blue Orb. ¡°Thankfully, the gold ones are incredibly rare.¡± The technician carefully positioned the light blue Orb within Marcus¡¯s chest rig, giving it a few precise rotations to ensure it was perfectly centered. He then held up some peculiar rock-like material. ¡°Monster-Glass,¡± Ali explained as he showed them to Marcus before placing them into the machine. ¡°These are found within monsters¡¯ skulls. The Orbs generate Mana, while the Glass receives it.¡± Next, he gently twisted the circular plate at the center of the machine strapped to Marcus¡¯s chest, slowly rotating the Orb and the Glass. ¡°Ready to find out your rating?¡± Marcus nodded, his nervousness evident as he swallowed hard. A few seconds later, a switch was flipped, and the machine sprang to life. The central piece started rotating faster and faster, while the Orb glowed more violently. In response, the Monster-Glass began to pulsate bright blue. Memories and fragmented dreams flooded Marcus¡¯s mind, swirling with images of bright lights that made no sense. His body tingled, as if something inside him responded to the Mana he was now exposed to. The Marks on his arms, chest, and the top right side of his face tingled too, as if sensing his own Mana flare up. Suddenly, the machine came to a halt as one of the Glass pieces shattered and dissipated. ¡°Done! And you still have all your hair¡± Ali announced, carefully removing the remaining Glass and the blue Orb before sealing them back into the thick security case. ¡°So, do you want your family here for the result?¡± Ali asked as he slowly removed the machine from the young man¡¯s chest and stored it inside another case. Marcus gave a nod, and Ali made his way to the door, slowly swinging it open. ¡°We¡¯re ready for the result.¡± At hearing that, Joline barged into the room, followed by Martin and eventually, the police officer. ¡°What¡¯s the result?¡± Joline blurted out, quickly taking a seat beside Marcus and gripping his hand tightly, as if fearing something. Even Martin, typically withdrawn, couldn''t hide the tension in his shoulders and the worry etched on his face. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, waiting for the results of the test to be revealed. The technician heard a low beep, and with a swift motion, he spun the screen of the machine around, displaying the results to Marcus and his anxious family. Martin and Joline couldn¡¯t contain their relief as they both let out a breath they hadn¡¯t realized they were holding. The screen displayed the number one, and Marcus''s family visibly relaxed. ¡°Thank god,¡± Martin said, leaning back slightly, while Joline¡¯s smile spoke volumes of her own state. Marcus looked puzzled, his gaze shifting between his family members and Ali. ¡°I don¡¯t... understand. Low is... good?¡± As the man¡¯s colleague packed away the remaining equipment, Ali retrieved a small folder from his pocket and handed it to Marcus. ¡°A rating of one is the lowest a Marked can get and still be considered a Breacher, though most chose not to. The rankings are public, so having a low number means the chances of a party or guild contacting you are incredibly slim. So, I think your family is relieved that you won¡¯t be burdened with the responsibilities and expectations that come with a higher rank.¡± His sister pulled Marcus into a warm hug and nodded, tears welling in her eyes. "Alpha rank," she murmured, showing her gratitude. "Alpha?" Marcus inquired, trying out the unfamiliar word. ¡°Greek alphabet,¡± Martin clarified, taking the folder from Marcus¡¯s hands and quickly flipping through the pages to find the one that explained Breacher rankings. ¡°Alpha is the lowest rank, then comes Beta, Beta+, Beta++, Gamma, Gamma+, Gamma++, and finally, Delta rank,¡± Martin explained as he handed the folder back to his brother. ¡°Some countries prefer the use of the Greek alphabet, while others prefer the simplicity of numbers, like Alpha being one, Beta being two, and so forth. Others just use their colors, Blue, Red, etc.¡± Smiling, Martin rubbed his right knee before continuing. ¡°Alpha¡¯s the most common rank, with millions of them out there. So, no need to worry about others contacting you. Just focus on getting better and live the life you want for yourself.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Marcus murmured, his attention shifting towards the folder that neatly explained Breacher ratings, power rankings, and the Spheres that they could possibly take on with others going up to Gamma rank. ¡®I guess the Delta rank isn¡¯t public knowledge?¡¯ ©³ ©·
Rank Power rating Sphere suitability
1 Alpha 1-9 None
2 Beta 10-19 Light Blue Sphere
3 Beta+ 20-39 Blue Sphere
4 Beta++ 40-99 Dark Blue Sphere
5 Gamma 100-199 Light Red Sphere
6 Gamma+ 200-399 Red Sphere
7 Gamma++ 400-999 Dark Red Sphere
©» ©¿ Marcus mustered a smile as he glanced at the material while his sister once again expressed how glad she was, even thanking the government officials and apologizing for her earlier outbursts. On the surface, Marcus found comfort in knowing that his rank eased his family¡¯s worries, and that he wasn¡¯t injecting even more drama in their lives. Yet, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of being wronged after having lost 13 years and then getting this score. He was all too familiar with that feeling, seeing as it had been a constant companion throughout his life. It was a curse running through his veins, just like it had burdened his father¡ªPride. As the government officials bid their farewells and departed, Marcus nodded in response, leaving him alone with his family and the slightly awkward policewoman. Taking a moment to clear her throat, she pulled up a chair beside Marcus¡¯s bed. He vaguely recalled her being a detective, but her first name, Nanda, was the only detail that stuck. ¡°Congratulations on getting your rank,¡± she said. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± "Tired," Marcus said, his voice carrying a trace of weariness. A playful grin tugged at the corners of her lips as she pushed back a few strands of her grey hair. ¡°I get it. I didn¡¯t realize they would take your measurement today as well. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll keep it short. Normally, I¡¯m assigned to different cases, but your uncle pulled a few favors and asked me to take care of this one. He thought it might be comforting for all of you to deal with a friendly face.¡± She retrieved a data pad from her jacket as she got ready to jot down important details. ¡°I¡¯ve already talked to the staff, reviewed the camera footage, and had a chat with your brother, sister, and uncle. So no need to stress. This is just a formality.¡± She then grabbed a printed photo and handed it to Marcus. The picture showed a vague figure covered in filthy rags and torn clothes captured on camera footage, walking down a dimly lit parking garage. ¡°We believe this might be the person who attacked you and stole several Monster-Glass pieces. Can you recall anything about this person? Anything that stands out?¡± Marcus shook his head, struggling to recall how he had woken up from his coma. The memories were fragmented, hazy, and twisted. ¡°There wasn¡¯t... a face,¡± he managed to say, remembering a demon-like figure hovering over him and stabbing something into his chest right as he woke up. ¡°Sorry... it¡¯s all... a blur.¡± Nanda offered a comforting smile, ¡°No worries. Again, this is just a formality. Whenever Orbs or Glass go missing, people tend to get nervous because of the risks involved.¡± Marcus arched an eyebrow, ready to ask about the risks, but his brother anticipated the question. ¡°Unprocessed Glass pieces are valuable, but they¡¯re also dangerous. If left unchecked for a while, they can develop into actual Orbs and create Spheres over time. That¡¯s why clearing monster-infested areas completely is such a challenge. Any missed Glass pieces potentially could lead to a new outbreak, weeks, months, or even years later,¡± he explained as he locked eyes with his brother. ¡°The meteor strikes didn¡¯t nearly destroy the world, it¡¯s the minefield of dormant Orbs and Glass scattered around the world, ready to suddenly become active again.¡± At that the detective continued. ¡°Your brother is right. So you can understand why such a theft would make our government anxious. The way this person was dressed and the chaotic nature of the theft and assault suggests desperation. You being there might not have been something he or she had accounted for and could have forced a sudden reaction,¡± the detective proposed, a glint in her eyes that Marcus couldn¡¯t quite decipher. ¡°The forensics team is still checking the casing and bullet we retrieved from the scene, but no fingerprints have turned up so far. Still, I have other leads I¡¯m still checking out." ¡±Glass... are... expen...sive?¡± he asked her as he struggled with his words, feeling the weight of exhaustion starting to affect him, slurring his words further. The detective nodded. ¡°They are worth a lot. Not as much as an Orb. But, going through five Glass a day for the last few-¡± Her words trailed off as Joline shot her a glance. ¡°I think it¡¯s been a busy day for you. How about you get some rest, alright? I think I have all the information I need, and I doubt anything can dent that 13 year-long alibi of yours.¡± With that, she gathered her belongings and bid farewell to the family. ¡°I hope your recovery goes well, Marcus. And send my regards to your uncle, okay?¡± She asked before exiting the room. His brother and sister lingered for a while longer, but eventually, Marcus explained that he was feeling tired. After getting one last reassuring hug from his sister and a pat from his brother, they left him alone. ¡®A score of one,¡¯ he thought, slowly feeling the weight of it all and what it could mean for him in the future. The way his sister and the detective had exchanged glances earlier gnawed at Marcus, leaving him with an uneasy feeling. ¡®How much did it cost my family to keep me alive?¡¯ he pondered, his body tensing as he turned to his side, clenching his fists. It took an hour of tossing and turning before Marcus finally drifted off into a restless sleep - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 16 (Fresh Air) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 16 I Fresh Air - - - Day 6 The chill of the hard hospital floor seeped into Marcus, taunting his own weakness. His arms quivered with effort as he pushed himself up into a knee push-up, barely accomplishing just one before collapsing back down. His body screamed in protest because of the strain he had placed on his muscles. ¡°Push through it,¡± he hissed to himself, concentrating on regulating his breathing. Taking the strain off his arms, he allowed them to rest on the floor, hating the fact that his weak legs were still useless to him. Despite already feeling tired from his afternoon session with the physical therapist, Marcus wasn¡¯t satisfied. His body protested everything, but mentally, he wanted to do more. Needed to do more even. Yesterday¡¯s events had ignited something within him, leaving him restless. ¡°Just one more,¡± he mumbled, determined to push his limits even more. Bracing himself, he forced his body back into position and began to push up again, his arms trembling under the strain. In his head, he could almost hear his father and uncle coaching him through the pain and discomfort, reminding why he was doing this and to stick to the plan he had made. He eventually managed to lift himself up, only to collapse back onto the floor a second later, utterly exhausted. The cold floor provided an unexpected comfort as Marcus lay there, his chest and arms burning from the exertion. Oddly, the pain brought a twisted sense of satisfaction. A goofy smile spread across his face as he realized he had managed five push-ups in the last thirty minutes. ¡®Well, I¡¯m not breaking any records anytime soon. Now, how the hell do I get back in bed?¡¯ he thought as he suddenly realized that his legs still weren¡¯t working and how exhausted he actually was. Just as he was about to just close his eyes and doze off, the door creaked open and then closed, accompanied by approaching footsteps. He feared it was a nurse, forcing him to try to come up with a decent lie for why he was on the floor. However, his worry turned to surprise when he saw a pair of familiar red sneakers placed on the ground in front of him. ¡°Aren¡¯t those... Oscars?¡± he mumbled, turning himself onto his back to look at Felix¡¯s towering dark figure. ¡°Oh, they better be. I¡¯ve kept ¡®em safe for years,¡± Felix said, as he placed the shoes on top of Marcus¡¯s chest. ¡°He had left them at my place before we went to the expo together. Dunno why I held onto them all this time. Still, I remember you guys having the same shoe size. So... they¡¯re yours now! And don''t whine about getting thirteen-year-old sneakers. They''re vintage. Pre Great Impact.¡± Afterwards he plopped down on the floor beside his friend with a cheeky grin. ¡°So, is your family still pissed at me?¡± Felix asked before sighing as he spotted Marcus¡¯s nod. ¡°I guess I deserve that. Alright, what are we doing here on the ground, beyond freaking out how much your speech has improved in a matter of days?¡± ¡±I tripped,¡± Marcus lied, shooting a quick elbow to his friend''s ribs as a signal to go along with it. ¡°Of course you did. I usually stink of sweat when I take a tumble too,¡± his friend said, folding his hands on his stomach. ¡°So, I heard you got your rank yesterday. I take it you don¡¯t want to talk about it?¡± ¡°Nope.¡± ¡°Stubborn piece of shit,¡± Felix muttered, and a hush settled between the two friends for a little while. ¡°Oscar would¡¯ve known what to say right now. He always was the smart one. Me? I can only rely on my ridiculously good looks and inappropriate jokes.¡± ¡°And clearly... suffering from bad... eyesight,¡± Marcus countered, wincing as he massaged his aching arms. As if on cue, Felix got up to his feet again and slid his arms underneath his friend as he got ready to lift him up, prompting Marcus to respond. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Dragging your lazy ass to a wheelchair. There¡¯s something I want you to see," Felix said with a hint of determination. ¡°Since when do you have the strength to carry me?¡± Marcus fired in amusement, only to notice Felix pause for a second, as if remembering something he didn¡¯t want to. Seconds later, his friend¡¯s mischievous grin returned again. Without further ado, Felix lifted Marcus and plopped him unceremoniously onto the bed like a sack of potatoes before leaving the room to fetch a wheelchair. - - - After a few minutes, Marcus had settled into a wheelchair, with Felix taking charge, pushing him down the hall at great speed. The wheels rattled over the floor, and Marcus couldn¡¯t help but cling tightly to the armrests as they careened around corners. His friend was clearly enjoying himself, laughing as they narrowly avoided collisions with the walls. ¡°Slow down, you maniac!¡± Marcus shouted in mock protest, though a grin betrayed his true feelings. Despite the chaos, he felt a surge of exhilaration. For a few seconds he felt like his old self again. Young and without a care in the world. ¡®He¡¯s a good friend,¡¯ Felix guided Marcus towards the elevator, pressing the button. They waited for a few moments until the doors slid open, revealing the small compartment inside. With a playful shove, Felix sent the wheelchair rolling into the elevator without any guidance, causing it to bump into the wall. Afterwards he strolled casually inside, his amusement evident as he pressed another button. ¡°Or did you want to take the scenic route? Perhaps the stairs?¡± Felix teased, earning a response from his friend in the form of a raised trembling middle finger. After a brief pause, the doors swished open once more and Marcus found himself wheeled onto the rooftop. He blinked in surprise, taking in the sight of several other people scattered around from staff members on a break, to patients enjoying the fresh air.. The rooftop was a cozy relaxation spot, adorned with plants and benches, its edges secured by sturdy fencing. ¡°You¡¯re planning to... push me off?¡± Marcus said, still struggling with his words. ¡°I¡¯m loving the suggestions, but not today. I¡¯ll keep it in mind for next time,¡± Felix said, steering his friend further onto the roof while nodding at the people they passed. ¡°I brought you up here for a gift. Two actually,¡± he continued, pulling a smartphone out of his pocket and placing it on his friend¡¯s lap. ¡°It¡¯s kinda old, like seven years or so,¡± he mentioned, observing his friend as he switched the device on. ¡°I already paid for this year¡¯s subscription plan, and I added some of your contacts that I knew. Figured you¡¯d handle an older model better than the newer ones we have nowadays.¡± Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Marcus tried to make sense of the phone¡¯s touchscreen with clumsy fingers. As he opened the contact list, Felix¡¯s name appeared at the top, along with a selfie of the two of them from the time when he was still in a comatose state. ¡°Dude... what the hell? This is so wrong on so many levels,¡± Marcus said, unable to contain his laughter as his sides began to ache. All the while, Felix gently steered him toward the edge while explaining he had taken a similar picture every year. As Marcus¡¯s eventually laughter died down, he was drawn to the sight of the city sprawling below them. It was a lively urban hub, with tall buildings clustered together and streets crisscrossing like busy arteries. From up high, he could see cars and buses moving along the streets, like tiny ants going about their daily routines. Inside the city, patches of green parks and scattered trees broke up the monotony of concrete and added a touch of nature to the city¡¯s charm. Amidst the familiar vehicles, Marcus spotted something unusual¡ªa sleek craft hovering like a helicopter, but without visible rotors. ¡°What... is that?¡± Marcus wondered aloud, his curiosity piqued. ¡°Hovercars, or floaters as the cool kids call them. They use Mana-tech,¡± Felix replied, his eyes following the direction of his friend¡¯s gaze. ¡°We lost a lot since the Great Impact, but we¡¯ve also rebuilt much of the world. Sometimes even better than before.¡± He gestured towards another hovering object that gracefully touched down on a landing pad connected to a skyscraper. ¡°See that? Mana is a potent energy. Apparently, it¡¯s a pain in the ass to work with and maintain safely, but it¡¯s amazing when it eventually does works. If you¡¯ve got the cash, you can do wonders with it.¡± He then pointed westward, sharing stories about the old major cities¡ªthe ones that had been destroyed either by meteors or the monstrous infestations that followed. Marcus learned that Amsterdam had been ravaged, but mostly restored in the last few years and was now home to one the nation''s strongest guild. ¡°What about our homes?¡± Marcus asked. Both his friends had lived a few minutes away from his parents¡¯ place, just on the outskirts of the city. With a shrug, Felix replied, ¡°Dunno. Can¡¯t say for sure. They say most of it got hammered by the meteors. I only visited my place years ago, back when we thought it was still safe. A lot of it is still a Dead zone.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Places that haven''t been cleared yet. Possibly littered with Monster-Glass or even actual dormant Orbs. These locations are like breeding grounds for new Spheres, making reclamation slow.¡± He gave his friend a reassuring pat on the shoulder and pointed into the distance, where a large bluish Sphere loomed. ¡°It¡¯s hard to rebuild on places where things like that can suddenly spawn.¡± ¡°Ah,¡± Marcus said as he gazed at the distant sphere and spotted another one farther away. ¡®Just how many of those things are there?¡¯ he wondered, leaning back in his wheelchair. It felt good to see how humanity had rebuilt and was still thriving, but the sight of old scars and learning his old home was now essentially a ticking timebomb was tough to accept. Deciding to lighten the mood, he turned his attention back to his friend. ¡°So, mister Pol, how are you these days?¡± ¡°I¡¯m good,¡± Felix replied, squatting next to his friend, both of them gazing at the city in front of them. ¡°I¡¯m doing better the last few years. Visiting you, though, sometimes stirs up bad memories from the past, you know? You losing your folks, me losing my dad and grandparents.¡± He ran his hand through his black hair and scratched the back of his head. ¡°Still, I¡¯m really glad you¡¯re back, buddy.¡± He then held out his fist to the side, and Marcus responded with a double tap. ¡°Well, I¡¯m glad... to be back,¡± Marcus said, looking at his ¡®new¡¯ smartphone. He was grateful for the device. Despite Felix not making a big deal out of it, the gift was thoughtful and incredibly helpful. ¡®He¡¯s matured a lot these last years, huh?¡¯ Marcus thought as he observed his friend, even noticing a few wrinkles in his friend¡¯s dark features. ¡°What do you... even do¡­ for work?¡± he asked, realizing that the topic hadn¡¯t even come up in the last few days. The conversations had always been about how his recovery went or what had changed in the world. With a dramatic pause, Felix declared, "Chef." "You?" Marcus chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "You couldn''t cook for shit before." Felix held up a hand, pretending to be shocked. ¡°First off, I can still tip you over the ledge,¡± he said, trying to contain his own amusement. ¡°Secondly, I¡¯ll have you know I¡¯m actually a well-respected chef, running my own restaurant. And, unlike you, I didn¡¯t spend the last few years getting a weekly sponge bath.¡± He climbed to his feet and gave his friend''s shoulder an encouraging pat before guiding him and his wheelchair to a better vantage point, offering Marcus a broader view of the city. ¡°But seriously, it¡¯s a fun gig, and turns out, I¡¯m pretty good at it,¡± he said with a hint of pride. He continued steering, passing a few other people along the way. ¡°I have a bunch of Breacher customers and I get to hear some crazy stories. More importantly, they¡¯re usually generous tippers too.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Marcus asked, his attention caught by another hovering vehicle that swiftly sped away, deepening his curiosity about the ¡®Mana-tech¡¯ his friend had talked about. ¡°Yeah. It depends on the person and their ranks, I suppose,¡± Felix replied, pushing the wheelchair along the rooftop¡¯s edge. ¡°Lower-ranked Breachers can earn a decent living, but those ranked Gamma or higher usually make a killing. You know, rockstar level. Apparently, killing monsters pays well. I can¡¯t even fathom how many credits Delta¡¯s might rake in. Millions? And don¡¯t get me started on the bigger guilds.¡± ¡°Credits?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Felix raised an eyebrow in surprise. ¡°Didn¡¯t anyone fill you in about that? After the Great Impact, when we were all rebuilding and you were sleeping in, a lot of changes happened. Banks were destroyed, financial districts lost, etc. Now most of the world uses a universal digital credit system.¡± He grabbed his own phone, opened his digital account, and showed it to Marcus. He then explained how to make transfers and how each account was tied to a person¡¯s personal ID. Marcus checked the app for a moment longer before grabbing his own phone. To his surprise, he found a similar app installed on his device, with a small amount already deposited into his account. ¡°I guess I have you to thank for this?¡± Marcus asked, observing his friend nod before he stored his phone away. ¡°Well, now that we¡¯ve established that I¡¯m your best and only friend, and the fact that you owe me, how about you stop being such a broody little idiot and just spill the beans? Tell me about your rank,¡± Felix said as they reached the end of the rooftop before veering off to the left, making a U-turn. There was a small pause before Marcus finally muttered, ¡°Alpha...¡± ¡°And?¡± Felix asked, drawing out the word for a few seconds. ¡°Power rating of one... Happy?¡± Felix gave his friend¡¯s shoulder a comforting pat. ¡°Oh, I am. And I¡¯m sure your family feels the same. But I know you... it must be gnawing at some stubborn part of you, right?¡± When his friend didn¡¯t reply, Felix continued with a grin. ¡°Like I said, I know you. Alright, from your perspective, the low score is probably disappointing. It¡¯s no doubt even more frustrating when I tell you that there¡¯s nothing you can do about it, since a person¡¯s Mark doesn¡¯t get stronger over time. But from your family¡¯s perspective, you¡¯re safe. You don¡¯t have to become an actual Breacher like your sister. And what little Mana there is in your system because of your mark, it at least offers some protection against the effects of Spheres.¡± ¡°Whatever,¡± Marcus grumbled, trying to ignore the annoyance welling up inside him. He couldn¡¯t argue with Felix¡¯s logic. He was alive, making incredible progress in his recovery, and hadn¡¯t lost any limbs or digits. Marcus knew he should be grateful, but he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of irritation and his wounded pride. ¡°But, since you¡¯re Marked and all... what¡¯s your deal?¡± His friend asked as they slowly made their way back. In response Marcus just raised his eyebrow before pointing at the marks on his face. ¡°My perfect face¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be an ass. You know what I mean. What¡¯s different about you now that you have your Mark?¡± Felix interrupted, his tone brimming with excitement. ¡°Stronger? Faster? Oh, can you control fire or shoot laser beams? I know for a fact it didn¡¯t increase your wits, that¡¯s for sure.¡± ¡°I... I don''t know,¡± Marcus replied honestly. His sister had explained a bit about how different each Marked individual could be, and how some didn''t have Abilities, while others had dozens they could use. Still, Marcus hadn''t really thought about whether he had any, or how it all worked beyond ¡®Mana does something¡¯, and stuff happens. ¡°Isn''t it the same... for most people?¡± ¡°What? No, that''s not how it works,¡± Felix replied, holding back a frustrated moan while managing to chuckle afterwards. ¡°You really should talk to your sister more about this sort of stuff when you can. Being just out of a coma isn¡¯t an excuse anymore. It¡¯s been six days already. Come on.¡± He even managed to shake his head in a fake disappointed way before continuing. ¡°I''ve heard that some of you only gain speed, raw power, or can use Mana in some weird way,¡± Felix rambled, clearly enjoying the subject. ¡°Others become a lot tougher or get some sort of balanced mix. So... even with a power rating of only one, there should be some change inside you, right? We just need to figure out what that is and use it to our...¡± Felix trailed off when he noticed his friend gripping his head as if in pain. ¡°Hey, are you alright?¡± ¡°No,¡± Marcus hissed, his head throbbing with increasing intensity. ¡°Please... take me... back,¡± he said, clenching his hands into tight fists. He spotted the elevator ahead, and felt his friend picking up the pace, navigating around a few benches and skirting past the ventilation systems. When they did so, Marcus''s pain increased tenfold, a searing wave of agony hitting him while strange thoughts and memories converged with his own, overwhelming his mind. Amidst the pain, an odd sensation swept through Marcus, as if something was being drained from him. Confusion, fear, and anger crashed like relentless waves into his mind, leaving him reeling. His eyes rolled back, and his body went rigid, prompting his friend to scream his name in alarm before Marcus blacked out. Yet, overshadowing everything, a strange memory screamed desperately at him. ¡®WAKE UP!¡¯ - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 17 (Memory Lane) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 17 I Memory Lane - - - An hour later ¡®We need you, Marcus.¡¯ Marcus woke up as if struck by lightning, his body suddenly jerking upright before firm hands guided him back onto the hospital bed. ¡°No! I need to go,¡± he protested in his confused state, struggling against the cables hooked up to him and the hands on his shoulders. Slowly his haze lessened, allowing him to see his Uncle and Felix by his side, their worried expressions mirroring his own confusion. His uncle exchanged heated words with Felix before his friend rushed off. His uncle stayed behind and offered a reassuring smile, urging Marcus to stay put. As the pressure lessened, Marcus relaxed, taking in his whereabouts. He stared at his right hand and the marks there as if it were a foreign object to him. ¡°I¡¯ve got a hand?¡± he mumbled. His uncle''s eyes welled up, a tear escaping as he grinned at Marcus. ¡°Yeah, boy... you¡¯ve got a hand,¡± he whispered, hugging his nephew tightly, but careful not to overdo it. ¡°You¡¯ve got two whole hands.¡± ¡°I...¡± Marcus stuttered, his thoughts in disarray, overwhelmed by conflicting emotions and memories. ¡°I heard you... You told me that¡­ you needed me.¡± He then gripped his head with his hand, fingers sliding through his long black hair, as if confused by what he was remembering. His uncle slowly leaned back, his confusion visible in his facial expression. ¡°When did you hear¡ª¡± he started, but the door slammed open and Felix rushed in, dragging a doctor behind him who quickly shot into action when he noticed Marcus¡¯s conscious state. Seconds later, a nurse also rushed in, before the two professionals put Marcus through a battery of tests and questions. His uncle and friend hovered at the bedside, their faces a blend of concern and relief, while both of them pretended everything was fine. ¡°What happened?¡± Marcus questioned, his hand gently touching his nose, causing him to flinch because of the pain. ¡°I have no idea. One minute, we were on the hospital roof for some fresh air. Then, out of nowhere, you started shaking like you were possessed and howling in pain. Next thing I knew, you blacked out and fell out of the wheelchair, headfirst,¡± Felix said, casting an unsure glance at Marcus¡¯s uncle, as if dreading the consequences. ¡°Laurens, had I known¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Marcus¡¯s uncle assured him, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. ¡°You had nothing to do with this, and our family can¡¯t thank you enough for what you¡¯ve done already.¡± He then shifted his attention to the doctor, who was just about done with another test. ¡°So, what¡¯s the verdict?¡± The doctor set the medical instruments aside with care, then faced Laurens. ¡°Well,¡± he started, ¡°it seems Marcus had an episode of sorts that caused his blackout. Given his recent recovery from his coma, it¡¯s not unusual to experience occasional episodes like this, as the body readjusts to its active state again. The episodes could be related to a sudden change in blood pressure, stress, Mana drain, or dozens of other factors contributing to it. His vital signs are stable from what I can see, but I¡¯d like to order a blood test and a few scans and rule out any potential concerns. In the meantime, rest is advisable.¡± Facing Marcus with a gentle expression, the doctor asked a few more questions before he explained that the nurse would come back in a few minutes to draw a blood sample. After nodding in acknowledgment, Marcus watched as the doctor and nurse exited the room, leaving him alone with his uncle and best friend. ¡°How long... was I out?¡± he inquired, his mind still trying to piece together what happened. ¡°Roughly an hour, I think,¡± Felix said with a hint of awkwardness, scratching the back of his head. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have been as rough with the wheelchair or taken you up to the roof¡ª¡± Memories suddenly flooded into his mind, recalling the way Felix had made him laugh and how patient he had been with him on the roof. ¡°Piss off! I had fun,¡± Marcus said, a big grin spreading across his face as he looked at his friend. ¡°And you better... treat me the same... next time, got it?¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Felix said as he nodded, then glanced at the clock. ¡°I, uh... I¡¯ll let you have some rest now. You have my phone number, so just shoot me a text if you need anything, alright?¡± He then said goodbye to Laurens before he left, pausing for a few seconds at the door before stepping outside, leaving Marcus alone with his uncle. ¡°You¡¯re lucky to have a friend like him. Loyal to a fault. He might not want to talk about it, but he¡¯s the reason why you¡¯re even alive today. Thirteen years ago, he dragged you out of that rubble you were in and carried you for hours until he reached a hospital, despite the world going to shit,¡± Laurens said before he explained that Marcus¡¯s sister was out on a job and couldn¡¯t be reached, while Marcus¡¯s younger brother had been stuck in traffic, so Laurens had gone in their stead. ¡°I already sent them a text that you¡¯re alright and that you need some rest.¡± As if on cue his phone started buzzing, indicating several new text messages that he quickly answered. Afterwards the two of them chatted for a while longer, with Laurens doing his best to distract his nephew when the nurse came back to take the blood sample. Marcus¡¯s uncle opened up about his work, coworkers, and even the string of failed marriages that he had been in the last few years, all to lighten the mood a little. As the conversation wound down, and the nurse was finished with her task, he could see that his nephew was getting tired. ¡°Get some sleep. I¡¯ll come visit you soon,¡± Laurens said with a smile before leaving the room, turning off the lights and closing the door behind him. A few seconds later, the door suddenly creaked open again, with his uncle¡¯s head popping back in again. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re back, boy... hands and all,¡± he said softly before disappearing from sight again. - - - An hour had slipped by as Marcus lay in bed, worn out but unable to sleep because of his bruised face. The darkness inside of his room gave way to a faint glimmer seeping in from beneath the door, broken up by the occasional passing of a nurse. Sweat covered his body, and he felt tired, as if something drained his energy away. His head began throbbing again. It was the same he had experienced on the rooftop, but this time, it seemed to happen more slowly. With each pulse of pain, fragmented dreams and nonsensical thoughts flashed through his mind. One moment, he remembered being confined within his own body for years, listening to doctors¡¯ voices; the next, he felt trapped amidst filth and rusted metal, as if buried somewhere. Occasionally, he caught glimpses of something descending the stairs, every footstep bringing another jolt of pain. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. It worsened over time, affecting both his hearing and vision. His ability to see clearly dwindled, and every sound seemed distorted, echoing strangely. It was as if he heard the same sound coming from two different places. ¡®Something¡¯s not right,¡¯ Marcus thought, attempting to call for a nurse, but his voice faltered due to his pain. As he noticed the change in the light by his door, as though someone stood outside. He froze in fear, despite not knowing why. The door creaked open slowly, and his headache intensified. Seconds later, a shrouded figure entered and closed the door behind it. ¡®No face,¡¯ Marcus thought, his eyes widening at the sight of the demonic figure moving towards him. As the demon advanced, each footstep seemed to amplify Marcus¡¯s fragmented thoughts and memories. His mind distorted in on itself, granting him a fleeting glimpse of himself in bed before the pain forcefully yanked him back into his own body. He tried to escape the demon¡¯s approach but found himself frozen in fear and fatigue, incapable of moving. His heart pounded as he witnessed the creature¡¯s steel left hand reaching for his chest. Then everything suddenly stopped. The pain faded away as the demon¡¯s thoughts and memories merged with his own, slowly intertwining and becoming coherent. He no longer saw the demon; instead, he gazed upon his own steel frame, its singular camera peering back at him. Simultaneously, he saw his frail body lying in bed, looking back at him with confusion. ¡®What is happening?¡¯ Marcus thought, raising his right arm and noticing the robot mirroring the movement with its broken right stump. He couldn¡¯t quite explain it, but for the first time in what seemed years, he felt complete, as if all the pieces of his mind were finally reunited. The haze that once clouded his thoughts had vanished, and he grasped this strange reality. More memories flooded into him, and he sensed his consciousness leaving the robot and settling inside him, rejoining him. The robot wobbled for a moment before collapsing on the ground with a clang, as if its strings were cut. While that happened, Marcus¡¯s mind struggled to process years¡¯ worth of memories. He vividly remembered each dreadful moment he endured as a robot and now also recalled the time he had spent comatose, helplessly witnessing it all without the ability to respond, tortured within his own body. His eyes widened as he recollected every time his brother and sister cried out for him, hugging his frame or talking with a doctor next to his bed. He relived hearing his uncle silently sobbing in the corner, how the man desperately tried to maintain composure while crumbling on the inside. He recalled hearing Felix dragging him out of the Tech-event while monsters and carnage was everywhere. He could suddenly remember feeling how Felix had carried him for what felt hours, despite the danger it had posed to him. The surge of emotions overwhelmed Marcus, forcing him to sit up abruptly, his body trembling with the heaviness of lost years and loved ones. He couldn¡¯t contain his nausea, causing him to vomit and shake uncontrollably. Afterwards, his gaze settled on his right hand in disbelief as he felt his fingers moving, no longer seeing a broken metal stump. Struggling to catch his breath and make sense of it all, more memories flooded his mind, reminding him of his family¡¯s desperate pleas for him to wake up. After what felt like hours, his mind slowly recovered some semblance of normality. ¡°You¡¯re a fighter, just like your father,¡± he muttered, remembering his uncle¡¯s words. Now, with his entire mind united, he could finally mourn the loss of his parents properly, as well as Oscar and everyone else who had been close to him. For a while, he just sat there, covered in vomit, tears, and a lifeless robot lying on the floor next to his bed. Despite mentally feeling whole again, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there was something off about him, raging inside of him, as if he still needed to do something. Despite that feeling, he also felt something within his body recover, as if gradually something was filling back up. ¡°Is this my Mana?¡± he whispered, recalling the sensation from before, after the whole rooftop incident, and the feeling of being drained of something when he had been a robot. ¡®I think the robot needed Mana to function. Like some sort of power source.¡¯ Marcus thought, remembering how ¡®it¡¯ could operate for a couple of hours with a full charge, and even longer if it remained still. ¡®So, the other me hid in a vent on the roof,¡¯ he remembered, recalling how his robotic self had spent what little time had left back then rushing up the stairs before removing the vent cover with his steel fingers. He had crawled inside before blacking out again, waiting for the moment he could syphon Mana from himself on the roof several days later. He spent the next few minutes just staring at the lifeless robot on the floor, its form obscured by filthy rags. Occasional swallows accompanied the disgusting aftertaste lingering in his mouth as he thought about his situation. ¡®This robot is the reason why I¡¯m still alive,¡¯ he realized, recalling the fierce struggle to reach the hospital and the monsters and other threats he had encountered along the way. He wrestled with the decision of whether to call for help and reveal what had happened to him or to keep it a secret for now. ¡®I attacked two guards back at the junkyard... used a gun to destroy hospital equipment... and stole and used up five of their Monster-Glass pieces. There¡¯s no way this won¡¯t become a problem for me... and my family,¡¯ Marcus thought, narrowing his gaze at the robot¡¯s singular camera lens. ¡®I need to get it out of here before anyone finds it,¡¯ he thought, groaning as he pushed himself out of bed before dropping on the floor with more force than he would¡¯ve liked. Slowly, he crawled over to the robot, positioning himself close to it. He examined the steel frame, observing the peculiar veins on the inside and a blue round object pulsating within. ¡®Is that an Orb?¡¯ he wondered, having heard about them, yet never seen a picture. ¡®Did it always pulsate like this?¡¯ He examined the machine more closely, noticing broken wires and rust on some parts that weren¡¯t connected to the main chassis, and were mostly just lodged in place. Strangely, there was no rust at all on the bits of machinery and steel that had the weird blue veins attached to them. ¡®The veins and Orb are connected¡­ It almost looks like a weird heart and blood vessels.¡¯ He touched a vein and felt a strange tingling sensation when he did so. ¡°Now, how do I wake you up?¡± he whispered as he tried tapping the robot a few times, even prodding at the pulsating Orb inside its chest, but nothing worked. The minutes ticked by, and the robot remained motionless. ¡°Come on, wake up,¡± he urged in a hushed tone, scared a nearby nurse might hear him. After that, he tried banging his fist against the robot, but nothing happened. His desperation grew, and he tried slamming the robot¡¯s hand against his chest like how he himself had woken up, hoping for something, yet only managing to bruise his own chest. ¡®Come on, you piece of shit!¡¯ he thought as he felt more and more desperate. Every sound outside his room freaked him out, as if he was seconds away from being discovered. ¡°Think Marcus¡­ remember what everyone told you. Use your head for once in your life,¡± he said to himself as he closed his eyes and tried to think more about his problem. ¡®It¡¯s a machine¡­ and it drains Mana¡­ perhaps it¡¯s run out completely?¡¯ He then placed his hands on the robot and attempted to channel his own Mana into it. However, accessing his Mana was difficult, like flexing an untrained muscle he had only just become aware of. It took a while, but a trickle of his Mana reserve slowly began to leave him and flow into the robot, intensifying the pulsating glow in its veins, but nothing else occurred. He continued to do so until he felt drained, having poured all he could within the robot, but even then it didn¡¯t move. Marcus felt his typical anger and irritation bubbling up, but he pushed it away, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand. ¡®The robot is intact¡­ or most of it is... and it has fuel now¡­ I think.¡¯ He studied the machine a while longer as he sifted through his jumbled memories until he recalled how he had created the HUD by fragmenting a part of his mind. ¡®Perhaps that could work?¡¯ he thought before taking a deep breath. He closed his eyes and placed a hand on the robot. Seconds later, he delved into his own mind, replicating the steps he had taken before. The process made him feel sluggish as more and more of his mind splintered off, but he pushed through, forcing it out of his body and into the robot. The process felt incredibly strange and horrifying at the same time. He could ¡®feel it¡¯ settle within the Orb and spread throughout its frame. Then, he suddenly felt whole again as his camera came online, granting him two perspectives¡ªone from his frail body on the floor with closed eyes, and the other from the robot. ¡°It worked,¡± he whispered, opening his eyes to witness himself from two different angles. It was difficult to gauge how much of himself he had poured into his other self, but he didn¡¯t sense any loss. He still felt whole. However, everything changed when he let go of the robot and witnessed his steel self slowly stand up and stumble backward a few steps, the Orb now no longer pulsating, but constantly glowing. When the robot was further away from him, it shattered their shared perspective and left him feeling incomplete and sluggish once more. ¡°Are you alright?¡± he asked himself, fully aware of how bizarre all of this actually was. The robot nodded, then extended its arm toward him in a silent inquiry. ¡°Yeah... a bit sluggish... but I¡¯m alright. This is weird.¡± The further they got away from one another, the more he realized they were like two distinct versions of himself. As he crawled a bit closer, a sense of wholeness returned, along with their shared perspective. ¡®So, there¡¯s a range to it?¡¯ he thought before he reminded himself of his current predicament. ¡°I... You need to hide. Go to the same place as before, and don¡¯t get seen. We¡¯ll meet up again tomorrow,¡± he said to himself, observing the robot nod before it walked over to his bed to press the alarm button. The robot then positioned itself in the corner of the room, right next to the door as both of them could hear the commotion in the hallway. ¡°Good luck,¡± Marcus whispered before the door swung open, and a nurse rushed in to see him on the floor covered in his own vomit. Seizing the opportunity now that the nurse was distracted, the robot slipped out of the room while Marcus rolled over on his back. ¡°I¡¯m alright. I felt sick... then fell out of bed,¡± he said, reassuring the nurse as she came to assist him. Though tired, dirty, and still puzzled by the newfound memories, he couldn¡¯t resist a smile as he realized that he had become whole again for a few minutes, as well as learn something important about his situation. ¡®I¡¯ve got an Ability.¡¯ - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 18 (Unraveling Truths) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 18 I Unraveling Truths - - - Day 9 Marcus shifted his gaze downward, watching his feet get nudged into the red sneakers before his uncle finished up with the laces. ¡°There, looking good,¡± uncle Laurens said as he stepped back, a grin spreading across his bearded face as he gave the sneakers an approving nod. ¡°So, how do the hand-me-downs feel?¡± ¡°Strange, but I¡¯ll manage,¡± Marcus said, his gaze lingering on the shoes for a moment longer. His uncle then helped position his feet on the footrest. It felt odd wearing them, as they were one of the few remaining reminders he had left of one of his friends. It had been literal years since he had last felt shoes, jeans, a t-shirt and a jacket on his body. ¡®Shoes feel tighter then I remember,¡¯ he thought as he wiggled his toes inside of them. Even now, three days later, he was still coping with the aftermath of regaining all his memories, both as a robot and of him trapped in his comatose body. A state where he had been painfully aware of each passing moment. ¡°Are you sure? About taking me outside?¡± he asked, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. ¡°Depends. Are you going to pass out on me like a wimp?¡± Laurens asked, a playful grin tugging on his features as he looked at his nephew, seeing him shrug his shoulders in response. ¡°Cheeky little shit,¡± Laurens whispered before getting up and grabbing the push handles, wheeling his nephew out of the room. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve already talked to the doctor, and you¡¯re a lot fitter than you were three days ago. And the drooling isn¡¯t as severe as before. It¡¯s bordering on being adorable now.¡± The man chuckled when he heard his nephew protest at the comment. ¡°Besides, I told them that we were just going to grab something to eat in the cafeteria downstairs. They don¡¯t know anything about our grand escape.¡± As they left the hospital floor, Marcus felt excited as they made their way towards the elevator. He caught sight of the staircase on the right, recalling how he had used it a few times when he had been in his robotic frame. ¡°So, what are we going to do today?¡± he asked curiously. Laurens pushed the elevator door button and leaned against the wall, waiting for the doors to slide open. ¡°Fresh air for a start. But do you think you are stable enough to hold an ice cream?¡± Marcus stretched out his right hand while keeping it perfectly still. ¡°Not even a twitch,¡± he said, forcing himself to keep his hand steady. He had made significant strides in his recovery over the past nine days, but each day was still a struggle. His speech had improved the most, though he still had trouble with complex words or when he was especially tired. The doctors couldn¡¯t really explain it, beyond point at his nature as one of the Marked, or the experimental treatment he had been exposed to for years. Still, Marcus couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that it went beyond that, as if his time within his robotic shell had also kept his mind healthy. They went into the elevator when the door opened, and Laurens pressed a button to direct them to the ground floor. Marcus still felt a bit hazy because of the fact that his consciousness was still partially divided into two portions, but he was starting to get used to it. They waited in silence until the doors opened again, revealing the bustling hospital lobby with dozens of people coming and going. ¡°Stay here for a minute,¡± his uncle said, parking the wheelchair near the entrance. ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried someone might roll me away?¡± Marcus asked just as his uncle began to move away. With a swift glance over his shoulder, Laurens grinned. ¡°That mug of yours isn¡¯t pretty enough to get abducted.¡± The man then started laughing before walking into a nearby shop. Marcus watched his uncle move around inside the shop, his eyes tracking the momentary pause as his uncle debated between various brands and flavors of icecream. Marcus then shifted his focus back to his shoes as a soft smile formed. He wiggled his toes again before he lifted his legs, feeling the fabric of the sneakers. They were old and worn, but their worth to him went beyond description. His attention then was suddenly drawn to a ruckus near the hospital entrance, voices rose while footsteps echoed in the lobby as a robed figure walked in. The man¡¯s head was shaved and was wearing a white robe with a blue circle on the chest and blue lines dripping downwards. ¡®Some sort of preacher?¡¯ Marcus thought as he watched the man spread his arms to the side before talking about holy lights, drawing the attention of most in the lobby. Some people looked intrigued, while most had an annoyed look. Marcus watched the bald man for a while until hospital employees guided the man outside, with security arriving shortly after. An icy touch then suddenly grazed the nape of Marcus¡¯s neck, making him jump in his seat as an involuntary gasp left him. His uncle then quickly handed his startled nephew a chocolate ice cream before the young man could voice his irritation. ¡°Lightseekers,¡± his uncle explained, following Marcus¡¯s gaze. ¡°Just ignore them. They¡¯re a bunch of nutjobs who believe the Orbs and Spheres have some special purpose. Something about bringing paradise to Earth. Those people are mostly harmless, but annoying when they show up in places like this, or protest in front of Guild buildings.¡± His uncle then took a bite of his own ice cream, blinking a few times to adjust to the cold. ¡°Lightseekers?¡± With a nod, Laurens took another bite. ¡°Yep. They¡¯re going on about the blessed lights that now shine upon our world,¡± he paused to take another bite before he continued. ¡°You know, the whole glowing Sphere thing.¡± ¡°You¡¯re supposed to lick it, not bite into it,¡± Marcus commented while raising an eyebrow. ¡°But what about the whole monster thing inside those Spheres?¡± ¡°Sod off, I''m fifty-six years old, and I''ll eat ice cream how I damn well please. As for the monsters? Blessed guardians of the lights. Misunderstood by us mere mortals,¡± his uncle exclaimed, taking on a reverent tone at the end. He finished by shaking his head in disbelief. ¡°It doesn¡¯t happen as often now, but a few years back, you¡¯d hear about groups of those idiots walking into Spheres to meet their guardians. The lucky ones would pass out near the entrance from the Mana drain. The unlucky ones... well, there is a reason why there is a lot more security arround Spheres now.¡± He merely shrugged his shoulders before taking another bite of his icecream, his chewing mimicking the fate of those that had been unlucky. ¡°Are you ready to go?¡± Marcus nodded in agreement, stealing one last glance at the bald man who had been escorted outside the hospital. ¡®Monsters, Spheres, Mana... and now fanatics? What the hell happened to this world?¡¯ he questioned silently, as his uncle wheeled him towards the parking garage. - - - A few minutes later, Marcus was sitting inside his uncle¡¯s car while the old man furiously scrubbed at a bit of ice cream smeared on the car seat, muttering under his breath as he fought a losing battle against the sticky mess. ¡°Not even a twitch, my ass. Do you know how hard it is to get chocolate out of fabric?¡± Laurens grumbled, sighing as he wiped his hands on a napkin and tossed it on the ground near the backseat, close to his nephew¡¯s folded-up wheelchair. Marcus flashed a disarming smile, forcing his uncle to mutter something else before starting the car and slowly driving off. Leaving the hospital behind, Marcus¡¯s eyes widened with wonder as they drove into the heart of the city. The bustling streets brimmed with cars, people on bicycles and hundreds of pedestrians. Proud skyscrapers reached for the sky, their glass facades mirroring the lively cityscape, accompanied by the occasional passing flying vehicle powered by Mana-tech. ¡®It looks different during the day... and when I am not rushing like my life depends on it,¡¯ he thought as he recalled how he had made his way to the hospital in his robotic frame. With a knowing glint in his eyes, his uncle enthusiastically pointed out various landmarks. ¡°Check out that skyscraper over there. It belongs to a local Breacher guild, I think they put it up about three years ago,¡± he remarked, his tone tinged with uncertainty. ¡°And that concrete structure beside it? That¡¯s our city hall. Horrible looking thing.¡± As they drove further through the city, Marcus found himself captivated by the sights and sounds surrounding him. His uncle played the role of an enthusiastic tour guide, showing him the downtown area, local markets, shops, and the city¡¯s public transportation system. With each passing moment, Marcus¡¯s understanding of the world he had missed for thirteen years began to take shape. His uncle then pointed towards the bustling downtown streets, a mix of bars and shops lining the way. ¡°Look over there, just around the corner. There¡¯s this fantastic Thai restaurant over there,¡± he exclaimed, a wide grin brightening his features. ¡°Their Pad Thai and fried rice are out of this world! Once you¡¯re back on your feet, we¡¯ll go there for a feast, alright?¡± Marcus nodded eagerly, his curiosity piqued by the prospect of exploring new culinary delights beyond hospital meals and whatever his family and Felix brought over. ¡°The world has changed a lot since you had your nap,¡± his uncle continued as he rounded another corner. ¡°New towns and cities have risen from the ashes, and we¡¯ve managed to preserve the charm of the old ones, or at least the bits we could salvage.¡± Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Curiosity gnawed at Marcus, and he couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°How bad was it... really?¡± He caught a fleeting moment of tension in his uncle¡¯s expression, quickly replaced by a mask of composure. ¡°Well, your brother and sister have already filled you in on most of it,¡± his uncle said, stopping the car near a stoplight. ¡°It was devastation on a planetary scale. Our once stable infrastructure crumbled within minutes. The failure of working water barriers led to devastating floods. Hundreds of thousands tried to find refuge in neighboring countries, only to find our neighbors facing their own crisis and seeking shelter in our nation. It was absolute chaos.¡± His uncle gave a reassuring pat on his leg before continuing. ¡°But we pulled through, just like you. And with your sister and other Breachers working tirelessly to stop the expansion of more Spheres, even taking them down one by one, we¡¯re slowly reclaiming this country.¡± He gestured towards large buildings on the city¡¯s outskirts, where massive warehouses stood. ¡°We have even made an entire industry out of those Spheres. It¡¯s a whole new world we¡¯re living in.¡± As they drove toward the outskirts of town, passing through the industrial side, Marcus observed the activity outside. Large trucks entered and exited the area, transporting thick metal containers while escorted by security vehicles. Marcus learned that some of the trucks carried monster remains, while others contained strange ore or metal debris with peculiar growths. His uncle described how the Mana released from Orb gradually altered everything within their influence, withing the Spheres. The words he used were punctuated by the occasional technical jargon. ¡°Plant life inside a Sphere twists and mutates over time, while rocks and metals transform into different and exotic elements. It¡¯s proper weird if you ask me.¡± Marcus pestered his uncle with a few more questions, eager to understand more, but his uncle could only offer limited answers. ¡°You know, it¡¯s all because of the creepy things happening inside Spheres that people even bother listening to strange folks like Truthseekers,¡± his uncle explained. ¡°Why is that?¡± Marcus asked before his curiosity was piqued as three SUVs with strange logos sped past them. ¡±We don¡¯t know why... or quite frankly how, but the spheres change things on the inside,¡± his uncle said as he stopped at another stoplight. ¡°The weird part is that, despite the roaming monsters and mutated scenery, the inside of a Sphere is usually far cleaner. CO2 levels inside drop drastically, and there are fewer manmade pollutants in the water and ground. So, some folks call those meteors ¡®god¡¯s gift,¡¯ thinking that once it covers the entire world it¡¯ll turn Earth back into a paradise... an Eden. Except for all the dead humans of course,¡± Laurens muttered, adding the word ¡®idiots¡¯ under his breath. The sound of his uncle¡¯s cellphone ringing disrupted the mood in the car. Laurens glanced at the dialer before his expression tensed up. ¡°Well, that¡¯s not good,¡± he muttered, then turned the screen towards his nephew when questioned about the caller. Marcus could see his sister¡¯s name on the caller ID. ¡°No doubt she found out I kidnapped you,¡± his uncle admitted, a hint of surprise in his voice. ¡°She¡¯s fast for not being a bloodhound.¡± Marcus grinned as his uncle stepped on the gas, accelerating the car as they headed back towards the hospital. ¡°Is she gonna be pissed?¡± An incredulous look crossed Laurens¡¯ face. ¡°How on Earth could she? I¡¯m her favorite uncle.¡± "Just to clarify, her only uncle," Marcus corrected with a grin. "But, what did you mean about the bloodhound part?" ¡°Ah, you know. Her Breacher thingy... Stats, or whatever they call them,¡± Laurens explained as he took another turn before spotting the hospital in the distance. He then glanced at his nephew, who still seemed puzzled. ¡°You had your measurement, right? Each Breacher has a different build, some are well rounded, others are more specialized in certain Stats, like heightened senses, or a sharper mind. Well, your sister doesn¡¯t have that. She¡¯s all about raw power and durability. Sorta like how you used to fight, except she can actually tear off car doors.¡± ¡°Who says I couldn¡¯t do that before?¡± Marcus shot back with a grin that was a mere facade. He still remembered the sting he had felt when he had gotten his measurement of just one point. ¡°Just how powerful is Joline compared to me?¡± "Boy, I still remember your bench press record from thirteen years ago. And it''s nothing compared to what your sister could do now as a warmup. They say the higher the Mana amount within a body, the greater the increase in physical power. So, what about you?" his uncle commented as they drove down into the hospital''s parking garage. ¡°What¡¯s my Stat thing?¡± Marcus asked, observing his uncle¡¯s nod. ¡°I have no idea.¡± He had been pondering it for a while now. A power rating of one was the lowest he could technically have and still be considered Marked. According to what he had been told, and read online, those with a Alpha rank rarely became Breachers. Most of them were too weak to fight, settling instead for support roles in logistics or other fields if they still wanted to be involved with Orbs and Spheres. ¡°Perhaps I¡¯ll figure it out when I¡¯m able to walk and hold an ice cream properly?¡± he said as he turned inwards a bit.¡®Still, I do have a Skill, possibly two,¡¯ he thought, fully aware of how he had split his consciousness between his organic and steel bodies. He still didn¡¯t know how he had altered the robot to be able to function without electricity or wires in the first place. ¡®Either it was a Skill or just some weird effect of the Sphere.¡¯ He still hadn¡¯t told his family about any of it, or what had actually happened to him, knowing full well that it would open up an investigation and potentially cause more fallout and hardships for them all. From what he had figured out, his family had already done enough for him. ¡®I can still vividly recall Joline¡¯s expression shift when the investigator had mentioned the Monster-Glass.¡¯ With that in mind, he shifted his attention to his uncle as the man came to a stop inside the hospital¡¯s parking lot. ¡°How much are Joline and Martin in debt?¡± he asked suddenly. When he noticed the man open his mouth with a reassuring expression, Marcus¡¯s own hardened. ¡°I want the truth.¡± What followed was an uncomfortable silence, before his uncle finally spoke up. ¡°Listen, kid.¡± Laurens took the car keys, his gaze fixed on the steering wheel, as if weighing his words on an invisible scale. He then shifted his attention back to Marcus. ¡°We¡¯ve all been through a lot¡ªme, you, your brother, and sister. We each carry our scars and pains in different ways.¡± He offered a weak smile when he said the last part. ¡°When your father passed away, it felt like half of me had died with him. The other half of me just continued to go through the motions it once knew. I¡¯ve made plenty of mistakes since then. I¡¯ve ruined several marriages and am currently still ruining my career as a police officer.¡± He tightened his grip on the car keys. ¡°But I¡¯m not going to fail as an uncle. Your brother and sister, they¡¯ve endured their share of hell, and they even shared parts of it with me over time when they felt like they could. I¡¯m not going to break that trust. If you want their side of the story, you¡¯ll have to talk to them about it. Understood?¡± Marcus could feel the resolve in his uncle¡¯s stance, and he understood that persuading him was futile and a disrespect to the strength the man was showing at the moment. ¡®He¡¯s not budging. But the fact that he¡¯s like this speaks volumes about the promise he made,¡¯ Marcus thought, acknowledging the man¡¯s determination. Giving a nod, Marcus agreed to drop the subject for now. As his uncle got out of the car, he grabbed the wheelchair and came around to help Marcus back into it with all the grace that he could muster. ¡°So... out of curiosity... what''s the count on the number of ex-wives?¡± ¡°A few. There''s definitely a pattern forming, though too few to deter me from trying. Feel free to pass my number to any single nurses you run into.¡± His uncle then wheeled him to the elevator, pressing the button before resting a hand on Marcus¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re back, Marcus, truly,¡± Laurens said in a soft, almost fragile tone. The elevator door opened, and they entered with a gentle push. ¡°Now, let''s brace ourselves for your sister''s wrath, shall we?¡± his uncle quipped, the elevator doors sealing their conversation. - - - A few hours passed, and Marcus sat perched on the edge of his hospital bed, his eyes locked on the clock, each tick amplifying his concentration. He tracked each passing second, all the while coaxing his mind to split once more. He willed the HUD display into existence, despite the fact that he wasn¡¯t in his robotic frame. It was trickier like this, but practice had paid off these last three days. The HUD slowly appeared, showing a digital clock, gradually syncing with the real one in front of him. It still wasn¡¯t flawless, but he¡ªor rather, a part of his mind¡ªwas getting better at it. He turned his head to the side, and there it was, his robotic companion stationed near the door, a silent sentinel in the room. His mechanical version clutched a whiteboard, its surface adorned with the number seven in awkward strokes. ¡°Nope, wrong guess. I was thinking about the number three this time,¡± Marcus corrected, witnessing the robot¡¯s shrug and subsequent use of a grimy sleeve to wipe clean the board. ¡®Guess the synchronization effect has its limits at that range.¡¯ Through trial and error, he had discovered a few things about himself and the robot. The robot drained something from him constantly when in close proximity, which he assumed was his Mana. He knew that once activated, the robot held out for about two hours¡ªmore if it remained still. However, when the two of them were close to one another, the time stretched by a few minutes, as if the robot constantly fed on the bit of Mana that Marcus could regain during that time. Shifting a piece of his consciousness into the robot continued to feel weird, like pouring water into two cups and ending up with only half of what he was used to. It felt stranger than just splitting off a piece of his mind to maintain the HUD. At least with that, he could constantly sense its presence in his mind. He shifted his attention back to his other self as he watched himself write on the whiteboard, forming a question mark. ¡°What¡¯s next?¡± he voiced aloud, observing his steel counterpart¡¯s nod. ¡°I think we need more information for now. We¡¯ve established that we share, or can share, a mind, but how did we manage that feat? And how the hell did we even end up as that robot?¡± Marcus asked, feeling his tongue struggle with the words at the end due to how tired he was feeling. A lot of questions filled his mind, yet the most urgent concerned the ¡®debt¡¯ his siblings now had because of him. While no one had outright confirmed it, his uncle¡¯s silence and the detective¡¯s implied expenses behind his life-sustaining treatment was enough for Marcus to make up his mind. Beyond all the questions he was dealing with, he also struggled with the constant irritating feeling he had throughout the day¡ªa persistent gnawing sensation inside him. It straddled the line between mental and physical, an internal pressure that was ready to burst, but couldn¡¯t find a path. The feeling had plagued him since he had woken up in the hospital. At first, he attributed it to the aftermath of his fragmented consciousness or the draining of Mana. But now, days later, he realized it wasn¡¯t either of those. ¡®I¡¯m missing something. Something important.¡¯ - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 19 (Mentality) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 19 I Mentality - - - Day 10 The next day, Marcus was holding on to a floatation device, his fingers digging into the foam while pain and exhaustion gnawed at him. ¡°I need to rest,¡± he groaned, the ache reaching from his lower back all the way down to his toes. He tried to kick, but each movement seemed to sap more of his energy. His substitute physical trainer, Erwin, stood at the ready in the water, making sure Marcus was safe while keeping a close eye on his efforts. Walking beside Marcus in the waist deep water, Erwin wore a playful grin. ¡±You can rest at the edge, or drown at the bottom. What¡¯s it going to be?¡± He asked, his hazel eyes briefly meeting Marcus¡¯s. ¡°Come on, you slept long enough. Time to paddle those feet.¡± Irritation surged within Marcus, and he clenched his teeth in frustration as he was pushed well beyond his limits, a sensation he wasn¡¯t unfamiliar with in the past. Erwin¡¯s instructions tugged at him, reminding him of his father during training sessions. Marcus knew the reason behind Erwin¡¯s words, yet that knowledge did little to quell his desire to wipe the smug grin off the man¡¯s face with a solid punch. Erwin was a physical therapist like Daan and the others that had been helping Marcus the last ten days, although Erwin typically worked in a different wing of the hospital. The man had stepped in when Daan had called in sick earlier that morning. Straining, Marcus kicked his legs, channeling his frustration and anger into each movement, his limbs flapping as he clenched his teeth. Finally, after a minute, he reached the edge of the hospital pool. As Marcus clung to the ledge, Erwin flicked a switch, raising the pool¡¯s floor to knee height. ¡°You did well, mister Smit. Very well,¡± Erwin commended, helping him out of the water and onto the ledge. The man kept him steady until Marcus gave the signal that he was okay. In that brief moment, Marcus could again see the army tattoo on Erwin¡¯s exposed shoulder, hinting at his past. ¡°Let¡¯s dry you off and get you back into your wheels, alright?¡± Marcus nodded as he accepted the towel and dried himself off, if not a bit awkwardly. After a few clumsy moments of drying, changing, and getting dressed again, he settled back into his wheelchair. His eyes followed Erwin''s movements as the man helped him slip into his red sneakers. ¡°There, all done,¡± Erwin said, standing up and running his hand through his short brown hair. ¡°Hope you had fun.¡± ¡°Fun?¡± Marcus asked, his tone a mixture of confusion and amusement. ¡°It felt more like a constant struggle not to drown every second. You do know that my sister¡¯s a Breacher, right? If she caught wind of this, you might find yourself in a world of hurt.¡± ¡°That sister of yours, is she the cute blonde who was in your room?¡± Erwin asked, noting Marcus¡¯s uncomfortable and slightly disgusted nod a second later. ¡°Nice. So, what¡¯s her rank?¡± ¡°Three,¡± Erwin gave a low whistle, clearly impressed. "A Beta+, huh? She could likely snap off one or two of my limbs without breaking a sweat," he remarked, a grin spreading across his face as he positioned himself behind the wheelchair, gripping the handles. "But honestly, I''m not too concerned about your sister finding out." With that, he began to push. "And why''s that?" One of Marcus''s eyebrows lifted as he followed Erwin''s actions¡ªopening the door and switching off the pool lights. ¡°Because despite how difficult the training was today,¡± he explained while pushing Marcus¡¯s wheelchair out of the room, ¡°I treated you like how you used to be and not as patient. And from what I read in your file, I figured it might be a refreshing change you¡¯d appreciate after all this time.¡± - - - When Marcus was rolled into his room he found his sister waiting there while staring at her phone, looking a bit annoyed. Her irritation vanished when she saw him being wheeled in. She quickly stored away the device and smiled at her brother. ¡°So, how was your swim?¡± she asked cheerfully. ¡°Refreshing,¡± Marcus mumbled, brushing off Erwin¡¯s chuckle as he settled back onto his bed. He zoned in and out as Erwin talked about how the therapy had gone, the man¡¯s assessment of his recovery thus far, and the news that Daan would probably return to work in a day or two. While his sister asked more follow-up questions, Marcus¡¯s gaze rested on his HUD, spotting the digital clock at the edge of his vision. He compared it to the clock that was attached to the hospital wall, noticing a slight time difference of a few seconds. ¡®The HUD is slightly more accurate than this morning,¡¯ he thought before making the HUD disappear again. ¡°So, any questions on your end, Marcus?¡± Erwin inquired, finger dancing across his digital notepad. Marcus just shook his head. ¡°Alright, then I will leave you in the capable hands of my colleagues. It was a pleasure meeting you both.¡± Erwin shook their hands before stepping out, leaving Marcus and his sister behind. Marcus''s sister scooted her chair closer to the bed, casually propping her feet onto it. "So, you didn¡¯t drown. Thanks for that. Now I owe Uncle Laurens ten credits," she quipped. "There''s still time. You could always drag me to the sink over there and hold my face under water," Marcus responded, conjuring his HUD to check the time once more as he caught Joline shooting a quick glance at the sink with an amused expression. "Where''s the challenge in that?" his sister retorted. ¡°But seriously, how¡¯d it go?¡± ¡°Great,¡± Marcus replied before he felt his sister¡¯s burning gaze on him. ¡°Fine, it felt horrible. My muscles were burning non-stop, and I was about as sure-footed as a drunk toddler in the ocean. Happy?¡± ¡°Oh, I am,¡± Joline replied, a smirk playing on her lips. She picked up the TV remote and switched it on. She was well aware that some topics were usually off-limits when talking with her older brother. ¡°You¡¯re making progress. It¡¯s only been ten days, and what you¡¯ve accomplished already is pretty impressive, right?¡± Marcus simply exhaled through his nose in response, much to his sister¡¯s amusement. ¡°Come on, even you have to admit that your recovery is going well. Maybe your mark gave you some extra durability? That or you are just as stubborn as Dad.¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± Marcus mused as they both lapsed into silence, eyes fixed on the television. He tried to lose himself in the odd show on the television, but couldn¡¯t. A constant underlying gnawing feeling nagged at him, like it had done for the last ten days. It had gotten worse, reaching the point where it was even stealing away his enjoyment. Ignoring it, he shifted his focus to his sister again. ¡°How did you figure out what your Mark does?¡± ¡°As in my Stats?¡± Joline glanced briefly at her brother, who nodded. She then continued to watch television. ¡°I don¡¯t know exactly. I just do? It¡¯s kinda like instinct, you know?¡± Pausing, she seemed to ponder the subject a bit more before continuing. ¡°It is like discovering a new muscle in your body and gradually getting the hang of it? There are machines that supposedly measure each of the six Stats perfectly, but most of us Marked just get a ¡®feel¡¯ for it over time.¡± ¡°Strength, Endurance, Agility, Perception, Mental, and Vigor,¡± Marcus repeated, his memory flashing back to the folder Ali, the government official, had provided him after learning that his Power rating was only 1. He had examined the document many times, but it hadn¡¯t clarified how those attributes should manifest or which Stat his single point had gone into. ¡°Exactly,¡± his sister confirmed, holding back a smirk that hinted at a surprised remark about her brother¡¯s ability to read. ¡°I¡¯m a Beta+ rank, with a Power rating of 35, just 5 points short of moving up a rank,¡± she explained, showing her hands to reveal faint scars tracing patterns on her skin and the Marks on her own body. ¡°I¡¯m not quite sure how or why, but I just know that most of my points are in Strength and Endurance, and a few in Agility. None in the other categories.¡± Her hand then clenched into a fist, a faint but distinct creaking resonating as her knuckles whitened, showcasing the raw power that lingered within. ¡°What that meant in terms of practical terms I figured out during working out and fighting actual monsters.¡± Marcus didn¡¯t know why but he just knew that his sister¡¯s grip held the potential to shatter his hand with ease. Brushing off the unsettling realization, he chose humor to deflect his feelings. ¡°Well, I already knew about the unchanged mental aspect you had going on. You¡¯re still as dumb as I remember,¡± Marcus quipped, a grin forming as his sister¡¯s clenched fist playfully transformed into a raised middle finger, accompanied by a sly chuckle. ¡°But I don¡¯t ¡®feel¡¯ anything different about me. Only this weird feeling inside of me, as if I¡¯m pent up.¡± Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡±Ew! Gross, and totally not related to Stats. But it has been thirteen-¡± ¡±Not like that,¡± Marcus cut in, gaze locked on his right hand, seeing the black Marks imbedded across his skin. ¡°I feel like there is this pressure building up inside of me. Both mental and physical. As if I need to do something.¡± ¡±Well,¡± Joline started, her voice trailing off as if lost in thought for a moment. After a minute, she continued, ¡°Maybe you just haven¡¯t gotten used to it yet? I mean, physically you¡¯re still a mess, and mentally, you¡¯re also still recovering. Remember, a few days ago, you could barely even speak. It¡¯s possible you¡¯ve got a Stat in Agility or maybe even Perception, but you¡¯re still too early in your recovery to really notice it?¡± ¡±Perhaps,¡± Marcus said, his voice trailing off into a sigh as he sank deeper into the bed. He tried to lose himself in the television show again, ignoring the persistent unease within. Minutes slipped by like that, with the siblings sharing a comfortable silence, just watching the show. It felt almost normal, like old times when they lounged in their living room without a care in the world. Marcus occasionally adjusted his HUD, refining his mental clock¡¯s accuracy. When his sister¡¯s smartphone suddenly buzzed, Marcus knew it signaled the end of her visit. He knew he had to address the thing that had been eating away at him the last few days. ¡°Laurens told me all about the financial debt you two have because of my treatment. So-¡± ¡°No, he didn¡¯t,¡± she interjected, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she briefly glanced at her phone before tucking it away. ¡°You might have been his favorite at one point. But I¡¯ve had thirteen years to claim that spot.¡± Marcus visibly twitched at the interruption, his expression betraying a mix of surprise and irritation before he composed himself. ¡°Just tell me how much you and Martin owe because of my medical treatment. I know it is a lot,¡± he asked, his tone adopting a softer edge at the end. ¡°Losing mom and dad¡­ me¡­ then the debt. No wonder Martin barely visits me and is so withdrawn.¡± Joline¡¯s expression softened as she rose from her seat, settling beside him on the bed. ¡°Can¡¯t help but be the big brother, huh?¡± Her smile was gentle as she embraced him, her hug offering a glimpse of her actual strength before she released him. ¡°The debt is in my name and my name alone. Martin has nothing to do with it... and yeah, it¡¯s not pocket change. Experimental treatment and all. But your ¡®little¡¯ sister is a Breacher, working for a decently powerful guild. It¡¯s one of the better-paying gigs out there.¡± Her fingers brushed over the black Marks on the upper right side of Marcus¡¯s face, tracing the intricate black as she brushed his long hair to the side. ¡°Martin¡¯s had a tough time. Maybe even tougher than you. He just needs a chance to adjust to you being up and about, to seeing his brother¡¯s black marks, and to get used to you constantly bringing up the past that he has tried so very hard to bury.¡± As she leaned down to plant a kiss on Marcus''s forehead, the chain that held their parents'' wedding rings around her neck dangled between them for a moment before she stood up again. ¡°Just give him a little time. He loves his big brother. You know that.¡± Her smartphone chimed once more, causing a fleeting hardness to cross her features, but Marcus raised his hand reassuringly. ¡°It¡¯s fine. Naptime was on my agenda.¡± Giving a nod, she headed for the door, a smile tugging at her lips. ¡°I¡¯ll visit soon. And seriously, think about getting a haircut.¡± With that, she stepped out, gently shutting the door, leaving Marcus alone in the room. He replayed his conversation with his sister, his thoughts inevitably turning to his younger brother. He imagined the hardships his brother had endured, losing a limb and being close to their parents¡¯ side when they died, forced to witness it. As fatigue washed over him, Marcus gradually drifted into a restless slumber. - - - Several hours had passed since the siblings had hung out, replaced by the darkness and quiet of night. Marcus sat perched on his bed. Beside him, the steel form of his other self diligently tended to his pistol, making every effort to clean it with just one arm. The process was awkward, with the robot¡¯s fingers clumsily maneuvering a cloth and toothbrush over the firearm¡¯s surface, or in any internal bit he could get his hands on. He figured it would need more than a wipe down, but felt like anything was better than nothing at this point. Marcus watched the robot awkwardly remove the magazine before prying the remaining two bullets out from the pistol and magazine. Afterwards, the robot dropped the bullets onto his actual hands, allowing him to feel the coldness of the metal as his finger glided over the rounds. ¡°If I didn¡¯t have these back then, would I have been able to gain access to the other Monster-Glass pieces?¡± He then placed the rounds onto the tray next to him before picking up the single piece of Glass he had left. He sensed a faint energy emanating from it, the kind that felt odd up close. ¡°It¡¯s really something else to see it up close after reading about them and listening to Joline explain how they work,¡± he said as he gripped it tightly before tossing the object into the air. His steel counterpart quickly caught it¡ªa move that even impressed Marcus. From what he¡¯d learned, these Glass pieces were like receivers, drawing in Mana from the surrounding Sphere¡¯s atmosphere to keep the monsters alive. In contrast the Orbs acted as Mana transmitters. The robot slowly moved away from him while he observed its movements. He counted the measured steps of the robot, tallying up to six before the connection between them came to a halt. Marcus knew from experience that maintaining a physical connection with the robot would house his consciousness into two bodies. Not making physical contact, but remaining within the five-meter radius or around six paces, he could tap into the robot¡¯s memories and senses, albeit with a slight delay. Moving beyond that range, their thoughts and memories ceased to flow freely, instead trickling sporadically in fragmented episodes. Five meters marked their divergence into two separate entities. The robot then displayed the Monster-Glass to Marcus, giving it an animated wiggle before flinging it toward him. Reacting swiftly, Marcus just managed to clutch it with both hands, the impact a bit painful on his hands. ¡°Could¡¯ve gone easier on the toss,¡± he quipped, well aware that he wouldn¡¯t have heeded such restraint if he were the one in the steel frame. With a grin, he hurled the Glass back, observing the robot¡¯s left handed catch. The physical interaction felt good to Marcus, allowing him to clear his thoughts for a moment. More and more, his mind felt like a stressful whirlwind: his sister¡¯s debt, the strained relationship between him and his younger sibling, his own recovery, and the persistent gnawing feeling that always demanded his attention. As the Glass came his way again, he fumbled, cutting his palm on one of its sharp edges, causing him to drop it involuntarily. Grimacing, Marcus held back a stream of curses as he clenched his injured hand. He watched his blood trickle onto the bed, staining the sheets. A few droplets even managed to hit the Monster-Glass. The metallic glasslike material clashed with his own blood, his eyes widening as he gazed at the sight. ¡°What if...¡± he began, his voice fading as the robot approached once more, crossing the five-meter mark to figure out what he was thinking. ¡°Remember how Sis said how she kinda sensed her own Stats and Abilities? She said she just knew how her mark had changed her, right?¡± Marcus stated, more to himself than anything, though the robot acknowledged him with a nod. ¡°We... I... shit, this is confusing. I¡¯ve been trying to do the same, to feel or sense my Stats like my sister. But what if I¡¯m... weird?¡± The robot simply stood there, shoulders lifting and dropping in a shrug. Though it couldn¡¯t speak, Marcus could read its response in the way it held itself. ¡°Look, this constant gnawing sensation in me¡­ it could be related. What if, unlike others with a Mark, my case is unique? I woke myself up by slamming twenty Glass pieces into my chest. You... shit... I saw it disintegrate, as if drained of all its juice. And then, a few days later, I got a Power rating measurement of 1.¡± Marcus scooped up the bloodied Monster-Glass, a grin tugging at his lips. ¡°What if I actually started at zero because my mind was scrambled during the Tech event? It could have disrupted the normal process. Maybe stabbing myself with Glass pieces jolted it up to 1?¡± The robot responded with a thumbs-up, wiggling the finger clock and counterclockwise, a hint of ¡®maybe¡¯ in the gesture before Marcus pressed on. ¡°Seriously, just think about it. What if this gnawing feeling is actually this energy or whatever it is inside me, just waiting for directions?¡± The robot shrugged once more, while Marcus made his decision. ¡°Let¡¯s give it a shot,¡± he declared, setting the Glass beside him and hearing how his steel and plastic counterpart drew near his bedside. Marcus scratched the back of his head, trying to figure out where to start. He settled onto the hospital bed, closed his eyes, and reached inward, attempting to focus on the gnawing sensation, but failing to do anything. Time dragged on, and Marcus''s irritation grew with each passing second. The robot¡¯s fingers twitched now and then, a sign of the other Marcus¡¯s impatience, until he grabbed the robot and instantly ended the distraction when they became one again. After countless failed attempts, he teetered on the edge of hopelessness. Then, a memory resurfaced¡ªsomething his uncle had taught him about grappling. The caution against excessive tension, which stifled throws and takedowns. Releasing his grip on the robot, he exhaled deeply. ¡®Don¡¯t focus on the throw, focus on the direction instead.¡¯ He recalled each of the six Stats again, thinking about the pros and the cons about each. He wondered how much difference a single point would make in the long term, but figured even a single point of Strength or Endurance could help out a lot for his rehabilitation. Just as Marcus was about to choose one of them, he remembered the talk he had with his sister earlier today about the Mental Stat. He smiled, thinking about the insult he¡¯d directed at her. As time went on, he slowly started warming up to the idea of the Mental Stat. ¡®I¡¯m dividing my consciousness over two bodies. I¡¯ve learned to balance it a bit, but what if a higher Mental Stat could help me out? It could reduce a major weakness the robot and I have at the moment.¡¯ he then opened his eyes and glanced at the Glass on the table coated in his own blood as a plan started to form in his mind, one as reckless as the one he had come up with ten days ago when he had stabbed himself. ¡°Screw it.¡± He fractured more of his mind, keeping a portion focused solely on the Mental Stat. In his mind, he pictured it as holding open a pathway leading towards it. With a deep breath, he brought back his HUD and forced it to list all six Stats, making the Mental Stat stand out. He honed in on it, letting go of everything else. Gradually, the gnawing feeling grew stronger as if it was no longer restrained, like a queasy moment turning into a sort of physical panic just before throwing up. It spread through his body, making the black Marks on his skin feel warm and hot, accompanied by brief stabs of pain. For a fleeting moment, he thought he saw a faint blue mist rising from those Marks before the sensation faded away. He blinked a few times before he turned to his robotic self. ¡°Well... that didn¡¯t seem too...¡± Searing pain suddenly gripped him, rendering him speechless beyond a sharp hiss. It exceeded any previous sensation of pain he had ever experienced in his whole life. Howls left his throat only for a steel hand to clamp on his mouth in an attempt to dampen the cacophony of agony. The black marks etched onto his right side of his face seared with an unnatural heat, as if burning into his very soul. At the same time an indescribable coldness gripped his brain. His eyes rolled backwards as a convulsive fit seized his body, its violent tremors coinciding with an internal change. Amidst this turmoil, a notification materialized on his HUD. ¨X ¨[ [Mental] [+1] ¨^ ¨a - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 20 (Homecoming) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 20 I Homecoming - - - Day 13 ¨X ¨[ [System activation: 100%] ¨^ ¨a In an instant, Marcus was wide awake again. His steel fingers twitched and clenched involuntarily as a wave of Mana surged through him like a recharging current. When his vision returned, he spotted a layer of dust clinging to his frame inside the ventilator shaft. He didn¡¯t move, not wanting to make a sound. Instead, he just looked upwards, seeing the hatch that would lead to the outside. Faint movements and voices reached his auditory sensors. A single voice caught his ear¡ªa voice he recognized as his own. Marcus focused on the other voices, hearing his uncle and brother. His uncle''s voice seemed to swell with pride as he regaled Martin''s accomplishments, prompting his young nephew to hesitantly share more about his work, touching on water purifiers, smart GPS systems, robotics, and the company¡¯s contributions to military research and development. Following that was the ¡®other Marcus¡¯ complimenting his brother, letting him know how proud he was. Even within his steel frame, ''Marcus cringed inwardly at the sound of his own voice, stumbling through conversation with his brother and hearing him overcompensate with the praise. ¡®God, I sound like a clueless idiot,¡¯ he thought as he shifted his attention back to himself. In his head, memories and experiences rushed in because they were less than five meters away from each other. Slowly their memories synched up, as if updating each other on today¡¯s happenings¡ªhow therapy had gone and who had dropped by to visit. Apparently, his actual fleshy self had even managed to do some weighted leg curls a few times in a row. He knew it was an important milestone considering how long he had been in a coma, but he couldn¡¯t shake how he had been thirteen years ago. Back then he had almost managed to deadlift and squat as much as his father could. With a mental sigh, he collected his thoughts. Over the past couple of days, he had been in recovery mode after having nearly kicked the bucket when he had upgraded his Mental Stat by 1 point. Even now, haunting memories of that night lingered, though it had yielded the desired results. Since then he hadn¡¯t even felt a sliver of the gnawing, uncomfortable feeling inside of him. Instead, he felt calm and clearheaded, or at least as much as he could with his consciousness spread across two different bodies. It still felt like emptying half of a glass of water into another glass, yet ever since the upgrade it felt like there was more of the water now, if only a few droplets. ¡®Perhaps if I gain even more points in the Mental stat, I might even feel normal while I¡¯m inside both bodies at the same time.¡¯ He shifted his focus to the HUD, nudging it to activate. His attention centered on the digital clock in the corner of his display, which read approximately 9:30 in the morning. He knew this was based on an instinctual feeling and his other self''s memories. Below it, in the bottom right, a Stat tab was visible, ready to expand and reveal his current Stats. His robotic HUD mirrored his organic self¡¯s, save for one tweak. His robotic form contained a countdown timer, ticking away, displaying his remaining time¡ª130 out of 132 minutes. ¡®A single point placed in the Mental Stat bumped my total operating time up by a solid 12 minutes,¡¯ he thought, once again reinforcing what he had concluded the last two days. Focusing on how long he could last reminded him of his time spent in the junkyard, when he had to piece together clues each time he woke up again. With a mental activation, he brought the Stats tab to life. It emerged as a transparent menu, allowing him to stay aware of his surroundings. ¨X ¨[ Stats
Strength: 0 Endurance: 0
Agility: 0 Perception: 0
Mental 1 Vigor: 0
Total Mana ??
¨^ ¨a His gaze narrowed on his Mana, seeing the question marks he had put there yesterday as placeholders. ¡®I just know it¡¯s linked to how long I am able to stay active. Mana is fueling this frame, I can almost feel it,¡¯ Marcus mused, his steel hand flexing as he watched the countdown steadily decrease. ¡®If the operating time improved, then it makes sense that the total amount of Mana in my actual body also increased. But by how much?¡¯ His thoughts raced as he attempted to decipher the puzzle. ¡®It doesn¡¯t help that my math skills were already a lost cause to begin with.¡¯ The murmur of his brother and uncle¡¯s conversation reached him again, a hushed exchange as the alternate Marcus tried to stall them near the ventilation system. It was clear to him that his organic self intended to stay within the five meter radius for a while longer to maximize synchronizing with his robotic self. Marcus responded by deactivating his HUD, channeling his focus into deepening his connection with his flesh variant. He focused on a single thought: ¡®We suck at math. Ask Martin!¡¯ Marcus stayed focused, his mind fixated on that one thought like a beacon. On the other side of the vent, he heard his muffled voice ask Martin¡¯s help with something. He only caught bits of it, but it was clear that it irritated the other Marcus for even having to ask such a weird question. "Martin... doctor suggested¡­ recovery... quizzes... math... help me out... what if a farmer... had 120 apples... now 132... got one extra basket... baskets total now?¡± Marcus nearly slammed his steel hand against his face as he heard himself make up the vague story. He felt embarrassed by it, although his uncle seemed to manifest the opposite feeling by laughing loudly and calling Marcus an idiot. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. ¡°Ignore uncle Laurens. Jumping from 120 to 132 apples is a 12-apple leap because of one extra basket. If you divide 120 by 12, you¡¯ll have 10. That means the farmer used to have 10 baskets, each with a dozen apples. Now, he¡¯s got 11 baskets.¡± Martin¡¯s voice remained neutral throughout the entire explanation. ¡°It¡¯s good that you are doing your best to also recover mentally. Keep at it.¡± ¨X ¨[ [Total Mana:] [11] ¨^ ¨a Annoyed with his own failures at math, Marcus swiftly altered the numbers in his HUD. Memories of the alternate Marcus swept in, offering a fresh and humiliating point of view of his uncle¡¯s laughter and his brother¡¯s matter-of-fact explanation. A part of him wondered if he hadn¡¯t strained his relationship with his brother even more as he heard the three of them move away from the ventilation system. When they did, it broke his connection with himself, leaving him alone with his thoughts in the ventilator shaft. He did his best to just lay there without moving an inch and doing his best to minimize his pace of Mana depletion, while mentally preparing for tomorrow. - - - Day 14 ¨X ¨[ [System activation: 100%] ¨^ ¨a With a sudden jolt of energy Marcus woke up again while his HUD flared to life a second later. He noted that the time was 23:55. Recollections streamed in, painting a picture of his activities his other self had experienced. He remembered the therapy session, his sister visiting yesterday after his brother and uncle had left. He also had a memory of himself and Felix hanging out just a few hours ago. Internally he chuckled as he recalled how his friend had handed him a taco he had snuck in. He remembered both of them laughing seeing as he still struggled with fine motor skills. The end result had been a taco collapsing mid-bite. Marcus clenched his metallic fist, fighting to push back the torrent of memories flooding his mind. ¡®Concentrate,¡¯ Marcus reminded himself, as he noticed the countdown in the upper left corner of his HUD. The timer displayed that he only had 131 minutes left. He quickly crawled upwards before he pried open the hatch. He then slid out of the ventilation system onto the hospital roof. There, he saw himself sitting in his wheelchair, smiling and holding onto a small bundle of items. ¡°Ready?¡± he heard himself ask as the two of them drew closer. A self-assured nod was his answer as he grabbed the bundle. The second he did so, he made physical contact with himself, establishing a connection. He felt his mind and memories merge seamlessly. As it happened, he pictured the two glasses of water again as he balanced how much of his mind he wanted to leave behind. Eventually he decided to leave only a quarter to his wheelchair-bound self. ¡®No doubt he¡¯ll feel a constant daze. Still, he should still retain basic functionality,¡¯ Marcus thought as he nodded to himself. ¡°Best of luck,¡± he heard him murmur before breaking the physical connection. Seconds later Marcus took off, hearing his steel feet hit the tiles as he accelerated toward the nearby stairs. He hurried down the flights of stairs, swiftly unpacking the bundle until it revealed a spare set of baggy clothes, flashlight, his phone that was fully charged and already showing a navigation route programmed as well as a hammer that he had discreetly taken from a closet the day before. He tucked the phone into his worn backpack, still attached to his steel frame. Next, he slipped on the hoodie over his rags and plastic covered frame and managed, albeit awkwardly, to put on the baggy pants using just one hand. Moments later, Marcus entered the dimly lit underground parking garage, doing his best to remain hidden from any cameras there. He could still recall the picture of his robotic self that the detective had shown him and he wasn¡¯t looking to pose for any others. Staying close to the shadows, he hurried along the rows of parked cars while avoiding a nurse retrieving something from her vehicle. Finally, as he emerged from the parking garage, Marcus set his sights on his next destination that he was intimately familiar with¡ªthe junkyard. - - - A while later, Marcus finally reached the scene. The junkyard lay within a thick walled off section, housing a massive blue Sphere visible even from a long distance. The Sphere''s edge shimmered with a surreal distortion, as if countless crystal fragments danced in mid-air. Now, armed with the knowledge he had gathered these last two weeks, he could finally make sense of the sight in front of him. ¡®I was left to rot in that place for years,¡¯ Marcus thought, tracing the wall¡¯s perimeter, searching for a potential weakness. ¡®Only able to wake up when an Orb activated, triggering a surge of Mana that recharged my robotic shell. Waking up only to suffer even more.¡¯ After Marcus had survived his first point in the Mental Stat he had started preparing for this moment. Using his phone, he had read up on the junkyard, learning that the site contained a lot of debris and wreckages of nearby meteor impact sites, including parts from the former Tech-event. In dumping it all there, people had made it a fertile breeding ground for countless unclaimed pieces of Monster-Glass, which would gradually grow into Orbs over time. The site had been a hotspot of Sphere activity for many years now, where some happened weeks after another, while other times remaining dormant for months or even years. As Marcus circled the wall, his eyes caught sight of a nearby dumpster. Pausing for a moment, he seized the object and pushed it closer to the wall, using it to gain some extra height. Then he located a crate filled with empty wine bottles nearby. Marcus carefully positioned it atop the dumpster. He then climbed onto the makeshift platform, his metal frame unsteadily teetering on the flimsy crate before he launched himself upwards and lodged his hammer in the row of barbwire on top of the wall. His frame¡¯s pistons and motors strained as he then climbed upwards. With effort, he pulled himself over the barbwire, unconcerned about getting cut, but more so about getting stuck and wasting time. A minute later, he finally wriggled free and tumbled to the other side. ¡®Oh, shit!¡¯ he screamed internally before his face was greeted by a mud-laden landing. Getting up slowly, he wiped the mud off his camera lens, restoring his ability to see before retrieving his hammer again. Mentally he complimented himself for ¡®nailing¡¯ the landing before he moved onwards again until he reached the next wall. It was an older one, battered and punctuated with breaches. He scrambled through one of the holes before finding himself face to face with the Sphere. ¡®It¡¯s so weird seeing those floating crystal pieces,¡¯ he thought as he moved closer and observed the shimmering exterior. ¡®The light blue hue means that this... thing... is the weakest possible Sphere, implying that tier 2 Breachers, or Beta ranks, might stand a chance at surviving the entities within.¡¯ He glanced at the enormity of the Sphere itself as he once again reminded himself that this was a stupid idea. Drawing nearer, Marcus applied pressure with his hand against the edge of the Sphere, feeling its unyielding resistance until he slowed down his movement and felt his hand and the hammer pass through, like sinking through a sort of crystalline gel. Curiously, he withdrew his hand, observing no signs of damage to it or the weapon. Once he was certain that everything was still working, he then retrieved his cellphone before he hid it underneath a sheet of metal just outside of the Sphere. ¡®Hopefully I¡¯ll find it on my way out.¡¯ He then brought down the hammer with a resounding thud against the Sphere, only to witness it spring back, as if meeting something impossibly hard. ¡®Guess that explains why the military can¡¯t just bomb these things,¡¯ Marcus mused as he tried to calm his nerves before he stepped forward as slow as he could. Moving into and through the Sphere¡¯s outer layer, he navigated what seemed like a solid meter of floating broken crystals, although it behaved more like a thick layer of pudding all just suspended around him. The most unnatural part of it all was the sudden absence of any kind of sound. Abruptly, he suddenly shot forward, breaching the Sphere¡¯s outer boundary and entering its blue-tinted realm. The world around him had taken on an otherworldly hue, with vines and moss ensnaring rusted cars, and sickly yellow branches entwined around heaps of refuse. Merely two weeks had passed since his last foray inside the Sphere, yet the landscape had transformed drastically, a testament to rampant mutation that Spheres were known for. ¡®It feels strange to be back here. I wonder if my trusty rusty van is still out there,¡¯ he thought, his grip on the hammer intensifying, metallic fingers digging into the wooden grip. He extended his severed right arm, its sharp edges poised as an impromptu spear as he recalled how he had killed a monster with it before. Tucked away in his backpack was his ¡®hopefully¡¯ functional pistol, partially cleaned and loaded with two bullets. He decided against using it for now, his caution born from the fear of instantly drawing a horde of monsters to his location and getting torn apart. After he had made sure he wasn¡¯t about to get jumped, he tucked the hammer under his arm and snatched up his flashlight. ¡®Let¡¯s see if the internet was right about this bit.¡¯ Every article online had explained that electronics went haywire inside the Sphere due to their unstable Mana output, but he had to see for himself. He was about to activate the flashlight, only to see its plastic casing emitting something he assumed would be a sharp, acrid odor as tendrils of smoke curled from its innards. ¡®Alright¡­ so electrical things definitely don''t work here. I¡¯m not sure why I am even surprised. Still, I made the right call in hiding the cellphone on the outside,¡¯ he thought before dropping the ruined object and reclaiming his hammer. ¡®Now, let¡¯s see how many pieces of Monster-Glass I can get my hand on before I get myself killed or run out of time.¡¯ - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 21 (The Hole Truth) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 21 I The Hole Truth - - - Several minutes had slipped away since Marcus had entered the Sphere, witnessing a world in flux. He glimpsed familiar bits of the junkyard, though most had mutated or broken down beyond recognition. Trees were starting to sprout atop heaps of plastic refuse, the latter having their shapes twisted. The plastics occasionally crumbled as if breaking down into something richer, more capable of sustaining life. He moved at a careful pace, taking in his surroundings as he did so. ¡®I only have experience with Spheres when the Orbs suddenly become active, not after they have been so for several days or weeks already,¡¯ he mused as he turned the corner. A row of old refrigerators came into view, enveloped by hefty vines and adorned with peculiar blue flowers at the top rows. He noticed patches of rusted metal displaying curious metal-like bubbles, as if the frame was in the midst of a transformation. ¡®No wonder people usually keep lesser Spheres like this for farms to harvest rare resources. But if a light blue Sphere is able to do this over time¡­ what the hell would a red Sphere be able to do? I don¡¯t even want to think about the gold ones.¡¯ As he rounded the corner, an unfamiliar dead end blocked his path, and he couldn''t shake the feeling that it hadn''t been there before. A massive line of battered cars was now in front of him, partially buried beneath mounds of earth. ¡®It almost looks like a fortified nest of sorts,¡¯ he mused, instinctively stepping back. He had done his research regarding this current Sphere and knew that several Breacher parties had already gone inside, slaughtering creatures for Monster-Glass and scavenging rare materials. Apparently, it was designated as a ¡®farm¡¯ for the next few months, seeing as its location wasn¡¯t a danger or inconvenience to civilians. ¡®The question is, how quickly does this Orb make new monsters¡ª¡¯ he wondered, until a sudden noise behind him caught his attention. Marcus swiveled around, his steel feet crunching on the debris-strewn ground of the junkyard. He instantly locked onto the grotesque hybrid creature that emerged from a pile of rubble. The abomination stood hunched, its gnarled form a disturbing contrast against the rusted metal and twisted wreckage surrounding it. Its twisted, crow-like beak dipped low to the ground, and its head bobbed rhythmically as it inhaled deeply as if sifting through the cacophony of scents, filtering out potential prey through smell and hearing alone. The creature''s scarred hide bore the evidence of past confrontations, with arrow shafts sticking out and bullet holes forming a gruesome mosaic along its flank. ¡®It¡¯s blind?¡¯ Marcus wondered, his silence stretching momentarily. He hoped his metallic body didn''t betray his presence with any distinctive odors, especially ones that would distinguish him from the surrounding garbage. Kneeling down slowly, he gingerly set the hammer aside before selecting a small rock. He then hurled the stone against a small metal bin positioned behind the monstrous creature, creating a sharp bang. The monster jerked around instantly, fixing its senses on the source of the disturbance. In a swift motion, Marcus then grasped his hammer and closed the distance before lunging at the creature. His destroyed, spear-like arm slid into the monster¡¯s neck, encountering resistance as it struck true while the monster began to thrash around violently. Without hesitation, he hammered the creature¡¯s ribs, each blow shattering bone with a sickening crunch until the monster suddenly started to swell up. ¡®What the hell?¡¯ Marcus thought, his hammer striking down again as his camera caught the bizarre sight of tiny feathers slicing through the monster¡¯s skin, as if they¡¯d been hidden within its body. These feathers gleamed with an unsettling sharpness. ¡®Shit!¡¯ Marcus reacted, swiftly dropping to the ground and grabbing a nearby metal sheet to shield himself. A cacophony of impacts followed, and he winced internally as he observed several of the rigid feathers partially penetrating the metal piece he had picked up. Marcus released the metal sheet, left hand now gripping the hammer¡¯s handle as he charged at the wounded monster once more. The creature rose sluggishly, emitting a pained clicking sound while bleeding profusely from the hundreds of smaller cuts now on his body. Marcus¡¯s hammer connected with the creature¡¯s face with all the kinetic force his steel frame could force into it, breaking bone and smashing apart flesh. Internally, he roared, ¡®Just die, you stupid piece of shit!¡¯ With each hammer blow, new splashes of gore coated his metallic surface. The relentless assault only halted when there was barely a trace of the monster¡¯s head remaining, except for a shard of Monster-Glass protruding amidst the visceral aftermath. With a quick flick of his wrist, Marcus flipped the hammer and drove the claw end into the monster¡¯s skull to try to remove the Monster-Glass lodged at the back of its head. He could hear his motors and piston¡¯s straining as he tugged at the object, until, in a sudden, forceful breakthrough, the Glass came free. The abrupt release caused Marcus to stumble backward, struggling to regain his footing as he held the bloodied hammer with the Monster-Glass trapped within the claw. Marcus tucked the hammer handle behind his knee, squatting to keep it snug between his metal upper and lower leg, freeing up his left hand. He then yanked out the Monster-Glass after a little pulling and wiggling. Inspecting it closely, he could see the remnants of skull and brain matter still attached to its surface. ¡®And that makes one¡­ well, two actually, if I¡¯m going to count the remaining piece of Glass that hadn¡¯t got used up when I tried to wake myself.¡¯ Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. He then shoved the gore-covered Monster-Glass into his makeshift backpack that was strapped to his hip, ensuring it was firmly nestled inside next to the pistol and the other piece of Glass. He then retrieved his hammer, rising slowly and surveying his environment as his HUD flickered back on. ¡®93 minutes left,¡¯ he observed, his gaze tracking the timer¡¯s countdown. ¡®It drains a lot faster when I push myself during combat.¡¯ He then tightened his grip on the hammer before continuing his journey. - - - Several minutes had gone by, and Marcus now sat huddled behind a rust covered washing machine precariously positioned atop an old bus. He peered through the rusty exterior, tracking the movements of two monsters on the path below. The creatures resembled the one he had killed earlier, but with slight differences. One had large, featherless wings with claws at the tips, while the other was more rounded, boasting multiple beaks on its head and a thick, feather-coated body. ¡®They look like someone threw a crow and mole into a blender and stitched the parts back together afterwards,¡¯ he thought as he heard the unsettling hisses and clicks that accompanied their approach. ¡®This is a dumb idea. I shouldn¡¯t take on two at once,¡¯ Marcus reasoned. Despite the odds, he knew he would do it anyway, either out of pride or desperation. The timer on his waning Mana was a constant reminder, and his need for more pieces of Glass was slowly getting to him. After a brief pause, he heard the pair approaching his position, prompting him to spring into action. Straining pistons worked tirelessly as he slowly raised the washing machine and then sent it plummeting down the ledge. The ensuing impact produced a deafening bang and an unsettling orchestra of snapping sounds. A torrent of blood gushed from what remained of the rounded monster. ¡®Take that!¡¯ Marcus thought as he took in the damage he had inflicted. That moment of relief shattered as he spotted the other creature suddenly shifted its gaze upward, as though locking onto him. ¡®This one can see?¡¯ he thought as he backed off quickly. The sharp clang of something colliding with metal reached Marcus¡¯s auditory sensors just before his camera settled on the monster¡¯s ascent up the weathered bus, utilizing its featherless wings for support like long arms. Studying the creature, Marcus couldn¡¯t help but take note of its less-developed limbs beneath its body, executing menacing slashing motions while its twisted head unleashed a series of ear-piercing screeches. Up close, the monster looked far larger and dangerous. ¡®What¡¯s the plan now, idiot?¡¯ Marcus deliberated, assessing his diminishing options. The monster approached methodically, its pointed wings impacting the bus¡¯s surface with each calculated move. Knowing he needed to act, Marcus lunged forward, his robotic frame propelling him as fast as he could while wielding his hammer. He managed to cover a mere six paces before one of the monster¡¯s wings struck him, piercing his torso and tearing through metal and protective plastics. The impact left Marcus pinned atop the bus while his mind struggled to process the sudden turn of events. He had barely registered it all when another wing lunged toward him. With a quick, instinctual motion, he tilted his head to the side, narrowly escaping a potentially fatal blow. Gripping the hammer, he swung it at the wing, but it felt as solid as steel. ¡®What the hell is that thing made of!¡¯ he screamed inside his mind as he watched the monster retract its wing, preparing for another deadly strike. ¡®Hell no!¡¯ Marcus thought as he hurled the hammer with all his might at the monster¡¯s throat, hearing it hiss and trembled afterwards. ¡®Go for the body!¡¯ Marcus¡¯s left hand clamped onto the monster¡¯s wing as he suddenly pulled himself upwards, the hole in his chest sliding awkwardly along the length of the wing. Meanwhile, the monster shook its head, seemingly regaining its composure, only to realize that Marcus was now within striking distance. It lunged its other wing at him once more, but faltered when Marcus thrust the remains of his robotic right arm into the monster¡¯s chest. The sharp metal edges tore through flesh and punctured vital organs. Marcus pulled back and continued to stab relentlessly, each thrust causing a gruesome cascade of blood and organ fragments, most of it splattering down onto him before leaking down on the roof of the bus. During it all, Marcus hung suspended halfway up the monster¡¯s limb, unrelenting in his assault, until the monster finally collapsed before falling down the side of the bus and taking him along for the ride as the two of them slammed into the dirt. Marcus¡¯s camera adjusted to the abrupt shift in position and direction as he shot a glance at the lifeless creature below. One of its wings remained embedded in the side of his torso, as if not wanting to let go of him even in death. ¡®Taking on two at once... what could possibly go wrong?¡¯ he mused sarcastically while he realized just how badly this could have gone. Carefully, he gripped the wing while pushing its length out from his torso until he finally managed to free himself and assess the damage. Awkwardly peering at the hole, he could see a faint light blue light coming from it. Bending over, he spotted the Sphere just slightly off to the side of it. ¡®I¡¯m not sure if this will buff out,¡¯ he quipped. Running a steel finger along the edge of the puncture hole, he shook his head before he inched closer to the monster. With a few stabs and cuts, he extracted the Monster-Glass from the back of its head as it came free with a sickening pop. ¡®That one was for Bumper,¡¯ he thought, recalling the junkyard dog he had briefly met. Marcus dropped to the ground and turned onto his back, shifting his gaze up at the sky, or what little of it he could see through the distorting Sphere all around him. Although he didn¡¯t feel physically tired, a wave of mental exhaustion washed over him, prompting him to take a moment to rest and process just how narrowly he had escaped death. ¡®What the hell would have happened to ¡®hospital me¡¯ if three quarters of my consciousness just kicked the bucket here?¡¯ He mulled over the gravity of the situation before shifting his gaze to the countdown on his HUD. ¡®68 minutes left,¡¯ he mentally groaned as he forced himself to sit upright, his attention drawn to the bloody Monster-Glass in his hand. ¡®And that makes three...¡¯ His eyes then shifted to the crushed monster a short distance away. ¡®¡­and four. Only sixteen more to go. Piece of cake,¡¯ he thought as he gradually rose to his feet and made his way to retrieve the fourth piece of Monster-Glass. ¡®Now, where the heck did it drop my hammer?¡¯ - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 22 (A Promise in the Night) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 22 I A Promise in the Night - - - Back in his hospital room, Marcus sat on the edge of his bed, his gaze lowering to his toes as he massaged his aching legs. He did his best to ignore the way his sweat stained t-shirt and sweatpants were clinging to his frame. He had been torturing his legs for the last hour with leg exercises, or rather what resembled them. He wiggled his toes, briefly flexing them as he exhaled slowly. "I''ll be fine," he whispered, his voice more a self-assurance than a truth. Marcus didn¡¯t care if he was uttering a lie or not. In that moment, he just wanted to hear them said out loud. ¡°I¡¯ll be back in time. Everything will be fine.¡± He still felt like himself, even now, but there just was a lot less of him. Turning his attention to the window in front of him, he observed the dark night sky outside, dotted with the city¡¯s lights. His own reflection caught his eye as well, revealing his slender frame and unkempt long hair. ¡°I really do need a haircut,¡± Marcus said to himself. He knew had been stalling, conjuring up numerous excuses to avoid it. However, deep down, he hesitated because he didn¡¯t want to further expose the black marks on his face¡ªthe telltale signs of what he had survived thirteen years ago. ¡°At least I¡¯ve put on a bit of weight again,¡± he muttered, giving his stomach a few pats. He closed his eyes, reminiscing about how gaunt he had looked just two weeks ago compared to his once-athletic frame. ¡°Quit stalling, Marcus. There¡¯s work to be done,¡± he scolded himself. Raising his legs, he held the position for a moment before lowering them. He repeated the exercise several times, feeling the burn in his legs and the quiver of exhaustion. Finally, unable to muster another repetition, he slumped onto his bed backwards, his head sticking out over the edge upside-down. His gaze shifted towards the clock on the wall as he noted that ninety minutes had already passed since the other Marcus had left. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡± A sensation brewed within him, a slow and subtle buildup that signaled the regeneration of his Mana. Marcus was well aware of how sluggish the process was. After his younger brother had ¡®cracked¡¯ the code for him in mere seconds¡ªwhile making Marcus feel as sharp as a marble in the process¡ªhe now knew that he had approximately 11 points of Mana. ¡®It usually takes a day or so until it¡¯s fully recovered,¡¯ he thought as he recalled how he had poured every bit of Mana he had into the other Marcus before they left. ¡®Ninety minutes later, and I doubt I¡¯ve even recovered a single point of Mana,¡¯ he mused, trying to estimate his reserves. He knew he could potentially use math to calculate the exact amount he¡¯d recover per hour, or per minute. A part of him wondered if he could split off a part of his mind to automate it, like he could with the clock in his HUD. But the mere thought of figuring it out made his head hurt, so he paused the idea for now. With a gentle creak, the door to his room swung open, revealing a nurse from the night shift. Marcus regarded the woman from his inverted vantage point. ¡°Hello, Mr. Smit. I take it you¡¯re having trouble falling asleep?¡± Marcus forced a weary upside-down smile, brushing off the frustration caused by the sluggishness of his thoughts. It was moments like this when it became most noticeable that his mind had lessened so much. ¡°What tipped you off?¡± he asked, his words slightly slurred. ¡°Pure female intuition,¡± the nurse remarked with a smile, then approached Marcus, helping him readjust into a comfortable position on his bed. She inquired about his well-being, whether he had taken his prescribed medication, or if he needed fresh clothes for the night. Marcus did his best to cooperate, but declined the medication and fresh clothes. His response seemed to spark something in the nurse, prompting her to excuse herself for a minute before returning, bearing a steaming mug of warm milk. ¡°There, this should be a decent substitute.¡± The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°Thanks for this,¡± Marcus replied, his fingers curling around the mug¡¯s warmth as he drew it close to his chest for added support. Their conversation continued for a short while, but then the nurse mentioned that she needed to get back to work, afterwards leaving him alone in his room. Marcus took slow sips of the warm milk while his attention gradually returned to the clock on his wall, along with his mounting concerns. It didn¡¯t take long until he began counting each passing minute and second. ¡®Only a few more minutes left... Dammit! Hurry up.¡¯ A sudden sensation washed over him, causing him to nearly drop his mug. It felt like something poured out of his body, like pulling the stop out of a drain. ¡®My Mana!¡¯ Marcus thought before he let out a slow exhale, the tension in his body dissipating with each breath. Setting the mug aside, he leaned back on his bed, his hands moving to massage his temples as he allowed himself to unwind. ¡°Shit! Those were a horrible two hours,¡± he muttered, plagued by sudden sporadic flashes of memories, thoughts, and images. They were mere fragments of what he experienced when he was within a five-meter radius of his other self, but they were clear signs that his other self was still alive. The chaos of it all brought back memories of the night when he had vomited uncontrollably after being properly reunited with his other self and his traumatic memories. Memories flickered through his mind like an erratic film reel that had minutes¡¯ worth of gaps. He witnessed a split second of himself climbing the stairs, recall hearing his metal feet muffled by plastic shoe protectors, then a glimpse of him peering down the hallway, observing a nurse doing her rounds. Moments later, the door to Marcus¡¯s room swung open, and the battered robot Marcus slipped into the room, extinguishing the lights. ¡°Trying to set the mood and make it all romantic?¡± Marcus quirked a grin. He didn¡¯t need the lights to know that his other self was giving him the middle finger. The robot inched closer, crossing the five-meter mark as their memories and sensory information flowed more evenly, synchronizing to a certain degree. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Marcus inquired, eyeing his robot¡¯s disheveled appearance, the dirt and dried blood on his frame, and a large puncture hole now emanating a soft blue glow because of the exposed Orb inside. He observed as the steel Marcus came to a halt beside his bed before gently resting its steel hand on his shoulder. The instant they made contact, it flooded Marcus¡¯s mind with vivid memories of monsters fought, the relentless struggle for survival, losing his pistol in the chaos and the arduous journey back home. His gaze refocused, and he became acutely aware of the seven pieces of Monster-Glass nestled inside his well-worn backpack, securely fastened to his metal hip. A grin crept across his face, and he clutched the bed¡¯s edges. ¡°Seven pieces down... Just thirteen more, and I¡¯ll be able to find out if what happened two weeks ago was sheer luck or not. Piece of cake,¡± He muttered, fully aware that the gaping hole in the Robot¡¯s appearance said otherwise. Marcus sifted through his memories of the other Marcus, recalling how he¡¯d scaled the wall on his way back, as well as the mad dash back to the hospital. ¡°I only had nine minutes left. Dumping that point into Mental Stat was the right choice. Those extra 12 minutes made all the difference today,¡± he thought out loud while his mind focused on the image of two glasses of water again. He focused on it for a while as he transferred more of his consciousness back into his own body, leaving the robot with a mere quarter of his mind. ¡°That should do for now,¡± he murmured as he felt the robot¡¯s hand leave his shoulder, severing the connection. Afterwards he watched his other self nod in response before it inched toward the door, slowly pushing it open to peer outside. In a matter of moments, it departed from Marcus¡¯s room while he continued to receive sporadic, fragmented impressions of what the robot saw and heard before the connection ultimately faded. ¡°I had nine minutes left to spare... a massive hole in the chassis... all to gain six Glass pieces,¡± Marcus mused as he reflected on his actions that night. ¡°I was fixated on the Glass and didn¡¯t think things through properly and took way too many risks. If I keep this up, the robot won¡¯t last another night¡­ two at most. And then what? I lose my chance at getting stronger and possibly lose a chunk of my mind, permanently.¡± He examined his right hand, the black marks etched into his skin serving as a grim reminder of all the hardships he had endured to reach this point. ¡°I¡¯ve always been like this... impatient... reckless... violent. I need a new plan... I need to change,¡± he acknowledged, recalling how his father had tried to temper his anger and correct his many flaws. The memory of him and his father in the car, minutes after leaving the police station, rushed back, tugging at his heart. ¡°Just watch me, old man. I¡¯ll show you what I¡¯m born to do.¡± He closed his hand into a tight fist, feeling the tension in his muscles and tendons, the dark marks on his skin creating a stark contrast. ¡°Mom, dad... I promise,¡± Marcus whispered, a fragile, wistful smile gracing his lips as memories of his parents flooded his mind. ¡°Today is where it all begins.¡± - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 23 (Originally Forged) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 23 I Originally Forged - - - Five days later Kay The man stood hunched over beside the wall; one hand braced against the solid concrete as if it were his lifeline, a small blue mist forming around him. His face twisted with discomfort as another round of queasiness washed over him before he puked it all out. The process continued for another few rounds until there was nothing left. A few seconds later, Kay felt a comforting hand pat his back while a bottle of water pressed at his shoulder. Sweat-soaked, Kay¡¯s blond hair clung to his face. He took a generous sip from the offered water bottle, swished it to rinse his mouth, and fought back another surge of nausea when he swallowed the water. Wiping his mouth on his gauntlet, a blend of steel, leather, and reinforced plastic, his trembling hand came to rest on his chest. ¡®I¡¯m a Breacher now. I¡¯m not the same person as I was before the operation. I can do this!¡¯ he thought as he slid his hand across his chest, mentally following the intricate red marks underneath his armor, stopping just short of his neck. ¡°Great way to make a first impression on my first job, right?¡± Kay remarked, taking another sip from his bottle to wash away the lingering taste of vomit. He shot a sheepish glance at the woman, Jessie, who was still standing beside him. The woman at his side flashed a mischievous grin, her eyes dancing with amusement. ¡°Well, it¡¯s definitely one way to leave an impression,¡± she quipped, her voice tinged with mirth. ¡°Maybe not the one you were gunning for, but it could¡¯ve been worse. At least you didn¡¯t shit yourself. You¡¯re also bleeding Mana. Keep it in check or you¡¯ll be out before we even go in." Like Kay, the woman wore protective leather and steel gear, including a thick breastplate adorned with countless battle-worn scratches and the faded traces of a salamander that had been painted on it along with the number two. Her brown skin hinted of an Indian heritage, and her hair was braided and dyed in vivid green. White Marks graced her exposed arms in circular patterns, accompanied by several scars. ¡°Yeah,¡± Kay whispered, draining the last remnants of water from the bottle. He attempted to hand it back to her, but her eyes darted to the bottle for a moment while taking a step back. ¡°Why don¡¯t you hang on to that?¡± she suggested, ¡°Like forever.¡± Kay secured the bottle in his pack and straightened himself against the concrete wall. Behind it, the Sphere loomed, its blue glow a constant reminder of their task today. ¡®Today¡¯s the day, Kay¡¯ he reminded himself, his gaze shifting upward at the cloudy weather. ¡®I¡¯ve endured too much, buried myself in debt, and made too many commitments not to see this through.¡¯ The woman¡¯s voice brought him back to the present as she went over their mission again and discussed some tactics and monster types. ¡°You¡¯ll be fine, Kay. Just don¡¯t mess up and-¡± ¡°What in the world? Jess, since when do you actually bother to show up on time?¡± A man asked from a distance as he made their way over towards them, adorned in leather armor and wearing a long jacket lined with protective material. Kay could see a patch sewn onto the right shoulder of the jacket, displaying the number three. The left shoulder displayed a similar animal that was visible on Jessie¡¯s breastplate. He had a staff nonchalantly slung across his shoulders, arms dangling on the ends. The staff visibly shimmered with some sort of material, and two steel boxes dangled from each end. ¡°You aiming to impress the greenhorn?¡± His amusement was slightly hidden by the sturdy helmet he wore, its straps still dangling loosely, and bits of his brown hair poking out, giving him a rough-and-ready appearance. Jessica countered a grin as she cast a sidelong glance at him, wordlessly mouthing, ''Bite me.'' ¡°Tempting offer, but I¡¯ll leave that to the monsters,¡± the man replied, approaching Kay while extending a hand for a handshake. ¡°Julien Maes, Beta+ rank Breacher, Caster specialization. And a fellow forged, just like you.¡± Kay met his grip with a firm handshake. ¡°Kay de Wever, rank two¡­ I mean, Beta rank like Jessica,¡± he said with a slight hesitation, ¡°Fighter specialization for now since I don¡¯t have any Abilities.¡± ¡°No need to worry about Abilities, rookie. We¡¯re in the same boat,¡± Jessica reassured him, giving his back a friendly pat. ¡°Most of us don¡¯t score an Ability when we get Forged. But, of course, there are always those annoying exceptions to the rule...¡± Julien¡¯s pale complexion clashed with his toothy grin that was forming as he took a step back, a small flicker of fire appearing in his palm. ¡°While those favored by the gods get two,¡± he commented, nodding in Kay¡¯s direction. ¡°Just listen to our squad leader and don¡¯t puke on my new boots, and you¡¯ll do fine.¡± Afterward, Julien left the two of them behind and strolled toward the entrance of the junkyard, where a few others had gathered. ¡°Thanks for giving me a shot today, Jessica. I really appreciate it,¡± Kay said, understanding that it was largely because of his connection to her younger brother, seeing as they had gone to the same high school. After getting himself mentally ready, Kay followed her lead and headed toward the entrance, carrying the sealed boxes he had brought with him. A security post marked the entrance, its presence reinforced by two armed officers and a thick steel gate. Beyond it, additional security personnel clustered closer to temporary buildings and the Breachers that were already signed in. Kay and Jessica approached the entrance as they provided their Breacher IDs for scanning, confirming their spot among the group assigned to run the Sphere that day. ¡°Green light. You two are good to go. Happy hunting,¡± one of the security officers conveyed, prompting Kay to respond with a respectful nod. Kay surveyed the security setup and the on-site personnel, noting their uniforms. ¡®Government employees,¡¯ he mused silently, his gaze lingering on their attire. ¡®It¡¯s bonkers to think that some guilds manage and maintain multiple Spheres, handling their own security and logistics. Supposedly, their security is top-notch as well.¡¯ They passed through the checkpoint, catching sight of lockers and shower cubicles in a nearby building as they continued toward their group. Kay spotted Julien, the pale man, standing alongside two others who were clearly brothers, seeing as they had a similar muscular build, facial features and the same brown hair. One of them had a missing right arm and was covered in scars. What stood out the most were brown Marks that extended across his amputated side and up to his neck. ¡°Holy Shit! Jessica, you didn¡¯t mention that there was an Original in your party,¡± Kay hissed at Jessica, his eyes widening at the unexpected sight. ¡®I¡¯m fighting alongside one of the first Marked? A bloody Original? How in the world am I supposed to make a good impression next to someone like him?¡¯ Kay wondered, his mind racing with thoughts about the man¡¯s experience and the Abilities he might possess. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. Kay and Jessica merged with the group as Julien took the lead in introductions. ¡°Meet Jessica¡¯s cub, Kay,¡± Julien quipped, nodding toward Kay. ¡°I saw him puking his guts out just outside, but he¡¯s at least dressed for the occasion.¡± The two brothers acknowledged the introduction with nods, their grey eyes narrowing on Kay. ¡°That¡¯s Lefty,¡± Julien continued, gesturing to the man with the right arm. ¡°He¡¯s actually Sebastien Stieler, but we all just call him Lefty once you get to know him. And this is Benedict, his older brother and our trusty squad leader, or party leader, whichever you prefer. He enjoys long walks on the beach and, being a feisty Sagittarius, he¡¯s passionate about-¡± Benedict shook Kay¡¯s hand firmly, locking eyes with him. ¡°I see you¡¯ve encountered our charismatic Caster,¡± he commented. ¡°He can be a bit of an acquired taste, but when the going gets tough, he¡¯s the man you want beside you. Same goes for Jessica.¡± ¡°The guy is a prick with a loud mouth. Don¡¯t follow his lead and try to be at least more useful compared to Jessica,¡± Sebastien muttered, narrowing his eyes at Kay. ¡°Also, if you call me Lefty, you¡¯ll find out what it¡¯s like to lose a limb.¡± A chuckle escaped Benedict when he noticed Kay¡¯s green eyes widen, and he gave his brother¡¯s shoulder a pat. ¡°Sebastien, how about you handle the weapon and ammunition registration instead of bothering someone who looks like he just got his Forged status three hours ago?¡± Sebastian clicked his tongue briefly and walked away. ¡°Apologies for my brother. He¡¯s intense, but he means well,¡± Benedict said, his gaze fixed on Kay. He examined Kay¡¯s gear as if conducting a final inspection. ¡°Jessica mentioned you¡¯re an Beta rank, power rating around 18?¡± "19, sir," Kay replied, a hint of uncertainty in his voice, wondering if it was wise to correct the man. ¡°We¡¯re not in the military, so you can drop the Sir part.¡± Benedict paused for a moment, circling around Kay. His hand gripped the straps on Kay¡¯s armor, fingers probing for any weak points. ¡°Shame, just one point shy of Beta+ rank. But being at the high end of your rank is usually better than getting a higher rank and struggling,¡± he remarked. The man stopped in front of Kay once more, locking eyes with him. ¡°Your gear looks good. Decent quality, yet modest enough so that I know you don¡¯t come from money. Good.¡± There was a pause for a moment after that. ¡°Ever killed something?¡± ¡°You mean like a monster?" "Anything. Monsters, wolves, livestock, that pet rabbit that got sick... people?" Benedict asked, his tone staying even throughout. "Have you ever had to spill blood?" "No," Kay confessed, his hands tightening. "But my old man ran a butcher shop. I did my fair share, packing meat and tossing out the scraps." ¡°It will have to do, because you¡¯ll be seeing a lot of blood in a few minutes,¡± Benedict remarked, shifting his gaze to his brother who was finishing up on his end. ¡°Whatever you¡¯ve read online or seen in movies, it¡¯s different when you¡¯re right in the middle of it. They don¡¯t tell you about how much of their blood gets sprayed on your face when you cut into them, or how many of those monsters shit themselves when they die. The noise of battle and death drowns out pretty much everything.¡± Benedict let the words sink in as he turned to face the light blue Sphere, just a stone¡¯s throw away. ¡°Just stick with us, keep that shield up, and prioritize defense. It¡¯s a light blue today, so with a power rating of 19 you should be fine.¡± Kay nodded, his mind grappling with the potential horrors awaiting inside. When Sebastien finished discussing matters with the site personnel, the party headed towards the lockers, stashing personal items unsuitable for the Sphere¡¯s interior and anything electrical. Kay followed suit, placing his phone, wallet, and car keys inside. He sealed the locker using a thumbprint lock. With their belongings safely stored, the group gathered in front of the Sphere, each unlocking their respective boxes with a thumbprint while personnel on site double checked it. They retrieved knives, swords, assault rifles, a shotgun, and several sidearms one by one. Benedict carefully inspected Jessica¡¯s assault rifles and Julien¡¯s shotgun, followed by their sidearms, before handing them back along with extra ammunition. ¡®I wish I could have a gun as well,¡¯ Kay thought, yet he remembered the contract Jessie had made him sign two days ago. ¡®It makes sense, them not trusting a gun in my hands just yet. If I panic... or slip¡­ I could hurt or even kill someone. Less chance of that if I stick to melee only. That and I don¡¯t have the training, paperwork and License. Still, I do feel a bit naked without it,¡¯ he thought as he opened up his own boxes, afterwards retrieving a thick steel shield from it and a one-handed axe. His gloved hand clenched the handle of his axe, the thick layer of protective material creaking as his grip tightened. ¡°You all set?¡± Benedict¡¯s gaze swept over the team one last time, and his face broke into a confident grin when they all nodded in agreement. ¡°Excellent. We move in slowly, hug the wall, and take out any nearby threat. If things go wrong, we move back through the barrier. No need for heroics; this is just a job.¡± His voice was firm and determined as he withdrew a steel cylinder from his pocket and pressed it against his neck. Instantly, a syringe jabbed into his flesh, injecting something. Kay¡¯s gaze fell upon the canister, and he squinted to read the text inscribed on it: MBP-2ML. His eyebrows shot up, and a momentary widening of his eyes betrayed his surprise. ¡®MBP... Mana-Binding Proteins?¡¯ he pondered. Without hesitation, he leaned in toward Jessica, his voice hushed but hurried. ¡°Your squad leader¡¯s a civie?¡± The hushed words rushed from his lips. At that, Jessica and Julien exchanged a quick, hushed "shit" under their breath before their eyes shifted to the side. The one-armed Breacher¡¯s piercing gaze zeroed in on Kay as he advanced, an odd distortion rippling through the air around him. It was as if a faint, eerie blue mist seeped from the Marks that covered his scarred body. His tone instantly shifted into something filled with menace. ¡°What the hell did you just call him? You¡¯ve got an issue with my brother?¡± He closed the gap between them, his anger almost tangible, but came to an abrupt stop when his brother intervened. ¡°Sebastian... relax, please. The lad seems like he¡¯s on the verge of a meltdown,¡± his brother remarked, tone tinged with amusement. ¡°He¡¯s probably just surprised or curious. Give him some space.¡± Sebastian snorted disdainfully, then spat forcefully on the ground in front of Kay. ¡°Consider yourself lucky that my brother is the one in charge. He¡¯s worth more than most Marked, and a hell of a lot more than you Forged... freaks,¡± he said, emphasizing the last word. Julien flashed an impish grin, as if he enjoyed making things a bit more complicated. ¡°Charming, really. But, you know, technically, most of us here are all Marked,¡± he teased, ignoring Jessica¡¯s sigh. He then casually rolled up his , unveiling a canvas of greenish Marks etched in straight lines across his forearms. ¡°See... spots and all.¡± His demeanor suggested he knew exactly how to push the one-armed Breacher¡¯s buttons. Sebastian¡¯s anger surged anew, even fiercer this time. His neck veins throbbed visibly, and the strange distortion around him became more pronounced. He hissed each word through clenched teeth, ¡°Fuck... you...¡± His finger jabbed into the Caster¡¯s chest, emphasizing his point. ¡°You Forged aint Marked. All of you are lesser copies of us Originals. You didn¡¯t earn those Marks with pain... you just paid for it. All of you are fucking lab experiments.¡± A soft, awkward whistle escaped Jessica¡¯s lips as she leaned closer to Kay. ¡°He tends to be protective of his brother and his ¡®Original¡¯ title,¡± she murmured. She then pulled back but leaned in once more to clarify, ¡°Just thought I¡¯d give you the heads-up.¡± ¡°I think I got it¡­ thanks,¡± Kay said, his tone tinged with a defensive sarcasm as he distanced himself from Jessica. Inwardly, he reached out to whatever higher power might be listening for guidance. ¡®I¡¯d rather deal with the Sphere alone than stay here another moment.¡¯ He kept his eyes on Sebastian and Julien, their standoff brimming with tension. One emitted a violent glare, while the other feigned politeness, barely concealing his amusement. ¡®It seems like the Original Breachers really look down on us Forged. I didn¡¯t know it was this bad,¡¯ he considered, noticing the simmering hostility. Kay knew that nowadays there were far more Forged than there were Originals, but he had hoped that in the field that there was more unity. ¡®Is it always like that, or is it just those two?¡¯ The unmistakable sound of a nearby rifle being racked interrupted his thoughts and made him pay attention again. Benedict stepped in, his voice stern. ¡°Cut it out, both of you, or your pay takes a hit,¡± he declared, addressing the bickering duo, afterwards checking his watch. He then made his way to the Sphere, coming to a stop right in front of the light blue glow of it. The squad promptly formed around him, ready for action. ¡°On my count... three... two... one...¡± Kay swallowed hard, steeling himself for what lay ahead. ¡®This is it. Today I become a Breacher!¡¯ He clutched the axe handle and shield firmly, his grip resolute, and took a step forward, a touch quicker than his companions. He winced as his nose slammed into the unyielding surface of the Sphere. It felt like face-planting into a brick wall that instantly brought him to an abrupt stop. Jessica¡¯s soft laughter echoed beside him as she effortlessly passed through the peculiar crystalline membrane, afterwards silently mouthing ¡®rookie¡¯ before passing through. ¡®Come on¡­ I¡¯ve got this,¡¯ Kay reassured himself, taking a deep breath. He followed her lead, gently slipping through the Sphere¡¯s exterior and into the unknown. - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 24 (Patches) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 24 I Patches - - - One minute later With a sudden burst of sensation, Kay pushed through the strange, gel-like crystalline barrier. Sound rushed in, assaulting his ears, while his eyes slowly adapted to the pervasive light blue surroundings. He couldn''t escape the noxious odors of the junkyard, a repulsive mix of decay and waste. Yet, beneath it all, a peculiar aroma lingered ¨C the fragrance of nature, carrying hints of wet grass and fertile soil. For a few moments Kay just stood there in the junkyard, his eyes taking in the surreal transformation it had undergone. Mountains of discarded debris loomed all around, their jagged peaks adorned with peculiar, luminescent roots. His eyes followed the roots as they weaved through the landscape, casting an eerie, otherworldly glow that mingled with the prevailing blue hue, distorting the scene even further. Stacks of crushed cars stood like monuments to humanity¡¯s defeat, their surfaces marred by moss and stained by rust. Amid the twisted metal, he noticed strange distortions, as if the very substance of the metal had begun to warp and shift over time, evolving into something unrecognizable. He found himself suddenly pulled in position next to Jessica, who appeared noticeably more tense. Her words were a firm reminder, ¡°Eyes and ears on the task, rookie.¡± Kay¡¯s gaze followed hers to the squad leader, who sat perched on a stack of cars nearby. The leader meticulously surveyed their surroundings, periodically raising his rifle and sighting through its scope. Closer to him, he could see Julien and Sebastian working hard as they unceremoniously slammed a crushed car onto the ground in front of Kay and Jessica. The noise reverberated through the air along with a small puff of dust. They repeated the process with another vehicle, then another. It gradually formed a semicircle of corroded metal and sharp edges, with the Sphere¡¯s edge right behind them. ¡°That should do it,¡± Julien grunted, wiping sweat from his brow, only to earn a disappointed glare from the one-armed Breacher next to him. Kay¡¯s gaze couldn¡¯t help but linger on the weight of the ruined vehicles around him. ¡®How heavy are those old cars?¡¯ he pondered as he observed Sebastian, who nudged Julien to the side and, with some effort, dragged a car across the ground on his own. ¡°They are only one rank above me, but it¡¯s like they¡¯re from another world,¡± Kay muttered, struck by the incredible display of strength. A nudge in the ribs and a sly ''psst'' came from Jessica. "You''re drooling a bit there, rookie." Benedict descended carefully, covering the last bit with a jump before closing the distance to the group. ¡°Spotted a few of them, half a click north. Doesn¡¯t seem like they¡¯ve picked up our scent yet,¡± he informed them. He patted his brother¡¯s shoulder, and Sebastian responded with a nod before springing onto the stack of cars Sebastian had previously occupied in a single leap. The contrast in their speed, despite the Breacher¡¯s single arm, was remarkable. Benedict directed his attention to Kay, noting the man¡¯s confused stare. ¡°A click is army jargon. They¡¯re about 500 meters north,¡± he added before he turned his gaze northwards ¡°The variant of monster here seems to match the data the previous Breachers had reported. Part avian, part Talpidae. So, there hasn¡¯t been a swap yet.¡± Kay couldn¡¯t help but notice Julien inching closer to him, his voice barely audible as the man whispered, ¡°Birds and moles hybrids.¡± ¡°They should¡¯ve noticed us by now, but it seems we¡¯ve got a little time. It could be the smell of this place. Who knows,¡± Benedict observed, his gaze on their surroundings. ¡°Let¡¯s set up some traps to secure the site better. I¡¯d prefer to face them here, reduce their numbers. Going after them in unknown terrain is unwise. We¡¯ll draw them to us in a few minutes. So get ready,¡± he instructed before moving towards a trail that led to their position. Carefully, he started placing grenades, arranged tripwires, and marked the spots by pressing a large X into the mud with his heels. Watching Benedict¡¯s quick and confident handling of the explosives, Kay couldn¡¯t help but stare, ¡°Was he in the Military?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Jessica asked as she shifted her gaze to him. ¡°Oh, yeah. Both of them served in Germany. Bundeswehr boys through and through,¡± she said with a grin before continuing, ¡°Sebastian left because of injuries, and Benedict because of his brother¡¯s¡­ let¡¯s go with ¡®career change¡¯ after the Great Impact.¡± She caught Kay¡¯s attempt to speak and added, ¡°Don¡¯t even try. They¡¯re not big on sharing those stories.¡± ¡°Beers usually help loosen their tongues,¡± Julien pitched in as he patted Kay¡¯s shoulder. He pointed at Sebastian, who was on top of a stack of cars while slicing his own knife across his amputated side to draw blood. ¡°It¡¯s for attracting the monsters. That and the guy is nuts. But us Salamanders don¡¯t kink shame. Not in our group.¡± ¡°Right,¡± Kay said, awkwardly shuddering a bit at the last part. He remembered the things he had read up on regarding the monsters. ¡®Some of them hunt by smell, others by hearing or sight. Others don¡¯t use any senses except an evolved organ that picks up on changes to Mana in the air. Some of those bastards don¡¯t actively hunt us Breachers, while others go in a mad frenzy the moment we step through the Sphere and charge us in a frenzied horde,¡¯ he thought before a small grin formed on his face, realizing he had just referred to himself as ¡®us,¡¯ as if he already associated himself with Breachers. ¡°I like that look, Rookie,¡± Benedict said, a hint of amusement in his expression as he strolled back to their position. ¡°How about we give you a proper initiation?¡± he asked as he handed Kay several flares. ¡°Let¡¯s test that throwing arm of yours. Light ¡®em up.¡± Giving a nod, Kay ignited the flares one after another and hurled them a decent distance away, creating a spread of orange smoke that was quite noticeable. In the distance, he could see how Sebastian leaped to the next cluster of cars, smeared a bit of his blood across the rusty surface, and then repeated the process in another spot, creating both a visual and scent trail for the monsters to follow. ¡®This is it! My time to become a Breacher.¡¯ Time hung in suspense for a few moments before their eyes locked onto the first monster in the distance. The creature was an unholy amalgamation of mole and crow, boasting a body size akin to that of a large dog. Rippling muscles coiled beneath its skin, and peculiar feathers sprouted haphazardly from its head. It hissed ominously from its beak-like features, but its life was abruptly extinguished as Benedict shot a bullet through its eye, wreaking havoc inside the creature¡¯s skull. Within seconds, the creatures poured in like a small wave, and the battle erupted in full force. The monsters charged recklessly ahead, only to find themselves in the path of a steady barrage of bullets. The gunfire mowed down several of them, but some creatures showed a strange resistance to it. They had grotesque bone plates shielding their fronts, grown like crude shields. Amid the chaos, certain groups stumbled into the traps, triggering grenades, producing fountains of blood. Within seconds, the wave crashed against the barricades, plunging the scene into chaos. Jessica swiftly switched to her shield and sword, using them to slam a monster off the barricade. Another one approached, only to be blasted backward by Julien¡¯s point-blank shotgun blast, followed up by a trail of fire leaving the palm of his hand in a constant stream, with thin blue mist forming around him. ¡®That fire Ability is insane!¡¯ Kay thought as he extended his shield to protect himself, wiping away a spray of blood that had suddenly hit his face. In the distance, he could barely make out Sebastian¡¯s roar as Benedict¡¯s assault rifle continued picking off more and more monsters. Kay nearly slipped on an ejected shell casing as he stepped forward, shield-bashing a monster that was climbing over the barricade with enough force to shatter its beak. As he pulled back his shield, Kay caught sight of the battered monster and its mangled face. A shiver crawled down his spine while a cold knot of dread took root in his belly. ¡®Kill it,¡¯ he urged himself, a reminder of his reason for becoming a Breacher replaying in his mind over and over again. ¡®Kill it before it hurts anyone else you love!¡¯ With a shout, Kay swung his axe down, cleaving through the creature¡¯s face. He pulled back, retrieving his bloodied axe from the flesh sheath, and struck again, panting heavily afterward. ¡°Take that,¡± he muttered before he held up his shield again, forcing himself to pay attention to the monsters on the other side of the metal barrier. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Benedict, rifle aimed at the creature he had just hacked apart. An approving grin was visible for a second as Kay briefly met the man¡¯s gaze wondering if Benedict had been monitoring his first kill. The ground beneath Kay suddenly trembled, as though a massive presence approached. In the distance, a monstrous figure emerged, covered in rows of erratic bone growth and ash-gray feathers. It loomed as large as a massive bull, charging forward with such force that it effortlessly pushed aside debris in its path. Kay¡¯s eyes widened in fear as he watched it rush towards their position. "Sebastian! Get rid of it!" Benedict''s calm voice took on a layer of urgency, his unease evident after he had emptied his magazine into the creature with little to no effect. Amidst the chaos, a muffled roar broke through the turmoil, commanding the attention of everyone present. Accompanying the roar was a severed monster head now flung up in the air by the one-handed Breacher. Kay spotted Sebastian¡¯s charge toward the colossal monster, his body drenched in blood, a gas mask firmly in place, and tear gas canisters on his belt releasing billowing fumes. As the one-armed advanced, a trail of gasping and hissing monsters followed him until he slammed into the large monster¡¯s flank. The collision was powerful enough to smash the large creature into a stack of crushed cars while at the same time punching into it. Each blow into the monster¡¯s unarmored side caused a gaping hole, allowing Sebastian to tear out chunks of meat and organs. His muffled roars reverberated through the air as the man continued his brutal assault. The toxic fumes around him were partially stained blue because of the amount of Mana that was raging within the man¡¯s system. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Kay struggled to keep his stomach in check again as he observed more monsters meeting their end through a hail of gunfire, fiery infernos, or the swift thrusts of his companions¡¯ weapons. All the while, Sebastian tirelessly gutted the colossal beast he was tasked with killing. ¡®What the hell is this? This is nothing like the simulations I had to go through to get my Breacher ID!¡¯ - - - Four hours had slipped away since they had ventured into the Sphere itself. After the brutal fight earlier, the team had slowly started to move further inward, killing smaller pockets of monsters and breaching their nests. Kay let out a low groan as he squirmed deeper into the hole, surrounded by dirt and discarded junk, his path lit up by the soft green light of a glow stick in his left hand. Clutched firmly in his other hand, a blood-stained steel knife glinted ominously as he inched deeper into the tunnel. The Caster, Julien, crawled behind him, his presence punctuated by the occasional curse word when he encountered something gross he had to crawl over or through. The walls around them revealed strange, twisted metal, some of it crumbling, almost as if it were transforming into fertile soil. All around him he could see tendrils of plant life sprouted from the walls, hinting at an underground root system that had enveloped this place. The thing that stood out the most were the occasional glowing tendrils that even Kay could feel were pulsating with Mana. He continued to squirm forward as his objective finally came into view. A light greeted Kay as his tunnel unexpectedly widened, revealing a small chamber ensnared by pulsating tendrils and compacted dirt. Hanging from these tendrils were strange fleshy membranes, each filled with an unusual liquid. ¡°More Monster-Pods,¡± Kay called out to Julien, who was just crawling out of the hole and dusting filth from his uniform. ¡°Should be a decent amount of Mana-Resin from this one.¡± Among the sacks, some only held a bit of Resin inside, while others contained partially formed monsters in various stages of development. ¡°Alright, same as before. Let¡¯s take out the most formed monsters first. Collect the Resin, then scoop out any Glass that might¡¯ve formed,¡± Julien instructed, raising one hand to shield his nose while using the other to grab a sturdy bag from his backpack. ¡°God, I¡¯ll never get used to the stench of that stuff.¡± He shuddered slightly before the two of them made their way towards the nearest Pod. Julien held the bag beneath the membrane as Kay stabbed it from below, creating a sizeable tear that began to ooze Resin. Inside, the partially developed monster woke up and thrashed about, only for Kay to swiftly plunge his knife into its skull, ending its struggle. ¡°Any idea how much this stuff is worth these days?¡± Kay questioned, his attention focused on the last drops of Resin seeping from the Pod. Julien gave a nonchalant shrug. ¡°Dunno, Benedict¡¯s the one who usually deals with that stuff. I just throw fire around and look pretty,¡± he said with an amused tone. ¡°Back in the day, it was probably worth a fortune, considering how few Breachers were around. But now, with even more Forged than Original out there... it¡¯s not that rare anymore. Still, they use this stuff in all sorts of things, like the batteries that power Mana-Tech stuff and those injections Benedict¡¯s always using.¡± He then shook the empty Pod a few times to get the last droplets out before the two of them moved toward the next one, repeating the process. Julien didn¡¯t even flinch when Kay dispatched another monster inside of it. ¡°But this Resin is light blue, though, so the potency is probably lousy. But money¡¯s money, right?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Kay acknowledged, grappling with the realization that what he was doing was all for a paycheck, that this was his job now. They meticulously cleared the area of Resin before moving on to harvest the Monster-Glass. As they toiled, Julien provided an explanation of how Orbs formed underground tendrils in certain areas, and that this process formed the Pod around it, infusing the soon to be monsters with Mana as the Resin shaped their bodies. Once the process was complete, the Glass would detach from the vine, and the monster would emerge from the Pod. ¡°Alright, we¡¯re done,¡± Kay declared as they embarked on their awkward route through the tunnel to get back to the surface, dragging the bag laden with Resin along with them. As they reached the surface again, they spotted their squad members standing watch near the entrance, quickly helping them with the bag of Resin and placing it next to others. The thought of dousing the recently cleared nest in gasoline and setting it ablaze teased at the edge of Kay''s mind, but he knew it wasn¡¯t a wise move. He observed Benedict simply marking the location on his map before checking his watch once more. ¡®Better to mark the nest and locate it swiftly next time than to obliterate it, only for the monsters to establish a new one elsewhere.¡¯ Kay couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief when their squad leader declared that the five-hour mark was approaching, signaling the time to head back. At that moment, he became acutely aware of his exhaustion, the bruises on his body, and most notably, how utterly filthy he had become. He allowed himself a moment to gaze at the peculiar landscape contained within the Sphere, taking in the towering garbage heap in the distance that contained the Orb itself within. The structure was a strange fusion of metal and organic matter, culminating in a towering spiral of nature and filth. ¡®Shit man, I¡¯d hate to be in the party that tackles that thing,¡¯ Kay thought as he looked at the structure one last time before following the others. With careful steps, the party followed their previous route, their gazes sweeping their surroundings as they slowly returned to the sphere¡¯s edge, where they had previously set up their barrier of destroyed cars. On occasion, they caught sight of another monster in the distance, seemingly watching or tracking them, while swiftly scurrying away whenever a rifle or pistol was aimed in its direction. They drew nearer to the edge of the Sphere, then proceeded to walk through it one by one, leaving Sebastian behind as he dragged a few monster corpses closer to the edge. When it was Kay¡¯s turn to pass through the crystalline surface, he felt his body slowly pass through the barrier. When he emerged on the other side, his momentum caused a momentary wobble on his end before he sank down, releasing his axe and shield. A stupid grin stretched across his face as he whispered to himself, ¡°I¡¯m still alive.¡± In that moment he battled the urge to pinch himself just to confirm the reality of it all. Sebastian¡¯s voice broke through, cutting off Kay¡¯s emotional moment. ¡°Outta my way, rookie. Find some other place to cry and hug kittens,¡± he grumbled under his breath as he hauled a lifeless monster''s body and unceremoniously dropped it next to his brother before disappearing back into the Sphere. Kay awkwardly climbed to his feet, ignoring the amused grin that had crept onto Jessica¡¯s face. His gaze shifted toward Benedict and Julien, seeing them engrossed in conversation with the security personnel and a government official. He observed how his squad mates were transferring the Monster-Glass, one piece at a time, sliding them carefully into slots within a sturdy security crate. Once that was done, they transported the Resin by pouring it into another container. Even from his spot, Kay couldn¡¯t escape the noxious stench of it. He watched as Benedict removed most of his armor and peeled off his gloves, then retrieved his phone from the locker on-site. In the meantime, Sebastian continued to drag out a few more monster corpses, while Julien organized them into a neat row for inspection. Once Sebastian completed his task, Kay observed Benedict walking up to the government official and offering a handshake. Within seconds, a soft beep emitted from his phone, signaling a successful transfer of credits. ¡®Payday,¡¯ Kay thought to himself as he joined the group. ¡°I swear, a drink right now would be heaven,¡± Julien commented, giving his shoulders a roll and disregarding Sebastian¡¯s irritated stare. ¡°Plus, a decent shower wouldn¡¯t hurt,¡± Jessica remarked, inhaling her own ¡®junkyard perfume.¡¯ ¡°I think we¡¯re all overdue for a good rinse or two... or three.¡± ¡°So, any idea how much they¡¯ll pay us?¡± Kay inquired carefully, prompting Julien to lock onto him with his gaze. ¡°Well, ain¡¯t you a greedy little bugger,¡± Julien replied, his face lighting up with a wide and approving grin. ¡°I like that. No use battling literal monsters if the payout ain¡¯t worth it.¡± ¡°It should cover today¡¯s booking of the Sphere, the ammo, and the supplies we chewed through. The rest will be split according to our contracts. You¡¯ll likely have enough to see you through the next month,¡± Sebastian responded with an unexpected calmness, catching Kay off guard. The man then turned his gaze toward Julien, adding, ¡°Or a week at most if you¡¯re as financially clueless as this idiot.¡± Jessica took charge and led the group to the lockers. Everyone hurried to grab their belongings, most reaching for their phones to send a text out to loved ones. ¡°Relax, rookie. A few hours¡¯ work usually pays as much as a month of labor for the average person. Although today might be a bit less than usual. We were a bit light,¡± Jessica explained. An eyebrow arched on Kay¡¯s face. ¡°Light? What do you mean?¡± She shrugged her shoulders. ¡°I don¡¯t have the exact numbers, but we usually haul in more Glass, even in a light blue. It could just be bad luck today because of the terrain or we might be dealing with a more cautious breed of monsters. Hell, maybe they were infighting or something.¡± She noticed his puzzled expression when she mentioned the latter. ¡°Monsters do that sometimes. They off some of each other and bury their Glass in different places, like planting seeds for future Orbs. Who knows why we had a light haul today, but our payment will show it.¡± ¡°Some other crew probably went in and snagged a bunch of kills last night while security didn¡¯t even notice it,¡± Sebastian muttered, ending with a disgusted spit on the ground. ¡°Cheap bastards probably wanted to dodge the fee of the Sphere or get their hands on some undocumented Glass.¡± ¡°Sebastian, don¡¯t jump to conclusions,¡± Julien remarked nonchalantly, momentarily forcing himself away from his phone. ¡°This site¡¯s pretty secure, and what you¡¯re implying usually goes down in more isolated spots, not next to a large city. Plus, most Breachers wouldn¡¯t even know what to do with undocumented Glass. The penalty for that is pretty steep, so I doubt it. It¡¯s more likely just some weird monster variant or infighting like Jessica said.¡± ¡°Infighting and variants doesn¡¯t explain the reports from others parties, stating that they have run into the same situation the last few days,¡± Sebastian countered, his eyes narrowing a bit as he shifted his attention back to the Sphere. ¡°Wait, you can actually read?¡± Julien teased, feigning surprise before chuckling at his own joke. ¡°You never cease to amaze me.¡± Sebastian¡¯s icy stare gradually tightened upon the Caster, his lips curling into a snarl. ¡°Funny... ever tried to crack jokes while you¡¯re on life support?¡± he replied, closing the distance between himself and the other man. Julien, unruffled, retreated a step. ¡°My brother found a corpse with a carpenter¡¯s hammer embedded in its skull just after we came here. He said the monster was barely a few hours dead. Know any critters that carry around such hammers?¡± Benedict rejoined the group with a diplomatic smile, as if sensing the tension in the air. ¡°Alright children, gather ¡®round,¡± he beckoned, extending his phone and opening an app. The party leaned in to see the total amount they had earned, and it was enough to widen Kay¡¯s eyes in sheer surprise. ¡°Now, a third of this went into renting the sphere for today, and a smaller portion for restocking our supplies and gear,¡± he clarified, tapping a button. Moments later, four soft beeps chimed, signaling the transfer of credits to the rest of the team. ¡°Holy shit!¡± Kay blurted out, seeing the number that was now inside his account. ¡°That¡¯s the kind of reaction we like to see. Remember, a chunk of it isn¡¯t even taxed. Perks of being a Breacher,¡± Benedict remarked, giving the man¡¯s phone a light tap. ¡°The amount will increase in a few days once they process the corpses we brought back or sell them off to third parties. We don¡¯t do that ourselves, obviously. Today¡¯s pay might not compare to what you¡¯d get from a darker blue or even a red Sphere... but light blues are usually the ones you walk away from.¡± He held Kay¡¯s gaze in that moment, as if deciding something. ¡°I¡¯d rather this team disband due to old age than get greedy and take unnecessary risks. I get the feeling you¡¯re the same way.¡± He then shifted his gaze toward his brother, and they exchanged a silent moment. ¡°Regarding that¡ª¡± Sebastian seized the moment, taking a step forward and breaking into his brother¡¯s words. ¡°You did well, kid. Unlike Julien on his first run, you didn¡¯t pass out or cry,¡± he said before ripping a patch from his pants with the squad logo and pressing it in Kay¡¯s hands. ¡°Welcome to the Salamanders, Kay.¡± Kay responded with an ear-to-ear grin, firmly grasping the patch as if it meant everything to him. ¡°Looking forward to it!¡± Afterwards the squad went back to the government employee to finish up for that day, documenting all their gear and storing it back into their crates before sealing it by both themselves and the employee. - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 25 (Red Shower) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 25 I Red Shower - - - Day 19 Marcus Marcus slowly blinked his eyes open, his body aching as if he¡¯d been through a rough tumble the entire night. He found himself on the cold, unforgiving hospital floor, staring up at the familiar ceiling he had spent the last few weeks looking up at. Confusion swept over him as he took in his surroundings, wondering why he was on the floor. He slowly noticed how two nurses hovered over him, their voices filled with worry as they tried to get his attention. His vision blurred for a moment before clearing, allowing him to focus on their concerned faces. More and more he became aware of the state of his body, making it feel like it was all one big bruise. He blinked a few more times before he shifted his gaze to the wall-mounted clock. The hands showed it was still early, around six in the morning. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Marcus mumbled, his movements labored as he sat up and gently brushed aside the concerned hands that reached out to him. Sitting upright felt like a Herculean effort, every muscle in his body protesting with a chorus of pain, and his skin felt tender as if someone had scraped it raw. ¡®God, it¡¯s like I got tasered all night,¡¯ he thought, struggling to piece together the previous night¡¯s events while brushing away more hands. ¡°I said I¡¯m fine.¡± "But there is blood everywhere!" one of the nurses pointed out as she took a step back. Marcus hissed a moment as he lifted himself and leaned on the edge of his bed for support. ¡®Blood?¡¯ Marcus''s mind raced as he looked down at his clothes, the discovery of dried, rust-colored stains sending a jolt of shock through him. He hesitantly reached up and swiped his hand across his face, the tackiness beneath his fingers confirming the presence of more blood. He held his palm out, his own bloodstained hand evidence enough that he had lost more than a fair bit. Memories of the previous night slowly resurfaced, reminding him of what had happened¡ªwhat he had done to himself. ¡°I¡¯m okay... just fell out of bed and busted up my nose,¡± he muttered, brushing aside their concerns as he lied through his teeth. With some effort, he pried their concerned hands from his bloodstained shirt and staggered toward the bathroom door, coaxing his aching body to cooperate. Halfway there, he remembered that his crutches were still next to his bed. He had gotten them several days ago, a hopeful sign from his physical therapist and doctor that he was ready to transition from a wheelchair to walking under supervision. ¡®I feel awful... but different,¡¯ he noticed as he pushed open the bathroom door and shuffled towards the sink to glimpse himself in the mirror. When he did, a gruesome sight confronted him. His body was covered in dried blood, as if it had seeped from every pore, including his nose and eyes. His ashen complexion gave him the appearance of a character from a horror tale. Somewhere in the background, another nurse arrived, conversing with her colleagues before heading toward the bathroom. Her wide-eyed gaze and gasp mirrored what Marcus was feeling. ¡®Yeah, that reaction seems about right.¡¯ A grin, despite the blood on his face, tugged at Marcus''s lips as he turned to look at the newcomer. ¡°I tripped and bumped my nose,¡± he nonchalantly shared as he turned the sink¡¯s tap and started washing his hands. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it looks worse than it really is.¡± ¡°Worse?¡± the nurse inquired, her gaze assessing Marcus briefly before she moved a step closer. ¡°You look like we should be calling the morgue instead of the doctor,¡± she remarked, her eyes shifting to the swirling red pattern in the sink where blood and water mixed. ¡°But seriously, how are you feeling?¡± ¡°Sore... and kinda cold after a night on the floor. I wouldn¡¯t recommend it,¡± Marcus explained, afterwards gathering water in his partially cleaned hands and splashing it onto his face. He repeated the action until he could recognize the man hidden beneath the bloodstains. Even now, weeks later, he found it bizarre just how young he still looked. After a final splash, he wiped away the last remnants of blood and ran his fingers through his long dark hair, pushing it back to reveal the black marks on the upper right side of his face. ¡°But I¡¯m good, honestly. Strangely, I feel better than I have in weeks, like this was something I needed,¡± he said, whispering the last bit to himself. The nurse hesitated, her demeanor reflecting a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. ¡°So, you needed to smash your face into the hospital floor hard enough to black out... just to feel better?¡± Her gaze shifted briefly to her colleagues before she continued. ¡°Look, despite how you might be feeling, there¡¯s a significant amount of blood on the floor and... well, all over you.¡± She cleared her throat as she took a step closer. ¡°How about you take my arm, and we¡¯ll get you settled back into your bed? We need to figure out what caused the fall, especially considering your recent episodes a few days ago. Alright?¡± Her tone was gentle and concerned as she extended her arm in an inviting manner. ¡°We¡¯ll get a doctor in to see you as soon as possible, and one of us will call your brother or sister and¡ª¡± ¡°No,¡± Marcus said suddenly, the strength in his voice surprising both himself and the nurses. He clutched the edges of the sink, straightening until he stood at his full height, as if investing more influence into his next words. ¡°The hospital doesn¡¯t need to bother my family over this. They¡¯re already dealing with enough, and they don¡¯t need to be burdened with every little tumble I take.¡± He then offered the nurse a strained and bloodied smile before taking a step toward her, gently ushering her out of the room instead of accepting her arm. The nurse backed away for a moment, clearly baffled by the unfolding situation, as Marcus gradually closed the door. ¡°But, what about the doctor? You really should be in bed while we make sure you¡¯re okay!¡± ¡°Honestly, I feel fine, really. You can run all your tests later, once I¡¯ve had my shower,¡± Marcus insisted, lifting his hand to halt the nurse¡¯s impending protest. ¡°I¡¯m taking that shower, whether you¡¯re on board or not. You three can complain outside until I¡¯m finished. I¡¯ll leave the door unlocked.¡± An awkward pause hung in the air for a moment before the nurse released an exasperated sigh. ¡°Great. And when you call the doctor, make sure to let him know that I want Erwin as my physical therapist for the next few days,¡± Marcus added, closing the door behind him. Marcus caught snippets of the nurses¡¯ conversation beyond the door, their voices tinged with concern and remarks about his stubbornness. After a minute or so, he slowly started to believe that he had gotten away with it. He gingerly removed his blood-soaked shirt, revealing his pale upper body. He glanced at the extra weight he had put on in recent days, determinedly attempting to bulk up by consuming a lot more, yet he was still far away from looking like his old self. Marcus¡¯s gaze slowly shifted to his chest, where more black marks were fused into his flesh. His fingers carefully explored them, sensing their significance. He then traced delicate lines around one of the marks, feeling the twenty smaller wounds around it. Each touch caused a jolt of discomfort while unlocking a wave of memories from the previous night. ¡®Activate HUD,¡¯ he thought, a section of his mind flaring up to display a transparent overlay. He noticed the time and how accurate it had gotten these last few days, but a blinking notification demanded his attention at that moment. ¨X ¨[ [Endurance] [+1] ¨^ ¨a He managed a soft smile at the sight of his second stat increase. ¡®It almost killed me, but I pulled it off.¡¯ His focus drifted back to his wounds, replaying the memory of how he had pierced himself with 20 Monster-Glass pieces that the robo-Marcus had collected over the last few days. The sudden increase to his Endurance had unleashed havoc on his body, making him experience as if his skin were ablaze and frozen all at once, his bones subjected to relentless squeezing and expansion while his organs had twisted to the point of nearly tearing apart. He remembered how he had violently vomited blood, his vision drowning in crimson as he writhed in excruciating torment as the influx of more energy in his body had nearly killed him. Meanwhile, his robotic counterpart had simply stood there, impotent and serving only to provide an agonizing new viewpoint to his suffering because of their connection. When the pain mercifully allowed Marcus to black out, the robot had made a quick retreat. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. He awkwardly pulled off the remainder of his blood-stained clothing, stifling a painful groan as he did so. Afterwards, he shuffled toward the shower and turned it on. ¡®I¡¯m sore all over, but also feel different, more sure of my body,¡¯ he mused while taking wobbly steps into the shower. He then pushed the shower chair he had relied on for the past few weeks out of the enclosure, almost as if asserting his independence. A soft hiss escaped his lips as the warm water met his sensitive skin, but gradually, it transformed into a deep sigh as the soothing embrace of the water eased his weary body and cleansed him of all the blood. ¡°God, I needed this.¡± A grin tugged at his lips as he remembered the sorry state of the robot the last time he laid eyes on it. ¡®Well, I¡¯m certainly in better shape than that scrap heap, or I will be, in time,¡¯ Marcus reflected, recalling the gaping hole in its chassis, the shattered plastic plating, the slight limp in its left leg because of a missing bolt, and the scratches on its optical lens that now partially lessened its vision and made it even harder to see at night. ¡®Still, it did get me to where I am now.¡¯ He clenched his fist briefly, then relaxed it, noticing that his hand wasn¡¯t shaking as badly as it did the last few days. ¡®I made the right call by increasing my Endurance,¡¯ he thought, his focus shifting back to the HUD as he accessed his status screen. ¨X ¨[ Stats
Strength: 0 Endurance: 1
Agility: 0 Perception: 0
Mental 1 Vigor: 0
Total Mana 11? 12?
¨^ ¨a He lifted his head, letting the warm water rinse his mouth and wash away the metallic taste on his tongue. ¡®I¡¯ve got two Stat points in total now. Does that mean my power rating has gone up by one as well?¡¯ Marcus thought as he closed his eyes and rinsed out his hair. ¡®When they took my measurement and gave me a power rating of one, it was after ¡®ol ¡®robot me¡¯ stabbed me with 20 Monster-Glass pieces. Surely this time it had a similar effect.¡¯ He allowed the idea to brew in his mind while the comforting warmth of the water eased his aching body. ¡®Same for my total Mana,¡¯ he thought, thinking back to the rather embarrassing math lesson his brother had given him. ¡®It¡¯s probably safe to assume that this increase has had the same effect. So, it should be 12 Mana in total now.¡¯ After a thorough rinse of his hair and a scrubbing of his limbs and torso to remove every trace of blood, Marcus turned off the shower. He paused for a moment, appearing to mull something over. Voice laced with doubt, he whispered to himself, ¡°That means the robot should now have 144 minutes¡¯ worth of charge.¡± He thought the number was correct, but he reminded himself to verify it later when he had completely restored his Mana. Grabbing a towel, he dried himself off, swaying slightly as he did so. ¡®Even with more time and less of a need to take risks, I can¡¯t justify sending that tinman out there again. The risk is just too high. I need to repair it first, or at least fix it up a bit. And for that, I need some credits. Perhaps by then, I can go out alongside it? Join forces to take down a monster or two each night and slowly build up my power?¡¯ He spent a few minutes updating his HUD before securing the towel around his waist. Marcus then opened the bathroom door and stepped out, only to find a displeased doctor waiting for him in his room. ¡®Here we go,¡¯ Marcus thought, closing the door behind him and mentally preparing for the upcoming confrontation. - - - A few minutes had slipped by since Marcus had finished his shower¡ªminutes filled with heated and concerned exchanges, including an awkward episode where he had gotten dressed under the watchful, irritated gaze of the doctor. Erwin, the physical therapist, had joined a few moments later, although the man had mostly kept to himself. Marcus nodded at the doctor, but disappointment was evident in the man¡¯s shaking head. ¡°I¡¯ve made enough progress to want to go home soon. What happened today was just clumsiness,¡± Marcus politely asserted, though the doctor¡¯s reaction wasn¡¯t promising. Erwin, the physical therapist, leaned against a nearby wall, his expression calm as he observed the unfolding situation, although Marcus thought he caught the man occasionally suppressing a grin. The doctor attempted once more, maintaining a composed tone. ¡°Again, the recent episodes, the blood loss... my medical advice would be for you to stay with us a little longer so that we can monitor the situation. A few weeks instead of mere days. We can explore other rooms that might better suit your needs, or¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯ve made my decision. I¡¯ve been here for years, comatose or not. I want to go outside, spend time with my friends and family, appreciate some decent food, and carve out a place for myself without a nurse barging in every other minute,¡± Marcus said, his face lighting up with a grin as he leaned back in his chair. ¡°Like I said earlier, you¡¯ll have me for a few more days, so run all the tests you want. I¡¯m even open to periodically checking in with you in the coming months, if that¡¯s what you want. But I am leaving.¡± An awkward silence lingered in the air for a few moments before the doctor slowly rose from his seat. ¡°Very well, Mr. Smit,¡± he remarked, his voice forcibly calm. ¡°However, there will be some paperwork involved. A substantial amount of paperwork, considering you¡¯re going against hospital policy and against medical advice,¡± he added, to which Marcus simply nodded. The doctor then shifted his attention to Erwin. ¡°I¡¯ll inform the hospital staff of Mr. Smit¡¯s decision. In the meantime, try to reason with him.¡± With that, the doctor exited the room, closing the door behind him. Marcus shifted his gaze toward Erwin, a small smile forming on his lips. ¡°Thanks for agreeing to be my trainer for the next few days. I know that I sort of sprang this on you, and I¡¯m sure you¡¯re on the same page as the doctor and believe that I¡¯m¡ª¡± ¡°An idiot?¡± Erwin chimed in. ¡°Well, I was going to say¡ª¡± ¡°Rash, na?ve, impulsive, foolish, stubborn, unwise? I¡¯ve got a list if you would like to hear more?¡± Erwin quipped, closing the distance to the chair previously occupied by the doctor before taking a seat. ¡°I won¡¯t try to convince you to stay. This is your decision. The doc has stated his medical opinion, and I¡¯m on board with that as a professional. But personally, I get it. You¡¯ve been gone for thirteen years, and the world¡¯s turned on its head since then.¡± There was a brief pause, a shared moment of contemplation before the man¡¯s tone suddenly changed, his eyes narrowing on Marcus. ¡°But I¡¯d prefer it if you were at least honest with me.¡± ¡°What do you mean?" Marcus queried, taken aback by the sudden shift in Erwin¡¯s demeanor. ¡°You may have pulled the wool over the doctor¡¯s eyes with your spiel about feeling better and wanting to get back to having a normal life. Maybe you¡¯ve even convinced yourself, but your eyes, they¡¯re telling a different story,¡± Erwin observed, reclining in his chair and crossing his legs, causing Marcus to tense up with uncertainty. ¡°You¡¯ve got the same look you had back in that hospital¡¯s pool when you were pushing yourself to the limit. I¡¯ve seen that look before, during my time in the military, both in fellow soldiers and in myself. It¡¯s the look of someone with a clear-cut objective.¡± ¡°Money,¡± Marcus said suddenly, ignoring the audible disappointment in the other man¡¯s sigh that followed immediately. ¡°My sister has been struggling for the past thirteen years to keep me alive. I can¡¯t even begin to describe her financial situation, but it¡¯s big enough to know that she¡¯ll be burdened by it for years, perhaps a lifetime.¡± Erwin¡¯s expression softened a bit as Marcus continued. ¡°I don¡¯t care how, but I need to repay her. I need to find work. My body might still need more time to heal completely, but I can at least start with smaller jobs,¡± Marcus said, bending the truth slightly. He figured that sharing half the truth was better than none, as his true plan was to gain enough power to take on Spheres and earn a significant amount of money to pay off his sister¡¯s debts. ¡°So, there you have it... I need the credits.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Erwin remarked, taking a brief pause as he scratched his chin. ¡°Considering you¡¯ve only given me a few days to work with, we¡¯ll need to maximize our efforts. So, no complaining. I¡¯ll also expect you to follow my advice and the recommended training routine, even when you¡¯re discharged. Agreed?¡± He asked, flashing a smile when Marcus nodded. ¡°Excellent. Now, get off your ass and follow me.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡± Marcus asked, getting to his feet with a bit of wobbling. He refrained from clutching the bed¡¯s edge, forcing him to rely on his own balance as he hoped that the increased Endurance would help him out. ¡°I¡¯ll show you a safe way to earn some credits, considering you¡¯ve got a Mark,¡± Erwin said, opening the door and gesturing for Marcus to pass. He couldn¡¯t help but grin as he saw Marcus leave his crutches behind. ¡°Just so we¡¯re clear, I still think you¡¯re an idiot.¡± ¡°Preaching to the choir here, mate.¡± - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 25B (Status Screen) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 25B I Status Screen Marcus Smit ¨X ¨[
Official Rank: Alpha / Rank 1
Power Rating: 2 This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ Stats
Strength: 0 Endurance: 1
Agility: 0 Perception: 0
Mental: 1 Vigor: 0
Total Mana 12
¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ Abilities -Placeholder, seeing as I have no bloody idea what my Abilities are ¨^ ¨a - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel – Chapter 26 (Mana Drain) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 26 I Mana Drain - - - Day 22 ¡°Thanks,¡± Marcus said with a smile before sinking back into the chair with a sense of gratitude as a nurse handed him a cup of tea and a sandwich. He carefully sipped his drink, his gaze fixed on the large cylindrical machine in front of him that was occupying the room''s center. Numerous chairs, identical to his own, formed a ring around the device, with cables attached to it. His eyes followed the pulsating cables extending from the machine, one of which snaked to his right arm. As he flexed his fingers within the wide cable, he couldn¡¯t shake the strange rubbery texture. ¡®It¡¯s my third time here, but it still feels weird.¡¯. Returning his focus to the machine, he observed something glowing in the center, slowly expanding and pulsating. Grasping his sandwich, he took a hearty bite, only to watch a cascade of crumbs tumble onto his t-shirt and jeans. ¡°Crap,¡± he mumbled, swiftly picking up and eating the larger bits before dusting off the rest. Glancing around the room, he observed the other ¡®Mana donors¡¯. Many of them were young, with marks aligned in intricate patterns on their skin, a clear indication that they were Forged individuals. Marcus understood that these were people who had signed up for a dangerous surgical procedure to become Marked and potentially become actual Breachers. Although he had read up on the topic, it still baffled him that people actually wanted to risk their lives in such a way. Glancing to his right, Marcus spotted the aged, balding man, Steve, working on a crossword puzzle. The absence of the man¡¯s lower limbs revealed severe scarring. Like Marcus, this man was a true Marked, or an Original. A complex network of blue marks covered the man¡¯s left side in a chaotic pattern, ending near his legs. Caught in the act of staring, the man promptly spoke up, ¡°What the hell are you looking at?¡± ¡°Old leather, I guess?¡± Marcus casually commented, punctuating his words with a shrug before brushing a few of his stray hairs back into his makeshift bun. The remark earned a mildly irritated snort from Steve. Despite the man¡¯s reputation for unfriendliness, he thought the man seemed to be gradually warming up to him. ¡®Probably because I¡¯m not one of the Forged,¡¯ Marcus mused as he refocused his attention on his drink. As he sipped his tea, he occasionally wiggled his right hand within the strange, rubbery material that encased it, lost in thought. He could feel it occasionally throb around him. He recalled Steve¡¯s explanation about the machine and the cables attached to it, how it was a mixture of Monster-Glass dust, Resin, and various ingredients. ¡®The old fart had said the cables attached to our bodies functioned like jumper cables, pulling Mana from us and converging it in the machine¡¯s center. They are not exactly the same,¡¯ he pondered as he stared at the cable, ¡®but they look strangely similar to the veins inside the robot, albeit thicker and pulsating instead of just glowing constantly.¡¯ Turning towards Marcus, the old man gave his shoulder a swat with the crossword puzzle in hand. ¡°How about you make yourself useful? Six-letter word for a strong, sudden gust of wind?¡± ¡°Err... Squall?¡± Marcus offered, only to see the man shake his head. ¡°That ain¡¯t a real word,¡± the man grumbled before returning to his crossword puzzle. A partially suppressed grin tugged at Marcus¡¯s lips as he settled back in his chair. As he picked at the last crumbs of his sandwich, he could feel his Mana slowly ebbing away. Ever since yesterday, he had fragmented a part of his mind to track his remaining Mana, which was 12 in total. His measurements lacked precision, but, like his evolving time-tracking skills, he aimed to refine them over time. The grumpy man next to him had enough Mana to last a full two hours, while Marcus usually reached his limit after a mere twenty minutes or so. Marcus turned his attention to the left, where a woman forcefully yanked the pulsating cable from her hand, her breaths coming in ragged gasps, and her eyes rolling back slightly. ¡®Mana drain,¡¯ Marcus thought, his gaze fixed on the unfolding scene. As the woman¡¯s affliction ceased, two nurses sprang into action. One handed her a glass of sweet lemonade, while the other helped her in her seat before monitoring her condition. Slowly, the woman¡¯s strength returned, along with her complexion. It wasn¡¯t long after that when Marcus himself began to feel the effects of his own Mana get depleted, while the drain continued. His body trembled, and dizziness crept in. He acted quickly, disconnecting the pulsating cable as he concentrated on breathing slowly. A nurse promptly grabbed his cable, storing it away before offering Marcus a handful of sweet candies. ¡°Here, this helps,¡± the nurse said reassuringly as he handed him one. ¡°You did great today. Thank you for your service.¡± Marcus just nodded before he began to chew on his candy as the nurse recorded the donation on his data pad. A soft beep from Marcus¡¯s phone indicated that he had received his credits for today¡¯s Mana contribution. ¡°Bah... done already?¡± the man barked as Marcus rubbed his arms, waiting for his Mana to return slowly. The machine¡¯s ability to pull Mana felt distinct, completely different from when his robot drained all of his Mana. It was as if the machine had just yanked out everything he had and then some, while recharging the robot had felt more organic and natural in its approach, preventing Marcus from exhausting himself. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m out for today. I take it you¡¯ll stay for a while longer?¡± ¡±Someone has to. You youngsters lack conviction.¡± ¡°Well, Steve, at least we youngsters still have spring in our step,¡± Marcus responded, noting a brief crack of a smile on the grumpy old man¡¯s face before his bitter expression returned, along with a sling of curse words. The room filled suddenly with the sound of several pings, signaling the nurses to remove the other cables and stow them away. A security staff member, sporting yellow Marks in straight patterns around his neck, entered the room wearing thick gloves. Marcus couldn¡¯t help but think, ¡®Another Forged... they really outnumber us Originals, huh?¡¯ as he watched the man plunge his hands into the rubbery membrane of the central machine while placing several metal squares around the pulsating light. The metal squares methodically converged, clicking together and encapsulating the pulsating light within. Marcus noticed the pulsating glow now contained within the metal cube as the staff member retrieved the object, afterwards securing it in a sturdy looking safe. ¡°Mana cell,¡± Marcus murmured. ¡°It¡¯s a Mana battery, not a cell, you moron,¡± the man corrected him while rolling his eyes impatiently. Nearby, nurses reconnected the pulsating cables to the arms of those who still had Mana left, including Steve. In the machine itself, a faint glimmer of Mana reappeared, signaling the cycle¡¯s restart. ¡°Mana batteries are made from our Mana, and from altered Resin and Glass. They¡¯re relatively simple to make but are single use only. Cells are crafted from real Orbs. Way more powerful. They recharge on their own, and they cost more than you¡¯ll ever make.¡± Marcus felt his phone vibrate, and he quickly retrieved it, seeing a new text message. The old man beside him couldn¡¯t help but take another shot at him. ¡°That your boyfriend?¡± ¡°It¡¯s from your wife, actually,¡± Marcus said as he read the message and smiled before being honest. ¡°Just a text about another job.¡± Steve raised an eyebrow. ¡°I thought this was your job?¡± he asked, then mumbled a quick thank you as a nurse refilled his coffee. ¡°Steve, not all of us have more Mana than brain cells like you have,¡± Marcus quipped, stashing his phone away before rising from the chair, acutely aware of the lack of Mana in his system. It almost felt... unnatural. He reached for his hoodie and put it on, then released his hair from its bun, allowing it to partially conceal the marks on his face. ¡°See you tomorrow?¡± Marcus asked, catching the old man¡¯s snort in response before Marcus made his exit. He walked down the hallway, the strain in his muscles reminding him of the brutal exercises Erwin, his trainer, had pushed him through as of late. Marcus was well aware that tomorrow would bring even more discomfort, but he couldn¡¯t argue with the results he had gotten thus far. Along the way, he passed several rooms similar to the one he¡¯d just left, where some individuals donated Mana, while others had their blood drawn. He had learned that certain things harvested from the blood of people with Marks could prevent Mana sickness in regular people when they were inside a Sphere, if only for a few hours. ¡®It might pay better than just donating Mana, but I¡¯ve had enough of needles for the next few lifetimes,¡¯ Marcus mused as he continued his stroll. He merged with the crowd as he navigated through the bustling main lobby of the hospital. As he did so, he couldn''t help but feel grateful for his longer hair and hoodie, which concealed most of the black marks that marred his body. Reaching the staircase, he took a small leap down the last few steps, teetering on the brink of a clumsy landing, but managing to stay on his feet. ¡®Didn¡¯t land on my ass this time. Seems like the Endurance increase is really speeding up my recovery,¡¯ he mused before making his way into the underground hospital parking lot. The sensation of being there alone in his physical form rather than his robotic one felt strange, but pleasant. He waited a few more moments before he reread the text message. ©³ ©· ¡°Booked a new work gig. You can tag along. I¡¯ll pick you up near the stairs. ETA 10 min.¡± - Felix ©» ©¿ Marcus stood there, observing the steady flow of cars coming and going. Then, a sleek luxury car glided to a stop near him, its tinted windows hiding its occupants. He couldn¡¯t help but let out a low whistle. ¡®Wow, Felix wasn¡¯t kidding about doing well. Is this really his ride?¡¯ The car door swung open, and a woman stepped out, shooting him an annoyed glance because he was staring at her. Quickly, Marcus shifted to the side, not wanting to come across as a creep. Just then, a massive food truck roared toward him, screeching to a halt with his best friend hanging out of the window while slapping the side of the door. ¡°Get that pale ass of yours inside, I¡¯m burning fuel here.¡± Marcus approached the truck, his eyes tracing every detail of its graffiti-covered exterior. It gave it an artsy vibe, if not spoiled by Felix¡¯s own caricature plastered on the sides. He caught a whiff of the distinct scent inside, a blend of spices he couldn¡¯t quite place. He then climbed into the vehicle and exchanged the usual fist-bump that connected twice. He was about to crack a joke when the truck¡¯s engine roared to life, prompting Marcus to urgently grab and secure his seatbelt. Without warning, the vehicle accelerated and bolted away from the underground parking lot in a whirlwind of spices and loud music. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. - - - Wobbling left and right into the passenger seat of the food truck, Marcus clung to his seat. The forest road¡¯s twists and turns made him feel like a rag-doll in a wild carnival ride. Inside the truck, Felix had cranked the music up to near maximum volume. The deafening beats and melodies coursed through the vehicle¡¯s makeshift interior. Marcus felt like his friend was trying to compensate for the loss of 13 years of music by sheer volume alone. He himself had his feet firmly planted on the dashboard, his eyes locked on his pair of bright red sneakers that had once belonged to Oscar, triggering memories of the past. He glanced past his sneakers, taking in the endless rows of trees that flanked the forest road. In the distance, a red Sphere came into view. Surrounding it were thick walls encircled by layers of barbed wire. ¡®A red Sphere,¡¯ Marcus thought as they neared their destination. As they approached, the landscape unfolded before their eyes, bearing the scars of human activity. Dirt and gravel roads now crisscrossed the area, and a small fleet of trucks and cars were neatly parked up front. A lone helicopter stood a short distance away, its rotors idle, but it was enough to draw Marcus¡¯s attention. ¡°Looks busy,¡± he observed, nodding toward the bustling group of people near the Sphere. ¡°Money flows around Spheres,¡± Felix remarked as he grabbed some things. As the food truck pulled up near the outer gate, they met the security team near the checkpoint. Felix handed over his ID and license, afterwards showing something on his phone that seemed to convince the men. Seconds later, the gate whisked open, allowing the food truck deeper into the site. Marcus¡¯s eyes narrowed when he spotted the guild badges worn by the security personnel. It suddenly dawned on him that a guild maintained the site, rather than government personnel. ¡°Gold claws?¡± he muttered, vaguely recognizing the five golden claw strikes against a black backdrop. A sweeping glance revealed the same emblem on trucks, cars, and the clothing of countless workers. ¡°You brought me to a guild site?¡± ¡°A guild? Try the number one Breacher guild in bloody Europe!¡± Felix teased with a grin, turning off the car and yanking the keys from the ignition. ¡°The Gold Claws is a massive guild, running dozens, if not hundreds, of Spheres. They practically own a third of the industry regarding monsters and Sphere resources in the country, not to mention have the fastest response rating for newly formed Spheres. So, yeah, catering for them is a big deal. Plus, a big guild¡¯s got deep pockets. So, don¡¯t act like you¡¯re not impressed.¡± Felix¡¯s grin stretched even wider, and he punctuated his excitement with a little shoulder wiggle. Felix then led his friend into the rear of the truck, swinging open one of the side panels to welcome a breath of fresh air. He then gestured toward the various equipment, pointing out the freezer, fridge, bins and other things they would use. ¡°The grill¡¯s electric, so I doubt you¡¯ll set us on fire today,¡± Felix remarked, gently nudging Marcus toward the coffee machine. He offered a quick crash-course before handing him a sack filled with coffee beans. ¡°Step one: appease the security guys. Landing a job near prime spots is a fierce competition, but keeping the guards happy will often get me a tip-off in advance to secure those spots. So what do we do?¡± He paused, awaiting Marcus¡¯s response. ¡°Be nice and bribe them with caffeine,¡± Marcus answered, keeping it simple. Felix nodded to Marcus, then swiftly scooped up several cups and poured coffee into them. Afterward, he pointed toward the door. ¡°Go make the grunts happy. Then help me with the chairs and tables,¡± he instructed. Marcus grabbed the coffee-laden tray and left the food truck, delivering the cups to the staff members as he used the opportunity to look around the place. After a quick detour through the area, he returned to Felix and his truck, even though his friend had insisted on calling the vehicle ¡®Bianca¡¯. Together, they arranged dozens of foldable chairs and tables, then placed napkins and strategically set up two garbage bins. ¡°So, how did your family take the news of you leaving the hospital? And don¡¯t give me that ¡®fine¡¯ crap that you texted me yesterday.¡± Felix inquired as they wrapped up their tasks and headed back to Bianca, preparing to man the kitchen. ¡°You did tell them, right?¡± he asked as his expression turned serious for a moment. Marcus toyed with the idea of saying no for a moment to freak out his friend, but he opted for honesty instead. ¡°Sis went ballistic, my brother clammed up, and my uncle tried to negotiate, hoping I¡¯d delay my decision,¡± Marcus confessed. He observed his friend¡¯s head shake briefly as the man opened a cabinet, unveiling a weird-looking machine. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Felix responded, following Marcus¡¯s gaze. ¡°That? It¡¯s a 3D printer. It lets you print stuff, like forks, screws, fancy artwork, and more. Mine is a cheap one that uses plastic, but I only use it for minor temporary repairs in the field. But we were talking about your family and your stupid ideas. I mean, I¡¯m totally with your family on this one. You should be in the hospital until they say you are fully healed, and even then, take a few extra days,¡± Felix suggested. A second later, the man fired up the grill, preparing it for service, and then handed Marcus some tomatoes and a knife. ¡°Look, I get it. You want a normal life again, and you¡¯re doing so much better in your recovery that it¡¯s almost scary. But you¡¯re my best friend... my only friend. I¡¯d rather not wait another thirteen years before we can share a beer, you know? You owe me that.¡± Marcus gave a nod, recalling how thirteen years ago his friend had carried him away from the tech expo, despite the monsters, fires and collapsing structures around them. ¡°I owe you more than one,¡± he admitted softly, continuing to slice the tomatoes into fine pieces before receiving a friendly nudge to his shoulder. Felix shot Marcus a reassuring smile. ¡°Out of that head of yours. We¡¯re right here, with good music and about to earn some credits. Look,¡± he said, pointing at the Sphere. They could see nearly fifty armored fighters emerge from it, their black and gold armor caked in blood and dirt. A crew of staff members on site quickly rushed towards them, helping them carry crates of equipment, machine guns and mortars, while others were using water hoses to rinse off the blood and dirt before helping the fighters take off bits of their gear. ¡°Time to work, buddy.¡± - - - Marcus did his best to ignore the loud salsa music that was blasting out the speakers next to him as he continued to flip a dozen more burgers while Felix wrapped up his part by liberally sprinkling cheese on a batch of empanadas and setting them on the counter. In just a matter of seconds, Felix¡¯s phone vibrated, confirming the transfer of credits. ¡°Thank you. The drinks will be on their way once our chef here is finished with the burgers.¡± Marcus removed his apron and threw the spatula towards Felix before swiping the man¡¯s phone to double-check the order. ¡°On it,¡± he commented as he prepared the soft drinks and two coffees and set them on a tray. He held the tray for a moment, adjusting to the weight, and then made his way out of the food truck, determined not to drop anything on his way to the table filled with important Breachers. One by one, he handed the men and women their drinks, inquiring if they wanted anything else. Once done, he offered them a friendly smile before stepping back, only to collide with someone who felt as solid as a concrete pillar. ¡°Sorry, dude. My bad,¡± Marcus quickly apologized, turning around to find himself face to face with a tall woman. Her green eyes focused on him, carrying a hint of concern. Her blonde hair was tightly wound into a bun, with the left side shaved. ¡°You¡¯re not a dude.¡± Her lips broke into an amused smile, showcasing white teeth against her tanned complexion. "You really want to lead with that?" the woman questioned, one hand clutching a glove, her arms crossed. ¡°I didn¡¯t know that I was supposed to lead,¡± Marcus remarked, taking a step back respectfully. He noticed her black armor adorned with gold elements, still bearing traces of dirt. There was a maturity about her, even though she only looked to be in her late twenties. ¡°Had I had known...¡± he paused briefly, glancing at the food truck, where Felix vigorously shook his head. ¡°I might¡¯ve offered you a muffin?¡± His tone wavered with an awkward uncertainty, as if he were making it up on the spot. ¡°So, first you call me a dude, and then you apologize by offering me a muffin?¡± Her smile briefly widened until she heard a few chuckles and whispered conversations taking place behind her, causing her to turn her head in their direction. Marcus observed the shift in her expression as it changed into one of annoyance, aimed at the other fighters. In that moment, he couldn¡¯t help but notice that she was holding onto just one glove, prompting him to look down at the ground where he spotted the missing one. Bending down, he retrieved it and quickly got back up, pressing the glove into her hand just as she turned to face him again. ¡°You dropped this,¡± Marcus said, stepping back slightly. He watched as her green eyes widened for a moment when he held her hand. ¡°And for the record, I wasn¡¯t apologizing. The muffin was a bribe.¡± He gave her an amused smile before he walked back to the food truck. Inside, Felix just stared at him, mouth agape as if he was about to say something, before quickly snapping it shut. "Hey, are you okay?" A familiar voice jolted Marcus from his thoughts. He turned and found the same blonde woman, now on the other side of the service area, staring at him intently. "Yeah, why do¡ª" Marcus started, but he paused as she leaned over the counter and ran her fingers along his face, pushing his long black hair aside to reveal the black marks on the top right side of his face. She studied the marks for a moment before she pulled her hand back. Marcus raised an eyebrow at that. "Is that like, your thing, going around touching strangers faces?" Blushing for a moment, the woman took a step back. "Sorry! I got curious. But you''re an Original like me, huh? That might explain it," she remarked, her words trailing off in a thoughtful mutter. Her gaze briefly flicked to her own fingers before settling on Marcus again. "So, what brings an Original like yourself here?" Marcus playfully rapped his knuckles against the side of the truck. ¡°I¡¯m covered in grease and standing in a food truck. Kinda obvious, right?¡± Her lips curled into a soft grin before she glanced at Felix. "Is your buddy usually this way?" ¡°He... uh,¡± Felix stumbled over his words, scratching the back of his head. ¡°Sorry about that. He¡¯s still adjusting to things since he came back... Lynx... um, ma¡¯am? Err, Sir? Ah, screw this! Marcus, jump on your own bloody grenades.¡± Felix then pivoted and made his way toward the driver¡¯s seat to collect himself, occasionally muttering a curse. Marcus stared at his friend for a few seconds before he turned his attention back to the woman. ¡°So, Lynx, huh? What kind of name is that?¡± Marcus remarked in a direct manner. ¡°The nickname kind. Kinda obvious, right?¡± she countered, her smile reappearing. ¡°How come I''ve never heard of you before, Marcus?¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯ve also never heard of you before. But it¡¯s like my shy friend here mentioned, I¡¯ve only recently come back,¡± he said, seeing her on the verge of asking a question before he interrupted her, ¡°Coma. I¡¯ve been sleeping through the past few years.¡± He watched her stare at him for a few seconds before attempting to speak again, but he cut her off once more. ¡°13 years. And no, I¡¯m not a mind reader. I¡¯m just familiar by now with what questions usual get asked.¡± The woman¡¯s expression immediately softened as she processed it all. Her eyes locked onto his, as if seeing him from a different perspective. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I brought it up.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be. I slept through it all,¡± Marcus lied as he just watched her. ¡°No doubt you had it worse.¡± ¡°Still... 13 years,¡± she said softly, her eyes narrowing as if she felt the years pressing down on her. ¡°And now, here you are, another Original that mankind so desperately needs. It almost feels like a fairytale, doesn¡¯t it? Marcus the sleeping warrior.¡± At the comment, Marcus let out an involuntary snort. His gaze shifted toward the distance where fighters started to gear up again, hinting at their return to the Sphere. ¡°Not so sure about the ¡®warrior¡¯ part, seeing as I am literally flipping burgers here. Still, you nailed the sleeping portion,¡± he remarked, a playful smirk playing on his face. ¡°But, Miss Lynx. Looks like your lunch break is over.¡± ¡°Hm? Yeah!¡± she said, stepping back and glancing at the other fighters briefly. ¡°I¡¯ve got to head out. You¡¯re sure you¡¯re okay?¡± A confident smirk curved on Marcus¡¯ lips as he offered a subtle nod. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ve bumped into cute women before and didn¡¯t melt or anything. Although never one in full armor, so you¡¯re my first in that category.¡± The woman took a few step backs, allowing him a better look at her armor. ¡°Cute?¡± she mused. ¡°You really have no idea who I am, do you?" Marcus just shook his head in response. ¡°Ask your friend,¡± she said, a hint of amusement in her tone. ¡°And I¡¯ll be counting on that muffin you owe me, warrior.¡± She held his gaze for another second before she turned around and joined her guild to get ready for the next conflict. From where he was standing, Marcus just watched the woman gear up while the other fighters assembled in a line. ¡°You¡¯re an idiot,¡± Felix commented, joining him and fixing his gaze on the blonde in the distance until a helmet obscured her looks. ¡±What? She¡¯s cute,¡± Marcus said defensively. Felix snorted in disbelief, raising his hands as if questioning Marcus¡¯ judgment. ¡°Cute? That¡¯s Fari ¡®Lynx¡¯ Suarez, the third highest-ranked member of the Gold Claws and one of the strongest Breachers in Europe!¡± He then gestured toward the tables outside. ¡°Get out there and clean up. And stop gawking at dangerous women who could rip you apart.¡± With that, Felix turned his attention back to the grill, muttering to himself, ¡°I swear, I thought Oscar was the bad one.¡± - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 27 (The Old Alley) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 27 I The Old Alley - - - Several hours later As Marcus folded the final chair, sweat clung to his back, and a dull ache gnawed at his muscles. ¡®Five Spheres in a row? What the hell kind of stamina does that freak have?¡¯ he mused, stealing a look at his friend who, despite doing the lion¡¯s share of the heavy lifting and work, seemed as energetic as ever. ¡®He¡¯s really good at this,¡¯ Marcus acknowledged with a grin as he re-entered the food truck to stow the chairs. ¡°All done, boss.¡± ¡°Good work. Go and grab a couple of beers and get on the roof. I¡¯ve got something cool to show you,¡± Felix suggested as he wrapped up his tasks. Marcus picked up two cans of beer, stepped outside, and awkwardly ascended the ladder at the rear of the truck. From his perch, he had a view of the light blue Rift at the edge of the compound, surrounded by walls and the remnants of a destroyed highway. Even in the late evening, the site was brightly lit, thanks to the array of lights dispersed throughout the site. ¡®I¡¯ve seen a Sphere in a forest, a construction zone, two at the same lake, and now one near a highway,¡¯ he reflected as he settled down with the cans beside him. ¡®Those things really are everywhere. It¡¯s insane to think that just one random piece of Monster-Glass that is overlooked and left alone can create a Sphere over time.¡¯ He had heard that this particular Sphere was going to be cleared as soon as possible, as it obstructed a vital artery in the country¡¯s infrastructure. The other Spheres were less of a nuisance and had been acquired by larger guilds for training personnel or resource farming. ¡°Soon,¡± he murmured, gazing at the Sphere, recalling the promise he¡¯d made to his family. ¡°What¡¯s happening soon?¡± Felix asked as he climbed up the ladder and joined his friend, afterward sitting down on the truck¡¯s roof next to him, legs dangling over the edge. ¡°I hope you were talking about the beers,¡± Felix said, opening both beer cans and handing his friend one of them with the grace of a caveman. ¡°My first one in thirteen years,¡± Marcus mumbled, his gaze fixed on the can as though it held some secret. ¡°Good thing you¡¯re driving, because I have a feeling this¡¯ll hit me fast.¡± ¡°It will with that pathetic attitude. Besides, you didn¡¯t have a driver¡¯s license to begin with, remember?¡± Felix reminded, tapping his beer can against Marcus¡¯s. Afterwards, both friends sipped their drinks and let out a synchronized ¡®ah¡¯ and just stared at the blue sphere in front of them for a moment. ¡°Here, check this out,¡± Felix said before waving at the security personnel at the site. Within seconds, all the lights on the site went out, enveloping them all in darkness. Felix and Marcus gazed skyward, and without any lights around them, the night sky revealed more of its splendor. There was a brief silence before Felix ruined it as he let out a low whistle and settled flat on his back, staring upward with his feet still dangling over the edge. ¡°How¡¯s that for your first beer in thirteen years?¡± ¡°You¡¯re a good friend,¡± Marcus said as he joined Felix. They both gazed up at the humbling display of the universe above them, feeling a bit awkward about sharing such a sincere moment instead of their usual banter. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯ll be okay, leaving the hospital and all? It¡¯s a pretty big move.¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll manage,¡± Marcus said, taking a few more sips before continuing. ¡°Joline wanted me to stay with her for a few weeks, just to make sure. Martin offered something similar, in his own way. I assured them you had found me a decent place, and I¡¯d visit them often and join them for dinner when possible.¡± As he sipped his drink again, he sensed his friend¡¯s sudden quietness. ¡°You did find a decent place, right?¡± ¡°Yup... decent place,¡± Felix muttered with a lackluster tone, then took a hearty gulp of beer. ¡°Felix?¡± Marcus probed, almost able to feel his friend¡¯s discomfort, despite not meeting his gaze. ¡°You swore that¡ª¡± ¡°Chill,¡± Felix said suddenly. He finished his beer and balanced the empty can on his finger for a moment. ¡°I meant what I said. So, relax. When have I ever broken a promise?¡± He flashed a smile before hurling the empty beer can as far as he could, hearing it land and bounce on the gravel road. ¡°Hey! You can¡¯t litter here!¡± One of the security guards suddenly hollered, causing Felix to shift to the right and peer over the edge. ¡°Dude, we were having a bonding moment here. You¡¯re ruining it!¡± ¡°You could be making a marriage proposal to your boyfriend over there, and I still wouldn¡¯t care! That ¡®no littering¡¯ sign next to that wreck of a truck of yours is as clear as day.¡± The guard said, pointing at a sign that was barely even noticeable in the dark. ¡°You did not just say that about Bianca! I swear, I¡¯ll come down there and force-feed you a coffee,¡± Felix said with feigned anger. He started descending from the truck¡¯s side, but then the thuds of footsteps on the roof made him pause as he watched Marcus jump off the roof of the truck. He watched his friend land on the gravel and slide to a halt before he picked up the empty beer can and threw it back towards Felix. ¡°Thanks,¡± Felix said, awkwardly standing with the can in hand as he watched his friend, eyes narrowing for a moment while the lights got turned on again. A few seconds later, Felix regained his composure and began berating the guard while standing up for his truck. Mere minutes later, he provided both the guard and the man¡¯s colleagues with a coffee and a few sandwiches that had been left over. ¡°Alright, gentlemen. Good luck with your shift. I have no doubt we¡¯ll see each other in the future,¡± he said with a smirk as he shook a few hands before getting back into the truck with Marcus and sliding the keys in the ignition. Felix fired up the car¡¯s engine, easing his way towards the exit, where he patiently waited for the gate to swing open. With a rev of the engine, he drove out and began their journey back to the city. ¡°Hold out your phone for a sec,¡± he said, tapping his own device against Marcus¡¯s. A few seconds later, a successful credit transfer icon popped up on both screens. Marcus¡¯s eyes widened as he saw the amount. ¡°This is way too much¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s half... well, minus the operating costs, supplies, etc. But it¡¯s half,¡± he said, interrupting his friend with a calm tone. ¡°It¡¯s a job. I¡¯m not a fancy lawyer, leader of a guild, or some African prince in disguise despite my dashing good looks, but I earn enough to live comfortably, and it¡¯s enough to keep the lights on and then some.¡± He paused for a moment, switching his gaze back to the sky. ¡°You¡¯re welcome to tag along as long as you want. We¡¯ll split everything down the middle." This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡°Does that mean I can also paint my own face on the truck?¡± Marcus asked with a grin. ¡°I¡¯d rather burn Bianca to the ground before I¡¯d ruin her like that,¡± Felix retorted defiantly. It didn¡¯t take long until they both chuckled before it evolved into laughter. Afterwards, they exchanged two quick fist bumps. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you, buddy,¡± Felix said as they headed back to the City of New Haven. - - - Day 25 Marcus¡¯s fingers drummed a rhythm of restless tones on his knees as the SUV, driven by his younger brother Martin, pulled up beside Felix¡¯s food truck in a parking lot. In the distance, they could see an old pub. The car was filled with an uncomfortable silence that had lingered since they left the hospital. ¡°You know,¡± Marcus spoke up, ¡°this location is ideal. Right in the middle of the city. Public transportation should be a breeze, so I can easily pop in at your work to have lunch or something.¡± ¡°Hmhm,¡± came Martin¡¯s reply as his eyes fixated on the pub¡¯s sign, ¡®The Old Alley,¡¯ before he added, ¡°That¡¯s reassuring to hear about the location. I bet it¡¯s nicer inside than it appears on the outside.¡± They left the car, with Martin clutching Marcus¡¯s bag despite the older brother¡¯s protests that he could manage. Martin just awkwardly balanced Marcus¡¯s backpack for a moment before grabbing his crutches. Afterwards, the two of them made their way into the old pub, where a few patrons enjoyed lunch and beers. The interior of the pub, an old Dutch establishment brimming with ¡®character¡¯, revealed itself. The place held a unique feel, a blend of years gone by, with creaking floorboards and weathered barstools, each bearing the weight of countless exaggerated tales told at one point. One glance instantly told Marcus that the building had survived the Great Impact and the years that had followed. Behind the bar, a grumpy-looking owner stood, his demeanor matching the worn atmosphere. On the other end of the bar, Felix sat, nursing a glass of milk. As soon as the door had swung open, the owner, an old Asian man, had shifted his attention toward Marcus and his brother, narrowing his eyes further. Seeing the man¡¯s reaction, Felix shifted his attention toward the entrance, and his face lit up as he spotted Marcus and Martin. ¡°Hey!¡± he greeted with a small wave. With Marcus and his brother in tow, the owner cast a disapproving look their way as he ran his hand through his thinning black hair. ¡°Is this him?¡± he inquired, to which Felix just nodded. ¡°Yeah, this is him,¡± Felix said, giving Marcus a friendly pat on the shoulder. ¡°Marcus, meet Mr. Sakane Koichi, though everyone just calls him Sam.¡± The man¡¯s gaze zeroed in on Marcus, focusing on the distinctive black marks that adorned his right hand and face. ¡°Are you one of the Marked?¡± he inquired, his voice tinged with a hint of disapproval. ¡°I am. An Original,¡± Marcus replied, even giving a nod. ¡°But I¡¯m not a Breacher or anything.¡± There was a brief pause as the man shifted his gaze back to Felix. ¡°Alright. Same rules as with you. Rent is due the first of each month. No loud noises, pets or smoking. And I expect you both to help out in the pub whenever someone needs to be tossed out or something heavy needs carrying.¡± ¡°No worries. Marcus might not look like it, but he knows his way around a bar fight,¡± Felix admitted, afterwards seeing a flicker of irritation on Sam¡¯s face. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have said that, huh? Let¡¯s just pretend I didn¡¯t. Alright? He¡¯ll be good, I promise.¡± With that, the old man gestured for them to follow, and Felix gave Marcus a reassuring wink and thumbs up when Sam had his back towards them. They proceeded through a door behind the bar, crossing a storage area that held dozens of kegs of beer before ascending a creaky, narrow staircase up to the next floor. Marcus could hear his brother¡¯s crutches creak on the aged wooden steps as they all went up. On the next floor, they could see several doors lining the corridor, one of which was Felix¡¯s. ¡°This one will be yours,¡± Sam informed them, unlocking it before swinging the door open and ushering them inside. The apartment stood empty; its floorboards covered in a thin layer of dust. They wandered around, inspecting the rooms as Sam explained a bit about the place before he handed Marcus the keys and made his way downstairs again. Marcus¡¯s brother just roamed around for a few minutes before joining up with the others. ¡°So, what do you think?¡± he inquired, setting his brother¡¯s bag on the floor. ¡°It¡¯s perfect,¡± Marcus said, grabbing the edge of a nearby countertop and perching himself on it with a light hop. ¡°I mean, it could use a good once-over with a broom and a bit of tidying, but it¡¯s more than enough for what I need at this point in my life.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Martin responded, his finger tracing a line through the dust on the counter. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely sure you don¡¯t want me or Joline to pitch in with furniture or other stuff?¡± ¡°That¡¯s really kind of you guys, but I¡¯ve got it under control,¡± Marcus replied, a warm smile gracing his face as he patted the countertop. ¡°There¡¯s a thrift store nearby, and I want to buy my stuff on my own. You know, prove that I can stand on my own two feet,¡± he added, glancing at his younger sibling and noticing the man¡¯s neutral expression. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean it like that. I just want to show you and sis that I can do this. And Felix is right across from me, so he¡¯ll notice the smell in case I kick the bucket.¡± He flashed a reassuring smile, then hopped off the countertop and began searching the keychain for a spare key. ¡°Do you want one?¡± ¡°Save that for Joline and Felix. It¡¯s more efficient that way,¡± Martin advised, giving the apartment one last glance before nodding at his brother. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll let you settle in. We¡¯ve got your deposit and the first month¡¯s rent covered,¡± he said before he held up his hand when Marcus¡¯s mouth opened. ¡°It¡¯s a decision made by your uncle, sister, and me, so it¡¯s not open for debate. Alright?¡± It took a few seconds, but eventually Marcus responded with a hesitant nod. ¡°Perfect. Felix, make sure Marcus is alright, okay?¡± ¡°Got it!¡± Felix replied with a broad grin as they observed Martin¡¯s departure followed by the rhythmic sound of his crutches gradually fading down the stairs. ¡°So... he¡¯s still not warming up to you, huh?¡± ¡°What gave it away?¡± ¡°His chakras were clearly out of sync... or maybe it¡¯s because he barely spoke with you, always addressing you by your name instead of ¡®brother,¡± Felix commented, rubbing his chin. ¡°Man, I remember how he used to act around you in the past, the way his eyes would light up when you picked him up from school. I miss that little kid.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Marcus replied, his eyes stuck on the door. ¡°Joline thinks he¡¯ll defrost arround me eventually, but I can¡¯t help but think my absence the last few years has permanently broken our relationship. That, or maybe I¡¯m just a shitty brother?¡± ¡°Well, you weren¡¯t the best friend either, so why not aim for the complete package?¡± Felix retorted. He strolled around the room, wiping his sleeve across the dirty window to peer outside. ¡°Martin probably needs some more time to get used to you. And leaving the hospital against medical advice, not to mention the massive debt your sister¡¯s dealing with, is no doubt worsening your chances.¡± ¡°Thanks for the pep talk.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what friends are for,¡± Felix replied, still focused on the view outside. ¡°Now, as for this place... I won¡¯t pretend it¡¯s fancy; in fact, it¡¯s the opposite. But the rent won¡¯t drain your credits, and the landlord, well, he¡¯s quite selective about new tenants,¡± Felix said before he explained how the last few years had been for him in the city, emphasizing how Sam had given him a chance and even supported his food truck business. ¡°He might be a bit of a grouch, but he¡¯s reliable where it matters and will treat you like family in the long run. Now, I¡¯ve got a spare sleeping bag and an inflatable mattress in storage, as long as you don¡¯t mind the smell, and you can borrow one of my chairs for now. We¡¯ll sort out proper furniture and stuff later this week. Is there anything else you need in the meantime?¡± he asked as he made his way over to his friend. ¡°A mop and a broom, and if possible, a spare plate, mug, knife, and fork would be handy.¡± ¡°A knife and a fork? What are you, royalty? Feeling posh, are we?¡± Felix teased, nudging his friend¡¯s ribs. ¡°Sure, no problem. I might have a few spare plastic cups, forks, and plates left over from a recent BBQ. You can keep those. Anything else?¡± Marcus took a moment, his thoughts drifting back to a particular rooftop air vent at the hospital that held something important to him. ¡°Yeah, one more thing,¡± he began, with Felix giving a reassuring nod. ¡°Could I borrow your 3D printer for a few hours?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a random thing to ask for,¡± Felix remarked, his gaze fixed on Marcus for a beat. ¡°But alright. What do you need it for, anyway?¡± ¡°Just some minor repairs.¡± - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 28 (Repairs) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 28 I Repairs - - - Day 26 With a nod of appreciation, Marcus ushered Felix out of the room. ¡°Thanks,¡± he said, gesturing toward the 3D printer and the laptop. ¡°I won¡¯t break it, promise. I¡¯m just going to print out something small to get the hang of it. And it¡¯s already getting late, and you have a busy day tomorrow.¡± ¡°Won¡¯t break it? Yeah, I¡¯ve heard that before. I spent my whole childhood with you and your big ol¡¯ butterfingers,¡± Felix shot back, leaning forward. ¡°I¡¯ve matured, trust me,¡± Marcus chuckled, placing his left hand on Felix¡¯s chest to stop his friend. It surprised him how comfortable he¡¯d gotten recently at using his non-dominant hand. ¡®Clearly, all those years as a left-handed robot have started to rub off on me.¡¯ ¡°Oh, give me a break. You¡¯ve been snoozing for the last thirteen years. If anything, you¡¯ve gotten worse,¡± Felix countered, pushing back against Marcus¡¯s hand and steadily gaining ground. ¡°And you¡¯ve got a long way to go before you can boss me around like you used to.¡± Marcus abruptly ceased pushing back and instead seized Felix¡¯s wrist. He yanked his friend forward, simultaneously twisting his arm behind his back, forcing it to rotate upward, toward his neck in an uncomfortable armlock. ¡°Ouch... quit it!¡± Felix yelped as Marcus slowly led him out of the room and then let go of his arm. ¡°Not cool!¡± Felix protested before Marcus slammed the door shut and locked it. ¡°Thanks, buddy,¡± Marcus said with an amused tone, knowing it would piss off his friend. He could hear a few irritated thuds against the door, along with the futile attempts of a spare key wiggling in the lock without result, as Marcus¡¯s own key was still inside. ¡°Stubborn fool,¡± he muttered before returning to the kitchen, where he¡¯d set up his laptop and Felix¡¯s 3D printer. ¡°Alright... let¡¯s get started.¡± Marcus left the living room and entered his bedroom, where several built-in-closets lined the walls. He had locked the one that was the farthest away from the door. He moved closer to it, and as he tapped on the door, he felt his Mana drain from his body. ¡°Rise and shine.¡± The door creaked open slightly as Marcus¡¯s robotic self stepped out, still cloaked in tattered rags and plastic scraps. He remembered how he had brought the robot down from the hospital¡¯s rooftop the previous night, sharing his Mana with it while syncing their minds and memories. Together, they had cautiously made their way back to Marcus¡¯s new apartment, sneaking in via the fire escape to avoid being seen. Marcus looked at the locking mechanism inside the door that he had partially pried open before, allowing his robot to open and lock it from the inside. ¡°Time for a makeover,¡± he mumbled, leading the robot into the bathroom. There, he watched as the robot began to shed pieces of fabric and tear them off its frame. ¡°I forgot how much crap I wrapped on myself back then,¡± Marcus said to himself before he left the bathroom and returned to the living room, his gaze shifting to the front door. He hesitated for a moment before grabbing his chair and wedging it against the door, ensuring the handle couldn¡¯t be fully pressed down. He knew it was unnecessary to do so, but he wasn¡¯t going to chance a weird encounter with Felix and having to explain why he was in the bathroom with a robot. He then grabbed a small pair of scissors and an empty garbage bag from the kitchen before returning to the bathroom. When he did so, he found the robot now more exposed, with most of the fabric torn off. Marcus could finally see the full extent of the damage the machine had sustained over time. ¡°You look terrible,¡± he muttered, watching the robot point back at him in response. ¡°You¡¯ve got a point there... we both look awful. But we can at least do something about your situation.¡± He then used the scissors to cut off the last bits of fabric and loose plastic before turning on the shower. The robot climbed into the bathtub and positioned itself beneath the showerhead, rinsing away the dust, dirt, and filth it had gathered over the years. Meanwhile, Marcus loaded the soiled fabric into the garbage bag and tied it securely. As the murky water cascaded off the robot, it formed a muddy spiral near the bath drain. For five minutes, they diligently cleaned the robot¡¯s shell, revealing the extent of the damage. ¡°The right side really got the worst of it... after the whole exploding arrow thing,¡± Marcus remarked. He then peered through the hole in the robot¡¯s torso, taking in the sight of glowing blue veins and the light blue Orb inside. ¡°Still, better you than me,¡± he murmured as he studied the damaged portion. Carefully pulling out some loose bits and parts, Marcus discovered old electrical wires, broken circuits, and rusted components that seemed disconnected from the robot. The loose bits showed signs of decay over the years, while the rest of the robot wasn¡¯t showing any of it. ¡°Okay, time to start,¡± he said, stepping back and helping the other Marcus out of the bath before they both went to the living room. ¡°Okay, most of the protective plating on your left side is in reasonable shape... so, what if we remove those parts and print out inverted copies for your right side?¡± Marcus proposed. He grabbed a screwdriver and leaned in close to the robot, examining a protective plastic plate on its left shoulder. With a bit of wiggling, he slid the screwdriver underneath the plate and lifted it slightly, revealing screws holding it in place and thin tendrils of the blue veins attached to it. ¡°Alright, either we cut the veins and remove the screws and it reattaches itself after we reinstall it, or it doesn¡¯t work and we¡¯ve got a bigger problem on our hands.¡± The robot simply shrugged, then tapped the screwdriver, as though it had decided for the two of them. ¡°Alright,¡± Marcus said, taking his time to remove the screws that held the hard plastic shoulder cover in place. He unscrewed them one by one, then stored them in a nearby cup to keep track of them. ¡°It¡¯s so weird there¡¯s no rust on these, or on your frame. I wonder if it¡¯s because of that Orb inside of you.¡± Slowly, Marcus pulled at the plastic cover, feeling the resistance and observing the tiny blue veins clinging to it. ¡°Here we go,¡± he said, taking a deep breath before grabbing the robot with his left hand, establishing a shared connection, and carefully using the scissors to sever the veins. Light blue liquid spurted from the severed veins in a frenzied torrent, creating a wild, chaotic splatter of blue that evaporated upon contact with the air. The mist it formed partially shrouded the robot in a fleeting, swirling blue tempest for a moment before dispersing. As it happened, Marcus just clung tightly to the scissors and the robot, unsure of how to assist or react. ¡°What the hell was that? I mean, it didn¡¯t hurt,¡± Marcus mumbled, glancing briefly at his own left shoulder as he wrestled with the strange sensation of loss he had experienced for a moment. He then examined the vein closely, observing the severed portion disintegrating into nothingness, as if the robot had shed an unnecessary thing. ¡°It looks and behaves organically. God, this stuff is weird.¡± This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Grabbing the loose plastic piece, Marcus made his way to the laptop and 3D printer while feeling his connection with the robot diminishing as they got further apart. He inspected the plastic segment carefully, noting only minor cuts. ¡®I think this should work fine,¡¯ he thought, content with the condition of the plastic. He fetched his cellphone and meticulously photographed the plastic from multiple angles, ensuring he captured every detail. Then he recorded a video, rotating the plastic in his hand. After uploading all the data to the laptop, he inverted the image to fit the right shoulder and watched the software render a nearly perfect model of it. ¡®This thing is amazing,¡¯ he thought as he entered the measurements and thickness of the objects before preparing the filament for printing. With a press of the ¡®enter¡¯ key, the 3D printer whirred to life. A pleased grin spread across Marcus¡¯s face as he observed the machine slowly print the replacement piece. ¡°Nice,¡± he said while his robot companion responded with an appreciative thumbs-up from the other side of the room. The 3D printer hummed to life as it started to print out the initial layer of sturdy white plastic. Marcus observed the process with childish glee for a few minutes before he focused on the task at hand and went back to the robot with the original shoulder piece. ¡°The one we¡¯re printing out may not be as strong as the original, but it¡¯s better than nothing, right?¡± Holding the plastic shoulder cover above the robot¡¯s left shoulder, he paused for a second. ¡°Let¡¯s hope this works,¡± he announced, while the robot gave a nod. He carefully positioned the cover on the robot¡¯s left shoulder and slid it back into place. Then, nothing happened. Marcus clicked his tongue in mild frustration, his optimism fading. ¡°Maybe it just needs a little time,¡± he suggested before securing the screws. ¡°Doesn¡¯t really matter, I suppose... it¡¯s just the outer shell. Whether it¡¯s connected by those blue veins or not, as long as it can take a hit, that¡¯s all I need,¡± he muttered, though he knew he was trying to convince himself, or rather, both of them. Needing a distraction, he glanced at the timer on the printer. ¡°Thirty more minutes until it¡¯s finished. Got any ideas to kill time while we wait?¡± Pointing at the floor and moving its arm in a pushup-like motion, the robot made its intentions clear as it left the living room and ignored Marcus¡¯s protests. The robot just went back into the bathroom and finished cleaning up the mess they had made. With a few irritated grunts, Marcus dropped to the ground and started a set of pushups and squats, his eyes occasionally flicking toward the timer. With each repetition, his body protested, trembling from the exertion. In the past 26 days, he had made significant progress toward recovery, regaining a sense of normalcy. However, when pushing himself to the limit, the lingering problems that he still struggled with became more pronounced. Exhausted, he finally lowered himself to the ground, leaning against the wall as he tried to regulate his breathing. His chest and arms felt tense and swollen, but in a good way. His gaze shifted to the robot when he watched it exit the bathroom and made its way into the kitchen, fetching a glass of water before it approached Marcus and handed him the drink. ¡°Thanks, Marcus,¡± he said to himself, accepting the glass and taking a few sips. His throat almost betrayed him when the timer¡¯s sudden beep startled him. The robot extended its hand, lending Marcus the support he needed to stand, and for a fleeting moment, they became one again. They rushed over to the 3D printer, anticipation bubbling as they couldn''t wait to see the finished product. Marcus wasted no time collecting the piece and quickly broke off the support structures before using his scissors to refine any rough spots. ¡°It feels lighter than the original, but it¡¯ll have to do for now,¡± Marcus observed. The robot leaned closer, allowing Marcus to attach it to the right shoulder, the piece clicking into place. ¡°Just a few screws, and it should be good as new. Let¡¯s give it a whirl.¡± The robot nodded and began to move, flexing its shoulders before jumping around a bit. Each motion brought a widening grin to Marcus¡¯s face. However, that grin faltered when the plating on the right shoulder suddenly popped off and clattered to the floor. ¡°No worries. I should¡¯ve screwed it on properly,¡± Marcus said as he retrieved the fallen plastic piece. He then grabbed a screwdriver and leaned in closer to the robot. ¡°I¡¯ll just borrow a half of the screws from the left side and add them to the right.¡± Slowly, he began to unscrew the first one before curiosity got the best of him, causing him to undo them all. Then, he carefully lifted the protective left shoulder plate a little. His eyes widened as he noticed a tiny, partially attached blue vein, with others still in the process of reforming. They looked far thinner and more fragile compared to the one that had been there before. He dropped the screwdriver and took a step back, severing the connection with the robot as he began to pace around his room. ¡®It worked... it really worked,¡¯ he thought as he slowly began to accept what this meant. ¡®It just takes a while to reform, so it¡¯s far from perfect.¡¯ His gaze then narrowed on the robot¡¯s frame as a plan began to form. ¡°I need to buy a few things,¡± Marcus mumbled, then passed the screwdriver to his robot, establishing a connection and sharing his plan. Without hesitation, the robot made its way to the laptop and started an online search. Marcus just grabbed his cellphone and walked over to the window and slid it open. He climbed out and used the fire escape, which led him to the old alley beside the pub, the very place that had inspired the name of the pub. - - - 45 minutes later ¡°We¡¯re closing in five minutes,¡± the shopkeeper informed Marcus, giving a quick once-over to the items that the young man had in his baskets: an assortment of screws and bolts, a backpack, a steel hatchet, sturdy rope, a lighter, spray can, compact tools kit, power drill, and a welding kit. ¡°What kind of project did you say you were working on again?¡± ¡°Art project,¡± Marcus stated, feeling the weight of the man¡¯s gaze on the distinctive black marks on his right hand, a telltale sign of his Marked status. ¡°Got any metal pipes that I can put together. You know, like ones with male and female ends or something?¡± ¡°Male and female?¡± the man asked, his chin receiving a thoughtful scratch as he gave Marcus another once over. ¡°We¡¯ve got threaded steel pipes that you can twist together. You can find them in aisle four, all the way at the end.¡± Marcus left his basket at the counter, dashed to aisle four, and hurried back. ¡°I think these should work. Is it sturdy enough to withstand a few blows without bending or snapping?¡± Marcus inquired, noting the man¡¯s raised eyebrow. ¡°You know, for the art project.¡± ¡°Right,¡± the man asked, his eyes lingering on the black marks once more. ¡°Well, we¡¯ve got different types of pipes. The ones you¡¯ve got now are solid steel. Can¡¯t go wrong with those, though they may corrode over time. Does this art project of yours include water or... other types of liquids?¡± Marcus nodded awkwardly, and the shopkeeper sighed in response. ¡°You might consider stainless steel then, or just give your ¡®art project¡¯ a good cleaning afterward.¡± Marcus paused, then placed the pipes in the basket before handing it to the shopkeeper. ¡°I¡¯ll take these then.¡± The shopkeeper took a moment, scanning each item, occasionally shaking his head and muttering something as he examined specific ones, before totaling the cost in credits. Marcus opened his phone app and held it against the register, accepting the transfer of credits notice that popped up. He then stowed most of the items in the backpack. ¡°Thanks.¡± The man offered a nod. ¡°Glad I could help. You know,¡± the man started before he paused for a second. ¡°I¡¯m not sure what sort of art you¡¯re making, but there are stores that may have more suitable... ¡®art materials¡¯ for someone like you,¡± the shopkeeper commented as Marcus shouldered his backpack. ¡°Thanks for the suggestion, but I believe this will do for now.¡± Marcus nodded to the man and left the store, pulling the door shut behind him. The man gazed at the door for a brief moment, then shook his head and muttered to himself again. To his surprise, the door creaked open once more, and Marcus peeked inside. ¡°Hey, by any chance, do you also sell speakers? Little ones?¡± He asked as he gestured with his hands to convey the size he was looking for. The shopkeeper sighed and gestured for him to come inside. ¡°Aisle seven, but I¡¯m closing in five minutes.¡± - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 29 (First blood) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 29 I First Blood - - - Day 28 ¡°Dude, stop wiggling!¡± Marcus hissed to his companion, his focus locked on the task at hand. He stood perched on the robot¡¯s shoulders, who in turn stood on a bicycle that they had borrowed from Felix. Every few seconds, he could hear the bike groaning under their combined weight. Marcus just kept looking forwards, staring at the barbed wire that crowned the wall in thick layers. He had both his hands encased in tough, cut-resistant gloves, allowing him to grip the wire, while his right hand wielded a compact bolt cutter. Carefully, he began to cut through the wire, the crisp metallic sound punctuating the quiet night each time he broke one. Section by section, he dismantled the barrier until a passable opening emerged, allowing him to go up without getting himself stuck in the sharp edges. He then hoisted himself over the wall and touched down on the far side, his landing a tad rough, causing him to wince at the shock absorbed by his knees. The strenuous climb and a 30 minute bike ride before had taken a toll on Marcus¡¯s body. It hadn¡¯t been a pleasant ride either, seeing as he had strapped the unmoving robot on his back, after he had bundled it in a blanket, making him feel the additional weight with each pedal he had to make. After giving his knees a few more seconds to stop complaining, Marcus brushed bits of dirt from his outfit, offering the most affection and attention to his conspicuous red sneakers. ¡®Bad choice. I shouldn¡¯t have brought them,¡¯ he mused, eyeing Oscar¡¯s far-from-tactical footwear. Beyond the sneakers, he had dressed himself in protective gear, complete with a black hoodie and pants, concealing the cut-resistant clothing underneath. ¡®Let¡¯s hope these clothes work.¡¯ Robot Marcus had made their purchases online, including a selection of knives and a sturdy helmet. As he straightened himself, he could clearly see the light blue Sphere in front of him, and past the strange barrier, see a mix of abandoned structures. Some still resembled smaller houses, while others had morphed into bizarre, unrecognizable forms. ¡®This is it,¡¯ Marcus thought before a sudden tug around his waist broke his concentration. He spun around and followed the rope that was securely fastened around his waist, leading up to the wall. He yanked on the rope twice, feeling it snap tight as though something heavy dangled from it. Gritting his teeth, he fought to maintain his balance, digging his heels into the soil, and grasping at nearby roots. A minute later, the rope suddenly went limp, causing him to fall unceremoniously to the ground. He quickly regained his feet, his gaze locking on the robot perched atop the wall before it dropped to the ground with a thud. Like him, the robot was wearing a similar black hoodie and pants, minus the cut resistant clothes underneath. ¡°Were there any problems on your end?¡± Marcus asked as he undid the rope and bound it all together. He then pulled his backpack from his frame and stashed the rope inside. The robot shook its head, a simple, non-verbal response. ¡°Good,¡± Marcus said before grabbing the steel hand axe from his backpack and passed it to his companion. ¡°Alright, moment of truth. Go check if it¡¯s safe,¡± Marcus instructed. He watched as the robot nodded before it moved forward, slowly passing through the Sphere¡¯s exterior. He could see how it slowly emerged on the other side, still visible but blurred because of the distorting effect of the unnatural barrier. Marcus had spent two days fixing the robot, trading out shattered plastic plates for new ones, and crafting a makeshift mesh to seal the gaping holes in its torso and prevent any light from pouring out. During that time, he had played a continuous game of distraction with Felix, pacifying his friend with a hastily crafted phone cases to explain his constant use of the 3d printer. During that time he had realized that actually delving into and fixing the robot¡¯s internal mechanisms was still too difficult. Marcus recognized his limitations in that department, seeing as he had no real idea what he was looking at. The only thing he had done internally was one simple repair: the limp caused by a missing bolt. Still, he had tried to add to the robot by installing the small speaker he had bought, placing it within the robot¡¯s chest, near the hole. Knowing it might take time, he had left it alone for half a day, only for nothing to really have happened. It wasn¡¯t until he had shifted the speaker to the robot¡¯s head, right behind where the mouth would be, that he had observed a change. It had taken a few hours, but he had noticed thin blue vein branching off from one location and connecting with the speaker. Still, the robot remained mute, despite Marcus and the robot¡¯s repeated efforts. ¡®I still don¡¯t really understand how the Orb inside the robot works,¡¯ he thought, frustration evident as he kicked a pebble towards the Sphere and saw it bounce off. ¡®It¡¯s as if the robot is more organic than a mere machine. Like the pieces it has have to make sense before a real connection can form. But even then, I can¡¯t get it to work.¡¯ The robot emerged slowly from the Sphere after several minutes, its metallic form moving closer to Marcus. It then reached out, lightly touching his shoulder as the two of them became one again. In an instant, Marcus learned that it was somewhat safe for him to go in as well. The robot had found only a handful of muddy footprints, bone fragments, and dozens of brass casings, likely from a firearm of some kind. ¡°Good,¡± Marcus said suddenly as his gaze narrowed on the Sphere. ¡°There isn¡¯t a surprise party in the form of an angry horde waiting for us out there. A party of Breachers has gone through the place only a few hours ago, so the number of monsters should be a lot less.¡± Marcus then retrieved two thick, threaded steel pipes from his backpack and connected them. One bore two razor-sharp knives welded to its end, with a layer of tape for extra security. Just to be sure, he grabbed another knife and taped it to his left arm, allowing for quick access. After that, he put on his protective helmet that he had painted black. ¡°It feels strange having to go back in,¡± he muttered to himself as the ¡®Steel Marcus¡¯ approached the Sphere¡¯s edge once more before looking at him, as if asking him if he was ready to go. With a nod, Marcus fastened his backpack securely before gripping his spear again and giving it a last inspection. Afterwards, he followed the other Marcus while ignoring all the conflicting signals his body was giving off, warning him this was dangerous. ¡°Let¡¯s do this,¡± he whispered. Together, they stepped through the barrier, into the Sphere itself. - - - A little while later, Marcus crouched down near a ruined doorway, his hands locked tightly around the spear, every muscle in his body on high alert. The house he was in lay in ruins, entwined with eerie vines and moss. Peculiar flowers and fruits adorned some of the vines, filling the air with an unusual, sweet scent. Being within a Sphere as a human instead of his robotic frame felt strange to him. He took in the peculiar fragrances in the air, inhaled the pure, clean atmosphere, and marveled at the strange bluish tint that enveloped everything. ¡®The robot¡¯s camera can¡¯t really capture the weirdness of this place. It¡¯s different actually being here,¡¯ Marcus pondered, his red sneakers shifting on the ground, revealing the peculiar yellowish grass below. In the distance, he heard a commotion, the sound of his robot forcefully clashing steel against steel to attract something¡¯s attention. Marcus tightened his grip on the spear as he focused on the sound. ¡®I¡¯ll be fine. This Sphere was cleared just hours ago, so most of the bastards are already dead. And it¡¯s only a light blue,¡¯ he considered, ignoring the fact that even the weakest Spheres like this one were typically too challenging for Breachers below rank Beta. As Marcus focused on the connection with his steel self, he caught fleeting glimpses of chaotic fragments in his mind¡ªa strange worm-like creature with dozens of legs, scurrying frantically in the distance behind him. The sounds of their approach grew louder, and the bond between him and his robot strengthened as a result of their closer proximity. Marcus spotted his companion rushing through the doorway, and his hand shot out to touch the steel frame, forging an instant connection for a split second. Their memories synchronized in a seamless meld as the robot spun around, raising its steel axe high. At the same moment, Marcus pulled his spear back, poised for action. He slammed it forward into the worm that had rushed through the doorway and who was blissfully unaware of Marcus¡¯s presence just to the side. The spear and the axe sank into the creature at the same time. The robot hacked open the front of the monster¡¯s head, while Marcus aimed for its throat and drove the spear through, pinning it to the ground. A spray of blood splattered everywhere, even across the side of Marcus¡¯s face, causing him to blink a few times. ¡®I did it. I killed it... My first monster-¡¯ his eyes suddenly widened as more of the robot¡¯s memories flooded in, revealing that it had lured not one but three of these bizarre worms. ¡®That idiot!¡¯ Marcus thought, pulling the spear back just in time to confront the next worm that was barreling in. In the nick of time, Marcus yanked out the spear again and backed off, watching the monster pass by before he lunged forward again. He drove the weapon through the worm¡¯s midsection but lost his grip on the shaft in an instant as the monster continued charging over its fallen comrade to get at the robot. Meanwhile, the robot grappled to free the axe from the dead monster¡¯s head but was slammed backward by the advancing worm. ¡®Shit! This is bad,¡¯ Marcus thought as he retrieved his taped knife from his sleeve and dashed toward the second monster, only to remember that there was a third one as well. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. In a flash, he caught sight of the next monster charging through the doorway and coming straight for him. He jumped toward the nearest wall, leaped off it, and somersaulted backward over the monster, sending it crashing into the wall he¡¯d just vacated before landing painfully on rear. ¡°I need some help!¡± Marcus yelled to his robotic self as he rolled to a halt on the rocky floor, watching the disoriented creature clamber up the ruined wall before moving onto the ceiling with a vicious hiss. Marcus narrowly dodged its ensuing tackle, causing the monster to slam into the ground, partially collapsing a section of it as half of its body sank down into the basement below. Feeling his heart pounding in his chest as if he were at a drum festival, Marcus lunged at the creature once more, repeatedly thrusting and cutting with his knife into its side. However, the tough hide made it challenging to do enough damage. The worm abruptly spun around, yanking the knife from Marcus¡¯s hand as it wriggled back out of the hole. Marcus slowly retreated, scanning the surroundings for a weapon until the worm had freed itself and lunged at him again. In response, Marcus dashed out of the doorframe into the remnants of the village, pulling the backpack from his back and grabbing the spray can and lighter while shouting for his companion again. Desperation drove him as he struggled to strike a flame, failing again and again. He sprinted around the corner, leaping over a pile of bricks, all the while hearing the monster closing in behind him. Luck was on his side as he finally was able to produce a flame. He quickly held the flame just in front of the spray can as he spun on his heels, quickly creating a larger fire that he directed toward the creature¡¯s face. The flames began to sear into its sensitive features whilst blinding its many eyes. Marcus yelled at the creature, moving around the worm and out of the way of its claws and teeth, all the while engulfing more and more of it in fire, determined to incinerate the threat. Marcus¡¯s eyes widened, and his expression soured as the spray can ran out of fuel, causing the flame to sputter before suddenly extinguish. ¡°Shit,¡± he hissed, flinging the empty spray can at the creature¡¯s face with all his might before backing off. He observed the stunned and partially burned creature hiss and claw at its own face, its scorched eyes unable to track him. Desperation gripped Marcus as he started to run away while frantically rummaging through his backpack for a weapon, only finding his rope, a wire cutter, clean clothes, and a bottle of water. ¡°Hey, shit magnet,¡± a loud and oddly familiar voice suddenly rang out behind Marcus, followed by a yelp and a loud thud. Marcus swiveled around to see the robot standing over the downed creature, pulling the steel hatchet from its neck before slamming it down again. The robot¡¯s appearance was a gruesome sight, drenched in blood and gore, with deep cut marks marring its hoodie and pants. Bits of flesh still clung to the sharp steel fragments sticking out of its ruined right arm. The robot wasted no time, forcefully driving the axe into the monster¡¯s head two more times, ensuring it was well and truly killed. ¡°Wait... you can talk?¡± Marcus¡¯s voice wavered with astonishment as he watched the robot giving the monster one last forceful kick in the torso. ¡°Apparently. You feeling, okay?¡± The robot¡¯s voice remained eerily flat, emphasizing the sharp contrast with Marcus¡¯s own emotions. ¡°Yeah,¡± the young man lied, his gaze locked on the dead monster and the robot¡¯s bloody appearance. ¡°No... I¡¯m not alright.¡± Marcus hesitated, moving closer to the robot as it nonchalantly started to cut out the Monster-Glass from the creature¡¯s skull, as if it were just another mundane task. ¡°Fighting these things feels different when it¡¯s really me... in the flesh and not steel,¡± he said, eyes fixed on the extraction of the Glass and bits of brain matter still clinging to it before the robot suddenly shoved the Glass in his hands. The second it did so, they became one again. Marcus stared at the messy clump in his hand from two points of view, watching gore seep between his fingers. In unison, both bodies spoke, ¡°It¡¯s terrifying, but also exhilarating. It feels like I¡¯m back in the ring, but with the stakes being much higher.¡± With the Monster-Glass cradled in his hand, he lost himself in it for a moment, just staring at it. He then snapped back to reality, reminded of the promise he¡¯d made to himself. He wiped the Glass clean on his pants before tucking it into his backpack. Retrieving his knife from the monster¡¯s lifeless form, he and the robot then made their way back to the ruined house where they had screwed up their ambush spot. Inside, Marcus saw the disgusting sight of the hacked apart monster corpses. Moving past him, the robot casually knelt beside one of the corpses, preparing to extract the Glass, but Marcus spoke up, ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± ¡°Don''t cut yourself,¡± the robot said, then rose to its feet, taking a guard position near the entrance. Marcus pushed the nearest monster onto its stomach, granting him access to the back of its head. He cautiously used his blade to cut into the monster¡¯s head, methodically severing the tissue that held the Glass in place. With an unsettling pop, he managed to free it, making his stomach turn. ¡°That¡¯s two,¡± he noted, examining the piece and wiping it clean before placing it in his backpack. ¡°But you¡¯re finally speaking. Any idea what made it suddenly work?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. It just kind of clicked when I saw that monster charging towards you, and hearing you scream,¡± the robot replied, as Marcus approached the next lifeless body, spotting his spear stuck in it. ¡°Who knows what caused it? I mean, those strange blue veins were already attached, so maybe it¡¯s more of a mental thing? That or we have no clue and are grasping at straws, seeing as I am a literal robot with a strange Orb inside of me and a part of your soul.¡± It took Marcus a moment to pull the spear free, and he nearly lost his balance, teetering on the edge of falling on his ass. He could almost feel the amusement coming from the robot, although his steel self kept silent. ¡°Well, if we¡¯re sticking with robot and tech terms, maybe it¡¯s like needing both hardware and software for things to make sense? The speaker and veins being the hardware bits, and your desperate need to save me being the key to unlocking the software portion?¡± Marcus mused. ¡°You sound like a nerd,¡± the robot replied, not bothering with any elaborate comebacks. ¡°That¡¯s cute. You do know you look like you are related to a coffee machine now, right?¡± Marcus quipped, then focused on cutting out the next Glass piece and cleaning it. ¡°And there¡¯s three,¡± he said, tossing the Glass to the robot, who briefly dropped its axe to catch it in time. ¡°So, how much time do you have left?¡± The robot emitted a series of low, weird gurgling noises, reminiscent of an old coffee machine brewing. Marcus couldn¡¯t help but chuckle before the robot threw the Glass back at him, who caught it before storing it in his backpack. ¡°About 100 minutes left before I shut off again,¡± the robot explained before picking up its axe again. ¡°So, you had 144 minutes of battery in total. We wasted 10 minutes getting out of the apartment and you onto my bike without anyone spotting us. Then 34 minutes getting over the wall and scoring three kills,¡± Marcus said while he picked up his spear again. ¡°Well, it¡¯s a lot quicker with the two of us and having our full mental capacity, but the risks are also far greater.¡± The robot gave a nod before speaking. ¡°I didn¡¯t notice the other two monsters until it was too late. We... I... messed up today. Still, you only look a bit bruised, and I don¡¯t think I got seriously damaged this round beyond broken plastic. These creatures were weird for sure but felt somewhat weaker than the ones in the junkyard, at least in terms of their impact on my steel frame.¡± Marcus paused, deep in thought for a moment. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s try to lure in just one this time.¡± The robot nodded in agreement and turned around. ¡°Wait, before we go. This whole two bodies, one soul... mind... person thing, is confusing enough as it is without us making it even harder.¡± ¡°Say that again?¡± the robot questioned as Marcus closed the distance. ¡°We barely pulled off that ambush. You got too excited in the beginning and overextended. I panicked and bolted when it got crazy in there. We were like two shitty puzzle pieces forced together, not cooperating in the slightest. In hindsight, it just doesn¡¯t make sense why you played the distraction, and I took cover. I mean, they can smell me, and you¡¯re made of steel. Just now we were two copies of the same idiot,¡± Marcus said, pointing his finger at himself. ¡°So, I propose we each get a combat role, stick to it, and play our parts so that we know what to expect from one another,¡± Marcus said. ¡°You¡¯re a lot stronger and stealthy compared to me. I want you to be the sudden lethal killing blow, thus protecting my handsome ass and keeping it firmly attached to the rest of me. While you do that, I¡¯ll focus on luring them in and keeping them pinned down with the spear.¡± ¡°So, you want me to go against my nature?¡± the robotic Marcus asked, steel fingers tightening their grip on the axe. ¡°It¡¯s not going against your nature,¡± Marcus clarified, scratching the back of his neck. ¡°It¡¯s just you focusing your attention on protecting others by quickly taking out a threat.¡± He paused for a moment before continuing, ¡°Like dad did. Just be more like him; calm and lethal.¡± A brief pause followed as both sides of him processed the situation. After a moment of reflection, the robot voiced its consent. ¡°Fine. I don¡¯t like the idea and hate it even more for you using Dad to convince me. Proper shitty move. But if we are doing this, I want a name.¡± ¡°You have one¡ª¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t. We both know you call me robot, it... or the ¡®other¡¯ Marcus. Hell, during the combat you didn¡¯t even know what to call out when you ran away. If we¡¯re going to do this right, if I¡¯m going to act like someone or something else, then I... or the parts of us we leave in this metal shell, will need a name,¡± the robot said, its voice firm. ¡°Well¡ª¡± Marcus began, only for the robot to cut him off once more. ¡°A cool one,¡± the robot stated firmly. ¡°One that¡¯s a tribute to dad, to the old wolf.¡± Marcus paused briefly. ¡°You know, I could just embrace you, and we¡¯d be whole again, right? We¡¯d instantly settle this then.¡± ¡°You could. But you wanted me to be less like myself. Find out what I am born to do,¡± the robot said suddenly, quoting their father and pushing at their weak spots. ¡°Remember?¡± With a deep breath, Marcus conceded, ¡°Fine. Pick one. Just don¡¯t make it weird, alright?¡± The robot paused, its gaze fixated on its steel hand, lost in thought for a minute or so. It then moved slowly toward Marcus, placing its fragmented right arm on the man¡¯s shoulder. ¨X ¨[ [Reconfiguration in progress...] [System designation is now complete] [Unit activation: Specter is now online] ¨^ ¨a - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 30 (Echo) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 30 I Echo - - - Day 30 Specter Inside his closet home, the robot sat, running his steel fingers across the wooden panel and the pried-open locking mechanism. He couldn¡¯t feel anything, but he did notice the subtle resistance when he pressed his finger against the metal lock. ¡°Specter.¡± In a soft murmur, he spoke, the sound emanating from his newly installed speaker. Although, similar to Marcus¡¯s, he had shifted the tone of his voice a bit, making it deeper. ¡°I¡¯m Specter,¡± he repeated, remembering the choice of the name and its meaning. ¡®That prick has it easy. He¡¯s just Marcus. I, on the other hand, have to be something else,¡¯ he thought as he got another fragmented memory of Marcus laughing and drinking. Specter tightened his left hand into a fist, recalling the axe¡¯s weight in his grip back when he had slaughtered the worm-like creatures with Marcus. His thoughts continued to wander, remembering how awkward their teamwork had been in the beginning of that Sphere, as well as how they had improved a bit afterwards. ¡®Find out what you are born to do, huh? I wonder what dad would¡¯ve said about a piece of his son¡¯s mind trying to mirror him in such a weird way... well, that and being an actual robot,¡¯ Specter thought, entertained by the image of his father¡¯s imaginary scolding. ¡®I think mom would¡¯ve approved, seeing as I don¡¯t make as much of a mess in this form... God I miss them.¡¯ His hand unclenched, attention shifting to the HUD he willed in existence. ¡®Just two hours left. Break time is over, time to get back to it.¡¯ He grabbed the laptop that was on the backpack next to him, placing it on his steel knees, and flipped it open again. On the screen, an assortment of text documents, sketches and dozens of opened websites were visible, the result of two days spent delving into anything that even came close to what he was; robotic, its software, even programming. Beyond that he had also looked up nearby Spheres, more info about Breachers, and a multitude of subjects related to 3D printing and DIY repairs. He found it harder to concentrate on his research when he was working alone, with Marcus being so distant. He felt like less of himself at the moment, well aware that the real Marcus had about 70% of their shared mental capacity at this time. His attention remained on his laptop as he looked up the next site, where he read up on welding instructions and safety precautions. He had used a welder before with his father there to supervise him, but it had been years ago. ¡®This would¡¯ve been a lot quicker if that idiot... if Marcus was here instead of downstairs,¡¯ he thought, reminding himself once more that he was to be different from Marcus, including the way he spoke or addressed people. His focus shifted to the connection he had with his fleshy companion. Gradually, he began to see glimpses of Marcus, with Felix, Uncle Laurens, and some people from his childhood, all sharing drinks. His sister wasn¡¯t there, seeing as she was off on another Guild assignment, this time in the southern part of the country, collaborating with a Belgian Guild. Specter suddenly recalled a glimpse of Felix vaulting over the bar counter to snatch some food, while Sam, the owner, threw a disapproving look. ¡®Snacks too? Why not go for a full five-course meal while I am at it,¡¯ he thought, a mental sigh escaping as he leaned back, resting his head against the wooden panel. ¡°I¡¯m Specter, not Marcus. Grow some bolts and act like it. Be like dad,¡± he mumbled while wiggling his steel feet. ¡®I wish I could be down there with you. Happy 30 Days coma-free, Marcus,¡¯ he thought, before shaking his head and returning his focus to the laptop. Operating with just 30% mental capability, he could still manage reading and simple tasks just fine. Curiously, it seemed to have little effect on his intelligence, whether he functioned at 100%, 50%, 30% or a mere 10%, since he still possessed a brain... or whatever it was that robots had. The lower the number just made him feel like a crucial piece was missing, something necessary for him to actually feel like himself and properly use his mind, body and memories. ¡®Maybe it¡¯s the soul itself that¡¯s missing? Or my personality?¡¯ he contemplated, delving into philosophical territories he felt ill-equipped to handle. He tensed as the door to his apartment swung open, and people entered, their voices echoing in the air. He strained to listen, recognizing his own voice as Marcus gave the newcomers a tour of the place. The closer proximity to himself made it easier to catch glimpses of the man¡¯s thoughts, bringing back memories of the pub and shared conversations. He noticed approaching footsteps and voices as people entered the bedroom, coming awfully close to him. Specter¡¯s attention abruptly shifted to Marcus, who stood on the other side of the closet, and was clearly within the five-meter radius. In that moment, Specter¡¯s mind was flooded with a constant stream of new memories, recalling the beers shared with the people downstairs, the food, the housewarming gifts he had received, including a boxing bag from his uncle. He overheard the comments from the people about the state of his bedroom, noting that it contained only a mattress and a sleeping bag, along with some worn clothes strewn in a corner next to an empty bag of chips. The robot felt a mental grin forming as he took pleasure in their teasing remarks about Marcus, conveniently ignoring the fact that, essentially, they were one and the same. ¡®I¡¯m Specter, not Marcus, so this mess isn¡¯t my responsibility,¡¯ he thought, repeating the mantra. He was aware that said mantra would reach Marcus¡¯s mind and hoped that it would either provoke some irritation or amusement. The chatting continued for a few minutes before the group slowly exited the bedroom, grabbing a few items from the living room before heading back downstairs to continue the party. Specter shook his head and then continued his research. He opened a website containing frequently used IT terms, believing it was a good idea to grasp the basics before diving into more complex subjects regarding software. ¡®Let¡¯s see, we¡¯ve got Protocols, Errors, Servers, Root, Drones, Files, Echo, Nodes, Main, Bios, Nexus, Circuits, Data, Code, Master? Oh, hell no!¡¯ Specter thought, rereading the term with reluctance. ¡®I¡¯d rather take a bath with a toaster than call Marcus my master.¡¯ He delved further into his reading, focusing on the software and programming section, hoping to gain insights into how his robotic mind functioned. His reading slowly led him to reconsider how he perceived his Mana charge, realizing how he had set it up as a simple countdown. ¡®I should view it as a battery, not just a timer, seeing as the drain varies depending on my activities. I think that makes sense.¡¯ As Specter scrolled through the website, he struggled to understand most of the content beyond the words itself. ¡®Worst case, this won¡¯t help me out in the field, but it might impress Martin if I can grasp even a fraction of what he does for work. We really need to fix our relationship with our little brother,¡¯ Specter thought, the urge to grin popping up, although his steel frame didn¡¯t cooperate. ¡®Maybe I should think about installing a way to express emotions. Eyebrows? A strange rubber mouth or teeth?¡¯ he wondered, picturing the oddities he could achieve with his robotic self. ¡®I better not, as I¡¯d probably transform into Frankenstein¡¯s monster in a matter of weeks if I indulge every stupid idea me or Marcus gets.¡¯ Specter did his best to focus on his work again, but distraction soon crept in again as he constantly got feedback from Marcus¡¯s mind, interrupting him after just a few minutes. His gaze drifted to his steel robotic arm as he turned it slowly. ¡®Come on focus! I¡¯m Specter,¡¯ he mentally emphasized, forcing himself to hold onto his own identity more firmly. When he had taken on the role of Specter, combat and ambushes had gone a bit smoother, with both him and Marcus clearly understanding their respective duties. The calmer and more mature style Specter had adopted seemed to be what the two of them had needed. ¡®Still, if I¡¯m no longer Marcus... or at least trying to become someone else, then what am I? Specter the robot feels oddly degrading and not really fitting.¡¯ He pondered this for a moment before returning his attention to the laptop, immersing himself in more technical terms until one word caught his interest. ¡°Echo.¡± He actually voiced the word, allowing it to hang in the air. ¡®Echo sounds cool and somewhat fitting. Specter, an Echo of Marcus.¡¯ Specter mulled over his new name and purpose in life as he closed the website before opening another one, this one providing insights into 3D printing techniques and the best filaments he should use for specific tasks. As he did, he caught fragmented memories of Felix preparing sandwiches and feeling Marcus grin from ear to ear as his uncle regaled them with stories of his youth. ¡®And who''s doing all the work again?¡¯ Specter mused with a shake of his head, before an idea started to form. He opened another internet page, this one listing recent Sphere locations as he searched for a light blue one. Specter reviewed the places that he had already visited, including the one inside the junkyard. He read up on the details of another location that was just half an hour away by bike. ''Time to put that lazy Marcus to work tomorrow, because I sure as hell ain''t pedaling,¡¯ Specter thought as his gaze drifted to the bag beside him, filled with several pieces of Monster-Glass that they had brought back from their last run. ¡®Just a bit more.¡¯ This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. - - - Day 31 ¨X ¨[ [System activation: 100%] [Specter is now online] ¨^ ¨a Specter¡¯s consciousness flared to life as his senses gradually returned, though his vision remained shrouded. He sensed movement and, for a moment, lost his balance before being gently lowered to the ground. He could see a dark cloth slowly being removed from his frame, allowing him to see his surroundings. Specter watched as Marcus grabbed the cloth and threw it across the bicycle before moving it behind a nearby bush to hide it further, adding a few twigs and leaves to finish the job. The young man then grabbed a garbage bag that had been tied across the steering wheel as he vented his frustration. ¡°God, this is getting old. Remind me to buy a cargo bike of sorts, instead of tying you on the back of this rust bucket.¡± Specter nodded and then raised his gaze to the night sky. A multitude of stars and the moon greeted him, making him feel insignificant for a moment. He then looked to the right, seeing the massive light blue Sphere in the distance, partly encircled by thick walls, guard stations and rows and rows of barbed wire with a portion extending over the nearby lake. ¡°Are you ready to go?¡± Specter asked, observing Marcus approaching him and retrieving some items from his backpack before passing him the hatchet. ¡°Yeah. But what¡¯s with the low-pitched voice all of a sudden?¡± Marcus inquired; his eyes locked onto his companion. ¡°It¡¯s like you¡¯re auditioning for a new batman movie but failing.¡± Specter shook his head in response, suppressing his urge to flip the man off. ¡°How about we stick to what matters, right? Like avoiding being torn apart by monsters or caught by security,¡± he suggested. He was relieved that his steel frame served as the ideal poker face, concealing his current embarrassment regarding his voice. ¡°Whatever mister Wayne,¡± Marcus retorted, flashing a mischievous grin before continuing, ¡°Back when I... we... whatever we are now, helped Felix with the truck, we¡¯ve visited this spot before. It¡¯s government-owned and frequently used for farming. So, there is a good chance other Breachers have thinned out the number of monsters during the day,¡± Marcus shared while assembling the two pipes, finishing his improvised spear. ¡°And the best part-¡± ¡°The walls don¡¯t wrap around the entire site of the Sphere, so we can swim around it and slip inside without having to climb over the walls and deal with the barbed wire,¡± Specter chimed in, giving the hatchet a few swings to familiarize himself with its weight again. Marcus just raised an eyebrow at being interrupted before shrugging it off and afterwards opening the garbage bag. From where he was standing, Specter could see the dozens of empty plastic bottles inside, each filled with trapped air. Marcus sealed the bag tightly and passed it to his companion to use as an improvised flotation device. ¡°Let¡¯s hope it¡¯s enough to keep that steel butt of yours from sinking.¡± They shared a look, then executed a quick fist bump and double-tapped it before making their way to the lake¡¯s edge. As they stepped into the water, their forms slowly began to slip beneath the surface. - - - Two monsters were crouched over a pile of bare bones, gnawing away at the scraps they could find. They were a weird mix of reptile and fox, yellow scales blending with patches of dirt brown fur on their grotesque frames. Hunched over in a strangely human fashion, their nimble front legs skillfully plucked at the picked-clean the bones in front of them that looked strangely similar to themselves. One perked up at a distant sound, slowly turning around to face the lake and spotting a ripple. Holding a tiny bone, it shuffled to the edge for a closer look. It paused there for a moment before tossing the bone into the water. It clicked its tongue a few times in response, but nothing happened afterwards. As the ripples died off, it started staring at its own reflection as its eyes hinted at some degree of intelligence and self-awareness. When the creature turned to approach its kin, a sudden noise from the water behind it shifted its focus. Without warning, something hard and cold seized its neck in a firm grip, squeezing and forcefully pulling it backward. The strange hold tightened, causing internal damage and preventing it from making a sound. Limbs thrashed in a desperate attempt to break free as something dragged the creature into the water. Fully submerged, it watched the other monster rush towards the water, only to behave strangely as a strange long thing pierced its chest, releasing red liquid in a spray, with most of it hitting the water, partially staining it red. Seeing how its kin had gotten stabbed to death, the submerged monster made one last effort to free itself, flailing harder, only to feel its neck suddenly snap to the side. A few seconds later, Specter pulled the lifeless monster with him as he stepped back out of the water, spotting Marcus cutting and wiggling the Glass from the other monster¡¯s head. ¡°Any issues on your side?¡± he asked, seeing Marcus shake his head. ¡°They¡¯re not a massive threat. Quick, but not too tough. Still, I hate the fact that we have to go out at night all the time. It¡¯s hard to spot them,¡± Marcus remarked, wiping clean the Glass and stashing it in his backpack. He then headed over to Specter to grab the piece that the robot had been cutting out. ¡°And that¡¯s two.¡± Specter scanned his surroundings, his camera lens catching the play of vibrant colors and the strange shape of the trees and bushes. Everywhere he looked was strange flora with twisting branches, adorned with hues that didn¡¯t really fit on Earth. Where there weren¡¯t trees, he noticed spiraling rocks sticking out from the ground, their surfaces shimmering with a weird glow. Beyond that, in the distance, he spotted an overgrown restaurant that might have been popular at one point, yet it was now weathered by time and the Sphere¡¯s effects. ¡°You reckon the Orb¡¯s there or buried somewhere?¡± he asked. ¡°No clue,¡± Marcus answered, eyeing the overgrown building. ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯s packed with monsters. How about we try not to wander through the tree line, overgrown bushes and weird rocks? There might be loads of them hiding there or swinging around like bizarre ambush monkeys.¡± ¡°Ambush monkeys, seriously?¡± Specter questioned, shaking his head, afterwards turning his gaze toward the shoreline and walls in the distance. ¡°Let¡¯s stick with the lake at our back and circle around the outer edge. See if we can find more stragglers like the last two.¡± "Hmhm," Marcus murmured, his gaze still fixed on the building in the distance. ¡°Forget the building. We just need a bit more Glass for the required 20 pieces. Let¡¯s go,¡± Specter said, tapping Marcus¡¯s shoulder with his hatchet to get his attention again. When he finally did so, Specter led them along the shoreline in the dead of night, intent on spilling some more blood. - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 31 (Music and Leather) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 31 I Music and Leather - - - Day 32 Marcus Jogging through the streets of New Haven the next day, Marcus could feel the burn in his legs, a reminder that he was reaching his limits. Despite still being tired from last night, he also felt a sense of satisfaction. The previous night had been a short one, with him barely getting a few hours of rest before his sister had called him, asking him to come over to her guild and watch actual Breachers train. He sped up, the wind brushing his face and hair even with the hoodie on. Music blasted in his ears from his earphones as he maneuvered through the city, relishing the newfound freedom of the past few weeks now that his legs were working properly again. Marcus pushed himself for a final sprint before halting in front of a large office building. He took in the massive logo shaped like a single drop of blue blood plastered on the exterior. ¡°Royal Blue,¡± he muttered, gazing at the imposing structure. ¡°Weird that they own the whole building, despite not even being the biggest guild around.¡± He glanced at his reflection in the glass, adjusted his hoodie, kept his hands in the pockets to hide the marks and then slipped inside the building. Walking over to the nearest receptionist, Marcus presented his invitation on his phone before receiving a lanyard with a visitor¡¯s badge and instructions on where he needed to go. Climbing the stairs to the fifth floor, he roamed around for a bit until he spotted a massive glass wall exposing an expensive-looking training hall. Inside, people were busy working out, running drills, and practicing on their own, but most of them were sparring with one another. Some wielded practice swords, axes, and spears, while others took shots with bows and rifles at a target range in the back. Marcus could also see fire and water occasionally clash in a violent dance, the combatants'' Abilities lighting up the training hall. ¡®Are those their Abilities? Holy shit, they¡¯re going all out,¡¯ he thought, witnessing the fighters intensify their attacks, pouring more mana into their moves to overpower each other, with onlookers offering tips from the sidelines. Marcus was quite surprised at how different each attack was, as if their Abilities were flexible enough to create different styles of attack. Opening a thick glass door nearby, Marcus entered the training hall as he began looking for his sister. It took him a while, but in the distance, he found her in full armor, grappling with a larger opponent before slamming the man on the ground and securing him in an armlock. As Marcus stood next to Breachers and other observers, he continued watching her manhandle the man. ¡®She¡¯s got good technique. Did she actually listen when Dad was teaching us?¡¯ he pondered. Checking out the others, Marcus saw some close to what he himself was able to do, while others delivered punches and kicks that could dent steel plates or whose movements were just a blur. ¡®They are stronger and faster than I imagined,¡¯ he thought. Observing someone sprint faster than an Olympic athlete, but covered in thick armor. The longer he looked, the more details he noticed and outclassed he felt. ¡®There¡¯s better technique in some of the weaker Breachers, or is it just my imagination?¡¯ he thought, watching the lower-ranked fighters spar before turning his attention back to the stronger ones. With the latter, he noted many relying on increased power, speed, or their Abilities. He recalled the way his uncle and father had always drilled him to use proper technique, to rely on skill rather than brute force, even when you were stronger than your opponent. ¡®Perhaps technique matters less when fighting monsters?¡¯ Marcus could almost sort of feel their raw power, even from where he was standing. He observed a thin colored mist pouring out of the marks of some breachers that had been expending a lot of Mana. Most had a blue hue, with occasional hints of red. ¡®It¡¯s crazy that these people can unleash so much Mana that you can see it with the naked eye. What kind of monsters does my sister work with?¡¯ he thought before he noticed a man hitting the floor in a loud smack before rolling to a stop, with Joline strolling towards the man as if trying to end the threat in the most intimidating and confident way he had ever seen his sister move. ¡°Ten credits on the blonde with the weird nose,¡± Marcus suddenly called out, his voice loud enough to reach her as he walked toward her, navigating around the sparring Breachers with a nervous expression. His sister, spotting him, grinned, took off her helmet, and signaled to her sparring partner that she was done. Marcus noticed the faint blue mist leaving her green marks that were scattered around her arms and the side of her head. The mist partially encompassed her body before evaporating, showing Marcus that his sister had burned through a significant amount of Mana herself. Joline walked over to him, yanking his hoodie off his head and tousled his hair. ¡°No need to hide your marks, brother. We¡¯re all freaks here,¡± she said, while plucking at a strand of his long black hair. ¡°And you should really think about getting a haircut. I could do it myself if you want.¡± ¡°Sharp objects and you? Not a combo I can trust,¡± Marcus said with a grin before feeling her finger press against one of his ribs. ¡°You do know that I can snap ¡®em like a KitKat, right?¡± she joked, poking a few times before guiding Marcus to her squad mates. Introductions followed, including Luuk Telman, the guy his sister had just tossed around and was apparently something of a close friend. Marcus smiled as he met each one, realizing that most of them were well aware of who he was and of his extended hospital stay. ¡°Hold on a sec, I¡¯ve got a little surprise for you,¡± Joline said before she jogged to her bag, returning with a plastic container holding a small cupcake. It sported a tiny candle and icing shaped like the number 30. ¡°Happy 30 days awake, little brother. Well, technically 32 days, but who¡¯s counting, right?¡± she said, a wide smile on her face as she handed him the cupcake. ¡°Wait, little?¡± Marcus quirked an eyebrow, matching her smile. Meanwhile, Luuk inquired about more cupcakes, prompting his sister to playfully sweep the man¡¯s legs, pinning him to the ground, and poking his stomach. During the grappling, Marcus noticed the chain around his sister¡¯s neck, holding their parents¡¯ wedding rings. He was about to ask Luuk a question when he heard someone speak up. ¡°Didn¡¯t I order assault drills for everyone?¡± a man barked, striding their way. Marcus observed the man, adorned in pricey yet practical armor that accentuated his good looks¡ªperfectly white teeth, blue eyes and blonde hair. Beyond that, Marcus couldn¡¯t help but be irked by the man¡¯s perpetually sour expression, taking a dislike to him right away. ¡°Apologies, squad leader. This one¡¯s on me. I asked my brother here to check out our guild and meet some of my teammates,¡± Joline said, giving Marcus¡¯s shoulder a reassuring pat. ¡°Thought I¡¯d showcase the fine work our guild does.¡± The man stopped in his tracks, eyes fixed on her. ¡°You mean ¡®that¡¯ brother?¡± he inquired while Joline quickly confirmed it with a nod. Drawing near to Marcus, he inspected the black marks, like an appraiser would do. ¡°Did you get your measurements taken already?¡± ¡°I did,¡± Marcus said, gaze fixed on the man. His sister hadn¡¯t brought up this guy before, but the way Joline and the others were reacting made Marcus develop an instant aversion to him, on top of the man¡¯s perpetually sour expression. Yet, he couldn¡¯t ignore the power radiating from the man. ¡®Even with a face begging to get punched, I¡¯d lose in a fight. If I could even call it a fight.¡¯ It was as if he could immediately feel the gap between them by instinct, like a human could do when squaring off with a big animal. An eyebrow arched on the man¡¯s face, seemingly annoyed that Marcus hadn¡¯t promptly shared his rank and power rating. Feeling the tension, Joline stepped in, nudging Marcus back a bit. ¡°He¡¯s a Alpha Rank, sir, with a power rating of one.¡± A ¡®tsk¡¯ escaped the man, and he took a step back, a soft smile playing on his features. ¡°Good on you for showing your brother around, but please do so in your free time. And away from danger. This guild has already done more than its share for you. Understood?¡± Marcus tightened his jaw, ready to step forward, but his sister¡¯s hand on his shoulder transformed into a vice grip, keeping him rooted in place. ¡°Yes, squad leader. Come on, Marcus, let¡¯s quit bothering everyone and grab a bite to eat. I¡¯ll show you the cafeteria.¡± Joline gently nudged him away from the group while her brother followed reluctantly. They made their way to the exit, but Marcus glanced back once more, catching the squad leader¡¯s satisfied expression. Marcus wanted to turn around, but his sister grabbed him and pulled him towards the exit. ¡°Oh no you don¡¯t. You just got out of the hospital.¡± Leaving the training hall, they climbed to the next floor, entering the cafeteria. Marcus¡¯s eyes widened at the unexpected elegance on display as they grabbed a small table near a large marble pillar. They barely had sat down when staff members were already there to assist them and take their order. Within minutes, Marcus and Joline were sipping tea and enjoying sandwiches that were uncomfortably square in design. ¡°So, little brother, what do you think?¡± Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. ¡°Are you asking me about this place, me plotting to swipe some of the fancy silverware without you noticing, or is it about squad leader Douchebag?¡± A snort escaped Joline as she poured more honey into her tea. ¡°Definitely the first one.¡± ¡°It¡¯s big, really, really big. If I¡¯d known you were such a hotshot Breacher, I¡¯d have been asking for your autograph the second I woke up in the hospital.¡± Marcus grinned, tearing another piece from his sandwich and enjoying the fact that it was less square now. ¡°Oh, there¡¯s still time for that. But yeah, this place is great, and most folks here are as well. We might not be the biggest guild out there, but we¡¯re in the top ten of this country, and we¡¯re even starting to get some international pull,¡± she shared, going on to tell how their guild leader had recently recruited more Breachers. ¡°He¡¯s managed to reel in three Gamma¡¯s and even a Gamma+,¡± she explained, noticing her brother¡¯s puzzled look before breaking it down. ¡°You know, the whole red Mana? They are a whole tier above us mere blues. Gamma¡¯s are rank five, Gamma+ is six. My squad leader, Adam Hayes, or ¡®the douche,¡¯ is a Gamma. You might not like him, not many on my team do, but he¡¯s crazy powerful and is actually good at what he does. The latter is more important to me as a Breacher.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm,¡± Marcus mumbled, swallowing the last of his sandwich and reclining in his chair. ¡°Well, the rest of your crew seems alright.¡± Joline just smiled at the comment. ¡°Are you playing my big brother again?¡± ¡°I never said I stopped being one.¡± ¡°You snooze, you lose,¡± Joline quipped, popping open the plastic box she had given him and swiftly grabbing the cupcake. Holding it near the flickering candle on the table, she ignited the smaller candle and nudged it toward Marcus. ¡°Time to make a wish.¡± With a grin, Marcus extinguished the candle between his fingers. ¡°I wish I could sock that squad leader of yours in the face for treating you like that.¡± Grabbing a fork, his sister snorted and pinched a bit of the cupcake. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to blow out the candle, genius. As for punching him? I wouldn¡¯t recommend it.¡± ¡°Why, ¡®cause he¡¯s quick enough to dodge me?¡± Marcus asked, watching his sister with a raised eyebrow as she took another bite and taking her time doing so. ¡°No,¡± Joline said finally, finishing chewing. ¡°Sure, he¡¯s fast, but punching him? It¡¯s not just about speed. The guy¡¯s durable, his Mana¡¯s red, and he¡¯s a very experienced Breacher. It¡¯ll probably feel like punching concrete... maybe even harder. Concrete that can also hit back faster than your eyes can process." Marcus just leaned back in his chair, seeming unconvinced. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, as your wise older sister, that is plenty strong herself. Folks like Adam, they¡¯re in a whole other league. Some are so tough they can shrug off bullets or ignore fire. The sheer amount of Mana that guy can burn through could overwhelm most of my team if he¡¯s not careful.¡± ¡°Overwhelm?¡± ¡°Yeah. When a Breacher pours a lot of their Mana into their gear or Abilities, it can burn through it so fast that some bleeds out, creating that colored mist effect. Weaker Breachers can get overwhelmed by the constant concentrated Mana exposure of stronger Breachers.¡± Marcus stopped and thought about what his sister was saying while he reached for the cupcake, only to have it yanked away by his sister. He had spent a lot of time online reading up on things related to Breachers to better understand himself, yet a lot of what he had read often contradicted other bits, as was the nature of ¡®online facts¡¯. Hearing it from his experienced sister was helpful, but also made things more confusing. ¡°I thought Breachers had something in their blood to make them immune to that?¡± ¡°Resistant to Mana, sure, but not immune,¡± his sister said, plucking a big chunk from the cupcake. ¡°That¡¯s why my squad leader held back and didn¡¯t shake your hand and took a step back when he found out your low rating. He probably didn¡¯t want to overwhelm you when he had all that Mana coursing through his system. Mana sickness is no joke, even for Breachers.¡± Marcus recalled how the man had taken a step back, but he also remembered how he had touched the hand of the female Breacher, Lynx, when she had just stepped out of a Sphere. ¡®I felt perfectly fine back then,¡¯ he thought before turning his focus to his sister. ¡°Sure, that could be the reason he took a step back, or, here¡¯s a wild idea,¡± he said, pausing for effect. ¡°He could just be a genuine asshole?¡± Joline couldn¡¯t help but snort again before she idly played with the rings on her necklace. ¡°No doubt. So, what do you have planned for today, dear brother, beyond stinking up the place in your sweat?¡± ¡°Nothing at all. This run was the highlight... that and seeing you mutilate my celebration cupcake,¡± Marcus smiled briefly before sinking deeper into his chair. ¡°I¡¯m just going to get some groceries from the store and catch up on music in my apartment that I might have missed these last few years. You know, since I was absent for a while.¡± "Really? I didn''t notice it, to be honest." ¡°Oh, and I¡¯m going to buy a new belt. Leather one. Fancy, I know. Felix gave me my first paycheck a few days back, so I thought I¡¯d invest it in something practical and mature instead of splurging it on useless things like I might have done in the past.¡± ¡°Look at you, all grown up with a belt and all. I¡¯m proud of you,¡± Joline beamed at Marcus. ¡°So, how¡¯s it going, working for Felix?¡± ¡°First of all, it¡¯s ¡®with¡¯ Felix,¡± he corrected her, a smirk playing on his lips. ¡°But it¡¯s hard work. He¡¯s really good at his job, and I¡¯m basically running after him, trying to keep up and not mess up orders. I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯m cut out for it in the long run, but I thought a few extra credits wouldn¡¯t hurt while I also sharpen my kitchen skills. Lord knows I need it.¡± ¡°Preaching to the choir here, Marcus. I¡¯ve been saying that about you my entire life,¡± she chuckled when he flipped her the bird. ¡°So, no Felix duties for you today?¡± ¡°Nope,¡± Marcus responded, lounging with his hands behind his head as he propped his feet up on the adjacent chair. ¡°Just me, loud music, and my leather belt.¡± ¡°Ugh,¡± Joline exclaimed, giving a disapproving shake of her head. ¡°Why¡¯d you have to make it sound so weird?¡± Marcus shut his eyes, a mischievous curve playing on his lips. ¡°You have no idea.¡± - - - A while Later, Marcus was back inside his bedroom as he snatched his pillow from the bed. He then entered the bathroom to find Specter sitting on the edge of the bath, holding twenty Monster-Glass pieces in its steel hand. ¡°All set?¡± Marcus asked, settling into the empty bath and arranging the pillow beneath him. ¡°I¡¯m not the one about to stab myself with twenty sharp objects, so, you tell me,¡± Specter quipped, handing Marcus the Glass pieces. Its steel fingers briefly touched Marcus¡¯s hand to form a connection again, then grabbed a leather belt nearby, placing it between the man¡¯s teeth, allowing him to bite into it. The robot leaned forward, hitting the enter key on the laptop and starting up the loud music it had set up earlier. Specter then observed as Marcus pulled up his shirt, holding the Glass pieces over the black marks on his chest. After a brief hesitation, Marcus slammed them into himself, the edges piercing his chest and striking the odd blackish material. A small blue flash of energy erupted, expanding and then flowing into his body. The Glass disintegrated afterwards until nothing remained beyond the wounds they had left in Marcus¡¯s flesh. Marcus hissed at the stinging sensation in his chest, feeling the energy flow through his body and settle uncomfortably in his center. A familiar discomfort, reminiscent of the hospital days when he still didn¡¯t know what was causing it. Even now, he felt it gnaw at his core as he wondered how he had put up with it all back then. ¡°Alright... Endurance it is,¡± he muttered, shutting his eyes. He visualized the process, directing the energy into his Endurance Stat, a decision that he and Specter had deliberated over for the past hour. They settled on Endurance again, aiming for the extra protection and faster recovery it promised. ¡°Enjoy the ride,¡± Specter simply said as he got up to better help out if needed. Marcus felt the energy move within him as he redirected it towards strengthening his Endurance, but it didn¡¯t work. It just flowed backward as if obstructed. He kept at it, the tension evident in his body as sweat trickled down his face. ¡°It¡¯s not working,¡± he muttered after he had spat out the belt after yet another failed attempt. ¡°It¡¯s... as if there isn¡¯t enough energy this time,¡± he observed, grappling with the discomfort rippling through him. ¡°Could be because it¡¯s already been increased before. Perhaps, doubling the amount of Glass could do the trick? But you¡¯ve got to lay off for now. It¡¯s just causing unnecessary irritation at the moment. Let¡¯s shift to Plan B, try increasing a different Stat,¡± Specter suggested, observing Marcus nod slowly and close his eyes, as if focusing on something else. ¡°Vigor,¡± Marcus whispered, composing himself and concentrating on his breathing. He pictured opening the gate to that particular Stat, gently directing the uncomfortable energy inside. This time, it flowed through smoothly, encountering little resistance. As minutes passed, the energy settled into him, bringing about a strange sensation in his veins. The sensation seemed to heat up and cool his blood at the same time. Over time the temperature began to spike more and more, forcing him to hiss in pain before Specter swiftly pushed the belt between his teeth. Marcus writhed in the bathtub, the veins in his arm lit with a momentary glow as his blood seemed to boil and freeze at the same time as it rushed throughout his body. His back arched, limbs and fingers tensing as Specter''s steel fingers pressed against the man¡¯s chest, the whir of servos audible as they strained to restrain Marcus from unintentional harm. Abruptly, the pain subsided, leaving Marcus panting and sweating as the black marks on his body ached a while longer. He weakly spat out the belt and replaced it with a victorious grin before he activated his HUD. ¨X ¨[ [Vigor] [+1] ¨^ ¨a ¡°That went better than last time,¡± Marcus said as he settled into a seated position with the robot helping him a bit. The link disconnected as Specter grabbed a glass of water. ¡°I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s because we boosted Endurance last time and I am just able to handle it better, or if this Stat isn¡¯t as rough on my body.¡± ¡°Hard to say,¡± Specter remarked, observing Marcus down the drink before tossing him a towel. ¡°The main thing is, you didn¡¯t kick the bucket. So, that¡¯s a win in my books.¡± After wiping his sweaty brow, Marcus let the towel fall on the ground before holding out his hand in front of him before closing it into a tight fist. ¡°Yeah, but we still need to figure out why I couldn¡¯t improve the Endurance Stat this time, and what kind of changes the Vigor Stat did for us.¡± The robot nodded before picking up the towel again, afterwards flinging it back against Marcus¡¯s face. ¡°How about you start with a shower before all that?¡± - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 32 (Self-Love) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 32 I Self-Love - - - Day 33 The next day, Marcus found himself back in the small home improvement store, surrounded by the familiar scent of fresh-cut wood, the subtle whiff of paint, and oil. His gaze was fixed on the garbage bag he had placed on the counter, filled with parts, with some of them spilling out on the worn-out counter. ¡°Like I said, it¡¯s for an art project. I want a copy of these, but mirrored. If that makes sense,¡± he explained to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper gave an exaggerated eye roll. ¡°Mirrored, huh?¡± He jotted down the next set of measurements, snapping a quick picture of the requested part before picking up the next one. ¡°You do realize custom orders don¡¯t come cheap, right? And they can take days or even weeks to make or get delivered.¡± ¡°Weeks?¡± Marcus¡¯s face went a shade lighter. ¡°Isn¡¯t there, like, a faster way to get these parts?¡± ¡°You could,¡± the man finished snapping another picture, then fished the next item from Marcus¡¯s garbage bag. He examined the small electrical motor, twisting it between his fingers. ¡°Just hit up your local antique shop. Find an old lamp, polish it up real good and see if a genie will pop out,¡± he said with a satisfied grin, snagging the next item from Marcus¡¯s trash. "Real funny," Marcus muttered, his hand ruffling through his hair. ¡°Oh, it is,¡± the man said, gesturing to the items he¡¯d already checked. ¡°Most of these are plain ol¡¯ steel. I could whip them up in my garage or order them for you in a day or so if the credits are good. But those,¡± he pointed at the motors and hydraulic pistons still in the garbage bag, ¡°those will take a while. These electric motors seem like specialized high-torque models. Without the specifications, finding replacements is a challenge, if they even exist. After all, you said you couldn¡¯t recall where you found them in the first place. Concerning the hydraulic pistons, the critical factor is understanding their PSI rating to guarantee they can manage the intended load, not to mention factoring in numerous other considerations. Without that info, it¡¯s like shooting in the dark, drunk, with your dog peeing on your leg and your wife screaming in your ears. So, yeah. Better find that lamp.¡± Marcus paused, his fingers rubbing tired eyes while a restless feeling made him pace the floor as if his plan began to unravel. ¡°What if we switch them out for other parts? Something that is roughly similar and will do the same thing?¡± he suggested, grasping only the basics of the man¡¯s explanation. ¡°I¡¯d have to know what performance you¡¯re gunning for, how exact these measurements need to be, your hydraulic system specs, and the power supply situation. I mean, you haven¡¯t even shown me the wiring and cabling, not to mention the overall weight of it all,¡± the man pointed out, dropping the part on the counter and letting it roll over to Marcus. ¡°Listen, don¡¯t worry about the wires, cables, and all that boring stuff,¡± Marcus said, peering at the man¡¯s name tag. ¡°Pete? I¡¯m just focused on the important bits for now. You know, the steel, motors, and pistons,¡± Marcus grinned, sliding the motor toward Pete, his smile a mix of confidence and reassurance. ¡°For your art project?¡± the man asked, with Marcus nodding in response. "Well, it ain''t gonna move without the other parts, that''s a fact," the man said, scooping up a bunch of pieces and creating a heap before starting to shift the pieces around. ¡°I know it¡¯s a different type of request than you usually might get¡ª¡± Marcus started, then froze as he observed the shopkeeper arranging the parts on the table, gradually reconstructing Specter¡¯s steel hand that he had taken apart just hours ago. ¡°Listen, kid, I don¡¯t care what you¡¯re building for your ¡®art project.¡¯ I¡¯m too old to care, and you¡¯re not all that interesting. But don¡¯t treat me like I¡¯m some clueless twit, alright?¡± the man said, staring at Marcus, who slowly nodded. The shopkeeper then placed the remaining parts on the table, trying to figure out what he was dealing with. ¡°I think I¡¯ve got a few pistons similar enough to this one in the back. And I¡¯ll see what I can do about those motors. The end result will probably be different from what you had in mind, but it might come close to it. Alright?¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Marcus said as he watched the man nod before continuing to make notes and take pictures of each of the parts. Marcus then moved away from the counter, snagged a basket, and wandered through the aisles. He gathered a small gas stove, a compact sleeping bag, a first aid kit, and several emergency flares. Heading back to the man, he plunked them down, prompting another raised eyebrow and a headshake. ¡°I¡¯d like these as well.¡± "I know. I''ve got eyes, kid," Pete replied, his scribbling uninterrupted. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°But apparently allergic to chit-chat,¡± Marcus countered, sneaking a peek at the man¡¯s notes before stepping away as their eyes met. He lingered awkwardly for a few moments until the old man finally put a stop to the note-taking and picture-snapping. Pete scooped up the pieces, stuffing them haphazardly into the garbage bag before he handed it over to Marcus. ¡°Half the credits before I even lay a finger on the steel, and the rest when you swing by in two days. And no moaning afterwards if it won¡¯t fit or doesn¡¯t work like a charm, got it?¡± the man stated, noting Marcus¡¯s nod in response. Pete then spat in his hand and presented it for a shake. Marcus hesitated for a moment before copying the gesture, spitting in his own hand and shaking the man¡¯s grubby hand, disregarding the way it made him feel. ¡°Alright. Anything else?¡± Marcus took a moment, then broke into a sudden smile. "Got any really thick plates of metal?" he asked. The shopkeeper shook nodded his head and pointed to the aisle on his right. - - - Day 35 Yawning, Marcus could hardly shake off the exhaustion as he stood in his livingroom. He¡¯d spent the last two days working non-stop with Felix, and it had taken a toll. The grind was relentless, but he had no choice. His credits were running low, and the cost of the ordered items had far exceeded his initial estimates. Despite the time, he was still tinkering with Specter''s new right arm, carefully attaching the last few pieces. "I need the welder," Marcus requested, holding out his hand, but didn''t feel something being shoved into his palm. "Hello?" "I''m still using it," Specter replied. "Just be patient." Turning around, Marcus saw the robot welding several thick steel plates together one-handed, nearly finishing the task, complete with a newly added handle. After a brief wait, the robot stood up, examining the shield before giving it a single nod, as if declaring it a flawless piece of art. ¡°Happy with it, or are we going to recite some poetry to it first?¡± Marcus asked sarcastically. Ignoring the comment, Specter moved toward Marcus, giving his shoulder a brief touch to form an mental connection and grasp what Marcus wanted it to do. In sync, they finished the final touches on the robotic arm, with Marcus welding a few bits before tightening the last bolts. ¡°Well, here goes nothing,¡± Marcus uttered, slowly installing the piece onto what remained of Specter¡¯s right arm, which they had cleaned up and partly dismantled beforehand. Marcus connected the pieces, securing more bolts. A muttered curse hung in the air as the bolt slipped from his grasp, a minute ticking by as he frantically searched before finding it and finally securing the last piece. He looked at the finished product, observing Specter¡¯s new right arm. It wasn¡¯t an exact copy of the original, and the shopkeeper had mentioned performance differences due to the different pistons and motors. Still, something was better than nothing. Specter wiggled the unresponsive arm with its shoulder, examining the new arm lacking plastic plating. ¡°How long do you think it will take before I can move it?¡± ¡°Hell if I know,¡± Marcus answered as he dropped the rest of his tools and made his way over to the kitchen. ¡°Longer than replacing a bit of plastic plating, that¡¯s for sure,¡± he added, opening the fridge to snatch a carton of milk and a pre-made sandwich. ¡°How long do you have left, battery wise?¡± ¡°About twenty minutes,¡± Specter remarked, joining Marcus. He observed the young man hop and sit on the counter, taking a few bites from his sandwich. ¡°Seems like your guesswork yesterday was right. The single point in Vigor increased my operating time from 144 minutes to 264 minutes, give or take.¡± ¡°First off, it wasn¡¯t a guess. I calculated it. Like a grown man,¡± Marcus stated, remembering how he had triple-checked it with a calculator. ¡®The single point of Vigor increased my total Mana amount from 12 to 22,¡¯ he thought, focusing on his own Mana, feeling it slowly trickle back. Before, it would have taken him nearly two hours to recover even a single point of Mana, or 12 points after a whole day. Now, he was regaining one almost every hour. ¡°But the time increase should do wonders for you in the field. Nearly four and a half hours is a lot.¡± The robot simply nodded, encouraging Marcus to continue. ¡°So, are you happy with your new shield?¡± Marcus inquired, eyeing the weighty object and pondering if he himself could use it without getting worn out in mere minutes. ¡°A bit. I guess it¡¯s nearly done. I¡¯m thinking of adding spikes on the outside, turning it into a shield and weapon combo,¡± Specter replied as Marcus finished his sandwich and took a swig from the milk carton, prompting Specter to comment, ¡°We do have glasses, you know.¡± ¡°Yes, Mom,¡± Marcus quipped, tossing the empty carton into the sink. He hopped off the counter, approached Specter, and inspected his companion¡¯s new arm. The blue veins that had previously cut off around the shoulder but were now gradually spreading through the upper arm. ¡°It looks like it is working, but it¡¯s slow. How about logging off for the night? And take that shield with you.¡± The robot poked at the strange blue veins on its right arm, lost in thought until Marcus reminded it about running out of power. Clutching the shield with its left hand, Specter moved slowly towards the bedroom, disappearing into its closet and securing the door. Marcus glanced at the backpack near his workstation where he¡¯d been tinkering with the robot¡¯s right arm. He knew what was inside the backpack and his plan for each item. With a sigh, he shut off the lights in the living room, then proceeded to enter the bathroom for a quick pit stop and brush his teeth. Marcus then dragged himself to bed afterwards, aware that he had another shift with Felix in the morning. He collapsed onto the bed, headfirst, the weight of exhaustion settling in his bones. ¡°God, this feels good,¡± he mumbled as his body sank into the comforting embrace of his bed. ¡°I needed this.¡± ¡°Dude at least wait until my battery runs out before you start¡ª¡± ¡°Go to sleep, Specter!¡± Marcus cut in, flinging a pillow towards the closet to quiet the robot. ¡°Seriously, dude! What the hell?¡± Silence then draped over the room, interrupted only by distant car sounds and the rhythm of Marcus''s heartbeat. He turned on his back, gazing at the ceiling, his right hand raised. The black marks on his skin and knuckles served as a permanent reminder of his past, proof of what he had become and what he had lost because of it. ¡®Just a little more. I¡¯ll get strong enough to never lose anyone else. To protect those that are left,¡¯ he mused, forming a fist and a faint grin. ¡°Night, Marcus,¡± Specter chimed in softly, a hint of amusement in the chuckle that followed. ¡°Love you.¡± Shaking his head, Marcus sighed in response, fully aware how absurd his life had gotten these last few weeks. ¡°Love you too, buddy.¡± - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 32B (Status Screen) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 32B I Status Screen - - - Marcus Smit ¨X ¨[
Official Rank: Alpha / Rank 1
Power Rating: 3 If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ Stats
Strength: 0 Endurance: 1
Agility: 0 Perception: 0
Mental: 1 Vigor: 1
Total Mana 22
¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ Abilities -Placeholder, seeing as I have no bloody idea what my Abilities are ¨^ ¨a - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 33 (Home) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 33 I Home - - - Day 38 Marcus landed on the opposite side of the tall wall, his raincoat billowing in the wind. He glanced down at his red sneakers, a nervous grin playing on his lips as he shifted them in the dirt, fully aware how ¡®not stealthy¡¯ they were. ¡®I¡¯m an idiot,¡¯ he thought as he glanced at them for a moment before standing up straight. The large Sphere sprawled ahead, its light blue hue dominating the junkyard that had been his prison for years. The sound of movement caught his attention as he heard and felt the robot climb up the wall, its weight pulling on the attached rope around Marcus¡¯s waist. Without warning he suddenly spotted his backpack landing dangerously close to him. ¡°Really?¡± he muttered as he turned around while undoing the rope around his torso. Specter landed on the ground near him seconds later in a dull thud. Just like him, it was wearing a black hoodie, black pants, and a non-reflective sturdy black raincoat. From the back, it looked surprisingly human, and around his height. It had strapped two knives to its clothes in improvised sheaths for quick access, made from bits of tape and plastic, mirroring Marcus¡¯s setup. Marcus watched as the robot carefully pulled down the thick, cut-resistant blanket they had previously thrown over the barbed wire. They had used this tactic to climb over the wall and prevent from getting stuck or risking Marcus cutting himself on the wire, without having to spend time cutting it apart and avoiding the clear signs that someone had trespassed. Specter quickly folded the blanket and secured it around its back, using the rope that had previously been used to hoist the robot over the wall. ¡®The right arm is looking good,¡¯ Marcus thought as he watched just how much faster Specter had gotten now that it had both hands to work with. Marcus observed as the robot picked up the shield in its right hand and the hatchet in the left, a reversal of what he himself would¡¯ve done. ¡®It¡¯s a stubborn piece of work. That¡¯s for sure,¡¯ he thought, recognizing Specter¡¯s persistent efforts to establish itself as a distinct entity. Whether it was the deeper tone of voice that it used, or the pride-driven struggle to become left-handed like their father had been. As of late, Specter had also been attempting to hold on to its individuality in more ways than one. Marcus extended his hand, resting it on Specter¡¯s shoulder, merging their thoughts and experiences as they went over their plan again. Even with Marcus¡¯s mind whole again, he could feel Specter¡¯s presence, a subtle whisper at the back of his consciousness. It wasn¡¯t uncomfortable, just peculiar, like a distant murmur. With the task of going in the Sphere, Marcus shared fifty percent of his mental capacity and gave it to Specter, making it an equal situation for both of them. Marcus let go of his companion as he watched the robot stride purposefully forward. Without a hint of hesitation, the robot slowly stepped through the Sphere¡¯s barrier. Marcus followed it with his eyes, seeing the robot move past the barrier and into the junkyard proper, its form now slightly blurred by the Sphere¡¯s distorting effects and the darkness of night. Eventually it became very difficult for him to see the robot at all. ¡®I hate going in when it¡¯s dark like this,¡¯ he thought once again, although he knew that it was the only way he could get away with these raids. ¡®Perhaps I could install flashlights into Specter. Would that even work?¡¯ Marcus shifted his attention to his own gear, making sure that he had properly strapped the two knives to his chest before glancing at the spear protruding from his backpack. He seized the pipes, linking them with the threaded ends before twirling the makeshift weapon to get used to its size and weight again. Afterwards he took one last look inside the backpack, inspecting the things he had brought with him, including a plastic bag containing eight pieces of Monster-Glass. Specter had brought back those pieces over the past two days, sneaking into the Sphere near the lake that the two of them had explored before. ¡°Just 12 more pieces,¡± Marcus muttered as he slung on the backpack, doing his best to calm his nerves. He then moved forward, stepping cautiously through the Sphere¡¯s edge, spotting Specter waving on the other side. Marcus felt himself slowly glide through the peculiar gel-like membrane that looked like floating crystalline shards, and emerged on the other side, suddenly able to breathe again. When he was in the junkyard, the mingled odors of decay, fresh grass, flowers, and clean air flooded his senses, forming a peculiar amalgamation of weirdness that he had never experienced when he had been just a robot. ¡°Welcome home,¡± Specter greeted, strolling over to Marcus, observing him acclimate to the surroundings. ¡°How does it feel being here? Weird?¡± Marcus nodded. ¡°Yeah, it feels strange being here in the flesh after all these years. The smell is something else, I can tell you that,¡± he remarked, tightening his grip on his spear. ¡°But we¡¯ve got a job to do. Lead the way.¡± Taking charge, Specter carefully guided them through the garbage covered terrain, overgrown with moss and peculiar plants. After about twenty tense minutes, the robot came to a stop, crouching down, and Marcus followed suit. The young man lightly touched Specter¡¯s frame, immediately embracing the robot¡¯s perspective and seeing the threat: a small monster, injured with a missing hind leg and wounds on its side. ¡®Likely a survivor from a fight with the Breachers that came in earlier that day,¡¯ Marcus and Specter mused as one as they observed the creature a while longer. Formulating a plan in his mind, Marcus severed the mental connection, watching the robot advance slowly, staying low and trying to sneak up on the monster. The creature spotted the robot moments later, rushing toward the steel threat with hisses and hostility. It crashed into Specter¡¯s shield, injuring itself further on the spikes that the robot had welded on it. The monster withdrew briefly before launching another assault, repeatedly striking the robot¡¯s shield and narrowly evading Specter¡¯s retaliatory hatchet swings each time. ¡®The monster¡¯s quite nimble, despite its injuries,¡¯ Marcus thought as he carefully closed in on the creature from the rear, with Specter tracking its movements and keeping it distracted. The robot occasionally delivered a shield bash, stunning the creature momentarily, or kept it on guard by feinting an attack. When Marcus had gotten close enough, he lunged forward, driving his spear into the monster¡¯s remaining hind leg, immobilizing it. A split second later, Specter¡¯s hatchet bit deep into the creature¡¯s face, putting an end to the threat. Afterwards, Specter slammed the axe down two more times, just to be sure. ¡°Fast little bugger, wasn¡¯t he?¡± Marcus asked as he pulled out his spear. Specter gave a nod. ¡°Yeah, they weren¡¯t like that the last time. They were bulkier and had weird mutations,¡± the robot remarked, dropping his gear. It grabbed a knife and used it to cut out the Glass piece from the monster skull and removed bits of brain still clinging to it before stashing it in Marcus¡¯s backpack. ¡°And that¡¯s nine,¡± Specter said before picking up its gear again before continuing onward. Specter led the way as Marcus followed a few paces behind it as they climbed over smaller hills, scouting the terrain that had changed so much in the last few weeks. As they continued onwards, they occasionally whispered to each other, discussing why the monsters had become smaller and more agile all of a sudden, or how the terrain might change in the next few weeks. Massive stacks of debris and dirt loomed in the distance, resembling giant anthills, with some movement around them. In the center stood a larger tower, shimmering with metal and decay as it reached up into the sky. ¡°That¡¯s where the Orb is located, huh?¡± Specter commented, and Marcus nodded, both grappling with the sheer magnitude of the tower before them. ¡°Well, how about we do not go there unless we¡¯ve got a death wish?¡± Marcus just stared for a moment longer before Specter suddenly hissed, ¡°Movement.¡± The robot pointed its hatchet toward the east, and they could see several smaller monsters rushing in a straight line before breaking off into smaller groups. ¡°Do you think we can handle two of them at once?¡± the robot asked, and Marcus observed it tracking the two monsters closest to them. ¡°Perhaps we could catch them by surprise, or set up a trap?¡± Marcus suggested, a small grin forming on his face. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s do this.¡± They then descended the mound, making their way toward the monsters, set on ripping out their Glass. - - - Marcus arched backward, the debris behind him preventing him from moving any further. The creature in front of him blasted him with spittle as it snapped and hissed at him, trying to reach him. Marcus just kept the shaft of his spear lodged in its beak. ¡°God, you smell!¡± He struggled to keep the monster at bay, its paws clawing at his chest, but unable to breach the cut-resistant layer beneath his hoodie, yet adding bruise after bruise. ¡°At least take a breath mint,¡± Marcus hissed, feeling his arms burn. Suddenly, two metal hands seized the monster¡¯s beak from behind, forcefully widening it as Marcus could hear the motors and pistols apply more and more pressure onto the beak until Specter suddenly ripped the monster¡¯s head apart, showering Marcus in blood. Amidst the gruesome scene, the robot dropped off the top of the monster¡¯s head. Yet, Marcus had little time to process it and thank his companion as another monster rammed into the robot¡¯s back, sending both crashing into the garbage pile next to him. Marcus shot forward, driving the spear¡¯s tip into the newcomer that was clawing at Specter¡¯s back. He felt the weapon sink into the monster¡¯s feather-clad torso, pushing it in deeper with a determined wiggle to cut apart flesh and force the monster backwards. The creature howled, limbs flailing, as Marcus pushed it away from Specter, feeling his momentum slowly lessening. With sheer luck, Marcus made the monster trip and tumble backwards into a rusted fridge that lay partially buried in a pile of rubble. Keeping the monster pinned down, he heard Specter rush toward him, leaping with its shield to slam down on the creature, containing it inside the fridge. ¡°Stop screaming, stop screaming, stop screaming,¡± Marcus hissed as he continued to pull out and thrust his spear through the gaps between Specter¡¯s shield and the fridge. With each stab, more blood sprayed as the monster kept hissing and screaming. He just kept stabbing and twisted his weapon for what felt like minutes until the creature¡¯s cries transformed into bloody gargles before it finally went silent. ¡°What kind of shitstorm was that?¡± Marcus moaned, retracting the spear and collapsing onto his knees, utterly spent. He turned to look around him, seeing the aftermath of the battle they had just waged. There were corpses of monsters in various states¡ªsome he had impaled with his spear, while Specter had hacked apart others. ¡°This was a fucking great idea,¡± he muttered sarcastically before wincing at the bruises now adorning his chest. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Specter just stepped back with its shield before dropping it, afterwards dragging the lifeless monster out of the fridge a few paces. Then, without so much as a pause, the robot snapped the creature¡¯s neck before extracting the Glass piece and dropping the bloody fragment in front of Marcus. ¡°The plan backfired, that¡¯s all. It was just bad luck.¡± Marcus sighed, shutting his eyes for a brief moment as he thought about how quickly things had gone wrong. ¡°Right... bad luck.¡± Earlier, both Specter and himself had ambushed the two monsters that they had been following. The ambush had been relatively successful but one had gotten away, returning minutes later with a dozen of its kin as reinforcements. Marcus and Specter had been running ever since, jumping over debris, killing, or wounding monsters that had gotten too close. When they could, the two of them had hidden behind piles of garbage, or inside burned-out vehicles before setting off in another direction when the coast was clear again. Marcus had lost count of the monsters they¡¯d killed and the Glass pieces they¡¯d missed during the chaos. Marcus watched as Specter ripped out Glass after Glass, collecting each one before throwing them near the one already close to Marcus. ¡°How much time has passed?¡± he asked, too fatigued to glance at his own HUD as he slowly slid off his backpack before storing the Glass pieces one by one. ¡°I¡¯ve got about 45 minutes left, give or take. So, you do the math,¡± the robot remarked, yanking its hatchet out from a nearby corpse and rejoining Marcus. ¡°Do you want to circle back and see if we can find the other corpses that we left behind to get some more Glass?¡± ¡°No, this place is like a maze at this point,¡± Marcus said, slowly getting to his feet, feeling the ache in his limbs. ¡°Besides, I¡¯m done for today. I doubt we¡¯ve killed the monsters in this area, so who knows how many more might be out there, waiting for us to stumble around, tired and running out of battery.¡± He scanned the surroundings, trying to find a bit of familiar terrain, but failing to do so. ¡®This place has changed way to much these last few weeks,¡¯ he thought as he felt once again humbled by the Orb¡¯s power to transform the landscape so quickly and in such bizarre ways. ¡°We need to find shelter for now.¡± Specter nodded before offering a helping hand by shouldering Marcus¡¯s backpack as they left the bloody aftermath, sidestepping the corpses that were all around them. Specter led the two of them, periodically scouting ahead and returning afterwards so that they could avoid other monsters, or at least try to during the dead of night. Despite the clear signs that other Breachers had been inside the Sphere earlier that day, Marcus remained puzzled by the sheer number of creatures that were still out there. ¡®Are there just hundreds of them out there at any given time, or do they regain to their numbers really fast?¡¯ he wondered while spotting Specter jog back to his side. ¡°Come on, I¡¯ve got a surprise,¡± Specter said before darting back, avoiding physical contact with Marcus to conceal its thoughts and memories. The robot disappeared behind a row of cars while the young man followed suit, slowly rounding the corner until he spotted his steel companion standing next to another stack of vehicles, entwined with vines and moss. ¡°Tadaa,¡± Specter said as it pointed upwards, almost to the point where Marcus could imagine a grin on the robot¡¯s face. Marcus spotted a familiar van stuck there, just a row up. ¡°Our old home,¡± he muttered, walking toward it, observing how the vines and moss had almost completely covered it. ¡°This should work. And in a weird way, it¡¯s kinda fitting.¡± He patted Specter¡¯s shoulder, then watched as the robot moved up the cars, hacking apart a few vines before wiggling open the backdoor. After helping Marcus climb in, Specter closed the door behind them while Marcus just looked around and occasionally touched something of the vehicle. ¡°It¡¯s smaller than I remember.¡± ¡°Never mind the size. How¡¯s the smell?¡± Specter asked, its camera lens zeroing in on him. ¡°Honestly? It¡¯s like a wet dog and old sweaty socks. Trust me, you¡¯re not missing much,¡± Marcus answered while reaching for his backpack and unzipping it to pull out the small bag filled with Monster-Glass. ¡°15 pieces in total. We gained seven Glass this run despite killing way more, spent hours fighting for our lives, and came close to getting ourselves killed a few times.¡± ¡°Yeah, today was a bad run. No other way to say it. Still, we made it out alive and we¡¯ll learn from it,¡± Specter said, setting its shield and axe close enough for both of them to reach in case of an emergency. ¡°How are you holding up?¡± ¡°Bruised, battered and exhausted,¡± Marcus answered, eyeing his metallic counterpart. ¡°You?¡± Specter slowly lifted up the sleeve of its right arm. ¡°Well...¡± He paused, revealing bits of broken plastic protective plating. ¡°I think we¡¯re going to need to borrow that printer again.¡± The news made Marcus shake his head. ¡°I can already hear Felix grumbling at that, and I¡¯m running out of excuses to throw at him why I need to borrow the printer again.¡± He then retrieved his small gas stove from the backpack, setting it on a flat steel surface, and ignited it as the robot just watched him work. Placing a can of soup on the stove, Marcus then dug into his backpack for a sandwich and a bottle of water. He occasionally wiggled the soup can in order to heat it evenly, making sure it didn¡¯t get too hot to touch directly. Specter took over after a while, wiggling the soup can with its steel hand, unfazed by the temperature. After a few minutes, the robot placed it next to Marcus before turning off the stove. ¡°I¡¯m going to try to preserve as much power as I can in case of an emergency. Are you going to be ok?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± Marcus said, dunking the edges of his sandwich in the hot soup before devouring chunks of it. He ate in silence while the robot observed for a few moments before turning away. Specter just settled down in an oddly humanlike manner, staring up at the car¡¯s roof, its eye¡ªor rather, camera¡ªunable to close. Marcus finished his meal, washing it down with the last of his water in large gulps before storing his things in his backpack again, including the Glass pieces. ¡®Specter did great out there. Despite the arm being a bit cobbled-together, it performed quite well. Still, the two of us nearly got our asses handed to us, despite having better gear and the extra arm. I think we know how to fight, but we¡¯re clueless about how monsters behave, what to look out for, and how to plan accordingly. We need more experience.¡¯ Moving closer to the back door, Marcus wiped his torn raincoat sleeve on the dirty window, revealing the outside view. ¡®This would be so much easier if I could go in during the day. Less risk that way,¡¯ he thought, contemplating his current situation. The idea of taking the ¡®official¡¯ route, obtaining a proper license, crossed his mind as a way to reduce the danger, and make it easier to go out during the day. However, he knew his brother and uncle would disapprove, and his sister might resort to extreme measures. ¡®Joline would probably go as far as breaking my legs to keep me away from a Sphere.¡¯ Marcus sighed, thoughts drifting to his family. ¡®Despite the risks, I¡¯ve earned three Stat points in a short time. I¡¯ve never heard of a Breacher or someone with a Mark that was able to increase their power like I am doing.¡¯ His gaze shifted skyward, seeing the night sky tinged light blue. ¡®People would freak out if they learned about my ability. News agencies, the government¡­ guilds¡­ I don¡¯t want that kind of attention on my family.¡¯ Spotting movement outside, Marcus instinctively backed away from the window, a momentary chill running down his spine as he heard howls and hisses. He quickly crawled back to his companion before he treated himself to a few sphincter tightening minutes to collect himself before cautiously pulling out his sleeping bag. Determined to ignore the idea that there were monsters just outside, he crawled inside the sleeping bag, lying still, and listening to the world around him. The occasional movement, odd growl, and the clanging of metal forced him to mutter a blatant lie to himself, ¡°Probably just dogs. Just very, very big dogs.¡± Clutching Specter¡¯s hatchet, he burrowed deeper into his sleeping bag, hoping the unpleasant smell within the vehicle would cloak his own scent while he tried to sleep with one eye open. - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 34 (Self-Hate) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 34 I Self-Hate - - - Day 39 Specter Specter extracted his hatchet from the skull of another peculiar monster that resembled a strange alien-like ostrich. The creature had a thick body, large legs, and sickly grey feathers. Despite its remarkable speed, it had proven less of a threat compared to the other monsters they¡¯d encountered in this Sphere. It had just been annoying to catch and finally kill. Ditching the shield, Specter opted for the axe and the dexterity of his mechanical fingers to pry the Glass from the monster¡¯s skull. Suppressing his emotions as he heard the nasty pop when the Glass came loose, the robot reminded himself, ¡®I¡¯m Specter. I¡¯m someone who watches over his family.¡¯ He got back up and made his way to Marcus. ¡°And that¡¯s another one for our second night here. I think that¡¯s number 19,¡± he said as he rifled through Marcus¡¯s backpack, depositing the loot inside the plastic bag there. He then backed off and moved towards the ridge of the large mound of debris they were currently standing on, checking out the expansive junkyard. The two of them could see the signs of recent battles, destruction that hadn¡¯t been present the day before, or clear signs of human activity. Shifting through Marcus¡¯s memories, he recalled sitting in the back of the rusty van during the day, surrounded by the sounds of distant battles, shouts, gunfire, and explosions. He remembered Marcus chewing awkwardly on a sandwich as bullets whizzed nearby, or how the man had performed push-ups, attempting to distract himself from a horde of monsters charging past the location of their van. ¡°I think there are fewer monsters around this time,¡± Marcus commented, casting a quick glance at the monster corpse near him. ¡°Well, judging by what you heard during the day, I¡¯d say that the party of Breachers that went in this afternoon were dead set on making the buggers in this Sphere an endangered species,¡± Specter said while he knelt by a hole in the ground, revealing a tunnel spiraling downward through the length of the mound they were standing on. ¡°Ready to jump in and get horrible murdered?¡± he asked, glancing back at Marcus, who was eyeing the massive tower where the Orb would be located. ¡°Marcus?¡± The young man snapped back to attention, giving a quick nod to his steel companion. ¡°Ready,¡± he said, grabbing Specter¡¯s shield and hatchet. The robot just stared at him for a moment before retrieving a knife from his makeshift scabbard. He then took one of the flares Marcus had brought, lit it, and began crawling down the hole face-first. Awkwardly navigating the twisting path, he occasionally stumbled as the path abruptly descended, then twisted again. Behind him, he heard Marcus swearing while hauling the rest of the gear. Specter crawled deeper until he suddenly came face to face with a strange creature. Blinded by the flare, it started hissing. Without hesitation, Specter jammed his knife into the creature¡¯s mouth. At the same time, it lunged forward, clamping onto Specter¡¯s arm and dragging him back with it. The monster made a gurgling sound as it jerked backward with blood pouring from its mouth. It slammed Specter into walls as it continued to move backwards until they both fell as the tunnel suddenly widened into a larger chamber. The impact drove Specter¡¯s arm further into the creature¡¯s throat, the knife now protruding from the back of its neck, ending its life after a few last twitches. When he was sure that it was dead, Specter pulled his bloody arm and knife free from the monster¡¯s throat, eyeing the mole-like monstrosity with its strange deformities and bird-like legs. ¡®Why are they always so weird and ugly?¡¯ His feet slammed down twice on the monster¡¯s face to truly confirm that it had died and wasn¡¯t just faking it, like he had seen some of them do. Surveying the chamber, he noticed the packed dirt, plastic, and rusted metal in various stages of mutation, all pressed together into sturdy walls. Strange tendrils threaded through it all, pulsating a soft blue glow. Some tendrils branched off from the ceiling, holding onto transparent sacks filled with a dirty-looking liquid. A few of the sacks even had partially formed monsters inside of them. ¡®Ten sacks, four with growing monsters,¡¯ he thought, examining the bizarre cocoon-like structures. ¡®We found our first proper nest, or whatever this kind of place is called.¡¯ He heard Marcus land on the floor with an awkward plop, along with the items he was dragging behind him, the hatchet landing dangerously close between his legs. ¡°Holy shit! That could¡¯ve been bad,¡± Marcus hissed, getting up cautiously and double checking to make sure all the important bits were still safe. Specter slowly moved towards the man before touching his shoulder. Briefly, he shared his encounters and observations before letting go again and moving towards the first monster inside the sack. ¡°Seems like this is where the monsters come from... a strange hatchery or something,¡± Specter observed, pointing his knife at the fleshy sack. He pushed the blade through, letting the liquid inside spill out. Marcus recoiled instantly, as if on the verge of gagging. ¡°Gross, that reeks,¡± he said between hisses. Specter gave a nonchalant shrug before slicing the sack open further. Once he made a wide enough hole, he slid his arm inside and reached for the tendril connected to the Glass in the monster¡¯s skull. While attempting to cut it out, the Glass shattered and disintegrated in his steel hand. ¡°Wait... What just happened?¡± Marcus approached, pressing his sleeve to his mouth. ¡°I guess the Glass wasn¡¯t fully formed yet, or not stable. Who knows? It¡¯s weird to think that these things create Glass and monsters. Let¡¯s check another,¡± the young man suggested. Moving to the next sack, they both wielded knives to cut that one open as well. Marcus breathed through his mouth, occasionally letting out a muttered curse or attempted not to gag. When they had opened it up they held onto the partially formed monster, cutting into the connected tendril. Specter studied the monster¡¯s bulky frame, its feathery patches glistening almost like steel, fused together like defensive plating. Suddenly, he froze as the monster¡¯s eyes opened, staring directly at him. Before he had a chance to react, Marcus¡¯s knife slammed into one of the monster¡¯s eyes, deep into the socket. The sight snapped Specter into action as he thrust his own knife into the other eye. Twisting the blades, they drove their weapons in deep until the monster stopped thrashing. ¡°Guess he didn¡¯t see that coming, huh?¡± Marcus asked with an amused grin while Specter shook his head at the dumb joke. They cut out the Glass, leaving a nasty hole where it had been. ¡°And that¡¯s 20,¡± Marcus said, glancing over his shoulder at the monster Specter had slain when falling into the chamber. ¡°Well, 21 if we¡¯re counting that one.¡± The two of them then systematically sliced open the remaining sacks, preemptively dispatching the monsters inside with some less than tactical frantic face and throat stabbing before cutting apart the vines that were attached to the Glass pieces. Eventually, they retrieved two more pieces and the one that Specter had killed on his own, bringing the total to 23 in their possession. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. ¡°Not bad for a few hours¡¯ work,¡± Specter pitched in as he tossed the remaining Glass into the bag before flinging it to Marcus, who snagged it midair. ¡°I wonder if this growth process of these creatures inside those sacks happens fast, or if there are tons of these birthing chambers hidden inside these Spheres. Makes you think about how many we might¡¯ve missed in our other trips to different Spheres." ¡°With my luck, I¡¯ve probably passed by them a dozen times,¡± Marcus said, staring at the Glass in the plastic bag. ¡°We¡¯ll have to do more research more when we get back home. It¡¯s hard to accept that they¡¯re typically guarded by just one monster like you faced just now. I mean, this has to be a fluke, right?" ¡°Who knows. So, what¡¯s the plan? We¡¯ve got more than 20 pieces, so we can upgrade a Stat. Ready to head home?¡± Specter asked while giving the chamber a once-over to make sure they hadn¡¯t missed anything. ¡°That depends. How much juice do you have left in the tank?¡± ¡°Got about 140 minutes left,¡± Specter mentioned, gaze focused on his HUD as he figured out his battery situation with a quick estimate. ¡°Give or take.¡± Marcus took a moment, as if weighing his options. ¡°Well, we gained seven Glass yesterday, while we gained eight pieces this time, with plenty of time to spare.¡± ¡°And we played it safe... safer... safe-ish, compared to last time,¡± Specter chimed in, noting Marcus¡¯s brief nod. ¡°I say we head home. Take the win, try not to die scaling the fence or suffer a stroke or heart attack when you upgrade your Stat, and come up with a good excuse for your two-day radio silence. I mean, Joline is probably going to chew you out regardless.¡± ¡°Yeah. I doubt they¡¯ll believe I went fishing and forgot my phone.¡± Marcus said halfheartedly as he kept staring at the Glass in the bag, shaking it now and again. ¡°And Joline has a right to worry.¡± Picking up on Marcus''s sudden shift, Specter watched him for a moment, just staring at the Glass. ¡°Something wrong?¡± Taking twenty Glass pieces from the bag, Marcus dropped the remaining ones on the floor one by one. ¡°You¡¯re right... The smart move is to go back home, hit the upgrade and recover,¡± he said, staring at the bundle of Glass in his hand. ¡°Why am I sensing a ¡®but¡¯ at the end of that sentence?¡± Specter replied, his camera focusing on Marcus, observing the smirk forming on the man¡¯s lips as he eyed the Glass. ¡°Marcus, no¡ª¡± Specter barely got the first two words out before Marcus lifted his shirt and slammed the pieces into his chest, right where the black Marks were. ¡°You fool!¡± Specter hissed, stepping forward while watching the 20 Glass pieces disintegrate as energy flowed through Marcus body, settling into his core. ¡°Right in the middle of a Sphere! Did you even consider that it might work differently when we¡¯re stuck in a bubble filled with bloody Mana and monsters!¡± Marcus panted, adjusting to the surging energy within him, a force eager to find a path to some sort of change within him. ¡°Sorry... couldn¡¯t help myself,¡± he said, stepping back before leaning against the nearby wall. He raised his hand to forestall Specter¡¯s lecture. ¡°I know we need to be safe... to be smart about all of this. But I can¡¯t shake the memory of how that douche treated our sister, how he looked at her. She¡¯s been stuck in that awful position in that guild for years, forced to fight monsters to keep me alive. She never had another choice. I just want to speed things up and settle her debt quickly.¡± Specter held his peace for a moment, grounding himself in the fact that he wasn¡¯t Marcus but Specter, a robot that was calm and collected. He held onto more and more of his father¡¯s memories while repressing more of the lingering bits of Marcus within himself. ¡°You didn¡¯t do this for our sister. You did this because that brain of yours is prone to anger. We¡¯re the same person, yet I¡¯m expected to change and be the mature one?¡± he asked, letting the words hang in the air for a moment. ¡°Why is it that I can see reason here, and you still do the same stupid things like you¡¯ve always done?¡± In response, Marcus hesitated, his mouth opening briefly before he shut it again, his irritation evident but without a suitable comeback. ¡°No words? No quick lies that you can hide behind?¡± Specter inched closer to Marcus, gazing at the man¡¯s blue eyes. ¡°You swore an oath that you¡¯d change. You promised Mom and Dad. What¡¯s changed, huh? Just me?¡± ¡°It¡¯s easier when you¡¯re a machine,¡± Marcus said softly, his eyes suddenly widening as Specter¡¯s fist collided with a nearby metal sheet behind the man with enough force to dent it. ¡°What about dad? Was it easier for him to grow up and become more mature? Change into someone worthy of being called a father instead of some thug?¡± Specter¡¯s voice shifted, becoming deeper and colder. ¡°Mom and Dad¡¯s last memories of you before they died was you being disappointment¡ªa reckless, petulant child throwing temper tantrums instead of growing up. And what about our sister? She¡¯s sacrificed her entire life to protect her family... blood-stained hands desperately clinging to the fragments of her old life. What you just did here mocks everything she¡¯s done. You¡¯re a bad son and an even worse brother,¡± Specter declared coldly, leaning in closer to Marcus as he uttered the words. Marcus glared at his companions, his blue eyes narrowing as anger bubbled to the surface. He spoke up, emphasizing each syllable. "Fuck... you..." ¡°You know what... Do it. Be the unrestrained fool. Grab that energy you just got and use it,¡± Specter hissed, stepping back. ¡°I hope the process hurts¡ªmore than Martin losing his leg, Joline losing her future, or Oscar bleeding out on top of you. More than the last few hellish minutes our parents endured, buried under all that rubble.¡± Specter, unfazed by Marcus¡¯s visible rage, returned the stare, unbothered by it all. Had his steel features allowed it, he¡¯d had conveyed his own sentiment in that moment: disgust. ¡°Do it. And I hope that Marcus dies in the process and someone else steps up. Someone who¡¯ll actually keep his word when he swears an oath.¡± The enraged young man attempted to unleash a yell, but Specter¡¯s hand suddenly snatched his neck in a tight squeeze, lifting him up in a slow, threatening manner. Their minds didn¡¯t sync up despite the physical connection, made possible by Specter¡¯s anger. Marcus stared at the man, a mix of anger and fear etched across his face as he realized the sheer strength difference between steel and flesh in that moment. The man¡¯s eyes widened as Specter¡¯s steel fingers tightened harder around his throat, cutting off his ability to breathe. He struggled, futilely slamming his fist into the robot¡¯s unyielding steel arm, but only managing to hurt his own hands in the process. His eyes rolled back, as if on the verge of passing out, yet Specter kept squeezing, both physically and mentally. ¡°I said... do it.¡± Suddenly, Marcus¡¯s eyes widened, every muscle seeming to contract simultaneously. Releasing his grip, Specter watched the man collapse on the floor, writhing and coughing, fighting to breathe. As Marcus¡¯s frame contorted with pain, Specter just stared, disregarding the message flashing on his HUD. ¨X ¨[ [Strength] [+1] ¨^ ¨a Specter slowly lowered himself, squatted near Marcus¡¯s writhing frame while grabbing him by his shirt and yanking the man closer. He forced Marcus to meet his gaze, refusing to once again establish a connection and shield himself from the thoughts and memories. ¡°I¡¯m Specter, the one who watches over his family. I know what I¡¯m born to do,¡± he declared, his voice deepening, slowly sounding less like Marcus as he stared at the pained figure beneath him. ¡°Who the fuck are you?¡± - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 35 (Rat) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 35 I Rat - - - Day 40 Marcus Marcus slowly woke up, greeted by a wave of soreness all over his body. He winced at the ache in his muscles, and how bruised he himself felt, slowly reconstructing the memory of his confrontation with Specter. ¡®Great... I passed out,¡¯ he thought, remembering the words his companion had said to him and how much they had hurt. He swallowed nervously, instantly regretting it when he felt the jolt of discomfort that made him realize how bruised his throat was. ¡®I knew he was stronger than me, but he could¡¯ve at least held back a little.¡¯ The ache coursing through him served as a solid reminder of how he had increased his Stat. ¡®My Strength went up by one point, but it hurt a lot more than the Vigor boost,¡¯ he thought as he opened his eyes, seeing the strange pulsating vines above him, showing that he was still in the underground chamber. ¡®How long was I out this time? Minutes or hours?¡¯ Marcus mused, shifting his gaze to the side. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he gradually recognized Specter¡¯s silhouette, partially protruding from the tunnel that led back up to the surface. He could see the shield in front of the robot, with the robot¡¯s limbs wedged in the debris to form an impromptu barrier. ¡®Smart move, keeping the monsters out like that.¡¯ Marcus attempted to get up, only to encounter resistance¡ªthe snug embrace of his sleeping bag. He sat up gradually, tugging the zipper down to free his upper half. When Marcus looked back he noticed the makeshift pillow in the form of a folded-up raincoat. ¡®First, he chokes the life out of me, and then he treats me better than I¡¯d treat myself?¡¯ Marcus thought before he spotted the plastic bag with Glass pieces on the ground next to him. He picked it up, studying it for a moment. ¡®No doubt this is his way of telling me that I need to think about what I¡¯ve done.¡¯ The sting of Specter¡¯s cutting words still lingered in his mind, each one a deeper wound than any knife could inflict. ¡°Specter¡¯s right,¡± he muttered under his breath, his fists clenched in frustration. ¡°The old me has to go. It needs to die... I need to become someone else... someone better.¡± After simmering in self-loathing and guilt for a few minutes, he turned on his HUD and noted how almost sixteen hours had passed. Marcus then perked up at a sudden sound, his gaze shifting to the left, vaguely spotting a sack that had previously been empty when he and Specter had cleared the place out. Now, it held a fully intact monster that was starting to wake up. Other sacks nearby also showed signs of having repaired the damage, with some even containing partially formed creatures. His eyes widened as he observed the awakened monster using its claw to rip through the membrane, unleashing a torrent of noxious liquid that assaulted Marcus¡¯s nostrils like a sledgehammer. He felt rooted in place, despite the pungent smell spreading throughout the chamber. He just stared as the monster emerged slowly from the sack, breaking free from the pulsating tendril attached to the Glass in the back of its head. The creature tumbled to the ground, disoriented, flailing its limbs like a newborn for a fleeting moment. It then rose to its towering height, twice the height of Marcus, its head brushing against the ceiling, scraping against packed dirt and debris. The monster boasted wing-like arms ending in nasty looking claws, a thick blubbery body, and a crooked beak. The creature¡¯s three eyed gaze shifted around the dim chamber, a series of unsettling clicks echoing as it communicated with its brethren that were still growing. Suddenly, the eerie rumble intensified as its gaze locked onto Marcus, still paralyzed within his sleeping bag. As slowly as he could, the young man shifted a trembling hand toward the zipper to pull it down further. In an instant, the monster lunged forwards, wings slashing through the air, a guttural hiss following its movements. ¡°Shit!¡± Marcus shouted as he rolled to the side, kicking off the sleeping bag as the creature crashed into the wall behind him, leaving the air thick with dread and dust. Marcus quickly got up, his eyes locking onto Specter as he sprinted toward the motionless robot, closing the distance in seconds. ¡®Just a single touch!¡¯ Marcus thought as desperation fueled his body. Just as he was about to make a physical connection and wake up his companion, a massive wing struck him forcefully from the side with enough force to slam him into the weird sacks on the other side of the chamber. He dropped to the ground and gasped for air as the impact knocked the wind out of him. Shaking his head in a brief moment of disorientation, Marcus tried to regain his bearings before he spotted the bird creature charging at him once more, forcing him to roll to the right. The creature collided with the sack he had just been standing at, smashing it apart upon impact and sending bits of partially formed monster flesh and foul liquid flying in all directions. It then shook its head before finding Marcus again, instantly charging towards him, only for the young man to duck past another sack, repeating the process. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Sensing his chance, Marcus dashed towards his backpack, quickly opening it and pulling out a handful of flares. A few tense moments later, he sparked them to life, suddenly bathing the room in a sudden blinding brilliance as the flares crackled and billowed smoke. Gripping a knife from his makeshift chest rig, Marcus extended the flares toward the charging monster. It shielded its face with its wings, wildly swinging the other, damaging nearby walls as it went into a blind rage. ¡®This is a dumb idea,¡¯ Marcus thought as he dodged several blind swings from the creature until he noticed a pattern like he had been trained to do since childhood. He ducked underneath another large swing while moving forward, getting up close and seeing the creature¡¯s armpit. He thrust the knife repeatedly in its armpit while waving the flares closer to its face, stabbing and twisting his knife until the wing hung limply, afterwards ducking to the side as the monster thrashed around. The blinded creature hissed and clicked its beak at Marcus, attempting to blindly swing its limp wing while blood sprayed out from the wounds it had sustained. ¡®Come on, bleed out already,¡¯ he thought, wondering how effective the knife wounds had been. Slowly, Marcus stepped backward, inching closer toward the robot. The monster, alerted by his footsteps, rushed forward on sound alone. Marcus just threw one of the flares against its face before dashing to the side at the last second as the monster crashed headfirst into the wall, spinning around, disoriented and blinded. ¡®Now,¡¯ Marcus thought as he seized the opportunity. He darted in low again before leaping upward as high as he could and driving his knife into the creature¡¯s chest. Using the imbedded weapon as a handle, Marcus pulled himself up as the monster began to thrash around violently while trying to get at him with its one good wing. After a few tense seconds, he was able to move up further, allowing him to thrust the remaining lit flare into one of the creature¡¯s three eyes. The scent of burning flesh and eyeball filled the air as the creature wailed and thrashed around, its wing ripping into the nearby walls. Marcus just held on for dear life all the while stabbing the lit flares into the creature¡¯s face. After a few tense minutes of this, the monster stopped its movement before it slowly began to topple forward. Feeling the change, Marcus let go of the knife and kicked himself away from the monster just as it crashed into the ground. The impact drove the knife even deeper into its chest, delivering the fatal blow. Most of the flares dropped to the floor, slowly setting fire to parts of the creature or the bits of plastic that were close by. Marcus panted for a moment, eyes fixed on the partially burning creature sprawled on the floor, blood pooling beneath it. He just stared at the red liquid, his mind reluctant to accept the fact that he had won and actually killed it. He yanked the second knife from his chest rig before rushing back at the monster, jumping on its back. In a frenzy, he stabbed and slashed at the corpse, again and again, until his arms ached from exertion and the knife handle grew slippery with blood. Exhausted, he stared at the lifeless monster, seeing the flames slowly engulf its head as he accepted his victory. Collapsing on the floor, he tried to catch his breath as the chamber started to fill up with smoke from the flares, the burning corpse and the smoldering plastic. Coughing, Marcus¡¯s eyes and lungs started to sting from the thickening smoke. He crouched low, searching for his backpack. When he spotted it, he rushed over, stuffing his sleeping bag inside along with the plastic bag of Glass pieces. Knife and filled backpack in hand, he then ran towards Specter, pouring every bit of Mana he had into the robot the second he clutched the steel frame. ¡°Wake up,¡± he hissed as their minds connected. Memories suddenly flooded in, allowing him to recall how Specter had spent what little battery it had left taking care of him, doing its best to keep him safe and block the tunnel to prevent monsters from coming down. Marcus slammed the memories aside as he forced his mind to focus on the task at hand, both bodies moving as one before Marcus let go. The robot quickly started to move, extracting itself from its position and descending into the chamber, shield in tow. ¡°Go up, I¡¯ll grab the Glass from the monsters here,¡± Specter said while Marcus shot upward, coughing violently as he dragged his gear with him, cursing each time his spear or backpack snagged on something. In a matter of seconds the tunnel became a swirling abyss of smoke, the acrid odor of burning flesh and plastic clinging to Marcus¡¯s senses. His nostrils burned, and his eyes stung as he crawled desperately, fingers fumbling over uneven surfaces. Visibility deteriorated rapidly, and soon, he was navigating purely on touch, holding his breath for as long as he could. Climbing faster, the discomfort intensified as he felt himself about to pass out or choke to death in the fumes. ¡®Not like this!¡¯ The smoke seemed to wrap around him, an ominous black shroud closing in. Then, just as the encroaching darkness of unconsciousness threatened to engulf him entirely, the tunnel abruptly opened up. Marcus felt the cool rush of outside air, and with sheer instinct, he threw himself to the side, collapsing on his back. Gasping in a lungful of the comparatively cleaner air, he teetered on the edge of consciousness. He could hear and feel his body cough violently, desperate to inhale some oxygen and to expel all the smoke he had collected. Marcus rubbed his eyes, trying to lessen the irritation. As he did so he caught the occasional thought and memory from Specter, glimpsing how the robot clumsily extracted Glass from monsters within the smoke-filled chamber and gathering their gear, including Marcus¡¯s partially torn raincoat, which had served as a pillow. As the young man continued to cough for a while longer, he slowly rose to a kneeling position. ¡®Please don¡¯t let this have ruined my lungs permanently,¡¯ he thought before he heard a noise nearby. His gaze shot to the right, where a tall man in military gear with a missing right arm stood, a gas mask hanging from his hip. Tension gripped the man¡¯s expression for a moment as he glanced at Marcus¡¯s hands, which instantly relaxed and lifted in a nonthreatening gesture. ¡°Well, well. Seems I¡¯ve caught our little rat,¡± the man remarked with a hint of a German accent, a smile playing on his lips as he took in the disheveled state of Marcus and his gear. ¡°We¡¯ve been on the hunt for you for a while now.¡± - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 36 (Gas and Light) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 36 I Gas and Light - - - Marcus froze and just stared at the man for a moment, gaze fixed on the absence of the man¡¯s right arm and the chaotic brown marks on the remaining flesh. ¡®An Original,¡¯ Marcus thought, assessing the threat. ¡®How strong is he? How fast?¡¯ Marcus''s thoughts raced, a flurry of escape plans taking shape¡ªdarting between throwing debris, using the terrain for cover, or even risking a sprint towards the Sphere''s edge, all the while hoping that Specter would pick up on his predicament. ¡°Who the hell are you?¡± he asked, ignoring the man¡¯s comment about him being a rat. The man''s expression turned into a wolfish grin, each step bringing him closer to Marcus. The tension thickened, and Marcus eyed the gas canisters strapped to the man¡¯s waist belt, accompanied by a menacing knife that made him feel insecure about his own weapon that he was still holding onto with his hands raised up in the air. ¡°A breacher that you pissed off,¡± the man remarked, advancing toward Marcus and snatching his backpack. ¡°Drop the knife or I¡¯ll break your arms,¡± he ordered, watching Marcus hesitate before tossing the knife down the hole. The man shook his head, his eyes fixed on the billowing smoke rising from the hole. His expression revealed a mix of curiosity and wariness. He then opened Marcus¡¯s backpack, carefully extracting items¡ªa sleeping bag, an improvised steel spear, a small gas stove, a first aid kit, and more. Eventually, he pulled out a plastic bag containing three Glass pieces. ¡°There we have it,¡± he said, toying with the Glass. ¡°So, is this your thing? Going in, killing two or three monsters, and selling the Glass?¡± "What the hell are you talking about? I¡¯m not selling Glass," Marcus protested, his eyes narrowing on the man as he considered his options. ¡°This bag in my hand tells a different story,¡± the man said, tossing the plastic bag and other items back into the backpack. He then turned his attention to Marcus¡¯s steel spear, a mix of curiosity and irritation on his face. ¡°Where¡¯s the rest of the crew you¡¯re running with?¡± He glanced at the hole leading to the tunnel Marcus had crawled out of, observing the billowing smoke. ¡°Are the other rats still down there?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not part of any crew, but feel free to go down there and see for yourself. Be sure to take long and deep breaths,¡± Marcus said with a cold edge, getting to his feet and gesturing at his gear. ¡°How about you start by giving me my stuff back and telling me who the hell you¡ª¡± ¡°What the hell is this?¡± The one-armed man abruptly said as he bent Marcus¡¯s steel spear, as if folding a paper straw, while shaking his head. ¡°A spear.¡± ¡°No shit, Sherlock,¡± the man scoffed, dumping the ruined weapon on the ground and spitting on the ground next to it. He then picked up the backpack, shaking it as he pointed it at Marcus. ¡°Why are you out here without proper gear or weapons? Wait¡ª¡± The man paused before he suddenly shot forward at an unnatural speed, yanking the hood of Marcus¡¯s hoodie back, revealing his black marks before Marcus could react. ¡°What the hell is an Original doing on his own with shit equipment? What¡¯s your rank?¡± Marcus shook free, taking a few steps back before giving the man the middle finger and flashing a nervous smile. ¡°This is my rank. Would you like to see the other¡ª¡± He didn¡¯t have the chance to finish as he noticed the man take a single step forward, blue mist pouring out of the marks on his right side, hinting at the sudden surge of Mana within the man¡¯s body. ¡®Crap... he¡¯s strong. He¡¯s giving me the same vibe as my sister had done back in her guildhall. There¡¯s no way I can win in a fight,¡¯ he thought as he quickly changed tactics. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t want to fight. I¡¯m just here for the monsters. That¡¯s it. You can have the Glass if you want,¡± Marcus said, slowly backing off further and moving closer to the edge. ¡°Oh no. You¡¯re coming with me,¡± the man declared, closing the distance and placing his hand on Marcus¡¯s shoulder while still holding onto the straps of the backpack. ¡°My brother will know what to do with you,¡± he said, pressing his hand harder onto Marcus¡¯s shoulder, highlighting the clear difference in raw power between them. ¡°Alright,¡± Marcus said, his voice soft in that moment. ¡°Just don¡¯t hurt me.¡± The moment the one-armed breacher opened his mouth to respond, Marcus suddenly stepped in as fast as he could, grabbing the man¡¯s wrist with his right hand while moving his left underneath the man¡¯s armpit as a lever. He lifted him upwards, pressing up with his legs, swiftly throwing the man over his shoulder and down the slope of debris and filth. The second it happened, Marcus spun on his heel, rushing the other way. He quickly ran down the slope before tripping and rolling the rest of the way, battering his body even further. He slid to a halt in the mud and filth at the bottom, his already bruised body now accumulating a fresh layer of aches, scrapes and discoloration as he set off, rushing toward the edge of the Sphere as fast as he could. A furious roar echoed in the distance, jolting Marcus into an instant change of direction, zigzagging between sections of the junkyard, desperate to get away from the Breacher. ¡®There¡¯s no way I could¡¯ve stood a chance against that freak in a straight up fight,¡¯ he thought, his lungs burning as he sped away. ¡®I got lucky because of the elevated location and the fact that he only had one arm to grab things.¡¯ The edge of the Sphere loomed in the distance, close to the main entrance. ¡®To hell with this place. I need to get out, fast. Specter¡¯s got a full charge just mere minutes ago. He¡¯ll probably be able to keep hidden for a while and make it out later.¡¯ Passing a row of cars, Marcus neared the Barrier, only to spot a man moving out of cover behind a burnt-out car, aiming a weapon at him. ¡®Who the hell¡ª¡¯ A bang echoed while something big and heavy slammed into Marcus¡¯s chest, halting his movements and folding him to the ground like a pretzel. Wheezing, he looked around, disoriented and in pain, spotting a strange object on the ground next to him. ¡®A Beanbag?¡¯ he thought, glancing at it while the man reloaded and advanced. ¡°You might want to stay down and play dead, buddy. The way my brother¡¯s roaring, you¡¯ve done a good job of getting on his nerves,¡± the man warned, holding the weapon trained on Marcus. ¡°That... stings,¡± Marcus grumbled, finally finding his voice after a minute of groaning and struggling to breathe properly again. He ran a hand across his chest, wincing at the pain. ¡°Do you... always... shoot first... talk later?¡± he asked as he stared at the man, seeing the tactical gear he was wearing. ¡®Another Breacher?¡¯ ¡°Oh, I bet it stings.¡± The man''s lips curled into a sly smile, revealing a glint of amusement in his eyes. ¡°The rules of chivalry don¡¯t apply in a Sphere. Now, who are you and what are you doing here?¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you try and ask nicely?¡± Marcus quipped, easing into a sitting position, eyes on the shotgun aimed at him. ¡°That¡¯s cute," the man replied, moving around Marcus, checking for any concealed weapons. ¡°Want another shot at answering again, or should we try an ¡®accidental¡¯ slip of my trigger finger to try to jolt your memory?¡± Dismissing the man¡¯s words with a headshake, Marcus just rubbed his chest again. ¡°Just let me... catch my breath first,¡± he said before he felt a surge of adrenaline and fear when he heard another distant roar in the distance. In response, he noticed the man¡¯s hand moving toward a flare gun on his hip, raising it and firing a bright flare into the sky to signal his position. Seizing the opportunity, Marcus shot forward, charging at the shotgun¡¯s with his left shoulder and tanking the shot before colliding with the startled man. The shotgun clattered to the ground as Marcus¡¯s opponent swiftly jabbed the tip of the flare gun into his ribs. In response, Marcus retaliated by smashing his forehead into the man¡¯s face with enough force to break his nose. As the man dropped the flare gun, staggering backward with blood streaming from his nose, Marcus seized the moment, delivering a punch to the man¡¯s stomach. However, Marcus paid the price by receiving a vicious hook to the side of his face, near his eye. The pain made him back off for a moment as he shook off the blow before lunging forward again and dodging the man¡¯s next attack. ¡®He¡¯s had decent training. But he¡¯s rusty,¡¯ Marcus thought as he blocked a few blows and a nasty leg swipe before returning two of his own that managed to do some damage. Sensing his moment, Marcus closed the distance after faking a jab, quickly grabbing the man and pulling him as close to himself as he could. ¡®Is he even a Breacher? I feel like I¡¯m faster and stronger than him.¡¯ They punched and clawed at one another for a few seconds, with Marcus receiving a nasty elbow to his face but retaliated by seizing the man¡¯s arm and neck, initiating a chokehold. Applying gradual pressure, he hissed, ¡°Just go to sleep.¡± The man, however, resisted, continuing to strike and claw at Marcus¡¯s arms and face. ¡°I said, go to¡ª¡± Marcus¡¯s command was cut short when he heard a thunderous impact reverberate through the junkyard. His eyes widened as he spotted the one-armed Breacher wearing a gasmask and kneeling on a destroyed car a short distance away, partially shrouded in a cloud of dust. Before Marcus even had a chance to consider how screwed he was, the one armed Breacher shot forwards like a bolt of lightning, closing the distance with alarming speed, an impending storm of rage and violence. ¡®Oh, shit,¡¯ Marcus thought, letting go of the man he was choking, afterwards slamming his foot in the man¡¯s stomach before making a break for it. After only a few steps, the one-armed Breacher snagged the back of Marcus¡¯s hoodie, pulling him down on the ground with more force than the shotgun blast had managed before, knocking the wind out of him. Marcus could barely blink twice before the angered Breacher snatched his ankle, giving him a violent spin before releasing him. The young man skidded across the ground, colliding into a burnt-out car with enough force to dent the door. ¡°You think you can hurt my brother and live?¡± The Breacher hissed through his gas mask, the distorted voice sending shivers down Marcus¡¯s spine. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°Sebastian, don¡¯t kill him,¡± the man on his knees urged, one arm nursing his ribs, the other tending to his broken nose. ¡®This is it. I¡¯m dead,¡¯ Marcus thought, his heart pounding as Sebastian approached menacingly slow, unnatural blue mist swirling around him, turning his presence into something almost demonic. ¡°No,¡± Marcus muttered just before feeling Sebastian¡¯s hand wrap around his throat, effortlessly lifting him off the ground as if he were nothing. ¡°No one hurts my brother,¡± Sebastian growled, his voice distorted but seething with anger. Even behind the gas mask, Marcus could see the man¡¯s wide eyes, like he was driven by pure rage. The anger in his eyes felt old, as if he harbored an age-old wrath that surpassed Marcus. The grip on his throat tightened, suffocating Marcus through pure pressure. ¡°Brother, stop,¡± the man urged while limping toward them. ¡°Let¡¯s all just calm down for a second and¡ª¡° he stopped talking as Marcus suddenly bit his own tongue with enough force to draw blood, afterwards spitting it all over the Breacher¡¯s gas mask, effectively blinding him. ¡°Oh no,¡± the brother managed to say before witnessing Marcus land a forceful kick to the blinded Sebastian¡¯s groin, breaking free. Marcus hit the ground, finally able to gulp down painful breaths. He eyed the stunned Breacher who was holding onto his sore bits. Despite his exhaustion, the young man got up again and went for an uppercut to the man¡¯s chin. Before it could connect, the limping brother intervened, kicking Marcus against the side of the head and slamming him away from Sebastian. After the impact, Marcus lay on the grimy ground, vision fading, ears ringing, blood pooling in his mouth. The darkness made him feel like he was on the verge of passing out, his body begging him to just give in and ease into it. Then, a memory surged¡ªa boxing ring, his father on the other side, pounding the mat, urging him to get up before the countdown. Marcus remembered the way his father¡¯s lips moved, uttering something he couldn¡¯t hear, but his heart understood. ¡®Get up,¡¯ he roared in his mind. Fighting against his body¡¯s instinct to stay down, he ignored the pain, grabbed a handful of dirt, he rose, and assumed a defensive stance. His opponent limped towards him, his brother, Sebastian, was still hunched over a few paces behind him, gas mask now atop his head and breathing slowly. ¡°You¡¯re tough as nails, I¡¯ll give you that,¡± the Breacher¡¯s brother remarked, inching closer to Marcus, eying him wearily. ¡°Things could be a lot easier if we all just cool it. I prefer calm logic over chaotic¡ª¡± Before he could finish, Marcus flung a handful of dirt into his face, turning his words into a mess of curses and groans. Seizing the opportunity, Marcus lunged with a swift right punch to the man¡¯s temple, halted abruptly as Sebastian surged forward with a speed that defied logic, catching Marcus¡¯s hand just before it connected. The sheer amount of pressure the one-armed Breacher was applying was beyond anything Marcus had ever felt before. Marcus was abruptly yanked forward, Sebastian¡¯s knee slamming into his stomach, folding him to the ground and draining the last of his fight. He was pulled upright again, forced to meet Sebastian¡¯s gaze. ¡°You¡¯re going to pay, you little shit,¡± the Breacher warned. Marcus, desperate, swung his left fist at the side of Sebastian¡¯s head. Instead, he only succeeded in knocking the man¡¯s gas mask off and hurting his own hand as the Breacher seemed to just shrug off the damage. ¡°Pathetic,¡± the man said calmly. ¡°I think... I¡¯m ready to... talk now,¡± Marcus muttered, forcing out the painful words while wearing a bloody grin on his features. However, another knee to his stomach cut his words short and sent him to the ground again. Sebastian and his brother then loomed over him, discussing who he might be and what Sebastian had found in his backpack. Marcus just remained doubled over, each dry heave echoing the turmoil within him. Their conversation, a murky river of threats and questions, only added to the churning discomfort. ¡®Who the hell are these people?¡¯ A minute later, Sebastian seized Marcus by the back of his neck, hoisting him up before dragging him toward the Sphere¡¯s edge while his brother limped after him. ¡°Sebastian, look at him. He¡¯s clearly done! And we¡¯re too close to the entrance. We¡¯ll get spotted too,¡± his brother warned, but Sebastian ignored him, continuing to drag Marcus. ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± Sebastian hissed, reaching the edge and slamming Marcus¡¯s head against the barrier with enough force to make the barrier feel solid. As he did so, the Breacher maintained a constant pressure to keep Marcus¡¯s head from passing through. ¡°Why are you in the Sphere?¡± he demanded, barely letting the young man process the question before easing the pressure and pushing his head forward to sink into the gel-like membrane, keeping him trapped like that. Moments later, the parts of Marcus outside the barrier thrashed around in a panic, kicking and punching at random. A few seconds later, Sebastian released Marcus, allowing the young man to free his head and breathe again. ¡°Talk, now!¡± Marcus breathed rapidly, eyes wide in terror as he fought to suppress it all, to maintain some semblance of control. Unable to do so, he responded like he usually did when he had his back to the wall. ¡°Ask your... sister,¡± he hissed, pouring verbal gasoline over an already lit flame. The instant he did so, Sebastian slammed Marcus¡¯s face into the barrier again at high speed, making it feel like he was hitting concrete. After feeling like his skull was about to be cracked, the pressure lessened and Marcus sank back through the Sphere¡¯s barrier again and held there for a torturous long minute. From within the barrier, he could make out guards in the distance approaching their position, clearly noticing something was happening inside the Sphere, despite the darkness. The Breacher then slowly pulled Marcus back out, turned him around, and slammed his back into the barrier, a hand pressing against his chest. Marcus blinked, seeing both brothers standing in front of him as he focused on just his breathing now that he still had the chance. ¡°I don¡¯t have a sister," Sebastian hissed in response, leaning in while Marcus could practically feel the man¡¯s heat. ¡°Really? Then... what do... you call¡­ that?¡± Marcus remarked, gesturing at the man¡¯s brother, knowing full well it would set him off again. He sported a shit-eating grin and closed his eyes, hoping for a quick knockout rather than enduring another bout of torture that was essentially some sort of Sphere waterboarding. ¡°I¡¯m gonna rip out your heart!¡± Sebastian¡¯s hiss echoed, but his brother stepped in, restraining him with a hand on his arm. The man snarled, redirecting his fury to his brother. ¡°Back off, Benedict! Don¡¯t get soft on me now. This prick deserves it.¡± ¡°Brother, look at him. He¡¯s just a kid and he¡¯s barely conscious,¡± Benedict said as he shifted his gaze to Marcus, seeing the black Marks on the right side of his face as well as all the bruises. In that moment he seemed to notice how young Marcus actually looked. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°You first,¡± Marcus countered, a bloody smirk on his face that didn¡¯t match the fear that was gripping his heart. ¡°I¡¯m Benedict. This grumpy one next to me that wants to rip out your heart is my brother, Sebastian,¡± he stated, observing the young man¡¯s appearance and shaking his head. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°I forgot,¡± Marcus said before groaning as he felt Sebastian push him harder against the Sphere¡¯s barrier. ¡°It¡¯s kinda hard... to remember after... getting kicked in the face... and getting... tortured.¡± Benedict motioned to his brother, signaling him to let go before turning his attention back to the young man. ¡°Look, all of this could¡¯ve gone so much easier if you didn¡¯t throw hands with us. Let¡¯s just¡ª¡± Benedict said before pausing suddenly for a moment. ¡°We¡¯ll go first. See where that gets us. There¡¯ve been signs of unauthorized entry into Spheres in the area, and Glass being collected without government oversight. I doubt I need to spell out the potential risks of such a situation. And here you are, inside a Sphere, covered in monster blood, and according to my brother, you had three Glass pieces on you.¡± ¡°Got any proof of that? Who says I didn¡¯t just take a lively stroll at night and just got lost?¡± Marcus retorted. The second he did so, the one-armed Breacher snagged the front of his ruined hoodie, pulling him in closer and glaring venomously into his eyes. ¡°Sebastian, please,¡± Benedict said as he moved closer to the two men, placing a hand on his brother¡¯s arm to calm him down again. ¡°Kid, we don¡¯t know why you are doing what you are doing, or what you planned to do with the Glass. Just tell us, and perhaps we¡¯ll be able to work something out. Because the moment we step outside of this Sphere, that isn¡¯t an option anymore,¡± he said as he pointed at the barrier behind him where Marcus could see the distorted sight of several confused security guards standing on the other side and pointing at them. ¡°And why did you loot a sleeping bag and a gas stove? That stuff is worthless. Are you some sort of scavenger?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a scavenger,¡± Marcus admitted, body slowly hunching over as he rubbed his ribs, leaning against Sebastian¡¯s muscular frame. ¡°I brought it with me.¡± ¡°With you?¡± Benedict¡¯s eyebrow lifted, then his eyes widened a second later. ¡°Wait, kid, you¡¯re not suggesting you actually slept inside a¡ª¡± ¡°Hey, are these important?¡± Marcus interrupted while straightening again. In his right hand, two safety pins glistened. He smiled as he saw the expression of both brothers change at seeing them and realizing what it meant. Before they could move or speak, tear gas erupted from two of the canisters on Sebastian¡¯s belt. It enveloped them in seconds, turning the trio into a mix of pain, confusion, and tears. Marcus just leaned back, sinking through the Sphere¡¯s barrier. The brothers pursued, kicking and punching him until they too passed through the crystalline edge. ¡®I¡¯m properly screwed,¡¯ Marcus thought, tears streaming as he forced his irritated eyes open to spot the security guards on the other side. The gel-like substance suddenly shattered into a billion fragments, and Marcus, along with the two angry brothers, immediately shot forward, slamming into the ground and sliding to a halt in front of the security guards. The tear gas unfurled like a malevolent spirit, its tendrils now curling around the guards as well. Coughs and muffled curses mingled with the acrid scent as the fumes enveloped them, with a guard even doubling over before puking. Two other guards hurried over, wielding hoses and spraying water on those that were afflicted. Cursing, Sebastian ripped off his belt and tossed it away as far as he could to prevent even more chaos. As the situation slowly calmed down a bit and Marcus was even able to open his eyes, he suddenly noticed how the Sphere was coming apart right in front of him. He blinked, watching the Sphere¡¯s blue hue fade away amongst the millions of disintegrating fragments. ¡°It¡¯s gone?¡± Marcus whispered, staring at the aftermath, his eyes ignoring the pain. ¡®How?¡¯ he thought as dozens of questions came rushing to the surface. He could feel guards pulling him and the other two men up on their feet, yelling at them and demanding an explanation. ¡°Who the hell is that?¡± a guard exclaimed, pointing at something inside the junkyard. In the distance, atop the twisted tower of dirt and metal where the Orb was located, a figure stood at the edge, covered in black layers of clothing. The person, otherwise barely visible in the darkness, held a pulsating blue light up in their right hand, its glow diminishing over time. Time stretched, feeling like an eternity in the gaze of onlookers, as the figure slowly tucked the pulsating Orb into the folds of their clothing, forcing darkness to consume them and the tower once more. Marcus, squinting against the irritation in his eyes, wondering what the hell he had just witnessed before hearing the distant police sirens and the gradual approach of flashing lights rushing towards their location. ¡®Here we go,¡¯ he thought before the guards led him and the two brothers away from the scene, all the while thinking about his last night¡¯s conversation he had with Specter about him always messing up and doing the wrong thing. - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 37 (Half-Truths) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 37 I Half-Truths - - - Benedict Within the confines of the small guard station, Sebastian and Benedict, along with the young man that they had fought, found themselves seated behind a desk. Two hours had passed since the Sphere had shattered and most of their protective gear had been stripped, replaced with bandages or icepacks. Benedict was sipping a cup of coffee, irritated that even the warm drink tasted and smelled like fresh blood. His spirits lightened a bit when he stared at the young man on his right, seeing the black eye he was nursing. ¡®Let¡¯s hope those bruises on his face will linger for a while.¡¯ Benedict¡¯s attention shifted, locking onto the disgruntled guard in front of him. The guard¡¯s pissed off glare spoke volumes, a silent storm brewing, the man¡¯s eyes still tinged red with irritation after the recent teargas ¡®incident¡¯. A police officer shared the table with the disgruntled guard, his uniform crisp and eyes watchful. A government official had also been present earlier, taking their ID¡¯s but not yet their official statements until a detective arrived. A knock broke the quiet, and the police officer slowly got up from his seat and opened the door to step outside. With the door open, the three wounded men caught a glimpse of the scene developing outside. The aftermath of the shattered Sphere had drawn a growing crowd of vehicles, responding to the chaos. Benedict¡¯s attention lingered on the logo of a local Guild displayed on several of the vehicles. ¡®Did they bring in a guild because of the sudden clearing of this Sphere? Or is it just because of the dangerous terrain and metal rich mutated scrap? Either way, no one¡¯s cleaning up this Glass or the potentially dozens of dormant Orbs anytime soon. This place is a proper dead zone,¡¯ Benedict thought as the door closed again, leaving him to wonder about what would happen to this place and how much trouble they were in. The door swung open again a few minutes later, and the government official stepped back in, trailed by a female detective absorbed in her data pad while throwing away a lit cigarette. ¡°Well, gentlemen, this has been quite a night, huh?¡± the detective said as she glanced up from her device to get a better look of the three wounded men, her eyes widening briefly when she spotted the young man beside Benedict, sporting a black eye. ¡°But I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s going to be an even more eventful morning, right, Marcus?¡± A brief smile flickered across her face as she glanced at the young man, causing him to sink a little lower in his chair. ¡®His name is Marcus? Does she already know him?¡¯ Benedict pondered, folding his hands and working to process the flood of information, crafting a practical strategy. ¡®Eyes on the target, soldier.¡¯ He forced himself to just watch and observe. ¡°Sorry, where are my manners?¡± the woman said, glancing at Benedict and his brother. ¡°I¡¯m Detective Nanda Walters. And you two must be the oldest and youngest of the Stieler family, or what¡¯s left of it.¡± She tapped her finger on the notepad, pulling up their files and creating a quick summary of their records. ¡°You guys have quite the lengthy service history, both in the military and as Breachers,¡± she said, scrolling through their files. She highlighted a few points, like Benedict decorations and his brother¡¯s Medical Discharge. The detective ended with the long list of minor altercations linked to Sebastian¡¯s name. The government official extended his phone and tapped it against her notepad, passing a document to her. ¡°So, you have been Breachers for, what, nine years?¡± she remarked, browsing through their files. ¡°Your group ran this Sphere earlier today, and then what? A sudden decision to jump back in later at night? Did you forget something? Perhaps a lost shoe?¡± Sebastian¡¯s mouth popped open, but Benedict silenced him by placing a hand on his knee. ¡®Be patient, brother. This is just her opening act. Otherwise, we¡¯d be in cuffs, riding in the back of a police car already,¡¯ Benedict thought, simply watching the detective. The detective''s gaze darted back to the young man, a glint of curiosity in her eyes. ¡°And you, Mr. Smit, you¡¯re quite the enigma,¡± the detective said, tapping the screen. ¡°You gave my colleagues a run for their money. Seeing as there is almost no trace of you in our system beyond just a registration and a current address. One might assume you¡¯re like a ghost.¡± The detective beamed warmly. ¡°Now, picture my partner¡¯s surprise when I told him that: Not only do I know this young man, but I even visited him in the hospital about a month ago,¡± she said, leaning forward and giving the young man¡¯s hand a reassuring squeeze. ¡°Now, don¡¯t you worry, kiddo. I called your uncle. He¡¯s on his way. He said something about how he wouldn¡¯t miss this for the world.¡± Upon hearing the part about the uncle, Benedict suddenly noticed a change in the young man¡¯s demeanor, a look of fear emerging on his face that surpassed anything Benedict or Sebastian had managed to arouse during their fight. ¡®Marcus Smit, huh? And what was that about the hospital?¡¯ Benedict wondered, eyeing the black marks on the young man¡¯s face. ¡®His marks are all over the place. It doesn¡¯t fit the Forged profile, but I¡¯ve never come across an Original acting like him. He¡¯s a real oddball.¡¯ Benedict shifted his gaze to the young man¡¯s fist, seeing the red marks and bruises. ¡®During our fight, he didn¡¯t seem to have a noticeable physical advantage, but he¡¯s clearly had extensive hand to hand training. He had the upper hand over me, for sure, even after I shot him with the beanbag... twice. And despite being Marked, he had worse gear on him than even an average scavenger.¡¯ Benedict simply kept staring at the young man as the detective prattled on, laying out what the site guards had seen and the items they¡¯d picked up: a shotgun, a large knife, a tear gas canister, and a gas mask. ¡°So, what were you three¡ª¡± the detective began until the door crashed open, revealing a bald man with a greying red beard. He had a build that was a mix of muscle and a noticeable gut. The man¡¯s eyes locked onto Marcus, fists clenching before he exhaled and relaxed. ¡°Ah, good of you to join us, Laurens. Want to sit next to your nephew as his uncle, or face him?¡± ¡°Facing him,¡± the man said with a chill in his tone, his eyes lingering on the young man, who seemed to shrink in his chair. ¡°What was my nephew doing in a bloody Sphere? And who are the other pricks?¡± he asked, turning his gaze to the two German brothers as he slowly took a seat beside the detective. ¡°Meet Sebastian Stieler, the one with the perpetual sour face. He¡¯s a Marked Breacher, an Original, or OG as the cool kids put it,¡± she gestured with her hands to mimic air quotes before continuing. ¡°About the same rank as your niece, I think. The other guy is his older brother, Benedict. Non-Marked Breacher and head of a group called the Salamanders. Local bunch, minor feats, no red flags until now. Both ex-German military.¡± Laurens¡¯s eyes widened briefly before he refocused on his nephew. ¡°You stupid idiot,¡± he exclaimed, slamming his fists on the table as he got up and leaned toward him. ¡°So, this is what you were up to? Two days! No one could reach you for two whole days, and now I find out you¡¯ve been jumping into Spheres with a bunch of Breachers? Do you realize what your sister will do to you if she finds out? You just crawled out of a coma, for God sake!¡± ¡°Uncle, I¡ª¡± ¡°Officer Smit,¡± Laurens barked, breaking into Marcus¡¯s words. ¡°And don¡¯t even think about trying the nephew card on me. I¡¯m here carrying your mother¡¯s fury and your father¡¯s fists.¡± This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Benedict¡¯s eyes homed in on the interaction, and a moment of clarity struck him as he remembered his brother¡¯s account of the young man¡¯s backpack, complete with the sleeping bag and atrocious gear, along with the information that was provided just now. ¡°It is my fault, Officer Smit, Detective Walters,¡± he admitted suddenly, brushing off his brother¡¯s annoyed stare. ¡°Explain,¡± Laurens demanded, tearing his gaze reluctantly from Marcus as he settled into his chair before locking eyes with Benedict. ¡°The last few weeks, we¡¯ve heard rumors of illegal entries within Spheres in the area, including this one. I¡¯m sure the government official next to you can confirm this, seeing as other Breachers have mentioned it. Our crew noticed it too, stumbling upon dead monsters not taken down by us or the Breachers who went in the day before. Most of them were missing their Glass,¡± Benedict explained, maintaining a steady tone, sticking as close to the truth as possible. ¡°My brother and I had booked this Sphere earlier today and on different occasions. As is documented in the records in front of you. Again, we stumbled upon signs of dead monsters and missing Glass. We reported it, but it was brushed off as mere monster infighting. So, we decided to take matters into our own hands, and set up an ambush at night while monitoring the outside,¡± Benedict stated, looking at Marcus, who met his gaze with an empty expression. He paused at that moment, carefully considering his options before continuing. ¡°We spotted your nephew there,¡± he said, redirecting his focus to the detective and the man¡¯s uncle, sensing a mix of emotions. ¡°We caught him running towards the wall after he had seen someone scaling the wall on the western edge. Apparently, your nephew had learned of the recent rumors and had the same idea as we had. So, we teamed up and went in after the person to try to bring them back to the security officers. In hindsight, it was a bad plan, but one that was founded on a desire to act and do good.¡± Scratching her chin, the detective leaned back and crossed her arms. ¡°Is that why you all are so beat up?¡± She looked at the three men for a moment before turning her attention back to Benedict. ¡°You mean to tell me that one man did all of this?¡± Benedict gave a single nod. ¡°Yes.¡± His hand firmly gripped his brother¡¯s knee before he continued, ¡°The man was stronger than the three of us, despite having two Marked Breachers on our side.¡± ¡°What about the reports of the three of you arguing amongst yourself?¡± the detective asked, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Heated emotions at having failed our task,¡± Benedict countered. ¡°My nephew isn¡¯t a Breacher. His power rating is barely one,¡± Laurens said, rubbing his eyes for a moment as if this hadn¡¯t been the first time his nephew had troubled him. ¡°And he¡¯s barely been able to walk on his own for a couple of days. He shouldn¡¯t have gone in with you.¡± Letting out a deep and frustrated sigh, the detective pressed on, ¡°Did any of you get a decent look at this person?¡± She watched as Marcus and Benedict shook their heads while Sebastian just glared at everyone in the room. ¡°No. I¡¯m pretty sure the figure was male, but he fought us in the dark, so it was hard to see more than that. When it was over, the security personnel on the site saw as much as we did. We all saw him with the Orb in hand. A figure in dark clothes, features mostly hidden¡ª¡± ¡°Was he the same bastard that attacked you in the hospital?¡± Laurens suddenly asked, ignoring the others as he focused on his nephew. Marcus hesitated, his jaw clenched and fingers digging into his palms. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he murmured, looking at his own hands before continuing. ¡°It could¡¯ve been him.¡± He then shifted his gaze to Benedict, as if reaching a decision. ¡°I thought it was the same person who attacked me in the hospital. I wanted to find out. So, when you two wanted to go after him and assumed I was a real Breacher, I didn¡¯t correct you. Sorry for deceiving you both.¡± ¡°No problem,¡± Benedict quickly replied with a smile, elbowing his brother, who managed a few grunts to echo the sentiment before addressing Marcus¡¯s uncle. ¡°If I knew your nephew wasn¡¯t a Breacher or had health issues, I¡¯d have vetoed against him joining us. Trust me on that. But I have to say, he held his own in there, despite the tough opposition,¡± Benedict said, narrowing his gaze at Marcus. ¡°In fact, he¡¯s agreed to tag along with the Salamanders on a few runs.¡± ¡°Absolutely not! He¡¯s no Breacher, and doesn¡¯t have a license,¡± Laurens snapped, the veins on his neck clearly visible. ¡°Besides, Marcus has been in a coma for thirteen years, and his power rating is just one. He¡¯d be no good to you people.¡± ¡°We can help him get his license if he wants. As for power ratings and being a Breacher, I¡¯m just a regular human with a rating of zero,¡± Benedict countered, brushing off the stare from the young man¡¯s uncle. ¡°It¡¯s just an offer, and your nephew is free to refuse it after discussing it with his family, of course. But it is an offer I am willing to put out there, given how well we clicked during the fight.¡± Laurens let out an irritated snort in response before the detective spoke. ¡°Heartwarming, really.¡± She tapped her finger on the data pad. ¡°But that still doesn¡¯t explain why you three were inside a Sphere, unauthorized, in the dead of night.¡± Benedict¡¯s gaze lingered on the detective for a moment, biding his time until she finished tapping her finger. ¡°Well, the Salamanders booked this Sphere for two days in a row, so technically we have the right to this Sphere for another¡ª¡± he glanced at his watch, ¡°¡ªeighteen hours and twenty-one minutes. And there is no actual rule against undocumented access of Spheres when there is justifiable cause, seeing as otherwise any person suddenly finding themselves in a newly formed Sphere would be committing a crime. The same would go for any Breacher that went in to save lives.¡± A soft smile graced the man¡¯s lips, the type someone reserved who faced those in a position of authority, subtly suggesting the lengths someone would go to see things through. It hinted at the level of polite resistance Benedict was prepared to offer. ¡°The only real rule here that could land us in hot water or prison involves undocumented Glass, Orbs, and monster corpses taken out of a Sphere. We have none of that¡ªyou¡¯ve thoroughly searched our belongings, and our records have never suggested anything of the sort. Like you said, no red flags.¡± The detective fixed her gaze on Benedict, her index finger gently tracing the edges of her data pad before she swiftly raised her hand, intercepting Laurens as the man opened his mouth to speak. ¡°Debatable points on your end, but it still doesn¡¯t excuse the fact that you were found carrying weapons and ammunition out in the open without checking in or registering with site personnel. And don¡¯t say it¡¯s an emergency because there wasn¡¯t an outbreak or monster incursion that justified it. Nor does your group have an open carry license like major guilds do.¡± Benedict leaned back, flashing a smile. ¡°My brother and I will happily pay whatever fine there is. Seeing as we were the only two that were armed.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± detective Nanda said, rising and giving Laurens a reassuring pat on the shoulder. ¡°Your nephew can go home for now but keep him available for follow-up questions. And please, get that boy licensed,¡± she urged before looking at Marcus. ¡°Consider this a big favor to your uncle. Don¡¯t let me or anyone else catch you in a similar situation again, seeing as you seem to have a knack for it.¡± Marcus nodded, and his uncle promptly pulled him up from his chair. Marcus and his uncle made their way towards the door when Benedict spoke up. ¡°Marcus, I¡¯m glad my brother and I could work together with you today. We¡¯ll keep in touch,¡± he said, observing the young man who gave a slow nod, indicating his understanding. The two men then left the building. In that fleeting moment when the door was open, Benedict caught another glimpse of the commotion outside, giving him time to think before they were sealed in again. The detective fired several more follow-up questions before she and the others stepped out momentarily, leaving the brothers alone with their bruises. ¡°Why?¡± Sebastian hissed the moment the door closed; a furious expression etched on his face as he glared at his older brother. ¡°We¡¯re forking out a fine for that little shitstain?¡± Benedict smiled, tapping his brother¡¯s leg again, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the door, thoughts centered on the young man who had just left. ¡°Stop and think, Sebastian. The sleeping bag. His uncle moaning about days without contact.¡± He let the words hang in the air for a moment, giving his brother time to come to the same conclusion. ¡°I think this kid actually spent two full days inside a Sphere. How many lower-ranked Breachers do you know who can endure that without displaying signs of minor Mana sickness, Forged, or even Originals?¡± Benedict¡¯s brother sighed, needing a moment to compose himself. He shut his eyes, a word escaping him with a forced tone. ¡°None,¡± he muttered, frustration evident, but clearly understanding what his brother was building up to. ¡°I hate this.¡± Benedict¡¯s eyes stayed fixed on the door, his hand moving to pat his brother¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I know brother.¡± A strategy took shape in his mind, considering how to leverage this unexpected discovery. ¡°We set out to catch a rat, and instead, we¡¯ve found an undocumented Original who seems resistant to Mana sickness and is on no one¡¯s radar yet. This could be a game-changer for our group, or at the very least help us out with that thing I promised you. Trust me,¡± he murmured to his brother. The door creaked open, and the detective reappeared with another officer, ready to transport them to the city station. ¡®I hope I¡¯m right about you, kid.¡¯ - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 38 (Written down) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 38 I Written Down - - - Day 48 Marcus Sweat dripped from Marcus''s forehead, forming small puddles on the floorboards as he powered through more pushups, the earbuds piping out more information about rules and regulations regarding Spheres, all streamed from his phone. Most of it he had read up and heard dozens of times already at this point, but he let his mind go through it again just to be sure. Marcus quickened his pace, muscles burning, though not as much as they had done in the past. More sweat dripped onto the floorboards, joining the pool, yet he powered out a few more reps before the final one, a grin forming on his features as he felt his arms shake from exhaustion. Rising, he yanked the earbuds out and cut off the stream on his phone. He calmed his breathing as he looked around the dull, expressionless bedroom. ¡®Joline¡¯s guest bedroom feels more like a prison cell.¡¯ The grey walls, black curtains, and standard floorboards added to the monotony. Amid the blandness, a lone cactus on a shelf stood out, the same one that had been his sister¡¯s gift to him back in the hospital. It had been just over a week since he got caught in the Sphere, landing him in what felt like a prison. He had endured most of his house arrest at his uncle¡¯s place and the last three days in his sister¡¯s apartment. It was one of two requests his family had finally demanded of him after a family meeting, although his uncle had suggested at least a dozen more. ¡®Just a few more hours until this nightmare is hopefully over,¡¯ he thought with a smile. He pulled off his sweaty shirt, using it to wipe away the rest before changing into a fresh one. When he had freshened himself up he grabbed a backpack he had borrowed from his sister. Just as he was about to leave the room, a text interrupted him, forcing him to pull out his phone again. He smiled when he spotted the already read message from Felix, wishing him good luck and to break a leg, just not his own. Marcus¡¯s smile faded into a tight line as he read the new message, eyebrows knitting in disapproval. He couldn¡¯t help but make a disapproving ¡®tsk¡¯ sound when he opened it. ©³ ©· ¡°Good luck today. Sebastian and I know you¡¯ll do great. Afterall, we¡¯ve seen it.¡± - Benedict ©» ©¿ Reading the message repeatedly, Marcus understood the man¡¯s hidden message. He shut off his phone, the weight of Benedict''s message lingering in his mind. ¡®He¡¯s a shrewd one. I need to watch myself around him.¡¯ Grabbing his things, he approached the door, placing his left hand on the handle. Calming his thoughts, he steeled himself for the day he¡¯d spend with his sister and the impact it would have on his life. Marcus looked down at his hand on the handle, a weak smile forming as he noticed he had used his non-dominant one. ¡®Specter¡¯s influence, no doubt,¡¯ His thoughts drifted to his steel companion, and seeing its traits and habits that had lingered within him. Gripping the handle tighter, memories of the last interaction with Specter came rushing up, recalling the anger that both of them had felt. ¡®It¡¯s been so long since I was truly whole again.¡¯ Ever since the junkyard incident, where he had almost gotten himself killed, Marcus had been working hard to change. He forced himself to quell most of his anger and hatred, shoving that fiery emotion deep inside and compartmentalizing it. In turn, he tried to be colder... calmer even. ¡®I hope you¡¯re alright buddy,¡¯ he thought as his mind wandered. Marcus opened the door and entered his sister¡¯s living room, finding her busy packing their lunches. ¡°Hey there, sleeping beauty. Are you ready for the exam?¡± she asked, a warm smile on her face as she continued slicing apart a red bell pepper. ¡°As ready as I can be in such a short time, I guess,¡± he said, glancing at his sister¡¯s attire. She sported her guild tracksuit, his eyes briefly lingering on the blue drop of blood logo. ¡°What¡¯s with the whole PR thing?¡± Grinning, she turned her back, revealing a larger logo and her guild name, Royal Blue. ¡°Like it? Pretty cool, huh? I thought I could also use this opportunity to boost my guild''s reputation a bit and scare off any vultures that might linger there and want to recruit my brother. That, and maybe my squad leader won¡¯t be as annoyed about me taking a day off,¡± she said, her smile mutating into an annoyed expression at the last part. Marcus felt a twinge of sympathy as he observed her shake off the annoyance, replacing it with a smile again as she grabbed the last of their things. Ever since the emergency family meeting a few days ago, a discomfort hung in the air between them. Initially mad at the possible near-death experience inside a Sphere, his sister had been pissed off, yet also the first one to calm down. She had, in fact, been the one to propose only two demands, unlike his more demanding brother and uncle. But Marcus couldn¡¯t help but think of the anger his sister was keeping at bay. ¡°Vultures, huh? What would I do without the protection of my sister?¡± ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know... bleed to death in a junkyard?¡± she shot back with a grin, striding toward him. ¡°End up in police custody?¡± Her smile grew with each step, and she handed him the lunches she¡¯d made. That pleasant expression became creepier and increasingly uncomfortable the longer it went on. ¡°Want a banana?¡± she suddenly asked, moving back to the table and ending the hauntingly pleasant smile. ¡°It helps with the nerves.¡± Marcus watched her for a moment, struggling to maintain eye contact as she handed him the banana. ¡°Thanks.¡± He stashed the banana and their lunchboxes in the backpack before shifting his gaze around the apartment. He searched for anything to distract himself¡ªthe weird sand garden thing in the corner with a little rake, a weird oil painting she had made, or the small table with a picture of their parents and a bowl containing the chain with their two wedding rings. ¡°So,¡± he said, pointing at the chain. ¡°When is it my turn to carry them?¡± ¡°You up for that?¡± she asked, moving over to the bowl and grabbing it before holding it out for him. Marcus eyed the chain for a moment before he gave a quick nod. ¡°Yes.¡± His hand darted for it, but she snatched it away at the last second, highlighting the difference in their speed. ¡°You¡¯d have to earn it,¡± she said as she slid the chain around her neck. ¡°The head of this family gets to carry it. And no, we¡¯re not going by seniority, unless you want to hand it over to Uncle Laurens?¡± She glanced at the rings, her finger tracing their edges before tucking it behind her tracksuit. ¡°The strongest of us carries it, burdened to keep it safe.¡± Marcus gave a slow shake of his head. ¡°You know that¡¯s cheating, right?¡± ¡°We could change it up, and settle on intelligence, but we both know that Martin would win hands down.¡± She leaned against the front door in an amused manner. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Marcus awkwardly rubbed the back of his head at that. ¡°Still, I¡¯d win the beauty contest.¡± ¡°Not with that long hair of yours. And, besides, I¡¯ve seen monsters with a prettier mug than you,¡± Joline countered, then swung the door open and gestured outside. ¡°Enough chatting. We¡¯ve got a ways to go, and you don¡¯t want to be late for these kinds of things.¡± ¡°Right,¡± Marcus muttered, stepping through the doorway, his jaw clenching as he mentally prepared for what lay ahead ¨C the first part of getting his Breacher license. - - - Several hours later, Marcus sighed frustratedly as he exited the exam room, most of his features were hidden underneath his red hoodie. He followed the stream of people as they made their way down the hallway, keeping his head down as he stared at Oscar¡¯s red sneakers he was wearing. Most of the people next to him had their marks on display in a riot of colors and intricate patterns. ¡®Please, don¡¯t let me have messed this up. Joline will kill me, or worse... mock me,¡¯ he thought as he broke off from the stream of people and made his way towards the bathroom to freshen up. As Marcus stepped into the bathroom, he spotted a bunch of other Marked individuals. Some were busy freshening up, others talking to themselves in the mirror, and a few were taking a nervous shit on the toilet. ¡®Guess I wasn¡¯t the only one who felt bad about the written exam.¡¯ Marcus made his way over to the nearest free sink, gulping down some water as he replayed the dozens of questions he had answered mere minutes ago. Each question delved into various facets of being a Breacher ¨C monster types, Glass and Orbs, Power Ratings and Ranks, rules, regulations, and potential fines. ¡®Would they really turn people away from becoming a Breacher just because they didn¡¯t do well on the written part? Maybe this strict rule only applies to Alphas and lower Betas ranks?¡¯ he thought as he took another sip of water. ¡®I mean, there are like millions of people worldwide that are ranked as Alpha¡¯s, and hundreds of thousands in the Netherlands alone.¡¯ He went over how many of those Alphas would actually be Breachers, or wanted to become one, while overhearing two people discussing their written responses. Marcus winced slightly upon realizing that neither of their answers matched his. He glanced at a few other people in the room, noting blue, red, black, and green Marks on their arms, necks, even some faces in a fancy pattern. ¡®Every person here is a Forged, huh? Guess I¡¯ll be the only Original applying for the Breacher License,¡¯ he thought as he observed the intricate designs of some of the Marks. ¡®Well, it makes sense. It¡¯s like they told me back at the hospital, how every Original has already been forced to get measured years ago and decide to become a Breacher or not.¡¯ He wondered how it might have been thirteen years ago when his sister had become one. ¡®Did they even do tests like this back then? Still, being the only Original here today does explain the way the receptionist kept staring at me when she gave me my examinee badge.¡¯ He slid his hand into his pocket, pulling out the white plastic ID badge, displaying his picture, name, rank, and measured Power rating, with a single word printed at the top; Original. He stared at it for a while before an intercom announced that the applicants had to go to the exam room to receive their results. ¡®Moment of truth.¡¯ He quickly stashed the ID badge back in his pocket before stepping outside. He joined the small stream of men and women walking down the hallway towards several large sets of doors, with people streaming inside. Each door had a different color¡ªthree blue hues and one white. ¡®So they don¡¯t allow Gamma¡¯s and higher here, huh?¡¯ Marcus wondered, observing more people getting in line. ¡®Makes sense, I guess. With power that great, you¡¯d probably need a sturdier building for when they take their physical exams. Or do reds and higher not need to go through the efforts of trying to get a license, seeing as how rare they are?¡¯ Someone nudged him in the shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts as he made his way over towards the white door. Standing in line, he quickly realized how many more people were in this line compared to the others, with each darker hue of blue having drastically shorter lines. He and around fifty others in his line slowly passed through the white door and into a smaller room. Inside it, they saw a man and woman seated behind a table, data pads in front of them. ¡°Alright applicants, please get in line,¡± the woman suddenly spoke up, grabbing everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°I¡¯m Sandra. Tall, dark and handsome next to me is Ali. Now, I¡¯m sure you¡¯re all eager to hear how you did on the written part of the licensing exam. Your name will be called out shortly. Take a step forward, and you¡¯ll know if you passed or not. If you failed the exam, head out through the left door. You can find a data station there to log in and review your mistakes. Do so without making a fuss, or we¡¯ll make one for you,¡± she said, letting the last part hang in the air, almost daring anyone to try and argue their results. ¡°If you do have a brain and you passed, go to Ali, flash your ID, and get a date set for your physical exam this week. Any questions?¡± Sandra questioned, raising an eyebrow and nodding in response to the silent crowd. ¡°Good, let¡¯s get this show over with. Els Bouwer, Forged, Power Rating eight, step up,¡± she announced, a smile playing on her lips as a young woman in the row quickly shot forward a few steps. The young woman¡¯s body was tight, and the red marks on her arms clashed with her sudden paleness. ¡°You passed,¡± Sandra said, watching the young woman visibly relaxed before rushing toward Ali. ¡®That guy, Ali, he¡¯s the one who gave me my Alpha Rank back then in the hospital,¡¯ Marcus reflected, eyeing the man and recalling how the measurement process had gone, and how it had made him feel back then. ¡®It¡¯s not exactly a small world, but it figures that the folks in charge of measuring are also in the licensing department. There is a lot of overlap there.¡¯ He then observed as more people received their results. Some happily bounded toward Ali after passing, while others turned pale or barely held back frustration upon failing the written test, making a swift exit. ¡®Lots of fives and sixes,¡¯ he noted, tracking their Power Ratings. There were two ones, like his own, but the average seemed to hover around five and six. The occasional nines popped up, along with smug and arrogant faces, as if claiming a bit of superiority within the lowest tier of potential Breachers; Tier 1, Alpha Rank. ¡®Good thing they don''t measure twice; otherwise, I''d have a hard time explaining how I jumped from a Power Rating of one to four in a matter of weeks.¡¯ As the roll call continued, Sandra¡¯s bored voice suddenly changed as she ran into an anomaly. ¡°Marcus Laurens Smit... wait, what?¡± she mumbled, clearly thrown off. Glancing at Ali, she found confirmation in his nod and a subtle grin. ¡°Marcus Laurens Smit, Original, Power Rating one, step up.¡± Marcus heard a few whispers in what remained of the group of applicants, speculating who the Original was. Grateful for the sense of anonymity his hoodie provided, he sensed a pulsing throb on the top right side of his face, torso and right arm, suddenly conscious of his black Marks there. ¡®This is it,¡¯ he thought, assuming his stance and brushing off the murmurs behind him. ¡®Either I pass today, nail the physical exam that comes next, or I fail and make a fool out of myself and have to give it another shot in several months when the next exams happen.¡¯ He knew that his sister was waiting in the lobby of the building for him. Although she hadn¡¯t voiced any expectations for today, he knew she had them. He could still picture her sitting in front of him during the family meeting, keeping her emotions in check and just staring at him while the rest were freaking out. It had been as if she had been expecting this of her older brother, as if it had all been just a matter of time. ¡®I can¡¯t mess this up,¡¯ he thought, reflecting on Specter¡¯s words about how Marcus had to die in order for something better to emerge. ¡®I¡¯ve studied my ass off this week.¡¯ The woman nodded approvingly. ¡°Passed,¡± she said, and Marcus visibly relaxed. She motioned toward Ali on her right. ¡°Head over to my colleague.¡± Marcus nodded and forced himself to walk towards Ali as calm as he could. The man there let out a low chuckle, a smirk playing on his lips. ¡°Well now, this is a fun surprise,¡± he said, extending his hand for Marcus¡¯s ID tag. Marcus complied, and Ali scanned it in his system. ¡°Truth be told, I caught wind of your entry in the system, so I snagged Alpha duty today. Congrats on passing the written exam and your recovery thus far. How are you holding up?¡± ¡°Good,¡± Marcus lied, eyeing the man as he tapped away on his data pad, eventually passing back Marcus¡¯s ID tag. ¡°That¡¯s great to hear. Now, I¡¯ve scheduled your physical test for tomorrow at ten. That way I can see you in action myself. After all, you¡¯re quite the interesting case. I¡¯ll be running the show with three Breachers as examiners. So, does tomorrow work for you?¡± Ali asked, while Marcus simply nodded. ¡°Alright then. Any questions on your end?¡± ¡°Just one. What do I need to do tomorrow?¡± Marcus asked. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s rather easy. Tomorrow, you¡¯ll get three chances to show the examiners that you are capable,¡± Ali said, reclining in his chair for a moment. Pausing briefly, Marcus narrowed his eyes. ¡°Capable of what?¡± ¡°Surviving,¡± Ali said, a smile forming as he then pointed to the door behind him, ¡°Congratulations again on passing the first part and good luck tomorrow.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Marcus said, slipping his hands into his pockets before he made his way toward the door, tuning out the murmurs and voices behind him as he left the room. ¡®Capable of surviving, huh? Let¡¯s find out.¡¯ - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 39 (Night Terror) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 39 I Night Terror - - - Back in the crowded pub, Marcus, Felix, and his sister sat around a worn-out table a few hours after Marcus had passed his written exam. The air buzzed with the hum of conversations, clinking glasses and the occasional angry shout from Sam, the bar owner, whenever someone dropped a glass or complained about the wrong sports team scoring a point. Marcus scooped up another spoonful of red curry, savoring the burst of flavors¡ªgarlic, ginger, and lemongrass¡ªthat danced on his taste buds. As he enjoyed the meal, his friend fired off another barrage of questions about the exam, but Marcus just kept eating until it got annoying, forcing him to mumble with a full mouth, ¡°This is really good, Felix¡±, intentionally interrupting his friend mid-sentence. ¡°Stop being annoying.¡± Joline casually swatted Marcus¡¯s shoulder, shaking her head. ¡°Surprisingly, this neanderthal did fine. And about the second exam tomorrow? That¡¯s a whole different ball game. It¡¯s like taking your driving tests¡ªthe written portion is fine, but once you¡¯re on the road, it gets real. Although, in my brother¡¯s case, I think the written part was the biggest challenge.¡± Marcus raised an eyebrow in response, hearing his friend and sister chuckle at his expense. ¡°And you never had to take it... at all?¡± Felix inquired, prodding at his meal, plucking out bits of chicken and green beans. Wiping her mouth on her sleeve, she shook her head. ¡°Never had to. Originals were Breachers long before any official rules and regulations popped up. After all, people like me invented the profession,¡± she said with a proud smile while playing with her chopsticks as she fished around in her meal. Felix''s brow furrowed in thought before he asked another question, ¡°But they never considered having you guys just take the test, like, even years later? You know, to keep things uniform?¡± Joline burst into laughter at his suggestion, and he couldn¡¯t help but grin along. ¡°Yeah, good luck with that,¡± she said, wiping away a tear before signaling to Sam for a refill. ¡°That¡¯s never going to happen... at all. Can you imagine it? Some hardcore Original freak that¡¯s been a Breacher for 13 years, slaughtering monsters by the thousands, saving people and destroying Spheres, and suddenly a pencil pusher comes along and starts demanding that he take a written test? Screw that.¡± She grinned when Sam placed two fresh beers on their table and a water, muttering that he was too tired to charge them for it before the old man left them again to deal with another customer. ¡°That his way of congratulating my brother?¡± she asked Felix, seeing the man grin and nod. ¡°Nice.¡± ¡°But the exams do serve a purpose, right?¡± Felix pondered, adjusting his beer to be a bit more strategically closer to his meal. ¡°I mean, with all the Forged popping up nowadays.¡± Joline gave a nod, ¡°Yeah, it has a use. I can¡¯t vouch for other countries before the Great Impact, but here in the Netherlands, with the exception of the army and the police, hardly anyone owned a gun here. So the first few Breachers here were using whatever they could get their hands on or relied on their Abilities in the beginning. That or they worked closely with armed forces.¡± Her eyes fixated on her beer, as if remembering something unpleasant. ¡°I still remember the chaos and desperation we all faced during that time. But now, we¡¯ve got a lot of new Breachers and plenty of fancy gear and equipment to play around with. Well... provided you¡¯ve got the license for it. Sadly, that also means there¡¯s a way bigger chance for friendly fire and other accidents. So, we¡¯ve got tougher exams in place for all those newer folks who haven¡¯t gone through the crucible for years on end like us Originals had to.¡± She took a large gulp of beer before leaning back with a smile. ¡°So yeah, the exams have a function. Be it the basic Breacher exam, or the advanced ones to be allow you to get a license to carry guns, mortars, mines, and specialized equipment.¡± Felix shifted his focus back to Marcus, watching as his friend finished his meal and obsessively scrape his plate clean. ¡°Dude, stop eating like a pig.¡± ¡°Ever seen a pig use a knife and fork?¡± Marcus shot back, snatching his glass of water and gulping down half of it, emitting a satisfied sound afterward and giving his belly a friendly pat. ¡°And it¡¯s your own fault for making us such a tasty meal.¡± Felix shook his head, grabbed a napkin, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it in a slow arc against Marcus¡¯s head. ¡°So, senior piggy... it¡¯s settled then? You¡¯re actually going to jump into this Breacher thing?¡± Marcus glanced at his sister, noticing the calm yet uneasy smile on her face as she nodded. ¡®I would¡¯ve preferred if she was just pissed off with me, like Martin and uncle Laurens. I mean, anger I can deal with.¡¯ He took another sip of his water before responding, ¡°I guess so. Or at least see if it¡¯s something I want to do,¡± Marcus lied, knowing full well he¡¯d go through with it. ¡°But I wouldn¡¯t mind tagging along with a few more shifts with you, seeing as I need the credit,¡± he added as he watched his friend¡¯s smile lit up before shifting his gaze to his sister. ¡°Seeing as I am going to pay off my sister¡¯s debt to her crappy guild. All of it.¡± Joline rolled her eyes at the bold statement. ¡°Speaking off unrealistic dreams and fairytales. What¡¯s yours, Felix?¡± she asked, leaning back against the bar. ¡°Honestly? Having the food truck and a stable income is already great. I mean, it¡¯s more than I dared to hope for a few years ago,¡± he admitted, nervously picking at the paper coaster beneath his beer, tearing bits of it off. ¡°But... my dream, if I were to blurt it out like this, is to run a company at one point. Have some employees, etc. Possibly something in logistics. I know, it sounds stupid coming from a burger flipper and taco stuffer like me, but¡ª¡± ¡°Dreams are never stupid,¡± Joline remarked, studying Felix for a moment. ¡°For most of us, it¡¯s all we really have. Besides, didn¡¯t you get a degree in business management or something?¡± ¡°Degree, no,¡± Felix replied, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°I put in a few years, and came close to getting the degree. But it didn¡¯t fit with my financial situation at the time,¡± Felix explained, putting on a happy mask and taking a sip of beer. ¡°Who knows? Perhaps I¡¯ll pick it up again at one point. What about you?¡± This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°Squad leader,¡± the woman simply stated, earning a raised eyebrow from her brother. ¡°What? It¡¯s good money, and I don¡¯t have to listen to douchebags... or at least not the current one.¡± The three of them shared some more stories and laughter, enjoying their drinks, with Sam even joining them for a few minutes and sharing the tale of how he and Felix had first crossed paths and the various weird things that had happened in his pub in the last few years. Marcus and Joline even helped move a few full kegs for the old man, with Joline just holding two at a time as if they weighed nothing to her. After about an hour, Marcus checked the time on his phone before letting out a soft whistle. ¡°Alright, you kids have fun. I¡¯m hitting the hay early. The survival exam is at ten and I could use the sleep before I get my head kicked in tomorrow.¡± Joline snorted at the comment, muttering something under her breath that sounded a lot like ¡®drama queen¡¯, which Marcus wisely ignored. ¡°I take it I¡¯m off house arrest after passing the first part of the exam? Because I¡¯m really looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again.¡± ¡°The family head graciously approves,¡± Joline remarked, pulling the chain from behind her shirt. She made a mock religious gesture in the air, muttering some gibberish that sounded like improvised Latin. Afterward, she let go of the chain and nodded. ¡°Get some rest. And don¡¯t worry about the passing out tomorrow and missing the ass kicking. I¡¯ll be recording it all.¡± After a sarcastic slow nod, Marcus got up and finished his water, giving Felix a fist bump and tapping it twice before ordering another round of beers for his friend and his sister. After that, he left the bar and climbed the stairs up to his apartment. He unlocked the door and stepped into his living room, inhaling the scent of the old room. ¡®It feels a bit weird being back after all this time. Still, I shouldn¡¯t be complaining. My family could¡¯ve demanded a lot more from me after I got caught wandering in a Sphere... or the fact that I was without contact for two whole days not long after I got discharged from the hospital.¡¯ The thought lingered as he quickly moved toward the bedroom, unlocking one of the closets where his steel companion had always hidden itself. Slowly opening the closet, he discovered nothing but his laptop. ¡°Why did I even get my hopes up?¡± he muttered before stepping back and letting out a heavy sigh. ¡°Specter had enough charge for a few hours, not days.¡± He stared at the empty closet before he forced himself to move to his bathroom to go and brush his teeth. ¡®It¡¯s probably still in that junkyard, unconscious in some pile of scrap. I¡¯ll start looking for Specter tomorrow after I get my license. Perhaps it¡¯s still near the tower that contained the Orb, or could it be inside the old van?¡¯ He kicked off his shoes, leaving a trail of discarded clothes on the floor as he made his way to his bedroom, before flopping onto the bed like a tired warrior after battle. ¡®Was that even Specter that I saw on that tower of dirt and metal? It had to be, right?¡¯ Closing his eyes, he went over his last conversation with the robot, grappling with the anger and shame that he had felt back then. ¡®I¡¯m trying, Specter,¡¯ Marcus thought, replaying his actions from the last few days. Since then he had pushed himself to appear more mature, constantly battling to suppress his anger, keeping it on ice and contained. ¡®I¡¯ll find you as soon as I can,¡¯ he vowed before his phone vibrated. Slowly grabbing it, he glanced at the screen, revealing another text message. ©³ ©· ¡°Rumor has it an OG took a written exam and passed today. Congratulations on the first part. I¡¯ve also heard you¡¯ve got your second test lined up tomorrow. I¡¯ll send someone to help you out.¡± - Benedict ©» ©¿ After reading the message twice, Marcus let his hand fall onto the mattress with his phone before switching it off with a heavy sigh. ¡®Great, just what I needed... veiled blackmail, monitering and even more pressure.¡¯ He closed his eyes, lying there for an extended moment, processing the weight of it all. Slowly, he drifted into a restless sleep, thoughts of tomorrow brewing in his mind as his fears for the ¡®survival¡¯ aspect of the exam started to manifest in his dreams. Suddenly, he snapped awake, a pillow pressed hard against his mouth. Panic surged as he struggled against it, lashing out with his arms and legs. ¡°Relax,¡± a familiar deep voice said, while a steel finger flicked Marcus¡¯s nose. ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± Marcus froze as he recognized the voice, his heart beating like an epileptic drummer. He watched as the robot leaned over him, slowly lifting the pillow away. ¡°Specter? How?¡± His eyes widened when he saw the robot move back and help him sit up in bed, their bodies still touching. ¡°Why aren¡¯t we syncing up?¡± Specter slowly leaned in closer, pressing a single steel finger against the top of Marcus¡¯s head without anything happening. ¡°Because I didn¡¯t want us to,¡± Specter said before an uncomfortable silence fell over the room. Suddenly, Marcus felt the connection reestablish as he began to remember days¡¯ worth of information about how Specter had survived. He suddenly recalled how the robot had heard Marcus fend off the one-armed Breacher, only to see him get shot down by another man within the Sphere. Marcus could feel how Specter then had been tempted to run down and help him, but had realized just how severely outclassed they both were. He felt the desperation that Specter had experienced, recalling the robot¡¯s belief that creating a bigger distraction was the only way to help him out at that moment. Memories flashed¡ªSpecter sprinting as fast as its motors allowed, rushing toward the massive tower and scaling it before crawling through a gap. Chaotic images followed: dozens of monsters guarding the tower¡¯s interior, others grotesquely forming in sacks containing the strange liquid. Specter had clawed and climbed up within the tunnels of the tower, searching for the Orb within as monsters swarmed the robot from every angle, clawing at its steel and plastic frame. Minutes had passed like that before Specter had found the Orb within the center of the structure, suspended by large pulsating tendrils that seemed to go on forever. Marcus shuddered as he remembered how it had felt tearing the Orb free and rushing up through the tunnels, the once-deafening screams of monsters behind it gradually giving way to dying hisses as they fell to the ground one by one. Waves of even more memories crashed into him, overwhelming his mind with a torrent of images. His head throbbed, struggling to make sense of the onslaught, the pain intensifying until, suddenly, the memories ceased. He panted, feeling how tense his sweat covered body was. Marcus shook his head a few times to shake off the mental fatigue as he noticed Specter stepping back, its camera fixed on him. A shredded black raincoat clung to Specter¡¯s dirt-covered, blood-crusted robotic frame. ¡°You really went through hell, huh? Just experiencing it through you was intense. Wait, how are you still even active?¡± Marcus asked, blurting out the last part. In response, Specter just lifted the raincoat, exposing the hole in its torso with a second Orb visible there, connected by glowing blue veins. Marcus¡¯s eyes widened at the sight, his mind racing to grasp the implications. ¡°We¡¯ve got a lot to talk about, Marcus. But first, I¡¯m going to need your help with something,¡± Specter said before throwing a few pieces of clothing towards Marcus. ¡°Sure,¡± Marcus said, rising and clumsily grabbing the first bit of clothing, his mind still reeling from the bizarre situation. ¡°What do you want me to do?¡± he asked, extending his hand for Specter to grab and share their thoughts again, only to be met with a shake of the robot¡¯s head. "No," came the robot''s response as it walked toward the doorway, a glance thrown over its shoulders. "It¡¯s better if I show you. Just trust me." - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 40 (Digging for Worth) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 40 I Digging for Worth - - - Half an hour had passed since his sudden reunion with Specter. Even now, peddling on his bike, speeding along the dimly lit dirt road, he was struggling to accept what had happened. ¡®Specter¡¯s back,¡¯ he let the word echo in his mind as he felt the wind brushing through his long black hair like playful fingers. The moonlight cast a subtle glow, barely revealing the road¡¯s presence beneath the tires, but managing to keep them mostly hidden. ¡®The extra Orb must be the thing that¡¯s keeping it going. But how? Is it generating a Mana charge?¡¯ Despite Marcus¡¯ extensive reading on Spheres and Orbs as of late, the constant glow of Specter¡¯s two Orbs defied what he and the rest of humanity knew¡ªthey were supposed to pulse with violent Mana, not shine steadily. ¡®I need to figure this out. I mean, from what I¡¯ve read, even weapons and equipment made from Orbs have a pulsating effect.¡¯ Sitting behind Marcus, Specter patted the young man¡¯s shoulder before pointing at the light blue Sphere peeking beyond the tree lines. Marcus nodded and steered towards it while doing his best to dodge the occasional rock on the road. Following the path, the forest gradually opened up, showing a lake partially claimed by the Sphere. ¡®Has it been staying here, in the Sphere that we¡¯ve been in before?¡¯ Marcus wondered, tracking Specter¡¯s gestures toward the lake¡¯s western side. ¡®It¡¯s so weird, us touching without fusing into one being,¡¯ Marcus mused, tightening his grip on the bike as they descended a small slope that was littered with more rocks and tree roots. ¡®I guess not instantly merging can be handy in a fight or if we want to keep our own identities. But I can¡¯t shake how all of this is making me feel... like I got rejected,¡¯ he thought as his mind went over the fight they had been in back at the junkyard. ¡®Specter¡¯s got to know that I¡¯m sorry, right?¡¯ Just as Marcus opened his mouth to say something, the robot hopped off the back of the bike, sliding to a stop. ¡°We¡¯ll have to go on foot here,¡± the robot remarked, watching Marcus stop the bike and dismount as well. ¡°We¡¯re nearly there.¡± Specter then got off the road as it calmly navigated through bushes while Marcus followed suit, carrying the bike on his shoulder. ¡°What do you mean by ¡®there¡¯?¡± Marcus asked, speeding up a bit to draw closer to his companion. ¡°You mean the place where you were staying?¡± ¡°Sometimes,¡± Specter replied, glancing over its shoulder at Marcus. ¡°You¡¯ll see in a second.¡± They continued walking until the robot stopped by a large tree, then dragged a pair of loose bushes away from the ground. ¡°I hid near this Sphere for a while when the junkyard got crazy. I mean, everybody and their mother were combing through that place. Police, government folks, and a whole guild.¡± Specter tossed the bushes aside before kneeling on the ground and meeting Marcus¡¯s gaze. ¡°Our apartment seemed too risky. I¡¯d seen the police arrive on site when the Sphere broke apart, and feared you got arrested and that our place was being watched. So, I came here. Hid in the deep water near the Sphere during the day and got out at night to stay hidden. But,¡± it said, patting the ground, ¡°I used this spot here for storage.¡± ¡°Storage? For gear?¡± Marcus asked as he watched the robot start to dig into the ground with its steel fingers. He just watched him scoop up dirt for a few seconds until he finally had enough as he grabbed the robot and yanked it back up on his feet. ¡°Dude, either talk to me or do the whole mind sharing thing. How are you still active after all this time? Did you do something with that Orb? And if so, how did you do it?¡± Marcus fired off a barrage of questions as he jabbed a finger through the hole in Specter¡¯s torso, touching the second light blue Orb. He could see the constant glow emanating from it before the robot swatted his hand away and slid bits of the torn raincoat back over the hole. The robot stepped backward, its metallic fingers extended in a motion resembling a soothing gesture. ¡°Just relax. I barely know how I got it to work in the first place. My guess is that the first Orb inside this frame is what gives life to me, preventing rust, and allowing the motors, pistons, camera, and the rest to work without electricity and the other stuff. I like to think of it as the brain, with the tendrils being the veins, arteries and the nervous system,¡± Specter explained, making a tight fist and staring at its steel fingers. ¡°The second Orb, I think, works like a fuel source. Or a heart if you will. Even now, I can feel Mana pouring into my frame, tiny bits trickling in each second. It¡¯s way less Mana than what you used to give me in a single go, and how it feels inside your body when you recover Mana, but the amount I get is slightly more than what I am draining,¡± Specter explained, relaxing its hand and looking at Marcus. ¡°So yeah, this second Orb is what has kept me active for days now. And don¡¯t ask me how I did it. It¡¯s like back then when I was suddenly able to speak when the monster was chasing you, remember?¡± The robot waited for Marcus¡¯s nod before he continued. ¡°In this case, I just shoved the Orb inside, hoping it would do something when I was about to run out of Mana. I was desperate at that moment, and it sort of clicked.¡± ¡°So you were alone... for days.¡± Marcus let the weight of it linger in the air as he turned around, processing the information as he started pacing for a moment. ¡®So the first and second Orbs do different things. Is it because it was in a different position, or was it something else, like not possessing a portion of my mind?¡¯ He placed his hands on the back of his neck as he slowly exhaled. He was glad that Specter was back in his life and not dead and buried in the junkyard somewhere, but at the same time, his life had gotten even more complicated. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s say your theory is correct¡ª¡± he said, turning around, only to stop when he noticed Specter on its knees again, digging in the dirt. ¡°Really? Straight back to digging. I thought we were having a¡ª¡± He fell silent when he saw Specter scooping away more dirt, revealing a dirty sleeping bag. The robot ignored him as it started pulling the sleeping bag out of the dirt. When it was partially out, Marcus could see that the sleeping bag was full, almost as if there was a body inside. ¡°Wait... oh no. Is that a corpse? Did you kill someone?¡± The robot slowly turned its gaze toward Marcus. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a body. But can you blame me? I was bored. Besides, it¡¯s just one body,¡± Specter said in a monotone voice, watching Marcus¡¯s face cycle through shock, anger, confusion, fear and horror like a slow PowerPoint presentation. ¡°No, I didn¡¯t kill anyone. What the hell, man? You think a few days without you and I suddenly go off the reservation and turn evil? I¡¯m you, dude! Metal and bolts, and trying to be more like dad, but I¡¯m you.¡± It shook its head before opening the sleeping bag, revealing a partially rusted robot to Marcus who quickly seemed to calm down. ¡°Wait... I¡¯ve seen this robot before.¡± Recognition sparked in Marcus as he approached the rusted machine. ¡°That¡¯s the one I... or we saw back in the junkyard, when we woke up on that chair with bullet holes in our steel frame. It must¡¯ve been years ago since I last saw it, back before I got back in my real body.¡± He watched the state of the robot, seeing it covered in a lot more rust, graffiti and missing the occasional finger or bit of plating. Still, even in its rusted state, Marcus could see that the rest of the frame was still intact. ¡®It¡¯s slightly more bulky compared to Specter, and taller,¡¯ he thought as he glanced at the broader frame and noticed the additional pistons the thing had within its frame. Specter rapped its steel knuckles playfully on the rusted robot¡¯s chest. ¡°Look, I know it looks bad. But it¡¯s a fixer-upper.¡± It got up, taking a position next to Marcus, both looking down at the dirty rust bucket of a machine. ¡°It just needs a little love... well, a lot of love, to be honest. Possibly a few liters of WD-40 mixed in with holy water. But if we can pull this off, we either have a replacement body for me, or possibly another companion if we figure out the whole Orb thing.¡± ¡°Perhaps,¡± Marcus mused, eyeing the robot in the sleeping bag. ¡°It¡¯s different from your design, so we won¡¯t have a universal build. But at least it¡¯s humanoid in nature. So, hopefully, it wouldn¡¯t be that big of a change to get used to.¡± He contemplated the task at hand, thinking about the effort needed to remove the rust or potentially swap entire parts out. He winced inwardly as he thought about the bullshit excuse he¡¯d have to come up with when he¡¯d ask help for another ¡®art project¡¯. ¡®At least this one has two eyes,¡¯ he thought as he stared at the camera lenses. Specter placed a reassuring hand on Marcus¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Anyway, I think you actually need to be involved to make another me,¡± it suggested, nudging its foot against the other robot. ¡°I¡¯ve already tried putting my ¡®spare¡¯ Orb inside, but it did nothing. So, we need to figure out how your Ability or Abilities work and¡ª¡± ¡°Wait, what?¡± Marcus interjected as he took a step to the side and faced Specter, nudging the steel hand from his shoulder. ¡°You put your spare Orb in? The one that kept you alive all this time! Do you have any idea¡ª¡± ¡°How reckless that was?¡± Specter interrupted, cocking its head to the side. ¡°Like you were back in the junkyard when you stabbed yourself with all that Glass?¡± Marcus sighed, his hand running through his hair in frustration before he kicked one of the bushes away, muttering a curse as he did so. ¡°Look, all I¡¯m saying is that it was risky,¡± Marcus said softly, suppressing his anger as he realized the hypocrisy of his own position and words. ¡°I mean, it could¡¯ve backfired, drained all of your Mana, and I might never have found you.¡± An awkward silence fell between them, both avoiding eye contact as they just each just stared at a random spot. ¡°Guess we both have some growing up to do, huh?¡± Specter said finally as it broke the silence, moving toward the other robot and kneeling beside it. It opened the sleeping bag a bit further before it retrieved its steel hatchet. Even in the dark, Marcus noticed the dull and chipped state of the weapon in the dim light. ¡°We were both made from a flawed template, but from what I¡¯ve glimpsed from the bits of your memories, you¡¯ve done your best to grow these last few days.¡± Specter looked up, its camera focusing on Marcus. ¡°You should be proud of the change you¡¯ve made thus far. I know it couldn¡¯t have been easy for you.¡± With a forceful throw, the robot embedded the axe head into the tree, the impact resonating through the air. ¡°It¡¯s easier to change when you¡¯re a machine,¡± Specter said softly, its camera fixed on the lodged axe, remembering Marcus¡¯s words. At hearing it, the young man attempted to speak, but Specter cut him off as it spoke up again. ¡°It¡¯s true. You were right back then. These last few days have helped me grow more as an individual than I could¡¯ve done had I been you, or remained connected to you. I was able to grow because I was away from all the instability and chaos that comes with a human body. I mean, I¡¯m still you, I know that. But it¡¯s easier to remove or change bits when you¡¯re living in a machine. So yeah, I¡¯m proud of you for how much you¡¯ve grown in such a small time.¡± This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Marcus nodded solemnly before he approached the sturdy tree, the axe embedded in its bark catching the moonlight. His hand settled gently on the worn handle, fingers tracing the grooves and memories etched into the weapon. ¡°The old me had to die,¡± he whispered before he yanked on the axe, but failed to pull it out. The second and third tug with both his hands broke his calm expression as he got more and more irritated. Eventually he sought leverage with his foot pressed against the tree trunk, anchoring himself for the fourth attempt, but failing once more. Specter emitted a soft electronic whistle as it observed Marcus giving it another go. ¡°Didn¡¯t turn out as cool as you imagined, did it?¡± Marcus released his grip on the axe handle, nonchalantly sliding his hands back into his pockets. ¡°Whatever. Let¡¯s just drag this bucket of rust back home. We¡¯ll figure out how to clean and fix it after I catch some shut-eye and survive my exam tomorrow.¡± ¡°That sounds like a good plan,¡± Specter said, walking over to Marcus and the tree. It seized the axe handle before it yanked the weapon out in one go and handed it to the its companion, displaying just how much stronger its robotic frame was compared to most humans. After that, it moved toward the sleeping bag and grabbed the ends of it before fully dragging it all out of the dirt. ¡°But speaking of the exam, are you going to keep a low profile, or make a splash?¡± Turning the hatchet in his hands, Marcus inspected the wear and tear on it for a moment as he thought about the second exam. ¡°The first option would be the smart thing to do,¡± he said, joining up with Specter. He watched as his companion shoved the dug-up dirt back into the hole, afterwards stomping its feet on it to make it less obvious that something had been there in the first place. ¡°Even during the written part of the exam, there was already way too much attention on me when they heard I was an Original. Besides, I¡¯m not sure how much of a splash I can make tomorrow. I mean, I¡¯ve got four Stat points, and only half of them are useful in a fight.¡± ¡°Yeah, a low profile might be best,¡± Specter commented as it lifted the sleeping bag, rusty robot snug inside, and propped it upright against the nearby tree. Specter then slid its hand further inside to grab something from within. ¡°Although¡ª¡± it said, pulling out a tattered and familiar backpack, the ripped fabric speaking volumes about what it and Specter had been through all this time. Without warning, it then tossed the backpack towards Marcus, who clumsily caught the bag. ¡°¡ªI kind of want to see what type of splash you could make with that.¡± Marcus slowly unzipped the backpack, revealing a plastic bag filled with Monster-Glass. He reached in, grasping it, feeling the weight of it as the glass pieces shifted between his fingers. ¡°What the hell? How did you get so much of it?¡± ¡°I collected some of it in that smoke-filled death chamber you woke me up in, then a few from your backpack I found discarded at the bottom of the hill. And another decent chunk from the monsters near the Orb itself, when the Sphere broke apart. The rest I got in the days that followed, spending a few hours each night killing monsters in the Sphere near the lake,¡± Specter explained, pointing at the light blue Sphere in the distant. ¡°I killed a few monsters each night when I wasn¡¯t trying to see if you were home, or when I felt brave enough to search the junkyard. I always stayed near the water and forced myself to only kill single targets. Hell, I even shoved rocks in their corpses and dragged them into the lake to keep them submerged, allowing me to hide them from any Breachers that would enter the Sphere the next day. So yeah, there is a lot of Glass in that bag.¡± Specter then pulled back the sleeves of its torn raincoat, revealing the wear and tear on the plastic plating on its arms. ¡°But even then, it took a lot out of me.¡± Marcus halted, eyeing the broken plastic pieces for a moment, seeing the claw and teeth marks on some parts, then turned his focus back to the bag in his own hand. ¡°How much?¡± ¡°Hm?¡± the robot said, sliding the raincoat back over its arms. ¡°How much glass?¡± Specter just zipped up the sleeping bag and tossed it, along with the robot inside, over its left shoulder. Slowly, Specter then made his way over to Marcus, placing its right steel hand on the man¡¯s shoulder, but not yet establishing a mental connection. ¡°68.¡± Marcus¡¯s eyes widened at hearing the exact number, when suddenly, the connection between them formed again, linking both their minds. Marcus¡¯s mind flooded once more with chaotic memories, thoughts, and fierce emotions. He pushed through the discomfort, his head aching from the surge of information, gritting his teeth as he used Specter¡¯s hand on his shoulder to keep himself steady. A few uncomfortable minutes drifted by like that before the discomfort slowly ebbed away, leaving him feeling much better. More than that, after more than a week, he actually felt like himself again. His thoughts flowed faster, his mind felt sharper and finally whole again, after having been split into two for so long. Finally, when it all settled and his mind was quiet again, save for the hint of Specter in his mind, he gave words to what he wanted to do in that moment as he gripped the ludicrous amount of Glass in his hand, with both bodies uttering the words in unison. ¡°Let¡¯s go make a fucking splash.¡± - - - A while later, they pulled themselves and the robot, still tucked in the sleeping bag, back up to Marcus¡¯s apartment via the fire escape, the clinking of metal against metal echoing in the nearby alley. ¡°If someone spotted us like this, it would look like two blokes dragging a dead body upstairs,¡± he whispered nervously. They almost dropped the robot as they reached the final stretch, scrambling up the last bit of the fire escape. With a bit of struggle, they pushed it through the open window into the room, gracefully letting it slam onto the floor. Afterwards, both of them quickly climbed inside as well before shutting the window behind them. Sinking down low on the floor, they paused for a moment, straining their senses for any sound outside. A few seconds later, Specter started to chuckle, a nervous one that was awkwardly contagious. It didn¡¯t take that long before Marcus joined in as well, both of them giggling like fools, side by side, with a broken robot at their feet. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re back, buddy,¡± Marcus said, shutting his eyes, not wanting to face the reality of how late it already was. ¡°Look, I¡¯m sorry for what I did¡ª¡± ¡°No need to apologize for something someone else did. That person is dead, remember?¡± Specter said, rising slowly and extending its hand. ¡°So, who do I have the pleasure of meeting?¡± Marcus smiled, clasping the offered hand and allowing himself to be pulled back onto his feet. ¡°I¡¯m Marcus.¡± He paused, trying to put into words who or what he wanted to become and not focus too much on how awkward this actually was. In a way, he aimed to be like Specter but also wanted to be more than that. He didn¡¯t want to be merely a protector. His mind slowly drifted to the memory of that morning, seeing the picture of his parents and the necklace that carried their rings. ¡°I¡¯m the man who¡¯s going to be worthy of carrying his parent¡¯s rings. I¡¯m going to be the head of this family.¡± ¡°Those are pretty big shoes to fill,¡± Specter remarked, releasing Marcus and stepping back with a nod. ¡°Good. It suits you. Now, let¡¯s get sleeping beauty over here out of the living room.¡± The two of them then lugged the sleeping bag, through the kitchen, grabbing a spare garbage bag, before stepping into the bathroom and peeling the sleeping bag off from the rusty robot. They slowly lifted the ruined robot into the bath, with Specter getting in as well. Marcus watched his companion remove its ruined clothes and torn raincoats. The young man then grabbed the garbage bag and stuffed the discarded clothes inside. ¡°Keep one of the raincoats for me,¡± Specter asked, causing Marcus to raise an eyebrow. ¡°Sentimental value. Just indulge me.¡± ¡°It¡¯s probably best if no one ever found these... but fine,¡± Marcus conceded, removing a single black raincoat before grabbing the bag and leaving the bathroom. He dumped it next to his front door, a visual cue to toss it out in the morning. Returning, he found Specter already in the shower, diligently cleaning its frame from all the dried up monster blood and dirt. Marcus took in the state of his companion¡¯s body¡ªbroken plastic, small dents, and wear and tear marking its robotic frame. ¡®It¡¯s been through a lot, huh?¡¯ Marcus reflected, thinking back to the fear and desperation his companion had felt rushing through the monster-infested dirt tower to reach the Orb. Shaking off the memories, he turned his attention to the other robot. ¡°So... any ideas on dealing with all this rust and decay?¡± ¡°Start with rinsing off the disgusting bits first, then use a brush to clean it further. I¡¯ll do some research tonight on the best way to remove rust,¡± Specter instructed, sliding the shower head partially inside the hole in his torso to flush out the dirt. ¡°What?¡± it asked, seeing Marcus just staring at it. ¡°Got a better technique?¡± Marcus shook his head in response before the robot spoke up again while continuing to clean itself, ¡°So, what Stat upgrades are you thinking of?¡± ¡°Well, it takes 20 Glass per... let¡¯s just go with the term ¡®charge¡¯ for now. So, with 68 Glass, we¡¯re looking at three charges. How about we beef up Endurance or Strength? Test if it actually needs two charges to upgrade this time?¡± Marcus suggested as he watched Specter crouch down and aim the shower head above the rusted robot, inspecting the extent of the damage, steel fingers tracing the bullet holes and graffiti on the machine. Specter just continued cleaning for a moment before sharing his thoughts, ¡°I think that might work. Or you could spend 40 Glass to boost Strength to two, assuming it works, and another 20 Glass to bump Agility up to one? That should hopefully help out with the survival exam.¡± ¡°Or, I could pour it all in Agility?¡± Marcus countered, closing his eyes for a moment. Talking about spending all that Glass seemed fine, but the idea of actually going through with it brought back memories of the pain from the previous upgrades. He then grabbed the damaged backpack and retrieved the bag of Glass pieces from it, clutching it tightly as he forced himself to accept that he was considering potentially tripling the amount of discomfort he normally went through. ¡°I need to get some sleep and be up early for my appointment tomorrow,¡± Marcus mumbled, unclear if he was speaking to himself or Specter. His gaze then drifted towards Specter again. ¡°Joline will be here early. Can you handle the rest?¡± His companion nodded. ¡°No problem. I¡¯ll tidy this up and prep everything for tomorrow. Just leave it to me,¡± Specter said, extending its metal fist toward Marcus and giving it a few wiggles to capture his attention. Marcus snapped out of his thoughts, responding with a double tap, fist-bumping the robot before leaving the room with a heavy weight on his shoulders. Heading straight to his bedroom, Marcus tossed himself onto his bed. He lifted his shirt, rolled it up, and clenched it between his teeth. With a focused intensity, he extracted the first 20 pieces of Glass and forcefully slammed them into his chest, around the black Marks on his skin. A spark of energy flowed over Marcus¡¯s body, burrowing into him and stirring that strange and uncomfortable feeling. ¡°One,¡± he hissed, seizing another 20 Glass and slamming it into his chest. The impact made him bite down harder on his shirt. ¡°Two.¡± He repeated the process with another 20 pieces, slamming it into himself before he could change his mind. ¡°Three.¡± Fresh blood trickled from the smaller cuts on his chest as he grappled with the energy flowing deeper within him. In the hospital days, Marcus had learned to endure the discomfort within him for days, but never like this, with three times the amount. Gritting his teeth, he shifted his focus to his HUD and opened his status screen. Steadying himself, he made a decision about what to do next. ¡®Time to prove my worth.¡¯ ¨X ¨[ [Agility] [+2] ¨^ ¨a - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 41 (Survival Test) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 41 I Survival Test - - - Day 49 Joline Wearing her tracksuit, Joline stepped into the pub, the guild emblem boldly displayed on the back of it. She spotted the elderly man behind the bar and gave him a nod before indicating the door behind him, ignoring the smell of old beer. ¡°I¡¯m going to fetch my brother, alright?¡± she asked cheerfully. The man responded with a brief nod, resuming his task of wiping down the bar while she made her way through the door and up the creaking wooden stairs. Joline met Felix halfway up the stairs as the man zipped past her as a dark blur, sandwich clenched in his teeth, muttering about being late. He practically fell down the stairs, skipping the last few steps and nearly breaking his ankles as he crashed into a nearby beer keg before rushing through the door leading to the bar. Joline just rolled her eyes and headed upstairs, hearing the bar owner, Sam, shout at Felix. Stopping in front of her brother¡¯s door, she knocked a few times before she heard Marcus yell that he was almost ready. Joline tapped her foot for a moment, hearing commotion inside, and then Marcus swung the door open. ¡®He looks like he''s been through the wringer,¡¯ she thought as she noticed her brother¡¯s pale face, with bags under his eyes, his usual warmth replaced by fatigue. The lines on his face seemed more pronounced, and a subtle tremor betrayed the exhaustion in his frame. ¡°You look like shit! What happened?¡± Joline blurted out, eyes widening. ¡°Couldn¡¯t sleep because of the nerves,¡± Marcus said as he stepped out of his apartment and quickly closed the door behind him. ¡°Couldn¡¯t sleep? That doesn¡¯t explain the fact that you look like a walking corpse,¡± she remarked, placing a hand on his forehead, checking to see if he had a fever, before Marcus just brushed away her hand. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re alright? Do we need to go to the hospital?¡± Joline asked, her voice softening. ¡°I¡¯m good, honestly. Despite the horrible night, I actually feel like I¡¯m whole again,¡± Marcus assured, a soft smile forming on his face as he watched her. ¡°I¡¯m alright, sis. I promise. So, are you ready?¡± She shot him a skeptical look, eyes going over his disarrayed appearance before she let out a deep sigh. ¡°Ready? That¡¯s my line, remember? I¡¯m not the one who¡¯s about to get his butt kicked in two hours, even though you already look the part. Speaking of which,¡± she paused, digging something out of her pocket and handing her brother a small, clumsily wrapped present. The wrapping paper had uneven folds and mismatched tape holding it together. ¡°A gift.¡± Marcus eyed the gift in his hand, a mix of amusement and confusion playing on his face. ¡°It looks like you had a stroke while wrapping it up. Several even¡ª¡± he started, but her finger pressed against his ribs, cutting him off. He ripped off the wrapper, exposing a mouth guard that was used in boxing and other martial arts. Examining it, he spotted white wolf fangs painted on the front of the black material. ¡°Wait... is this Dad¡¯s?¡± ¡°Yeah, I held onto Dad¡¯s disgusting old mouth guard piece for the last thirteen years... idiot,¡± she said, tapping the piece. ¡°Me and Felix bought it a few days ago, knowing you¡¯d need it for your exam. It was my idea and his artwork. I mean, you might at least look the part when people fold you up like a pretzel, right?¡± Marcus slowly nodded as he grabbed his things and followed her, a soft smile on his face as he clutched the mouthpiece and went down the stairs, wobbling a bit, as if physically unsteady. ¡°Survival exam, here we go!¡± Joline shouted, tapping the sides of the wall before barging into the bar, afterwards making their way outside as the two siblings began their journey. - - - Two hours later, Joline sat on the bleachers, cradling a small water bottle and a few bananas. She observed a decent-sized crowd, mostly in civilian attire, with a few in suits or guild uniforms. ¡®I didn¡¯t think recruiters would be here at this rank. I thought Alpha¡¯s were usually ignored. Perhaps they are looking for people to join the logistics or cleanup crews?¡¯ she mused as she glanced over a few of the names. The guilds she saw were smaller than her guild, and not as well known. Still, she recognized a few of them. She took a sip of her water as she shifted her attention to what was in front of her; three large training mats. Each of the mats had a different color: red, green, blue. Nearby, a row of tables held various training weapons and protective gear. ¡®Weird how much has changed these last few years,¡¯ she thought, reminiscing about how she had become a Breacher back then. Movement interrupted her thoughts when the doors suddenly swung open, revealing three Breachers and government officials entering the room, followed by twenty nervous individuals clad in protective gear. ¡®Here we go.¡¯ She observed her brother and the other applicants forming a line as the officials began explaining what they expected of them and what each person needed to do in order to pass. From what Joline heard, it seemed rather simple¡ªeach person had three attempts to ¡®survive¡¯ two minutes against a stronger foe. As if on cue, the three Breachers positioned themselves on the three colored mats. Within seconds, they burned through a portion of their Mana, and parts of it vented through their Marks, creating a light blue distortion around their frames, almost like colored mist. Joline heard a few civilians gasp, undoubtedly worried for the safety of their friend, child, sibling, or parent that was about to face one of these Breachers. Someone even bolted out of the room, fearing Mana-sickness. Joline shook her head at their reaction. ¡®Normies being normies, huh?¡¯ she thought, doing her best not to grin. ¡®It takes a lot more Mana to affect people outside a Sphere, let alone at that distance. And the Breachers there... their Mana is blue, but it¡¯s thin... I can barely feel it from here.¡¯ I¡¯m guessing they are just Beta rank. So, one full rank above Marcus.¡¯ Joline idly played with the water bottle, her gaze fixed on the three Breachers. ¡®The woman on the red mat. I think I¡¯ve seen her in the field before. She¡¯s quite fast for a Beta.¡¯ She shifted her attention to the other two Breachers. ¡®I think the man on the green mat is the strongest. At least he carries himself like it.¡¯ The government officials went through the rules, confirming them with each applicant before dismissing them. They allowed everyone to warm up, put on extra protective gear, and mentally prepare. Joline watched some doing push-ups, stretch exercises or some cardio, while others got used to the weight and size of the practice weapons that were available. As she peeled one of the bananas and took a bite, she observed some applicants struggling with the weapons, while others wielded them more confidently, obviously having trained extensively with some of them. ¡®It¡¯s good that the applicants face a stronger opponent like this, forcing them to encounter something more monstrous and unfair before they become Breachers and even set foot in an actual Sphere.¡¯ She watched her brother just stare at the three Breachers while another applicant seized a training shield and sword before positioning himself on the green mat and pointing the weapon at the Breacher. Joline witnessed the large Breacher nod and grab a protective sword and shield of his own as an official began the countdown. ¡®Let¡¯s see how he does.¡¯ She watched the eager applicant charging in but immediately get stopped in his tracks when the Breacher he was facing slammed his sword into the applicant¡¯s shield with a resounding thud, sending it flying out of the man¡¯s hand. The second sword strike echoed through the air, crashing into the man¡¯s stomach, denting the protective gear with a distinct crunch, and sending him nearly rolling off the mat, unconscious. ¡®Well, that was anticlimactic.¡¯ Joline raised an eyebrow as government officials quickly ran onto the mat to help the unconscious man. ¡®That Breacher¡¯s got little to no speed behind his attacks, but a lot of power. No doubt he¡¯s a front line tank of sorts.¡¯ She slowly shifted her gaze back to Marcus, observing her brother just staring at the large Breacher before he made his way toward the bleachers. Joline smiled when he spotted her, seeing him wave at her before a young man in front of her suddenly stood up and made his way over to him, clearly confusing Marcus. ¡®Do they know each other or something?¡¯ Joline thought as she got up as well and descended the bleachers, making her way to her brother while eating her banana as she overheard their conversation. ¡°You¡¯ll do fine. And if you need any pointers, feel free to ask me. I had my exam not that long ago, although it was a rank higher than this one,¡± the man said, placing a reassuring hand on Marcus¡¯s shoulder who just stared at the strange man. ¡°From what Benedict told me, you¡¯ll¡ª¡° The man suddenly stopped talking when he noticed Marcus looking past him, forcing him to follow his gaze and spot a smiling Joline who was casually eating her banana. ¡°Great, the vultures are here. Can I help you with anything?¡± ¡°Nope,¡± Joline said, flashing the man a banana stained smile as she stepped closer to Marcus, handing him the bottle of water and a banana. ¡°Eat it. It helps with the nerves. Do you know him?¡± She asked, pointing at the other man. ¡°I¡¯m Kay de Wever, Breacher and official member of the Salamanders,¡± the man said with a proud expression, pointing at the symbol on his vest. ¡°Never heard of you guys,¡± Joline countered, secretly enjoying the way the man¡¯s expression suddenly changed, a second of disappointment showing before his features hardened a bit. ¡°Wait, are you with those German brothers?¡± The man paused for a moment, eyes narrowing as he stared at Joline. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but who the hell are you anyway?¡± ¡°A proper Breacher,¡± she quipped, drawing closer. Her grin widened as she noticed the man suddenly spotting the chaotic greenish marks on the side of her head, a clear sign of her Original status. ¡°And a guild member of the Royal Blue at that.¡± She displayed an amused, wolfish grin as the color drained from the man¡¯s face as he realized he stood before a member of a significant guild. ¡°Relax, I¡¯m Marcus¡¯s sister. I¡¯m just here to see my brother get knocked down a peg or two,¡± she explained, all the while munching on her banana. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°Sorry ¡®bout that,¡± Kay swiftly said, glancing between Marcus and Joline with a touch of uncertainty. ¡°If I¡¯d known¡ª¡± ¡°Forget about it,¡± Marcus cut in, dismissing the man¡¯s excuse. He took a seat, blue eyes fixed on the activity in front of him. He watched some applicants grabbing practice weapons and step onto one for the mats to try and survive two minutes, although most ignored the green mat. ¡°Why are you here, Kay?¡± Marcus asked as he watched the fights unfold¡ªseeing someone get disarmed in mere seconds while another applicant was actually putting up a decent fight and showing great skill with a blade. ¡°To help,¡± Kay said as he sat down next to Marcus and grabbed a folder from his pocket and held it out for him. ¡°Benedict figured I could give some tips seeing as I had my exam not that long ago, as well as deliver a list of the examiners today. It contains their records, preferred fighting style, Power rating, etc. As much as he could find out.¡± Marcus didn¡¯t take the list; he simply kept his focus on the ongoing fight. ¡°That¡¯s cute,¡± Joline remarked, swiping the folder and flipping through pages with an amused smile. It didn¡¯t take long until that amusement turned to surprise as she pointed her half-eaten banana at it. ¡°Wait... this is surprisingly detailed. How did you guys get all of this?¡± She asked, speaking with her mouth full. ¡°Most of this isn¡¯t public information.¡± Kay smiled nervously. ¡°Uh, well... Benedict is really good at his job, and he¡¯s a people person. That¡¯s all I can say.¡± Joline fixed him with a stare before nearly stabbing the man¡¯s face with the rest of her banana. ¡°Why the folder? Why go through all this trouble?¡± Kay glanced nervously at her, his smile fading as he moved away from the banana. ¡°Because he¡¯s an Original? And Benedict wants him to succeed?¡± ¡°Oh, please. My brother¡¯s got a Power rating of One. He¡¯s useless to you guys,¡± Joline countered. Hearing that, Marcus muttered that he was right there, but his sister hushed him by pressing her half-eaten banana against his lips like a finger. ¡°Er... well, you¡¯d have to ask Benedict for the why¡¯s and how¡¯s. I mean, he¡¯s not even a Marked himself, but he¡¯s our leader. And he¡¯s really, really good at what he does,¡± Kay explained as he awkwardly grabbed the folder again before turning his attention to Marcus. ¡°Benedict told me that of the three Breachers for this test, you shouldn¡¯t tangle with the woman on the red or the man on the green mat. The woman¡¯s got the most field experience of them all and specializes in speed, while the guy on the green mat has the highest Power Rating of the bunch and a serious violent streak. So, Benedict suggests¡ª¡± ¡°How much?¡± Marcus suddenly asked, interrupting the young man. ¡°You mean their power rating?¡± Kay inquired, observing Marcus¡¯s slow nod. He flipped through the folder, his finger tracing a line across the paper until he found the relevant information. ¡°The big fella is around 18, just one point lower than I am. So the gap would be too big. Plus, the guy doesn¡¯t usually hold back. The woman is 15. Sebastian recommends going for Blue, who¡¯s only a 12, and far less¡ª¡± ¡°Do you want to help, Kay?¡± Marcus spoke up again as he tore his gaze away from the group and held out his hand. ¡°Punch my hand three times as hard and fast as you could. Don¡¯t hold back.¡± Joline just finished eating her banana as she observed the exchange between the two men. Kay appeared confused, and Marcus fixed him with a calm stare, repeating the request until the confused man reluctantly rose. ¡®Why is Marcus being so weird today?¡¯ Joline wondered before seeing Kay shoot forward, slamming his fist against Marcus¡¯s open left hand, producing a decent impact sound. Two more punches followed after that, each hitting their target. Marcus wincing slightly, shaking his hand before making a fist. ¡°So, what¡¯s your plan?¡± Joline asked as Marcus got up, retrieving something from his pocket before turning to face her. ¡°Make a splash.¡± Marcus said as he stared at the mouthpiece in his hand before popping it in his mouth, revealing the white wolf fangs painted on them as he grinned. A second later he calmly made his way down the bleachers. ¡®What¡¯s that idiot planning now?¡¯ she thought as she watched her brother approach one of the tables and grab two protective fingerless gloves before putting them on, afterwards testing them by slamming his fists together. Marcus then grabbed another pair and strolled over towards the green training mat and walked up to the large Breacher. ¡°Shit,¡± Joline hissed, rushing down the bleachers alongside Kay, who was noticeably freaking out as well. Joline hurried to the edge of the green mat, her steps quickening as she reached Marcus just in time to witness his casual throw of the spare gloves onto the mat in front of the large Breacher. ¡°Pick it up,¡± Marcus said, his voice cutting through the air with an unusual coldness that his sister had never heard him use before. The tension on the mat seemed to intensify as the Breacher chuckled, a brief moment of amusement flashing in his eyes as he noticed Marcus¡¯s ID tag, revealing the stark contrast of their Power Ratings. ¡°Pick it up,¡± Marcus repeated, voice calm. A faint ¡®tsk¡¯ escaped the Breacher as the man noted an official signaling that the timer would start soon. The Breacher calmly snatched up the gloves, sliding his hands into them before cracking his neck in an intimidating way. Then, without warning, he suddenly shot forward, launching a barrage of jabs at Marcus who just tanked the hits while maintaining a solid defensive stance, occasionally yielding ground when the Breacher switched from jabs to actual heavy punches. ¡°This is bad! He¡¯s done for. Why¡¯d he have to go and piss him off?¡± Kay exclaimed, seeing Marcus get pressured into the corner, as jab after jab slammed into his guard, with Marcus barely able to dodge a low kick from the Breacher in time. Joline had the urge to jump onto the mat and drag Marcus off it, but she didn¡¯t. Despite the relentless pummeling her brother was enduring, she felt like something was off about him. She observed Marcus¡¯s focused gaze as he shrugged off a few more punches, almost provoking the opponent to throw more blows through sheer perseverance. ¡®Is he planning to ride out the full two minutes like this? Is he doing this to make a point?¡¯ Joline thought, noting that thirty seconds had already slipped away. The big Breacher¡¯s eyes snapped to the timer, narrowing as he noticed the lost seconds. His gaze, now fueled with anger, fixed back on the arrogant applicant. Without warning, he lunged forward, putting all his weight and momentum into a murderous right punch. The punch hurtled toward Marcus at great speed, but the young man surprised his opponent by suddenly dashing forward faster than he had moved before. In a nasty straight punch, Marcus¡¯s fist collided with the Breacher¡¯s chin as he stepped in hard and fast, stealing the larger man¡¯s momentum and redirecting it against him in a devastating counter. The impact echoed through the arena, a dull thud that accompanied the nasty collision. The blow knocked the Breacher back a few paces, and his mouthpiece clattered away on the ground, before the man suddenly plopped down on his rear, legs twitching, eyes wide in shock and disbelief. ¡®That was a perfect counter, right on the chin!¡¯ Joline thought, her expression transforming from surprise to realization. The muscular Breacher struggled to get back on his feet, but his efforts ended with him collapsing to the ground again like a wet rag. His eyes widened as he stared at his unresponsive legs, who refused to cooperate, even hitting his own legs in frustration. ¡®Marcus led that brute straight into it. He made him eat his own strength in one violent exchange.¡¯ Marcus slowly closed the distance, casually kicking the mouthpiece back toward the Breacher. He stopped in front of the man, towering over his prone figure. Slowly, the Breacher¡¯s confusion and shock gave way to anger as the man noticed the growing crowd. Dozens of onlookers whispered amongst themselves, and someone was even recording the scene on their phone. The Breacher snarled, slowly picking up the mouth guard and shoving it back into his mouth. Pushing himself up to his unstable knees, he glanced at the timer, realizing a minute had already passed. Suddenly, the Breacher threw himself forward, attempting to catch Marcus off guard by tackling him. Seeing the threat, Marcus leaped forward while snatching the man¡¯s headgear. Their clash saw Marcus driving his right knee into the Breacher¡¯s face with nauseating ferocity as the blow sent the larger man tumbling to the floor. Marcus, nursing a hurt knee, staggered backward after the exchange. ¡°What...?¡± Kay muttered, eyeing the unconscious Breacher on the mat, with Marcus just standing next to him, assessing the threat before turning his gaze to the official that was in charge of the countdown. A hush fell over the hall as people just stared at the men on the mat, an uneasy quiet settling in. Finally, the countdown stopped as officials hurried onto the mat to aid the unconscious Breacher. With the fight over, Marcus started limping off the mat while pulling off his gloves and headgear. The distinct sound of Velcro slowly being peeled dominated the hall at that moment. ¡°Marcus, that was awesome¡ª¡± Kay said before he got the gloves and headgear suddenly thrust into his hands as Marcus hobbled past him, making his way to the bleachers, passing his sister before taking a seat. Joline watched the officials carefully tend to the unconscious Breacher, while the rest just stared at Marcus from afar with a mixture of shock and intrigue. ¡®Was he always that fast?¡¯ Joline thought as she made her way over toward her brother, recalling how different his brutal counter had been compared to the first part of the fight. ¡®Did he set this whole thing up? Was that why he acted so arrogant at the start? To provoke the strong but slow brute he knew would take the bait?¡¯ She thought as she stared at him, shaking her head as she passed the water bottle to her brother, who responded with a smile, revealing wolf fangs tinged red from his blood. In that moment, her perspective on her brother shifted. For a split second, she even thought she could see wisps of transparent Mana venting from his frame, but realized her mind was just playing tricks on her. ¡®It¡¯s just sweat and body heat. The idiot¡¯s only Power rank 1 after all.¡¯ She placed her hands on her hips in a disapproving manner before giving him a soft kick against his shin. ¡°Don¡¯t you think that was reckless?¡± she asked, noticing how he opened the water bottle with his left hand instead of his right. ¡®He¡¯s hurt. No doubt punching that Breacher must have felt like punching a rock.¡¯ Marcus withdrew the bloodied mouthpiece, setting it on the bench beside him before looking into her green eyes. ¡°You told me that a Breacher can¡¯t be reckless. I just tried to control what I could and did as I was asked: Survive.¡± As one of the officials approached, she recognized him from back in hospital when her brother had gotten his measurement. The official, Ali, joined them, standing a bit awkwardly next to her. ¡°So... today has become rather eventful. How are you doing, Marcus?¡± Marcus took a sip of water, rinsing his mouth before swallowing the mixture. ¡°The knee and fist stings a bit, but I¡¯m fine. So, what¡¯s next? Do I need to fight two more times, or am I done?¡± Ali let out a nervous chuckle at his comment. ¡°Well, technically, each applicant gets three chances to survive for two whole minutes. So, you do have two more attempts if you want. But,¡± Ali muttered as he glanced over his shoulder, spotting the big Breacher sitting on the green mat. Two officials supported the large man, who was still clearly dazed and bleeding from his nose. ¡°Yeah... I don¡¯t think that¡¯s necessary. Hell, last time I saw someone take out an examiner was when a rare Ability was used, not just a good old-fashioned punch to the face. You¡¯ve got a set on you, Marcus, I can tell you that.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Marcus remarked, leaning back a bit and closing his eyes. ¡°And that¡¯s good to hear, because I was lying about my hand and knee just stinging a bit. I think I broke something.¡± As Marcus leaned back, resting his head against the bench behind him and letting out a soft hiss he had been holding back, Joline just stared at him, a soft smile tugging at her lips. ¡®Dad would¡¯ve been proud, Marcus.¡¯ In that moment she realized just how much Marcus resembled their father, both in temperament and build. She heard Ali unofficially congratulate her brother for getting his basic Breacher license. Meanwhile, Kay frantically typed away on his cellphone in the background, no doubt reporting to Benedict and the rest of the Salamanders. ¡®My brother¡¯s an actual Breacher now... like me.¡¯ Joline¡¯s gaze shifted towards the mouthpiece next to him, narrowing on the white wolf fangs on the black material, blood still staining the fangs. Seeing the red on white gave it an almost lifelike quality. ¡®My brother, the Breacher. God help us all!¡¯ - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 42 (Awaken) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 42 I Awaken - - - Marcus A while later, Marcus found himself sitting on a barstool, feeling a shiver course through him as he kept his wounded hand submerged in a bucket filled with ice cubes and cold water. His other hand loosely held his new Breacher ID, stamped on a sturdy metal tag that he could attach to a chain. ¡®I¡¯m a Breacher now.¡¯ As he ran his thumb over the engraved details, the steel felt both solid and cold. The tags gleamed, catching the ambient light of the bar, the polished surface reflecting the glow of a neon sign nearby. The letters and numbers described his name, rank, Power rating, and the declaration of status as one of the Originals, now on full display. ¡°Quit playing with it, or you¡¯ll go blind,¡± his sister scolded him, swiping the Breacher tags and thrusting a cold beer into his hand as an replacement. With a forceful strike, she slammed the bottle of her own bottle on top of his, forcing her brother to quickly down the beverage as his bottle began spewing froth all over, drawing cheers and laughter from the rest of the crowd. Giving his sister a defiant middle finger, Marcus wrestled with the frothing beer, determined to chug it all down and not make a fool out of himself. Several people near him erupted in cheers when he finally finished it, the triumphant moment punctuated by the clinking of glasses. Among the revelers were a dozen of his sister¡¯s squad members, who were eager to celebrate Marcus earning his Breacher status. That, and the allure of free beer, added to the festive atmosphere in the crowded bar. With a theatrical wiggle, Marcus set the empty beer bottle on the table in front of him. He smiled when he heard the bar owner¡¯s shout at his sister because of her ¡®ruining proper beers¡¯, clearly unfazed by the number of Breachers standing between him and his target. Marcus grinned, watching the old man seem ready to leap over the bar, even with half a dozen of said Breachers negotiating with the old man to calm down. ¡®If every Breacher in the world had Sam¡¯s spirit, we¡¯d run out of Spheres in a week,¡¯ Marcus thought as he suppressed a soft chuckle. Shifting his gaze away from the commotion, he spotted his uncle sitting in a chair at the end of the bar, fast asleep and still cradling a small bowl of salted peanuts while snoring loudly. His uncle¡¯s legs and stomach were covered in several coats and jackets, repurposing Lauren¡¯s sleeping form as an impromptu coatrack. To finish it all off, straws and tiny umbrellas peeked out of his red and grey beard, with more being added every few rounds. ¡°So, how are you feeling?¡± Felix asked as he slid into the seat beside Marcus, seconds later two shot glasses were placed down on the table by him, their dark contents shimmering in the neon glow. Marcus glanced hesitantly at the liquid, well aware it would be his third shot of the evening. ¡°I¡¯m alright, I guess,¡± Marcus said, turning to his best friend. ¡°My hand¡¯s definitely messed up¡ªprobably a hairline fracture or something. But overall, I feel fine. It¡¯s just a bit weird, you know, being an official Breacher now.¡± ¡°Nah, not really,¡± said a Breacher beside them, nudging their shot glasses closer towards them with a smile. Marcus''s fingers hovered above the shot glass, a moment of uncertainty passing before he finally took a sip, watching Felix down his own in an instant. The Breacher, Luuk Telman, a squad member and a close friend of his sister, leaned in closer, a bit cautious under Joline¡¯s raised eyebrow. ¡°We usually only make it ¡®official¡¯ when you take on your first Sphere.¡± ¡°Do we now?¡± Joline called out from a distance as she moved closer, staring down Luuk and clearly savoring his hesitant reaction. ¡°The old fart here is right. Scraping it out inside a Sphere or play-fighting with a Breacher on a soft little training mat ain¡¯t the same thing. You only become a Breacher when you¡¯ve faced actual monsters.¡± Luuk just nodded at that before pitching in, ¡°A Breacher¡¯s needs blood on his hands to call himself one.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Marcus said, his honesty veiling the complete truth¡ªa secret truth confined upstairs where steel hands worked diligently to clean and fix things. He watched Felix draw something on a napkin with a pen, while hearing his sister call for another round of beers as a few Breachers started to slap the bar itself, demanding to know if the old man had a karaoke set in the back. Seeing it all, Marcus smiled as he enjoyed the evening, wiggling his bruised fingers in the ice bucket. As if sensing his good mood, his phone in his pocket vibrated, and as he pulled it out, his expression soured immediately as he stared at the screen. ©³ ©· ¡°Good job on passing your exam and getting your licence, Marcus. Or should I refer to you as sir Breacher now? Anyway, if you feel ready to put that title to the test, you can tag along with the Salamanders. We¡¯re hitting a light blue in 2 weeks.¡± - Benedict ©» ©¿ His sister plunked a few beers on the table in front of him before she spotted his phone. ¡°Aren¡¯t you popular? Do you got a whole fan base already, or was that Martin? If so, what time¡¯s our little brother getting here?¡± ¡°That was Benedict, one of the German brothers,¡± Marcus said, catching the quick hardening of his sister¡¯s facial expression. ¡°He heard about the exam and tossed me an invite to join him in two weeks to tackle a light blue Sphere.¡± He shrugged, grabbing his beer and taking a sip. ¡°No word from Martin, yet.¡± She rubbed her brother¡¯s hair reassuringly for a moment, leaning closer. ¡°Don¡¯t stress about it. Martin¡¯s probably just busy. He rarely goes to parties, if ever. Hell, he missed my birthday a couple of times as well,¡± Joline said, taking a seat on the chair next to him, eying the empty shot glasses. ¡°And as for Benedict, clearly you just misread the text, seeing as ¡®we¡¯ were invited. Right?¡± Marcus felt a flash of unease as he met his sister¡¯s seemingly warm smile. To him, it looked like a flawless, happy mask, with fangs and venom dripping behind it, almost daring him to decline. ¡°Sure, I guess? Why not. The more, the merrier.¡± Luuk leaned in, snagging a few peanuts from a bowl on the table as he continued to listen in on the conversation. Joline shot a glance at him, snatched one of his peanuts before speaking up, ¡°Wanna tag along, old man?¡± ¡°The pay will probably be shit,¡± Luuk remarked before he let out a deep sigh, afterwards stuffing his mouth full of peanuts. Mumbling with bits of it falling out, he added, ¡°Fine, it¡¯s been a few years since I did a light blue. Could be amusing to feel so overpowered. And, at the very least, I can legally bully a bunch of Forged for a few hours.¡± ¡°Great. It¡¯s settled then,¡± Joline declared, glancing at Marcus once more, savoring his defeated look. ¡°And as for you, mister Breacher,¡± Joline continued, pulling him a bit tighter towards her, letting him feel the difference in their strength as she wrapped an arm around his neck. ¡°We¡¯ll swing by my guild this week for some extra training and to borrow some actual gear. Because, make no mistake... during your first official Job as a Breacher, I¡¯ll be right there beside you, whether you want to or not.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t wait,¡± Marcus managed to mumble sarcastically before the arm around his neck tightened into a vice grip, leaving him gasping for breath. He dropped his ice bucket, desperately trying to free himself with both hands until she abruptly stopped when another round of shots arrived. Rubbing his neck for a moment, wincing, he shot his sister a dirty glare before settling his gaze on the shot glass, seeing a strange green liquid. Smelling it, he inhaled the sour odor. ¡°What the hell is that?¡± he asked, glancing at Felix, who wore a similarly confused expression. Shrugging, Felix commented, ¡°It¡¯s either poison, or tomorrow we¡¯d wish it had been.¡± They exchanged a nod before both friends grappled with the sour drink as they drank it at the same time, feeling it burn their throats as it went down. Felix desperately chugged his beer afterward, attempting to douse the wildfire he¡¯d unleashed in his stomach. ¡°Bloody hell, that stuff is vile.¡± Agreeing with a nod, Marcus turned to the napkin Felix had been doodling on, seeing drawn wolf teeth biting into the word ¡®Victory¡¯ in a creative way. ¡°It looks horrible,¡± Marcus said playfully, while Felix casually flung a peanut at Marcus while still engrossed in his drawing. ¡°I take it you were inspired by the mouth guard?¡± ¡°Yup,¡± Felix mumbled, crumpling up his drawing before passing it to Marcus, afterwards stealing his friend¡¯s beer. ¡°I had to sketch a few lines on paper after that nasty pic your sister sent me of you wearing the blood-covered thing. I figured drawing it to get it out of my system is cheaper than going to therapy.¡± He grinned briefly. ¡°Still, you look like your dad wearing it. I think he¡¯d be proud.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Marcus said, studying the drawing. Felix nodded. ¡°Yeah...¡± ¡°I¡¯m not getting my beer back, am I?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Felix smirked, downing the drink with gusto. The man then smoothly hopped off the seat before mingling with the other patron, and without missing a beat, Felix added another coat to Laurens, who was still peacefully napping. Shaking his head, Marcus reached for the bucket again. With deliberate slowness, he slid his fist back inside, feeling the sharp chill of the icy water, a low hiss escaping him. He glanced at Felix¡¯s drawing again, memories resurfacing of his father, recalling how his dad had worn the same type of mouth guard during the sparring sessions with him and his brother. ¡®A tribute to the old wolf,¡¯ he mused, a gentle smile forming as he carefully folded the paper with care before tucking it in his pocket. His thoughts wandered to what he¡¯d do next, beyond giving his sore hand and knee some rest. As he thought about what his sister had said and the text message from Benedict, fragmented memories flowed into his mind¡ªglimpses of Specter painstakingly reconstructing a partially scrubbed and cleaned robot. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. - - - Hours later, Marcus was clutching the now-empty bucket, holding it steady on his lap. He kept his eyes closed as he battled the urge to throw up. ¡°I feel horrible,¡± he groaned, leaning back, his head finding solace against a kitchen cabinet. ¡°Well, that makes sense,¡± a deep voice called out to him. Marcus cracked open one eye to see Specter crouched beside him, placing a glass of water on the ground. ¡°Seeing as you¡¯re drunk. So, I¡¯d say that makes perfect sense,¡± the robot said, a hint of amusement in its tone. ¡°I¡¯m not drunk,¡± Marcus weakly countered. ¡°Just sick from those awful shots. Remind me to never drink again.¡± He exhaled slowly, holding back the nausea. ¡°I take it you don¡¯t want to trade bodies?¡± Marcus quipped with a feeble smile before paling again, quickly moving the bucket closer to his face. Specter shook its head. ¡°Nope. I¡¯m just Specter, a robot, and a mere echo of your mind. You handle the human stuff, seeing as you are¡ª¡± "Handsome?" Marcus joked, his words slightly distorted by the bucket in front of his face. The robot rose slowly, its camera lens fixed on Marcus. ¡°Well, I was gonna call you ¡®the drinker,¡¯ but I guess you¡¯re after a fancier title than that, huh?¡± Specter extended its hand, helping Marcus to stand and supporting him for a moment as the man struggled with his balance. Afterwards, they made their way into the bathroom, where Marcus found the other robot in the bathtub. The robot appeared marginally better after Specter¡¯s diligent care, seeing as it had scrubbed away most of the rust, washed off the graffiti, and stripped the unnecessary bits from within. However, the result was far from flawless; the robot still resembled something fit for a recycling bin, albeit cleaner than before. ¡°So, if you want a fancy title, you¡¯ll have to earn it,¡± Specter remarked, slowly slipping its robotic hand into the hole in its own torso. Marcus could see his companion¡¯s steel fingers digging around inside before clamping onto the second light blue Orb nestled inside before Specter gradually pulled the glowing object out. ¡°Like I had to earn my own name.¡± The glowing veins connected to it stretched taut before snapping one by one. Blue liquid sprayed from the severed veins for a few seconds, and then both the broken veins and the liquid dissipated into the air, forming a soft blue mist that lingered for a split second. ¡°Catch.¡± The robot tossed the Orb to Marcus, who just barely managed to catch it with his right hand while still desperately clutching his bucket with the other. ¡°How about we not throw the potentially dangerous object to people with alcohol in their system? What do you want me to do?¡± Marcus asked, eyeing the glowing object in his hand. It was about the size of his fist, a perfectly round sphere that didn¡¯t feel warm or cold to the touch. The Orb gradually ceased its constant glow over time, starting to pulsate instead, like a regular Orb would. ¡®So does it only glow when it¡¯s connected to the robot? Or is there something else involved?¡¯ Marcus mused, his thoughts muddled by the haze of alcohol and a constant feeling of nausea. ¡°I want you to use it,¡± Specter said, pointing at the robot in the bathtub. ¡°Make another one of me.¡± Marcus stared at the Orb in his hand before glancing at Specter. ¡°Okay... but how?¡± he asked, his face revealing his confusion. ¡°I¡¯ve never done this, and we¡¯re not even sure if I¡¯ve got an Ability like that. I mean, back in the hospital, I spent days trying to figure out my Abilities. You know that.¡± Specter slowly grabbed Marcus¡¯s hand, the one gripping the Orb, and directed it toward the robot in the bathtub. ¡°Sure you do. You managed to do so back during the Tech event, and later something similar in the hospital. That was your Ability at work. Instinctive and a bit rough around the edges perhaps, but you¡¯ve learned more, even if it¡¯s on a subconscious level. Trust me.¡± Marcus felt his hand being guided toward the robot¡¯s torso and slid beneath the metal exterior, all the while pushing the Orb deeper within. ¡°But I have no idea what the hell I did back then!¡± he countered, yanking his hand back to grab his bucket again, a wave of nausea hitting him as he watched the pulsating glow within the robot¡¯s torso. Specter placed a reassuring steel hand on Marcus¡¯s shoulder, but not forming a connection. ¡°I know. Just take a second to calm down. I get that it feels impossible, I do... You know I do. But I need to you try to do what you did back then, feel what you felt¡ª¡± ¡°What, you mean like getting hit by a freaking meteor?¡± Marcus asked, interrupting his companion. ¡°And how the hell do you want me to replicate that? Are you going to throw bricks at me until I get it?¡± He gripped the bucket tighter, another wave of nausea hitting him. Specter fell silent for a moment, and Marcus could almost sense the robot¡¯s camera lens narrowing. ¡°Look, I¡¯ve spent days trying to activate this bucket of rust myself when I thought you got arrested. It won¡¯t work if I do it. But, maybe it will work when you try it, seeing as you carry the Marks. I think you¡¯re the center of it all... the Nexus if you will,¡± Specter said, grabbing Marcus¡¯s hand again, gently guiding it back inside the torso. ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. Don¡¯t stop on all the reasons why it might not work. After all, there¡¯s no reason why it even worked on me, but here we are, one person inside two bodies.¡± Marcus felt his hand pressing against the Orb again, feeling the pulsating energy inside. ¡°Just humor me, just this once. Focus your thoughts on one thing only: creating another version of yourself.¡± With a slow shake of his head, Marcus spoke up again, ¡°You could¡¯ve picked a better time, like when I¡¯m not tired or dealing with alcohol in my system.¡± ¡°No, you¡¯d overthink it out of sheer stubbornness if you were sober,¡± Specter countered, tapping the motionless robot¡¯s metal shell playfully. ¡°Just like I was overthinking it when I tried to figure out how to get this steel body to actually speak. It only worked when I stopped thinking about anything else besides trying to save you.¡± Marcus sighed, releasing the bucket while he grabbed Specter¡¯s arm for support. With both of them focused on their task, the physical contact instantly reforged them as a single individual once more, with their minds synchronizing as memories and emotions were exchanged until Marcus finally felt a sense of completeness. His entire mind opened up, thoughts becoming sharper and faster. He poured most of his mind into Specter¡¯s body, bypassing the lingering nausea he had been suffering from before. The second he did so, he instantly felt better. ¡°Think about what I experienced back then,¡± he said aloud, both frames uttering his words, strengthened by Specter¡¯s determined personality now embedded within him. As Marcus recalled the aftermath of the Tech expo, the memories flooded in¡ªpeople scattered around, lifeless or mutilated by the meteors and falling debris. He remembered feeling trapped back then, stuck in the robot¡¯s frame with his actual body strapped within a sensory rig. He forced himself to relive the last few chaotic seconds, how he had barely managed to rescue Felix, before losing Oscar as a meteor ripped through both of them. Anguish and fear gripped him, the desperate need to save his friends battling with the frustration of failing Oscar. ¡®Stay calm, block out the world, fixate on a single point,¡¯ he repeated in his mind, clinging to his uncle¡¯s wisdom. He forced himself to replay the harrowing scene, clutching Oscar at the end despite how it was making him feel. Both frames moved as one, steel fingers entwining with his real ones as he tightly gripped the Orb within the robotic frame that was in the bathtub, motionless. He felt his body heat up, burning through his Mana, the warmth lingering within his black Marks like glowing hot metal, yet strangely not painful. His blue eyes briefly lit up as he channeled every bit of Mana he could muster. Struggling to contain the raw energy, he fought to prevent it from escaping his body. The memory of Oscar¡¯s battered form atop his metallic frame, torn by a monstrous creature, fueled his determination. He forced himself to recall how his family had told him about his parents¡¯ death and the world going to shit. ¡®Wake up... wake up... wake up...¡¯ he repeated in his mind as he focused on the robot in the bathtub, clenching his jaw so hard a part of him worried his teeth might shatter from the pressure alone. ¡®We need you,¡¯ echoed his uncle¡¯s desperate call in his memory. The image of his broken uncle beside his bed, pleading for his return, etched itself into his mind. As he drew up even more Mana, his body began to shake, similar to how it had been in the hospital when he had donated too much Mana. He realized he was expelling more than he could manage, but in that moment, he didn¡¯t care anymore. He kept digging deeper, surrounded by a chorus of voices pleading for him to wake up, to be there for them. Like a lightning bolt, he severed the connection with Specter, breaking off a portion of his mind and leaving it within his companion, who nearly shot backwards from his mental order to back off. Roaring, Marcus seized the tormenting thoughts and memories, compelling them into the storm of Mana raging within him. He forced them to converge into a singular command, using himself as the nexus connecting it all. ¡®People need you. Wake the hell up!¡¯ Guiding the energy through his right arm, the black Marks on his hand grew even hotter as the Orb he touched pulsed more intensely until it finally gave off a constant glow. Marcus mind was one of chaotic rage, pouring every ounce of his remaining strength into the robot through the Orb. ¡°WAKE UP!¡± As he shattered another piece of his mind, his world plunged into darkness, and he lost control over his body for a moment, causing him to fall. His face slammed into the bath¡¯s edge before crashing onto the floor. The sound of Specter¡¯s hurried approach barely reached him, followed by the firm steel grip on his arm as his companion tried to connect with his mind again. Marcus resisted, isolating himself while battling the coppery taste of blood, his face stinging, and the lingering waves of nausea nearly becoming too much for him. In that moment, tears blurred his vision, the vivid memory of Oscar¡¯s final moments haunting him. Regret gnawed at him for not having been able to save both his friends. The passing moments were marked by him just staring at a trickle of his blood forming a puddle on the floor beside him as he just wept silently. It took him a while before he finally snapped out of his grief. He slowly picked himself up, shrugging off Specter¡¯s concerned hand. Wobbling on legs, Marcus spat out blood and spit, fighting the urge to vomit. He forced the bile back into his core, letting it mix with the reservoir of hatred and disgust he had kept buried inside. ¡°I¡¯m... pathetic...¡± Marcus muttered, his words a chilly whisper. He pulled out his Breacher tags, staring at them for a moment. ¡°I get a little trinket and what? Suddenly everything is fine?¡± he said as he shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m allowing myself to be happy while my sister is still drowning in debt... my brother hates me... and there are still monsters out there¡ªthings that nearly took everything from me.¡± Specter watched in silence as Marcus suddenly tossed the Breacher ID tag aside, letting it hit the ground with a clatter. The young man then swayed back until he collided with the wall, afterwards sliding down to the ground. ¡°Screw being happy.¡± Marcus brushed his long black hair to the side, fingers tracing over the black Marks. Heat still lingered beneath his touch. ¡°I need to... we need to get back to work, Specter. We can¡¯t stop here.¡± He heard his steel companion slowly approach him while he himself just kept staring at the Marks on his right hand. He clenched his fist, still trembling with rage from revisiting his painful past. ¡°We need to pick up the pace and get strong enough to protect our family,¡± he whispered. Specter watched him for a moment before responding. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll get to work once that hand of yours heals up. Meanwhile, I can grab us some more Glass. I¡¯ll help you get strong enough. I promise.¡± Marcus shook his head before a sudden and firm denial escaped his lips. ¡°No.¡± He paid little attention to Specter¡¯s confusion as the robot tilted its metallic head to the side. The Breacher¡¯s icy blue stare shifted purposefully toward the bathtub. ¡°The two of you are going to help me,¡± he said softly. With deliberate slowness, he raised his right hand, pointing at the bathtub for a second before his fingers curled into a fist, each movement accentuating the gravity of his decision. ¡°Echo.¡± Specter took a step back as the robot in the bath suddenly twitched, its ruined joints, pistons, and motors screeching against years of inactivity and decay. The cacophony of distressed metal echoed in the room as its head slowly twisted, a steel arm struggling to grasp the bathtub properly. Marcus and Specter could hear the creaks and groans of the worn mechanisms within, as well as see thin glowing light blue veins within the robot¡¯s frame as they slowly expanded, wrapping around pistons, motors and metal. As the robot struggled to sit upright, Marcus just stared at it, lost in thought for a minute or so. Finally, he slowly slid his injured hand into his pocket, ignoring the pain it was causing him as he retrieved Felix¡¯s napkin. Examining it, he focused on the wolf''s teeth doodles, once again seeing the word victory between the teeth. ¡°A tribute to the old man, huh?¡± Holding the napkin out in front of him, he positioned it to seemingly cover the lower part of where Specter¡¯s face would be. ¡°Fuck it. Let us be wolves,¡± he muttered softly. Ignoring the protests of his body, he forced himself onto his legs, meeting the gazes of his two companions. ¡°On your feet, brothers. It¡¯s time to hunt.¡± - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 42B (Status Screen) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 42B I Status Screen - - - Marcus Smit ¨X ¨[
Official Rank: Alpha / Rank 1
Power Rating: 6 This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ Stats
Strength: 1 Endurance: 1
Agility: 2 Perception: 0
Mental 1 Vigor: 1
Total Mana 25
¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ Abilities -Placeholder, seeing as I have no bloody idea what my Abilities are ¨^ ¨a - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -I- Path of Steel - Chapter 43 (Faithless) Breachers ¨C Path of Steel 43 I Faithless - - - A group of ten hooded figures stood gathered near a walled gate during that rainy night. Some clustered tightly together, seeking refuge from the downpour, while a few stood apart, their silhouettes blending with the shadows. Towards the rear, a man, similarly clad in a plain grey cotton robe and hood, blended into the background, unremarkable in the dimly lit scene. The man held a children¡¯s bracelet in his hand, its small wooden beads painted in faded white, pink, and blue. Time had worn away some of their colors. With a gentle, rhythmic motion, he turned the bracelet in a circle, bead after bead slipping between his thumb and forefinger, memories twirling with each faded section. ¡®Soon,¡¯ he thought. He stopped when another hooded figure, Alex, their leader, returned. Trailing behind him was a guard that was checking out something on his phone. A warm and satisfied smile was plastered on Alex¡¯s face as he looked at the others. ¡°Quickly, children,¡± their leader urged, gesturing for the group to follow. They hurried past the gate, paying no mind to the disdainful look from the guard. As they moved forward, a large red Sphere loomed in the distance, a violent presence against the backdrop of broken buildings to their left and right. Rain pelted down, drenching them as well as hit the red Sphere with a steady rhythm. However, instead of passing through, the droplets merely hit and slid along the side of the Sphere as if repelled by an unseen force. The air crackled with energy, making the hairs on their arms stand on end as they approached. ¡°Today is the day we go into the blessed light,¡± the leader announced, leading the group toward the edge of the Sphere. He slowly placed and slid his hand across the exterior, letting his fingers slip inside the red energy, a smile forming on his features after a few seconds. Slowly pulling out his hand, Alex showed his hand to the others. ¡°Have faith,¡± he said softly before stepping through the Sphere with his arms spread, the rest following. They passed through it, enduring the discomfort of untold crystal shards floating around them until suddenly emerging on the other side. Exiting the barrier, some stumbled forward while others dropped to their knees, whether out of clumsiness or awe. They all noticed the absence of rain and felt the warmth inside, a stark contrast to the downpour they had just left behind them. ¡®Almost there,¡¯ the man thought, gripping the bracelet tighter as he stepped forward. They followed Alex, who began to talk and chant about the honor of being in the garden of light, emphasizing the importance of this sacred space. He mentioned how it was a place untouched by the corruption of the unworthy, where warmth wrapped around them like a comforting embrace. ¡°We¡¯re here, brother Niels,¡± a woman whispered to the hooded man in the back, her voice soft enough not to disturb their leader and the others. ¡°We¡¯re going to become one with the light.¡± Niels nodded slowly. ¡°Yes, we are,¡± he said, forcing out the words as if each one weighed heavily on him, his fingers clenching the bracelet even tighter. ¡°A great... honor,¡± he lied, keeping his voice steady and his expression neutral. Despite his garb, him having spoken the required words, and having donated his wealth to their cause, he wasn¡¯t a zealot like the rest of them; he didn¡¯t believe at all. It was a charade that he was forced to maintain, masking his true feelings to get what he wanted so desperately. ¡®Just a few more moments,¡¯ he thought, the words echoing like a melancholic hymn in his mind, each syllable weighed down by the burden of memories tainted by loss and anger. Their group ventured deeper into the Sphere, navigating the mutated terrain with each step, discovering strange plant life and rock formations that were stunning to look at, all while breathing in unnaturally clean air. Overtime the terrain changed into that of a lush forest, encountering trees and other vegetation that they had never seen before. As they delved further into the woods, their numbers dwindled, one by one succumbing to Mana-sickness, their strength stolen away, growing sicker by the second. Niels watched the woman beside him stop moving for a moment before suddenly crumble to the ground. Instinctively, he started to reach out, but a force held him back¡ªa reminder of his purpose there. Instead, he just stood there, drawing his hand back as he watched her pale skin glisten with sweat as she struggled for breath. For a moment, he just watched, disregarding the others succumbing to the sickness as well, including their Lightseeker, Alex. In the end, only Niels remained standing. The fragments of the man he used to be urged him to carry the woman to safety¡ªbegged him, even. He dismissed those urges, focusing instead on the rational realization that he himself showed no signs of the Mana-sickness that had claimed the others. ¡®I¡¯m immune? It¡¯s rare... but it happens. Strange to suddenly find out something about myself, even now,¡¯ he thought, pushing aside the peculiar aspects of his physiology he hadn¡¯t known before. After all, none of that mattered anymore. Instead, he just stood there, observing the woman a moment longer, witnessing her skin take on a sickly hue as her organs started to slowly shutdown. ¡®The process looks far more volatile in a red Sphere,¡¯ he thought, tearing his eyes away from her to look at the others in his group. His eyes widened instantly as he saw dozens of monsters encircling them, some already feasting on the other fallen zealots without barely even making a sound. The creatures had thick black fur, long limbs with sharp claws, with most of them standing on their hind legs. In his mind, these creatures were a blend between human and wolf-like characteristics. ¡°This is it,¡± he whispered as he steeled himself and made his way over towards the monsters. ¡°Finally.¡± Niels slowly drew closer before lowering himself to his knees. With closed eyes, he yanked back his hood, exposing dark, curly hair, and extended his pale arms. ¡®I had preferred the mercy of Mana-sickness, but I suppose it¡¯s more fitting like this,¡¯ he thought as he steadied his breathing, gripping the bracelet more tightly. ¡®I¡¯ll go through what they had at the end... at the hands of monsters... although mine aren¡¯t pretending to be human.¡¯ Jaw clenched, he steeled himself for the impending pain, praying for the peace it would finally bring him. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. A cascade of memories flooded his mind, each moment replaying vividly. His childhood, the loss of his parents during the Great Impact and many of his friends afterwards. All of it had shaped his trajectory toward government service. He relived the pride of attaining a crucial position, overseeing Breachers guilds on a provincial scale, and helping draft laws to regulate Breachers more closely. A broken smile touched Niels¡¯s lips as he remembered meeting his wife. The fragrance of lavender in her hair lingered in his memory. Even now, he could smell it, along with the profound love he had felt for her when he had heard her laugh for the first time. Years later he had heard a smaller, more innocent laugh echo in his heart as well, linking the three of them as one. The recollections carried him to the heartbreaking finale, cradling his wife and daughter in the car wreckage as their life poured out from them like crimson tears. Gripping the bracelet firmly, he filled his lungs with air. ¡°Just put an end to it already!¡± he screamed at the monsters a second later, his eyes snapping open. He instantly pulled away at the sight of a towering black-furred monster crouched in front of him. Its mouth hung open, drool dripping from rows of sharp, broken teeth a few centimeters away. The creature inhaled slowly, as if assessing Niels¡¯s scent. An instinctual fear gripped the man in that moment, every fiber in his body urging him to flee at the sight of this monstrous entity up close. However, the faded children¡¯s bracelet in his hand acted as an anchor, keeping his knees rooted on the ground. ¡°What are you waiting for?¡± Niels hissed as more and more monsters crawled toward him, encircling or brushing against his body, all of them a mix between man and wolf, each different from the other, some even sporting horns or hooves. ¡°I¡¯m right here!¡± he shouted, his eyes wide with terror that he barely contained as he faced the hulking monster. The creature¡¯s right arm moved slowly towards him, claws curling around his face and briefly digging into his skin and dark curls. The scent of fresh blood and death lingering around the creature heightened Niels¡¯s horror even further. ¡°Do it,¡± he finally said through tears streaming down his face. Other monsters crawled around him, seizing his limbs and shoulders, entombing him in a mass of muscle, claws and black fur. The overpowering stench of death assaulted his senses. Amidst it all, the largest monster in front of him continued to just watch him, closing its mouth and fixating solely on him. Claws tightened around Niels¡¯ body, digging into his flesh, extracting pain and blood in equal measure that nearly made him choke and howl at the intrusions. ¡°Just end it,¡± he pleaded. The towering monster that was watching him slowly backed away, surveying the scattered dead or dying humans as it sniffed the air. Niels found himself sinking deeper into the cluster of monsters, his body ensnared by limbs and an ocean of course black fur. His wide eyes struggled to follow the towering creature as it moved around for a moment before effortlessly snatching Alex off the ground, treating the unconscious Lightseeker as if he weighed nothing more than a pebble. The monster curiously sniffed at the human it had picked up, its nose wrinkling in distaste before emitting a guttural snarl. In a sickening display of power, the creature executed a swift, vile pull, brutally ripping off Alex¡¯s head from his torso, ending the man¡¯s life in a chilling spectacle of violence. Niels¡¯s eyes widened further, his body slick with sweat as he realized just how insignificant he, a mere human, was compared to these monstrous beings. ¡°Please... just do it already,¡± he pleaded, his voice a fragile whisper within the cacophony of snarls and growls surrounding him. The towering creature slowly moved back towards him, holding Alex¡¯s severed head in front of him like a trophy, its claw burrowing around the dead man¡¯s head with gruesome nonchalance and treating it like a grotesque puppet. ¡°Kill me,¡± Niels said, repulsed by the sight of Alex¡¯s head. The other monsters forced Niels to witness the grotesque sight, a claw cruelly forcing one of his eyelid open, denying the terrified man the solace of retreating in his own mind. The towering monster proceeded to move Alex¡¯s head from side to side in a nightmarish gesture, as if Alex were shaking his head. ¡°Just do it!¡± Niels yelled, anger eclipsing the fear coursing through him, undeterred by the claws sinking into his flesh. ¡°What are you waiting for, you mongrel? Do what you fuckers are made for!¡± he howled, eyes wide, his mind teetering on the edge. It became even worse as the monster callously shook Alex¡¯s head from left to right again, taunting him further. ¡°Kill me already!¡± he wailed, tears and blood staining his face in an orchestra of emotions. The monster just watched him as it crouched down in front of him. It manipulated Alex¡¯s head, making the body part tilt to the side as if the dead man was curious, afterwards controlling the jaw to move up and down with Alex¡¯s teeth producing a sickening puppet-like clatter, as if the dead man was laughing. Niels averted his gaze as best he could, grasping the futility of it all, a sickening feeling gnawing at his stomach. His final moments were a cruel mockery. ¡°I just want to see my family again,¡± he muttered, a whisper more for himself. ¡°I want to...¡± He hesitated, feeling his blood trickle down his arms, blending with the bracelet, further staining the already faded beads with a somber intensity. His eyes widened, the bracelet searing into his soul, a vivid memory flashing of his little one on his lap, joyfully threading brightly colored beads together while smiling. Shifting his gaze back to the monster, Niels disregarded the severed head between them as something snapped inside of him in that moment, when he was forced to accept just how strong these monsters were. ¡®These things could... they¡¯d be able to do it,¡¯ he realized while he was surrounded by all this death and blood. ¡°They killed my family... I want them... No... I need them to pay for what they did.¡± His hand clenched around the bracelet, voice turning ice cold as what remained of his humanity died in that moment. ¡°Those... Breachers... they need to die.¡± His expression then hardened as he watched Alex¡¯s head shift to the side, as if expecting something. ¡°In return... I¡¯ll do... anything.¡± Alex¡¯s severed head clattered its jaw playfully once more, a grotesque mimicry of laughter, before the towering monster swiftly squashed it in its claw in an instant. The creature then seized one of its smaller brethren, tearing something from the back of its head. Niels watched in confusion as the smaller monster crumpled to the ground, lifeless. The towering monster then grabbed Niels by the throat, lifting him up with ease. A glint caught the frightened man¡¯s gaze before the monster forced something against the back of Niels¡¯s head, forcing him to howl in pain as he felt something slowly press inward, all the while clutching the faded bracelet that was stained with blood. - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 0 (Prologue) (OsiriumWrites) Breachers ¨CII¨C Nexus Event - Chapter 0 (Prologue) - - - - - Prologue A police cruiser screeched to a stop outside the dimly lit bar before two officers quickly got out, one of them still radioing in that they had arrived on scene. They exchanged a silent glance when they looked around, hearing the words ¡®I¡¯m your boogie man... I¡¯m your boogie man...¡¯ repeating over and over again from within the bar. Broken glass covered the pavement, and the flickering neon lights was casting an eerie glow through the shattered windows that night. Their footsteps echoed on the empty street as they surveyed the chaos. Spotting an unconscious man dangling through a broken window frame, they exchanged concerned looks. When they noticed symmetrical green Marks on the man¡¯s neck and face, they immediately drew their pistols, with one of them speaking in hushed tones, ¡°Someone took down a Forged?¡± They froze in that moment, listening for signs of disturbance, but only picking up faint groans and moans that echoed from within the bar along with the repeating part of the song; I¡¯m your boogie man by KC and the Sunshine Band. The latter part added a surreal layer to the scene, like a haunting soundtrack to whatever had happened here this night. Gripping their pistols tightly, they cautiously entered the bar, their senses on high alert. The sight that greeted them was one straight out of a nightmare. Bodies lay scattered across the floor, some unconscious, others twisted in agony, holding broken arms. One man lay sprawled across the bar, a knife lodged through his hand, keeping him pinned to the counter. Another appeared to have been thrown headfirst through the jukebox, having broken the machine and caused the song to be stuck in a continuous loop like a broken record. The officers felt a chill creeping down their backs as they noticed the distinct neat Marks on several of the wounded individuals, indicating they were Forged individuals, possibly even Breachers. ¡°What the hell happened here?¡± one of the officers muttered, his voice strained with tension as he grasped the severity of the situation. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. His partner just stood there, eyes fixed on the injured individuals and the state of the bar, fingers poised over his radio to report the situation. ¡°The hell if I know. I think... I think we need backup... and paramedics. And why do most of them have broken¡ª¡± Both police officers quickly spun around, guns raised, when they heard movement, their training kicking in. ¡°Police, come out!¡± one of them shouted as they approached cautiously. Relief flooded through them when they peered over the bar and saw a young bartender cowering on the ground, clutching a phone with trembling hands. ¡°It¡¯s gone...¡± the bartender whispered, eyes wide with shock, his voice barely audible over the repeating music. The officer¡¯s expression twisted in confusion as he drew nearer, gently laying a hand on the frightened young man while assessing the man¡¯s condition. ¡°Are you injured?¡± The bartender shook his head, clutching the phone tightly. ¡°No... I¡¯m fine... only the Breachers got messed up,¡± he said, his voice still shaky. ¡°That thing came into the bar... and chose that song... that awful song.¡± A lot of questions flooded the officer¡¯s mind, but before he could voice them, the bartender¡¯s hand clutched his arm. ¡°The Breachers... they provoked it... afterwards that thing tore through them¡­ it didn¡¯t even react when it got stabbed and shot,¡± the young man recounted, his voice trembling as he recalled what had happened. ¡°It didn¡¯t even acknowledge me afterwards... it just took their gear and left.¡± The other officer stepped in closer, slowly lowering his gun. ¡°You¡¯re saying one person did all this? Took down a group of Breachers?¡± The bartender shook his head, murmuring quietly, ¡°No.¡± He then slowly showed them his phone and the recording he had made. ¡°Not a person... a monster.¡± - - - Copyright: OsiriumWrites (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 1 (Poseidon’s wrath) CHAPTER ONE Poseidon¡¯s Wrath Marcus The dark night sky had a light blue hue, partially obstructed by large clouds. The night air was cool, carrying a refreshing breeze that whispered through the leaves of the plants near the lake. Sounds of water and rustling leaves in the background almost gave it a tranquil tone were it not for the constant disruption of a creature¡¯s agonized howls and hisses. The creature had long limbs, covered in sickly grey fur and brown scales. It flung its limbs around, clawing at its torso and the sharpened piece of rebar protruding from it, keeping it impaled on the shoreline near the lake. Fresh red blood coated its form, contrasting with the yellowish blood that kept pouring out from the wound in its stomach. Approaching their wounded kin, five monstrous figures crawled through the bushes, navigating the terrain with a mix of stealth and caution. Communicating in clicks and growls, they closed in on the impaled creature. After a brief pause, their aggression erupted as they fiercely attacked, targeting the areas covered in red blood, driven by an instinctive rage. The impaled creature¡¯s agonized screams echoed through the air as it was torn apart by its brethren. It went on for several grueling seconds before another suddenly creature joined in its death cries, creating a chorus of pain that lasted a split second before it dropped dead. The rest of the monsters halted their feast upon their impaled kin when they noticed their fallen brethren with a metal piece embedded in its back, a wooden handle attached to it. At seeing it, a monster clicked its teeth together, moments before a second axe suddenly struck its neck. Yellowish blood sprayed in all directions as it tried to scream and thrash around, ultimately collapsing lifeless to the ground. The remaining three monsters frantically scanned their surroundings before spotting a human partially submerged in the lake, axe in hand. Their howls and hisses echoed as they dashed towards the human, eyes ablaze with rage and an instinctual desire to feast. They were on the verge of reaching him, splashing through the water, when another figure suddenly rose from the depths at the last second. Water poured out of its steel frame, a haunting display as if the very essence of the lake had given birth to it, leaving rivulets and droplets in its wake. The hulking figure of steel wielded an axe and a thick shield as it towered over the monsters, its gleaming form reflecting the blue tinted moonlight in an imposing silhouette. With a swift swing, the axe split one creature¡¯s head, and a forceful shield bash sent another tumbling into the water before getting pinned down by the shield. Unable to break free, the monster struggled as water started to fill its lungs, drowning within seconds. The last creature¡¯s eyes grew wide, having just witnessed two of its kind get killed in mere seconds while the steel figure¡¯s head shifted upwards, locking onto the monster with a cold intensity. The moment their gaze met, the monster hissed in panic as it backed off before it turned around to escape. When it did so, it spotted another figure, clad in tattered black clothes and armed with a sharpened shovel. The monster barely had time to comprehend the situation before the sharp metal slammed into its torso, cutting deep, followed by an axe blow to its back as the hulking figure caught up with the monster, seconds later caving the monster¡¯s skull in with its fist, killing it. ¡°You two did well,¡± Marcus said, wading through the lake to join the others. Dressed in a soaked black hoodie and jeans, the wet fabric clung to his tall frame. He walked through the lake a bit further, ignoring the floating dead monsters around him, before he stepped onto the shoreline, followed by Specter. Marcus approached the torn-apart monster, still tethered to a piece of rebar embedded in the ground. He pressed his feet against the corpse, making it slide down the metal rod as he began to pull it out. The process was grim, and the monster came free in a nauseating manner, yet Marcus barely reacted to it. Meanwhile, Specter retrieved the thrown axes, afterwards handing them to him. ¡°Our teamwork¡¯s improving. Having the big one around really makes a difference, despite the Mana drain,¡± Specter remarked, slamming the shovel into the sand and getting to work. ¡°Yes, it has," Marcus said, looking past Specter to see the other robot nonchalantly haul some of the monster corpses closer. One by one, it dumped the corpses onto a pile before calmly extracting the Glass from the back of their heads in an efficient, if not bloody manner. ¡°The new robot is quite a bit stronger than your frame.¡± ¡°Arguable point. But I¡¯m faster, that¡¯s for sure,¡± Specter replied as he kept on digging. ¡°More importantly, we¡¯re both stronger than you.¡± ¡°For now,¡± Marcus remarked, observing the other robot move closer. It dropped a few Glass pieces covered in gore on the ground before gathering the rest from the fallen monsters and ripping out their Glass as well. ¡°Considering how fast we¡¯re bagging Glass at the moment, it won¡¯t be too long before I catch up.¡± Specter shot a glance at Marcus, its single camera lens fixated on the young man tucked away in his hoodie. ¡°The retrieval rate¡¯s rising, for sure. But the upgrades are expensive. It started off with 20 Glass for the first upgrade, then 40 for the next. If we¡¯re lucky, the next jump might be 60, then 80, 100, etc. Because, if it goes from 40 to 80, and doubles each time... that will become unmanageable real fast,¡± Specter said, scooping up a bit more sand before climbing out of the hole and slamming its shovel into the ground. ¡°Speaking of Glass, where are we on the count now?¡± Marcus said nothing for a while. He just stared at the massive blue Sphere around him, his eyes narrowing. Finally, he spoke, ¡°132.¡± Hearing the number, Specter let out a soft whistle. A second later, it took a step back when the other robot approached and began tossing the dead monsters into the hole, two at a time. ¡°So, at least five upgrade charges. Any thoughts on how you¡¯re going to spend it? I know I¡¯ve already asked you a few days¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to. Not yet,¡± Marcus suddenly said, kicking some sand into the hole, and watching how it covered bits of the corpses. ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s my first official job as a Breacher. Sis will be watching me like a hawk inside that Sphere. If I suddenly get stronger or faster, she¡¯ll notice for sure.¡± Specter dumped the rest of the sand onto the bodies using the shovel, burying them. ¡°That makes sense,¡± the robot commented, stamping on the sand to make it compact. ¡°You could always spend a single charge on boosting Perception? That¡¯s not an immediate giveaway, and it could be useful inside the Sphere.¡± Specter then laid the shovel across its shoulders, steel hands gripping the edges. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re not a bit curious about what it might do?¡± Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. ¡°How much time do you have left in the tank?¡± Marcus asked, brushing off his companion¡¯s question as he just focused on the spot where they¡¯d buried the monsters. ¡°70 minutes left, give or take. The big one might have a bit more left.¡± Marcus hesitated for a moment. ¡®De we press on for a bit longer? See if we can get a few more Glass pieces?¡¯ he pondered. He was well aware that he¡¯d been pushing himself hard the past two weeks and needed to be somewhat rested for tomorrow. His sister insisted on dragging him to her guild¡¯s gym whenever she had free time, subjecting him to weapon training and combat drills. When not getting his butt kicked by his ridiculously strong sister, he had tagged along with Felix on jobs, hit the gym with his physical trainer Erwin, or go out with his robots to collect more Glass. ¡°And the two of you are positive that you had around two and a half hours of Mana, like the previous times?¡± Marcus asked, observing both robots nod. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s head back for now. Take the win and get some rest.¡± The robots nodded again, each grabbing their gear before heading toward the lake. Marcus reflected on the tests he and Specter had conducted the last few days. When either robot had both Orbs within its frame, Mana wasn¡¯t an issue as it constantly recharged the robot. With that tactic, Specter had been able to venture out most nights to farm this specific Sphere, returning each time with three to four Glass pieces without sustaining significant damage. Marcus moved forwards, slowly moving deeper into the water until he had to swim, observing his robotic companions slipping beneath the surface, their heavy steel frames unable to float like he could. Reaching the edge of the Sphere, he looked at the strange barrier that seemed to distort the light. ¡®I¡¯ve got 25 Mana in total. If I channel it all into a single robot when it¡¯s got a single Orb, it¡¯ll give it around five hours of activity, or two and a half hours when I split it evenly between the two of them.¡¯ Marcus swam closer to the edge of the Sphere and pressing his hand against the barrier. He felt his hand slip through, the sensation akin to passing through a gel-like substance. As he tried to move his arm faster, the gel suddenly felt like something solid, holding his arm in place. Using this makeshift anchor, he pulled himself toward the barrier, slowly slipping through it. He observed billions of crystalline fragments floating around him until he reached the other side and was able to breathe again. Swimming toward the shoreline, he shivered a bit after having spent the last hour in the water or wearing wet clothes. ¡®It¡¯s safer when there are two of them, and the amount of Glass we gain is much higher, but it forces me to also be present and micromanage the process a lot more.¡¯ Marcus turned around, noticing the water distorting as two robots emerged slowly, one after the other. Water poured out of their metal frames as they joined him. The liquid cascaded down, creating a shimmering effect around their mechanical bodies. In that moment he imaged the horrors his robots had inflicted upon the monsters in this Sphere over the last two weeks. His soldiers didn¡¯t sleep, didn¡¯t eat, drink or even breathe. They just appeared in the middle of the night, rising from the water like Poseidon¡¯s wrath, born from metal and strong enough to crush skulls with their bare hands. He stared at the Sphere one final time, taking in the massive concrete walls that encircled most of it. Barbwire adorned the structure generously, but it all thinned out near the water¡¯s edge. In the distance, Marcus spotted the gatehouse illuminated by powerful lights and a dirt road leading up to it. Turning on his heels, Marcus led the three of them away from the lake and into the nearby forest. After a brief walk, they discovered a cargo bike concealed under a black canvas, decorated with scattered leaves and twigs. Specter uncovered the bike, and Marcus retrieved a backpack with dry clothes from inside the cargo section. After that, the three of them stored their weapons in the cargo bike before the largest robot climbed in and got down. Marcus slipped his hand into the larger robot¡¯s torso, fumbling around inside until he found a black garbage bag containing the glowing light blue Orb, intertwined with blue veins. The bag had signs of wear and tear from all the combat and because of the veins that had burrowed through it. It was a crude makeshift solution to prevent the Orb¡¯s glow from compromising the robot¡¯s stealth. Closing his eyes and gripping the Orb tightly, Marcus focused on the large robot. ¡®Echo¡¯ Digging deep, he forced himself to activate his Ability, linking their minds and reintegrating the fragmented part of himself that had been inside the robot, suddenly becoming more whole again. He released a sigh, a wave of relief washing over him, feeling a return to normalcy. In a swift motion, he yanked the Orb out, tearing apart the connected glowing veins. Light blue liquid splashed over his hand as it poured from the black bag. In a matter of seconds, the severed veins and blue liquid evaporated, leaving only the wrapped up glowing Orb in his hand. He opened up the bag and peered inside, seeing the Orb slowly glow less bright before it started pulsating, resembling a regular Orb. ¡°Here you go,¡± Marcus said, handing Specter the bagged Orb. Specter nonchalantly shoved it inside the hole in its torso, lodging it in place after wiggling it a bit. ¡°No name yet for our big new friend?¡± Specter asked, a faint shiver passing through its frame as it accepted the second Orb, glowing tendrils snaking towards it and forming a connection. ¡°It¡¯s been over two weeks.¡± ¡°Not yet. Its left arm needs repairs. It lags behind the right one in terms of speed and range of motion. The whole frame could use some more work. We¡¯ll name it when the inspiration hits us and we figure out its proper role,¡± Marcus said, watching Specter nod a second later. His steel companion then hopped into the box, lying down next to the other robot. ¡°Let¡¯s head back for now. We¡¯ll figure out the rest when I get some sleep.¡± Marcus then covered the bike¡¯s cargo section with the canvas, concealing the two robots. He then undressed and put on his dry clothes, hoping it would make him look less inconspicuous, or at the very least offer some warmth. He then opened his HUD again and brought up the Breacher rating system he had memorized. ©³ ©·
Rank Power rating Sphere suitability
1 Alpha 1-9 None
2 Beta 10-19 Light Blue Sphere
3 Beta+ 20-39 Blue Sphere
4 Beta++ 40-99 Dark Blue Sphere
5 Gamma 100-199 Light Red Sphere
6 Gamma+ 200-399 Red Sphere
7 Gamma++ 400-999 Dark Red Sphere
©» ©¿ ¡®I¡¯m already at a Power rating of six. It won¡¯t be long until I rank up to Beta,'' he thought, a faint smile creeping across his face. Even with a Power rating of 10, he knew he¡¯d still be no match for his sister. But the fact he¡¯d grown this much in just two months spoke volumes about his potential. ¡®Let¡¯s hope tomorrow goes well,¡¯ Marcus thought as he turned around to stare at the distant blue Sphere still visible through the forest one last time. (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 2 (Perceptive) CHAPTER TWO Perspective Day 63 ¨X ¨[ [Perception] [+1] ¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ [Total Mana:] [26] ¨^ ¨a In the dimly lit bathroom, steam hung thick in the air, obscuring most surfaces. The mirror, once clear, now showcased only a single smear, left by a bloody hand. The room remained mostly dark, with only a sliver of light sneaking through the open doorway. Marcus stood hunched over the sink, gripping it as if it were the only thing holding him up. Every time a drop of water fell in the shower, he tensed up. A towel was wrapped around him, its edges stained red from droplets of blood that escaped tiny cuts in the middle of his chest, next to a chaotic mess of black Marks covering his flesh. The young man blinked a few times, his vision still painful and unclear, but improving bit by bit. He focused on his breathing, sliding his bloody hand across the mirror to clear more of the condensation. Looking up, he stared at his own bloody reflection, his bright blue gaze staring back at him. ¡°I¡¯ve looked better,¡± he said to himself as his lips slowly turned into a smile. Marcus twisted the faucet and quickly winced at the loud sound of rushing water. He took a moment to adjust before washing his hands, removing the blood, and shutting off the water. When he finished, he ran his fingers through his short black hair, now better able to feel the exposed black Marks on the right side of his face and scalp after cutting his hair. His index and middle fingers traced the strange metallic element, feeling its contours. ¡®I¡¯m looking more like my old self,¡¯ he thought, glancing at his more filled-out frame. He gave one last look at his reflection before shifting his attention to a see-through plastic bag next to an electric razor, partially filled with Monster-Glass pieces. ¡®112 Glass pieces left,¡¯ Marcus thought, feeling the weight of the number and the sudden sting in his chest where he had stabbed himself a few minutes earlier. ¡®Let¡¯s hope this upgrade pays off.¡¯ Tightening his grip on the bag, he stepped out of the bathroom and nearly collided with a blur of plastic and steel¡ªhis companion, Specter. Specter briefly gripped Marcus¡¯s shoulder as they bumped into each other. In that instant, their minds synched up, sharing their experiences before the connection broke when Specter stepped back. ¡°Good to see you¡¯re still alive. I take it improving your Perception Stat wasn¡¯t as rough as some of the others?¡± Marcus shook his head as he headed towards his bedroom, followed by the robot. ¡°It¡¯s a bit annoying, suddenly losing control of your senses as they sharpen, but it¡¯s not as painful as increasing Strength,¡± he shared. Approaching his bed, he spotted the gear and armor his sister had borrowed from her guild for him to use today. Running his hand over the thick, cut-resistant overall and armor pieces, he felt relieved by the bits of metal in the design. The steel gave him a sense of security, even though most of the armor was made from a material he couldn¡¯t even pronounce. ¡°Well, at least you¡¯ll look the part, huh?¡± Specter commented, eyeing the steel helmet and the face mask made of hardened see-through material. ¡°It¡¯s sort of a mix between a medieval knight and a modern soldier. Perhaps you need a cape for the finishing touch?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have uses such flattering words to describe this gear,¡± Marcus commented dryly as he checked out the rest of it before dropping his towel on the ground. He quickly pulled on his boxers and then the overall, feeling the thick padding snug against him without adding much weight. ¡°Most pictures of famous Breachers show them either wearing cool gear or going without armor entirely.¡± ¡°Well, we¡¯re not exactly swimming in credits right now. So quit whining about the free, possibly lifesaving gear our sister let us borrow,¡± Specter said, grabbing the chest piece and helping Marcus put it on, tightening and checking the straps. ¡°Besides, most gear only holds up against certain Spheres. I¡¯ve read that once you hit the darker shades of Red and beyond, no material on Earth can properly shield you from the monsters. It¡¯s basically like paper at that point.¡± The robot helped Marcus with the shoulder plates and gauntlets, then handed him the helmet and faceplate. ¡°Are you ready?¡± It watched Marcus stare at the helmet before he looked up and gave a single nod. ¡°Good, and be sure to drop off the package near the door beforehand.¡± Specter grabbed a nearby backpack and shoved it into Marcus¡¯s hands. ¡°Don¡¯t forget... no dying. And don¡¯t mess up and reveal you¡¯re a Power rating seven now instead of one,¡± Specter added before laying a hand on Marcus one last time. They synced up once more, with Marcus leaving the robot with only 20 percent of his mental capacity. ¡®It¡¯s been two weeks since I got my Breacher license,¡¯ Marcus thought, his gaze shifting toward the built-in closets by his bed. He spotted the other robot there, missing an arm, an Orb, and completely still. He gripped his backpack tighter, then left his bedroom and made his way into the living room. The room was a mishmash of comfort and an improvised gym. A boxing bag swung from the ceiling while a pull-up bar flanked the front door. On his sofa were a few dumbbells and a jump rope, while several weights sprawled out on the floor. He moved toward the kitchen area, where the aftermath of meal preps lay scattered around. In the midst of this chaos, he spotted a small cactus perched on the kitchen counter, its spines reduced in number. He smiled, his gaze lingering on it as he remembered the weeks in the hospital and his sister giving him the cactus. He then grabbed a lunchbox Specter had packed, along with a bottle of water, before heading toward the door. He noticed a filled garbage bag near the door, containing the left arm of his nameless robot. He grabbed the bag and was about to leave when a low whistle caught his attention. He turned toward Specter and saw it holding a chain, his Breacher tag attached. Specter tossed it slowly, and Marcus snatched it out of the air while juggling his other things. ¡°Thanks,¡± Marcus said before he opened the door and left his apartment. Marcus descended the creaky wooden stairs, maneuvering around stacked beer kegs before swinging the door open. Behind the bar stood Sakane Koichi, an old, grumpy-looking man with thinning black hair, though everyone just called him Sam. The old bar owner gave Marcus a single once-over, raising an eyebrow as he inspected the young man¡¯s gear. ¡°Don¡¯t die. You owe me rent in three days,¡± Sam muttered with a hint of annoyance. Marcus shook his head and headed for the door, stepping outside to face his first ¡®official¡¯ Sphere. - - - ©³ ©· ¡°Don¡¯t die! I¡¯m too old to find new friends.¡± - Felix ©» ©¿ Marcus shook his head as he read Felix¡¯s text, then stowed his phone in his backpack. He kept walking straight, occasionally kicking a pebble as he tried to ignore pedestrians glancing curiously at him and the armor he wore, or fixating on the black Marks on the right side of his face. It annoyed him, feeling those eyes on him. Still, remembering the crowded bus ride from earlier made him appreciate this quieter walk. Rounding the corner, Marcus spotted a massive light blue Sphere in the distance, encircled by large walls and numerous guard towers. The area near the walls was mostly steel beams and hints of concrete, revealing the site¡¯s past life as a construction zone. Marcus noted that most of it had been cleared of anything that could hide pieces of Glass or dormant Orbs. ¡®I¡¯ve never been to this one with Specter before,¡¯ he thought, knowing full well it was too far to reach by bike. He fixed his gaze on the intimidating Sphere, curious about what awaited within. ¡®Let¡¯s do this without getting myself killed by either monster or my sister.¡¯ Closing the distance to the Sphere, Marcus spotted his sister, Joline, at the entrance, propped against the wall in her full Breacher gear. Luuk, another Breacher, stood beside her, laughing as he showed something on his phone. Marcus noticed his sister shaking her head in mock disgust at whatever seemed to amuse Luuk. Both Joline and Luuk wore pricier, sturdier protective gear, marked with numerous small cuts¡ªevidence of past monster encounters. Backpacks hung over their shoulders, and steel crates rested by their feet. Catching sight of her brother, Joline offered a small wave, her eyes widening when she noticed his shorter hair. Grinning, she moved towards him, running her fingers through Marcus¡¯s newly cropped black hair. ¡°Nice! Took you long enough.¡± ¡°Hey there,¡± Luuk greeted, checking out Marcus¡¯s gear before giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder. ¡°Good to see it fits properly. So, are you ready for this?¡± Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. ¡°As ready as I¡¯ll ever be,¡± Marcus said as the trio headed towards the gatehouse. As they passed through, Luuk explained the significance of the security measures and what Marcus could expect next. Each of them presented their Breacher IDs to the nearest guard. Marcus pulled out the steel tags hanging from a chain around his neck, extending them for inspection. His sister shook her head and, with Luuk, flashed their IDs on their phones. ¡°Hardly anyone uses the tags, you know?¡± she remarked. ¡°It¡¯s a waste of steel, if you ask me.¡± Marcus just shrugged in response as they continued, spotting the Breachers belonging to the Salamanders gearing up near the Sphere. Marcus spotted the two brothers in full combat gear, and beside them was Kay, whom he had met during his exam two weeks ago. Two more figures, a man and a woman, completed the group. ¡®I guess they¡¯re Jessica and Julien,¡¯ Marcus thought, recalling the information Benedict had sent when he agreed to join today. The trio approached the group, and Benedict greeted them with a broad smile. ¡°Ah, Marcus, good to see you. And in actual gear this time. Good, good,¡± Benedict said, stepping closer and giving a brief inspection of Marcus¡¯s equipment. ¡°Come on, let me introduce you all to the others.¡± He pointed to the others around them. ¡°The gentleman over here is Julien, Beta+ rank, and our reliable Caster. The fair maiden next to him is Jessica, our Beta rank Fighter,¡± Benedict said, introducing them while Marcus nodded to the two Breachers. ¡°The others you already know,¡± he added before turning to Joline and Luuk, officially introducing them to the group. ¡°Good to finally meet you, Marcus. We¡¯ve heard a lot about you,¡± Jessica said with a wide smile as she and Kay moved closer. Marcus noticed the white Marks embedded in her forearms that formed a circular shape, contrasting with her darker skin tone. Kay inspected Marcus¡¯s armor, his eyes settling on the drop of blue blood logo in the center, recognizing it as the symbol of Joline¡¯s guild, the Royal Blue . ¡°Kay did most of the talking, though. He wouldn¡¯t shut up about you decking one of your examiners. Was that true?¡± she asked, narrowing her eyes at him. When Marcus nodded, her lips twisted into a wide, almost childish smile. ¡°That¡¯s fucking awesome.¡± Julien offered Marcus a polite nod before strolling past him, his staff cradled on his shoulders. He headed toward Marcus¡¯s sister, who was double-checking her gear with Luuk. As Julien approached, his expression shifted to an amused and welcoming smile. ¡°So, you must be the sister. My name is¡ª¡± ¡°27,¡± Joline interrupted, checking her gauntlet straps with a forceful tug, not bothering to look at him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, what?¡± Julien asked, raising an eyebrow, his smile fading slightly. ¡°Your Power Rating,¡± Joline said coldly, pointing at the others and ticking off each of their numbers with cold indifference. ¡°I¡¯m 35.¡± Julien paused, his smile shifting to one of confusion. ¡°That is... good to know... I guess?¡± His hesitation lingered before he collected himself, the smile returning with renewed vigor. ¡°Still, a mere number doesn¡¯t do you any justice. Not at all. I¡¯m Julien, and you might be?¡± ¡°An observer,¡± Joline said, grabbing her backpack and shoving her phone inside. ¡°That¡¯s all you need to know. Luuk and I aren¡¯t here. I¡¯m my brother¡¯s shadow throughout all of this. Don¡¯t talk to me, don¡¯t depend on me, and don¡¯t get in my way when it comes to protecting my brother. Understood?¡± She glanced at Julien, whose smile broke completely. The man quickly nodded before slowly retreating. All the while, a one-armed Breacher in the back began laughing, clearly amused by the exchange. A government official joined them, going over the latest reports from the previous group that had gone into the Sphere the day before. The list detailed the most recent monster variants observed inside. ¡®So, mostly insects, cats, and rodent strains? I wonder how different these monsters will be compared to those I¡¯ve fought with Specter?¡¯ Marcus thought. As he absorbed the details, he felt his sister¡¯s gaze on him, as if she was already judging his actions before he had even stepped inside the Sphere. The official pressed a button on his data pad, and the steel crates near the Breachers emitted a series of clicks, signaling that they had been officially unlocked. Marcus observed as the Breachers then pressed their thumbs on the crates before fully opening them, afterwards retrieving an array of weapons¡ªswords, axes, shotguns, and more. The arsenal included dozens of magazines, grenades, mines, and flares. ¡®Imagine the boost in sheer killing power Specter and I could get with some of that on our side,¡¯ he mused, thinking of the pistol he¡¯d used in the junkyard and hospital before losing it. ¡®But according to my sister, these things turn into mere trinkets against tougher monsters in more dangerous Spheres.¡¯ He watched the government official meticulously check several grenades and mines to ensure their mechanical secondary detonators were up to code and set to detonate in eight hours if left behind. ¡®Makes sense to double-check it all. Spheres are dangerous enough without people having to worry about mines and booby-traps left by another Breacher the previous day.¡¯ ¡°Alright, listen up, Salamanders and friends,¡± Benedict barked, gathering his party. Joline, true to her word as an observer, just watched from a distance, while Luuk ignored her and joined the others with an amused smile, clearly happy to be there. ¡°All data suggests numerous monsters, but low combat potential. Expect us to be swarmed within minutes. Our Caster sets up a wall of fire to protect us from above, while Sebastian draws the aggression at our front. The rest of us form the defensive line as we weather the storm,¡± Benedict explained, watching the other Breachers nod in understanding. ¡°Kay, Jessica, flank our guests and show him the ropes. Not a scratch on him.¡± He picked up his rifle and glanced at them once more. ¡°We¡¯ll go through the barrier in five minutes. Ready your gear.¡± He then walked over to his brother, and they engaged in conversation as they moved closer to the Sphere. ¡°Feeling the jitters about heading in?¡± Luuk asked, inching closer as he watched Marcus fiddle with the straps on his gauntlets, double-checking them even though he¡¯d done so earlier. ¡°No,¡± Marcus replied, his gaze fixed on the steel crates scattered around, including the ones Luuk had brought in. He watched Luuk open his crate, unveiling a powerful-looking hand pistol, several clips of ammo, a shield, and a strange black axe emitting a soft blue glow. Joline slammed her crates beside Luuk¡¯s, revealing two round shields and two short swords. She dumped her backpack into one of the crates, gesturing for Marcus to hand over his, then tossed it into the other crate. ¡°You should be scared. Fear would be a reasonable response,¡± Joline said coldly as she grabbed her gear and handed a sword to her brother. She observed him carefully draw the blade from its sheath before practicing a few swings to familiarize himself with the weapon. ¡°This place we¡¯re heading into¡ªit¡¯s a nightmare. Don¡¯t think that just because it¡¯s a ¡®light blue Sphere¡¯ or because you¡¯ve been in one before, like that junkyard. Even I might not make it out if I mess up.¡± She paused, studying his reaction. ¡°I¡¯m serious, Marcus. I knew you¡¯d end up inside a Sphere eventually, ever since you could stand on your feet again. Danger¡¯s always had a hold on you, drawing you in. But this is different. A stray bullet, a mistimed strike, slipping on the terrain¨Cany of it could be the end for you in there.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Marcus said honestly, recalling the numerous close calls he¡¯d had inside a Sphere, whether in his robotic form or his own body. ¡°You¡¯ve made it clear what you expect from me in there. And you¡¯ve trained me well these last two weeks. Mom and Dad would¡¯ve been proud of you.¡± She clenched her jaw for a moment. ¡°Fuck... you,¡± his sister shot back before thrusting her spare shield into Marcus¡¯s hands with enough force to push him a step back. ¡°Our parents aren¡¯t here... I am. I¡¯m the head of this family now.¡± Meeting his gaze, her green eyes revealed a surge of emotions. She just kept staring for a moment before she pointed at him. ¡°The gear is all cut resistant fabric and steel¡ªnothing flashy or fancy, but good quality. The shield and sword are augmented items. Glass-grade, so they¡¯ll give you an edge. All of it is battle-tested, but it¡¯s on loan for today only, so don¡¯t lose it.¡± ¡°Augmented Glass-grade?¡± Marcus questioned, eyeing the sword and shield with a newfound respect. ¡°You¡¯re saying there¡¯s Monster-Glass in these?¡± ¡°Parts of it are Glass,¡± Luuk said, moving closer and placing his hands on Marcus¡¯s shield, while Joline gripped her brother¡¯s sword. A thin blue mist enveloped both Breachers, revealing the sheer amount of Mana they were burning through. Marcus sensed a subtle change in the equipment, as if the sword and shield had grown stronger, though he couldn¡¯t pinpoint any visible alterations. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the weapon in his hand, slowly feeling the current of Mana now embedded deep within the sword, similar to the Mana coursing through his own body. ¡®There¡¯s a lot of Mana inside¡­ way more than I can produce on my own in several days. Just how strong are they?¡¯ ¡°Augmented Glass-grade gear is stronger and more durable than the regular kind. Swords retain their edge longer, shields can handle more hits, steel bonds are stronger, and with a charge of Mana, it even prevents rust.¡± The Mana we pour into it further improves this, but it¡¯s not infinite; we need to keep feeding it,¡± Luuk clarified. He took hold of Marcus¡¯s sword, a hint of blue mist wrapping around him and the blade before sinking into it. The sword buzzed and shivered, as if reluctant to stay still, a brief blue sheen enveloping the blade. Marcus tightened his grip on the shield before tapping the sword¡¯s edge. The metal sang with a rapid, vibrating hum, creating a melodic resonance that echoed through the air, as if the blade itself were alive with barely contained kinetic energy. In his mind, Marcus envisioned the potential damage this effect could unleash on a monster if he stabbed one with it. ¡®Augmented gear, huh?¡¯ he thought, recalling the rust-free Orb in Specter¡¯s chest after years of exposure to the elements. ¡°What about equipment made from actual Orbs?¡± he asked, watching the sword¡¯s tremor effect slowly fade away. ¡°That¡¯s way beyond your pay grade, little brother. And no, you¡¯ll probably never own one,¡± Joline said softly, her tone undercutting any unrealistic hopes Marcus might have had. ¡°Augmented Orb-grade equipment is incredibly expensive, seeing as it generates its own Mana, so it doesn¡¯t need its wielder¡¯s contributions.¡± ¡°Well, extra Mana poured inside does help,¡± Luuk pitched in, earning a disapproving glance from Joline as he backed off, hands raised. ¡°Just trying to be helpful, lass.¡± He then handed his own axe to Marcus. The black metal had a bluish sheen, and as Marcus touched it, he almost felt the sting of Mana, sensing the dormant power within the weapon. ¡°The axe is made from a light blue Orb, so it¡¯s weak compared to pricier gear, but a helluva lot stronger than normal weapons or even Glass-grade ones. And best of all, it¡¯s imbued with a frost effect. If I pour more Mana in, the effect gets stronger, but it¡¯s a massive drain.¡± Joline shook her head, then redirected her attention to Marcus. ¡°Orb grade gear usually comes with unique properties, like elemental damage, resistance, or even weirder stuff. It also tends to handle a Breacher¡¯s Abilities way better, even improving on it. They say the equipment¡¯s effect is often linked to the Orb that was used and the environment the Orb had been in,¡± Joline explained, a soft smile forming. ¡°But unless you win the lottery, best to bury any dreams of owning a piece.¡± The three of them suddenly heard Benedict¡¯s call to enter the Sphere in one minute, which seemed to change something in Joline¡¯s attitude. ¡°Look, I¡¯ve poured half of my Mana into your sword, and Luuk has done the same with your shield. It¡¯s more than enough to deal with the monsters inside and keep you safe.¡± She placed her hand on his shoulder, her expression softening for a moment. ¡°When we go in there, if you ever feel like you want out again or need my help, just say so, and I¡¯ll step in, alright?¡± ¡°Thanks, sis,¡± Marcus said, giving her hand a reassuring pat, then turned to face the Sphere. Joline suddenly seized Marcus¡¯s chin, forcing him to meet her gaze again. Her green eyes brimmed with emotion. ¡°I mean it, Marcus. I know you¡¯re doing this for some idiotic reason that probably only makes sense to you. But you¡¯re my brother, and I¡¯m tired of losing people I love. I need you to be safe.¡± Despite her being the strongest Breacher on-site, her expression was fragile in that moment. Marcus nodded slowly, afterwards witnessing his sister¡¯s expression hardening at seeing his determination. She then handed him his helmet. ¡°So be it.¡± The siblings made their way towards the group, Luuk casually toying with his axe as he trailed behind them. Joining the others in line, Kay and Jessica took up a position next to Marcus, as per Benedict¡¯s instructions. The one armed Breacher, Sebastian, then extracted his long knife before taking the lead by slowly stepping through the Sphere¡¯s barrier. His form distorted on entry, with him quickly rushing forwards. The group observed for a few tense seconds before Sebastian waved, signifying the site was safe for now. ¡°Five, four, three, two, one,¡± Benedict counted down before pressing a steel cylinder to his neck, injecting himself with something, and stepping through the barrier. The rest of the squad followed suit. As they began to enter the Sphere, Marcus caught Kay watching him as they passed through the barrier. For a brief moment Marcus thought that Kay had a strange expression, as if he hoped something would happen, before they all passed through the gel-like barrier and into the Sphere proper. (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 3 (Baptized) CHAPTER THREE Baptized Passing through the barrier, Marcus disregarded the billions of floating crystalline fragments surrounding him as he slowly made his way through the weird gel-like surface. His focus remained locked on the world beyond. As he exited the barrier, a surge of warm air hit him, and momentum returned as his feet sought secure footing on the sandy terrain. Marcus surveyed the area, noting the skeletal remains of concrete and steel buildings, now draped with dried vines and jagged, ridged plants. Some pillars twisted into bizarre shapes, as if mutated, while others lay submerged in sand, slowly crumbling into finer particles. A vast expanse of white sand hills stretched in every direction, interrupted by more scattered remnants of broken concrete and steel. The colossal desert felt even more surreal, given the urban landscape outside the Sphere. ¡®It feels bigger inside,¡¯ he thought, gazing at the endless stretch of dunes. Marcus crouched and scooped a handful of sand, letting it trickle through his fingers. ¡®It¡¯s like a sauna in here,¡¯ he thought, struggling to accept the sudden, drastic increase in temperature. ¡®Is a single Orb powerful enough to do that? To alter the climate itself?¡¯ As he stood up, he spotted Sebastian in the distance, standing atop a pillar, gazing outward. Nearby, Kay and Julien dragged concrete debris closer to the Sphere¡¯s edge, building a makeshift wall. He noticed larger hills and even mountainous areas in the distance, as if the Sphere had created sandstone and pushed it upward. ¡°Weird seeing mountains,¡± he muttered aloud, wondering just how much of a terraforming and mutating effect a stronger Orb could have. ¡°Right,¡± Jessica chimed in, sidling up next to him. ¡°Seeing mountains in our otherwise flat country is the weird part... not, I don¡¯t know, the entire bloody desert in front of us.¡± She burst into laughter, playfully patting his shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it, rookie. Sometimes it¡¯s ice, sometimes a jungle, or just like outside, but cleaner. Besides, we¡¯re only staying a few hours¡ª¡± ¡°Monsters!¡± Sebastian shouted, urgently pointing at the blue-tinged sky where a looming dark cloud advanced toward them. ¡°Tighten the defense,¡± Benedict called, prompting the others to take positions behind the makeshift wall. Sebastian leaped from his pillar, landing with a thud that sent sand scattering beneath his feet. Smirking, he grabbed bits of broken concrete and rushed toward the oncoming swarm. Roaring, the one-armed Breacher hurled the debris at the horde, smashing holes in their ranks as they crashed into the sand. At Benedict¡¯s command, gunfire rang out as those with ranged weapons unleashed a torrent of bullets into the thick cloud of monsters. The onslaught carved a path of destruction through the swarm, leaving behind a trail of maimed and dying creatures. More of the grotesque beings plummeted from the sky, their blood splattering the pristine white sand below. As the swarm closed in, Sebastian, surrounded by monsters, roared furiously before pulling pins from his belt and donning his gas mask. Seconds later, he vanished in a thick, stinging cloud of teargas. As the creatures drew closer to Marcus and the other Breachers, he could make out their fur-covered bodies, insect-like wings, and sharp claws slashing at anything in their path. They were roughly the size of large birds, but their overwhelming numbers made them far more intimidating. ¡°Switch to melee,¡± Benedict called out, prompting everyone but himself to draw swords and axes as the horde of monsters descended upon them. ¡°Julien, now!¡± The group found themselves under attack from every angle when Marcus suddenly felt a surge of heat above. Turning, he saw Julien with his right palm raised, releasing a continuous stream of fire. The flames spread into a protective sheet above them, some even licking the Sphere¡¯s barrier. In Julien¡¯s other hand, his staff emitted a soft blue glow. The fire incinerated any monsters attempting to breach their defenses from above or their flanks. Dozens of monsters abruptly dropped onto the sand, fleeing the spreading fire and hissing angrily as they charged. Several of them quickly died due to Benedict¡¯s precise shooting. The remaining Breachers roared defiantly as the monsters slammed into their ranks. Amidst the chaos, Marcus felt one of the monsters collide with his shield, only for him to bash it away. The unmistakable sound of flesh hitting steel filled the air, but the creatures lacked the mass to even budge the Breachers. Just as Marcus managed to block the monsters directly in front of him, Jessica swiftly dispatched them with two quick swings, the sound of steel splitting flesh ringing out. Marcus barely had time to process it when another creature clambered over the concrete wall and charged at him. Kay¡¯s sword impaled it through the throat before he kicked the corpse backward, sending it crashing into another monster climbing the barricade. Marcus, though grateful for the assist, felt a hint of irritation, as if his companions were overprotecting him. ¡®Focus. Don¡¯t get pissed off. Become what I am born to do.¡¯ Another group of monsters crashed into their ranks, but before Marcus could react, Kay and Jessica swiftly cut them down again. ¡®They¡¯re quick,¡¯ Marcus thought, urging himself to remain composed and concentrate on his defense. He could almost picture his sister¡¯s presence behind him, staring at him like a blend between an overprotective guardian and a feral bear that was barely able to keep itself in check, with Luuk there along for the ride. Marcus snapped back to focus as another creature clambered over the barricade, its burned wings flapping uselessly as it rushed forward. Instead of raising his shield, he thrust his sword forward, feeling the monster impale itself and slide up the blade. Oblivious to the steel in its torso, the creature clawed at him, spraying blood everywhere until it went limp. Marcus rammed his shield into the monster, yanking the sword free and letting the creature drop to bleed out on the ground. He then returned to a protective position before slamming his foot down on the creature¡¯s face, just to be sure. ¡°Go for the heads or necks,¡± Jessica barked, stepping aside to give Marcus more room to fight. He took it as a silent acknowledgment of his ability and willingness to kill these creatures and not freeze up. The battle pressed on with monsters pouring in, everyone hacking and stabbing into the mass, turning it into a meat-grinder. Benedict kept shooting into the monsters but occasionally encountered some that were particularly resilient to gunfire. Thick cartilage plates covered their bodies, requiring at least a dozen rounds to put them down. As the melee continued, Marcus¡¯s arms burned with exertion, his sword handle slick with monster blood, making his grip harder. Still, he kept stabbing, jaw tight as he did his best to keep up with the others. As the fighting calmed, Julien shifted his wide-reaching firewall into a concentrated beam, incinerating monsters with precision. Luuk, unable to contain his amusement in the chaos, suddenly leaped over the Breachers and the barrier. He blurred across the battlefield at speeds that put an Olympic sprinter to shame, his axe cutting through creatures left and right, leaving frost-covered wounds that shattered moments later. Marcus noticed steam occasionally rising from the axe head, which seemed much colder than its surroundings. ¡®Is the frost effect that strong?¡¯ Marcus wondered as he watched the man hack another creature in half, followed by a head-butt that instantly killed another monster and was apparently funny enough to make the man laugh. After finishing off the monsters, Luuk pointed his axe at Joline, goading her to join. ¡®Just Luuk and Sebastian could solo this Sphere easily. It¡¯s wild to see how much stronger the higher ranked Breachers are.¡¯ ¡°Finish off the wounded, but stay on guard,¡± Benedict ordered as the other Breachers scrambled over the barricade, slashing and thrusting at the still-twitching monsters. Occasionally, a monster lurched up for a surprise attack, only to be quickly put down again, often missing body parts. Marcus thrust his sword through the torso of a nearby monster, twisting it before yanking it out. The moment he did so, another monster lunged at his face, but he shield-bashed it into the sand, burying the shield''s edge into its neck with enough force to break it. He twisted the shield, hearing more bones crack before withdrawing it. He turned to check for another threat and found his sister nearby, hand on her sword handle, and Benedict further back, rifle trained on the monster Marcus had just killed. ¡°Good work, kid,¡± Benedict said, moving closer. His boot nudged a nearby monster¡¯s rib, and he nonchalantly buried two bullets into its chest and one in its head. Stepping over the corpse, he tapped his knuckles against Marcus¡¯s bloody breastplate. ¡°Baptized by blood. You¡¯re a proper Breacher now.¡± Marcus gazed at the blood on his chest for a moment, then shifted his attention back to him. ¡°Kid? I¡¯m 33 years old.¡± Benedict grinned at the remark, his gaze drifting past Marcus, seeing his one-armed brother in the distance, drenched in blood and gore. Sebastian was still stabbing monster corpses, as if trying to exhaust the remaining bloodlust in his system. ¡°I know,¡± Benedict said, shifting his attention back to Marcus. ¡°I¡¯ve read your file. You¡¯re an unusual case for sure. Still, you don¡¯t look 33, and I¡¯ve already got more than enough grey in my hair to make me feel like a senior citizen.¡± He offered a disarming smile before turning to Joline, who had joined them. ¡°Your brother did well on his first official Sphere. I see that you¡¯ve trained him¡ª¡± ¡°He¡¯s still breathing,¡± she said coldly, frustration evident as she inspected the bloodstains on her brother¡¯s frame. ¡°Any injuries?¡± This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Marcus nodded in response. ¡°Just bruises. The armor held up great.¡± ¡°Intel was on the money for once. Loads of flying fodder, nothing too daunting, even for us smaller squads of Breachers. Apparently, there are tougher variants located near the center,¡± Benedict shared. He then glanced at his watch before shifting his attention to the others, as if checking them for injuries. ¡°We¡¯ve pretty much destroyed the herd here. Sebastian is going to scout ahead to look for nests nearby to mark. Did you want your brother to remain with our squad, or do you want to take this opportunity to show him what the Royal Blue guild can do?¡± he asked her, his expression neutral. She paused, her expression hardening, before shifting her gaze to Marcus. ¡°Keep up and don¡¯t even think about dying.¡± She then moved towards Luuk, smacking the back of his head hard enough to send his helmet flying down a sand hill. He cursed as he quickly chased after it to stop it from rolling too far. ¡°We were here to observe, remember?¡± she said as he put his helmet back on, leading the way with both men in tow. - - - An hour later, Marcus faced two monsters, blocking one with his shield while fending off the other with his blade. Like before, the monsters quickly backed off, soaring up in the air before attacking him at different angles. ¡®They¡¯re fast,¡¯ he thought, stepping back as the monsters changed directions again. With his sister watching every move, he had to fight the creatures while suppressing his strength and speed to avoid revealing his increased Stats. Struggling against the sandy terrain, he retreated until his back slammed into a concrete pillar. Bits of it broke away, tumbling to the ground. He kept the structure against his body, using the pillar as a makeshift barrier as the violent monsters closed in once more. Marcus swung his sword again, but one monster dodged while the other clawed at his helmet and shoulder. Fortunately, the steel plating held firm. He retaliated, bashing it with his shield and sending the monster into the ground. But, before he could reach it, the creature quickly rushed away to regroup again. They know the sword is the real threat. Are they avoiding it by instinct or are they intelligent enough?¡¯ ¡°Need a hand?¡± came Luuk¡¯s voice from the side, a touch of amusement coloring his tone. ¡°No,¡± Marcus growled, adjusting his shield to conceal his sword behind it. As the monsters charged again, he lifted his shield at the last moment. His sword thrust forward like a spear, catching one monster off guard. The blade drove through its torso, blood and gore erupting from the other side. Swinging his sword to the side, Marcus made the impaled creature slide off, dropping it onto the pristine white sand. He then stepped away from the pillar, eyes locked on the remaining threat circling above. The monster¡¯s black eyes darted between its dead kin and Marcus. Hissing, it swooped in again, but Marcus countered, hurling his sword towards it. The monster ducked to avoid the sword, allowing Marcus to close the distance. He slammed his shield into the monster¡¯s face, stunning it as it dropped onto the sand. Marcus then started pounding his shield on the monster¡¯s neck before tearing the Glass from the back of its head to be sure. ¡°Done,¡± he panted, exhausted from the fight and the previous battles his sister had forced him into. A short distance away, Joline sat on a broken chunk of concrete, surrounded by seven dead monsters. Beside her, Luuk, wearing an amused smile, was pinning down two more monsters with his feet, applying immense pressure to their frail bodies. ¡°Hiding your weapon was smart, but tossing it away seconds later?¡± she remarked, her gaze fixed on him. ¡°What if there was a third one? Idiot¡± At her mention, Luuk lifted his feet, releasing the monsters. They charged forward, only to be suddenly sliced in half by a thin blue energy sheet extending from Joline¡¯s shield. As she stood, the shield¡¯s energy diminished to a soft blue glow around the edges, crackling gently in the air. Marcus had seen her use her Ability before, back in the hospital in a demonstration. She could channel her Mana to extend her shield¡¯s edges, creating a barrier that could be thick and durable or thin and razor-sharp. ¡°Never lose your weapon unless you¡¯ve got a backup. Got it?¡± ¡°I¡¯d still have the shield, or I¡¯d use my fists,¡± Marcus argued. ¡°And you¡¯d be dead,¡± Joline said coldly, stepping closer with a hardened gaze. ¡°You¡¯re one of the weakest Breachers out there, even among Alphas. With a Power rating of 1, you¡¯re barely better than a civilian. You can¡¯t joke your way out of this.¡± ¡°Cut him some slack, Joline,¡± Luuk chimed in from his seat. ¡°It¡¯s his first Sphere, and he¡¯s holding up well. He¡¯s actually making fewer mistakes than we did when we first dove into ours years ago.¡± Joline¡¯s cold, green gaze snapped to Luuk. ¡°And how many of us died during those first few Spheres? Remember, young Stefan? Or Jacob? And what about Nienke, bleeding out in your arms¡ªring a bell?¡± Luuk shook his head, his amusement fading to reveal old hurt and a hint of anger. ¡°We talked about this, Luuk. My monkey... my circus.¡± ¡°Your brother, your call,¡± Luuk said flatly, before standing up. Joline¡¯s gaze snapped back to her brother. ¡°I¡¯m serious, Marcus. You can¡¯t afford mistakes out here like me and Luuk might. You can¡¯t fight these monsters the way you trained with Uncle Laurens and Dad. What worked before isn¡¯t applicable now. These aren¡¯t humans. If you lose your weapon, you run as fast as you can... or die.¡± Marcus nodded, showing he understood as he picked up the sword. He then knelt next to a nearby monster. He clumsily used his blade to cut and extract the Monster-Glass from the back of its head, making sure he didn¡¯t seem too familiar with the process. Placing the bloody object in his pocket with the others, he went on to retrieve the rest. ¡°So, how much time do you guys usually spend on retrieving Glass?¡± ¡°We don¡¯t," Joline remarked, watching her brother work without lifting a finger herself. ¡°We¡¯ve got people that handle the Glass extraction, material or corpse retrieval.¡± Luuk took a spot next to Marcus and extended his hand. Moments later, his axe, previously buried deep in a monster¡¯s chest, returned with a satisfying clank, as if drawn by an invisible string. Marcus watched in silence, curious about what abilities Luuk possessed. Luuk casually grabbed a dead monster with his left hand and used his right to effortlessly extract a Glass from its skull. ¡°What your angry sister means is that Breachers should focus on fighting. Specializing in combat allows us to recover faster and train for the next Sphere. Retrieval is tedious, especially with many dead monsters or difficult terrain. It¡¯s better to hire professionals for that, who have knack for just such a thing. Only guilds and larger parties can manage it, while smaller crews like the Salamanders handle everything,¡± Luuk explained, handing the Glass to Marcus. ¡°Still, it¡¯s fun to rip them out yourself now and again.¡± Marcus stared at the Glass for a moment, then slipped it into his pocket. ¡°Do you two dislike them? The Salamanders I mean.¡± Joline replied without missing a beat, ¡°Yes.¡± Luuk shook his head at the comment. ¡°Really? Why does it seem like you dislike everyone today?¡± He met Joline¡¯s gaze briefly with a low chuckle before turning back to Marcus. ¡°I don¡¯t mind the Salamanders. Everyone¡¯s got their role. It¡¯s easy to view other Breachers as ¡®weaker¡¯ or non-Originals as ¡®fake,¡¯ but we need them. With more Spheres appearing, we need all the help we can get. So no, I don¡¯t dislike them,¡± he explained with a sly grin, ¡°But I do enjoy messing with them.¡± Joline just listened to the conversation while keeping up her guard, eyes scanning their surroundings. Eventually, she removed her helmet to brush the sand from her blonde hair before securing it back in place. ¡°It¡¯s complicated,¡± Joline said softly. ¡°I¡¯ve reviewed everything my guild found on the Salamanders. They¡¯re decent bunch, sticking to light blue Spheres and defensive tactics, as we saw today. No one stands out, which is good. The leader¡¯s well-trained and runs a tight ship. It¡¯s rare to see a non-Marked Breacher in a leadership role, and he even uses his brother¡¯s unstable berserker nature to their advantage.¡± ¡°Marcus paused for a moment as his sister started moving, leading them to the next area. ¡°I¡¯m sensed a ¡®but¡¯ back there.¡± Joline sighed as she effortlessly jumped over a piece of concrete protruding from the sand. ¡°What do you want, Marcus? No, I don¡¯t hate these people. I just hate you being here¡ªwith them¡ªin this place. If it were up to me, I would¡¯ve forced you to join our guild. But¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯m too weak?¡± Marcus offered, feeling the sting of his own words. ¡°Yes,¡± Joline replied, not sugarcoating her word. ¡°Our guild specializes in dealing with harder Spheres and destroying them by retrieving Orbs. An Alpha rank Breacher wouldn¡¯t fit in our ranks, unless you want to reconsider and join the Glass extraction crew?¡± Marcus shook his head, and a momentary silence enveloped them. They continued their journey up and down sand dunes, spotting occasional rusted metal debris jutting out and fragments of concrete partially morphed into a liquid-like substance, its edges resembling crystal clear water. Suddenly, Joline stopped, causing Marcus to halt as well, while Luuk gripped his weapon tighter. ¡°There¡¯s a nest here,¡± she said, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Where?¡± Marcus asked, watching his sister¡¯s gaze while Luuk just inspected water dripping from the a piece of concrete nearby. ¡°¡®I can¡¯t say for sure, but it¡¯s close by. My Perception isn¡¯t as strong as some other Breachers¡¯, but I can feel the Mana is denser and there¡¯s more mutation here than in other spots. This usually indicates a nearby nest.¡± She scanned the area, trying to pinpoint the location, but she couldn¡¯t. ¡°Luuk?¡± she called, but he merely shook his head. In response to that, she clenched her teeth and closed her eyes. Shortly afterward, the air around her thickened as Mana flooded her system. A thick blue mist bled out from her, swirling and lashing out before slowly dissipating into the air. ¡°What is she doing?¡± Marcus asked Luuk, both observing Joline as she concentrated. ¡°Is she using an Ability?¡± ¡°Not an Ability. She¡¯s Augmenting herself. Probably trying to boost her Perception,¡± Luuk explained, glancing around for any threats. ¡°Fancy Breachers call it Channeling. It¡¯s similar to Augmenting gear but far less efficient, as it burns through Mana quickly.¡± Luuk watched as the mist around Joline thinned and eventually dissipated as she ran out of Mana. He saw Marcus start to speak, but the experienced Breacher just shook his head. ¡°Yes, technically anyone with a Mark could learn to do this. And no, you can¡¯t do this. Weaker Breachers lack the Mana to Channel even for a second before running out.¡± ¡°Is it useful?¡± ¡°It can be,¡± Luuk answered calmly while scanning his surroundings, his hand resting on his axe. ¡°Time it right, and you can get a quick burst of speed to dodge a blow or gain extra power to take something down. You might also gain sharper senses for a few seconds, like your sister is attempting. It¡¯s like increasing your Power Rating for a short while. But, as I mentioned, you wouldn¡¯t have enough Mana to try in your case. Plus, the increased Mana consumption takes a toll on a Breacher, reducing the time they can spend inside a Sphere before showing signs of Mana-sickness.¡± His sister opened her eyes again, her face showing annoyance. When Luuk asked her if it had worked, she shook her head before shifting her gaze back to her brother. ¡°Marcus, in the future, remember places like these, or even pen them down on an improvised map. It makes locating nests later a lot easier, or you could sell the information to other groups.¡± Her brother gave a nod, and after a few more minutes of searching, they gave up. As they climbed the next dune, they froze, staring at a colossal hole stretching out before them. The expanse was nearly as wide as a stadium. Sand cascaded from the edges, and the abyss plunged into unfathomable depths. ¡°Well, looks like we found the location of the Orb,¡± Joline said, even pointing at it as if Marcus and Luuk might have missed the giant hole in the ground. Movements near the ridges hinted at dozens of monsters crawling in and out or gliding through the air. A sudden burst of light streaked through the sky, catching Luuk¡¯s attention as he watched it for a few seconds before the flare faded and dropped back down to the ground. ¡°That¡¯s our cue. Time to head back to the others,¡± Luuk called out before he and the others spun around, making their way to meet up with the main party. (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 4 (Price of Lies) CHAPTER FOUR Price of Lies An hour had slipped by since they rejoined the group, with Marcus being hard at work ever since. He cradled two monster corpses in his hands and held two more secured between his arms and torso. He eased through the gel-like barrier of the Sphere, feeling a sudden chill on the other side as the heat of the desert was exchanged for the more modest Dutch climate. He spotted his sister and Benedict chatting with a government official, no doubt negotiating about something. Marcus kept moving, nonchalantly dropping the lifeless monsters next to a row of others. He noticed Julien, Kay, and Jessica nearby, hosing off themselves and the Glass they¡¯d gathered while occasionally messing around. ¡®Idiots,¡¯ Marcus thought as he watched Jessica shove the hose through a gap in Kay¡¯s armor while Julien turned the valve open even further. Marcus turned on his heel, moving back through the Sphere¡¯s strange barrier. The desert¡¯s fiery breath greeted him, but he ignored it as best as he could. He spotted Sebastian carrying three monster corpses with one arm. ¡°You alright?¡± the big German asked, eyeing him. Marcus gave a quick nod. ¡°Yeah, just a few bruises. What about¡ª¡± ¡°I don¡¯t give a shit about your bruises. I was asking about your Mana exposure. You good?¡± the Breacher asked as he reached Marcus, pausing next to him. ¡°I don¡¯t know for sure. I mean, I feel fine at the moment,¡± Marcus admitted, his eyes taking in Sebastian¡¯s blood- and debris-covered armor. ¡°What about you?¡± The man¡¯s eyes narrowed briefly before he responded, ¡°I¡¯m always good. I¡¯m not some weak Alpha who faints at a hint of Mana in the air.¡± Sebastian spat on the ground between them, then moved towards the Sphere¡¯s edge, carrying the corpses with ease. A few paces later, the man abruptly stopped, with Marcus noticing a subtle shift in the man¡¯s demeanor. ¡°I don¡¯t know what my brother saw in you back at the junkyard. But you did alright today. You didn¡¯t bitch and moan like Julien. You kept your composure, even helping me with the corpses though no one asked.¡± Marcus studied the one-armed Breacher before speaking up. ¡°You just tried to give me a compliment, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°No. It just means my brother was right not to let me snap your neck back then,¡± Sebastian said before moving again, slowly passing through the Sphere¡¯s edge. Marcus stayed put, observing the Breacher¡¯s distorted movements on the far side of the barrier. ¡®I have no clue what goes on in that man¡¯s head,¡¯ Marcus thought, shaking his head before turning to search for the nearest monster corpse. Crouching, he picked up the nearest corpse, noticing the Glass piece lodged in the back of its skull. Marcus¡¯s finger traced the Glass¡¯s outline briefly, feeling its pull. For a moment, he considered burying it, but then he dropped the corpse and grabbed a few nearby monsters without Glass still inside them. ¡®And then what? Sneak inside the Sphere at night after a long bike ride without getting caught? Or send in Specter with both Orbs, praying it doesn¡¯t get noticed?¡¯ After shifting the bodies on his shoulders, Marcus navigated through the ocean of white sand toward the Sphere''s edge, spotting several spent bullet casings. As he neared the barrier, he observed Sebastian passing through it again. As he neared the barrier, he observed Sebastian passing through it again. Just as Marcus was about to step through, Sebastian¡¯s gaze shifted towards him, and their eyes locked. ¡°The junkyard... why did you do it?¡± Sebastian asked. ¡°I¡¯m not sure what¡ª¡± ¡°Yeah, you do,¡± Sebastian insisted, stealing two of the corpses from Marcus and balancing them on his shoulder. ¡°I don¡¯t need to know what you were doing there. Just why.¡± Marcus paused at the question, his gaze drifting past the distorting Sphere¡¯s barrier. He spotted his sister and Benedict still talking, with Luuk in the background dressed in civilian clothes. ¡°For my sister... my family,¡± he answered. They stood there, each gazing at their sibling, momentarily lost in their own emotions. Finally, Sebastian nodded and left the Sphere, followed by Marcus, who quickly snatched up two more corpses. As he passed through the barrier, Marcus again ignored the sudden temperature drop, following the one-armed Breacher to the nearest pile of corpses and dropping the bodies like sacks of manure. He saw Sebastian heading back towards the Sphere to fetch the remaining monster corpses. Marcus considered helping but decided the man would be fine on his own, seeing as there were barely any left. Instead, Marcus emptied the Glass pieces from his pockets, dumping them into a container filled with water for a quick rinse. He approached a government official, placing the Glass on a table. Marcus watched as the man carefully documented each item before sliding them into individual containers. ¡°There¡¯s less Glass than corpses,¡± he muttered to himself, eyeing the total amount. ¡°Smaller monsters have more unstable Glass than the bigger ones, so it occasionally disintegrates when they die or when we pull them out,¡± Kay said as he made his way over towards Marcus. ¡°It¡¯s a balancing act between risk and quantity. Still, it¡¯s a decent haul today.¡± As Kay prattled on about the haul from a previous run, Marcus stared at the Glass pieces in a single crate, mentally calculating the potential upgrades they could provide. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s get you hosed off,¡± Kay said, pointing to where Jessica and Julien were. Following Kay to rejoin the others, Marcus flinched as cold water suddenly hit him, washing away the remnants of sand, blood, and gore. Carefully, he peeled off his helmet, gauntlets, and breastplate, then took off his thick boots and shin guards. He meticulously cleaned each piece, knowing his sister would chew him out if he didn¡¯t. Marcus then stripped off the top part of his protective overalls, wringing it out as a red stream dripped from the fabric. Feeling somewhat cleaner, he ran his hands through his short black hair, fingertips tracing the marks on the side of his face. ¡®I¡¯ll never get used to these,¡¯ he thought, instantly remembering the day of the Tech Expo. Opening his eyes, he found Kay and Jessica staring, their gazes lingering on the Marks across his torso, arm, and head. ¡°Don¡¯t stop on my account,¡± Jessica said with a grin, nodding toward Marcus¡¯s overalls clinging to his lower half before Kay elbowed her in the ribs. Snatching the water hose from her, Kay aimed it at her while making a hissing sound, causing her to back off with a smirk before joining up with Benedict. ¡°Sorry about that. She¡¯s just kidding... hopefully. We don¡¯t come across many Originals, except for Sebastian. And now you¡¯re here, along with two proper guild members from the Royal Blue.¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t been a Breacher for long, have you?¡± Marcus asked as he took the hose, washing off the remaining bits of filth from his body. ¡°A bit over a month now,¡± Kay said proudly before switching off the water as Marcus finished up, then offering him a towel. ¡°But it feels like a lifetime ago. This marks my fourth Sphere that I¡¯ve tackled.¡± ¡°Impressive,¡± Marcus acknowledged, his face betraying nothing, while mentally recalling the times he or Specter had gone inside a Sphere. He dried his short black hair and tossed the towel in a nearby bin. ¡°But turning Forged, that¡¯s incredibly risky, right?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Kay nodded, a soft smile tugging at his lips. ¡°The surgery¡¯s no joke in terms of risks, and afterward, you feel like crap for a while. I mean, blood boiling in your veins for days kind of pain. But hey, it¡¯s better than the one percent survival rate you Originals faced. It¡¯s absurd that you guys survived a literal meteor. Just saying it out loud like this feels crazy.¡± You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Marcus nodded as he scooped up his gear, and they ambled towards Benedict and the others while Kay continued talking. ¡°Turning Forged was a big risk a few years ago. The first cases had less than a 20 percent survival rate¡ªpractically mad science territory. It¡¯s gotten a lot better... like a lot, but you¡¯re still rolling the dice.¡± ¡°Why did you do it?¡± Marcus asked, curious. ¡°Why does anyone, Marked or not, turn Breacher?¡± Kay shrugged nonchalantly. ¡°Because we¡¯re all a bit mental, I think.¡± A soft chuckle escaped him as they neared the others. ¡°I became a Forged Breacher to keep a promise... to make a difference. And the paycheck¡¯s not bad, even if we¡¯re just taking on light blue Spheres.¡± The two of them joined the others just in time to witness the end of the negotiations. ¡°We can live with that,¡± Benedict said, extending his hand to seal the deal. Credits were quickly exchanged afterwards, and once the official left, Benedict turned to his group. ¡°Alright, Salamanders. Clean up, tend to your gear, get it sealed by an official, and then come back to me for your paycheck.¡± Marcus watched as the rest of the group finished cleaning and stowing their weapons in steel crates. Government officials observed, taking stock of the remaining ammunition and the condition of their weapons before sealing up the crates. ¡°Why the extra security?¡± Marcus asked his sister as he returned the sword and shield he had borrowed from her. ¡°Layers of protection, oversight, and bullshit red tape,¡± she said, grabbing a rag from her backpack before she began to clean the sword. ¡°It wasn¡¯t like that in the past, but governments have tightened control over the guns and weapons circulating among Breachers. Or at least, they¡¯re trying to.¡± She ran her hand along the blade her brother had wielded, checking for damage. ¡°There have been cases where people were killed by undocumented weapons, or even theft. So now, they document every weapon and ammo use whenever someone sells, buys, repairs, or uses it inside a Sphere,¡± she explained, noticing her brother¡¯s gaze lingering on the blade in her hand. ¡°It¡¯s not a perfect system, and not every country handles it this way. But it¡¯s the system we have to work with. Still, there are exceptions.¡± ¡°What kind of exceptions?¡± Marcus asked, his eyes following her movements as she packed away the blades, pistol, and shields. ¡°What do you think?¡± Luuk chimed in as he stepped closer to the siblings. ¡°People with ¡®fuck you money¡¯ and status.¡± While the Breacher spoke, Marcus struggled to reconcile the unassuming man in simple attire with the armored menace who had slaughtered dozens of monsters back in the Sphere. ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± Joline said, finishing her gear check. ¡°Big guilds and the most powerful Breachers live in a different world and play by different rules compared to us mortals. The top guilds handle their own security and gear, not to mention owning entire Spheres, which gives them the freedom and flexibility to do whatever they want. Our guild, the Royal Blue, doesn¡¯t even come close to that level. But in return, those powerful guilds bear a great responsibility, as they are called in during national emergencies.¡± She held up a finger to hush her brother, who was about to ask another question. As for the latter, Gamma-ranked Breachers usually have more freedom compared to Alphas and Betas like you and us, while Deltas, the highest-ranked Breachers, can pretty much do as they please,¡± Joline said, flashing a nervous smile. ¡°I mean, the highest-ranked Deltas have enough strength to take down entire guilds on their own. And the handful of Delta+ Breachers out there? They¡¯re as close to demigods as it gets, and every country and their mother wants one nearby to protect their nation... or even an entire continent. It¡¯s hard to enforce rules on someone who could probably survive a nuclear explosion. So, who¡¯s dumb enough to try to control someone like that?¡± She grabbed their cellphones and backpacks from the crate, handed Marcus his things, and signaled for a staff member to check and seal the crates. The trio then made their way to the rest of the group. Soon after, each Breacher except Joline was holding up their phones. ¡°Alright, gather ¡®round, kiddos,¡± Benedict called, extending his phone and opening an app. Marcus noticed the other Breachers eagerly leaning in to watch the countdown on the credit transfer, while Luuk¡¯s face beamed with childlike glee. Marcus watched the others, slightly amused by how infectious their energy was, before shifting his gaze sideways and catching sight of his sister watching him. Their eyes met briefly, exchanging unspoken words that he understood completely. His attention shifted when he heard Kay¡¯s soft whistle, followed by Jessica high-fiving Julien at the sight of the total credits on Benedict¡¯s app. Luuk¡¯s expression showed confusion mixed with amusement, as if he had expected a bigger number ¡°Remember, a portion of this went into booking our slot for this Sphere, and a smaller part will cover restocking supplies and repairing our gear. Not to mention we¡¯ve got more mouths to feed this time,¡± Benedict said, glancing towards Joline. ¡°But one of our observers has generously decided to opt out of a payment. In exchange, we keep quiet about her guild¡¯s involvement.¡± He smiled as Kay and Jessica loudly claimed they had no idea what or who he was talking about. With that settled, the squad leader tapped his phone, triggering soft beeps as credits transferred to his team. Marcus glanced at his phone and saw the credits Benedict had transferred. ¡®That¡¯s a lot of credits,¡¯ he thought, realizing rent wouldn¡¯t be a problem for a while. ¡®Maybe I could buy some basic starter gear.¡¯ He vaguely heard Benedict mention a second, smaller payment once the corpses were sold and processed. ¡®Who knows, maybe this is enough to rent a Sphere for a few hours on my own? Go in with the two robots and go nuts on the Glass,¡¯ he thought. He then noticed some of the Salamanders grabbing their things and slowly heading towards the gatehouse for one last inspection and pat-down, ensuring they didn¡¯t take any Glass or other dangerous items from the Sphere. Marcus watched as his sister made her way to the gate, one of the first to undergo the final check before exiting and changing into fresh clothes in a private booth. ¡®Stop thinking about spending the credits. You started this to pay off Joline¡¯s debt,¡¯ he scolded himself mentally, then followed her toward the gate. ¡°Hey, Marcus, hold on a sec,¡± Benedict called out, catching up to him and waiting until they were alone. His gaze lingered briefly on the black Marks on Marcus¡¯s face. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to do this over the phone or with others nearby. So, this will have to¡ª¡± ¡°What do you want?¡± Marcus interrupted, aware of what was about to happen. ¡°Blunt as ever. Well, first off, I wanted to let you know you can tag along with the Salamanders whenever you want. The credits will be fair, as you can see,¡± Benedict said, stepping closer and lowering his voice. ¡°But... we took a risk for you back then... with the detective. Despite what you may have thought when we first met at the junkyard, my brother and I don¡¯t usually do that.¡± Marcus arched an eyebrow at that. ¡°You mean track down and beat up people inside a Sphere? Or shoot them with a beanbag?¡± ¡°Cute. No, I meant lying,¡± Benedict corrected him, shifting his gaze towards his brother in the distance and giving a reassuring nod before turning back to Marcus. ¡°I figured we saved your ass back there, despite you clearly being in the wrong. You¡¯re lucky my brother and I respect privacy. So¡ª¡± ¡°Again, Benedict, what do you want from me?¡± Marcus interrupted, his gaze turning steely. ¡°One single favor,¡± Benedict said calmly. Marcus paused, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Seriously, are we going to keep dancing around this, or¡­?¡± Benedict¡¯s calm demeanor shifted, a soft smirk spreading across his face. ¡°Are you always as blunt as a hammer, or is this special treatment?¡± he remarked, but Marcus remained silent. ¡°Alright, here¡¯s the favor. I want you to help me and my brother retrieve something from a Sphere in the future. No question asked. We¡¯ll work out the details, such as time and date, to suit both parties.¡± Marcus clicked his tongue in disapproval. ¡°I take it you¡¯re not going to explain beyond that?¡± ¡°Like I said, my brother and I respect privacy, including our own. So, unless you want to explain why you were carrying Glass in your backpack or how you survived two days inside a Sphere as a mere Alpha¡­¡± Benedict¡¯s gaze fixated on Marcus as he extended his hand. ¡°What do you say?¡± ¡°That sounds like a shitty deal,¡± Marcus said, giving the man¡¯s hand a firm shake. ¡°Not a word to my family.¡± ¡°About what?¡± Benedict smiled as he released his hand. ¡°I¡¯ve taken up enough of your time. Thanks again for the assist today.¡± Marcus quickly grabbed his equipment before heading to the entrance. He passed a final check before being permitted to leave. A pang of guilt pricked him as he recalled the bag filled with Glass in his apartment, aware that each piece could potentially form a new Sphere. ¡®Sis would lose her mind if she found out I have over 100 pieces at home.¡¯ Snagging a clean shirt from his backpack, Marcus slipped it on while leaving the security post, skipping the option of changing inside a private booth. He tied the sleeves of his protective overalls around his waist and stepped outside, spotting his sister leaning against the wall. Further out, Luuk was on his phone, heading to his parked car. The man managed a quick wave to Marcus before hopping in. ¡°What took you so long? Buttering up your new squad leader?¡± she asked in a teasing tone. ¡°More like guilt-tripped into being friends,¡± Marcus remarked, noticing her starting to smirk. ¡°So, I¡¯m still kickin¡¯. What¡¯s next?¡± ¡°How about I don¡¯t kick your ass for starters?¡± Joline said, slinging an arm around her brother and pulling him close. ¡°I still don¡¯t like the fact that you¡¯re doing what you¡¯re doing. But you did well today.¡± She let him go and grabbed her phone as a notification pinged. ¡°So, since you¡¯re still alive, I figured we could celebrate with a victory meal.¡± ¡°Like this? I¡¯m still in your hand-me-downs, smelling like monster bits,¡± Marcus quipped, glancing down at his overalls and gear. ¡°Alright. So, where are we headed?¡± he asked, moments before he and his sister waved goodbye to Luuk as he drove away. ¡°Looks like Luuk enjoyed feeling overpowered. As for our meal... it¡¯s coming to us,¡± Joline said, just as lively salsa music blared faintly in the distance. Not long after, a food truck barreled toward them, narrowly missing a collision with Luuk¡¯s car before sliding to a halt. ¡°By the way, you¡¯re footing the bill for my meal, since you got paid.¡± ¡°So, when it comes down to credits, now I¡¯m suddenly reliable?¡± Marcus joked, raising an eyebrow in mock offense. ¡°¡°Pff,¡± his sister scoffed, shaking her head. She waved at Felix as he flung open the food truck door. ¡°Don¡¯t kid yourself. You¡¯re about as reliable as a wet fart on a first date.¡± Marcus chuckled, sidestepping her and swiftly tapping his phone against hers. His phone displayed a credit transfer, giving her half of the paycheck he¡¯d just earned. He sought refuge in the safety of the food truck before she caught on, hugging his friend and smudging his outfit with grime. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s eat.¡± (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 5 (Battery Woes) CHAPTER FIVE Battery Woes Several hours later Marcus shook his head as he watched his friend struggle to get up the stairs, straining to keep control of the large box in his hands. ¡°I said I was alright,¡± Felix hissed as he paused for a second, sweat visible on his forehead. ¡°I¡¯m not going to drop¡ª¡± Felix nearly tipped over as he missed the next step, only for Marcus to grab him by the back of the shirt and steady him. ¡°I had it, I had it.¡± After earning Marcus¡¯s raised eyebrow, and despite the groaning protest of the old wooden staircase under their combined weight, Felix continued upward. ¡°Come on, you stubborn old goat, let me lend a hand,¡± Marcus said, struggling to contain his laughter as he noticed his friend¡¯s shaky knees. ¡°I told you, I¡¯m good,¡± his friend insisted. ¡°Really?¡± Marcus moved closer, whispering in his friend¡¯s ear. ¡°Do you even know how many credits that thing cost?¡± ¡°Not¡­ helping¡­ you¡­ prick,¡± Felix hissed as he finally reached the edge of the staircase. He wobbled toward Marcus¡¯s front door, then slammed his back against it, sliding down into a seated position, still hugging the large box like a koala bear. ¡°Told you I had it. You Breachers ain¡¯t got nothing on me.¡± Marcus grinned as he patted his friend¡¯s shoulder before grabbing his keys to unlock the front door. Then he grabbed Felix by the back of his shirt and dragged him inside the apartment, stopping only when they reached the couch. ¡°There we go, Hercules. What do you want to drink?¡± he asked as he made his way over to the kitchen. ¡°Beer,¡± Felix said eagerly, disentangling himself from the large box. With effort, he managed to get up, then strategically collapsed onto the couch in a dramatic move. ¡°And some chips.¡± ¡°We just had a long dinner with my sister a few hours ago,¡± Marcus called out from the kitchen, followed by the sound of a fridge opening. Felix slumped further into the couch, resting his head against it. ¡°Yeah, so? That was hours ago. In case you forgot, I just carried that chunky boy you bought all across town,¡± he said, patting the box beside him as if to prove a point. Marcus joined him again, handing Felix a cold beer and tossing a bag of chips onto his lap. He then took a seat next to his friend, cradling a glass of water himself. ¡°Cheers,¡± Marcus said, holding out his drink. He felt his friend tap the neck of the beer bottle against his glass, twice, before Marcus slumped down further into the couch as well. He glanced around his apartment, spotting the mess of scattered clothes and discarded fitness equipment. There was nothing that stood out or would link him to Specter or the other robot, yet he always felt a bit on edge each time someone entered his apartment after his robots had been active. He heard Felix exhale loudly, followed by a muttered curse. The man then finished his beer in one gulp, before rising from the couch and settling in a squatting position. His friend grabbed the box and slowly began lifting it up again, visibly struggling as he did so. ¡°Here we go,¡± Felix muttered as he wobbled toward the nearby table, trying to carefully set the box down but losing control at the end, causing it to slam onto the table. Both men winced at the sound, with Marcus¡¯s jaw tightening for a moment. ¡°It¡¯ll be fine... probably. I mean, these things are usually wrapped up in plastic and Styrofoam. How about you go grab a shower? I¡¯ll set it all up for you,¡± Felix said, his voice layered in self-doubt. Marcus watched as Felix used his car keys to cut open the tape on the box, revealing a brand new 3D printer wrapped in plastic and protective material. ¡°Just try to be careful with it, alright?¡± Marcus waited for a response from his friend, but realized Felix was losing himself in the struggle to cut apart the plastic and snap the Styrofoam into hundreds of smaller pieces. Sighing, he got up and made his way over to his bedroom, finding nothing out of the ordinary beyond the closed closets. He noticed an old t-shirt and baggy sweatpants neatly folded on his bed, along with socks and clean underwear. He hadn¡¯t placed them there when he had left earlier that day, but he knew who had. ¡®Funny how Specter is more mature compared to myself¡­ despite being me.¡¯ He shook his head, then headed towards the farthest closet. His right hand pressed against the wood, then rapped his knuckles twice. A few seconds later, he heard the same sound from the other side. ¡®I¡¯m safe. It went well,¡¯ he thought, hoping it would reassure Specter, hidden behind the door. He then grabbed his clothes and headed to the bathroom, eager for a shower. Marcus peeled off the borrowed overall from his sister¡¯s guild, relieved to finally rid himself of its lingering odors. Although he had hosed himself off after leaving the Sphere, the familiar comfort of actual warm water, soap and shampoo was a welcome luxury. Having showered and dressed, Marcus left the bathroom and spotted his friend caught in a mess of wires, feverishly tapping away on a nearby laptop. ¡°You good over there?¡± Marcus asked while he made some room and helped in untangling his friend. ¡°Here we go,¡± Felix grinned, sliding the laptop toward Marcus and claiming a spot on the sofa, making space by shoving aside some workout equipment and a heap of discarded plastic. ¡°Behold, your new 3D printer and the latest software.¡± ¡°You¡¯re the best,¡± Marcus said, glancing at the screen and bumping fists with Felix twice in a row. ¡°It was all automated¡ª¡± ¡°It was all completely automated. Thank god for that,¡± Felix said in unison before sighing in relief. Afterwards, both of them dissolved into chuckles for a few minutes. ¡°But hey, I contributed. I plugged in the cables.¡± ¡°Couldn¡¯t have done it without you,¡± Marcus said as they both stared at the 3D printer and the laptop in front of them before Marcus started experimenting with the new program. ¡°Yeah, you could. But I wanted to help,¡± Felix said, reaching for his friend¡¯s empty glass. He stood up and made his way into the kitchen to grab a new beer and pour Marcus another glass of water, then handed the glass to his friend before sitting down again. ¡°The truth is... I kinda needed to help. You know, with you actually going into Spheres for a living. I wanted to help, even in a little way,¡± Felix explained, observing as Marcus opened up a site that listed dozens of models they could download for free or purchase. ¡°I still have no idea what your fascination is with this stuff, or why you wanted to blow half your paycheck on a brand new¡ª¡± ¡°Half of half my paycheck, actually,¡± Marcus interrupted him, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. ¡°I gave Joline half of my earnings when we finished our job today, remember?¡± With a roll of his eyes, Felix continued. ¡°So, a quarter of your paycheck went into a fancy 3D printer when you could¡¯ve just borrowed mine. You know that¡¯s mental, right?¡± He sighed, ruffling his dark curls while shaking his head. ¡°And what do you even do with all this stuff?¡± he asked, seconds later cutting off Marcus before he could respond. ¡°And don¡¯t give me that ¡®I want to make a phone case¡¯ excuse again. You¡¯ve used it a dozen times already, and I¡¯ve never seen you actually use one. So be honest.¡± ¡°I¡¯m slowly building a robot army to take down Spheres,¡± Marcus said, his eyes hardening briefly as he looked at his friend. Felix met that gaze for a few seconds before bursting into laughter and then demanding a serious answer. ¡°Honestly, I am enjoying these tech things. It¡¯s all cutting-edge stuff that didn¡¯t exist thirteen years ago. It¡¯s fun to learn more about it and experiment with it,¡± Marcus said, giving his friend a broad smile. Lately, he¡¯d been considering telling Felix and his family the truth about what happened to him, his robots, and the true nature of his Mark and Abilities. He knew it was the right thing to do to finally share the truth with his friend and family. But he knew them. He could almost predict their reactions¡ªtrying to shield him from trouble with guilds and the authorities, dwelling on how he remembered every excruciating minute of his comatose state, or his years surviving as a machine. ¡®I¡¯ll tell them when I¡¯m more powerful... when I¡¯m strong enough for them not to worry about me ever again. I¡¯ll tell them when I¡¯m stronger than my sister,¡¯ he thought as he once again made up his mind. ¡°It¡¯s for porn, isn¡¯t it?¡± Felix suddenly blurted out, pointing at the printer and leaning backward. ¡°You¡¯re printing out adult toys and selling them online! That¡¯s how you¡¯re paying for¡ª¡± Felix hissed as Marcus swatted the back of his head. ¡°And here I thought Oscar was the pervert in our friend group?¡± Marcus said before he got up and made his way to the kitchen to refill his water again. ¡°I just want to try and better myself. Help create instead of destroy. Do something right... for once,¡± he said as he settled back down beside Felix, his gaze drifting to the black Marks on his right hand, fused with his flesh and knuckles. ¡°One of the last real conversations I had with my father... he called me a bad friend, said I wasn¡¯t a good person... that I was more like a destroyer.¡± Marcus let the words hang in the air, sensing his friend tense up beside him, no doubt uncertain how to respond to that. ¡°I want to be more than a destroyer, Felix,¡± he said, taking a sip and leaning back into the couch. ¡°So, no. It¡¯s not adult toys. Idiot.¡± They sat there in silence for a few moments, the air heavy with unspoken thoughts. Then, a soft chuckle escaped Felix¡¯s lips, barely audible at first. Marcus glanced over, curious, as the chuckle grew into a gentle laughter, like a distant rumble of thunder before a storm. Slowly, Felix¡¯s laughter gained momentum, echoing off the walls of the room. Marcus couldn¡¯t contain his own smile at that point, watching his friend¡¯s amusement build like a wave gathering strength. It was infectious, spreading through the room like wildfire, until both friends were engulfed in laughter, their cares momentarily forgotten as they realized just how absurd their lives had become. - - - ¡°We¡¯re almost there, buddy,¡± Marcus said a few hours later, gently guiding Felix out of his room. Felix wobbled on unsteady legs, still clutching his last beer. Marcus smiled as he watched Felix struggle with his keys, attempting to open the door. Felix dropped his keys several times and accidentally slammed his head into the door while bending over to pick them up, snickering like a child. When the door finally opened, Felix stumbled inside, Marcus trailing behind. He swiftly plucked the beer bottle from Felix¡¯s hand and headed for the kitchen. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Hey, I was drinking that,¡± Felix protested, slurring his words. Ignoring Felix¡¯s weak protests, Marcus emptied the beer down the sink. He fetched a clean glass, filled it with tap water, and passed it to Felix. ¡°Drink up,¡± Marcus urged, fending off Felix¡¯s feeble attempts to resist. After some persuasion, Felix relented and drank half of it. ¡°Do you need a bucket next to your bed, or are you good?¡± Marcus inquired before suddenly finding himself wrapped in an overly emotional bear hug from his friend. ¡°You... You¡¯re a good friend,¡± Felix murmured as Marcus gently untangled himself from the hug. ¡°I¡¯m glad you woke up from your hospital nap.¡± Afterward, Felix staggered away, drifting left and right. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t need any help?¡± Marcus asked. He received a vague thumbs up as he watched his friend stumble towards his bedroom. Felix continued to wobble left and right, nearly colliding with a wall. At the near impact, the man giggled and patted the wall affectionately, as if it was a pet. ¡°Sleep tight,¡± Marcus called after him before leaving Felix¡¯s place and heading back to his own apartment, locking the door behind him. He glanced around his living room, spotting two empty pizza boxes sitting on the table next to the 3D printer. He noticed several printed plates scattered around and a failed attempt at a mug that still contained a bit of beer. Marcus shook his head when he saw the amount of empty beer bottles Felix had stashed under the table. ¡®He¡¯s a good friend,¡¯ Marcus thought, picking up a few bottles and the pizza box on his way to the kitchen to toss them in the trash. His attention shifted to the right as he heard a noise. Marcus¡¯s gaze landed on Specter, the other robot slung across its shoulder. ¡°Had fun?¡± Specter¡¯s voice, deep and precise, broke the silence. A subtle blue glow seeped from the crevices in its steel-and-plastic torso, where the two Orbs were housed. Marcus couldn¡¯t help but notice how his companion¡¯s voice sounded more and more like his father¡¯s voice with each passing day, combined with a cold machinelike element. ¡°Did you mean my first ¡®official¡¯ Sphere, or the time hanging out with Felix?¡± he asked, his tone as dry as possible. ¡°Knowing you,¡± Specter remarked, lowering the other robot onto the sofa, ''You¡¯d probably have enjoyed the hardships of the Sphere a lot more.¡± The robot then slid its steel hand into the hole in its torso, grabbing the second light blue Orb that was housed there. With a sudden tug, it yanked the Orb out, tearing through synthetic veins and spraying light blue liquid in a grotesque display. Moments later, the broken veins and liquid evaporated into the air. ¡°So, how did it go? Did the extra point in Perception pay off?¡± Specter asked, watching the Orb¡¯s glow fade as it began to pulsate like a normal one. Moving closer, Marcus seized the Orb, creating a physical connection with Specter. Their minds melded once more, struggling to synchronize under the weight of the memories. Marcus grappled with the influx of memories and new information, recalling moments of repairing the other robot and researching nearby Spheres on his laptop, using steel fingers to press the buttons. After a moment, he released the connection with Specter as he withdrew his hand while still clutching the Orb tightly. ¡°I survived, and I think I¡¯ve reassured our sister for the time being. As for the increased Perception Stat, I¡¯m not sure. It¡¯s hard to notice with just one point. Let¡¯s focus on bringing our steel brother online for now,¡± Marcus said as he lowered himself in front of the second robot, noting its absent left arm. ¡°Don¡¯t let me forget to pick up the arm from the shop in two days,¡± he reminded Specter. He then shoved the Orb into the motionless robot¡¯s torso, using his right hand to ensure it was properly stuck in place. He observed the pulsating light of the Orb radiating from the openings and crevices in the robot¡¯s center. He then closed his eyes as he focused on the Orb and the robot, seconds later forcing the Mana within his body to stir along with a piece of his mind. Echo Just as he¡¯d rehearsed for weeks, Marcus¡¯s mind splintered the moment he activated his Ability. A portion of his Mana flowed through his right arm, pooling into the Marks etched into his flesh before surging into the Orb. The pulsating object shifted into a steady light blue glow, like it had within Specters. ¡®There we go.¡¯ A few seconds later, Marcus felt strange, unnatural veins forming around the Orb, branching out and connecting to vital components within the robot. He accessed his HUD, watching the overlay materialize in front of him, projected from a fragmented part of his mind, as he inspected his mana. ¨X ¨[ [Total Mana:] [25/26] ¨^ ¨a ¡®I didn¡¯t notice an immediate effect from the perception stat, but at least it gave me another point of mana. So, I can¡¯t complain too much,¡¯ he mused, glancing at the robot. He felt more veins creeping around his fingers, linking to the frame, pistons, and motors inside. A moment later the robot began to stir, gaining control over its body. ¡®I know I can channel more Mana during this process¡­ after I used the Echo Ability. Pouring more into it speeds up forming of the weird veins, but it¡¯ll shorten the total operating time of the robot since I¡¯d run out of Mana I¡¯d otherwise be able to give to them. Still, in an emergency, it would make sense to give it all I have.¡¯ Marcus and the robot faced each other as its movements grew more deliberate, asserting control over its body. Slowly, it lifted its head and fixed its gaze on Marcus. With his hand still resting inside the robot, Marcus and the machine were still one being. At that moment, he could see himself from a different perspective, a soul inhabiting two bodies. A few weeks ago, this would¡¯ve been maddening. But after everything he and Specter had been through, it almost felt normal. Marcus grinned, moving his head side to side, and the robot mirrored him with eerie precision. ¡°We still have a lot of work to do on you,¡± he muttered, his other hand tracing the dents and scratches that adorned the robot¡¯s surface. He shifted his attention to the empty space where its left arm should be. ¡°Just a little while longer and I¡¯ll be able to fix all the major issues, including getting you a way to speak.¡± Marcus withdrew his hand and stepped back, breaking contact. A sudden emptiness washed over him, as if he had left a piece of himself inside the machine, along with their shared senses. ¡°First, the repairs, then we can think about giving you a proper name and personality,¡± Marcus said, watching the robot nod in agreement. ¡®Compared to Specter, the fragment of myself in this robot is still just me. I¡¯ve seen how much more effective Specter became when he turned into something different... something more focused and specialized.¡¯ He glanced at the robot again, seeing the old bullet holes that Specter had plugged up and welded closed at one point. It was shoddy work, but appearances were the least of his concerns at the moment. ¡°How much do you have left in the tank?¡± Marcus asked as he glanced over his shoulder to look at Specter. ¡°Hours¡¯ worth. I still had some Mana left in my system from last night. And I had both Orbs at my disposal for several hours, so the constant regenerative trickle only increased it further. If I have to put a number on it, I think I¡¯ve got around three hours¡¯ worth,¡± Specter pitched, watching Marcus pat the other robot before taking a seat next to it. ¡°How did you want to balance your Mana this time?¡± Sighing, Marcus leaned back and closed his eyes. ¡°I really... really... hate math,¡± he grumbled, sinking deeper into the sofa. ¡°I used to have 25 Mana before I increased my Perception Statt. With that, I could keep you going for five hours, or split it for two and a half hours to have both of you guys online. Dividing 25 by five hours gives a cost of five Mana per hour. So¡ª¡± ¡°That means I¡¯ve got around 15 Mana still in my system,¡± Specter chimed in, breaking Marcus¡¯s train of thought. ¡°So, how are we spending the rest of your Mana this evening?¡± Marcus lifted his shoulders in a shrug. ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t care at this point. I just want to sleep. I¡¯m covered in bruises, and I promised Felix I¡¯d join him for another ride-along tomorrow.¡± ¡°How about 10 Mana for me, and 15 for our one-armed friend?¡± Specter suggested, observing Marcus¡¯s nod of agreement. ¡°That should give me company for about three hours. Afterwards we can install his Orb inside of my frame so I have enough Mana for tomorrow?¡± ¡°Sounds good,¡± Marcus conceded as he slowly leaned forward. He placed his right hand on Specter, feeling the connection begin to form, but deliberately resisting the synchronization of their minds. The power to fragment his mind and embed it in his robots, and maintain a connection with those fragments through touch or when in close proximity, had been the reason he had survived for all this time. He suspected it was a single Ability, but it functioned more like two. ¡®Echo, the active Ability that creates my companions, and Link, the passive Ability that allows constant synchronization between my fragments unless either one of us suppresses it.¡¯ Concentrating on the task ahead, he directed the Mana within his body to flow toward his arm and into Specter¡¯s steel frame. Marcus kept the exchange slow and steady, managing the strain without letting Mana bleed into the air. Absentmindedly, he watched his HUD, observing the Mana slowly deplete. ¡°God, what I wouldn¡¯t do for another Orb... or two... or three,¡± he muttered as time went by. ¡°Why not go for a whole dozen?¡± Specter chuckled through his speaker, but his body suddenly shuddered. ¡°Wait... something¡¯s not right.¡± Marcus quickly let go and turned to Specter. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Specter glanced at its own hands, testing the movement of its steel fingers. ¡°I don¡¯t know... it felt odd for a moment, like the Mana wasn¡¯t settling inside of me, but rushing through me... like a surge.¡± ¡°What does your HUD say?¡± ¡°Nothing odd, as far as I can see,¡± Specter reassured, glancing at its HUD display. ¡°Five hours of battery life.¡± Hearing that, Marcus checked his HUD again and noticed he had accidentally given Specter 11 Mana instead of 10. ¡°Hold on, let me test something,¡± he muttered, grabbing Specter and forcing two points of Mana into the robot, watching the air distort around it for a split second. ¡°Ok, that isn¡¯t weird at all.¡± ¡°That was raw Mana, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Specter asked, puzzled, as the air around its metal body slowly normalized. ¡°That¡¯s what it looked like,¡± Marcus said, recalling his conversation with his sister and Luuk about Channeling or Augmenting oneself. ¡®Perhaps it¡¯s similar to that?¡¯ He stopped his pondering when he noticed Specter staring at him. ¡°I can¡¯t say for certain, but I think your frame¡¯s Mana storage is limited to 25,¡± Marcus speculated, adding another point of Mana to Specter to verify his hypothesis. He observed a slight distortion, but nothing more. ¡°It seems any extra Mana either gets used instantly or bleeds out of your system,¡± Marcus said. He removed his hand from Specter, placed it on the other robot, and poured the rest of his Mana into it, knowing he¡¯d waste it otherwise. ¡°So, without another Orb, the max battery life for any robot made by you¡ªor us, I guess¡ªis around five hours?¡± Specter sat on the table, facing the others. Marcus glanced at his companion, mostly made of steel and plastic, and noticed it seemed almost sad in that moment. Silence hung between them before Specter spoke up again. ¡°This feels... disappointing. I thought as you got stronger, you''d reach a point where you could power dozens of robots for days on end. Maybe even form our own guild.¡± ¡°Our own guild, huh?¡± Marcus mused, sinking deeper into the couch and propping his feet up on the table beside Specter. ¡°Let¡¯s not jump to conclusions,¡± he remarked, closing his eyes again while rubbing the spot between his brows. ¡°Even if five hours is the maximum... with enough Mana on my end, I could potentially power dozens of robots for five hours each, or keep them topped up whenever I¡¯m nearby. That¡¯s pretty powerful stuff. Assuming I live long enough to reach that stage.¡± He let the statement hang. The one-armed robot nodded, as if to underline his point. ¡°And who knows, maybe we could consider buying Mana batteries or something? See if we can slot those inside of you guys to increase the Mana capacity? We still don¡¯t know why you''re stuck at 25 Mana. Is it your frame? The materials? Or the light blue Orb inside you? Maybe a stronger one could hold more of a charge.¡± They sat there afterward, each reflecting on the sudden hurdle, lost in thought until the large robot next to Marcus abruptly stirred. The robot rose slowly, casting a towering shadow over the others. Its camera lenses locked onto them before it shook its head. Moments later, it grabbed the laptop and set it down on the kitchen counter before it opened a website filled with 3D models and began doing research. ¡°The mute¡¯s got a point,¡± Specter said, standing and offering a hand to Marcus, pulling him up without syncing their minds. ¡°I¡¯ll clean up here and get familiar with the 3D printer and those filaments you bought. You go and get some rest after eating up some more Glass.¡± Marcus clenched his jaw at the mention of Glass, thinking about the pieces that were still left and the pain they¡¯d bring. ¡°Want me to be there? To help?¡± Specter asked, sensing Marcus¡¯s turmoil. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. Just focus on what you need to do,¡± Marcus said, brushing past Specter as he headed through the apartment. Exhausted, he headed into the bedroom and grabbed the plastic bag from the closet. Feeling the weight of the Glass inside, he tightened his grip. ¡°112 pieces, huh? Fun times.¡± He collapsed onto his bed, letting the bag rest on his stomach as he considered how to spend the upgrades. ¡®So I¡¯ve got around five and a half charges worth of upgrade points. Do I spend it all on my physical Stats? See how strong I can get. Or do I focus on Mentality and Vigor? Boost the amount of Mana I have at my disposal and improve my mind in general,¡¯ he pondered, tossing the bag into the air and quickly catching it with his right hand at the last second. ¡®So, either improve my own combat ability, go for the strategic path... or find a balance.¡¯ He repeated the throwing of the bag a few times to distract himself as he pondered his burden of choice, before finally settling the bag on his chest. ¡°Fuck it,¡± Marcus muttered, opening the bag and scooping 40 pieces of Glass into each hand. His face cold, he lifted his t-shirt and clenched it between his teeth. He took quick, sharp breaths, bracing himself before slamming his left hand against his chest. The Glass pierced his skin, and a surge of energy ripped through his body as the shards disintegrated in his hand. Grimacing against the sudden pain and discomfort, he bit down harder on the fabric of his t-shirt before repeating the process with his right hand, using up the another 20 pieces in one violent stab, only to repeat the process again. He fought to breathe properly, grappling with the unspent energy from the four charges as he tried to drive it deeper into his core. His body convulsed as he forced the energy to take on a specific change in his body. His eyes rolled back as the shaking intensified, blinding him to the changes on his HUD. ¨X ¨[ [Mental] [+1] [Vigor] [+1] ¨^ ¨a (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 5B (Status Screen) CHAPTER FIVE-B Status Screen Marcus Smit ¨X ¨[
Official Rank: Alpha / Rank 1
Power Rating: 9
¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Stats
Strength: 1 Endurance: 1
Agility: 2 Perception: 1
Mental: 2 Vigor: 2
Total Mana 37
¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ Passive Abilities Link: Constant synchronisation effect between mental fragment. 100% synchronisation at physical touch. 50% within 5 meters. Less than 1% beyond 5 meters. ¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ Active Abilities Echo: The ability to fragment the mind and imbue it in a robot containing an Orb. ¨^ ¨a (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 6 (Blood Scent) CHAPTER THREE Blood Scent Day 64 Specter With a furious hiss that echoed through the air, the monster thrashed against the earth, its sinewy limbs straining as it tried to rise. A violent, oppressive force slammed it back down, something cold and hard gripping its neck tighter. Thick, coarse fur of a fiery orange hue blanketed most of the creature¡¯s slender frame, while patches of sickly, hairless skin bore grotesque, throbbing boils that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. Each eruption sent noxious green slime sizzling into the air, filling the space with a sharp, acrid odor. Without warning, a sharp, agonizing pain ripped through the monster¡¯s back, stealing its breath and severing all feeling in its lower extremities. In response, it thrashed its arms wildly, but each arm was then violently broken in a systematic, one-after-another casual manner. The pressure around its neck intensified, the sickening snap of its own bones breaking like brittle twigs filling its ears. With each agonizing second, its flesh tore under the merciless grip until everything suddenly ended, and the creature went limp. After releasing its neck, Specter kept his camera fixed on the body, waiting for any movement. Break it up: After a few seconds passed with no twitch, he carefully grabbed the glass protrusion from the back of its skull and pulled until it slid loose. He rose to his feet, cradling the Glass carefully before sliding it into the backpack tied around his waist. With a swift motion, he yanked the knife from the monster¡¯s back and swung it to the side, shaking off the blood. ¡°Seven,¡± he muttered. His camera focused on the other corpse nearby, a mix of scales and drab fur, seeing his axe lodged in its neck. Specter moved toward it, extracted another piece of Glass, and stowed it in his backpack. ¡°That makes eight.¡± Afterwards, he pulled out his axe from the dead monster, scraping off bits of flesh. He scanned his surroundings again, noting the shoreline tinted by the light blue Sphere around him. On the other side, hundreds of trees and dense, twisted bushes stood shrouded in the night¡¯s darkness. ¡®That should be enough for two upgrade charges,¡¯ he thought, recalling how Marcus still had 32 Glass left over after increasing his Stats. ¡®I should head back, hand these over to him in the morning,¡¯ he thought as he double-checked if he had closed his backpack. As he did so, he remembered how Marcus had been in bad shape after the last round of upgrades. The man had looked pale and was still bleeding from his nose, even after hours of sleep. ¡®Maybe it¡¯s time to invest in Endurance again? Wouldn¡¯t want Marcus to keel over now.¡¯ Specter shook his head before crouching down, using his steel hands to scoop up dirt and shift it aside. He dug a hole deep enough to hide the two monsters, ensuring they were out of sight from any Breachers arriving in the morning. ¡®Despite those eight dead buggers, I¡¯ve hardly seen any others around. Normally I at least see larger scouting parties,¡¯ Specter realized. ¡®Feels like this place got thoroughly cleared during the day. Did some big guild sweep through?¡¯ After shoving the dirt back in place and filling up the hole, he stamped the ground a few times. ¡°That¡¯ll do it for today. Eight¡¯s alright,¡± Specter said softly, eyeing the tree line again. The outline of a ruined building in the distance tugged at his focus. ¡®Don¡¯t,¡¯ he thought, catching himself stepping toward the building. ¡®That place is smack in the middle of this Sphere, where the Orb is located. No doubt it¡¯s teeming with monsters that might be hard to spot, or they might be a lot stronger than me... But what if the Breachers cleared it out as well? There might not be any monsters left. This could be the perfect time to scout,¡¯ he thought as he paused for a second. He clenched the knife and axe tighter, his steel digits biting into the grips. ¡°This is a stupid idea,¡± Specter muttered as he took a step forward again. - - - Specter slipped into the entrance of the ruined restaurant, vines and roots entwining the decaying structure. Grime and dirt covered the tiles on the wall, while mold and rot marked the few intact floorboards. Pausing near the doorway to the main room, he heard movement and quickly crouched before setting his axe down and bracing his steel frame against the wall. After a tense moment, a lanky monster crept into the room. As the creature turned its gaze toward him, Specter¡¯s hand shot forward, gripping its neck tightly to silence it. With a swift motion, he drove his knife into the side of the creature¡¯s skull, not stopping until the blade sank in completely. He quickly dragged the body out of sight from the doorway, twisting the blade to ensure the kill. Afterward, he pulled the Glass from the creature and retrieved his axe. ¡®Nine,¡¯ he thought, listening for any movements or signs of nearby monsters. As he did so, he noticed the scars of combat adorning the place he was standing in, with some being older while others appeared to have been recent additions. ¡®Breachers,¡¯ he noted, tracing steel fingers over bullet holes and cuts in the stone and rotten wood. He paused for a few more seconds, listening intently, almost freezing with each rustle of the wind moving dirt or sticks outside. Gripping his weapons tightly, Specter dared to peer around the corner into the main hall. There, he vaguely made out three monsters: two behind the counter and one crouched on an old table, gnawing on bones. The creatures looked strange, with sickly fur, thin frames, and patches of scales around their limbs. One had a lizard-like face, while the others had foxlike features, all with crooked teeth. ¡®Shit, three of ¡®em.¡¯ He retreated to his previous position, pressing himself against the wall, unsure about his next move. ¡®I¡¯m not human, so hopefully they can¡¯t smell me. Let¡¯s hope their vision is as bad as mine at night,¡¯ he thought, crouching as he cautiously advanced, doing his best to stay quiet. His annoyance grew with every clink of his steel feet on the floorboards and broken tiles. ¡®The next upgrade I want is rubber soles¡­ that or something to see in the dark.¡¯ Specter neared the monster by the table when one of his feet crashed through a rotten floorboard. ¡®Crap!¡¯ The three monsters¡¯ attention instantly snapped to the disturbance, locking onto him. A chilling pause ensued, the four of them frozen in place for what felt like hours, though it was only a moment. One of the monsters behind the counter broke the tension by hissing before it jumped on the counter aggressively, only to have an axe strike its face, killing it instantly. The monster next to him lunged, but Specter reacted in time, grabbing its face midair before slamming it to the floor. Specter followed up by plunging his knife into the creature¡¯s eye socket. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. As he prepared to finish it off, another monster barreled into him, slamming him into the floor and sending all three crashing through the weakened boards as it broke apart underneath them. ¡®Shit, shit, shit!¡¯ Specter thought as they plummeted into the basement below, the loud impact accompanying a small dust storm as bits of debris continued to fall down on top of them. Momentarily disoriented by the sudden change in scenery, Specter slowly became aware of one of the creatures on top of him, scratching at his plastic protective plating and the metal framework underneath. ¡°That¡¯s it! Get the fuck off,¡± Specter yelled, pushing himself up. He jumped backward onto his back, slamming the monster and himself into the ground, shattering the tiles beneath them. Specter saw the monster¡¯s limbs fall limp, then spun and smashed his steel fist into its face, hitting again and again until he broke through the skull and hit the ground beneath. He barely had time to snap its head to the side at the sound of movement, seeing the last monster charging toward him, its movements erratic, a knife still protruding from its ruined eye. Specter quickly got up and allowed the monster to nearly reach him before delivering a swift front kick directly to the back of the blade. The blade shot further forward into the creature¡¯s skull, emerging from the back of its head, ending its life. ¡®Bloody hell, that was¡ª¡¯ thought, before a noise caught his attention. A powerful impact slammed into his side, sending him crashing into a support pillar, cracking the stone and bits of his plastic plating. ¡®There was a fourth one?¡¯ he thought, struggling to get up. He rolled aside, barely dodging the charging creature as it slammed into the same pillar. Specter retreated, watching the larger monster back away from the damaged pillar, shaking its head as it started to circle him. The monster stood larger than its kin, its massive form made of foul-looking muscles, ragged fur, and sharp claws. ¡®Did I just not see it before, or was it lying in wait in this room?¡¯ The monster charged at him like a raging bull, but Specter swiftly stepped in, delivering a powerful punch to its face. The creature wobbled for a split second before roaring in madness. It swung wildly, but Specter ducked beneath the attack and retaliated with an uppercut that shattered the monster¡¯s jaw, breaking dozens of its sharp teeth. Despite the brutal strike, the monster persisted, relentlessly slashing at Specter, tearing through more of the robot¡¯s plastic plating and the worn black raincoat. ¡®I swear I heard bones breaking, but the prick just keeps going. Doesn¡¯t it feel pain?¡¯ Specter thought, backing away and feinting punches to keep the monster at bay. ¡®It¡¯s larger and stronger than the rest. A new variant, perhaps? Or is it because we¡¯re this close to the Orb?¡¯ He recalled his previous encounters near an Orb, remembering the monsters he had faced back then. The monster hissed and surged forward again, clawing and biting at Specter. It narrowly missed his vital components but still tore through protective plastic and gouged deep scratches into his steel frame. Specter nearly froze up as he witnessed the creature¡¯s jaw snap back into place, seemingly healing itself. ¡°Focus, damn it,¡± Specter said out loud. He stepped back, using his scratched camera to scan frantically for an escape route, hindered by the darkness and scattered debris. A chill of fear settled into his mind. He realized he couldn¡¯t overpower this enemy with brute strength alone, and he had no weapon to give him an edge. ¡°Stop thinking like Marcus... I¡¯m Specter,¡± he muttered, his feet shifting on the dusty ground as he braced for the monster¡¯s next onslaught. As it charged, Specter kicked up a cloud of dirt, disorienting the creature. He lunged forward and charged it while it was blinded. His unforgiving metallic form slammed into the monster¡¯s knee, the sickening crunch of bone breaking echoing through the air as he crippled it with a violent tackle straight into the joint. Rolling aside to evade a retaliatory claw strike, Specter scrambled to his feet, putting distance between himself and the injured creature. With its leg now shattered, the monster could only lurch and crawl in fury, hissing, and swiping at the air in frustration. Recalling the monsters¡¯ regenerative abilities, Specter made his way toward one of the fallen creatures to retrieve his knife when he spotted a few dust covered beer kegs in the corner. He paused for a split second, glancing at the knife before he stepped over the corpse and went towards the kegs. Testing a few, he found one still mostly full and heavy enough for what he needed. Lifting the steel keg overhead, he turned to face the still-living monster that was slowly crawling towards him, hissing and screeching. ¡°Almost there, buddy,¡± Specter calmly remarked, awaiting its approach. ¡°Almost...¡± Moments later, a loud impact echoed through the basement as the hissing abruptly stopped. - - - Several minutes later, Specter was about to leave the basement, having collected his gear and Glass pieces. He spotted a staircase leading upward, hoping it would take him back to the surface. Glancing at his left hand, he noticed a steel finger missing, the remaining metal fragments suggesting a monster had bitten it off at some point. ¡®Marcus is going to chew me out for this,¡¯ he thought, shaking his head as he looked at the missing plastic armor pieces and the scratch marks covering his metal frame. After flexing his remaining fingers a few times, Specter proceeded up the stairs. Midway, he noticed a hole in the wall, hidden by vines and torn spiderwebs. He didn¡¯t spot it until the vines rustled, revealing a draft coming through the hole. Curiosity tugged at him as he slowly knelt before the obstruction. Using his knife, Specter pushed aside the vines, revealing a rocky passage. Rock, dirt, and pebbles surrounded him, along with more vines and torn spiderwebs. Advancing cautiously, Specter pushed through the overgrowth and cleared away webs, revealing a vast chamber beyond. Strange vegetation adorned the walls, with pulsating roots and translucent sacs holding monsters in various stages of development. Despite the darkness, he caught glimpses of movement and heard faint noises echoing within the chamber, hinting at the untold horrors that awaited within. Just as he was about to peer over the edge to gauge the cave¡¯s depth, a monster¡¯s face suddenly appeared, climbing up from the ridge below. The creature, with its fox like features, had a startled expression before Specter swiftly plunged his blade into its throat before grabbing its head. With a firm hold on the creature, he relentlessly stabbed it until the creature¡¯s body suddenly gave way and plunged backward, disappearing over the edge, leaving Specter with just the head. ¡®That¡¯s bad.¡¯ It took a few moments for the sound of impact to reach him. ¡®This place is enormous,¡¯ he thought uneasily as the echo of the fall reverberated through the cavern, heightening the sense of danger. The echo¡¯s gradual disappearance sent an imaginary shiver down Specter¡¯s metallic spine, realizing just how far the cave actually went. He quickly ripped the Glass fragment from the creature¡¯s skull and stashed it in his backpack. As he peered inside the backpack, past the looted Glass, he also spotted the other items he had brought with him, including the two flares. ¡®This is a terrible plan,¡¯ he thought as he snatched one up nonetheless. Specter hesitated, his gaze fixed on the flare in his hand. ¡®I shouldn¡¯t do this¡­ but I still don¡¯t know the threat we¡¯d be facing down there. 20 monsters? 100? 500?¡¯ With a flicker of heat, the flare suddenly burst to life in his grip, casting a bright glow that bathed him in an eerie light. Its illumination danced across his steel plating, casting shimmering reflections that seemed to breathe life into his metallic form. Specter then peeked over the ledge once more before tossing the flare into the expansive chamber below. As the flare descended, it illuminated the room, gradually unveiling its secrets. The cavern was teeming with hundreds of monsters, clinging to the walls or skittering across the twisting vines. Instead of a few sacks filled with monsters, he spotted dozens of them littering the space, each containing their own potential horrors, with some creatures already clawing their way out. As the flare reached the bottom, it illuminated a seething mass of monstrous shapes entangled around a core of vines and roots, its faint glow obscured by the sheer density of all the creatures. Many of them froze up while watching the flare roll closer, their focus shifting instantly. In that brief moment, Specter glimpsed the Orb beneath their writhing mass, pulsating like a beacon. The flare eventually rolled to a stop against one of the monsters there, producing an angry hiss. In response, most of the monsters inside the chamber turned their sights towards Specter¡¯s position. With a collective roar, they charged, filling the chamber with footsteps and a hatred for anything living¡ªmetal or flesh. Not needing any more encouragement, Specter turned and scampered back through the passage. ¡®Shit, shit, shit!¡¯ (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 7 (Douchy Dirt Bikes) CHAPTER SEVEN Douchy Dirt Bikes Day 65 Marcus Marcus tugged the overflowing garbage bag out of the bin, knotting it tightly before putting in a fresh one. Balancing both the bag and the trash bin, he made his way back to his friend''s food truck. As he approached the vehicle, he overheard Felix¡¯s conversation with two of the guards. ¡®No doubt buttering them to get info about Guild activities and the booking of Spheres by Breachers.¡¯ Marcus smirked as he heard Felix recycle one of his trademark jokes. Stepping out of the truck again, Marcus retrieved the foldable tables and chairs nearby, clicking his tongue at the mess the Breachers had left behind just a few minutes earlier. ¡®Is it too much for them to clean up after themselves?¡¯ Turning his head, he caught sight of the massive red Sphere to his right, surrounded by thick walls and barbed wire. Parked trucks nearby held containers filled with dead monsters, Monster-Glass, and materials recovered from the field. ¡®Looks like they had a decent haul,¡¯ he thought, noting the emblem of a powerful guild on the vehicles before turning his attention back to the task. Folding up the nearest table, he frowned when he noticed gum stuck to the bottom. ¡®Oh, come on! Really?¡¯ Annoyed, he used a nearby pebble to pry it off, unwilling to touch some Breacher¡¯s dried-up, saliva-covered gum. ¡°Finders keepers,¡± Felix quipped as he walked up to his friend, giving his shoulder a casual pat when he noticed what Marcus was up to. ¡°You should totally eat it. It looks yummy. Perks of working for me.¡± Marcus glanced over his shoulder, catching his friend¡¯s wide grin. Holding out the gum-covered pebble to Felix, he responded, ¡°Since you¡¯re my best friend and boss, how about you have it? After all, we share everything. Even split, right?¡± ¡°I just ate, sorry,¡± Felix replied, stepping back playfully before helping with the remaining chairs and tables. Together, they loaded everything into the food truck before hopping into the front seat. ¡°And that¡¯s number four. One more to go. The next one is a light blue, not guild-owned, so I doubt we¡¯ll make much. But hey, it¡¯s on our way back and credits are credits.¡± ¡°Works for me,¡± Marcus said, briefly turning on his phone to check his mail, only to find it empty. He shut it off again and tossed it onto the dashboard before closing his eyes for a moment. ¡°You good?¡± Felix asked, eyeing his friend, who responded with a noncommittal grunt. ¡°Dude, you¡¯ve been quiet lately... scratch that, ever since you woke up from your decade-long nap you¡¯ve been quiet, distant even. But today, you¡¯re annoyingly silent. So, you good?¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m all right,¡± Marcus lied, flashing a fake grin at his friend. ¡°I just lost something and it¡¯s bugging me a lot.¡± Felix watched him for a few seconds before shrugging, then started the engine and filled the air with loud salsa music. Marcus glanced out the window, his gaze fixed on the red Sphere as they drove away, the strange distortion effect of the barrier almost taunting him. ¡®Where the hell are you, Specter?¡¯ he thought, forcing himself to relax. He had spent the entire morning and afternoon working with Felix, but Marcus¡¯s mind kept drifting to Specter, who hadn¡¯t returned the previous night. Initially, he assumed the robot was hiding and would return later. But with no text or email, doubt had crept in. ¡®Specter¡¯s fine,¡¯ he reassured himself, trying to quell his worries. ¡®It¡¯s been in that Sphere countless times. And it¡¯s more mature than me, acting more like Dad would.¡¯ His train of thought was interrupted as Felix nudged him in the ribs. ¡°Sorry, what were you saying?¡± Marcus asked as he shifted his attention back to his friend. ¡°I said that you look like you need to take a shit,¡± Felix stated bluntly, turning down the radio. ¡°Like a massive one. What¡¯d you lose that¡¯s got you all worked up? Something expensive?¡± ¡°Something like that. Feels more like a part of me,¡± Marcus murmured. He settled deeper into his seat, gaze fixed on the red sneakers that had once belonged to their friend Oscar, who died during the Great Impact. Remembering how his friend died only further increased his worries for Specter. ¡°Never mind. So, how¡¯s the haul shaping up today?¡± ¡°Decent enough. Not as flashy as your last Breacher paycheck, but we¡¯re looking at several hundred credits each,¡± Felix said, cheerfully tapping his steering wheel. His mood soured slightly when Marcus stayed silent. The upbeat rhythm of salsa played softly in the background, contrasting with the growing silence between them. ¡°You know,¡± Felix started again, pausing for a second as if choosing his words carefully. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this if you don¡¯t want to, right? Tag along with me on these rides, I mean. Being a Breacher pays well, and with me, you¡¯d have work longer hours and do shitty chores like scraping gum¡ª¡± ¡°You¡¯re an idiot,¡± Marcus said suddenly, cutting off his friend, followed up with a sigh. ¡°I like working with you. The music is tolerable, the grub¡¯s alright, and the pay¡¯s more than I deserve. End of discussion.¡± He smiled as Felix nodded, looking reassured. It pained Marcus to hide the truth from his best friend. It was true that he enjoyed working together and was picking up some needed skills in the kitchen, but he was also using these moments to learn more about the nearby Spheres and get a closeup of their onsite security. He already had his eye on three potential Spheres to hit next, all close enough to reach by bike or on foot, with security weak spots a robot could slip through. Thinking about his steel companion soured his mood, so Marcus turned his focus back to Felix. ¡°So, about this next Sphere... tell me all about it.¡± - - - Felix cut the engine of the food truck as they arrived at their next spot. Mere seconds later, Marcus emerged from the back, carrying a large wooden sign. He quickly set it up outside to display their meals and their prices. Shortly after, Felix got to work setting up the foldable chairs, tables and trash bins. Marcus¡¯s glance shifted to the large light blue Orb in the distance, surrounded by a thick wall. A guard station stood before it, and another wall loomed on the opposite side, forming two protective circles. He scanned the area, noting the flattened ground and gravel surrounding him. Near the entrance, a few government officials and security personnel bustled about, overseeing various groups of Breachers that were getting ready to brave the Sphere. Each group was checked in and had their gear inspected, reminding Marcus of his first official Breacher job with the Salamanders. His eyebrow arched when he spotted two Breachers who had brough dirt bikes with them. ¡°What the hell?¡± Marcus muttered, stepping towards the gatehouse to get a closer look. ¡°Who in their right mind brings a motorcycle with them inside a Sphere?¡± ¡°Hey, as long as it¡¯s not electric,¡± Felix muttered as he walked past Marcus to set up a few more tables. Marcus turned around to face his friend. ¡°I know non-electric gear is fine,¡± he said, remembering the time he had brought a flashlight with him and how it had instantly broken down the second he passed through the barrier of the Sphere. ¡°But seriously, dirt bikes? Even you have to admit that¡¯s a bit weird, right?¡± Felix just shrugged. ¡°No offense, but most Breachers are nuts, you know. I mean the ¡®off their meds¡¯ kind of crazy,¡± he remarked as he set up another chair. ¡°Look at your sister¡¯s guild. Those guys use armored vehicles with goddamn flamethrowers and gas attacks. That¡¯s bonkers. And I¡¯ve even heard of guilds that use drop pods or even bring in artillery.¡± ¡°Wait, drop pods?¡± Marcus asked. ¡°Yep,¡± his friend confirmed, gesturing toward the tip of the Sphere. ¡°Helicopter lowers an armored pod, slowly guiding it through the Sphere before they cut the cable. It slams down right in the heart of the Sphere, and out come a dozen angry Breachers, all with pent-up aggression, cutting a straight path to the Orb. It¡¯s like Troy¡¯s wooden horse thingy, but instead, they just chug it right on top of their enemy like an orbital strike. So, with all that going on in the world, and the fact that most of you people are dressed up as medieval knights, sorry if I¡¯m not too impressed by a bunch of blokes on dirt bikes.¡± ¡°Valid points,¡± Marcus said as he watched the Breachers slowly enter the Sphere one by one. ¡°Still, all of this feels a bit insane.¡± ¡°Preaching to the choir, mate,¡± Felix agreed before pointing towards his food truck. ¡°Now, less talk, more lifting. I¡¯m not paying for your winning personality.¡± Hissing like a cat, Felix shooed Marcus back to the truck. Marcus reached the food truck and stepped inside, starting to set up their station. He arranged the knives on the table, then grabbed another table and placed it outside. He returned to the truck for the last trash bin but paused to check his phone for any word from Specter. ¡®Come on, mate. Where are you?¡¯ he thought, a flash of concern creeping into his mind again. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. A sudden commotion erupted among the guards as those near the Sphere¡¯s perimeter bolted toward the gatehouse, seeking shelter. ¡°Runners!¡± one shouted, his voice sharp with panic, while others trained their weapons on the Sphere. Felix, nearby, turned to see the source of the alarm. He saw monsters slowly emerging through the barrier, hissing and growling as their faces pushed through. The towering creatures, covered in chitinous armor, had scythe-like arms and heads bristling with eyes. Despite the guards¡¯ gunfire, a few monsters pushed fully past the barrier and charged at the retreating men. Bullets felled some creatures before they reached their targets, while others convulsed, clawing at their monstrous heads before collapsing. The guards retreated past the gatehouse into the outer ring, where Marcus and Felix stood between the parked food truck and other cars. Felix stepped back, watching one of the guards dashed towards him, intermittently firing at an oncoming monster until the man¡¯s ammo ran dry. The creature closed in, but before it reached the guard, a trash bin smashed into it, knocking it back several paces. ¡°What the¡ª¡± Felix began, but before he could finish, a blur resembling Marcus shot past him, brandishing two sharp kitchen knives. As the dazed monster struggled to rise, Marcus pounced, driving his heel into its face to keep it down. He then jumped onto the creatures torso with his knees before driving his knives into the creature¡¯s dangerous limbs, twisting and mangling the flesh around the joins to prevent it from using its arms. Dropping the knives, Marcus then delivered a series of punches to the monster¡¯s throat before snapping it¡¯s neck to finish it. Retrieving his blood-stained knives, he stood, scanning the area to see most monsters dead or incapacitated. Marcus noticed another monster off to the side, falling to its knees with no visible wounds on its chitinous frame, frantically clawing at the back of its head. He spotted one of the guards attempting to reload his weapon, trembling hands fumbling with the cartridge. Slowly, Marcus approached the monster, holding up his hand to let the guard know that he would take care of the threat. Nearing it, Marcus watched the monster hiss and gasp, as if unable to breathe. "No Mana in the air to sustain you guys, huh?" he whispered, kneeling closer to meet the creature¡¯s gaze with its many eyes, careful to stay out of reach of its sharp limbs. ¡®I always thought they died instantly when they got outside a Sphere,¡¯ Marcus thought, a hint of uncertainty creeping in as he grasped his ignorance about these creatures despite everything he had learned in the past weeks. As the last of the monster¡¯s life ebbed away, Marcus shot forward, driving a knife beneath its jaw and into its head. Blood sprayed everywhere, coating his arm and the ground in thick, messy bursts. After a few satisfying twists, he withdrew the knife before seeing the creature drop to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Marcus flipped the monster onto its stomach, then used one of the knives to cut the Glass from its skull before getting back up, clutching both blades and the bloody piece of Glass. He noticed Felix a short distance away, mouth agape and eyes wide with shock. The guard cautiously approached, his footsteps echoing softly in the silence that followed. With a shaky hand, he aimed his weapon at the monster¡¯s head, his expression grim. Two sharp cracks rang out as he fired at the monster¡¯s head, clearly not taking any chances. The guard¡¯s gaze softened as he took in Marcus¡¯s bloodied appearance, checking for signs of injury. ¡°You okay?¡± the guard asked in an unsettled voice. Marcus just nodded before tossing the piece of Glass to the man, who barely caught it. ¡°So, I take it this doesn¡¯t happen often?¡± ¡°You mean the runners?¡± the guard asked, staring at Marcus. He suddenly noticed the black Marks on his face and relaxed. ¡°No, not that often... some Spheres have a higher chance to spawn them. But they are rare. It¡¯s... it¡¯s my first time actually seeing it.¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s good to hear this isn¡¯t commonplace,¡± Marcus said. He made his way over to Felix, who stood next to another guard asking if he was alright. Marcus took in the sight of the dead monster nearby, its neck still twisted at an awkward angle. ¡°Sorry about your knives, Felix,¡± he said before he handed his friend the blood-stained blades, noticing the slight bend in one of them. ¡°I¡¯ll pay for them.¡± ¡°Yeah...¡± Felix muttered, his eyes fixed on Marcus as he made his way towards the food truck, peeling off his blood-stained shirt and using the clean bits to wipe away the rest of the blood from his body. Felix noticed the scars and black Marks etched on the right side of Marcus¡¯s frame, along with his more muscular and toned physique compared to just a few months ago. ¡°¡­ don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Felix finally managed to mutter, his mind slowly coming to terms with how much his friend had changed. - - - ¡°I said I¡¯m fine,¡± Felix said two hours later, hunched over a table inside the Old Alley, cradling his beer, peeling the label into smaller bits. ¡°I just freak out when I see... those... things.¡± Sam, the owner of the place, approached and gently pried the bottle out of Felix¡¯s grasp, exchanging it for a fresh one without a word. ¡°That¡¯s normal. I mean, they¡¯re monsters, right?¡± Marcus said, giving his friend¡¯s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. ¡°And those sword-arm things... scythe arms? They looked nasty. Anyone would freak out seeing them outside a Sphere and charging at people.¡± ¡°You... didn¡¯t,¡± Felix murmured, his words laced with a touch of accusation. ¡°You were the only one who didn¡¯t lose it.¡± Sam, listening in on their exchange, shook his head before commenting, ¡°Because he¡¯s a bigger idiot than you.¡± ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s true,¡± Marcus agreed, flashing a grin as he watched Sam walk away to deal with another patron. ¡°But it¡¯s over now.¡± He gave his friend¡¯s shoulder another pat. ¡°You said yourself you¡¯ve only witnessed it once before, right? So, it¡¯s not something¡ª¡± ¡°Last time I shat myself,¡± Felix whispered as he lowered his head. ¡°This time I just froze in place. I¡¯m not sure which is worse. At least the shitting part involved some sort of activity.¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯m glad that didn¡¯t happen. Would¡¯ve made for an awkward ride home,¡± Marcus said, sitting next to Felix, searching for some reassuring words but coming up empty. They sat in silence for a while, Marcus cradling a glass of water and eating a few peanuts, while Felix nursed his fresh beer. Eventually, Marcus reached for his cellphone, his fingers fidgeting as he checked for messages from Specter. Glancing at the time, a knot formed in his stomach¡ªit was already ten in the evening. ¡®Please don¡¯t be dead,¡¯ he silently pleaded, his grip tightening on the phone. Slowly, he rose from his seat. ¡°I¡¯ve got a busy day tomorrow. So, I¡¯m going to head to bed early. What about¡ª¡± ¡°I hate this part of myself... I wish I could change... not be such a coward,¡± Felix said, regret thick in his voice as he stared at his beer, fingers idly tearing at the label again. ¡°I wish I were brave... like you. But I...¡± He paused, his eyes losing focus for a moment. ¡°I just freeze up, or even worse... I run away.¡± Marcus leaned in closer to his friend, wrapping an arm around Felix¡¯s neck and pressing his head against his. ¡°That¡¯s rich coming from the man who literally carried me through a burning, collapsing building full of monsters, enduring Mana-sickness just to get my lazy ass to a hospital. The guy that did that is my hero,¡± Marcus said, releasing Felix before tousling his curly hair. ¡°Today wasn¡¯t fun. It was horrible seeing those ugly creatures up close, so sulk and be broody all you want. You deserve it. But if you ever insult the bravery of my best and only friend again¡±¡ªMarcus shifted, making eye contact with Felix, flashing a reassuring smile¡ª¡°I¡¯ll kick your ass. Got it?¡± Felix paused for a moment before muttering something that sounded like a ¡®got it¡¯. After hearing it, Marcus straightened up, concern in his eyes as he watched his friend continue to sulk. He then shifted his attention to Sam in the distance, seeing the old man give him a reassuring nod, as if he¡¯d keep an eye on Felix. ¡°We¡¯ll talk soon,¡± Marcus said, tapping his knuckles twice against Felix¡¯s table before heading behind the bar and through the door into a small hallway. He glanced at his phone again, still finding no messages or emails. ¡®Specter, where the hell are you?¡¯ he thought before opening his banking app. He saw two transactions: one from Felix for his day¡¯s work, the other from the site official for helping with the monsters. Though the latter wasn¡¯t much, Marcus still appreciated the gesture. He had shared half with Felix, despite his protests that an even split didn¡¯t include rewards for killing monsters. After checking for messages again and finding none, he switched off his phone and tucked it into his pocket. He headed toward the stairs, mentally gearing up to retrieve his equipment and search for his missing companion inside the Sphere near the lake. As Marcus took the first step up the stairs, a fragmented memory suddenly flashed in his mind: seeing pieces of Monster-Glass scattered on a table. ¡®Specter!¡¯ Marcus¡¯s thoughts raced as he dashed up the stairs, skipping as many steps as he could manage without slamming face first into them. He struggled with his keys before unlocking his room, noticing the shadowy figure of his companion inside, still clad in the tattered black raincoat, now looking even more damaged. ¡°Don¡¯t be angry... please,¡± Specter pleaded, its voice eerily reminiscent of Marcus¡¯s father in that instant. Marcus quickly closed the door behind him and flicked on the light. In the sudden brightness, Specter¡¯s condition became clear¡ªmost of its protective plastic missing or broken, its steel frame marred by lengthy cuts and dents, and even a missing steel finger. ¡°What happened to¡ª¡± ¡°I messed up, got overconfident, and paid the price,¡± the robot interrupted him, displaying its damaged hand and wiggling its remaining fingers. ¡°I¡¯m barely holding together, the lens is scratched up, I¡¯m missing bolts and screws, and I can¡¯t hear properly on the left side. I think something got knocked loose there.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Marcus demanded, feeling anger rise within him until he recalled his oath to himself, his family, and Specter. He suppressed it, letting it smolder coldly in the depths of his soul. ¡®Focus on what¡¯s important,¡¯ he reminded himself as he approached Specter, taking a seat at the table opposite it. He noticed the Glass pieces on the table as well, most of them still stained with blood and gore. ¡°What can I do to help?¡± ¡°Repairs for a start. That or a lot of duct tape and a DVD boxset of MacGyver,¡± Specter replied, amused, gesturing at the scratched lens in its face. ¡°New camera sounds good. And I¡¯ve got some ideas for improving this frame further, both long and short term. But firstly, I want you to listen,¡± it said, leaning closer to Marcus, demanding his full attention. ¡°I spent the whole night in the Sphere by the lake. By the time I got out, it was morning and I couldn¡¯t make it home in time, so I had to wait until it got dark again.¡± Marcus nodded along, seeming to follow the robot¡¯s reasoning. ¡°I started picking off a few monsters on the shore, like I usually do. But when I saw fewer of them than normal, I got bold and decided to scout the old restaurant while I had the chance.¡± Specter rummaged in its backpack and passed Marcus a bent and twisted knife. ¡°It went as well as you might expect, but... I caught a glimpse of the Orb. I know exactly where it is now and the terrain near it.¡± ¡°This was too risky, Specter. You know that, right?¡± Marcus said softly, suppressing his anger and focusing only on Specter¡¯s wellbeing. ¡°What if you got damaged to the point where you couldn¡¯t have made it back? Or worse?¡± ¡°Then a part of your mind would¡¯ve died, or it would be stuck in my Orb, or it would return to you. We don¡¯t know,¡± it said, its icy tone mirroring the gravity of the message. ¡°But it was worth it, trust me.¡± ¡°How could it?¡± Marcus asked, his tone firm. ¡°We already figured the Orb was there, given the building¡¯s location in the center of the Sphere. How is confirming its position worth the risks you just took?¡± ¡°Because¡­¡± Specter said as it leaned closer to Marcus, placing its steel hand on his shoulder. Moments later, their minds synchronized in an uncomfortable torrent of memories and emotions, but one stood out the most: a cavern teeming with vines, roots, and monsters. ¡°¡­I¡¯ve got a plan to score at least a hundred Glass pieces, while securing us another Orb. And it¡¯ll only cost us a few credits.¡± Marcus panted, drawing back as the connection stopped, shaking his head in an attempt to process the sudden flood of memories he now owned. ¡°What the hell... that place is a death trap,¡± he muttered, recalling Specter throwing a flare inside, and the swarm of monsters that had emerged. Chaotic memories now were available to his mind, allowing him to recall how Specter had bolted out of the building, fighting his way through the woods, and even being attacked as he plunged into the lake again. ¡°Even with another robot, I don¡¯t see us beating that many of them,¡± Marcus said, glancing at Specter, who remained oddly calm. ¡°What do you even need the credits for, and how much do you need?¡± In response, Specter just leaned back, crossing his steel legs in an almost relaxed posture. ¡°Any idea how much old car tires cost nowadays?¡± (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 8 (Lobotomy Surprise) CHAPTER EIGHT Lobotomy Surprise Day 66 The next day, Marcus found himself leaning against a counter within the old hardware store, his attention shifting between shelves stacked with parts and supplies. A full shopping basket sat on the counter beside him, flanked by oversized plastic containers. He tapped his fingers against the counter, the sound faint in the quiet shop. Occasionally, he sniffed the air, hoping his heightened Perception Stat would reveal more about his surroundings, proving the Stat point had been worth it and not a waste of Glass. Yet, he could only vaguely detect hints of oil. ¡®It¡¯s only one point... I shouldn¡¯t expect that much.¡¯ The sound of footsteps caught Marcus¡¯s attention, and he turned to see the old man, Pete, approach with a large plastic bag. With a heavy thud, the bag landed on the counter, prompting Marcus to face the old man and the package. ¡°Is that it?¡± Marcus asked, eyes widening for a moment. ¡°Don¡¯t ask stupid questions,¡± Pete grumbled as he removed the plastic wrapping. ¡°Like I¡¯m going to drag a heavy piece of metal around for fun.¡± Without any flourish, he revealed the repaired metal arm of Marcus¡¯s latest robot. Despite the lingering cuts and dents on the exterior, the internal components appeared to be properly fixed. ¡°The upper arm was still fine, just needed some cleaning and a bit of hammering to straighten things out. The lower part needed a bit more love, and I had to replace a piston.¡± ¡°It looks great,¡± Marcus said , running his hands over the arm, testing its flexibility by bending it and wiggling the steel fingers. ¡°It looks like crap,¡± the man grumbled, sliding a small USB stick onto the table beside the arm. ¡°As for your other request. I recorded the whole process, explained every step why I did what I did, and what I¡¯d have done different given more time and tools. It was a very weird request... even from you.¡± With a deliberate motion, the old man pressed his index finger on the stick, inching it slowly closer to Marcus. ¡°This better not end up on some weird website, you hear me?¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡ª¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah... art project. I don¡¯t want the details,¡± Pete cut in, shaking his head as he moved away from the counter, muttering the word ¡®bullshit¡¯ before disappearing through the door again. Marcus couldn¡¯t help but suppress a smirk as he tucked the USB stick into his pocket and re-wrapped the robot arm in plastic. Moments later, the shopkeeper returned with a box brimming with parts, topped with several solid steel rods. Marcus could see how each rod had a sharpened tip and was roughly the same size as a short spear. ¡°Here¡¯s the rest of the stuff,¡± the man grumbled, opening the box to reveal spare pistons, motors, and various other parts. ¡°The rods that you assured me aren¡¯t weapons, but objects to keep your art project in place.¡± The shopkeeper paused, giving Marcus a slightly bored and skeptical glance that spoke of a silent understanding of the pretense that they both had to maintain. ¡°Made from the best steel I have. If you want better, you¡¯ll need a specialist or access to Breacher gear.¡± ¡°This should do fine for now,¡± Marcus said before gesturing towards the overflowing, unsightly blue shopping basket on the counter beside him, and the empty heavy-duty plastic containers. ¡°And I¡¯ll take these too.¡± The man grabbed the shopping basket, peering inside to find several hand axes, dozens of flares, steel plates, knives, balloons, a small speaker, and other odds and ends. He scanned each item, shaking his head at the sheer amount of axes. ¡°Got enough credits, lad?¡± In response, Marcus just nodded, prompting the man to stare at him for a moment. ¡°Alright, anything else?¡± he asked, scanning the last item before dumping it to the growing pile. ¡°Do you happen to stock any spray paint? I¡¯m looking for black, non-reflective and waterproof.¡± ¡°Aisle nine,¡± Pete said, casually pointing in the direction of the correct aisle before he continued in a sarcastic tone, ¡°Probably the one with the big ¡®paint¡¯ sign hanging above it.¡± Shaking his head, the old man grabbed a few large plastic bags to pack all of Marcus¡¯s items, shaking his head again at the amount of items today. Marcus returned a few minutes later, carrying cans of black spray paint and several other colors, causing the shopkeeper to speak up again. ¡°Is that everything?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t happen to sell cameras by chance?¡± Marcus asked, well aware that he was probably pissing the man off with all of his questions. The man shook his head. ¡°Nearest electronic store¡¯s a few blocks north from here. Or you could try the local pawnshop.¡± ¡°What about hunting stores? For ammunition and¡ª¡± ¡°You got a firearms license?¡± The shopkeeper¡¯s interruption halted Marcus mid-sentence. In response, the young man shook his head, prompting the shopkeeper to sigh. ¡°Then no. Rules are pretty strict these days in the Netherlands. You can still buy bows and crossbows for hunting, but guns and other fancy equipment needs paperwork and long waiting time. That or a lot of credits. I take it your art project is time-sensitive?¡± ¡°It¡¯s due in a day, maybe two,¡± Marcus mused, then turned to Pete again. ¡°Do I need a license to buy bear mace?¡± The old man raised an eyebrow at the question before speaking up, ¡°Lad, there aren¡¯t any bears in this bloody country.¡± He watched Marcus continue to stare at him, as if still expecting an answer. ¡°Why are you asking me? Do I look like I¡¯m in charge of their stock? Just go over there and ask them.¡± ¡°Yeah, sorry. I¡¯ll do that,¡± Marcus said, reaching for his phone and opening his banking app. He placed the phone against the register as the old man slowly swiveled the screen towards Marcus, revealing the sum total. Marcus did his best to stay composed when he saw the amount and not wince when he felt his phone vibrate once, indicating the loss of a sizable chunk of credits. ¡°Thanks again for the help,¡± he said, struggling more with the bulk of his items than their weight as he balanced them in his hands. ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± the man said, gesturing with his hand dismissively as he watched Marcus head towards the door. He observed the young man awkwardly using his foot to pry it open, then navigating out without bumping into anything with the sharpened steel rods. ¡°Hey kid,¡± the shopkeeper suddenly called out, surprising both himself and Marcus, who turned around. ¡°Don¡¯t get yourself killed out there, alright?¡± Marcus paused for a second before flashing a smile and stepping outside, letting the door close behind him. The old man stared at the door for a moment, his brow narrowing, before he turned back to his work. ¡°Art project, my ass,¡± he muttered as he grabbed a nearby broom and began to tidy up his shop. - - - Marcus and Specter sat on the sofa in his apartment a few hours later, each with their feet propped up on the table in front of them. Between them, a laptop displayed the ¡®documentary¡¯ of the old man¡¯s explanation on metalworking and repair techniques, while Marcus¡¯s smartphone was next to it, paused on a video showcasing close combat strategies frequently used by Breachers. Still, despite the material in front of them, both were looking past the screens, their attention fixed on the hulking robot before them. Every metal piece on its frame was painted black, while the thick plastic armor pieces were now painted green. A sturdy backpack hung from its waist, while two axes and a simple hammer were duct-taped to its side. It had also taped several knives to its chest, allowing it quick access. Its left hand gripped a thick steel shield with spikes on the outside, while its right held a steel short spear. ¡°One more time,¡± Marcus instructed, watching as the robot assumed a defensive stance with its shield raised. It then executed a series of combat maneuvers¡ªquick stabs, shield bashes, lifting the shield to stab underneath, retreating, and other maneuvers. The machine¡¯s motors and pistons kept the movements steady, showing no signs of slowing or tiring. ¡®Even with my boosted Stats, my muscles would be aching by now.¡¯ Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. ¡°Form looks solid,¡± Specter commented, observing its steel counterpart. ¡°Although we haven¡¯t got the faintest clue about what is or isn¡¯t proper form. But, based on my experienced at getting mauled by monsters, I¡¯d say our brother¡¯s new setup will make those bastards think twice.¡± ¡°We¡¯re just a bunch of idiots with weapons,¡± Marcus said, agreeing with Specter before he clapped his hands, signaling the big robot to stop. Specter rose from the couch, grabbing two pillows as it approached the other robot. ¡°Still, we don¡¯t need to be weapon experts,¡± it remarked, facing the other robot. ¡°The spear has been around almost as long as humanity itself. I mean,¡± it said, stepping back a few paces, ¡°the pointy end goes into the enemy, then you pull it out. Repeat until we win. It isn¡¯t rocket science. And I¡¯m pretty sure we don¡¯t need a lot of skill in using an axe or knife.¡± It then nodded to the larger robot, which assumed a defensive stance again, shield out in front. Specter then shot forward as fast as it could, pillows out in front as it launched itself at his opponent. It slammed into the larger robot¡¯s shield before Specter¡¯s momentum suddenly stopped and it fell backwards, hitting the ground hard. Specter then pointed its hand up in the air, giving a thumbs up. ¡°I think it¡¯s ready.¡± ¡°I am,¡± the larger robot said awkwardly, still getting used to its voice¡ªan almost perfect copy of Marcus¡¯s. ¡°The new arm feels... fine,¡± it added, flexing its repaired limb. ¡°Strong.¡± Specter slowly rose, tossing the two pillows back onto the couch before approaching the large robot again. It tapped its hand against the shield, producing a dull thud. ¡°So, my boy here handles defense while I handle scouting and help with attacking. And you?¡± Specter asked, pausing to shift its attention back to Marcus. ¡°Try not to become monster food and thank my robot overlords for all their hard work?¡± Marcus said with a shrug. ¡°Exactly. Foolproof,¡± Specter remarked, taking a seat on the table in front of Marcus, while the other robot started practicing with the shield and spear again. ¡°Look, I know you have doubts about this. But I saw what I saw back then. You¡¯ve seen it through my eyes... err... ¡®lens¡¯,¡± it said, folding its steel fingers and straightening up. ¡°Hundreds of monsters, with only a small entrance from what I could see. There might be others, but if all goes well, we won¡¯t need to worry about that.¡± ¡°It still means potentially facing a literal horde of monsters,¡± Marcus said, sinking deep into the couch. ¡°Even with the three of us¡ªand me hitting Power rating ten once I use the rest of the Glass¡ªit¡¯s still a huge risk.¡± ¡°It is,¡± Specter agreed while picking up Marcus¡¯s phone and opening his Breacher¡¯s app that listed all the available Spheres in the area, along with their booking status. It then pointed to one near the lake that they had raided quite a few times already. ¡°This Sphere has been active for three years. Parties can book slots to fight monsters and hunt for resources, but with the agreement that the Orb must remain untouched,¡± it explained, handing the phone back to Marcus. It tapped on the screen, indicating that the next slot was already taken. ¡°Essentially, it¡¯s a farm. And the same party that had booked it the last two days has reserved it for three more.¡± Marcus nodded, recalling Specter¡¯s previous mention of it. ¡°And you said this party is thorough in their clearing, right?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Specter nodded, its damaged lens focusing on Marcus. ¡°Though I usually stayed near the shoreline, even I noticed a decrease in monster activity last time. This group of Breachers knows what they are doing and will leave a weakened Sphere for us.¡± ¡°So, we go in right after their last reserved day, when the Breachers have done the heavy lifting, and hit the Orb at night,¡± Marcus suggested, struggling not to smile at the idea of tearing out the Orb and actually destroying a Sphere himself. He understood the risks, especially with Specter¡¯s plan to handle the monsters, but he couldn¡¯t deny his own excitement. Specter nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll wait inside the Sphere in the water, ready for the Breachers to leave. Then I¡¯ll get out and take out any survivors or new monsters along our route to the old restaurant. When you two arrive, we can strike at the center of the Sphere right away.¡± Marcus¡¯s smile broke through as he closed his eyes and leaned backward. ¡°I thought we agreed to grow up and be smart about things?¡± he asked, opening his right eye to look at the robot. ¡°I recall you even choking me to drive that point home.¡± ¡°This is different,¡± Specter said, tapping Marcus¡¯s knee before moving away from the couch. ¡°We¡¯ve got a plan, a third member of our wolfpack, and we¡¯re better armed. Sometimes, being smart means taking calculated risks when opportunity knocks.¡± An alarm suddenly sounded on Marcus¡¯s phone, interrupting their conversation. Immediately, the larger robot ceased its activity, setting aside its spear and shield. It then made its way over to Specter and Marcus. ¡°Two hours of Mana left,¡± it reported, proceeding to clear the table with as much grace as a hulking robot could. ¡°Speaking of taking risks,¡± Specter uttered, a trace of hesitation in its voice. ¡°It¡¯ll be fine,¡± Marcus said as he got up to his feet and grabbed a few of the tools he¡¯d need. ¡°You don¡¯t get to say that,¡± Specter muttered, sinking onto the table and then reclining onto its back. ¡°I¡¯m the one who¡¯s risking getting lobotomized.¡± Marcus just shook his head as he placed the tools on the table before picking up three small boxes and setting them down beside Specter. With deliberate care, he began to unpack them, revealing three small cameras. One resembled the damaged one already in Specter¡¯s head, but without the scratches. The other two were slightly smaller but had a more sophisticated design. ¡°Don¡¯t be so dramatic,¡± Marcus said, his tone reassuring. ¡°We¡¯re just replacing your busted-up camera and upgrading your vision with one of these three, possibly two if there¡¯s enough room.¡± Specter gestured towards the tools Marcus had retrieved earlier. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m allowed to be dramatic when you¡¯re about to literally yank out my eye and leave me with a gaping hole in my head.¡± In response, the other larger robot moved closer to Specter, its movements exaggeratedly slow and deliberate, like a villain in a melodramatic play as it leaned in close before whispering, ¡°Drama queen.¡± It then snatched up a nearby drill and gave the trigger two quick squeezes, causing the drill to spin with two satisfying hums. ¡°We could always use this one if you want?¡± ¡°Enough, you two,¡± Marcus intervened with an amused grin before focusing his attention on Specter. ¡°Do you want me to undo the Echo effect before I start?¡± His expression softened with empathy as he stared at the prone robot. He didn¡¯t need a mental link with Specter to grasp what it might be going through. ¡®I used to dread going to the dentist or hospital visits. This, though, feels like hellish territory.¡¯ ¡°No. I¡¯d rather stay in this body,¡± Specter replied, rapping its knuckles on the table to signal the start of the operation. ¡°Now, less talking, more eyeball pulling,¡± it said bravely, eyeing Marcus as the man reached for a flat screwdriver and undid two screws before he slid it beneath the scratched camera lens. Specter clenched its fists and stayed perfectly still as Marcus applied pressure, slowly easing the camera out. ¡°Almost there,¡± Marcus grunted as he felt the camera begin to shift more easily, then suddenly encountering a stretchy resistance. ¡®Now to deal with the weird veins,¡¯ he thought, carefully grasping the damaged camera with his right hand and Specter¡¯s head with his left. ¡°One... two...¡± With a sudden jerk at the second count, he yanked out the lens, releasing a spray of light blue liquid and disintegrating glowing veins. Stumbling backward, Marcus inspected his ¡®bloody¡¯ hand as the strange liquid evaporated within seconds, leaving only the camera behind. ¡°Well, that¡¯s the first part,¡± he said to Specter, placing the lens on the nearby couch before nodding to the larger robot, who handed him one of the new cameras. ¡°You good, Specter?¡± he asked before seeing the robot give him a thumbs up and muttering something about how messed up all of this was. Marcus moved closer to Specter, noting the otherwise motionless frame, save for the occasional foot wiggle and raised thumbs-up. All of it was enough for Marcus to know that Specter was still present, despite the absent camera and the hole in its head. ¡®I need to stop thinking their bodies are like mine.¡¯ Curious, Marcus peered into the opening, glimpsing the inner workings of the robot¡ªremnants of old hardware, likely operating systems, now rusted and broken but firmly lodged in place. He carefully probed inside with his finger, nudging a few pieces loose after a bit of wiggling. ¡®''I always assumed Specter¡¯s thoughts and movement were tied to some brain or hardware inside its head. But maybe the Orb holds their minds?¡¯ Marcus thought, his expression hardening. ¡®Even now, weeks later, I¡¯m still clueless about what these Orbs are and my own Abilities.¡¯ After a brief pause, with Marcus continuing to stare into the cavity in Specter¡¯s head, the robot suddenly piped up. ¡°Well... what¡¯s happening?¡± ¡°New plan. Looks like you¡¯re getting that lobotomy after all. We¡¯re going to remove your faceplate and hollow out your head,¡± Marcus said while shifting his gaze towards the other robot. ¡°Hand me the power tools.¡± Specter¡¯s voice took on a fearful pitch at the sound of whirring power tools by its head. ¡°Wait? What?¡± it exclaimed, panic creeping into its tone. ¡°Guys... I was kidding about being ready for this. Please undo the Echo... Marcus? Marcus!¡± ¡°Echo¡± Specter¡¯s robotic frame suddenly went still, its consciousness merging back into Marcus¡¯s mind, fortifying his mental capacity. With their reunion, Marcus absorbed the wave of memories, thoughts, and experiences Specter had built since their last synchronization, including its final moments of fear and confusion. An amused smile played on Marcus¡¯s lips as he shifted his attention to the other robot, ignoring the small spark of irritation in the back of his mind where he could feel the vestiges of Specter cling to its own identity. He slowly placed his hand on the large robot as he closed his eyes, focusing on the part of his mind that was inside of the robot. ¡°Echo¡± He retrieved his mind from the larger robot, becoming whole for the first time in what felt centuries. He paused for a second, enjoying the feeling before he split off half of his mind and poured it back into the robot, along with what made Specter who it was. Releasing the large robot, he watched it shake for a moment as the robot flexed its metal fingers. ¡°You thought you were funny, huh?¡± the robot asked, its voice now resembling Specter¡¯s usual tone. It shifted its gaze to its old body, peering into the hole that was now within the head. ¡°This is proper weird, right?¡± ¡°Yup,¡± Marcus agreed as he carefully removed the screws holding the robot¡¯s face in place before prying off the metal plate. Inside, they could see more of the rusted remnants, prompting Marcus to begin removing and discarding the damaged parts on the table. It didn¡¯t take long before Specter joined him. As they cleared away the debris, the vacant interior of the robot¡¯s head came into view. ¡°Looks like there¡¯s plenty of room.¡± ¡°Is that a jab at my intelligence?¡± Specter¡¯s metallic voice rang out as it turned its head towards Marcus, its lenses fixing on him. Marcus simply shook his head, then held up the faceplate and began muttering something about there being room for more than two. ¡°Wait... all of three of them?¡± Specter asked, a hint of uncertainty creeping into its tone. ¡°You think they¡¯ll all fit? Would that even work? Two I understand, but three seems weird.¡± Marcus just shrugged in response as he took a closer look inside the empty metal head, placing the faceplate next to it. ¡°Only one way to find out, I guess,¡± he said in an amused tone. ¡°And I¡¯ve got another idea for what we can stuff in that empty dome of yours.¡± His hand then moved toward Specter¡¯s old body, pointing at the worn chest full of dents and holes, from which a pulsing dim blue light bled through the cracks and openings. (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 9 (Blood and Iron) CHAPTER NINE Blood and Iron Day 68 Marcus slowly walked toward the old, worn restaurant in the dead of night, passing rows of trees. Strange vegetation had overgrown most of his surroundings. The air was thick with a mixture of bitter and sweet scents, making it hard for him to notice anything else. As he pressed on, the soft thuds of the heavy robot echoed behind him. Marcus held a shield in one hand and a spear in the other, just like his robotic companion that was trailing him. ¡®Just a few more seconds,¡¯ he thought, mentally preparing himself as they approached the building. Marcus noticed fresh signs of combat that hadn¡¯t been there during Specter¡¯s last visit. Large cut marks gouged the brick wall, as if a razor-sharp weapon had slashed deep into it. ¡®A weapon used by a Breacher? An axe or something?¡¯ They circled the worn restaurant until they spotted the front door, where a shrouded figure stood beside two dead monsters. In the darkness, he strained to see Specter in its tattered black raincoat, the ruined fabric giving the robot a ghostly aura. ¡°That¡¯s not creepy at all,¡± Marcus muttered as they approached. Getting closer he saw Specter¡¯s robotic frame through the tears in its clothes¡ªexposed matte-black metal and dark grey plastic plating now having replaced the usual white. ¡°You boys lost?¡± Specter said in an amused but hushed tone. Marcus studied the three lenses in Specter¡¯s head, arranged in a triangular pattern. A faint blue hue glowed from them, effected by the light blue Orb they had crammed inside the head behind the cameras. ¡°Good to see you,¡± Marcus said softly, giving his companion a quick once-over. He looked at the black sneakers now covering Specter¡¯s steel feet, protective gloves, as well as a black hoodie and jeans. Despite the outfit, Marcus was well aware of all the damage that was hidden underneath the clothes. They had patched what they could, but he knew he¡¯d need the old man soon for more serious repairs. ¡®No more glow from the cracks in his torso now that we moved the Orb to his head. Definitely helps with stealth.¡¯ He then shifted his gaze to the dead monsters on the ground and smiled at the sight. ¡°We saw your handiwork on the beach, leading up to the building. Looks like you had fun.¡± Specter nodded. ¡°Oh, I certainly did,¡± it said, patting the backpack secured at its waist. ¡°And it paid off. 11 Glass pieces so far.¡± ¡°Good to hear,¡± Marcus said, studying Specter¡¯s new lenses. Two smaller ones sat below the larger one, and now and then the blue glow inside them brightened or dimmed, as if Specter was adjusting their settings. ¡®The big one is like his old camera¡ªbasic, but with better zoom. The smaller ones are for thermal and night vision. I wonder how weird it feels to suddenly go from one eye to having three.¡¯ Marcus had bought the two smaller cameras at a hunting store and the bigger one at a pawnshop, just as the old man suggested. ¡°I take it those new eyes made a difference inside the Spere? Did you actually get them to work?¡± ¡°See for yourself,¡± Specter said, gripping Marcus¡¯s shoulder and instantly establishing a connection. Memories flooded Marcus¡¯s mind¡ªSpecter¡¯s arrival in the Sphere the previous night, it hiding in the water most of the time and occasionally dispatching monsters as they came to drink from the lake. Marcus recalled how the robot had adjusted to the regular camera mere minutes after their ¡®operation,¡¯ though the other two lenses had taken several hours to adapt, only fully activating after Specter left the apartment and entered the Sphere. Once the connection stabilized and Specter sensed Marcus was ready, it began sharing all of its senses. Marcus found himself seeing through Specter¡¯s cameras, watching as the robot zoomed in on his face before shifting its focus to the right. The vision shifted to a dull green as the night vision activated. It took Marcus a while to adjust, but he soon noticed more details of the nearby terrain. The view changed again, this time to a spectrum of colors as the thermal imaging kicked in. Specter¡¯s gaze returned to Marcus, then shifted to the two dead monsters on the ground, highlighting the temperature contrast before cutting the connection. ¡°That felt weird,¡± Marcus muttered, feeling an urge to blink a few times. ¡°Yeah, it took me a while to get used to,¡± Specter admitted, watching Marcus rub his eyelids. ¡°The night vision isn¡¯t that bad. It¡¯s just weird. It¡¯s the thermal one that really messes me up the most, even after all this time. It¡¯s manageable if I stay still. But when I run... hell, it¡¯s even when I walk... I didn¡¯t even know I could feel mentally sick as a tin can.¡± ¡°We need to focus,¡± the taller robot said, snapping Marcus and Specter back to reality and reminding them of the task at hand: there were literal monsters inside. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Marcus said before giving his equipment a final check and tightening his hold on his shield and spear. ¡°We¡¯re looking at around five of those ugly buggers inside, right?¡± he asked, relying on the recent memories Specter had given him. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right. Two lurking behind the bar, and three munching on one of their own in the middle of the room,¡± Specter said, prompting the other robot to tighten its grip on its shield and spear, ready to charge. ¡°So, what¡¯s the game plan?¡± Marcus replayed Specter¡¯s memories, thinking about how to take out the monsters without making too much noise or alerting others. ¡°Let¡¯s be smart about it. Specter leads the charge, taking down one of them before they realize what¡¯s happening. We follow closely behind. The goal is to eliminate three of them in a matter of seconds and tip the odds in our favor. And I mean, unfair bullying advantage. I want us to be the bad guys here. Got it?¡± Marcus asked. Both robots nodded, with Specter grabbing its two axes and assuming a crouched position. ¡°Go.¡± Specter moved forward, staying low as it slipped inside. Marcus paused for a moment, then rushed after his steel companion, crossing the threshold into the restaurant. Specter shot forward and buried its axe in the nearest monster''s neck. With a swift spin, while dragging the monster along with him, Specter became a whirlwind of steel, slamming its second axe into another monster''s chest. The sound of steel biting into flesh echoed through the room, joined by pained hisses. Marcus sprinted to the third monster, bracing his shield as he slammed into it head-on. He felt the metal tip of his spear tear through the creature and drive upward, bringing himself close enough for the monster to futilely claw at his shield in retaliation, unaware of the fact that it was impaled and would be dead in a matter of seconds as it bled out. Marcus released the spear, swiftly drawing a knife from his belt and using his shield to bash the monster to the ground. As he pressed the shield down harder, hearing bones crack, Marcus couldn¡¯t help but notice how much easier the fight had gone compared to his previous encounters. ¡®I feel good,¡¯ he thought, realizing he had made the right choice in upgrading his Strength Stat last night. He then plunged the knife into the monster¡¯s throat before yanking it out and ramming it through its eye for good measure. He retrieved the bloody knife and dropped into a combat stance, eyes scanning for the next threat. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡°Status,¡± he hissed, trying to keep his voice down, despite the commotion they had just produced mere seconds ago. ¡°Finished on my end,¡± Specter said, wrenching out its axes and casually kicking the heads of the lifeless monsters, either for amusement or to double-check. Marcus¡¯s gaze shifted to the other robot, his eyes widening. The tall robot had nearly cut one monster in half with its shield embedded in the bar, while its steel hand gripped the creature¡¯s throat, preventing it from screaming. Its other hand was still holding on to its spear, the tip embedded in another monster¡¯s throat, raised up to the ceiling. The monster was still thrashing around as blood poured out from the chest wound and ran down the length of the spear. ¡®That frame is stronger than Specter... like a lot stronger,¡¯ Marcus thought, observing the robot¡¯s immovable stance, its mostly piston-driven body hardly twitching as it held the two monsters with ease while watching the one impaled on its spear die. ¡®Maybe it was originally designed for heavy lifting? Makes sense, considering all the additional pistons it¡¯s got.¡¯ He watched the large robot yank its spear free, letting the lifeless monster drop before brutally stomping its head. The robot shifted its two lenses onto the remaining monster that was crippled from the waist down, struggling to breathe as it clawed desperately at the steel arm wrapped around its throat. Carefully, the robot leaned its spear against the counter before clenching its fist. With a deliberate motion, it slid the monster to the side, tearing apart its lower half still trapped by the shield embedded in the counter. As the creature¡¯s head protruded from the bar, the robot slammed its large fist down, obliterating the monster¡¯s face and snapping its neck at an unnatural angle. ¡°Done,¡± the robot declared, retrieving both pieces of Glass. It grabbed its shield and spear, then moved toward Marcus and Specter. ¡°I almost feel sorry for the poor bugger,¡± Marcus muttered, staring at the dead monster as his companions joined him. Each handed him two bloody pieces of Glass. He retrieved the Glass from his own killed monster and grabbed a plastic bag from his own backpack, sealing the pieces inside. ¡°That¡¯s five more pieces. 16 in total today. A good start.¡± He grabbed his equipment and opened his HUD to check how much time they had left before switching to the Status screen. ¨X ¨[
Official Rank: Beta / Rank 2
Power Rating: 10
¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ Stats
Strength: 2 Endurance: 1
Agility: 2 Perception: 1
Mental: 2 Vigor: 2
Total Mana 38
¨^ ¨a Marcus checked the numbers on his screen, grinning again when he saw his Power rating of 10. ¡®No longer Alpha Rank, the lowest of the low,¡¯ he thought, confidence swelling as he eyed his new, unofficial Beta status and what he had achieved along the way. ¡°Alright, weapons ready. Specter, lead the way,¡± he said to his companions. They moved forward slowly, Marcus in the center, leaving the partially destroyed main room to descend the stairs. A dozen steps in, Specter paused, raising its hand to signal danger. Marcus strained to see in the dark basement, only the faint light blue light coming in from the hole in the floor above them where Specter had fallen through during his solo adventure offering him any help. Marcus was about to reach out to make contact with Specter when his companion shot forward, rushing towards one of the dark corner. In an instant, the robot hacked at something relentlessly, each blow vicious and precise. The brutal sounds made Marcus tense, shield raised, as he waited for the threat. ¡®Is it another monster, like last time? Or are there more of them this time?¡¯ he thought. Moments later, Specter flung a monster corpse toward him. It slid to a bloody halt halfway. The monster¡¯s chest and head were riddled with wounds, Specter¡¯s axes having hacked bits of it apart.. ¡°Good job spotting it, Specter.¡± Marcus said, retrieving the bloody Glass and adding it to his growing collection. ¡°Well, that makes 17 pieces. Is there any other spot we need to double check nearby?¡± he asked. Specter shook its head, its dark frame fading into the shadows, only the soft blue glow of its lenses visible. ¡°Good job looking like every child¡¯s nightmare by the way. Let¡¯s go.¡± They moved cautiously toward the concealed pathway. Marcus, unable to see as well as Specter, felt the draft as he crouched by the opening. The larger robot cleared vines with its spear, widening the opening to reveal a damaged wall and the path beyond. After setting their weapons down, Specter grabbed Marcus¡¯s shoulder, linking their senses. Relying on Specter¡¯s vision, Marcus peered into the cavern as they pushed through the vines. His robot switched between thermal and night vision, revealing an almost literal wave of monsters within the cavern. ¡°There¡¯s got to be at least 200 of the bastards down there, maybe more,¡± Marcus muttered, watching monsters climb walls, fight each other, and hang inside sacks in various stages of growth. He and Specter crawled back slowly, careful to stay silent. When he got out he crouched near the entrance, resting his back against the wall.. ¡®Ignoring the ones still growing, and our plan even works, we¡¯re potentially facing a large portion of that horde... perhaps at once,¡¯ he mused, closing his eyes briefly and sighing, trusting his companions to keep watch. ¡®But we¡¯ve got the terrain advantage. And if Specter¡¯s plan succeeds, their numbers will work against them.¡¯ He knew the risks¡ªhe could lose one of his robots, lose a limb, or even die. But the promise of great reward remained¡ªweeks or months of strategic killing condensed into one battle, along with valuable Glass pieces and a chance at getting his greedy hands on another Orb. ¡°That boost in Strength might¡¯ve pushed me up to Beta rank, but I doubt those creatures will give a damn about my new title,¡± he muttered. ¡°It¡¯s your call, Marcus,¡± Specter said softly as it crouched down to pick up its axes. ¡°No shame in backing off and focusing on building your strength. We¡¯ve already looted plenty of Glass. We can stick to our usual hunting routine and return in a few weeks when you¡¯ve gained more experience and chewed up a bit more Glass.¡± Marcus considered Specter¡¯s words before nodding and turning to the larger robot. ¡°And what do you think we should do?¡± ¡°We¡¯re already here,¡± it said with a slight shrug. ¡°It would be a waste of time to go back now.¡± ¡°Glass-hungry, huh?¡± Specter chimed in, amusement evident in its deep, confident voice. ¡°Or are you after the Orb now? Tired of sharing them with me?¡± In response, the large robot tightened its grip on its shield and spear before answering, ¡°I¡¯m here for my name.¡± ¡°Name?¡± Marcus asked curiously as his gaze shifted between the two robots. Turning towards Marcus, the larger robot nodded. ¡°Specter also had its moment to earn a name. I want the same opportunity,¡± it said, stepping closer to Marcus with confidence but not in a threatening way. ¡°Besides, the three of us have got too much fire and pride inside of us to walk away now,¡± it said before pointing the tip of its spear towards the opening in the wall. ¡°I say we show these monsters what happens when they are up against hungry wolves.¡± Specter imitated a sigh as it moved toward the hole. ¡°The big lad isn¡¯t wrong. Whether it¡¯s blood or iron inside us, we¡¯re wolves.¡± ¡®Wolves, huh?¡¯ Marcus thought, feeling that competitive side of him instinctively make the decision for him. He shook his head and retrieved his belongings. ¡°Fine,¡± he conceded, gesturing towards the hole in the wall before switching to Specter. ¡°You¡¯re on overwatch. Fall back if you¡¯ve got to deal with anything more than a single monster. You¡¯re our only working set of eyes here.¡± He turned to the larger robot and tapped its chest. ¡°We¡¯re heading back to the beach to fetch the rest of our stuff.¡± The robot nodded and led the way up the stairs, Marcus following close behind. Despite the swarm of doubts in his mind, one thought cut through them all. ¡®Blood and iron.¡¯ (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 10 (Ashen Abyss) CHAPTER TEN Ashen Abyss Specter Racing up the decrepit stairs, Specter¡¯s hasty steps reverberated through the worn building. The thick black smog impeded his progress, causing occasional stumbles and muffled curses as he bumped into things, forcing him to shift between thermal and night vision and ignoring the visual discomfort it gave him. Reaching the top of the stairs, he darted towards the exit, emerging from the smoke filled restaurant. He skidded to a halt beside their dwindling pile of supplies that Marcus and the other robot had brought earlier. Specter¡¯s three lenses locked onto the remaining items: discarded plastic scraps, a box of flares, almost-empty bags filled with gasoline, and two worn-out car tires. Not that far away from the items were two dead monsters, their necks twisted in unnatural positions. ¡®No other bastards outside this time,¡¯ he thought, scanning his surroundings again. His night vision lens made it easy, even in the deep darkness. He hastily stuffed the plastic into the tires, then poured the remaining gasoline over them. Specter squatted to pick up the tires, pausing when he noticed the scratches and melted plastic on his arm, along with the remnants of torn clothes that hadn¡¯t burned away. ¡®Just a bit longer,¡¯ he thought before he grabbed the rest of the remaining flares and got up. He glanced up at the light blue barrier that was all around him. In the distance, he could see other streams of black smoke, marking the other pathways in and out of the cavern that held the Orb. ¡®It¡¯s going to be fine.¡¯ He turned on his heels, darting back into the old restaurant. Charging down the stairs, he toggled between thermal and night vision as he entered the smoke-filled chamber. He quickly spotted Marcus and the other robot, both wielding shields to block the cavern entrance. Marcus was thrusting his spear, sending the sharp metal into a monster¡¯s torso, then yanked it out. A barricade of bloody, half-burned monster corpses lay stacked in front of the entrance, trying to block it completely. ¡®Still alive,¡¯ Specter thought as he inspected Marcus and the other robot, both smeared with filth and soot. They fought relentlessly behind the makeshift barrier while more creatures climbed through the hole, clawing at the dirt and rock to widen the passage. Some choked on the thick, toxic black smoke pouring in. He dashed to his companions and slid to a stop behind them. ¡°Get ready!¡± he screamed, pushing his speaker to its limit, hoping his voice would cut through the cacophony of screeching monsters. Though he didn¡¯t feel pain or heat, even he could see the scorching inferno ahead and the rising temperature in the air. Just being this close to the inferno within the cave was enough to melt the plastic on his frame over time. ¡®No way Marcus can endure this much longer.¡¯ He ignited the flares, watching them burst into bright red light and heat, though the thick fumes smothered its effect. ¡°Now!¡± Marcus threw himself aside, clearing the way for Specter while stumbling over a corpse. As Specter rushed forward, a burning creature suddenly burst from the thick smoke and made a beeline toward him. With a forceful front kick, he sent it hurtling back through the hole. It vanished into the smoke, skidding across the rough floor before plummeting into the cavern below¡ªeither to die on impact or be consumed by the raging fire that was everywhere within the cavern. He slammed the flares into the gasoline-soaked plastic in the tires and sent them rolling down the hole one after the other. The tires turned into blazing balls of fire and smoke, tumbling down the edge. They collided with monsters below, incinerating flesh and spewing toxic fumes as they rolled onward. ¡®Greenpeace is going to love us,¡¯ Specter thought as he heard the sounds of monsters howling in pain or screaming in rage. Specter crept deeper into the passageway, reaching the end and peering over the ledge. He cycled through his three cameras, surveying the devastation. The cavern was one of fire and black death, consuming roots, vines, and every other kind of vegetation in its fiery grasp. Once responsible for spawning monsters, most of the sacks were now charred husks. Every so often, a still burning sack exploded with a deafening bang, sending fire tearing through nearby creatures and rattling the cavern walls hard enough to crack rock. Specter strained to make out the Orb¡¯s location amid the chaos. He roughly had an idea where it was based on his previous experience here, but the whole cavern now looked different. Despite the infernal scene playing out before him, he could still see movement, hinting at some lingering guardians. ¡®This has to be enough, right?¡¯ he thought as he looked around the chamber as monsters burned up, fell to their death or simply died of smoke inhalation. But some creatures endured the flames, scaling the walls toward him and his companions, as if adapting to the fire and smoke. ¡®Persistent bastards.¡¯ Specter retreated from the passage as the other robot stepped forward, using its shield and spear to reinforce the barricade, shoving more corpses into the gap. The robot¡¯s dented, bloodied spear told the story of the amount of fighting the three of them had already endured. Specter then turned to Marcus, observing him rinse his head and gas mask with water, trying to clear away the blood and grime obscuring his vision while fighting a losing battle against the heat and exhaustion. Marcus¡¯s rapid, troubled breathing was evident from the heaving of his chest and the troubled sounds he was making. The backpack he wore was dripping with blood from the Glass pieces he had collected whenever he could. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it ¡°You good?¡± Specter asked as he knelt next to the man. ¡°What?¡± Marcus shouted, his voice muffled by the mask covering his face. He glanced up at Specter, the glass of his gas mask scratched, partially cracked, and still smeared with blood and dirt that he hadn¡¯t managed to wash off. Specter could still see the man¡¯s eyes, seeing how exhausted Marcus was. Specter moved closer towards the man¡¯s shoulder, grabbing it and establishing a connection that allowed him to share what he had witnessed inside the cavern: the disturbing amount of monsters that were still alive and the fact that they had run out of things they could set on fire and throw inside. He then released the connection, taking up a position beside the other robot while grabbing his two axes again. ¡®Marcus can¡¯t take much more. He¡¯s overheating, and the pain¡¯s written all over him,¡¯ Specter thought, studying him a little longer. ¡®It¡¯s a miracle he¡¯s lasted this long. That gas mask from the pawnshop won¡¯t hold up much longer¡ªnot in this thick, black smoke.¡¯ As he and the other robot held the line, another burning monster rushed towards them, only to be impaled by the other robot¡¯s spear before the monster could even reach them. Another monster lunged out of the curtain of black smoke, dashing past its dying companion that had the spear still lodged in its torso. It screeched as it charged forward, only to be met with a powerful shield bash to the face. The creature staggered, giving Specter the opening to drive both axes into its shoulders. With a forceful kick, he sent the monster hurtling back through the passage, where it collided with another that had just climbed up. Both screamed as they plummeted down, their cries suddenly cut off. Turning to his steel brother, Specter noted the extensive damage it had suffered. The torn and partially melted plastic on the front clearly hinted at who had done the lion''s share of the fighting out of the three of them. ¡®Big boy isn¡¯t looking too good either.¡¯ As Specter cycled through his camera feeds, he spotted more monsters crawling up the ledge and into the passageway, their hissing and violent coughing announcing their approach moments later. One of the monsters was actually on fire, howling in agony as it hurled itself forward through the hole, disregarding the spear thrusts and axe strikes before it finally dropped dead. Its companions followed suit, while the robots fought relentlessly to hold the line and maintain the barricade. ¡®Keep it together, Specter. Every second counts,¡¯ he thought as he head-butted a monster, then followed up with a violent axe swing to sever its head¡ªjust before another slammed into him, claws and teeth tearing into his torso. ¡°Get the hell off,¡± Specter roared, elbowing the creature with all his strength, when a sudden spear thrust from the side killed the assailant on the spot. He glanced over to see Marcus, panting violently as he pulled his spear free. ¡°Thanks!¡± Specter shouted, hoping Marcus had heard. ¡°We only need to hold on a little longer!¡± Amidst the chaos of roaring flames and dying cries, Specter barely registered what his companions shouted back at him. ¡®I had hoped that the fire and smoke would¡¯ve taken care of most of them by now,¡¯ Specter thought, shooting forward through the black curtain and killing a monster thrashing around blindly. After finishing it off, he darted through the passageway and peered over the ledge again. Below, four more monsters clawed their way upward. He struck one in the face and stepped back, casting a final glance at the location of the distant Orb and the frantic movement within the cavern. ¡®There is no end to them.¡¯ Specter backed away carefully, almost tripping over a dead monster, and rejoined his companions. They stood firm against the wave of creatures, wounding and fighting them off, until a large figure pushed through the curtain of smoke. Despite soot and ash coating it, the hulking figure seemed untouched by the fire. It forced its way through, roaring and hissing as it clawed at the walls and ceiling, ripping out dirt and stone to widen the passage. As it drew closer, it absorbed several spear thrusts before Specter threw an axe into its throat, causing the monster to finally collapse to its knees, bleeding onto the rocky ground. ¡®We¡¯re screwed if more of the big ones are starting to become resistant to fire and smoke as well,¡¯ Specter thought, dodging an attack from another monster rushing in behind the dying behemoth. The robot beside him crushed the attacker¡¯s neck with a shield strike before Specter sent an axe through its skull, just to be sure. ¡°Thanks for the assist,¡± Specter shouted, getting back into position and nodding to the other robot, who remained focused on the widened passageway in front of it, shield and spear ready. Specter then shifted his gaze toward Marcus, noting how much worse he was looking, clearly struggling with the heat and exhaustion. ¡®I think we need to retreat. Lick our wounds and try again later,¡¯ he thought, realizing the plan had fallen apart. Despite the hundred or so monsters felled by fire or their steel, many still remained, eager for the fight. ¡®I didn¡¯t factor in their ability to adapt, or that some could endure the smoke and fire to this extent. Shit... we¡¯re still rookies, huh?. We know nothing about how fast these things mutate,¡¯ Specter thought, eyeing the hulking monster still on its knees, its lower half bathed in blood while its twisted limbs twitched sporadically as it bled out on its knees. Hearing a muffled groan, Specter glanced at his side. He saw Marcus dropping his spear and drop to his knees, gasping for air as he clutched his gas mask. The large robot rushed toward him, shoving Specter aside and stepping in front of Marcus protectively. ¡°It¡¯s not safe here anymore. Marcus, we need to get you out,¡± the hulking robot urged, pulling him to his feet. Marcus gave a weak nod as they began to retreat. They climbed the stairs slowly, Specter keeping watch at the rear, switching camera feed to monitor for any monsters attempting to pursue them through the dense smoke. ¡®This is enough for now. It¡¯ll have to be,¡¯ Specter thought, repelling a charging monster with his axes. He followed up with a swift kick to its head, slamming it into the nearby wall. He swung his axe at its neck, severing the head and splattering fresh blood across his frame. ¡®There¡¯s too many of them left. We¡¯re alive and we¡¯ve got plenty of Glass to show for it. But we can¡¯t go back to this location for a while, if ever... not after this furnace we¡¯ve left behind.¡¯ He moved backward up the stairs, fending off another smaller creature that was on fire, its flesh charred and grotesque. Specter quickly dispatched it by slamming both axes into the creature¡¯s skull at the same time. ¡°Pick up the pace, guys. There¡¯s more of them coming in¡ª¡± Specter called out, but he froze as the ground beneath him trembled and a shower of dust and debris peppered his metal form. He whirled around and saw Marcus¡¯s fatigued frame freezing up as well, while the other robot braced against the wall, its shield raised to protect Marcus from the falling debris. He saw Marcus¡¯s eyes widen beneath his gasmask as the rumble below them grew louder, accompanied by the sound of explosions echoing from the cavern. ¡®The monster sacks? Oh, shit, shit, shit,¡¯ Specter cursed inwardly as the stairs gave way beneath him. In the split second that he still had autonomy, he shoved Marcus closer toward the other robot just as the building started to crumble around them and Specter suddenly felt himself falling. The last thing he saw was Marcus and the other robot shouting at him as the cavern and part of the building collapsed in on itself. Smoke and fire swirled around, consuming him. (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 11 (Bastion) CHAPTER ELEVEN Bastion After his fall, Specter found himself trapped beneath a heap of debris, his steel limbs struggling to clear it from his frame. He wasn¡¯t sure how much time had passed since he and part of the restaurant had fallen into the cavern, but he dreaded every minute he had spent trapped here, and not protecting Marcus. His right arm wouldn¡¯t respond, raising fears that it was trapped or severely damaged. In the rubble, he could make out dirt, rotten wood, rocks, and the remains of dozens of monsters. Flames crackled nearby, mixing with the agonizing screams of dying and wounded creatures. Desperation took over, and he redoubled his efforts, his mind racing with thoughts of his companions and how badly Marcus might be hurt. When Specter finally freed himself, he found himself deep within the cavern, the ceiling almost entirely destroyed. Smoke lingered in the air, thinner now as it escaped upward. ¡®He¡¯s fine¡­ he made it out,¡¯ he told himself, forcing down the rising fear. He activated his HUD, focusing on something else. ¨X ¨[ [WARNING: Right arm critical damage detected...] [WARNING: Structural integrity compromised...] [ERROR: Motor control is below standard parameters...] [EMERGENCY REPAIRS ADVISED...] ¨^ ¨a Specter observed the cascade of warning messages, informing him of all the damage his frame had sustained, including the complete failure of his right arm. ¡®Perfect... just what I needed.¡¯ He then shifted his gaze to the injured limb, attempting to move it. The shoulder twitched, but the rest hung limp, its pistons and motors shot. ¡®What is it with me and my right arm? Is this frame cursed or something?¡¯ he thought before shifting his attention to the clock on his HUD, which showed only a few minutes had passed since he had fallen down into the cavern. As Specter slowly rose from the ground, his robotic frame protested with creaks and whirs, echoing in the cavern. The sight that greeted him was one of utter destruction. Flames licked at the air, smoke billowed from burnt out bodies and partially consumed old car tires. Every few seconds he could see or hear more crumbling rocks falling down, and despite not having an actual nose, he knew that the stench of death hung heavy in the air. ¡®I should be dead,¡¯ he thought in disbelief as he looked down at the distance he had fallen. Everywhere he looked, monster bodies were strewn about, each different in its own way. Some remained intact but had clearly suffocated, others were charred or boiled, and a few were mere smears of red beneath large rocks that had crashed down during the collapse. Looking upward, Specter noticed more of the cavern roof collapsing, sending chunks of rock tumbling down. Amidst the chaos, he looked up at the night sky, seeing the stars in the distance, now marred by the eerie blue hue of the Sphere. ¡°I¡¯m sure no one will even notice this,¡± he muttered sarcastically, taking in the magnitude of the devastation. He figured a group of Breachers would arrive in a few hours to farm more Glass and resources, as they had been doing for days. ¡®I need to get out of here and find the others, before I get shot again, like what went down in the junkyard.¡¯ The sound of shifting rubble snapped Specter¡¯s attention to the source. ¡°Marcus?¡± he called out instinctively. From amid the debris, a battered and bloodied monster emerged. It shook its head, disoriented, before fixing its six-eyed gaze on Specter. With a series of clicks and hisses, the scaly creature unsteadily lurched forward. Specter reacted quickly, picking up a nearby rock the size of his fist and slamming it into the creature¡¯s temple with a solid thud. The monster instantly went down, and Specter pounced, pinning it as he rained blow after blow until its features were unrecognizable. He then got up, gripping the bloody rock more firmly in his hand. ¡®This isn¡¯t good. Where the hell are my axes?¡¯ he thought, frantically patting down his torn clothes and metal frame in search of his weapons, only to come up empty-handed. ¡®No doubt lost it during the fall.¡¯ More shifting rock caught his attention, his steel body freezing up as new monsters emerged from the wreckage. Dozens of them¡ªmaimed, charred, but all with hostile eyes¡ªfixed their attention on him, brimming with hatred. ¡°Shit.¡± Before the monsters could act, Specter took off in a sprint, heading in the direction where there were fewer monsters. He kept his grip on the bloody rock, dodging the lunges of nearby creatures. He jumped over a boulder and dashed into patches of thicker black smoke, vanishing into its depths. Abruptly, he changed course toward where he believed the Orb was located. ¡®Gotta reach it or I¡¯m toast,¡¯ he thought as he increased his speed before a startled monster suddenly came into view. With a swift swing, he crushed the creature¡¯s skull with his ruck, sending it crashing to the ground. He stomped on the monster¡¯s head for good measure before he quickly cycled between his three cameras, doing his best to see through the thick smoke, spotting more and more monsters while planning his route towards the Orb. He took off again, evading most of the monsters, killing any that got too close by slamming the rock into their heads. Specter sprinted as monstrous roars echoed around him in the cavern, occasionally jumping over rocks. Through his thermal camera, he could see the monsters regrouping into smaller parties, while others wandered aimlessly, too injured to really make a difference or just continue with their recent hobby of suffocating to death. His fear spiked as the black smoke thinned faster. Gradually, he became more visible as groups of monsters spotted him rushing through the patches of black smoke. Several lunged at him again, clawing and biting as they latched onto his frame. ¡°Get off!¡± Specter howled, smashing the rock against a monster on his back, shattering both the rock and the creature''s skull. He sprang forward, prying off another monster that had latched onto his chest, then shoved his thumb into its eye-socket until it convulsed and collapsed to the floor. Just as he prepared to leap over the corpse, a third monster tackled his legs, slamming him into the ground. ¡°No!¡± Specter roared as dozens of monsters swarmed him, raining blows across his steel frame, chipping away his plastic plating and denting the metal underneath. A sickening sensation gripped him as the sound of some of his fingers snapping off filled his sensors¡ªa cacophony of bending metal and breaking motors. He tried to rise, but another barrage of blows slammed him back into the ground. Desperate, he looked around, seeing the spot where the Orb was located within the cavern. It seemed agonizingly close, as if fate wasn¡¯t content with tearing his steel body apart¡ªit wanted him to feel despair too. ¡®Not like this,¡¯ he thought, struggling to fend off the monsters before an even greater swarm engulfed him, blocking his vision with a swirling mass of hatred, teeth, claws, and burned flesh. Specter winced as each blow, claw, bite, and kick chipped away at his body, the damage worsening with every hit. Warning signs flashed across his HUD with each part of him that he lost or was damaged, eliciting a string of curses in his mind. ¡®Shit, shit, shit,¡¯ he thought, curling up defensively to shield his more fragile parts. Fear gripped him as he contemplated the possibility of the monsters reaching his Orb and tearing it out. ¡®Is that going to kill me? Am I going to die here?¡¯ Limbs pounded his robotic frame, pulling at him, trying to rip off more parts as horrible sounds echoed in the air, mixing with the hissing and screeching of the monsters. Desperately, he covered his head with his arms, hoping they wouldn¡¯t breach his metal skull. A loud impact shook the ground near him, accompanied by an even louder audible response from the angry swarm of monsters. Specter, barely registering the disturbance, tried to protect himself, kicking at the occasional monster, until he locked eyes with one that almost seemed to smile at him. The monster then started to headbutt Specter in the face over and over again, each impact rattling his senses. A thunderous roar suddenly pierced the air before Specter could hear things being thrown around, bones breaking and monsters screaming in pain. Seconds later, the head-butting monster was yanked off him and hurled into the air, crashing down in a fiery blaze. He shifted his gaze to the side, seeing a monster get slammed in to the ground, a spear protruding from its back before the weapon was suddenly pulled out. ¡®Marcus?¡¯ Specter wondered, before a steel foot crushed that same monster¡¯s head, killing it instantly and leaving a fleshy pulp. A moment later, the robot yanked Specter back up to his feet. Brushing away dirt and blood from his own lenses, Specter could see the other robot standing next to him. It was covered in dust and fresh blood while keeping the other monsters at bay as it swung its spear and shield around. The robot¡¯s left leg was bent and twisted, forcing it to hobble as it tried to move and protect him. ¡°Thanks for saving my... wait, you jumped down?¡± Specter blurted out, not sure if he was impressed or angry at his companion. ¡°Can you fight?¡± the robot asked as it shifted into a combat stance beside him, shield and bloodied spear in hand. ¡°I¡¯ve got a spare axe on my hip.¡± ¡°Does it really matter? It¡¯s not like I get to make a choice,¡± Specter hissed, spotting the spare axe and several knives taped to the robot¡¯s frame, smeared with blood and dirt. He gripped the axe and ripped it free, the tape snapping sharply. Then he pressed his back against the robot¡¯s, ready to defend each other. ¡°What about Marcus?¡± ¡°He¡¯s safe,¡± the robot assured him as more monsters closed in. They howled and screeched, some even throwing rocks, their hesitation clear now that they faced a second, larger threat armed with blood-coated weapons. Some monsters were small, with multiple limbs, razor-sharp claws, and vicious teeth, while others had bulkier frames and thicker patches of scale-like armor. ¡°Your last-second shove saved Marcus from going down along with you. It was close, but I got him out. I jumped down after I knew he was safe and heard you shouting,¡± the robot said as it watched more monsters circle and feint toward them. Specter swung his axe to deter the more reckless monsters and shook his head at the escalating threat. ¡°Why the hell would you risk¡ª¡± Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡°Because we don¡¯t abandon family,¡± the larger robot cut in, steel fingers gripping its shield and spear. ¡°And I¡¯ve got my own name on the line, so I can¡¯t have you dying on me yet.¡± ¡°Family... really? You sound like a clich¨¦ movie character,¡± Specter muttered, seconds before witnessing the monsters¡¯ aggression and hatred reaching a boiling point as the enemy forces suddenly charged into them. The robots met the monsters with steel and violence. Specter smashed his axe into monster after monster. Despite the state of his ruined right arm, he used it to block attacks or awkwardly whipped it to fend off threats from his flank. The other robot was struggling as well, stabbing several monsters with its spear before finally losing it in the mass of limbs and aggression. It quickly grabbed a knife and began stabbing at every monster nearby. Each time a monster managed to come too close, it would send it flying with a shield bash, or simply slam the edge of the dented shield into the monster¡¯s chest with enough force to crack ribs. The robots hacked, stabbed, and bashed their way through the horde, gradually thinning their ranks. Specter¡¯s vision turned red from all the blood that was hitting his face, while his hearing went out on his right after a monster slammed a rock against the side of his head. ¡°You dirty little¡ª¡° Specter yelled, about to stab the monster when a deep roar echoed through the cavern, freezing everyone in place. He snapped his head toward the Orb''s location, spotting a towering monster rising from the ground, several times his size with multiple legs resembling a twisted centaur. The monster¡¯s massive frame was covered in ash and dirt, with broken scales and charred fur adorning its body. The behemoth finished its roar before it charged towards them, smashing through debris and trampling other monsters in its path. ¡°That doesn¡¯t look fun,¡± Specter shouted to the other robot as he slammed his axe into the chest of the monster that had just thrown the rock at him. ¡°We need to deal with that¡ª¡± the larger robot growled, but it let out a sudden roar when a monster pierced one of its cameras with a claw. The robot retaliated, driving its knife deep into the monster¡¯s eye before releasing it to grip the creature¡¯s head. It crushed the monster¡¯s skull and ruined the knife in one motion, blood and gore dripping from its steel fingers before it reached for another blade taped to its torso. ¡°I¡¯ll deal with it,¡± it said before swinging its shield sideways, smashing through the monsters ahead, ignoring the damage to its left leg as it limped forward. Its knife flashed left and right, cutting down creatures as it pressed toward the towering monster before they violently collided. The collision echoed with a deafening crash, shrouding them in a cloud of dust and smoke. As the haze settled, Specter saw his companion struggling against the towering monster, its steel legs digging into the rocky ground as it stabbed the beast over and over, all the while getting pushed back. Specter noticed the robot¡¯s left leg gradually giving way under the strain of the assault, deforming more and more. ¡®This is bad,¡¯ Specter thought as he dodged beneath a leaping monster, only to have another jump on his back while chewing on his neck. He rolled forward, grinding the smaller creature beneath his steel frame and the ground before rising to his feet and hearing the monster''s pained howls behind him. Specter veered right, moving closer the other robot and the monstrosity it was facing, keeping to the thicker patches of black smoke. His thermal camera picked up another monster rushing through the smoke. He swung his axe into its face the moment he closed the gap. The monster skidded to a stop, still twitching as its body caught up to the realization that a piece of sharpened metal had obliterated its brain. Specter heard the rush of more monsters behind him and spotted their shapes through the smoke using his thermal camera. He kicked the ground, scattering pebbles in all directions and drawing the creatures toward the distant sound. As they blindly charged towards the noise, Specter sprinted towards his companion, seeing it being pushed back more and more by the towering monster, as well as endure the dozens of smaller monsters peppering its steel frame. Despite the robot¡¯s efforts to defend itself with its shield, Specter noticed the shield deforming under the monster¡¯s claws, deep marks marring the surface of the metal with each strike or even ripping parts off. ¡°Hang on,¡± Specter yelled, bursting through the black smoke and shooting past the other robot. He gripped his axe tightly, maneuvering around the massive monster and dragging the blade along its flank, leaving a long cut as he moved behind it. With a desperate leap, Specter shot upwards before he slammed the axe into the monster¡¯s broad back, using it as leverage to hoist himself higher. Clinging to the creature¡¯s back with his damaged limb and frame, he crawled higher, continuing to hack the axe into its flesh to drag himself up until he reached the monster¡¯s neck. He then started to hack at the monster¡¯s flesh and bone in a maniacal frenzy, each blow extracting a spray of thick blood that coated his steel frame. It even got so bad he had to constantly switch between cameras to even be able to see what he was hitting. Amidst the blood and gore, he roared a death chant, ¡°Die! Die! Die!¡± burying the axe deeper with each strike, as if he was trying to fell a tree. He ignored the smaller monsters swarming them, some attacking his companion, others climbing the massive creature to reach him. ¡°I said¡­¡± Specter hissed desperately before something snapped in his mind, his remaining Mana surging through his frame in a violent burst of energy. Ignoring the barrage of warnings on his HUD, Specter felt his battery life plummet as blue mist poured from the cracks in his steel torso. In that fleeting moment, fueled by the burning of Mana, he could almost feel a surge of strength coursing through him. ¡°¡­die!¡± He then brought the axe down with a speed that was beyond what his body was capable of, feeling the strain on his pistons and motors as the axe sliced through the air with indescribable ferocity. The axe tore through the monster¡¯s neck, shredding bone and muscle like paper, the sheer force twisting and bending the steel handle until it finally snapped off, leaving the axe-head lodged within the creature. Blood erupted from the wound like a geyser as the towering monster¡¯s roars turned into gurgles of pain. Specter froze as the monster trembled beneath him, moments later toppling over and forcing him to drop the useless steel handle. ¡®Crap, crap, crap!¡¯ He clung to the dying monster as it crashed to the ground, the impact obliterating nearby creatures and sending a wave of smoke, dust, and debris in every direction. Through the thick dust, it took him a moment to realize he was back on the ground. He shrugged off the disorientation, ignoring the warnings on his HUD about the damage he had sustained and the issues regarding his remaining Mana. Struggling to his feet, he was immediately knocked down again by three monsters, their claws and teeth tearing into his frame. ¡°Get off me!¡± he roared, smashing his head into one of their faces with enough force to crack a camera lens. Grasping another by the throat, he squeezed with his damaged left hand, feeling the creature''s windpipe break as the monster struggled helplessly. Specter barely noticed the sounds behind him before more monsters rushed in, slamming him to the ground. ¡®Marcus, you better have made it out safe,¡¯ Specter thought as he kicked one monster away and slapped another with his flail-like right arm, which suddenly came loose at the shoulder in a spray of light blue liquid. One of the monsters grabbed the arm and held it above its head like a grotesque trophy before Specter kicked it in the face, dislocating its jaw and breaking several teeth. ¡®We¡¯re screwed,¡¯ he thought, hearing the other robot roar in defiance as it smashed monsters even while being pinned down. ¡®I wonder if dying like a robot will hurt,¡¯ he thought, struggling to shake off the monster clawing at his face, further damaging the still-functional cameras. Suddenly, the monster in front of him stopped attacking him, instead it started clawing at its own head as if in distress. Specter froze in confusion for a minute before looking past the monsters that had swarmed him. Through the smoke and dust, he saw the Sphere above him shatter into countless fragments, dispersing into the air. In that moment, the collapsing structure of light and raw Mana seemed almost beautiful to him, like shooting stars before vanishing into oblivion. ¡®Did it get the Orb?¡¯ Specter thought as he slammed the monster aside before shoving the others away, ignoring their final, futile attempts to cling to him as he rose. He kicked one of the more determined monsters aside as he took in his surroundings. He could see the same thing all around him; groups of monsters that were either already dead or dying, many of them clawing at the back of their own heads in agony. ¡®That one-legged sack of bolts actually did it? We won!¡¯ With his thermal camera scratched up, he had trouble looking through the lingering smoke. He made out movement in the distance and soon spotted a battered robot limping toward him, caked in blood and dirt. ¡°Still alive, huh?¡± he asked it. ¡°Barely. Hanging by a thread here... or a few screws,¡± the robot said, limping closer, clutching its shield, now dented and bent beyond repair. ¡°I lost my hand somewhere. Some bugger probably ate it. Marcus isn¡¯t going to be happy about that,¡± it added, wiggling its ruined metal limb to prove his point, which stopped abruptly near the wrist. ¡°You stored the Orb already?¡± ¡°What?¡± Specter responded, moving closer. ¡°No, I don¡¯t have the Orb. I was getting ripped to shreds down there. I thought you grabbed it.¡± The other robot shook its head. ¡°Wait... Marcus?¡± it asked awkwardly before they both glanced toward where the Orb should have been. They heard only falling rocks from above, the smoke still too thick to see through. Suddenly, a familiar roar shattered the silence, its reverberations pulsating through the walls, echoing exhaustion and relief. ¡°Marcus!¡± Specter exclaimed and bolted forward, his steel feet pounding the stone surface as he sprinted as fast as he could. He heard the other robot hobble behind as they moved through the wall of smoke. They reached a spot where the smoke cleared enough to show more of the cavern. Specter skidded to a halt, spotting the young man on a pile of rubble, drenched in blood, surrounded by dead monsters while still letting out a deafening roar. The air around Marcus was still distorted in a light blue mist, bits of Mana still bleeding from his system. ¡®It¡¯s turned blue. He¡¯s really Beta rank now,¡¯ Specter thought as he took a few hesitant steps closer. His gaze swept over Marcus, checking the man for injuries before spotting the pulsating blue light in Marcus¡¯s left hand. As the smoke cleared further, they could see a bent spear stuck in a nearby monster and a partially ruined gas mask in Marcus¡¯s right hand. The two robots edged closer, stepping over dead bodies and broken chunks of rock. As Marcus finished his roar, he collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. Specter rushed forward, extending his metallic arm to grip the man¡¯s shoulder, providing both support and a mental connection. Memories flooded his mind as he became one with Marcus, chaotic thoughts swirling like a tempest. He recalled Marcus¡¯s hesitation back on the surface, watching as the other robot jumped in after hearing his companion get attacked. He remembered Marcus fighting the urge to retreat or help before instinct forced him to climb down the treacherous slope. Each step had been a struggle, the unforgiving incline causing Marcus to slip and stumble as urgency grew with each echo of the robots¡¯ shouts and the sound of combat. Specter severed the connection, overwhelmed by the influx of new memories. He recalled Marcus''s frantic dash through the thick smoke after reaching the cavern''s bottom, the gasmask barely offering protection against the smoke while dirt and blood obscured his vision. Flashes of Marcus''s desperate struggle against the monsters filled Specter¡¯s mind, each kick and stab bringing him closer to the Orb. He recalled the pain as claws and teeth tore into Marcus, the unforgiving terrain leaving even more bruises and cuts across his body. Specter shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts as warnings flashed on his HUD, signaling that his steel frame was running on fumes. ¡°Being smart... and taking... calculated... risks, huh?¡± Marcus''s voice, heavy with exhaustion, broke the silence before he slipped on the gasmask again, aided by the other robot. ¡°I...¡± Specter paused, mentally replaying the words he had used to persuade Marcus to clear this Sphere back in the apartment. ¡°Things went to shit. I didn¡¯t expect there to be so many left, or how quickly they¡¯d adapt and regrow their numbers, but¡ª¡± ¡°Let¡¯s save the finger-pointing for later, back in the apartment, after we¡¯ve got all our fingers again,¡± the larger robot said, wiggling his remaining fingers to prove a point. ¡°There¡¯s got to be hundreds of Glass pieces scattered around us,¡± it added. ¡°Hundreds, either strewn about or buried, and we¡¯re running out of time to grab them.¡± Specter nodded, well aware that the security personnel on site would likely notice the Sphere breaking apart in the sky or the massive smoke signal they had just created for all to see. ¡°It took us a few minutes to get here from the Sphere¡¯s edge. I doubt the guards will rush in immediately. They¡¯re probably freaking out at the moment,¡± Specter reasoned. ¡°But eventually, others will come... government officials, Breachers, maybe even a guild if our bad luck really wants to screw us over. If they find us, they¡¯ll either ask questions we don¡¯t want to answer or pose a threat to us in some way.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Marcus said suddenly. He tightened his grip on the Orb, stepped closer to Specter, and handed him the pulsating object. ¡°Let¡¯s spend a few minutes searching for any Glass we can find. Then we¡¯re out.¡± The two robots nodded, well aware of the risks. Even if they escaped without being caught, getting home unnoticed would be harder with sunrise approaching. Marcus then turned his attention towards the larger robot, eyeing its damaged shield, missing foot, and a ruined features. ¡°But first,¡± Marcus said, his voice distorted by the gasmask, ¡°I think you need a proper name.¡± The robot paused briefly, lifting up the shield and staring at it before tightening its grip on it. A few seconds later, it reached out and touched Marcus¡¯s shoulder. ¨X ¨[ [Reconfiguration in progress...] [System designation is now complete] [Unit activation: Bastion is now online] ¨^ ¨a (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 12 (Uread Struggles) CHAPTER TWELVE Unread Struggles Day 75 Marcus The thump of bass-heavy music reverberated off the walls, drowning out Marcus¡¯s groans but doing little to mask the sharp tang of sweat in the air. In the center of the room, he toiled away, pulling on a thick rope attached to a steel plate on the floor. Weighted bags piled on the plate, with Erwin perched on top like an amused king surveying his domain and single servant. ¡°Come on, you can go faster than that,¡± Erwin said, watching Marcus¡¯s sweat-drenched form struggle pulling the rope, limbs shaking in protest. ¡®Pick up the pace,¡¯ Marcus screamed in his mind as he clenched his jaw, forcing himself to ignore how his body felt that morning. He kept pulling until the rope went slack, seeing Erwin nodding approvingly as the man got up. Marcus straightened up with ragged gasps, struggling to catch his breath before Erwin pointed him to the next exercise: a bench press. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Hey, you¡¯re the one who said he felt ¡®completely back to normal¡¯ and ready to go,¡± Erwin said, making air quotes before adding more plates to the barbell. ¡°From what your uncle and sister said about how fit you used to be, you should handle this workout with ease. Unless you lied about feeling better?¡± The man asked before flashing an amused smile. Marcus let out a sigh before adding two smaller plates to the barbell and getting into position. ¡°Do you treat all your patients like this?¡± he asked, gripping the bar tightly. Seconds later, he lifted it off the rack, his arms already shaking with fatigue as he lowered it slowly, nearly reaching his chest before pushing it back up. ¡°Only those who wake up from a coma and become Breachers mere weeks later,¡± Erwin remarked, positioning himself to spot Marcus. He watched the young Breacher pushing through the reps, though it was clear he was struggling. ¡°Come on, quit stalling. Three more.¡± Marcus grunted with effort as he fought through the final repetitions, the barbell feeling like it weighed a ton. For a fleeting moment, the temptation to tap into his Mana for a burst of strength crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Since advancing in rank, his Mana had taken on a light blue tint, but he knew better than to bleed it out carelessly and reveal he wasn''t a Alpha anymore. Still, the idea to suddenly confuse Erwin by increasing his strength was quite tempting in that moment. After the last rep, he slammed the bar back and pushed himself upright, accepting a fresh towel thrown into his face. ¡°Thanks.¡± He wiped the sweat from his face before pushing himself up from the bench. ¡°So, what¡¯s next?¡± ¡°Well, usually I¡¯d suggest some hand-eye coordination or balancing tests,¡± Erwin said, tapping away on a datapad. Marcus stared at him for a moment before speaking. ¡°But?¡± Erwin held up a hand to finish typing before switching the device off. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s needed. You¡¯ve got an actual Breachers license now, and you¡¯ve even been on your first job with a party of other Breachers, fighting literal monsters. Compared to that, any test I might have for you would feel silly... not to mention pointless.¡± He patted Marcus¡¯s shoulder before slipping the datapad into his backpack. ¡°Seriously, you did great with your whole recovery. You¡¯ve really stepped up in terms of getting back into shape and improving your health. You can be proud of that, Breacher or not.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Marcus muttered, feeling a pang of guilt as Erwin¡¯s words sank in. Everything the man had said was the truth. He¡¯d followed all of Erwin¡¯s exercise recommendations, working out at home or jogging almost daily¡ªexcept when he was secretly farming Glass with his robots. He was definitely getting closer to his old form¡ªin muscle mass, speed, and stamina¡ªwithout relying too heavily on his boosted Stats. But it felt wrong to accept the compliments, especially considering he hadn¡¯t fully recovered from destroying the Sphere just last week. On top of that, he still had bags filled with Monster-Glass waiting at home, with no one knowing he had it or that he¡¯d been the one to destroy that Sphere. It was times like these that he felt the urge to come clean and tell his family. ¡®Not yet,¡¯ he thought, realizing that he still wasn¡¯t strong enough. The minor burns and hundreds of bruises he had picked up had mostly healed, while the larger cuts and bite wounds had already closed up, soon to join his collection of scars. Even as a Breacher, it had taken him nearly a week of rest to recover from that night. His eyebrows still felt slightly singed, and he occasionally struggled with awkward coughs. Erwin slung on his backpack before patting his pants to check for the essentials: phone, keys, wallet. His face visibly relaxed when he located all three. ¡°Your recovery has been incredible to follow, almost intimidatingly so if I am being honest. You Breachers really are a different breed, huh?¡± Marcus just shrugged in response, not sure how to react to that. ¡°I¡¯ve already sent your doctor my report, stating that you¡¯ve got the green light from me. The hospital might want some follow-up tests in the future, maybe some scans as well. But it¡¯s up to you if you want to accept or not.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll think about it,¡± Marcus said, observing the man as he zipped up his jacket before shaking his hand. ¡°Best of luck, Marcus. Both as my former patient and as a Breacher,¡± Erwin said, releasing the man¡¯s hand. ¡°Well, I need to head to my next appointment. You can hang around the gym a bit longer if you want. Another trainer will be here soon.¡± He gave Marcus a final nod before backing out of the gym. A moment later, Erwin popped back in with a grin. ¡°And feel free to come back to my gym whenever you want. Having a Breacher around does wonders for publicity and getting new members.¡± Marcus smiled at the comment, then heard the gym door slam shut, leaving him alone. He grabbed his water bottle from his backpack and glanced around the gym, taking in the fancy fitness machines, clean workout mats, and even a juice bar in the corner. ¡®A bit too fancy for my liking,¡¯ he thought, running a finger along a spin bike, not seeing even a single speck of dust. ¡®Still, Erwin¡¯s doing all right for himself.¡¯ Marcus felt impressed that Erwin managed both a hospital career and gym ownership. ¡®He¡¯s way more ambitious than I ever was,¡¯ Marcus thought as he finished his drink and threw it near his bag. Alone in the room, a pang of nostalgia hit him as he realized how much he missed his dad¡¯s old gym¡ªthe dust, sweat stains, and even the rusty dumbbells scattered around. ¡®I can still picture that place in my head. Dad¡¯s gym had always felt like my actual home. It¡¯s probably long gone now.¡¯ You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Marcus paced the room before noticing a steel pole in the corner, topped with plastic arms designed to measure jump height. Grinning, he adjusted the plastic arms and pushed the pole higher. ¡®That wasn¡¯t here last week. This takes me back to high school,¡¯ he thought as he crouched down, readying himself for a jump. He leaped upward, reaching out to strike several plastic arms before gravity brought him back down. He glanced up, spotting the 59 cm mark. ¡°Is that good?¡± Marcus muttered, making his way over to his backpack to fish out his phone and look up the answer. ¡°Let¡¯s see... the average is between 40 and 50 cm... so it¡¯s way above average,¡± he murmured, returning to his starting position. ¡°But I¡¯m not settling for above average. I¡¯m a Breacher.¡± Marcus squatted, his focus intensifying before he propelled himself upward, fueled by every bit of Strength and Agility in his body, as well as an unhealthy amount of pride. He soared to his peak, his fingers slamming against the plastic arms before he plummeted back down, nearly stumbling backward. ¡®That felt a lot better,¡¯ he thought, glancing up to find he had reached the 63cm mark. ¡®That¡¯s more fitting for a Breacher, right?¡¯ He grabbed his phone and looked up jump statistics on professional athletes, his satisfaction deflating as he saw that non-Marked pros averaged around 70 to 72 cm, with some freaks out there dwarfing even those numbers. With a grimace, he dropped his phone, clenching his jaw as he activated his HUD. ¨X ¨[ [Total Mana:] [38/38] ¨^ ¨a ¡®Let¡¯s see what all of this Mana can do,¡¯ he thought, settling into position and shutting his eyes. With a deep breath, he descended into a low squat, then ignited all the Mana in his body in one violent burst. It surged from his core, coursing through his veins and pores, strengthening everything in its path. Light blue mist gushed from him, warping the air around his body. He barely had enough Mana to last a few seconds, but he knew full well how powerful that temporary boost could be, having relied on it to survive and snatch the Orb just last week. With a explosion of raw Mana, he shot upwards, his body strengthened beyond its normal limits. Marcus¡¯s body blurred as he soared up, his hand slamming against more plastic arms before he dropped down again. ¡®Hell yeah!¡¯ Back on the floor, he could feel his body tense up, grappling with the aftermath of the raw Mana surge he had just endured. ¨X ¨[ [Total Mana:] [0/38] ¨^ ¨a ¡®It¡¯s nuts how Joline can do this for several minutes,¡¯ he mused, recalling his sister and her squamate Luuk¡¯s explanation about Channeling, where Breachers could burn through Mana for a temporary Stat boost. ¡®But it leaves you exhausted afterwards.¡¯ He glanced at his hands; his fingers tensed sporadically, trembling slightly as the blue mist around him dissipated. ¡®I think I prefer Specter¡¯s word for it,¡¯ he thought, reflecting on the discussions and tests he and the robots had done over the past few days when they weren¡¯t busy with repairs, getting more Glass, or waiting for Marcus to stop smelling like a human BBQ set. Specter and Bastion had learned they could utilize their stored Mana similarly to Marcus or other Breachers, temporarily boosting their robotic output while rapidly draining their reserves. ¡°Overdrive sounds cooler,¡± Marcus muttered, using the term his companions had coined. He gazed up at the plastic arms and saw he¡¯d reached the 71 cm mark. He heard something hit the floor behind him and turned around. A female trainer stood near the entrance with two teenage boys. One of the boys had dropped a water bottle in shock. Marcus noticed the boys staring, one pointing at him with a shaky hand and his mouth wide. With a sigh, Marcus scooped up his belongings, watching the last of the light blue mist around him fade away. ¡°Great job, Marcus,¡± he muttered under his breath as he walked over to them. ¡°I¡¯m done for the day. Have a good session,¡± he remarked casually, strolling past them to the changing room, a small smile playing on his lips at the murmurs he left behind. Marcus entered the changing room and plopped down on the nearest bench. He reached into his backpack, grabbed his clean clothes, and a fresh towel. He tapped his phone on, checking for any messages from his robotic selves. Finding none, he browsed for updates on the Sphere that an ¡®unknown party¡¯ had cleared. He felt a twinge of anxiety opening a newer article but found nothing new from the past few days. News of his actions had reached local papers but hadn¡¯t gained national or regional attention. Spheres destroyed by Breachers weren¡¯t uncommon, whether due to scheduling mistakes, accidental retrieval of the Orb, or groups seeking a quick profit by skipping the lines. ¡®¡®Better people think some greedy guild or group of Breachers cleared it than two robots and my burned ass,¡¯ he thought, grinning at the memory of how they had tried to get back home that night without getting spotted all burned up and carrying all that Glass. ¡®We were stupid to try tackling that Sphere,¡¯ Marcus thought, recalling all the close calls and the damage they¡¯d endured. He reflected on what they had gained, with Specter now always being active because of its second Orb now safely tucked inside its chest, and Bastion having proven its own worth and having formed its own personality afterward. ¡®A mix of Luuk and my sister, huh?¡¯ he thought, recalling how the robot had chosen those two as its template, like Specter had with his father. At first, it had seemed strange, but as Bastion listed traits, it started to make sense. ¡®Loyal to a fault, protective, caring, stubborn.¡¯ In the end, Bastion became what he and Specter had been missing; someone to hold the line and protect others. ¡°I¡¯ve got a tank now,¡± Marcus muttered, recalling the battered robot with spear and shield in hand. ¡®With a few more Orbs and some upgrades to my Mental and Vigor Stat, perhaps I could build a small army of them.¡¯ He turned back to his phone, closing the news feed and scrolling through his messages. Marcus read Felix¡¯s latest message, asking how he was doing and if he needed anything. A pang of guilt hit Marcus because he had told Felix that for the last week he had been suffering from a nasty case of the flu, giving him an excuse to spend the week in his apartment healing and doing his best to fix up his robots. He quickly texted back that he was feeling a bit better and, that he had just finished his final checkup with his physical therapist and had gotten the green light. After sending it, he scrolled through his list, seeing an older message from Benedict, informing him that another spot was opening up soon to tackle a Sphere, and one from his uncle, saying he was free until the evening and wanted to spend some time. Marcus¡¯s jaw tightened as he noticed the text he had sent to his younger brother, Martin, still showing as unread, even after several days. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m doing wrong here,¡± he muttered, closing his eyes. He remembered how tight their bond had been in the past. It made the distance between them now hurt even more. His sister had advised him to give it time, to remember Martin¡¯s struggles: witnessing their parents'' death, losing a limb in the Great Impact, and now reliving it all with his older brother back. Opening his eyes again, Marcus stared at the unread message, gripping his phone tightly. ¡°To hell with waiting,¡± he said, dropping his phone in his backpack before getting up and heading towards the shower, having decided to pay his little brother a surprise visit. (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 13 (Pillar of Loss) CHAPTER THIRTEEN Pilar of Loss Still clutching his backpack, Marcus reached his brother¡¯s workplace half an hour later. He kept his gaze on the wide building looming ahead, with several trucks parked out front. He blinked, surprised at how close the building was to his sister¡¯s guild; squinting, he could even make out its distant outline. Turning his attention back to the building in front of him, he noticed the massive sign bearing the words NeoGen Industries. Marcus let out a low whistle before stepping through the glass doors into a lobby of polished floors and marble-and-steel pillars. ¡®What kind of job did you land, Martin?¡¯ Marcus thought, eyeing the blend of opulent and modern surroundings. Off to the right, he spotted the secretary, who regarded him with a calm, calculating expression, her eyes lingering a moment too long on his hoodie and red sneakers. ¡°Hey there, I¡¯m here to see my brother, Martin Smit,¡± he said as he walked over. ¡°I see,¡± she said politely, maintaining eye contact and gesturing toward the screen next to her. ¡°Do you have an appointment with him?¡± ¡°I¡¯m his brother,¡± Marcus said, raising an eyebrow at the idea of needing an appointment to see family. ¡°I recall you mentioning that, sir,¡± she replied politely, with a firm undertone. ¡°But NeoGen Industries has a strict visitation policy. Perhaps you can try calling your brother?¡± She smiled warmly, but Marcus sensed an icy edge hidden underneath. ¡°I left my phone at home. Mind giving him a call for me?¡± Marcus countered, tapping the phone on her desk with his right index finger, making sure she noticed his black Marks¡ªas if those on his face weren¡¯t obvious enough. Something about the woman grated on him, not to mention calling his brother was useless; the man rarely picked up, if ever. ¡°Can you ring him for me?¡± He shot her a glare when she politely refused, then heard movement behind him. ¡°Marcus?¡± He shifted his gaze to the right and saw his brother in the hallway, along with three of his coworkers. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Martin asked, looking a bit confused. ¡°I¡¯m here to see my little brother at work,¡± Marcus said warmly, stepping back from the desk and flashing the woman a victorious grin before heading over to Martin. ¡°Can we talk?¡± Martin hesitated, glancing at his coworkers before letting Marcus follow him. With a nod, Marcus fell into step beside his brother as they left the reception area, the click of Martin¡¯s crutches echoing through the corridor. As they moved through the hallway, Marcus couldn¡¯t help but look around, taking in the bustling activity of NeoGen Industries. He could see several labs, each with technicians and interns working on various projects. Prototypes were being built and tested, while engineers bustled about, engrossed in their work. Trying to make conversation, Marcus gestured towards one of the labs. ¡°What¡¯s that project they¡¯re working on?¡± Martin glanced briefly at the lab Marcus was referring to before answering, ¡°Just some R&D stuff.¡± Undeterred, Marcus tried again as they passed another lab. ¡°And what about that one?¡± ¡°Experimental service drones. Mana-tech,¡± Martin replied shortly. Marcus sighed internally, realizing his brother wasn¡¯t in the mood for small talk. He kept quiet as they continued down the hallway until they reached a private room with Martin¡¯s name on the door. Martin pushed open the door, revealing a small, tidy office, so neat it felt almost uncomfortable. Marcus followed him inside, taking in the sight of Martin¡¯s workspace. A desk held several papers and an expensive looking laptop, along with a few personal touches¡ªa photo of their parents and a mug with an engineering joke Marcus didn¡¯t understand. Martin settled into his chair behind the desk, motioning for him to take a seat opposite him. ¡°What do you want, Marcus?¡± he asked, his voice weary. ¡°I just wanted to catch up,¡± Marcus said, aiming for a casual tone despite the tension in the air. ¡°It¡¯s been a while since we talked. And I wanted to see where you work.¡± Martin sighed, running a hand through his hair. ¡°I see. Well, you¡¯ve seen it. If you¡¯d like, I can have one of our interns give you a proper tour.¡± Marcus frowned, hurt by his brother¡¯s dismissive tone. Before he could respond, Martin continued, his voice softer this time. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Marcus. It¡¯s just been¡­ hectic at work lately. I don¡¯t have a lot of free time right now. Sorry.¡± Marcus nodded, trying to be understanding despite the heaviness in his gut. He knew Martin¡¯s job was a handful, but the chasm between them felt wider than ever. ¡°Got it. Maybe you can give me a tour yourself sometime in the future, when you aren¡¯t as busy? I¡¯d like that,¡± he said as he rose, shifting his gaze around the room at framed newspaper clippings and awards highlighting Martin¡¯s accomplishments. ¡®I¡¯ve missed so much of his life,¡¯ Marcus realized as he felt a stab in his soul, recalling how young Martin had been during the Great Impact. Pushing the emotions down and wanting to distract himself, he focused on several contraptions under a protective glass dome on a table. ¡°Did you make these?¡± he inquired, tapping the glass. Martin followed his brother¡¯s gaze and nodded slowly. ¡°My team put them together.¡± He explained that they were early versions of safety mechanisms for explosives used within Spheres, with some of the later versions now mandatory in some of the grenades and mines used by Breachers within the Netherlands. Marcus continued to look around the room, spotting a cylindrical device with a needle. ¡°I think I¡¯ve seen these things before,¡± Marcus said, taking a closer look at the object. ¡°A non-marked Breacher I work with uses these before stepping inside a Sphere.¡± ¡°That was our first attempt at designing an injector and container for Mana-Binding Proteins,¡± Martin explained. ¡°Mind you, this device predates my employment here. I heard it was promising, but the deal eventually went to our competitors. I think one of my colleagues is busy with making a newer model.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t know NeoGen Industries was involved in so many things,¡± Marcus admitted before smiling as he looked at some of the awards on another wall. There, he also noticed an article about a massive merger with another Tech company that specialized in robotics. ¡°Tin cans, huh?¡± he asked, pointing at the article. ¡°Is that something you¡¯re personally involved with?¡± Martin shook his head. ¡°No. I¡¯m currently overseeing a project for clean energy conversion using Mana-tech. Robots were all the rage years ago, but interest and funding dwindled after the Great Impact. Electronic devices and machines can¡¯t survive within a Sphere, and there¡¯s not much funding for it these days.¡± He tapped his fingers on the table briefly before continuing. ¡°Our company focuses on Mana-tech designs for both experimental and everyday use, but we also handle contracts for specialized Breacher gear and new prototypes. Basically, we follow the credits.¡± ¡°So no robots?¡± Marcus asked, turning his attention back to his brother. ¡°No robots,¡± Martin said, flipping open his laptop and clicking a few times before opening a folder. ¡°We bought out some startups that experimented with robotics, and from what I see here, we have several terabytes of stored research and old schematics. But no, we don¡¯t focus on robots¡ªjust machines that help with prototype manufacturing. Why?¡± ¡°No reason, really. I¡¯ve just been reading up on them lately,¡± Marcus said, giving his brother a faint smile. He felt tempted to tell him everything, to explain what he had been through and endured since he first woke up in that junkyard. ¡®Martin¡¯s always been the smartest guy I know. He could help me with my robots. Hell, working together might show him that I want to protect my family¡ªand help the world,¡¯ he thought. ¡®Maybe that would mend things. But what if he freaks out? I did keep all of this a secret for weeks, and have committed several crimes back when I was surviving as a robot.¡¯ He steadied his nerves before speaking again, deciding to carefully test the waters. ¡°The last thing I remember before my coma was walking around the Tech-expo, seeing all the robots and sci-fi stuff. I guess it stuck with me. It looked pretty cool. And I remember how you used to love robots and¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯m not that little boy anymore,¡± Martin retorted sharply, stopping his brother mid-sentence. Martin looked surprised at his own abruptness, his features softening in the next breath. ¡°Look... it¡¯s been years. People change.¡± Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°I... I know that. I do,¡± Marcus said, his gaze fixed on his brother. ¡®Fuck, why do I keep messing things up with him?¡¯ he wondered, clenching his jaw before relaxing it. ¡°I get it. You¡¯re an adult now, and you¡¯ve accomplished more than I ever will. I mean, you even look older than me these days. But I¡¯m just going off what I remember, what I know about you. Sorry if I said something stupid.¡± Martin sighed, leaning further back in his chair, frustration clear on his face. ¡°It¡¯s fine. Forget about it. What do you want, Marcus? Why are you even here?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Marcus asked, confusion coloring his tone as he stared at his stoic brother. ¡°I just want to be your brother and be there for you. I want to go back to how we used to be, if you¡¯ll let me. Hell, maybe even work together.¡± Martin''s face tightened, eyes narrowing before he regained control. ¡°Follow me. I want you to see something,¡± Martin said, then slowly got up, grabbed his crutches, and left the office. Marcus blinked a few times before hurrying after his younger brother. - - - Sitting in the passenger seat of his brother¡¯s car, Marcus gazed out the window at the landscape passing by. The once-familiar sight of his hometown lay in ruins, surrounded by a large fence that stretched as far as he could see. Signs of destruction and decay were evident everywhere¡ªbuildings collapsed or partially standing, overgrown with vegetation reclaiming the land. Warning signs dotted the fences at regular intervals, their messages faded but still discernible: Keep out! In the silence between them, Marcus felt the ache of loss and the bitter taste of tainted memories. Martin drove on, his expression unreadable, hands steady on the wheel as they neared their destination. When a large black pillar came into view, Martin steered the car toward it and parked close by. ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± he said softly, breaking the heavy silence between them. Stepping out of the car, Martin grabbed his crutches, and his brother followed suit. They made their way toward the towering round pillar, its dark surface slightly reflecting sunlight. As they drew closer, Marcus could make out the thousands of names etched into the smooth black stone, each one a reminder of lives lost, of dreams shattered because of one single event. ¡°We¡¯re home,¡± Martin whispered, his voice barely audible above the wind. Standing before the monument, Marcus felt a surge of emotions wash over him, memories flooding back with each name he read, recognizing dozens. He searched for what felt like hours until he finally found it, his fingers gently tracing the chiseled names of Liane and Bas Smit. ¡°Mom and dad,¡± he whispered, his voice lacking the strength to convey what he was actually feeling in that moment. He turned to his brother, who stood beside him, silent yet resolute, his gaze fixed on the pillar before them. They stood together for a long moment, two brothers bound by shared history and loss. After a long silence, Martin spoke. ¡°There are pillars like this all over the country. A dark reminder of all that we¡¯ve lost. We can¡¯t mourn properly, can¡¯t rebuild, can¡¯t go back home because of all the dead zones that are still out there.¡± Marcus stared at the large fence before him, now close enough to read the warning labels. The faded letters let him know it was dangerous and forbidden to go beyond that point. ¡®Dead zones,¡¯ he thought, recalling all he¡¯d heard and read about them¡ªhotspots for new Spheres, littered with buried Glass pieces or dormant Orbs, just waiting to turn into full-on Spheres. He placed his hand on the pillar, pressing his palm against it to pay his respects, then stepped back. ¡°Why did you want to come here?¡± Martin took in the sight of their destroyed hometown, ignoring his brother¡¯s question as he spoke. ¡°What did Joline tell you about how I lost my leg? What did she say about mom and dad?¡± Marcus paused, absorbing the weight of Martin¡¯s words before answering, hesitant. ¡°She told me one of those meteors hit our home, collapsing the building on top of you three. You got pinned down and lost your leg. Mom and Dad died shortly after, crushed in the rubble,¡± Marcus said, his jaw tightening as he spoke the words while, angry at hearing himself speak them out loud. ¡°Joline said it was bad... that you were forced to see and hear it. Uncle Laurens and her told me that you don¡¯t like talking about it. If you want... I¡¯m willing to listen.¡± Martin let out a soft chuckle before shifting his gaze upwards to stare at the sky before he closed his eyes. ¡°Our Joline, ever the protector. You¡¯re lucky to have her as your sibling,¡± he whispered, opening his eyes again to face his brother. ¡°It¡¯s true, a meteor crashed into our house, trapping mom and me. I was forced to see her slowly get crushed to death by the debris that was pressing down on her. But what Joline didn¡¯t tell you was the fact that Dad tried to dig us out before the monsters swarmed him,¡± Martin explained, his gaze shifting to the black pillar, where the names of their parents were engraved. ¡°We could hear dad trying to fight them all off. He was brave... in the beginning.¡± A silence enveloped the two brothers as Martin turned his attention back to his brother. ¡°Dad died screaming as they tore into him. They didn¡¯t even kill him right away. The monsters just focused on eating him alive while ignoring his struggles. Mom¡¯s last moments on earth were feeling her body breaking under the rubble while hearing her husband being torn apart... bit... by... bit,¡± he said, his voice heavy as he looked back at the black pillar. ¡°Sis didn¡¯t tell you that part, to protect you, like everyone¡¯s been doing since you woke up again. She probably didn¡¯t mention how it took hours before she found me¡ªher little brother bleeding out, missing a leg, suffering from advanced stages of Mana-sickness.¡± Marcus¡¯s throat went dry as he stared at his brother, imagining the horrors he must¡¯ve seen and heard. ¡°Martin, I¡¯m sorry¡ª¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need your sorry. What I needed back then was my brother,¡± Martin interrupted him calmly, still facing the pillar. ¡°When I was eleven, you were my world... my hero. You and Dad were supposed to protect our family.¡± Martin turned slowly, his expression unreadable. ¡°Mom needed you there... dad needed you by his side. You weren¡¯t there. Instead, I nearly lost everything and sis had to carry the weight of the world on her own, fighting those horrors for a living in order to keep you alive in the hospital and helping me recover and afterwards putting me through school and salvaging what little she could of my childhood. And now you are here... healthy... and just like I remember you. I can¡¯t stand being around you. You echo old hurt.¡± He took one last look at his brother before he made his way back to the car, pausing briefly when he passed Marcus. ¡°Back in my office, you said you wanted to be there for your brother?¡± Martin pointed back at the black pillar, his expression hardening. In that moment, Marcus glimpsed everything his brother had kept hidden these past weeks, seeing it in his eyes. ¡°Your little brother... you can find that boy on that pillar too. He died that day, next to his screaming parents,¡± Martin said coldly before he continued toward his car. Marcus clenched his fists, his thoughts consumed by the unimaginable horrors Martin had endured as a child. He could almost hear the echoes of screams, igniting an anger he¡¯d tried to keep in check these past few weeks. He turned and saw his brother reach the car and open the door. ¡°Martin, please wait,¡± he pleaded desperately. Martin hesitated, their eyes locking, but neither spoke. Marcus watched as his brother slid into the car and drove off, leaving him alone beside the pillar, the weight of the dead pressing on him with silent judgment. ¡®He¡¯s right... I should¡¯ve been there,¡¯ he thought. His fists tightened as he forced himself to stare at his parents¡¯ names again, letting each letter burn into his soul. The fire inside him burned hotter, raging to the point where it felt like it might consume him. ¡®Never again,¡¯ he vowed, moving toward the fence. He burned through every bit of Mana in his system, then jumped in one violent burst. A second later, he reached the top of the gate and pulled himself over with ease. He landed on the other side with a small thud and moved forward. Walking through the ruins of his hometown, he made a straight line towards his old home. Marcus forced himself to keep a calm pace, his heart heavy as he took in the destruction surrounding him. Some houses still stood, damaged and overgrown by nature, while others were burned-out husks or mere craters. He compared what he was seeing to how the town used to be, remembering small shops, a sports bar he and Oscar used to try to sneak into, and spotting Felix¡¯s old home, or what remained of it. ¡®This place is a graveyard,¡¯ he thought, turning the corner into the next street and spotting the ruins of a large apartment complex. Some of the houses still standing were boarded up, while others showed faded graffiti symbols on the walls and doors. Marcus couldn¡¯t tell if rescue workers had marked the houses after searching for survivors, if vandals had left a statement, or if looters had marked potential targets. His expression hardened as he finally spotted his old home, taking in the partially collapsed structure and destroyed roof. He froze, recalling his brother¡¯s words, imagining himself trapped in that building as a young boy, forced to watch his mother die before his eyes, helpless to save her, while hearing his father being devoured. ¡°Never again,¡± he muttered before moving forward again, each step fueled by rage. ¡°Nothing is ever going to harm my family again.¡± He circled the house, looking for a safe way in and noting that the front section had completely collapsed. Spotting the shattered kitchen window, he decided to climb through it, crouching down to make his way further into the house. As he crawled through the ruins, Marcus took in the aftermath of the Great Impact 13 years ago and the years of neglect. Now inside, he saw the collapse¡¯s extent, a shadow of its former self. Broken beams and crumbling walls surrounded him, evidence of the devastation that had struck so long ago. Vines snaked up the walls like grasping fingers, while weeds pushed through cracks in the foundation, reclaiming the space from human habitation. Now and then, the old building groaned, bits crumbling off, and he wondered if the rest might collapse around him. He spotted a few remnants from his childhood, including a broken ceramic cup his mother used to drink from and the destroyed arm of the sofa they used to sit on. Finally, he reached a spot where the room opened up, bent steel emergency support beams looming overhead. Looking around, he noticed faded stains on the old floorboards, mostly hidden under layers of dust. Marcus wiped away some of the dust, uncovering more stains and deep grooves in the wood that resembled claw marks. His jaw tightened as he recognized what he was seeing and what had happened there. He pulled his gaze away from the sight and noticed a broken section of the wall. ¡®It looks like it was punched through,¡¯ he thought, moving closer. ¡®Did Joline do this with her bare hands?¡¯ He paused, imagining the state she must¡¯ve been in, rushing home even after being struck by a meteor that had Marked her, changing her body and mind forever, only to find her father int hat state. He finally crawled through the gap and peered into a small chamber surrounded by caved-in sections of the house. Inside, he saw more discoloration marring the floor in the corner as he brushed away the dust. Beyond the stains, he saw smaller scratch marks etched into the wood a little further on. ¡°They don¡¯t look like claw marks,¡± Marcus muttered as he traced them, pressing his fingers into the damaged wood until it all started to make sense. His gaze followed the scratches, where his little brother had clawed at the floor, struggling to drag himself toward something. Marcus¡¯s gaze narrowed on the stains on the ground there, near a part of the wall that had collapsed. ¡°Mom...¡± he muttered, his voice breaking as he sat beside the traces of his little brother in the wood, realizing the hell Martin had endured. He lost himself moments later, his body tensing as tears slipped down his cheeks. (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 14 (Tears of Pain) CHAPTER FOURTEEN Tears of Pain Marcus climbed through the kitchen window, stepping back to gaze at the building for a moment. He slid his hand into his pocket, fingers brushing the sharp edges of his mother¡¯s old mug¡ªeach ceramic shard a piece of a treasured memory now. ¡®I¡¯ll fix it up for you, Mom,¡¯ he thought, gently patting the shards in his pocket. With a heavy heart, he left the house behind, making his way back into town, wondering how he could mend things with his brother. He walked past familiar houses, trying to recall who used to live there, occasionally peeking through windows to see the decay within. Some doors showed signs of forced entry, making him think that those homes had been looted at one point. He passed a worn-out garage where his father used to take the family car for repairs. Dusty tools lay scattered around, and a moss-covered car bridge screamed of years of neglect. He shook his head and continued into town, pausing only when he caught sight of his dad¡¯s old gym standing in the distance. ¡®Wait... that old place is still standing?¡¯ he thought, a soft smile lifting his spirits. He broke into a light jog, eager to reach it. He stopped in front of the building, noting a few broken windows and overgrown vegetation. Despite it, the building seemed to be in decent condition. ¡°Naturally, this place survived. Stubborn old thing,¡± he muttered. Finding the front door locked, he shrugged and slipped through one of the broken windows, taking care to avoid the jagged glass. As he stepped inside his father¡¯s gym, broken glass crunched underfoot, the sound echoing in the silence. For a moment, it felt like a scene from a horror film, but nothing followed. The place looked unchanged, except for thirteen years of dust and filth covering everything. Most of the equipment still stood in its original positions, now covered in rust. The workout mats, however, had either rotted away or become coated in mold. Marcus walked along the walls, fingers tracing lines across the dirty surface, marking his path as he went. Occasionally, he paused to wipe dust from framed pictures, revealing the faded images beneath. A smile spread across his face when he came across a photo of his family and his uncle from years ago, back when his father had opened the gym. In the picture, his little sister grinned widely, several baby teeth missing, giving her a mischievous look. Next to her, his baby brother rested in their mother¡¯s arms. The sight tugged at his heart, making him remember the scratch marks in the floor of their house. In the back, he saw his uncle and father, both still young and fit, especially his uncle, a stark contrast to his current state. Marcus¡¯s gaze narrowed as he studied the tattooed notches on his uncle and father¡¯s right arms, each one representing an official kickboxing match that they had won. With care, he gently removed the picture from the wall, pressing it softly against his chest and supporting it with both hands. ¡®The place doesn¡¯t look looted,¡¯ Marcus observed a while later as he continued to walk around. He spotted the reception desk and noticed that one of the registers had been smashed apart. ¡®Well, not fully, anyway.¡¯ It made sense to him, considering there wasn¡¯t anything valuable in the gym except the cash that had been there that day. ¡®That must¡¯ve happened years ago, seeing as we¡¯ve switched to credits now.¡¯ He approached the drink station, now a foul-smelling, moldy mess that had spread everywhere. ¡®That thing looks scarier than most monsters I''ve fought.¡¯ Passing that spot, he entered his father¡¯s office in the back. Dust blanketed the furniture, desk, and cabinets, while cobwebs draped every corner, giving the office a truly abandoned look. He looked around, touching worn posters that crumbled at his touch like fading memories. ¡®This place always felt more like home to me,¡¯ he thought, staring at his father¡¯s desk. He recalled the dozens of talks they¡¯d had there whenever he got into trouble for fighting. ¡®Only fitting that this place is still like I remember.¡¯ Leaving the office, Marcus headed for a side door that led to the basement. The space served as both a storage area and a dojo where his uncle had taught judo and wrestling most evenings. He jiggled the door, but it remained stubbornly locked. With a frustrated grunt, he delivered a swift kick, breaking the lock and swinging the door open. Cobwebs draped everywhere down there, resulting in much of it eventually clinging to his hair and clothes despite his efforts of trying to tear it apart with his hands. After clearing away most of the cobwebs, he could finally move freely. The large room, surprisingly, was in relatively good condition. He noticed moldy mats covering the floor, toppled storage shelves, and a thick layer of dust. He imagined how much bigger the space would feel without all the clutter, especially since the basement was nearly half the size of the gym upstairs. Some walls showed signs of damage, with him spotting broken bits of stone on the ground. He walked over to a nearby wall and pried at a brick that jutted out, loosening it after a few seconds of wiggling. He inspected the brick, then slid it back into place, patting the wall like one would do a family pet. ¡°You did well staying together, old gal. Dad would¡¯ve been proud,¡± he muttered. A second later, Marcus froze when he heard something upstairs. He held his breath, straining to listen as the sound grew into something like buzzing, only to be replaced with footsteps a minute later. Dust drifted from the ceiling as footsteps paced above him, followed by a heavy thud. ¡®Police?¡¯ Marcus thought as he felt his hands ball into fists at the idea. ¡®Not this again.¡¯ His mind quickly went back to the memory of him, Sebastian and Benedict sitting in front of the detective, after they had been caught inside of a Sphere. He slowly crouched down, gently placing the picture of his family on the ground to keep it safe in case he needed to bolt out of the gym in a hurry. Soon, the footsteps upstairs receded until he could no longer hear them. In response, he snuck out of the basement as quietly as he could, creeping up the stairs to the ground floor. He scanned the gym after emerging from the basement, finding nothing unusual except a fallen weight rack. ¡®Should I head out through dad¡¯s office? Open a window there?¡¯ He noticed a few footsteps in the dust but struggled to determine whether they were his own or belonged to someone else, or multiple people. Just as he was about to head to his dad¡¯s office, he heard buzzing noises outside. ¡®This is stupid,¡¯ he thought as he crept toward the front door, peeking through a broken window frame. He spotted someone near a house a short distance away from the gym¡ªa small, hooded figure holding a phone. The buzzing he¡¯d been hearing grew louder until a drone zipped out from a broken window. It whirred through the air and landed neatly in front of the figure. He watched the person grab it before stuffing it into a backpack. A moment later, the figure pulled out a crowbar, wedging it into the doorframe and starting to pry it loose. ¡®A looter?¡¯ Marcus wondered as he watched the figure struggle with the crowbar. ¡®Doesn¡¯t look like a Marked individual,¡¯ he noted, observing the time it took the person to pry the door open. ¡®Just civilian?¡¯ After double-checking his Mana levels and how much he had regained, Marcus slowly took a few steps towards the figure before speaking up. ¡°Hey there,¡± he called out, instantly watching the figure drop the crowbar and jump up as if burned by it, then quickly looked around before spotting him standing there. ¡°What are you doing there?¡± Marcus asked, but the figure suddenly ran away from him. Not sure why, he followed after the individual, mostly out of sheer instinct. As Marcus chased the hooded figure through his ruined hometown, he quickly found out that he was a lot faster than the looter, closing the distance with every stride. He watched as the figure darted through the debris, causing him to occasionally lose sight as the individual slid through smaller holes between caved-in sections of ruined buildings or ducked through houses and out of backdoors, throwing the doors shut afterwards. He quickly learned that this person clearly knew the layout of the looted houses well, using every advantage to evade him. Marcus gritted his teeth, frustration bubbling up as he rounded corners and saw the figure dashing ahead and rounding another corner, intent on losing him once more. With irritation fueling his steps, he pushed himself harder, his muscles burning with exertion, refusing to let the hooded figure slip away again. As Marcus himself reached the corner, he could see the figure slide through a small gap in a nearby fence. ¡®Overdrive¡¯ Marcus suddenly shot forward, propelled by the remaining Mana rushing through his body. His muscles surged with raw power in a violent acceleration as he jumped toward the nearest wall. Using it as a platform, he propelled himself up and over the fence with tremendous force, landing on the other side with a sliding skid across the ground. He spun around and spotted the figure just emerging through the fence, eyes widening at the sight of Marcus¡¯s sudden appearance and the light blue mist of Mana bleeding out from his body before the looter turned around to crawl through the fence again. Marcus dashed forward, grabbing the person by the ankle and yanking them out. Seconds later, he grabbed the figure by the jacket and pinned them against a nearby wall. ¡°Stop with all the running!¡± Marcus barked, his expression narrowing as he finally saw the figure up close. She was a young woman, barely sixteen or seventeen. Fear flickered in her eyes as the last remnants of the blue mist surrounding him finally dissipated. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Don¡¯t kill me, please,¡± the girl begged, her hands trembling as she raised them in a plea for mercy. Marcus shook his head and let her go, staying close enough to stop any escape. ¡°Relax, I¡¯m not going to hurt you,¡± he said, pulling back her hood to reveal short brown hair and pale skin. ¡°Why did you run away from me?¡± The girl paused for a moment, catching her breath, her eyes reflecting a whirlwind of emotions. ¡°Just let me go,¡± she pleaded. ¡°Answer the question,¡± Marcus demanded, observing her disheveled appearance and seeing the backpack strapped to her. ¡°Buddy, have you seen yourself?¡± she snapped, pointing at the black streaks on Marcus¡¯s face. ¡°Creepy bloke suddenly appears right behind me in a ruined town, covered in those Marks. Who wouldn¡¯t run?¡± Marcus raised an eyebrow and took a step back. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be here. What were you doing?¡± She gave him a once-over, her dull brown eyes still lingering on the Marks across his body. ¡°I don¡¯t see a badge on you. I could ask you the same question,¡± she said defiantly, seemingly determined not to be intimidated by him, but her voice faltered a little. Marcus sighed and extended his hand. ¡°Enough. Give me your bag,¡± he ordered, waiting for her to comply. She shook her head, clutching the straps tighter. ¡°Now!¡± When she froze, Marcus simply grabbed the bag and wrestled it off her shoulders, despite her struggling to hold on to it. Once he had the bag, Marcus unzipped it and peeked inside. Inside, he found a collection of watches, silverware, a gold money clip, expensive-looking bottles, and several rings. He also pulled out a flashlight, the drone she had flown, a bottle of water, and some candy bars. Marcus didn¡¯t need to be a detective to know that it was all clearly looted, judging by the way the girl looked at him as he sifted through the bag. He then zipped it up and opened the other pouch, finding her wallet and a small makeup bag. As he was about to put it back, he noticed her holding her breath, as if something was off. Opening the makeup bag, he found several pieces of Glass. ¡°Care to explain?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know how that got there,¡± she said nervously as she watched Marcus shake the bag filled with Monster-Glass pieces. ¡°Honestly.¡± ¡°Right, and I¡¯m secretly the Easter bunny,¡± Marcus countered, zipping the bag after counting all nine Glass pieces. He couldn¡¯t help but notice the similarity to the time Benedict and his brother had ambushed him, though this time, the roles were reversed. ¡°That would explain the buckteeth and ugly ears,¡± she muttered defiantly, pressing herself tighter against the wall when Marcus glared at her. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to make an honest living here.¡± She quickly added, ¡°semi-honest,¡± when Marcus continued to stare at her. ¡°I take it you sell this stuff to a pawnshop?¡± Marcus asked while holding out her backpack, watching her nervously nod before he shook the makeup bag with the Glass. ¡°What about this?¡± ¡°I sell it,¡± she said softly. Marcus stuffed the makeup bag into her backpack before speaking up. ¡°Where? At the pawnshop?¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t sell Glass to a pawnshop. I¡¯m not daft.¡± ¡°Could¡¯ve fooled me,¡± Marcus said, suppressing a grin when he watched her give him the middle finger before she even knew it. She quickly slid her hands in her pockets again as her face paled. ¡°Who do you sell the Glass to?¡± She paused for a long time, avoiding eye contact before she reluctantly spoke up. ¡°Collectors, brokers, and... Breachers.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Marcus asked as he studied her again, noticing her thin frame and dirty appearance. ¡°Why would Breachers want to buy the Glass off you? And shouldn¡¯t you be in school?¡± She suddenly looked up, glaring defiantly at him, as if his questions had just now crossed a line. ¡°Motherfucker, do I look like I¡¯m dictating my autobiography?¡± she spat venomously. ¡°You¡¯ve got a foul mouth on you. Anyone ever told you that?¡± Marcus asked the girl, who just stared back at him. ¡°Alright, be that way,¡± he said, grabbing her shoulder and dragging her along. ¡°This place isn¡¯t safe. Let¡¯s get you out of here while I call¡ª¡± He stopped when a strange sound pierced the air, followed by the ground trembling beneath their feet. Dust and debris suddenly shot towards them in a violent tempest. He quickly pulled the girl tight against him, shielding her from the storm of dust as he kept his back towards it. Bits of debris hit nearby houses and occasionally pelted him, but luckily, he avoided taking too much damage. When the dust settled, Marcus let go of the girl and turned around, spotting a massive blue Sphere in the distance. ¡°What the hell?¡± he muttered as he watched the Sphere expand more and more until it stopped moving and stabilized. ¡°I was just there... not half an hour ago.¡± ¡°It happens a lot in Dead zones,¡± the girl spoke up behind him. ¡°Sometimes once a year, other times several times a month, usually blue¡­ sometimes red. You don¡¯t want to be inside a red one when it forms.¡± ¡°We should go,¡± Marcus muttered, stepping back. His mind split in two directions: one urging him to call Bastion and Specter to clear the blue Sphere in front of him without government oversight, the other reminding him of his duty to protect others. ¡°We need to get you someplace safe.¡± He turned around and saw her holding two cans of pepper spray. Without hesitation, she sprayed him in the face with both of them at the same time. ¡°Why?¡± Marcus yelled, the stinging substance quickly burning his eyes and orifices, forcing him to clutch his face with his right hand in a futile attempt to wipe it away. While he was suffering, the woman rushed forward, pulling on the backpack that Marcus was still holding onto. He just gripped it tighter and pulled the bag closer towards him, remembering that he had seen a bottle of water inside of it. In response, the girl then delivered a knee to his groin in a last attempt to make him drop the bag. Cursing, Marcus doubled over and fell to his knees, struggling to breathe through the chemical burn on his face and the agonizing pain in his groin. He felt her yank at the backpack several times before she bolted, leaving him on his knees, groaning in agony. After the attack, Marcus remained knelt over for a little while longer until the discomfort in his face and eyes became unbearable. He forced himself to sit and not wipe at the liquid on his face while trying to open the backpack. Seconds later, he started digging around until he found what he needed: the bottle of water. Leaning back, he forced himself to open his eyes despite the pain, then poured the water over his face and eyes. Though it still hurt badly afterwards, he at least was able to squint and see out of one of his eyes. He then grabbed the backpack and made his way to the nearest body of water, determined to wash away every bit of the biting chemicals or drown himself in the attempt. - - - A while later, Marcus sat on the ground, leaning against the black stone pillar back outside the Dead zone. His clothes were still damp and clinging to his frame. He was holding onto the old picture of his family that he had retrieved from his dad¡¯s gym, fingers tracing the wooden edges. Glancing at the bag beside him, he chuckled at the fact that he had gotten his ass handed to him by a mouthy teenager. ¡®I feel sorry for the poor sod she ends up dating,¡¯ he thought as he closed his eyes, trying to ignore the discomfort he was still feeling all over his face, resting his head against the black pillar that held his parents¡¯ names. His phone that was on his lap vibrated a few times, prompting him to look at the screen to see more texts from his uncle, letting him know he was almost there. After texting back with a thumbs up, Marcus opened up his email app before setting up a new message to send himself, fully aware that Specter or Bastion would read it. Pausing briefly, his fingers hovered over the touch screen before he started typing. ©³ ©· ¡°Found another art project. Blue. Blood and iron.¡± - Nexus ©» ©¿ He pressed send and seconds later heard his phone vibrate, indicating he had just received mail from himself. Though it was his own mail and on his own device, he and his companions had agreed to keep things vague in case someone intercepted his emails, or before they could delete them and someone stumbled upon them. ¡®Specter¡¯s right. I really should look into burner phones or disposable emails or something. Or just make concept emails? Would that work,¡¯ he thought as he recalled one of his earlier chats with the robot. He shook his head when he read the name ¡®Nexus¡¯ again, as the three of them had decided it should be his codename. ¡®It sounds nerdy when I read it on my own like this. Still, it¡¯s kinda fitting, considering the fact that I¡¯m the connecting element between the robots.¡¯ Seconds later, he saw the email he had sent himself marked as read before it got deleted mere moments later. ¡®Good lads.¡¯ Eventually, he spotted his uncle¡¯s car in the distance, slowly making its way towards him. Marcus waved at his uncle before getting up, grabbing the backpack and the family picture as he made his way over to his uncle¡¯s car. He opened the door and got in. ¡°Thanks for picking me up.¡± ¡°What happened to your face?¡± Laurens asked, staring at his nephew, noticing the red skin and irritated eyes. ¡°You look like you got an allergic reaction while getting sunburned at the same time. And why are you all wet?¡± ¡°Pepper sprayed,¡± Marcus admitted, closing the door and dropping the backpack between his feet. He stared at his uncle, who looked confused. ¡°What?¡± ¡°What do you mean, what?¡± Laurens threw up his hands in frustration. ¡°How the hell did you get pepper-sprayed?¡± Marcus pointed at the fence in front of them before speaking up. ¡°Ran into a looter when I picked up this,¡± he said, handing his uncle the family picture and seeing the reaction it was producing in him when Laurens briefly froze up at seeing his dead brother. ¡°I suggested the person to stop looting, but got pepper-sprayed and kneed in the groin afterwards.¡± His uncle looked at the fence and then back at Marcus as he tried to decipher the puzzle. ¡°How the hell did that happen? Aren¡¯t you supposed to be a fancy Breacher now?¡± ¡°Guess you didn¡¯t train me properly. That and apparently us ¡®fancy Breachers¡¯ still are weak to getting the family jewels kicked in,¡± Marcus said with an amused smile before pointing at the Sphere in the distance. He then explained how he had jumped the fence, walked around town and ran into the looter, only to get startled by the sudden formation of a Sphere close-by, before telling Laurens how he had cleaned his face with a lot of water and a lot of cursing. ¡°But what were you even doing here in the¡ª¡± his uncle began before he got cut off. ¡°I visited Martin at work. A surprise visit,¡± Marcus said with a weaker smile this time. ¡°It went as well as you can imagine. Afterwards, he brought me here and told me about what had really happened to him¡­ to mom and dad. Every horrible detail.¡± Marcus heard his uncle open his mouth a few times, but no words came out. ¡°After that, Martin drove off, and I needed to see my old house for myself. I needed to see the place where they died. I picked up the picture on my way back.¡± ¡°He told you, huh?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Marcus said as he leaned further into the car seat. ¡°All of it.¡± The two of them sat there in silence for a while longer before his uncle spoke up. ¡°I take it you don¡¯t want to talk about it?¡± He looked at Marcus, who just shook his head, prompting Laurens to start the engine and slowly drive away, giving the black pillar one last look. ¡°So, what do you want to do now? Get some ice for the eyes?¡± ¡°That sounds great,¡± Marcus said, staring out of the window at the blue Sphere beyond the fence as they put more and more distance between them and it. Remembering the email he had sent to his companions, Marcus spoke up again. ¡°How much free time do you have right now?¡± ¡°I have a late shift today. So, I still have a few hours. Why? Did you want to take me up on my offer to grab something to eat?¡± Laurens said with a grin as he patted Marcus¡¯s knees. ¡°I know this great Greek place nearby.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t say no to that. But I was actually hoping for a favor,¡± Marcus said, his eyes flicking to the family picture on the dashboard. ¡°Two actually.¡± ¡°Err... alright, shoot.¡± ¡°I need to buy my first weapon as a Breacher, and some basic protective gear,¡± Marcus said, turning his attention to his uncle, who looked clearly surprised. ¡°I have no idea where I can buy gear, what is good, and don¡¯t want to look like a total idiot there. And no, I¡¯m not asking my sister for help. I¡¯ve still got some pride left as an older brother.¡± ¡°So, basically, you want a second idiot next to you so you can blend in?¡± Laurens asked, seeing his nephew nod. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll play along. So, ice first, then food, and shopping afterwards. What¡¯s the second favor? Besides me as a police officer not reporting your ass for entering a Dead zone?¡± Marcus tapped on the family portrait, his finger pressing against the picture of his father and the tattooed notches on the man¡¯s arm. ¡°Still know how to make those notches?¡± he asked, before turning his attention back to the rearview mirror and seeing the Sphere in the background. ¡°I need to keep track of something important to me Something dad would approve of.¡± (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 15 (Learning Experiences) CHAPTER FIFTEEN Learning Experiences Specter Warm water flowed over the bloody cloth in the sink, swirling the red liquid. Specter¡¯s steel hand squeezed the cloth, wringing out the blood until it was clean. He glanced at the empty bucket on the floor, a reminder of the mess he had just dealt with and the sheer amount of puke it had contained. He left the bathroom, the bucket in one hand and the clean cloth in the other as he entered the bedroom. The dim light there barely illuminated the room, casting long shadows. Marcus lay motionless on the bed, his chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. His skin looked ghostly pale, and his nose still bled, staining the pillow. Sweat covered his body, soaking through his clothes and the sheets. He looked at the two dark grey notches tattooed on Marcus¡¯s right biceps, each a permanent reminder of a Sphere they had destroyed. The skin still looked red and tender from his uncle¡¯s work yesterday, despite the man¡¯s protests. Specter shifted his attention to the young man¡¯s chest, noting the red-stained t-shirt despite the bandages underneath. ¡®Still bleeding,¡¯ Specter thought, seeing the red spots where the man had repeatedly stabbed himself with Glass. ¡®At least he¡¯s no longer curled up in agony or retching. Luckily, his rate of recovery has improves as well.¡¯ He placed the damp cloth against the man¡¯s nose, wiping away some blood before setting it on the table. He noticed the nine spare Glass pieces next to the cloth, demanding his attention. Specter then activated his HUD, and a series of new pop-ups appeared, highlighting Marcus¡¯s improved stats. ¨X ¨[ [Endurance] [+1] [Agility] [+2] [Perception] [+1] [Vigor] [+1] ¨^ ¨a ¡°You know you¡¯re mental, right?¡± he muttered, recalling how Marcus had stabbed himself with 20 Glass pieces, repeating the painful process 14 times and using up 280 pieces and constantly upgrading himself during it. He remembered holding Marcus down with Bastion, a leather belt forced between the man¡¯s teeth as his body convulsed from the unnatural energy violently altering him. ¡®Brave idiot.¡¯ He grabbing the cloth to wipe more blood from Marcus¡¯s nose. ¡®This is going to get you killed someday,¡¯ he thought, recalling how Marcus had violently vomited, and how blood constantly poured from his nose. ¡°You should¡¯ve paced yourself... spread the process out over a few days,¡± he muttered softly, hearing movement behind him. Bastion stepped into the room, its towering black steel frame covered in matte green plastic plating, contrasting sharply with Specter¡¯s dull grey plates. ¡°How¡¯s he doing?¡± Bastion asked, moving closer to the bed. It squatted down, took the cloth from Specter¡¯s hands, and dabbed more blood from Marcus¡¯s nose, as if emphasizing its role as his guardian. ¡°Well, he¡¯s not howling like a banshee anymore,¡± Specter said, his three lenses fixed on Marcus as his thermal camera detected a spike in body temperature. ¡°He¡¯s not going to like how he feels in the morning, but he should be fine.¡± He watched Bastion gently dab the cloth against Marcus¡¯s nose with surprising grace for its bulky frame. Moments like these made Specter realize just how much Bastion had changed in the last two weeks, acting more like how their sister react with a touch of Luuk sprinkled in there. It came off more like a gentle giant now, despite the violence Specter had seen the robot channel against monsters. ¡®Protective... steadfast... caring,¡¯ Specter thought, grinning inwardly, his steel body unable to show it. ¡°I still say we should¡¯ve stopped him. I mean, 280 pieces of Glass? I think he suffered brain damage from all the smoke he inhaled back then,¡± Specter pitched. ¡°Says the robot that nearly got killed trying to grab a third Orb,¡± Bastion said with an amused tone. ¡°That¡¯s rich, coming from the bucket of bolts that crumpled like a crouton from a small jump.¡± Bastion chuckled, setting the cloth beside the Glass pieces. ¡°I¡¯m with you on Marcus¡¯s overzealous upgrading. It wasn¡¯t smart. But,¡± it paused, twin lenses focusing on the family photo that was on Marcus¡¯s desk. ¡°We weren¡¯t there... in our old home. We only have his memories. He smelled it, saw the faded bloodstains on the floor where Mom and Dad died. If we had been there, we¡¯d be¡ª¡± ¡°Pissed off,¡± Specter said, nodding. ¡°You¡¯re probably right. I think I would¡¯ve done the same, had I been a fleshy human.¡± They watched Marcus for a while longer, his labored breathing slowly calming as he slipped into a deeper sleep. After a while, the robots left the room and headed to the living room, with Specter carrying the family photo. Bastion sat on the couch, facing the 3D printer as it made more protective plates, before picking up the laptop to research shield and spear designs. Specter recalled how the robot had mentioned plans to create its own weapons once it learned how. He shifted his attention from the robot to his mother¡¯s ceramic mug on the printer, glued back together and now holding the small cactus his sister had given Marcus in the hospital. ¡®Seems fitting somehow, broken shards desperately clinging together. Just like our family is.¡¯ He then carefully placed the picture next to it, finding the combination fitting. ¡°Are you good to go?¡± Bastion called out, shifting its head to see what Specter was staring at. ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s only 24 hours. I mean, what could go wrong?¡± Specter said sarcastically, shifting his gaze from the mug and moving to the door where two bags and a crate sat. One of the bags belonged to Marcus, containing his newly bought steel and cut-resistant armor. It wasn¡¯t even Glass-grade, just basic non-augmented armor, but better than what he had before. Behind it, a sealed crate held a sword Marcus had bought with his uncle. The crate required both Marcus¡¯s ID and a government official¡¯s authorization to open without setting off alarms. Specter then shifted his attention to the other bag, which held two sets of clothes, a cheap disposable cellphone, a smaller backpack, several knives, two axes, rope, and a few rolls of tape for last-minute repairs. He quickly grabbed one set of clothes and began to put it on, covering his robotic frame in baggy black fabric, while a hoodie hid most of his head. ¡°So, how do I look?¡± Bastion stared at him for a moment before speaking up, ¡°Honestly? You look like that weird kid at school that always tagged walls for fun.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take it,¡± Specter said, zipping up his bag and securing his hoodie before struggling to put on some black sneakers that would hopefully muffle most of the sounds he¡¯d otherwise be making. After testing the sneakers for a few seconds by taking a few paces, he made his way over to the window and opened it slowly. ¡°Let me know if anything happens to him, alright?¡± Specter asked as he crawled through the window. ¡°I¡¯ll handle things here. Don¡¯t worry,¡± Bastion said, standing up and moving toward him, grabbing the window with one hand and making a fist with the other. ¡°You just worry about not getting killed, alright?¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Specter nodded before double tapping his fist with Bastion, with both of them speaking up, ¡°Blood and iron.¡± The large robot closed the window as Specter moved quietly down the fire escape, focusing on the task ahead: scouting their next Sphere. - - - A while later, Specter leaped over the fence with ease, landing quietly on the other side. As he made his way through the ruins of his hometown, memories flooded his mind¡ªMarcus¡¯s memories. Familiar spots from their childhood stood in stark contrast to the devastation around him. The schoolyard where he had played was now overgrown with weeds. The park bench where Marcus and his friends had gotten their first scars was now broken and rusted. Each step he took brought a new wave of nostalgia and sorrow, the echoes of a past life mingling with the desolation of the present. Nearing the Sphere¡¯s barrier, Specter spotted several ruined houses clustered nearby. He wasted a bit of time exploring the scene, looking for signs of activity¡ªlooters, Breachers, or the government. Finding nothing, he searched for the nearest house next to the Sphere while still in sight of his father¡¯s gym. ¡®This place should do for now,¡¯ he thought, making his way inside the old house. The structure was in a bad state, with most of it already collapsed. The roof had caved in, and the walls were riddled with cracks and holes. Debris littered the floor, and the air was thick with dust and mildew. Specter grabbed the disposable cellphone from his bag, emailing Bastion to update it on his location and that he¡¯d be entering the Sphere in a few seconds. He then powered down the phone, grabbed his weapons, and donned his tattered raincoat. After tossing the phone in the bag and stuffing it in the nearest cabinet, he stepped outside, wielding both axes as he made his way towards the Sphere. The barrier, a gel-like wall of crystals, engulfed him as he slowly stepped through, emerging on the other side into a landscape that mirrored the ruins outside but was bathed in a blue hue. ¡®It doesn¡¯t look that different from before,¡¯ Specter thought as he quickly made his way into the nearest house, explored it briefly, then crouched down and peered out of a broken window adjacent to the main street. ¡®Glad to see the weird mutating effect isn¡¯t that quick.¡¯ He jumped out through the window and entered the next house, repeating the process from house to house. Just as he was about to leave the last one, he spotted movement. Zooming in with his camera, he made out a group of monsters rushing down the street in a tight pack. ¡®Seven of them?¡¯ he thought, switching to his main camera after detecting their heat signatures. He observed the wolf-like creatures: brownish fur, six limbs, one eye, and multiple tusks instead of fangs. ¡®Sort of like a mixture between a wolf and a boar.¡¯ The monsters split into three smaller groups, one heading toward the building he was in. ¡®Is this steel body cursed or something?¡¯ Specter thought, moving away from the window and rushing to the nearest door. He opened it to reveal a small pantry, barely large enough to fit inside. Forcing himself in, he left the door ajar, listening as the creatures crashed through the front door and windows. ¡®Two of them,¡¯ he thought, doing his best not to make a sound or knock into anything. In times like these, he was glad to be a robot, seeing as he could lock up the motors and pistons in his body to stay perfectly still. He could hear the distinct sounds of movement¡ªcreatures clawing at the floorboards, growling at one another, or simply running around the room, sniffing the air. Tightening his grip on his axes, Specter prepared to strike in case he was discovered. ¡®I should be able to handle two... but I wonder if they¡¯re similar to the monsters I¡¯ve fought before,¡¯ he thought, hesitating because he had no way of knowing if he was inside a light blue Sphere, other than what he could see. Minutes of tense silence passed, filled with the sounds of destruction and digging. Eventually, he slowly pushed the door open a bit wider, peeking his head out to see that the monsters had made a deep hole in the floor. Suddenly, one of the monsters attacked the other, ripping it apart and tearing chunks from the dead creature. ¡®Infighting, what the hell?¡¯ To make it even weirder, the monster vomited on the remains before nudging all the body parts back into the hole. Moments later, it started burying the corpse underneath bits of broken floorboards. ¡®Why is it doing this?¡¯ Specter thought, bewildered. After finishing the burial, the remaining monster started running around the room anxiously, as if waiting for something to happen. It passed the pantry door several times, its tusk gouging lines into the floorboards while smashing up nearby pieces of furniture. On the fifth pass, it skidded to a halt, noticing the door was slightly ajar. The monster slowly moved towards it and began sniffing the door, only for said door to slam right into its nose. With the creature dazed, Specter buried an axe into the its skull and slammed the second one into its neck. He let go of the axes, grabbed two knives, and frantically punched more holes into the creature, aiming for vital organs and arteries as it dropped dead. He watched it for a few moments before he ripped out the Glass from the back of its skull. ¡®Looks like I can kill the buggers just fine,¡¯ he thought as he stored the Glass. Retrieving his gear, he then made his way to the mound of broken floorboards. Brushing away debris, he uncovered the remains of the other monster, ripped apart and covered in bile. Using his knife, he swirled it around in the gory mess until he found the Monster-Glass with small fleshy tendrils attached to it. ¡®That¡¯s weird,¡¯ he thought, pulling out the Glass piece and watching the tendrils wither and die before they crumbled into nothingness. He looked at the piece for a few more seconds, then stuffed it in his backpack. After checking that the coast was clear, he jumped outside and headed toward another house. Entering through the nearest broken window, Specter saw scratch marks all over the floor, leading to one of the open doors. He carefully followed the trail after having made sure the rest didn¡¯t have any hidden monsters. Peering through the doorway, he saw a basement with scratch marks leading down the wooden steps. ¡®Great, another basement fight,¡¯ he thought, recalling his previous experience with monsters and a basement. He swapped one axe for a knife to have a better advantage in the cramped environment. Slowly, he descended the groaning wooden stairs, mentally wincing at every sound as he alternated between his night and thermal vision. Barely halfway down, he paused. ¡®Why am I doing it like this? Dad wouldn¡¯t have walked into an ambush.¡¯ He slowly returned upstairs, secured his knife, and grabbed a nearby lamp from a collapsed cabinet. He looked at it for a moment before he threw it down the stairs. The sound of it smashing echoed through the basement as he leaned against the wall near the doorway, both hands clutching his axe tightly. Tense seconds passed before he heard hissing and growling, followed by a large creature rushing up the stairs. ¡®That¡¯s it, you dumb idiot, follow the sound.¡¯ As the creature shot through the doorway, Specter slammed his axe into the monster¡¯s chest, shattering ribs and puncturing organs before sending it tumbling back down the stairs. ¡®Overdrive¡¯ Specter¡¯s body exploded with unnatural speed and strength, consuming a third of his battery reserves as he shot down the stairs, landing feet-first on the dazed creature¡¯s stomach like a steel robotic spear. His weight and impact crushed several of the creature¡¯s ribs, and he followed up with savage swings of his axe, blood splattering everywhere. Specter halted and stepped back when he heard movement, seeing another creature rushing toward him, climbing over its fallen kin. Specter retreated up the stairs and paused near the doorframe. As the creature closed in, he slammed the door shut at the last second, a wave of satisfaction washing over him as the timing was just right, hearing the monster crash into the door, before falling down the stairs with a yelp. Specter¡¯s cameras were fixed on the door as he listened to the howling from the basement. ¡®Any second now,¡¯ he thought as he gripped the axe tighter. Moments later, he heard the creature charge up the stairs, clawing at the wood before crashing through the door in a burst of splinters and hatred. The creature hit the ground and slid forward with its momentum. Just as it got back up, Specter swung his axe into its back, breaking its lower spine and paralyzing parts of its body. With one arm on the axe handle and the other on its neck, Specter dragged its head across the ruined floorboards. He applied more pressure, shaving bits from the creature¡¯s face with each step he took, leaving a gory red smear across the floor. Its hisses turned into whimpers as Specter reached the doorway leading to the basement. With casual disdain, he threw the creature headfirst down the stairs, hearing a nasty crunch as it hit the wall and went limp. ¡°I think it¡¯s safe to assume that this Sphere is indeed a light blue,¡± Specter muttered, making his way down the stairs. He collected his weapons and ripped out the monster¡¯s Glass pieces one by one, dumping them into his backpack. The old, dusty basement was typical, though warped by thirteen years of decay¡ªcobwebs hung from the ceiling, and a thick layer of dust covered everything. Switching through his camera perspectives, Specter noticed bits of broken concrete in the corner. ¡®Another hole?¡¯ he thought, moving the debris to uncover another dead monster, ripped apart and covered in bile, just like before. ¡®What the hell,¡¯ he thought, noticing the same veins attached to the Glass but in a much more intricate pattern, nearly encapsulating it in a spherical design. ¡®Is this how monster make more Orbs or nests?¡¯ He inspected it further, but couldn¡¯t find a definitive answer, nor grasp how long such a process might take. ¡®I¡¯ve read that any piece of Glass can turn into an Orb if the conditions are right or enough time passes, but seeing this up close¡­ this is weird¡¯ His mind flashed back to the Sphere where he and Felix had worked recently, recalling the monsters that had rushed out. Some had survived a few seconds outside, while others had nearly managed a full minute. The motors in his fingers whirred as he made a tight fist, anger surging at the thought that some of these creatures might form a new Orb outside the Sphere if they were fast enough and managed to hide their Glass. ¡®I¡¯ll need to learn more about the process,¡¯ he thought, slipping the piece of Glass into his backpack before checking his HUD to see how much time had passed already. He stood up and climbed the stairs. ¡®I¡¯m sure there¡¯s detailed information out there about how it all works, but just to be sure...¡¯ He stepped outside, staring at another house in the distance, where the third group of monsters had gone.¡®¡­Let¡¯s not miss out on a practical learning experience.¡¯ (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 16 (Ninja) CHAPTER SIXTEEN Ninja Day 76 A monstrous howl pierced the silence of the old, ruined house¡ªa cry of raw agony and desperation. The noise came from a creature lying in a heap near the room''s center. Its legs were mangled, its tusks broken, and numerous cuts oozed dark, thick blood. Its dirty fur was matted with the same crimson fluid, having turned its once bushy brown coat into a sticky, tangled mess. A large smear of blood led away from the monster, tracing a path to a partially broken staircase where it had been dragged from. It howled and hissed, trying to move but only managing a feeble twitch. Minutes passed like this before the sound of heavy footfalls broke the quiet once more. Three of its kin rushed into the building, their snarls and growls echoing through the crumbling walls as they clattered inside. They leaped over debris, powerful limbs moving through the ruined terrain, passing piles of old clothes and broken furniture. The newcomers resembled their wounded kin but bore unique traits. One had three large tusks jutting menacingly from its jaw; another boasted grey fur and a bulkier frame, suggesting greater strength. The third had over a dozen eyes, some oozing a sickly yellow puss. The three monsters fanned out, sniffing the air and the surroundings as they searched the room for any sign of a threat. One moved to a broken sofa, its snout probing the torn fabric, while another sniffed at a large pile of old, moldy, moth-eaten clothes. The third, with its extra eyes, examined a moldy mattress in the corner before it ran up the creaking stairs to check the floor above. The largest monster, with grey fur and a large frame, stopped near its mauled kin, sniffing at the wounds with a mix of curiosity and anger. The wounded monster let out a pained hiss, triggering something in its grey-furred kin. Without warning, the large monster attacked, sinking its uneven teeth into the wounded creature¡¯s chest and tearing out chunks of flesh. The wounded monster¡¯s howl of pain cut short as its throat was ripped out, the sound dying in a gurgle of blood. The mutilated body twitched a few more times before finally going still, its agony at an end. The grey-furred monster didn¡¯t stop with its initial attack. It continued to tear into its fallen kin, gnawing on the limbs and torso with savage intensity. Blood dripped from its jaws and tusks as it chewed on the remains, the sound of crunching bones filling the room. After devouring a decent bit of the creature¡¯s body, it moved to the head, crushing the skull with its powerful jaws in a sickening crunch. The grey-furred monster then paused, its body convulsing as it retched, vomiting out the Monster-Glass and bits of brain onto the ground with a splash of bile before resuming its gruesome feast. As it continued, the second monster returned from its search upstairs. It tripped and slid awkwardly down the stairs before joining the others. When the creature reached them, it let out a low growl and assumed an aggressive posture, its many eyes focused and alert. The grey-furred monster stopped its feasting, lifted its head, and let out a deep warning growl at its kin, blood dripping from its maw. It was poised to attack, ready to assert its dominance, when it noticed the other monster wasn''t looking at it, but past it. Slowly, the grey-furred creature turned to see what had captured its comrade¡¯s attention. Near the front door, lying in a massive pool of blood, was the monster that had guarded the entrance. A large, deep cut circled its throat, its lifeless eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. Both remaining monsters snarled and hissed, eyes wide with alarm. They cautiously approached their fallen kin near the doorway, hissing nervously, trying to figure out what had happened. Suddenly, the pile of clothes next to the body shifted and moved forward as the upper part of a human figure wrapped in cloth rose up, a flash of steel following in its wake before embedding an axe inside a monster¡¯s skull. The grey-furred monster roared in fury at the death of its kin and charged at the figure. Before it could reach the threat, the figure and the clothes shot downward, sinking into the floor and disappearing entirely. The monster skidded to a halt, glaring at the hole now visible in the floor leading to the basement. The remaining monster, now alone and enraged, roared, its bloodshot eyes darting around the room. In a frenzy, it clawed at the hole before giving up and charging through the ruined house, smashing into walls and knocking over debris. The impact sent broken pieces of furniture flying, and the floorboards creaked and groaned under its weight. It rammed into a half-collapsed door, shattering it with brute force and tumbling down the stairs into the basement. The fall was painful, the monster¡¯s body crashing into the hard, cold floor. It stood up with a snarl, its movements erratic. It dashed left and right, bumping into walls in the pitch-black darkness, hissing each time it tripped over forgotten tools scattered about. The creature¡¯s breaths came in ragged, angry bursts, the scent of blood and dust thick in the air. A sudden clang of metal echoed behind it, causing the monster to spin around and rush toward the sound, only to end up colliding headfirst with a wall. Dazed, it heard a low chuckle from the opposite side of the room, followed by things scattering across the floor, creating a cacophony of noise that echoed in the enclosed space and disoriented it further. Confused and panicked, the monster growled and lashed out at the darkness, its claws swiping at nothing or hitting bits of the basement wall. Every few seconds, a sharp blade cut into its flanks, slicing through fur and flesh, without the creature able to retaliate. Each wound sapped more of its strength, its many legs growing weaker with every passing moment. The monster¡¯s growls turned into pained whimpers as it backed away, desperately trying to find a way out. It spun around, eyes wide with fear, searching for the stairs. Just then, a small flame flickered to life in front of it, revealing a steel and plastic humanoid figure wrapped in cloth, holding a lit lighter and a knife. ¡°Hey there, champ,¡± the robot said, voice cold and mechanical. In a swift motion, Specter stabbed the monster through its neck, twisting the blade before ripping it out. The flame was extinguished, plunging the room back into darkness and preventing the monster from retaliating. The monster howled in pain, but the sound was reduced to a gurgle as blood rushed out of the wound, spraying across the floor and down its throat into its lungs. It staggered, desperate to escape, crawling and falling as it moved up the stairs, leaving a trail of blood behind. Just a dozen steps into the room above, the monster collapsed, its vision blurring. Its body struggled to function, weakened and disoriented from the loss of blood.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. It heard footsteps behind it, slow and deliberate. The figure that had hunted it stepped into view, shedding torn clothes to reveal more of its true form. Clad in blood-drenched black clothes, with parts of a robotic steel frame and plastic plating visible underneath, the robot''s three cameras glowed a cold light blue. They were arranged in a triangle: one larger on top and two smaller below. The monster gurgled one final time, feeling the coldness of death creeping over it. Its body tensed, the last of its strength leaving it as it lay there, defeated and dying. Specter squatted down, grabbing the monster by the back of its head and forcing it to stare into the synthetic eyes of a merciless predator. He paused, as if deciding something, his cold blue lights reflecting in the monster¡¯s fading eyes. ¡°That¡¯s for Oscar,¡± the robot said softly before slicing the monster¡¯s neck further, forcing it to bleed out even quicker while staring at him. A few agonizing seconds passed, the monster¡¯s body twitching as the last vestiges of life left it. Almost casually, the robot ripped the Glass from the back of the dead monster¡¯s head with a sick wet pop. Specter stood up, his mechanical frame covered in the creature¡¯s blood, and retrieved his gear along with the other Glass pieces in the house. - - - Specter passed through the barrier a few minutes later, easing through the gel-like substance. He ignored the countless crystalline fragments around him and slid out the other side, quickly readjusting his hoodie to keep his robotic head covered. He looked up at the night sky, free of its usual blue hue, and appreciated its beauty for a few moments, relieved that he no longer had to constantly look over his shoulder. He then made his way towards the house he had used for storage, retracing his steps. Upon reaching the old house, he retrieved the bag he had stored there, depositing the Monster-Glass bits he had collected into a small plastic container. He counted them carefully, ensuring he had accounted for each piece before putting the lid back on to seal the container. Specter then grabbed his phone and switched it on to check the time. A moment later, he activated his HUD and synchronized his internal clock, noting again how accurate it had become. ¡®God, I wish I had this back in high school,¡¯ he thought before switching off his HUD. ¡°Not bad for 23 hours of work,¡± he muttered to himself. A moment later, the phone buzzed as it regained signal, revealing a new concept email from one of his other versions. He replied to the email, saying he was on his way before dumping his phone in his bag. After grabbing his things, he stepped out of the old house, readjusting his torn raincoat so the hood covered most of his features. Then, he made his way to his father¡¯s old gym. Stepping inside, he switched to night vision and noticed fresh footsteps in the dust. He followed the footsteps, carefully stepping into them to lessen his own presence, aiming to make this habit instinctual. He knocked his metal fist against the door leading to his father¡¯s office, pausing for a second before opening it. As he stepped inside, he saw Marcus sitting behind the desk with his feet propped up, eating a protein bar. ¡®He looks less pale compared to yesterday,¡¯ Specter thought before shifting his gaze to the right. Bastion sat on the ground in the corner, with his spear and shield beside him, watching a video clip on his phone about Breachers discussing tactics and monster subtypes. Marcus looked at Specter, as if checking for damage, before speaking up, ¡°How did it go?¡± Specter tossed his bag to Marcus in a high arc, and he caught it easily. ¡°63 pieces. And bits of brain tissue, so you know it¡¯s fresh.¡± Bastion let out a low whistle as he switched off his phone and joined Specter and Marcus. ¡°How was it? Fighting during the day?¡± the large robot asked, its voice now less like Marcus¡¯s as it started to embrace its new identity. ¡°Honestly? A bit weird after all the night sessions we had. Visibility¡¯s better, but it ruined any chance at stealth,¡± Specter admitted with a shrug. ¡°I had to change tactics during the day.¡± ¡°How much damage did you take?¡± Marcus asked, placing the bag on the desk without checking the Glass inside. Specter grabbed the bottom of his hoodie and slowly lifted it, revealing his torso. Some of the plastic plating had chipped edges or small stress lines. "Not much happened. I took a few swings and a kick when I messed up my footing earlier today. The monsters are like a mix of boar and dog, maybe wolf. They¡¯re fast, with many limbs and nasty tusks, but they couldn¡¯t find me in the dark. They relied more on smell and hearing. And they suck at climbing.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good to hear,¡± Marcus said, moving closer to Specter with a wide grin. ¡°Was it weird fighting for an entire day?¡± ¡°See for yourself,¡± Specter said, making a fist with his left hand and holding it out. Marcus pressed his own fist against Specter¡¯s, and the connection formed instantly. Specter felt a torrent of Marcus¡¯s memories: the painful upgrading session of his stats and the horrible state he¡¯d been in the next morning. He recalled how Marcus had focused on getting a decent meal, doing a light workout, adding a new modification to Bastion, and then going to bed in the afternoon to be well-rested and full of Mana. At the same time, Marcus experienced Specter¡¯s battles from the last 23 hours, starting with violent skirmishes and evolving into more stealthy, predatory approaches as Specter gradually changed his tactics. He learned that Specter fought for two hours at a time, taking small breaks to stay sharp and avoid mental fatigue. Marcus also became aware of how the monsters killed one another to bury Glass pieces in the ground. Marcus stepped back after a few seconds, breaking the connection. He shook his head as he recovered before speaking up. ¡°You changed up your style a bit, huh?¡± Specter nodded, then calmly grabbed his axe and dagger, holding them out in front of him as if to demonstrate something. ¡°Fighting head-on has its merits. Dad used to be like that,¡± he said, flinging the axe upwards and catching it as it came down. ¡°But that was in his youth. When he got older, he started using his head more, focusing on technique and setting up counters. Remember what he always said to Martin?¡± Marcus opened his mouth to speak, only for Bastion to interrupt them. ¡°Brawn is the violent storm, yet a sharp mind will always be its thunder.¡± Specter nodded, then flicked the knife upwards, snatching it out of the air a moment later. ¡°I figured I¡¯d take that to heart¡ªchange my style to sustain as little damage as possible while inflicting as much as I can. Like a¡ª¡± ¡°A knife in the back. Sort of like a ninja,¡± Bastion suddenly said, earning an approving nod from the other robot. ¡°That and traumatize the poor bastards with the horrors you¡¯ve inflicted upon them,¡± Marcus muttered, recalling how Specter often took down smaller groups, yet kept one of them alive to lure in others. Other times, Specter simply fought them in the darkness. ¡°Less ninja and more Eldritch horror from the shadows.¡± ¡°Hey, it¡¯s effective. What can I say?¡± Specter countered before putting away his weapons and staring at Marcus and the other robot. ¡°So, are you boys ready to go in?¡± Bastion grabbed his shield and spear in response, slamming them together before stepping out of the office, leaving Marcus and Specter behind. ¡°As protective as always. Bastion¡¯s really taking the whole big sister routine to heart, huh?¡± ¡°Says the robotic version of my father,¡± Marcus sighed, grabbing his bag and fishing out the protective steel gear he and his uncle had bought. He carefully put it on, piece by piece, tightening the straps. ¡°I think it¡¯s safe to say that all three versions of me are messed up beyond repair,¡± Marcus said, putting on his helmet and fiddling with the strap. ¡°But we work with what we¡¯ve got, right?¡± Specter nodded, then pointed at the Glass in the container. ¡°There¡¯s sixty Glass there, enough to upgrade another stat. We could use it up here and go in later? We also have some Glass left over at home.¡± Marcus shook his head, zipped up the bag, and threw it to Specter, who caught it. ¡°No, I promised you I¡¯d be a bit more mature, right?¡± he said as he grabbed his own things. ¡°No more stabbing myself in the chest inside a Sphere or right before I step inside one. Come on, Bastion¡¯s waiting.¡± The two of them left the office to join their third member, then made their way toward the Sphere again. (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 17 (Naked Secrets) CHAPTER SEVENTEEN Naked Secrets Day 77 Marcus Marcus sat outside the Sphere in the dark, leaning against a nearby building that was partially collapsed. The house had been Specter''s storage spot once. His armor, except for the helmet lying next to him, was marked by fresh scratches, dirt, and dried blood. He cradled a sports drink in his left hand and a half-eaten sandwich in his right, occasionally biting it as he eyed the nearly full bag at his feet. He glanced left, toward the nearby barrier, vaguely making out Bastion and Specter, drenched in blood, as they kept hacking apart monsters and ripping out Glass pieces. He could see the twin light coming from Bastion¡¯s shoulders. ¡®Glad the upgrades are working,¡¯ he thought, recalling the effort it had taken to install the lamps and for his companion to learn how to use them. Marcus looked up at the night sky. The stars twinkled brightly, a serene contrast to the chaos he¡¯d just escaped. The cool night air helped him relax, providing a brief respite from the tension and exhaustion. With a sigh he activated his HUD as the transparent overlay appeared in front of him. ¨X ¨[ [Time:] [23:18] ¨^ ¨a ¡°Can¡¯t believe it¡¯s been almost a full day of fighting,¡± he muttered, recalling how they¡¯d started last night and hadn¡¯t stopped since. Each time he moved he could feel the sting of all the bruises covering his body along with all the scratches he had earned. The steel armor had done its job, but hours of intense fighting had worn him down. He¡¯d also been managing both robots, keeping them fueled with Mana to maximize their efficiency in battle, which had been a mathematical struggle in itself. He took another sip of his drink before he heard movement on his left. He turned to see Specter pass through the barrier, seeing it sliding its knives back into their sheaths. ¡°I come bearing gifts,¡± Specter said, approaching Marcus and dropping six bloody Glass pieces into his open bag. ¡°How¡¯s dinner?¡± ¡°Soggy,¡± Marcus muttered, shaking his sandwich before stuffing it into his mouth and mumbling something about their Glass count. His words came out barely comprehensible, but Specter seemed to understand what he was trying to say. ¡°The kill count¡¯s higher than the Glass we¡¯ve collected. But we¡¯re at 193 now¡ªcounting yesterday¡¯s haul, leftovers, and the ones you stole from that little girl,¡± Specter said, casually brushing off Marcus''s claim that he¡¯d earned them after surviving getting pepper sprayed. ¡°Are we going in for another round? Bastion told me it¡¯s got another hour in the tank, and I¡¯ve regained some Mana,¡± Specter shared. ¡°The big brute been making a lot of noise, so I think there should be a few more monsters coming in soon.¡± Marcus swallowed his food, finished his drink, and stuffed the garbage into the now dangerously full Monster-Glass bag. He then opened his HUD again and checked his Mana reserves. ¨X ¨[ [Total Mana:] [4/52] ¨^ ¨a ¡°An hour, no more than that. I¡¯ve barely got any juice left, and we can¡¯t keep swapping out your spare Orb and shoving it into Bastion,¡± Marcus said as he stood up, grabbed his helmet, and secured it in place before fastening the straps and putting on his gloves. ¡°We could always just grab the Orb,¡± Specter said calmly. ¡°That should fix the problem.¡± Almost immediately, Marcus shot him a glare that was equal part disapproval and exhaustion. Seeing it, Specter held up its hands and let out a chuckle. ¡°Dude, relax, I was kidding.¡± Marcus was about to comment when he spotted Bastion passing through the barrier, its body drenched in blood and dirt. The two small lights on its torso, near where its chest and shoulders met, shone faintly. Marcus held up his hand to shield his eyes from the glare, only for Bastion to switch the lights off and make its way over towards them,. ¡°You good to go in?¡± Bastion asked as it stopped near him. ¡°Yeah,¡± Marcus said, standing up and zipping the bag filled with Glass before carrying it inside and hiding it in an old cabinet. He texted his uncle and Felix a funny picture he¡¯d found online, pretending he was out having fun instead of fighting for his life, afterwards switching off his phone and shoving it in the cabinet as well. He put on his own smaller backpack before joining up with his companions. Specter entered the Sphere first, crouching low and wielding daggers in both hands. ¡®And off it goes,¡¯ Marcus thought, watching the robot blend into the background as it rushed past a ruined house, its night and heat vision making it easy to move undetected and spot threats. ¡°One second,¡± Marcus said as he placed his hand on Bastion and poured the four points of Mana he had recovered into the robot. ¡®That should give it a few extra minutes,¡¯ he thought, tapping Bastion¡¯s shoulder to signal he was finished. The towering robot then went in next, its shield and axe drenched in blood. The robot passed through the barrier, emerging on the other side before switching on its lights. The flashlight both blinded and stunned monsters in the dark while helping Marcus and Bastion see more clearly during a fight. The light also acted as a massive beacon, drawing nearby monsters to them¡ªjust like Marcus¡¯s scent gave the creatures an easier way to track them. In this case, they wanted the extra attention, sticking close to the barrier and constantly fighting smaller groups of monsters while farming Glass. Marcus stepped through the barrier, gripping his smaller, lighter shield and a short spear, with a few spare weapons strapped across his body. Bastion had started out with a spear as well, but had bent it during the first few hours while killing monsters. As Marcus emerged on the other side of the barrier, he was instantly hit by the scent of blood, organs, and whatever the monsters had expelled from their digestive systems when they had died. He tried to ignore the stench as he followed Bastion, carefully stepping over severed limbs and mutilated corpses, not wanting to slip and fall again. They left the sight of their last skirmish and turned down another street, searching for their next source of Glass. After a few minutes of walking, they spotted five smaller monsters clawing at the side of a building at the end of the road. ¡®Are they trying to bury more Glass?¡¯ he wondered, watching them for a while longer. Occasionally, the five creatures snapped and hissed at each other, behaving more like feral beasts than animals. They had small limbs and were roughly the size of large cats. A few seconds later, one of the creatures sniffed the air, then turned toward Marcus, picking up his scent. ¡°Here we go,¡± he muttered as Bastion¡¯s metal frame shifted into an offensive stance. Seeing the threat, the five monsters suddenly charged at them in a frenzy. The robot moved forward, meeting their charge with its own, loud steel feet pounding into the asphalt before it got close enough to slam one of them away in an arc and through the side of a house with a single shield bash before hacking off a limb of another. Two monsters darted past the robot, rushing toward Marcus. One lunged at him, jaws wide, but Marcus stepped in, driving his shield into its mouth and shattering its skull and neck, sending it flying backward. He ducked as the other monster rushed at him, trying to bite his legs. Marcus swung his spear and rushed to the side to gain distance, the asphalt giving way to dirt. He stabbed the spear into the ground, then swung upward, sending dirt and rocks into the monster¡¯s face, momentarily blinding it. He then stabbed the creature through its torso, pinning it down, and finished it off by bashing its skull twice with his shield until it went limp. Marcus glanced over, watching Bastion stomp down on another monster. A small yelp escaped the creature before Bastion crushed it to death. ¡®That was nasty,¡¯ Marcus thought, moments later hearing something as he spotted a wounded monster crawling out of a ruined house. In an instant, he shot forward as fast as his body could take him, moving quicker thanks to his increased Agility Stat. He flung his spear upward to reposition his grip, then came to a sudden stop and hurled it like a javelin. The spear missed the monster, striking the ground and startling the creature. Marcus grabbed the axe dangling at his side and charged the monster, with Bastion rushing towards the creature as well. The monster changed course and jumped towards Marcus, its mouth wide open, aiming for his throat. In response, Marcus crouched low and thrusts his shield upward, slamming the creature further up in the air before he hammered his axe into its torso, yanking it down into the ground with tremendous force. A second later, Bastion''s axe split the monster¡¯s skull, killing it instantly. ¡°It¡¯s weird that you¡¯re suddenly faster than I am,¡± Bastion said, scanning their surroundings as it pulled its axe back. ¡°I¡¯m not sure I like it.¡± Marcus grinned at Bastion¡¯s comment and knelt by the first monster, retrieving the Glass only for it to fragment in his hands and disintegrate. He looked annoyed before getting back up and making his way over to the next monster. ¡°Well, you¡¯re still stronger than me. A lot stronger, actually,¡± he said honestly.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Bastion looked around for a moment longer before helping Marcus with the Glass retrieval. ¡°I doubt it will be like that for much longer considering your current growth and the fact that we¡¯ve been collecting a lot more Glass lately,¡± he said, ripping out another Glass piece. ¡°But really, it¡¯s weird seeing your sudden growth. Those four points in Agility are really noticeable. You¡¯ll need to watch yourself around other people, or they might suspect something.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Marcus said, pocketing the last piece and collecting Bastion''s before stowing them in his backpack. He was still annoyed at how often smaller monsters¡¯ unstable Glass would disintegrate. ¡°My Power rating¡¯s 15 now, still average for a Beta-ranked Breacher, but way higher than when I started¡ªAlpha rank¡­ and the lowest one at that.¡± He grabbed his weapons again before the two of them made their way over towards the next street, making sure they stayed relatively close to the barrier to avoid running into much larger groups of monsters that would no doubt be close to the Orb. It didn¡¯t take long for Marcus to hear a bird call coming from the north, even though any bird within the Sphere would have died from Mana-sickness by now. ¡®Specter¡¯s on a roll,¡¯ he thought, realizing the robot had found another group of monsters. He waited for the sound to repeat, followed by several clicks, signaling the number of enemies. ¡°Take the lead, Bastion.¡± The robot nodded and made its way down the street, carefully scanning nearby houses for threats. They soon spotted Specter standing guard near an alley, a fresh corpse lying at its feet. As they approached, Bastion quickly switched off its lights. It then calmly pointed toward the alley with its steel thumb. ¡°Six bigger ones and one strange creature walking on two feet. The thing is about the size of a person. Must be a new variant. There are also a dozen smaller ones without tusks, covered in pus. It seems manageable with the three of us. We might get scratched, but it¡¯s the last fight of the evening, correct?¡± Specter asked as he grabbed something from its backpack and placed it in Marcus¡¯s, the soft sound of Glass tapping against Glass clearly audible. ¡°So, how do you want to proceed, o brave leader?¡± Marcus grabbed the robot¡¯s shoulder for a brief moment, forming a connection. He recalled seeing the monsters in the alley through the robot¡¯s night and thermal vision, counting their numbers before the connection broke. Marcus paused briefly, formulating a strategy before speaking up. ¡°Bastion goes in from the front and draws them in. Specter, you go from the rear and cause chaos. I¡¯ll deal with the weird one from above. Alright?¡± Specter just nodded while Bastion spoke up, ¡°Works for me. Need a lift?¡± The large robot crouched, raising its shield. Marcus dropped his own spear and shield, then moved back a few paces. He sprinted towards Bastion, leapt onto the shield, and was launched upward the moment he made contact. As his momentum slowed, he grabbed the roof''s edge and pulled himself up. As he finished his climb, a spear followed, and he grabbed it just in time. He crawled into position at the roof''s edge, peering into the alley below. Marcus heard movement as Bastion stepped into the alley, its metal feet stomping with purpose while it dragged its axe along the wall. The screech of metal on stone was overwhelming, reverberating through the narrow space as the tall robot continued to move forward. The horrible sound drew the monsters'' attention, triggering snarls and hisses. One of the smaller creatures rushed forward, but stopped, startled, as Bastion¡¯s shoulder lights flared on, blinding it. The robot stepped forward, dragging the axe along the wall for a final second before slamming it down. The metal bit deep into the creature¡¯s shoulder and torso, nearly cleaving it in two. The robot calmly straightened, slamming its shield and axe together in an intimidating display. ¡°Come on, you mangy mutts! Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got!¡± The remaining monsters hissed and moved toward the robot, some more hesitant now, while others charged outright. Bastion held its position, bracing itself as the lights in its shoulders flashed, constantly blinding the creatures that came too close. The first wave of monsters reached Bastion in a violent clash of metal and flesh. At the same time, the monsters lingering behind howled in pain as Specter rushed in, attacking from the opposite side. It cut into exposed flesh with reckless abandon, flinging curses to signal its presence to monsters beyond the reach of its blades. Confusion and chaos took hold as the group of monsters was torn apart, divided into two struggling fronts. Bastion held its ground, while Specter occasionally backed off due to the number of monsters it was dealing with. The robot maintained a balance between inflicting cut after cut and luring a decent chunk of the monsters away from Bastion, leaving a trail of growing monster bits. Seeing the events unfold, the two-legged monster in the center howled and struck its brethren, trying to restore order and prevent the others from charging recklessly. As the monsters tried to reorganize, Marcus sprang into action. ¡°Well, time to pick up my end of the couch,¡± he muttered. He stepped back, then sprinted forward and leaped of the building, spear aimed at the two-legged monster below. The creature jerked its head up, as if sensing Marcus, but couldn''t stop the spear from being driven into its chest as the young man crashed down with full force. The impact echoed with a brutal thud, and Marcus pinned the monster to the ground, its body convulsing in its final moments. Around them, its confused brethren reeled as the robots shifted from defense to an all-out assault. Marcus released the spear, snatched his axe and dagger, and charged at the nearest monster, startling it with his explosive speed. He slid its throat while he moved on, ducking under its wide claw swing before burying his dagger in the monster¡¯s chest, then spun around the creature and buried his axe into another monster¡¯s neck. He kicked one of the smaller creatures mid-jump, sending it crashing into a nearby wall. Specter and Bastion reached him seconds later, hacking and stabbing into the remaining monsters, who quickly gave up fighting and tried to run away, only to be cut down. Marcus paused, watching his machines rip through the remaining monsters. He opened his HUD to check how much time Bastion had left, then wiped the blood from his face. ¡°Specter, take care of the stragglers,¡± he said, yanking his spear out the corpse with a sickening sound. ¡°Bastion, let¡¯s get to work while you¡¯ve still got juice left.¡± - - - Bastion and Marcus climbed the fire escape an hour later, heading to Marcus¡¯s apartment. The robot wobbled and stumbled, burning through the last remnants of the Mana the young man had just poured into it. Marcus opened the window, climbed through first, and then helped Bastion do the same. As the robot squeezed through, its power ran out, and it crashed to the floor face first with a heavy thud. ¡°Really?¡± Marcus muttered before throwing the keys on the ground. ¡°Like I¡¯m not exhausted enough.¡± He climbed back out, grabbed his bags, and slipped back into the apartment. He dragged the unresponsive robot across the floor and through the living room. Bastion¡¯s baggy black clothes, meant to conceal its features, were soaking wet from washing off grime and blood before leaving the Sphere. The wet clothes left a trail of water as he dragged the robot into his bedroom, muttering curses along the way. In the bedroom, Marcus undressed the robot, pulled off the wet clothes, and stuffed his silent companion into a closet, locking it. He then retrieved his bags, dumping his dirty clothes, armor, and weapons into the bathtub. He turned on the water, watching as old blood and dirt mixed with the water before swirling down the drain. He overturned the bag, letting the Glass pieces fall into the tub. As the pieces tumbled out, he remembered his phone was also inside the bag and snatched it before it fell into the water. ¡®Idiot,¡¯ he thought while putting the phone away. He looked at the tub again, noticing some Monster-Glass still had skull or brain fragments attached, further staining the water. ¡°It looks like a bloody crime scene,¡± he muttered. He undressed, tossed his clothes and equipment into the tub, and got in, rinsing off the blood and dirt while avoiding the sharp axes and knives. After a five-minute shower, the warm water soothed his sore body and slowly brought out the normal human in him again, instead of the butcher and exterminator he had been. He rinsed out the clothes again before hanging them over the railing of his shower curtain. Getting out, he dried himself off before using the same towel to dry off his weapons and armor. ¡®Why do I have to play housemaid while Specter gets to have fun inside the Sphere?¡¯ he thought as he dropped the last piece of equipment on the ground along with the towel. He brushed his teeth, then scooped up the Glass pieces, dumping them onto the wet towel As he counted the Glass, his smile grew with each piece. ¡°Around ten and a half charges worth of upgrades,¡± he thought out loud before tying the edges of the towel together and standing up. Marcus¡¯s smile soured as he realized what ten charges would do to his body during the upgrading process. ¡°Shit.¡± He made his way to his bed, carrying the Glass-filled towel along with him before sitting down. He recalled upgrading his Stats five times all at once before the last Sphere, spread across four categories. The memory of the pain and discomfort flashed through his mind, reminding him of how he had bled from his eyes and nose, vomited all over himself before passing out from the ordeal. He weighed his options: upgrade slowly or do it all at once and get it over with. Time passed as he sat there, staring at the Glass and contemplating his choices. Finally, he clenched his jaw, deciding on his course of action He grabbed a leather belt from his closet, bit down on it, before grabbing first 20 Glass pieces. He stabbed them into his chest, near his black Marks, and felt the first surge of unnatural energy crash into him as he reached for the next 20 pieces. - - - Marcus woke to the sound of banging and his phone ringing in the distance. He groaned and rolled over, his body aching from the night¡¯s ordeal. Blinking against the morning light streaming through the window, he closed his eyes again, the brightness overwhelming. Every movement brought a hiss of pain from his lips, his muscles protesting. Despite the soreness, his mind felt surprisingly clear. The phone rang again, jolting him fully awake. ¡°Alright... alright... I¡¯m up,¡± Marcus groaned as he ran a hand through his hair, his fingers brushing over the black Marks on the right side of his head. He activated his HUD, ignoring the blinking notifications as he checked the time. ¨X ¨[ [Time:] [9:24] ¨^ ¨a Another series of knocks on the door forced him to move. ¡°Coming!¡± he shouted, his voice hoarse. ¡®God, I feel horrible,¡¯ he thought, massaging his chest. He winced, remembering the intense pain of the upgrades from last night. Glancing down at his naked frame, he saw the puncture wounds from the night before, now mere specks of dried blood on his chest. He licked his thumb and rubbed the blood, revealing unbroken skin beneath, though still slightly pink. ¡°Huh? Well, that¡¯s new,¡± he muttered, realizing his healing rate had increased. ¡®Must be the increased Endurance.¡¯ He opened his HUD again to check the notifications about his recent changes. ¨X ¨[ [Strength] [+2] [Mental] [+1] ¨^ ¨a Marcus smiled briefly at the notifications. Three points of upgrades might seem less impactful than his previous sessions, but they had cost him 200 pieces of Glass, each earned through blood and death. He let the thought linger for a moment, appreciating the effort and pain it had taken to get there. He heard the knocking on his front door again, this time more insistent. ¡°I said I was coming,¡± Marcus yelled, snapping back to the present. He made his way to the bathroom, grabbed his phone, and saw four missed calls from an unknown number. Several texts asked if he was free today and one telling him to open the door. As he left the bathroom and headed for the front door, the banging continued, even taking on a playful rhythm now. ¡°Will you stop with all the banging? Who the hell is it?¡± he yelled as he tried to unlock the door, only to realize his keys weren¡¯t in the lock. ¡°Julien,¡± a voice called out from the other side of the door. ¡°Who?¡± Marcus asked, looking around for his keys before remembering he had left them on the floor near the window. ¡°Julien Maes. You know, amazing Caster, member of the Salamanders?¡± Julien called out, his tone slightly pained with annoyance. ¡°Amazing my ass,¡± Marcus muttered, picking up the keys and unlocking the door. He heard Julien mutter something about having heard that. ¡°What do you want?¡± Marcus asked, swinging the door open. He felt a twinge of annoyance at Julien¡¯s amused grin. As always, Julien stood sharply dressed, the intricate green Marks on his forearms fully visible, like some sort of fashion statement. Julien paused for a moment, coughing once before speaking. ¡°Well, I found out a little secret about you. Something that needs to be discussed. But first, you might want to put on some clothes.¡± He gestured downward, making Marcus suddenly aware of his own nudity as he stood there in the doorframe. ¡°Give me a minute,¡± Marcus muttered, slamming the door shut. He made his way toward his bedroom to get dressed, all the while trying not to freak out over what Julien might have discovered. (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 17B (Status Screen) CHAPTER SEVENTEEN-B Status Screen Marcus Smit ¨X ¨[
Official Rank: Beta Rank
Power Rating: 18
¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ StatsUnauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.
Strength: 4 Endurance: 2
Agility: 4 Perception: 2
Mental: 3 Vigor: 3
Total Mana 55
¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ Passive Abilities Link: Constant synchronisation effect between mental fragment. 100% synchronisation at physical touch. 50% within 5 meters. Less than 1% beyond 5 meters. ¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ Active Abilities Echo: The ability to fragment the mind and imbue it in a robot containing an Orb. ¨^ ¨a (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 18 (Winds of Change) CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Winds of Change 15 minutes later Marcus sat in the passenger seat of Julien¡¯s car, one foot on the dashboard while he adjusted the straps of his steel shin guards. The damp protective clothes underneath irritated him, a lingering nuisance from last night¡¯s wash. Once satisfied with the fit, Marcus looked out the window. The cityscape sped past, a blur of lights and shadows. Towering apartment complexes gradually gave way to smaller buildings and commercial zones as the car left the city behind. ¡°Almost there,¡± Julien muttered, breaking the silence. ¡°Ten more minutes or so.¡± The man then tapped his phone screen to open the navigation app again. ¡°Yeah, ten.¡± Marcus just nodded, his mind shifting back to the task ahead. He looked down at the crate by his feet, his steel shield leaning against it. Inside was his weapon, a basic steel sword, durable and sharp enough for use inside a light blue Sphere. ¡®It¡¯s going to be my first time trying you out,¡¯ Marcus thought, shaking his head at the absurdity of it all. Just yesterday, he had been slaughtering monsters, and now he was about to do it again, this time with a new weapon and without his companions. ¡°Remind me again why I agreed to do this?¡± he asked, his voice strained with fatigue as he suppressed a yawn. Julien smirked, making a rubbing-coins gesture with his right hand before tapping the wheel playfully. ¡°Because you and I are kindred souls.¡± As they reached the highway, the Caster shifted gears and reached behind his seat to open his bag. He pulled out two cans of soda, holding one out to Marcus, who shook his head. Julien tossed one of the cans to the backseat, then opened his own one-handed. He took a sip and let out a satisfied sound. ¡°Like I said at your place. During your Salamander job, I overheard the German brothers talking about your reason for joining us¡ªyour sister¡¯s financial debt. So, when I heard that you¡¯re in dire need of credits, like I am, well¡­¡± Julien paused, glanced at Marcus, then flashed a smile. ¡°I figured us kindred souls need to help one another out, right?¡± He took another sip, spilling a bit on his thick leather coat, hastily brushing it off while muttering a curse. ¡°Right,¡± Marcus said, checking the straps of his gauntlets next. ¡°And in doing so, we¡¯re going to be running with an unknown crew, without the rest of the Salamanders to back us up, and without their knowledge. Sounds like a perfect plan,¡± he added sarcastically. He shifted his gaze to the right, spotting a large blue Sphere coming into view in the distance. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be like that,¡± Julien said, amusement tugging at his lips. ¡°Benedict runs a good crew. The payouts are always fair, and I¡¯ve got nothing but love for the man.¡± He adjusted his rearview mirror before dropping his voice to a low murmur. ¡°Except for that nutcase of a brother. I mean, Benedict is barely able to keep him in check. Sebastian¡¯s tough as nails, even with one arm. But that rage of his... wipes away any intelligence he might have had.¡± Julien leaned in closer to Marcus, lowering his voice. ¡°I swear I can vaguely hear the wheels spinning in his head, but the hamster? Long dead,¡± he grinned and returned his focus to the road. Marcus stared at him, waiting for him to get to the point. As they neared the Sphere, looming in the middle of the highway with blocked-off roads, Julien spoke up again. ¡°Look, working as a Salamander is great. It¡¯s semi-safe, and it¡¯s stable income every few weeks. But I need more than a stable income. I¡¯ve got debts that need more credits than Benedict can realistically offer. You of all people can understand that, right?¡± Julien asked. ¡°I do,¡± Marcus admitted, not faulting the man for the comment, but still not liking how he had agreed to join him today. He remembered how freaked out he had been when the Breacher had knocked on his door and hinted that he knew about his little secret. Marcus had spent the better part of five minutes getting dressed while thinking about what Julien might¡¯ve found out. He had been utterly confused during that time, his mind racing through all the possible secrets Julien could have discovered, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and paranoia. The thought of Julien finding out about Specter and Bastion had sent a cold shiver down his spine. Even when the man had mentioned that he was there for a job offer, and that he had learned about Marcus¡¯s financial situation, he had remained on edge, occasionally glancing towards his bedroom door, fully aware that Bastion was in there. There were at least a dozen signs scattered around his apartment hinting at something unusual going on. The anxiety had almost paralyzed him, but the urgency in Julien¡¯s voice had pushed him to make a quick decision. He had grabbed his gear and agreed to go along with Julien, if only to get him away from his apartment and ensure his secrets remained safe. ¡®It¡¯s still weird to think Julien does jobs like this on the side,¡¯ Marcus thought. Julien had said he usually took government contracts or freelanced for smaller guilds that needed extra muscle, infrequent enough not to complicate things with the Salamanders. ¡®Still, he couldn¡¯t have picked a worse time¡ªright after a Sphere, barely any sleep, and sore from the upgrades.¡¯ He watched Julien pull up at a checkpoint, slowing the car as they approached a security post. After a brief interaction, Julien showed the guard his Breacher credentials on his phone and confirmed that his name was on the list. Seconds later, he nudged Marcus in the ribs. Taking the hint, Marcus retrieved his Breacher ID that was stamped on a metal tag, handing it over to the guard. He ignored the raised eyebrow Julien gave him at seeing the metal tag, keeping his attention on the guard, who nodded after checking the ID. ¡°Go ahead,¡± the guard said, stepping to the side to let them through. They followed the road towards a spot that had several other parked cars, close to the Sphere, with large barbwire fencing circling around the entirety of the Sphere. The area was bustling with activity: Breachers gearing up and preparing for the upcoming fight, government officials checking crates, and people wearing guild attire. Marcus scanned the surroundings, taking in the organized chaos. ¡°So, you know about my sister¡¯s debt. What¡¯s yours?¡± Marcus asked, turning his attention back to Julien just as he found a spot to park. Julien sighed, leaning back in his seat for a moment before responding. ¡°My Abilities,¡± he said, his tone more serious now. ¡°I usually tell people that when I became a Forged, I was lucky enough to have ended up with not one, but two Abilities. I mean, one is rare for a Forged, but two? It has a nice ring to it. The reality is that I bought them.¡± He let out a chuckle, rubbing the intricate Marks on his arms absentmindedly. ¡°I figured I could stand out a bit more as a Forged and market myself as a more unique Breacher. Keep that bit to yourself, or I¡¯ll burn your apartment down, alright?¡± The man then smiled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. ¡°I see,¡± Marcus said as he grabbed his shield and crate before stepping out of the car. Seconds later, the two of them made their way over towards the final checkpoint, joining the line behind a few other Breachers. Julien nodded to one of them, apparently familiar with the person. ¡°How much did it cost you?¡± Marcus asked, glancing at the Marks on Julien¡¯s arms, as if trying to figure out how gaining new Abilities even worked. ¡°More than I could pay off in ten years working for the Salamanders without paying any of my bills, that¡¯s for sure. More importantly, the line of credit that I used to buy the Abilities and get the surgery didn¡¯t go through¡­ normal channels,¡± the Caster muttered, gripping his staff more firmly at the confession. ¡°Loan sharks?¡± Marcus asked dryly, with the other man just nodding in response. The two of them slowly passed through the checkpoint, showing their IDs again before making their way into the inner section, seeing the actual Sphere up close now. It stood in the middle of a highway, roads, bridges, and off-ramps all vaguely visible through the light blue hue of the Sphere¡¯s barrier. ¡°So what¡¯s the plan?¡± ¡°Why? Are we getting cold feet?¡± Julien asked, flashing him a grin. ¡°Look, it¡¯s a fairly simple gig. A small guild has accepted a government contract to clear this Sphere, seeing as it spawned in the middle of the highway three days ago. Apparently, the guild tried but failed spectacularly the last two days in a row. So, the twenty of us have been generously allowed to participate in helping to kill as many monsters as we can, or at least lure them away from the main group.¡± He pointed his staff towards a group of Breachers standing near the Sphere, all clad in similar gear and wearing green capes. ¡°So, we¡¯re hired muscle for a standard rate, and we get to sell what we kill. As long as the public record states that the guild closed this Sphere.¡± ¡°So, hush money for us while their guild doesn¡¯t lose face?¡± Marcus asked. Julien nodded. ¡°It works out for the two of us as well, seeing as our names won¡¯t be listed on public records.¡± ¡°That¡¯s great and all. But you do know I¡¯m only an Alpha, right?¡± Julien chuckled, waving at a government employee to help unlock their crates. ¡°I¡¯ve seen you handle yourself just fine. Plus, I¡¯ll do all the heavy lifting. I just need an extra shield at my side. And,¡± he added, thanking the official who opened his crate before leaning closer to Marcus and whispering, ¡°The only reason I even got this spot was that I promised I¡¯d bring a plus one.¡± Marcus sighed and nodded, understanding the situation a bit better. As he retrieved his steel sword from the crate, he gave it a few practice swings to warm himself up, despite his protesting sore muscles. He then picked up his shield, adjusting the straps to ensure a snug fit. ¡®This better be worth it,¡¯ he thought before they walked towards the group of Breachers, blending in with the others gearing up for the task ahead. Marcus observed the mix of equipment among his fellow Breachers¡ªsome donned full steel armor, while others opted for more modern styles with open sleeves, proudly displaying the Marks on their skin. He noticed that most of them were equipped with melee weapons¡ªswords, axes, maces¡ªalong with the occasional spear. ¡°No pistols and assault rifles?¡± Marcus thought out loud, scanning the crowd again to confirm his observation. He also noticed the absence of grenades or mines. ¡°They don¡¯t have a license?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Julien asked as they took up a position off to the side. ¡°Oh, some might have the proper license, but the stipulations today only allow melee weaponry. It''s not that rare when recruiting external help at this level¡ªless risk of friendly fire and all that. I¡¯m also limited to only close-range use of my Abilities.¡± Marcus nodded, figuring it made sense not to have people shooting left and right and accidentally hitting others further in the Sphere, or being mistaken for a threat at a distance. He could understand the rationale behind minimizing the risk of friendly fire in such chaotic environments. However, he also thought it was foolish not to trust in ranged weaponry that had been proven to work inside easier Spheres like this. Despite the crude simplicity of melee combat compared to firearms, there was something primal and direct about it that Marcus could appreciate. He glanced at Julien, who seemed completely at ease with the arrangement, despite being a Caster. As the minutes ticked by, the tension in the air grew palpable. The Breachers finished their preparations, the chatter dying down as the time to enter the Sphere approached. Marcus took a deep breath, steeling himself for the battle ahead. The promise of another payout to help his sister weighed heavily on his mind, driving him to push past his fatigue and focus on the mission. Julien grabbed another soda, cracked it open, and took a swig as he eyed the Breachers belonging to the guild in the distance, watching them slowly line up. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before speaking up. ¡°Looks like they¡¯re serious enough this time. Let¡¯s just look busy and let them handle the rest.¡± Marcus just nodded in response, his eyes scanning the barrier of the Sphere and seeing the distorted scene beyond it. One of the guild representatives then made their way over to their group, going through the explanations once more. The guild would enter from the north 30 minutes after the other party had entered from the south, making a straight path towards the Orb itself. The plan was that with fewer monsters protecting the Orb, the guild would succeed this time.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Marcus listened as the representative explained the demands for their team: they were only required to act as a lure and could avoid fighting monsters if they weren¡¯t up for it. In the end, all twenty had to sign a waiver, agreeing to proceed without expecting help or rescue from the guild if things went badly. The two of them agreed to the terms before stepping closer to the Sphere. Marcus swung his weapon a few more times, feeling the difference in weight compared to the axes and knives he had been using recently. He glanced at Julien, who was staring at his equipment before saying, ¡°Did you get your gear at a flea market? I mean, even the armor already has scratches on it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m broke, remember?¡± Marcus retorted, suddenly aware of how much damage his gear had taken before he even officially used it in the field. He noticed a few other Breachers warming up, while the Guild members began circling around the Sphere, heading north. Marcus tightened his grip on his shield, wondering how much of an improvement the two points in Strength would really give him. ¡®A bit of field testing in an monster filled Sphere. What could go wrong?¡¯ he thought as he suppressed the urge to chuckle. Their group waited in place for a while longer, anticipating the signal to enter the Sphere. Some of the Breachers shifted nervously, while others seemed eager, faces set with determination. Julien glanced at Marcus and gave him a reassuring nod. Moments later, they heard the signal to proceed, and the group began moving toward the barrier. Some of the Breachers hesitated, their steps faltering as they neared the Sphere¡¯s edge, while others just stepped through like it was normal for them, their weapons at the ready. Marcus and Julien stuck together, their movements synchronized as they stepped through the gel-like barrier and emerged on the other side. Inside the Sphere, the highway stretched out before them, complete with bridges, off-ramps, and abandoned cars, all bathed in an eerie blue glow. The landscape appeared almost normal, untouched by the typical mutations found in other Spheres. The stillness was unsettling, a stark contrast to what Marcus had expected. He took a few seconds to scan the environment, looking for a potential threat, but not spotting any. He noticed the other Breachers dispersing in various directions. Some stuck together in small groups or pairs, while the majority went off on their own, each seeking their fortune independently. ¡®This is foolish,¡¯ Marcus thought, knowing they¡¯d be without backup. Julien noticed Marcus¡¯s gaze and chuckled. ¡°A lot of Breachers don¡¯t like working together when dealing with these types of contracts. They¡¯d rather avoid sharing loot or simply don¡¯t trust each other,¡± he explained. ¡°It¡¯s not ideal, but it¡¯s the way things are. That and people are idiots.¡± They began walking forward, the silence broken by the occasional creak of metal as they climbed onto deserted cars or trucks for a better view. Each time he did, he could see the vehicles that had been abandoned in mid-commute. The scene was surreal, a snapshot of chaos frozen in time. ¡®People must¡¯ve freaked out when the Sphere suddenly formed around them, destroying all electronic systems,¡¯ Marcus thought as he peered into cars, spotting a children¡¯s car seats in the back. ¡®Let¡¯s just hope they all got out.¡¯ Beyond that, he noted the absence of significant mutations to the vehicles and the environment. If not for the giant blue Sphere encasing them, it might have felt like a normal, albeit deserted, stretch of highway. After a while, he noticed bits of broken asphalt piled in small lumps under some of the cars. Curious, Marcus used his shield to shift bits of debris to the side. As he moved the pieces of asphalt, he uncovered what appeared to be pieces of buried Glass and ripped apart monster flesh. ¡®It¡¯s similar to what Specter had seen in the other Sphere,¡¯ he thought while doing his best to look surprised, as if this was his first time seeing such a thing. ¡°What is this?¡± he muttered, grabbing the Glass to inspect it. Julien, seeing Marcus¡¯s reaction, stepped closer. ¡°Found some buried treasure?¡± he asked, his tone carrying some hints that almost bordered being impressed. ¡°Monsters occasionally kill a few of their own to bury Glass pieces. It¡¯s part of their reproductive cycle, you might say. They¡¯re essentially planting seeds for new Orbs to form in the future.¡± Marcus did his best to look suitably confused and intrigued, as not to reveal that he had literally seen it happening up close as Specter. ¡°So, the entire terrain could become a potential deadzone if it¡¯s not cleaned up?¡± Julien nodded gravely. ¡°Exactly. If we don¡¯t deal with these buried Glass pieces, they can eventually form new Orbs, and then we¡¯re right back where we started, or worse. It¡¯s why thorough cleanup is essential after clearing a Sphere.¡± He looked around, his gaze scanning the area with a keen eye. ¡°It¡¯s not just about killing monsters. It¡¯s about preventing future outbreaks.¡± Marcus just pocketed the piece of Glass and continued moving forward with Julien before the man suddenly pointed ahead, spotting their first monster. It was a human-like creature, walking on two feet, with elongated limbs and covered in a mix of fur and thick, grayish skin. Its long arms dragged along the ground as it moved, its head swiveling as it searched for prey. When it spotted them, it let out a guttural growl and started moving toward them with surprising speed. ¡°Naturally, those guild bastards left that part out,¡± Julien spat angrily, holding out his staff and readying himself. The monster rushed towards them, but barely managed to take five steps before the first stream of fire hit it in the side of its head. A second and third stream followed, slamming the creature into the ground and incinerating it in moments. Marcus stood there, shield and sword in hand, watching as the monster slowly became undone and feeling quite useless in that moment. ¡°What did you mean by that?¡± he finally asked, as Julien made his way to the charred corpse, extinguishing the flames before prying out the Glass. Julien pointed at the monster before speaking up, ¡°Each Sphere can produce monsters based on the genetic material it has to work with. Most of the time, we face hybrids of different animals¡ªbirds, cats, insects, or larger beasts in rural areas. Occasionally, we encounter variants with human traits, because a civilian or even a Breacher got killed inside one. Those guild twats left that part out.¡± ¡°Are these variants more dangerous?¡± Marcus asked, recalling the first time he saw such a monster¡ªa mixture of a cat and a human¡ªat the tech expo. ¡°They can be,¡± Julien replied, scratching his chin. ¡°I mean, I would rather fight them than bear or gorilla variants, but humanoids tend to be more intelligent¡­ or at least, they can be. Most Breachers dislike them because they tend to look weird and freak you out more.¡± The men paused as shouting and fighting echoed in the distance, signaling that other Breachers were also encountering monsters. ¡°Heads up,¡± Julien said, pointing his staff at an abandoned truck in the distance. The trailer door creaked open, and long-legged humanoid monsters crawled out. ¡°Four... no... five of them.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll back you up,¡± Marcus said, raising his shield and sword as he took up a position beside him. The monsters rushed toward them, their grotesque forms a mockery of nature. Julien unleashed streams of fire left and right, hitting numerous monsters, incinerating their fur, and burning their skin and faces. The monsters continued moving forward despite the flames, their resilience evident, although clearly blinded because of the fire. Julien calmly moved backward, maintaining a measured pace as he focused on killing them, dragging Marcus along with him. Hearing commotion behind him, Marcus turned around and spotted another monster making its way towards them, having crawled underneath a nearby car. ¡°One behind us. I¡¯ll deal with it!¡± he shouted, alerting Julien before he rushed the creature, preventing it from catching them off guard. ¡®We missed this one when we passed that spot. Did they try and ambush us?¡¯ he thought, recalling Julien¡¯s words about their intelligence. Marcus engaged the monster with shield and sword, cutting and stabbing as he closed in. The creature was surprisingly durable and strong, its long forearms swiping at him with vicious force. Each missed strike ripped apart chunks of asphalt or dented nearby car frames, further showcasing the monster¡¯s lethality. Marcus blocked and deflected blows with his shield, striking back at tendons and arteries with his sword when he felt safe to do so. As the monster slowed from blood loss, Marcus delivered a final blow to its throat, killing it. As the creature collapsed, Marcus caught his breath and glanced back at Julien, seeing the man finishing off the last monsters with ease. - - - ¡°You handled that well,¡± Julien said a few minutes later, joining Marcus just as he started to pry out the Glass from the fallen creature. ¡°Benedict really did well in picking you. You have a knack for fighting. Still, it¡¯s a shame you¡¯ve got such a crappy power rating.¡± As if realizing what he said might come off as insulting, Julien quickly looked at his watch to check how much time had passed. ¡°Anyway, the main party should¡¯ve gone in from the north by now. Let¡¯s find a decent spot to hold out. Hopefully we can snag a couple more bits of Glass while we¡¯re here. Alright?¡± ¡°Yeah, sure,¡± Marcus said as he stored away his piece of Glass, mentally keeping track of it and the leftovers he still had back in his apartment. ¡®Who knows, Specter might be waiting for me with another dozen pieces as well,¡¯ he thought before the two men made their way over to a nearby off-ramp, slowly ascending toward the bridge to get a better vantage point. When they reached it, Marcus looked out and saw figures in the distance. ¡°Looks like the others are doing alright.¡± He could vaguely make out smaller groups of Breachers fighting monsters, with some in pitched battles while others were just slaughtering the creatures with ease. ¡°Back then,¡± Marcus suddenly said, causing Julien to shift his attention to him, ¡°with the Salamanders. My sister said your Power rating was 27. That makes you Beta+ rank, right?¡± ¡°Emphasis on the plus portion, please,¡± Julien chipped in, a cocky grin gracing his features. ¡°Yes it does. What about it?¡± ¡°This is a light blue Sphere. You should be able to handle a higher blue, right?¡± Marcus asked as he observed the numerous fights happening in the distance. ¡°Why stick to light blue ones?¡± Julien paused for a moment as if musing over the question. ¡°Safety, I guess?¡± Marcus raised an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied with the answer. ¡°What? I meant it. Sure, Beta+ means that I can technically deal with more difficult Spheres, but I¡¯m not looking forward to that. The higher rating I got only means that I¡¯d have a ¡®chance¡¯ to survive in a stronger Sphere, not do well, like in a light blue one. Benedict occasionally lets us tackle stronger Spheres, but it¡¯s a real slog, and we usually team up with other parties to even stand a chance. Stronger Spheres have more monsters, or tougher ones that have more Glass in them. There¡¯s more variants of them, and the mutation to the environment is also a lot more potent. So, no. I¡¯d rather not tackle harder Spheres, nor do I have the Mana for it. Besides, someone has to take care of you Alphas, right?¡± Julien grinned. ¡°Mana for it?¡± Marcus asked, wondering just what the man meant, seeing as Julien had been flinging streams of fire left and right. ¡°I am a Caster because of the two Abilities I bought, but I¡¯m still limited by my Mana reserves and how much I can recharge,¡± Julien explained as he held out his staff to Marcus, letting him inspect it for a moment. Julien pointed at parts of the staff that seemed to shimmer, with Marcus able to make out a different type of material inside. ¡°I don¡¯t need the staff for my Abilities, but it helps me amplify them. The staff itself has Mana batteries worked inside the length of it. So, I can draw on that to keep me in the fight longer.¡± Marcus examined the staff closer, focusing on it. He didn¡¯t feel much beyond a little jolt, but when he pressed one of the black Marks on his right hand against it, he felt a greater response. ¡°I can feel it,¡± he said, careful not to actually draw anything out. ¡°This is incredibly useful. Why doesn¡¯t everyone use Batteries like this?¡± ¡°A lot of them do, but it takes time to get used to items like these, and you can¡¯t just slot them in swords or axes, because it usually compromises the structural integrity of the weapon. Still, belts, rings, amulets, and other stuff works great. But even if you had a lot of them, and it costs quite a bit, storing and retrieving Mana from them is inefficient. Like, I need to push in nearly three times the amount I can actually pull out later, and the process is even worse when I try and pull it out quickly. But, it works for me.¡± Julien shrugged before leaning on the bridge''s rail, looking down below in a curious way before spitting once, timing to see when it would land. A soft pop echoed up, and a grin appeared on Julien''s face. ¡°So, how much is the debt you¡ªor rather, your sister¡ªowes?¡± Marcus joined the man by leaning his back against the railing. ¡°No idea, exactly. I¡¯m not quite sure when the debt began. But worst-case scenario is roughly five Glass per day for the last thirteen years or so.¡± He heard Julien let out a low whistle in response, something that Marcus fully agreed with. ¡°And that¡¯s not even factoring in how much more expensive Glass was years ago.¡± They stood there for a while in silence before Julien spoke up. ¡°So, who¡¯s holding her leash?¡± ¡°You mean the debt?¡± Marcus asked, hearing the other man let out a ¡®hmhm¡¯. ¡°Her guild.¡± ¡°That sucks,¡± Julien said, scratching his chin before leaning over the ledge again to spit once more, this time hitting a car on the highway below with a soft thud. ¡°Guilds can be tricky, even more so than other parties or loan sharks. Lots of laws, stipulations in contracts, and other things.¡± Marcus just nodded, feeling a bit irritated at the tone of the conversation and almost wishing there was another monster to keep them entertained, or at least change the topic. Part of him wanted to shift the conversation to Mana-batteries¡ªlearn about their use, cost, to figure out whether they¡¯d work in his robots. He could hear the occasional shouting and screaming monsters in the distance, but it was too far for them to quickly reach. Bored, Marcus moved away from the ledge to a nearby car with an open door. After checking for danger, he slid into the passenger seat, placing his shield and sword beside him. ¡°This feels weird.¡± ¡°What does?¡± Julien asked. ¡°Us... this,¡± Marcus said, his tone stiffening as he gestured around him. ¡°We¡¯re in a Sphere filled with monsters. We should be out there, doing something. Instead, we¡¯re just hanging out.¡± ¡°We are doing something,¡± Julien countered as he slowly made his way over to Marcus, placing his staff on the car''s hood before sitting down on it. ¡°The guild just wants us to take the pressure off from the center. We¡¯re doing that by just being here, screaming, arguing, even smelling all human-like. Trust me¡ª¡± Julien suddenly stopped, noticing something happening around them as the Sphere itself began to shatter. ¡°See, they did it.¡± Marcus leaned out of the car to look up at the Sphere breaking apart. As the fragments fell, a violent gust suddenly hit them, shattering nearby car windows, including Marcus¡¯s. He brushed away bits of broken glass and shook his clothes to clear the rest as dust settled around them. He looked up again, confusion hitting him as he suddenly saw the blue shimmering hue of a Barrier. He looked around and saw the same thing everywhere, the realization slowly sinking in that they were in a Sphere again, although it was much smaller than before, around a third of its previous size. ¡°What the hell was that?¡± ¡°Credits,¡± Julien muttered softly, eyes widening. The Caster jumped off the car, grabbed his staff, and ran toward the ledge of the bridge, peering outwards and seeing other Breachers in the distance starting to run around. ¡°Come on, we need to hurry. There¡¯s a second Orb in play and it¡¯s unclaimed.¡± (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 19 (When the Chips Are Down) CHAPTER NINETEEN When the Chips Are Down 45 minutes later Marcus stood alongside four other Breachers, their eyes fixed on the scene below. Julien and another Breacher hurled waves of fire into a massive hole in the ground, while a third, drenched in sweat, widened and deepened the opening with a steady, controlled motion of his arms. As the hole expanded, a sprawling network of tunnels and smaller cavities became visible. Occasionally, a creature would emerge, only to be swiftly incinerated or crushed by other Breachers, who lobbed rocks with a casual, almost playful demeanor. Marcus shook his head and scanned the area, his gaze lingering on the highway and a pond nearby. Bubbles occasionally broke the surface of the water. ¡®Can¡¯t believe we missed that,¡¯ he thought. He remembered the frantic search for the second Orb, how he and Julien had run past this spot over and over, until another Breacher casually spotted it on her first glance. ¡®Guess it won¡¯t hurt to increase my Perception from now on.¡¯ They had found a small entrance in the ground afterward, and now they were using their Abilities to break into the enemy¡¯s lair. Stepping back, Marcus felt the intense waves from the fire, the air shimmering around him. Julien''s wild laughter rang out alongside the other fire-wielding Breacher as they killed a few more monsters that suddenly became exposed. It reminded him of two bullies burning ants with a magnifying glass while others clapped and cheered from the sidelines. ¡®Kinda feels like we¡¯re the real monsters here,¡¯ he thought, pacing around the hole. The process dragged on until no more creatures emerged after a while. The Breacher shaping the earth finally stopped, gasping for breath, his body trembling from the strain of constantly using his Ability. One of the other Breachers then stepped forward, breaking the silence. ¡°The Orb¡¯s probably deeper underground,¡± he said. ¡°We need to split up and search these tunnels. Pair up.¡± He assigned pairs, leaving Marcus and another Breacher behind. ¡°You two, guard the entrance. We don¡¯t need anything attacking our rear.¡± Julien approached Marcus, smirking and smelling of burned flesh. ¡°He¡¯s right, probably best if you stick here, being Alpha rank and all.¡± Marcus raised an eyebrow, staring at Julien. ¡°Alpha, huh? What about the whole kindred souls bit?¡± Julien grinned as he patted Marcus on the shoulder. ¡°That was before I got a chance to grab an Orb for myself,¡± Julien said before he made his way towards the ledge with the other Breachers. ¡°You¡¯ll be fine. Most of the monsters outside are taken care of, and the guild will probably be here soon, trying to stake their claim. So, you good?¡± Marcus nodded slowly and watched Julien and the other Breachers leap into the hole, most equipped with a glow stick for light. Julien, however, relied on a small flame dancing in his palm. As the group split off into different tunnels, Marcus and another Breacher, who looked even less eager to be on guard duty, stayed behind. They stood in awkward silence, staring into the hole. Occasionally, they heard shouts and monster hisses before everything settled down again. Marcus broke the silence first. ¡°I¡¯m Marcus, Alpha rank.¡± ¡°Colin, Beta,¡± the man replied, nodding briefly before both turned their attention back to the hole. Marcus paced around the large hole, occasionally swinging his sword to keep his muscles limber. He felt the Glass pieces in his pocket, aware it was a pitiful amount and he¡¯d have to give up when he left the site. ¡®At least I¡¯ll get a few extra credits,¡¯ he mused, thinking about the bills he still had to pay. Colin, meanwhile, sat at the edge of the hole, eating a sandwich with his mace resting beside him. Pausing near the small pond, Marcus noticed occasional bubbles breaking the surface. He stared at it, wondering if one of the tunnels led there, whether the monsters had accidentally dug it or done so intentionally. ¡®Do they even need water? I¡¯ve seen them eat things, even each other, but do they actually need¡ª¡¯ He froze as something massive slowly rose from the pond. The creature stood twice his size, with four crab-like legs and two tentacles for arms, with a tendril-like cable attached to the back of its head where the Monster-glass usually sat. The creature¡¯s body and head were surprisingly humanoid in shape but covered in grey, wet skin. ¡°What the¡ª¡± Marcus barely managed to utter before one of the arms struck him. He instinctively raised his shield, but the force of the blow sent him flying. He rolled and slid to a stop not far from the other Breacher, who quickly stood and grabbed his mace. ¡°Are you all right?¡± the man asked as Marcus slowly got to his feet and nodded. ¡°Good. Run and get backup. I¡¯ll hold it off and prevent it from attacking the others.¡± ¡°Wait¡ª¡± Marcus started, but Colin was already moving. The Breacher dodged the monster¡¯s long limbs, weaving left and right while occasionally blocking and redirecting a swing with his mace. The creature¡¯s attacks sped up, forcing Colin to halt his advance. His mace suddenly glowed as Colin pointed it skyward. Sparks of lightning arced out, brightening and charging the air with a deafening hum. Colin then two-handed his mace and slammed it into the ground, sending a wave of lightning rushing towards the monster. Just as the lightning was about to hit, the creature jumped in a burst of air, landing beside Colin. Colin swung the mace again, but the monster grabbed the weapon and ripped it from his grasp. In the next instant, a tentacle wrapped around Colin¡¯s arm, hurling him away like he weighed nothing. He crashed into the ground, rolling to a painful stop in a cloud of dust. ¡°Colin!¡± Marcus shouted as he rushed towards the fallen Breacher. The dust settled as Marcus reached him, finding Colin struggling to his feet, his right arm bent and dangling limply at his side. ¡°Shit,¡± Colin muttered, pain etched across his face. ¡°It¡¯s not supposed to look like this, right?¡± ¡°It¡¯s broken,¡± Marcus said, quickly inspecting Colin¡¯s arm while keeping an eye on the advancing monster. ¡°We need to get you¡ª¡± Colin gripped Marcus¡¯s shoulder tightly. ¡°You need to run. Look at the tendril connecting to its back. The bastard¡¯s got an Ability,¡± he said through gritted teeth. ¡°Ability?¡± Marcus echoed, turning toward the monster, which slowly approached on its four crab-like legs. His eyes locked onto the tendril extending from the back of the creature¡¯s skull, trailing along the ground and into the pond, connected to something. Colin nodded, pointing with his good arm. ¡°Something that lets him use air-pressure. It used it to speed up and push me away. The tendril is probably constantly supplying it with Mana. We need to¡ª¡± His words trailed off as the monster scooped up rocks and pebbles, holding its tentacles in front of it. A gust of wind sent the projectiles speeding toward them like bullets. Marcus rushed to step in front of Colin, trying to shield him as rocks pelted their position. A powerful blow followed when the stolen mace slammed into his shield as well. The barrage ended, and Marcus felt warm blood running down his right leg and shoulder. He glanced at Colin, who lay unconscious on the ground, covered in wounds. ¡®Shit, that¡¯s not good,¡¯ Marcus thought, quickly assessing the situation. He considered grabbing Colin and running but knew they¡¯d be vulnerable to attack from behind. ¡®No, I need to disable its ability to use Mana first, then get out of here.¡¯ Marcus thought, his gaze hardening as he clutched his shield and weapon. ¡®That or kill the fucker.¡¯ Marcus moved away from Colin, circling the monster while swinging his sword to keep its attention on him, not Colin. He occasionally faked a sudden rush forward, trying to keep the creature guessing. He stabbed his sword into the ground and slid it forward, sending pebbles and dust flying towards the monster before rushing in himself. The monster slammed its tendrils together, creating a shockwave that blew back the dust and nearly sent Marcus sliding back. ¡®Dammit, that Ability is nasty,¡¯ he thought as he quickly recovered and sprinted around the monster, heading toward the pond and the tendril connected there. An explosion of air erupted near him as the creature shot upwards, crashing into the ground and blocking his path to the pond a few seconds later. Marcus didn¡¯t hesitate; he charged straight at the monster. A tentacle whipped toward him, but Marcus blocked it with his shield. He hacked at it with his sword, making the creature hiss and retract the limb. It quickly countered by slamming its tendrils together again, creating another shockwave that pushed Marcus back. He dug his shield into the ground to stop himself from sliding further, feeling the wind slam into him. ¡®Come on, think. Colin is bleeding out; you need to hurry.¡¯The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. When the wind lessened, Marcus started to sprint forward even faster, burning through half his Mana to strengthen his body as a thin blue mist bled out of him. With a yell, he gripped the shield by its edge and hurled it like a frisbee at the monster as hard as he could. The creature caught it with both tentacles, sliding backwards while hissing from the force. It dropped the shield and looked around, only to find Marcus missing. Spinning around, it saw the young man skid to a halt behind it and grab the tendril. Marcus hacked repeatedly until he severed the tendril, light blue liquid spraying from both ends and dissipating into the air. Marcus grinned as he got back up, the blue liquid from the severed tendril dripping off him. He pointed his sword at the monster, mocking, ¡°Let¡¯s see you use your fancy Ability now.¡± But before he could advance, the creature screeched so loudly that it dazed him, nearly rupturing his eardrums. Then, with a powerful clap of its tentacles, it unleashed a shockwave that sent Marcus flying backward. He bounced across the water several times and slid to a halt near the hole in the ground, disoriented and confused. As he blinked to clear his vision, he heard another loud bang. Seconds later, he spotted the creature airborne, plummeting toward him. ¡°Shit,¡± he barked, rolling to the side just in time to avoid the monster¡¯s landing. Dirt showered him as the creature hit the ground. Marcus scrambled to his feet, gripping his weapon with both hands. A tentacle lashed out at him, and he hacked at it repeatedly until he partially severed it. The monster screeched in agony, thrashing wildly and spraying greenish blood in all directions. Seizing the moment, Marcus lunged at the creature, driving his sword deep into its stomach and tackling the monster as hard as he could. They tumbled into the hole, kicking up dirt and dust as Marcus lost his grip on the sword. Marcus hit the ground with a thud, sliding to a stop in a cloud of dust. Coughing, he got up and looked around, spotting his sword behind the monster. The creature got back on its four legs in an instant, seconds later swinging its remaining tentacle at the ground, producing only a weak sputter of wind. In response, Marcus flashed a wicked grin. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Can¡¯t perform under pressure?¡± With a howl of rage, the monster charged. Marcus met it head-on, ready for the chaos of battle. The creature lashed out with its tentacle and crab-like legs, while Marcus dodged and weaved, switching to bare-knuckle brawling now that he was without a weapon. He landed precise blows on the monster¡¯s torso, cracking ribs and repeatedly striking the gut wound he had inflicted earlier with his blade. Each punch drew more blood and wrung agonized howls from the beast. The monster¡¯s counterattacks were fierce; Marcus felt the sting of its tentacle slapping across his body and face, and the occasional impact of one of its legs. Still, his experience showed as he exploited most opening, striking at weak spots and even head-butting the creature, letting his steel helmet do the heavy lifting and deliver his rage. The fight reached its climax when Marcus delivered a nasty leg sweep, sending the monster face-first into the dirt. He jumped on top of it, pinning it down. With relentless fury, he rained blow after blow on its head, roaring as he burned through the last of his Mana. Bone and flesh broke under the barrage of his fists, each hit splattering him with blood. He didn¡¯t stop until the creature lay still, half of its head caved in. Panting heavily, Marcus reached for the Monster-Glass embedded in the creature¡¯s back. With a final surge of strength, he ripped it out and used it to stab the creature in the temple three times before leaving it there. Only then did he let go, sinking to the ground, gasping for breath while drenched in sweat and two kinds of blood. Marcus took a moment to catch his breath, leaning heavily against the corpse until he recalled Colin¡¯s condition. He pushed himself up, wincing from the aches of the fight. He ripped the Glass from the creature¡¯s temple, gave it one last kick in the ribs and was about to rise when he noticed something shimmering on the back of its neck, just below where the Glass had been. His eyebrow arched as he leaned closer. The greenish material he found there looked similar to the Marks on his body. He gripped its edge and wiggled it free, tearing apart flesh and arteries. The piece was smaller than the Glass but felt denser. ¡®Looks important,¡¯ he thought, touching the sharp edges on one side, before pocketing it and the Glass piece, afterwards scrambling back out of the hole to check on Colin. Marcus knelt beside the unconscious man, assessing his injuries. He tried to recall the first aid lessons his mother had drilled into him. He carefully supported Colin¡¯s neck and tied off the visible wounds with rags he tore off the man¡¯s clothes. ¡®He looks messed up, but the bleeding isn¡¯t that bad. Breachers really are sturdy creatures,¡¯ he thought, removing his gloves to check the man¡¯s pulse again. ¡®Now, how the hell do I get you out¡ª¡¯ His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden shattering sound above him. He looked up to see the Sphere¡¯s barrier suddenly shattering into pieces, the light blue hue and fragments slowly dissipating as they fell, revealing the actual sky and sun. ¡°They got the second Orb, huh?¡± A few minutes later, the first Breachers emerged from the tunnels, with one of them carrying a light blue Orb. Most of them were enthusiastic until they saw the monster Marcus had beaten to death. Some of them checked it out, murmuring among themselves, while Julien, covered in dirt and blood, rushed out of the hole to find Marucs. Still clutching his staff, the Caster glanced over at him, who gave a weak wave. ¡°So, you boys had fun down there?¡± Marcus asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. - - - A while later, Marcus watched the ambulance drive off with Colin inside, the wailing siren slowly fading into the distance. ¡®That could¡¯ve been me today,¡¯ he thought as the weight of his dangerous new lifestyle pressed down on him. ¡®Sis would¡¯ve killed me herself if I ended up in the hospital again.¡¯ He turned to see Julien hosing down their gear, blood and filth swirling into dirty rivulets. The man¡¯s expression was tight, his usual cocky demeanor replaced by something heavier. Marcus wondered if Julien felt guilty for dragging him into this or just for leaving him behind to chase the Orb and credits. ¡®Let him sulk for a while longer.¡¯ He joined Julien, helping to store their weapons while an official secured everything, making sure it was all accounted for. When it was all done, Julien turned to face Marcus, his voice cautious. ¡°So, how are you feeling?¡± Marcus flexed his shoulder, wincing slightly. ¡°Sore as hell¡­ and I need a nap,¡± he admitted. Days of fighting with his robots, and the Stat upgrades had taken their toll on him. ¡°But nothing that needs to be mentioned to Sebastian or Benedict. You?¡± ¡°In dire need of a rum and coke, naked, wearing just my loafers, and Jazz playing loudly,¡± Julien replied, his tone lightening up as he retrieved the Glass pieces he¡¯d collected, handing them to the official. As the man did so, Marcus raised an eyebrow at him, clearly judging him. ¡°Don¡¯t give me that look. I¡¯ve seen the inside of your apartment, or pigsty. What I do in my own home is perfectly normal.¡± Julien smirked, holding out his phone as the official tapped a data pad against it, transferring credits. ¡°I¡¯ve marked my kills with a cross on their backs, but most of them are burned to shit. The brat next to me is entitled to a fifth of my corpses. And¡­¡± Julien glanced at Marcus, ¡°¡­he killed that crab-like thing near the second Orb. Don¡¯t let anyone else claim it. I don¡¯t trust them.¡± The official nodded, making a note as Marcus opened his banking app while retrieving the Glass pieces he had collected. He watched the credits transfer into his account, a small smile forming. ¡®That¡¯s food and rent for the next month,¡¯ he thought, relieved to see the amount. It wasn''t much in the grand scheme of things, but earning a few more credits felt good. He then forced himself to send half of it to his sister, fully intent on keeping the oath he had sworn. The official then informed them the guild would transfer their payment by the end of the day, once everything was processed. Julien nodded, about to leave, when Marcus spoke up. ¡°Do I need to hand this over to you guys as well, or isn¡¯t this treated the same as Glass?¡± Marcus asked, producing the green object he had pulled from the monster¡¯s neck. Marcus had barely shown the item for a second when Julien rushed him, pushing his hand down. ¡°Where the hell did¡ª¡± Julien paused, eyes wide, and lowered his voice as he looked over his shoulder before he continued with a whisper. ¡°How did you get your hands on a Chip?¡± ¡°Chip?¡± Marcus asked, looking at the green object in confusion. Julien stared at it, his eyes widening further before urging Marcus to slide the object back into his pocket. He glanced over at the official, seeing a similar shocked expression there. ¡°He¡¯s good to go, right?¡± The official slowly nodded, his expression a mix of shock and concern. Julien quickly grabbed their gear, dumped some of it into Marcus¡¯s hands, and dragged him away from the site. After rushing through a final check-out, they got into the car. Julien immediately locked the doors and exhaled deeply, firmly gripping the steering wheel. ¡°You glue-sniffing assmonkey!¡± ¡°What did I do?¡± Marcus defended himself, irritation creeping into his voice. Julien threw his hands up in disbelief. ¡°You don¡¯t go showing a Chip like that, not around Breachers you don¡¯t know. Anyone could¡¯ve stolen it from you at some point... hell, I¡¯m tempted to do so right now. So, please, punch me in the face if I so much as flinch. Jesus!¡± He started the engine and sped off, quickly going well above the speed limit to match the mood he was in. ¡°What¡¯s so special about this Chip thing?¡± Marcus asked, then paused as realization kicked in. ¡°Wait, is this what gave the monster its Ability?¡± Julien nodded while swerving through another corner. ¡°Yeah, and now you have a chance to get a similar Ability¡ªif it doesn¡¯t kill you in the process¡ªor you can make some serious credits when you sell it.¡± A pause fell over them before Julien spoke again. ¡°What type is it?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know for sure. How can you tell?¡± Marcus asked, turning the Chip over in his fingers as if searching for a clue. ¡°The monster I fought could produce large gusts of wind. It wasn¡¯t precise, but it hit like a truck.¡± He heard Julien curse a few more times, gripping the steering wheel harder. ¡°So first, I make a bad and greedy decision to go after the second Orb, and then I lose out on an Chip that could improve my fire Abilities. Fate has a twisted and cruel sense of humor,¡± Julien said, trying to calm down. Marcus paused, gripping the object, then slipped it back into his pocket. ¡°How much is a Chip usually worth?¡± Julien took another turn before slowly lowering his speed to the actual speed limit. ¡°Depends on the Ability itself. But even the crappy ones are enough to pay your bills for several years. I mean, I bought two of them, and I¡¯m in serious fucking debt. Did I mention that?¡± ¡°You might¡¯ve slipped that piece of information, yeah,¡± Marcus said sarcastically. ¡°In your case, look at it this way: you sell that thing, and you could shave off a massive chunk of your sister¡¯s debt, for sure.¡± Julien glanced at Marcus, seeing the young man deep in thought. ¡°So, what do you want to do with it? Sell it or risk your life and get an Ability?¡± Julien gave Marcus a moment to mull it over before he spoke up again, flashing a grin. ¡°You know what, Marcus, hold off on your decision. Let¡¯s take a detour first. I¡¯m going to take you to the Bodyshop.¡± (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 20 (Combat Consultation) CHAPTER TWENTY Combat Consultation Julien and Marcus pulled up outside a nondescript building, its front blending seamlessly with the neighboring structures. The sign above the door read ¡®Breacher Enhancement Center¡¯, but Marcus had learned that everyone called it the Bodyshop. He had expected something more ostentatious, but Julien assured him it was all part of the low-key image they wanted to maintain. ¡®The less attention, the better, huh?¡¯ Marcus thought, recalling what the Caster had said earlier. That these places still had a bad reputation from the early days of creating Forged individuals, when the staggering death toll shocked everyone, even though the Bodyshop only handled Chip enhancements. They entered through sliding glass doors, the cool air inside a stark contrast to the summer heat outside. The reception area was fancy, with minimalist decor: a sleek desk, a few comfortable chairs, and potted plants placed to create a calming atmosphere. The soft hum of machinery and muted conversations filled the air. A woman behind the desk greeted them, her smile professional and warm. ¡°Welcome to the BEC New Haven. Are you here for a consultation or procedure?¡± Julien flashed a quick smile. ¡°Consultation for my friend,¡± he said, grabbing Marcus¡¯s steel Breacher ID and handing it over. The nurse nodded and typed something into her computer, briefly raising an eyebrow when she read that Marcus was an Original. A few moments later, she handed him back his ID. ¡°You¡¯re all set. Doctor Kim will see you shortly. Feel free to look around while you wait.¡± Julien led Marcus down a hallway lined with closed doors. Through small windows, they could see rooms where people sat with artists, discussing and sketching potential Marks on holographic displays, while others were there for a checkup. ¡®This place feels like a mix of a tattoo shop and a dentist''s office,¡¯ Marcus thought as he followed Julien. ¡°This place is amazing, right?¡± Julien asked, pointing at the room where he''d had his first consultation years ago, before he got Chipped. ¡°God, this takes me back.¡± ¡°This place is something alright,¡± Marcus muttered, peering into a room where an artist was using a data pad to draw intricate designs on a digital mock-up of a body. The designs glowed as the artist marked where the Chip would be surgically installed. Julien nodded. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s where the magic happens. The artists here are the best, and they work closely with doctors to ensure the Chips not only look good alongside your other Marks but are placed for optimal effect. They¡¯ll also consult with you on what kind of abilities you¡¯re aiming for. It¡¯s not just about aesthetics; it¡¯s about maximizing your potential.¡± ¡°Magic, huh?¡± Marcus asked, glancing around. He noticed the pieces of art on the walls and the stylish attire of the nurses and artists. ¡°Sounds expensive.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because it is,¡± came a voice behind him, startling him. He turned to see an Asian woman in her mid-forties, wearing a white coat over a light blue blouse and black slacks. Her hair was neatly pulled back, and she had an air of confident precision about her. ¡°I¡¯m Kim Fen,¡± she introduced herself with a friendly nod. ¡°And I take it you¡¯re the Original?¡± ¡°It sounds weird when you say it like that,¡± Julien chuckled, nudging Marcus in the ribs. ¡°Sorry, yeah, I¡¯m Marcus,¡± he said, eyeing the doctor¡¯s neat, symmetrical lines of Marks on her arms and neck, glowing faintly. ¡°Forged?¡± ¡°Guilty,¡± Dr. Kim replied with a smile, gesturing toward a vacant room. ¡°Now, was this a single consultation, or does your friend have questions as well?¡± ¡°We¡¯re not friends,¡± Marcus interrupted, stopping Julien before he could speak. ¡°He nearly got me killed today because he was greedy.¡± Marcus smirked inwardly at Julien''s discomfort before pulling the green Chip from his pocket and showing it to the doctor. ¡°Just a consultation for now regarding this. I take it that¡¯s free?¡± The doctor smiled briefly, her gaze lingering on the black Marks on Marcus¡¯s face and arm before settling on the green object in his hands. ¡°A consultation is always free. Now, let¡¯s see what we can do for you.¡± - - - ¡°That¡¯s a lot of credits,¡± Marcus said several minutes later, setting down the cup of tea he had been cradling. ¡°It is,¡± Kim agreed, closing her data pad and folding her hands. ¡°For the chip implantation, we recommend a safer location, like the upper thigh, away from critical anatomical structures. This minimizes risks and ensures a smoother recovery.¡± She paused for a moment before adding, ¡°Aesthetically, we can place it wherever you¡¯d like. However, for combat potential, it might be best to go for the lower arm or leg, especially since an Ability that can produce air pressure would be combat-based. It¡¯s less draining to have it near the extremities where you¡¯d be wielding it.¡± Julien chimed in, rolling up his sleeves to show the greenish lines on his forearms. ¡°These Marks were made from Orb fragments that turned me into a Forged. The two smaller Marks below them are Chips I had implanted. One Ability lets me ignite the air and produce flames, similar to the gust of air your monster could create. The second Ability lets me manipulate fire, giving me some control over it. I can produce flames from any part of my body, but it¡¯s less taxing to do it from a part near my Marks rather than, say, my feet or chest.¡± ¡°So, this Chip gets surgically added to my current Marks, and if all goes well, I¡¯d have the ability of the Monster I killed?¡± Marcus asked. ¡°There¡¯s a high chance it will,¡± Kim explained calmly, pointing to the green Chip in front of Marcus. ¡°In most cases, the ability will resemble what you encountered, though it could be stronger or weaker. However, anything from a Sphere is unpredictable, so we can¡¯t guarantee it. There is also the chance that the Chip ends up strengthening an Ability you already have without granting you a new one.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Marcus said, pausing as he looked at his right hand, tracing the Marks there. ¡®What would happen to my Echo Ability if it increased? Would it change something about my bond with the robots?¡¯ he thought before he turned his attention back to her. ¡°And after the surgery, this Chip will become like the rest of the Marks on my body?¡± ¡°Over time, yes,¡± Kim said, making eye contact with him. ¡°It will take a while for pathways to form¡ªdays or weeks¡ªbut eventually, it will be indistinguishable from your other Marks. In your case, the green color would also turn black. You¡¯ll also be able to channel other Abilities effectively through this new Mark. So, the location is important.¡± ¡°So, why not go for your fingers?¡± Marcus shifted his gaze to Julien. ¡°Why get them placed in your lower arms?¡± ¡°Harder to chop off and lose them,¡± Julien replied with a shrug. ¡°More than a few Breachers have lost Abilities or even their overall power after losing a limb with a lot of Marks on it.¡±If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Marcus picked up the green Chip, turning it over, feeling its weight and the sharp edges on one side. It reminded him of Monster-Glass. ¡°So, why the surgery bit? Why not just stab it in, heal up, and be done with it?¡±¡¯ Julien opened his mouth to respond, but Kim turned her data pad to show Marcus a graph listing early fatalities for becoming Forged and getting chipped. ¡°That¡¯s why,¡± she said, her voice firm. ¡°Getting Chipped is less dangerous than becoming a Forged, but it¡¯s still not without risk. The raw energy in these things is immense. Surgery, treatment, aftercare, medication¡ªall of it is necessary. Without it, the pain alone could break someone.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Marcus said, slipping the Chip back into his pocket and nodding. ¡°Thanks for the consultation, doc. I¡¯ll think about it.¡± Dr. Kim nodded and stood. ¡°Take all the time you need. This is a big decision. But just off the record, selling it might be the best option. The sad reality is that an Alpha with a useful Ability is still an Alpha at the end of the day. Most guilds don¡¯t care how many Abilities you have, only how well and often you use them in the field. In that regard, it would be wasted on an Alpha.¡± She handed him her card, a silent offer for the future¡ªwhether he sold or used the Chip. Marcus nodded, accepting the card without a word. He and Julien exited the room, retracing their steps through the hallway toward the reception area. The Caster seemed to pick up on Marcus¡¯s contemplative mood and remained silent until they reached his car. ¡°So, what¡¯s your plan?¡± Julien asked as they stepped outside into the warm evening air. ¡°Food, shower, bed," Marcus replied, heading toward the car, eyes heavy. ¡°Right,¡± Julien muttered as they both got into the vehicle. He started the engine and sighed, glancing at Marcus. ¡°Look, I¡¯m sorry that I bailed on you back then... I got greedy.¡± ¡°No worries. I¡¯d probably have done the same,¡± Marcus lied, settling into his seat as he shoved his right hand in his pocket. ¡°Right,¡± Julien said again, watching Marcus closely. ¡°Still, I was the one that dragged you out on this job and promised I¡¯d look¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, Julien. Just take me home, alright? We could both use the time to relax. And I already promised I wouldn¡¯t say anything to the Salamanders,¡± Marcus interrupted, causing the other man to just nod before starting to drive away from the Bodyshop, heading towards Marcus¡¯s apartment. Marcus closed his eyes, trying to unwind as Julien turned on some music. He absently rubbed the Chip¡¯s sharp edges in his pocket, mulling over Kim¡¯s words. ¡®Wasted on an Alpha, huh?¡¯ he thought, a tinge of bitterness creeping in. - - - Marcus trudged up the old stairs to his apartment, wincing as his bruises and aching muscles throbbed with every step. Under his right arm, he balanced his shield and armor pieces, while his left hand gripped the sealed crate containing his sword. Just as he reached the top, the door across the hallway creaked open, revealing Felix. The man gave Marcus a quick once-over, eyebrows raised in question. ¡°Jesus, you look like shit. I take it you went out on another job? Did you at least have fun?¡± Marcus flashed a wry smile before responding, ¡°More like got my ass kicked. But I killed a few of them.¡± Felix snorted before giving him a bear hug, accidentally causing Marcus¡¯s helmet to slip loose and crash down the stairs. The helmet hit the wooden steps with a metallic clang, bouncing every few steps with a loud thud. He flinched with each hit before the helmet reached the bottom of the stairs, bouncing against empty beer kegs and rolling towards the door leading to the bar. ¡°Ever seen Lord of the Rings?¡± Felix asked his injured friend. ¡°Mines of Moria bit? Skull falling in the well?¡± Marcus asked, seeing Felix nod in response. They watched the helmet roll to a stop against the door. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying we¡¯re about to fight some goblins?¡± ¡°Worse,¡± Felix whispered, leaning closer to his friend. As if on cue, the door downstairs suddenly swung open, and the old man stepped towards them, kicking the helmet. ¡°You boys stop throwing things down the stairs!¡± Felix was about to speak up when the man pointed a finger at him. ¡°No excuses, or I¡¯ll double your rent.¡± Felix apologized again to the old man, then ran down to collect the helmet and usher him back into the bar. He returned upstairs and handed the helmet back to Marcus. ¡°He¡¯s all rainbows and sunshine today,¡± Felix said before muttering something as he checked his phone. ¡°Crap, I¡¯m running late for my date.¡± He looked at his friend¡¯s bruised body for a moment. ¡°You sure you¡¯re alright?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got a date? I take it this person is blind and deaf?¡± Marcus joked. ¡°Not everyone is as ugly as you, mate,¡± Felix said, nudging Marcus in the ribs, causing him to groan in pain. Felix ran down the stairs. ¡°Don¡¯t wait up for me, dear,¡± he called before rushing through the door and the bar, earning another scolding from the old man. Marcus headed to his apartment, chuckling a bit at his friend¡¯s mood and prospects for the evening. He opened the door and walked inside, closing it behind him as he dropped his things on the floor, including the metal container that held his sword. He looked around his apartment; it was exactly how he''d left it. Checking the time, he noted it was already getting late. ¡®I wonder when Specter will return,¡¯ he thought, making his way to the bathroom. He fiddled with the lock before opening the closet, revealing the large, unmoving robot inside. He touched its frame before concentrating on the Mana within him. ¡®Echo.¡¯ Marcus felt his Mana leave his body, slipping through his black Marks and into the robot. A tingling sensation spread through him as the connection formed between them. He saw the robot reactivate, then suddenly viewed the room from its perspective as well, seeing his own fleshy self stare at his metal one. Their thoughts intertwined, creating a shared consciousness. He maintained this for a minute or so, then undid the connection and stepped back. ¡°Good to have you back, Bastion.¡± The large robot slowly moved out of the cramped closet, bumping its head before standing upright in Marcus¡¯s bedroom, looking down at him. Bastion lifted Marcus¡¯s chin, examining his bruises. ¡°You look like shit.¡± ¡°I feel worse, trust me,¡± he said in response before making his way to the living room and collapsing onto the couch. He let out a groan before fishing the green Chip from his pocket and tossing it on the table. As he did, Bastion went into the kitchen, using its steel and plastic digits to prepare a peanut butter sandwich, almost bending the knife in the process. It then sat next to Marcus on the couch, dumping the plate on his lap. ¡°Here you go,¡± it said calmly. Marcus took the sandwich and muttered a thanks before taking a bite, moaning with his mouth full. Bastion fetched him a glass of water, handing it to him. ¡°So, we¡¯ve got a Chip, huh?¡± it asked, focusing on the object and carefully picking it up for closer inspection. Marcus nodded while finishing the sandwich. ¡°It sounds dangerous and painful¡­ but the idea of you getting a combat Ability sounds useful.¡± Bastion placed the Chip back on the table, shifting its attention back to Marcus. ¡°Do you think Julien will be a problem for us?¡± ¡°Not sure,¡± Marcus admitted, sinking further into the couch. ¡°He¡¯s greedy and self-centered, but he still feels guilt and shame. I don¡¯t think he¡¯d make a move right now. He¡¯s got a Power rating of 27 and is a Caster, so not suited to close combat. It won¡¯t be long until we¡¯re stronger than him in a fight.¡± ¡°His fire Ability might be an issue,¡± Bastion countered. ¡°But our robotic frames can handle heat for a while. I doubt he¡¯d expect to fight you and two robots if he decides to break in tonight. Even more so with Specter always being active.¡± ¡°Speaking of the devil,¡± Marcus muttered, flashes of memory filling his mind¡ªsteel hands gripping a familiar fire escape. He grinned, suppressing the connection with Specter to stop his own thoughts from bleeding through. Specter opened the window and climbed in, its three lenses locked on Marcus, observing his injuries and the green Chip on the table. Flashes of Specter¡¯s memories flooded Marcus¡ªits battles with monsters, its search for Glass, and its current confusion. During all of it, Marcus didn¡¯t share his own experiences, finding the situation amusing. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Specter finally asked, closing the window. ¡°What do you think?¡± Bastion got up, grabbed a bag of frozen peas from the kitchen, and handed it to Marcus. It sat back down, wrapping an exaggeratedly protective arm around him. ¡°You went on another job?¡± Specter asked, watching Marcus nod. ¡°Right after all our fighting in the Sphere? Wait, did you also use up the Glass?¡± ¡°Sure did,¡± Marcus said, sliding the peas under his shirt against his bruised ribs. ¡°Two points to Strength, one to Mental. Made a big difference.¡± Specter paused, then sat on the table beside the Chip before speaking up. ¡°So, you fought monsters with us until exhaustion. Then you tortured yourself with the Glass, just to take another Breacher Job the next¡ª¡± Specter stopped as Marcus leaned forward, placing a hand on its knee, forming a strong link. He let Specter take in the memory¡ªJulien surprising him that morning, dragging him into a job, and leaving him banged up but with the Chip in his possession. Then, he broke the connection and leaned back. Specter shook its head, adjusting to the new memories before its attention shifted to the Chip. It picked it up, holding it between its thumb and index finger. ¡°And this houses an Ability?¡± ¡°Apparently. Something wind-related. Not sure if it creates wind or manipulates it,¡± Marcus said, his gaze shifting to Specter¡¯s backpack, which held more Glass pieces. ¡®He¡¯s got 12 more pieces in there. Those, along with what I had left over, should be enough for another Charge. Sadly, it¡¯s not enough to upgrade any of my Stats.¡¯ ¡°So, what do we do now?¡± Specter asked, placing the Chip back on the table. Marcus closed his eyes, rubbing his temples. ¡°First, I get some sleep, and a decent meal and shower when I wake up tomorrow.¡± ¡°And then?¡± Bastion asked as Marcus got up. Marcus grinned, his eyes lighting up for a moment. ¡°Probably make a plan to do something stupid.¡± (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 21 (Occam’s Screwdriver) CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE Occam¡¯s Screwdriver Day 81 Marcus stepped into the large building and passed the security station after showing his Breacher ID. He walked around for a few minutes, pausing occasionally to orient himself. He¡¯d only been there once before, back when he and his uncle picked out his starter gear. ¡®Let¡¯s check the second floor first,¡¯ he thought, heading towards the escalator. Gripping the rail with his right arm, he ascended slowly, glancing down at the growing crowd on the second floor. This time, he wore just a t-shirt, exposing the black Marks on his right arm. He ignored the dark spots, shifting his attention to the two dark grey notches his uncle had tattooed on his biceps. ¡°It¡¯s going to be three soon,¡± he muttered. Reaching the second floor, Marcus began to walk past numerous stores selling weaponry, armor, and other items useful to a Breacher. He occasionally stopped near thick security windows to check out the large weapons on display. One weapon in particular caught his eye¡ªa large, green-glowing mace. ¡®Made from an Orb, huh?¡¯ he thought, contemplating its power. Then he saw the price tag and quickly moved on. ¡®I don¡¯t have enough kidneys to sell to even be able to afford the handle.¡¯ Marcus passed several stores before noticing one selling modern weaponry, including firearms. He entered, noting a Breacher in a security uniform gave him a weary look. Marcus ignored it and began to walk around inside, blending in with the few other customers that were inside. He saw dozens of pistols, shotguns, and rifles in all shapes and sizes. He recognized a few of the models, but most were custom-made for Breachers, sturdier and able to take much more of a beating. Up close, he inspected the thick security glass, doubting even an explosion could break through it. Marcus wandered through the aisles, mentally listing the gear he¡¯d buy if he had the credits and licenses. He knew regular gear wouldn¡¯t cut it in the tougher Spheres, but he imagined the satisfaction of firing a shotgun with plenty of ammo in one of the easier, light blue Spheres. ¡®Even the Salamanders looked cool with all of their guns,¡¯ he thought before tearing his gaze away from the weapon. He ignored the shop employee chatting with another Breacher about the best gear for different jobs and focused on the shelves to his right. He noticed the boxes of ammunition locked behind even thicker security glass. ¡®Makes sense. Ammo¡¯s the valuable stuff considering the materials that¡¯s used to make it,¡¯ he mused. He knew that, unlike melee weapons, ranged ones needed ammo infused with Glass or Orb pieces to inflict real damage and transfer the effects of a Breacher¡¯s abilities. The boxes were neatly stacked, with a few bullets and shells displayed in front. He spotted a familiar type of ammo¡ªthe same kind he¡¯d used back in the junkyard. ¡®That brings back memories,¡¯ he thought, suppressing a grin but also feeling a jolt of shame. He recalled how he had fired the pistol inside the hospital and stolen several pieces of Glass to wake himself up. ¡®I really should pay the hospital back for the stuff I stole and the damage I caused.¡¯ He leaned in a bit closer to look at the ammunition made from Glass and Orb fragments, the same size and shape as regular bullets but in different colors. ¡®What kind of credits do you need to be comfortable shooting what is essentially a small fortune each time you pull the trigger? And what kind of monster threat would even justify it?¡¯ The details below listed specs he only half-understood. He understood enough to realize that higher-tier bullets carried more kinetic potential and were more durable, not to mention could transfer an Ability far more effectively. ¡®Maybe they retrieve and recycle the bullets afterward?¡¯ Each type had license requirements, and the pricier ammo demanded higher qualifications. ¡®No way I¡¯m getting one of these anytime soon,¡¯ Marcus thought, knowing he¡¯d need more experience and pass several tests. He moved on to another aisle, spotting mines and various types of grenades on display. He smiled when he saw his brother¡¯s company appearing on the lists now and again for the mechanical safety components inside the devices. Marcus left the store, passing the suspicious-looking security guard. He shrugged it off and headed to another shop to grab something to eat. The smell of sweat cakes drew him in, and he couldn¡¯t resist buying one, coated in sugar. He strolled around, enjoying the treat while checking out more shops. On the second floor¡¯s other side, Marcus noticed stores selling armor and clothes, spotting the one he and his uncle had visited before. Down on the first floor, he saw vehicles and guild representatives, including one that belonged to his sister¡¯s guild. After finishing his snack, he decided to head up to the third floor, where stores specialized in support items. A small shop caught his eye, mostly because it didn¡¯t look too expensive. Inside, an older woman finished with a customer while Marcus browsed for a bit. He saw ropes, grappling hooks, flare guns, glow sticks, MREs, medical supplies, and even Mana batteries. The batteries varied in size and shape. ¡®I think I¡¯ve seen this type before,¡¯ he thought, noticing a square battery. It reminded him of the ones formed at the hospital where he¡¯d donated his Mana for credits. ¡°See anything you like?¡± the owner asked as she approached him. Marcus nodded, tapping the glass counter. ¡°I might be in the market for a Mana battery, preferably multiples, but I¡¯m on a tight budget.¡± The woman glanced at the chaotic black Marks on his face and arm. ¡°Sure, I can help you with that. I¡¯m Theresa.¡± ¡°Marcus, Alpha rank,¡± he said as she opened the cabinet and pulled out a few batteries. ¡°So, I take it you¡¯re not associated with a guild, seeing as you are low on funds?¡± she asked while straightening the items. ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯m still relatively new to the whole Breacher thing, so I want to start slowly,¡± Marcus lied as she nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve got a wind Ability, but I need a bit more Mana to use it more often in the field.¡± ¡°I see,¡± she said, moving to another cabinet and pulling out several staves with Glass embedded in the center. ¡°Staves are a bit more expensive but are better able to channel Mana and Abilities. You¡¯d essentially be using up less Mana per cast, and it¡¯s got Mana batteries inside of it as well. Might help with your Ability.¡± Marcus picked one up and channeled a sliver of Mana through it, feeling it settle inside. ¡®It¡¯s similar to the one Julien uses,¡¯ he thought, focusing on the Mana inside and feeling it flow back and forth. ¡°I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s a bit too expensive for me.¡± He carefully handed it back to her. ¡°What about just Mana batteries?¡± Theresa moved back to the cabinet housing the different types of batteries. ¡°We¡¯ve got plain ones you can carry. They¡¯re the cheapest and come in different sizes and shapes. They¡¯re sturdy enough to take a beating and still work, but unlike staves, you¡¯ll put in more Mana than you can pull out. Still, they¡¯re reliable.¡± She handed Marcus two types, letting him feel the difference.¡± She handed Marcus two different types, allowing him to feel the difference between the two of them. ¡°Surprisingly light,¡± he said, carefully handing it back, knowing he couldn¡¯t afford to drop it. She opened another cabinet, displaying batteries inside armor pieces and even a belt with steel protective plating. ¡°You don¡¯t have to hold these to interact with them. Direct skin contact gives the best Mana exchange, but these work well too.¡± She pointed to a sturdier cabinet with thick glass. ¡°I¡¯ve also got items that generate Mana¡ªrings, amulets, things like that¡ªbut those might require you to take out a loan of credits.¡± Marcus glanced at the items and paled at the price tags. ¡®Made from Orb pieces, huh?¡¯ he thought as she explained how they worked. His mind wandered to the three Orbs inside his robots, especially now that Specter could regenerate its own Mana.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°I think the plain batteries will have to do for now, considering my budget,¡± he admitted. He checked the specs of the common batteries, picking one that could hold a decent charge and fit his budget. They eventually settled on a price, and Marcus bought three of them. He swallowed hard after transferring the credits, realizing all his pay from the Salamanders and his work with Julien was gone. ¡®Thank God I¡¯ve been working with Felix the last two days in a row,¡¯ he thought, smiling at the woman as she wrapped up his items and handed him a bill of sale and authenticity documents. ¡°Thanks again,¡± he said, leaving the store and checking his account, knowing his credits would dwindle even further before the day ended. - - - Marcus entered the small home improvement store, inhaling the scent of paint and oil. A small bell tinkled as he closed the door behind him. Instead of the grumpy old man Pete, a little boy, no older than five or six, stood behind the counter. ¡°You¡¯re the new hire?¡± Marcus joked, walking over to the boy, who glanced up briefly before returning to his drawing. ¡°Is Pete around?¡± ¡°You mean Grandpa?¡± Marcus nodded as a woman walked in from the back, smiled at the boy, and then noticed him. ¡°Oh, hi. I hope he wasn¡¯t bothering you,¡± she said, making her way over to the child and gently patting his shoulder. ¡°Oh, he was,¡± Marcus lied, smiling at the boy¡¯s shocked expression before it softened as the youth figured out it was a joke. ¡°Is Pete around?¡± As if on cue, the old man walked through the door in the back carrying a small bicycle. The man¡¯s wide grin soured when he noticed Marcus standing there. ¡°You again,¡± the old man grumbled as he set the bike down and lifted the boy, who kicked playfully before being set on the bike. ¡°The tire¡¯s all fixed. Well, give it a try.¡± The boy immediately took off on the bike, speeding through the store and nearly crashing into a stack of wood planks. ¡°Thanks, Grandpa,¡± the boy shouted as his mother just shook her head when her son nearly crashed for a second time. Pete smiled, then shifted his attention back to Marcus, his expression hardening for a moment. ¡°I suppose you want your order, huh?¡± the man muttered something about art projects and how heavy they were. He headed out back, leaving Marcus with an unsure expression. ¡°So, you¡¯re the one getting Pete all riled up with weird projects. Breacher, right?¡± the woman asked pleasantly. ¡°What gave it away?¡± Marcus asked in an amused tone, fully aware of all the exposed Marks on his right side. ¡°Lucky guess,¡± she said, snatching her child just as he started his third lap, helping him off the bike. ¡°Strange to see Pete¡¯s got more than just one type of emotion,¡± Marcus said, looking at the door leading to the backroom. ¡°He usually just gives me a look of disappointment and irritation.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s just how he shows love to outsiders,¡± the woman said, letting out a soft chuckle. ¡°Don¡¯t let it get to you. He¡¯s actually been quite excited as of late. Apparently, this ¡®art project¡¯ you two are working on has been keeping him entertained. I¡¯ve even seen him working on it in the evening.¡± She tousled her son¡¯s hair. ¡°It¡¯s good to see Pete like this. He¡¯s had a rough couple of years.¡± Marcus paused before carefully speaking up. ¡°What happened?¡± She hesitated, then looked at him. ¡°His son, my husband, died four years ago. It¡¯s been hard on me and Tim,¡± she said, glancing at her son. ¡°Pete¡¯s been our rock through all of it, taking over my husband¡¯s hardware store right away, even helping with daycare and paying some of the bills.¡± ¡°But?¡± Marcus asked as he watched her expression change. ¡°He lost his eldest son to the Great Impact years back, and now his youngest to cancer. He¡¯s only got me and his grandson left. Pete¡¯s working hard, but at his age, he shouldn¡¯t have to. I know my husband would¡¯ve wanted him retired, traveling the world.¡± She paused briefly, then added, ¡°Pete might seem cold on the outside, but he¡¯s a good man. And lately, he¡¯s excited about work. I think you might¡¯ve had a big¡ª¡± she stopped when the door to the back swung open, and the old man walked in, carrying a large box of items. The box hit the counter with a thud that echoed through the store. ¡°Are those for me?¡± Marcus asked politely as he made his way over to the box. ¡°What did I tell you about asking dumb questions?¡± the man muttered, flipping the lid open to reveal dozens of pistons, smaller motors, and the spare parts Marcus had ordered. Marcus flashed the woman a look, as if to say, See what I have to deal with? She smiled before giving the old man a hug and thanking him for fixing Tim¡¯s bike. ¡°Say goodbye to Grandpa,¡± she said as she dragged her child off the bike again. Tim gave his grandfather a big hug before grabbing his bike again and following his mother out of the store. ¡°Cute kid.¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah.¡± The old man let out a puff of air as he tapped the total price on his register. ¡°So, will that be it for today?¡± ¡°I need a few more sheets of steel, simple cameras and speakers, and other electronics if you¡¯ve got it.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have many of those, but you can take a look. Otherwise, go bother people in an electronics store,¡± Pete said, leaving Marcus to grab a few sheets of steel. He placed them on the counter and waited for Marcus to return with the electronics a few minutes later. ¡°You look bigger,¡± the old man said suddenly, staring at Marcus as if noticing him for the first time. ¡°As in good? Or are you calling me fat?" Marcus asked, grinning as the old man muttered something while scanning the other items. ¡®Stubborn old goat,¡¯ Marcus thought as he just stared at the man for a while longer. ¡°Did I ever tell you that you kinda remind me of grampa.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t make me punch you in the face, kid,¡± the man said calmly. ¡°Anything else?¡± "Yeah, I¡¯d like you to take a look at these," Marcus said, grabbing one of the Mana batteries and placing it on the counter. ¡°Have you ever worked with one of these?¡± ¡°I know what they are, but I¡¯ve never worked with them,¡± Pete admitted, carefully turning the battery over in his hands. Marcus then showed the other two batteries, all similar in size and shape. ¡°I¡¯m looking to start a new addition to my art project,¡± he said, ignoring the old man¡¯s muttered ¡®bullshit¡¯ and other words of endearment. ¡°I want to be able to slot these things into something.¡± ¡°Slot?¡± Pete asked. ¡°Yeah, like a cartridge. You press it in, it stays in place. Press again, and it pops out?¡± Marcus asked while gesturing the motion with his hands. ¡°I want to be able to swap them out in case of an emergency. It¡¯s like¡­¡± He paused, searching for a comparisons. ¡°Like those old SIM cards you could push into a mobile phone and then push in again to pop them out. You¡¯ve used mobile phones before, right?¡± The old man stayed silent, staring at Marcus, whose shit-eating grin grew wider by the second. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve used a mobile phone before. How old do you think I am?¡± Pete finally asked, clearly annoyed when Marcus just shrugged in response. ¡°Oh, piss off.¡± The old man grabbed a piece of paper and a pen before sketching a makeshift design resembling what Marcus needed. ¡°I take it you don¡¯t want the battery exposed, but protected?" Without waiting for an answer, he sketched a steel casing, showing how the battery would fit inside, connected with springs and a slide-in latch. ¡°You meant an old-fashioned Push-Push connector, but this design offers more protection for your fancy battery.¡± ¡°Looks awesome,¡± Marcus said, picturing the design incorporated in his robot. ¡®It probably needs a cover so a monster can¡¯t push the battery out. Still, the chest plate¡¯s protective plating should be enough.¡¯ ¡°So, how many of these do you need?¡± the old man asked, only to shake his head when he noticed Marcus grabbing the battery and pressing it against his ribs. It only got worse when he noticed him grabbing a second battery, and then a third. ¡°Three on each side for now¡ªso six in total,¡± Marcus answered. The old man paused again before shaking his head. ¡°You know you¡¯re a weird lad, right?¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± ¡°Wasn¡¯t a compliment, lad,¡± Pete muttered, finishing the touches on his design while ignoring Marcus¡¯s feedback. ¡°I can¡¯t promise it will be fancy, but it should work. I can have a mockup ready in a few days. And yes, you¡¯ll have to pay me in advance for my time. Anything else?¡± ¡°Yeah, about our original art project, I was¡ª¡± ¡°Your project. Don¡¯t lump me in with the likes of you,¡± Pete corrected, putting down his pencil and exhaling dramatically. ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°Well, you the previous project¡ªthe one with the steel frame and plastic plating? I had an idea to make a newer design. I want to make the exterior easier to remove and expand the area it covers, hiding most of the interior.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°To hide the internal parts from prying eyes and repair any external bits I damage,¡± Marcus lied, pointing at his arm and showing the design he wanted to go for. ¡°I want to be able to swap out the exterior fast, without screws and bolts. Could a mechanism work?¡± ¡°You want to swap screws and bolts for fragile mechanisms? Humanity has been using screws and bolts for the last few decades for a reason,¡± Pete countered, his tone flat. Marcus held up his hands in a soothing way. ¡°I get that, I do. But my project requires more flexibility, and I might not have a screwdriver on me at all times, or I could lose the screws and bolts during¡­ activities.¡± The old man stared at Marcus, shaking his head. ¡°So you want an internal locking mechanism to hold these in place. But your whole project doesn¡¯t use electricity, tubes, or cables, so it''s mechanical in nature. So, dozens, if not hundreds of smaller connection points that need to be aligned perfectly, has to be sturdy enough, and potentially run into dozens of other problems that a simple screw or bolt won¡¯t have.¡± Marcus nodded hesitantly, realizing how stupid his idea sounded when he heard it repeated back to him. ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°You¡¯re an idiot,¡± the man said before opening a drawer, grabbing an old screwdriver, and sawing off its tip. He held the tip against the end of his finger. ¡°Your ¡®art project¡¯ has fingers with motors in each knuckle and the wrist. Just hide this inside one of the fingers and cover it up with a hollowed-out exterior you can pull off. I¡¯d suggest the pinky.¡± He then shoved the screwdriver pieces into Marcus¡¯s hands. ¡°And screws and bolts are easy to replace. Just use the same sizes and types and keep a bunch of them in your pockets. Hell, even keep several spare bolts inside of your artwork.¡± Marcus stared at the screwdriver for a moment, lost in thought as he realized how much more sense it made to install small tools in his robots themselves. ¡®It would be so much easier to do so, not to mention sturdier. They could do the repairs out in the field, on each other or themselves,¡¯ he thought before he ran a hand through his hair, feeling his cheeks redden for a moment. ¡°I¡¯m an idiot.¡± ¡°Occam¡¯s razor, lad. You¡¯re trying to over-engineer and overcomplicate things. There¡¯s a reason the basic things usually work and last a lot longer.¡± The man cracked a smile. ¡°But I agree with you on the whole idiot part.¡± Marcus nodded, pulling out his phone to pay, but Pete spoke again. ¡°By the way, you owe me a new screwdriver.¡± (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 22 (Footloose) CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO Footloose Marcus walked up the stairs, balancing the bulky box in his arms. Despite its size, he was shocked at how easy it was to carry it all, noting the increase in his Strength. At the top of the stairs, he grabbed his keys, knocked in an unusual pattern, then unlocked the door. He opened the door to see Bastion hard at work, watching it carry bits of hardened plastic before placing it on the ground to form a robotic frame. The new frame had subtle differences compared Marcus¡¯s other robots. ¡°Hey,¡± Bastion said, spotting the box in Marcus¡¯s hands. ¡°Got everything?¡± Marcus nodded and shut the door behind him. ¡°Cost me a kidney, lung and my firstborn, but I got most of the stuff.¡± He set the box down and locked the door. ¡°I see you¡¯ve been busy.¡± He glanced around the room, watching the 3D printer churn out the next part that Bastion had instructed it to. The laptop next to it showed a 3D rendering of a robotic frame with each individual piece. Marcus recalled how the three of them had bought the design online a few days ago and figured out how to scale it up after several embarrassing failures. ¡®¡®If everything goes right, the final product should be about my height,¡¯ he thought, moving over to Bastion. ¡°Looks strange without the steel,¡± Marcus said, squatting to pick up a piece. ¡°Like we¡¯re cutting corners... or going against nature.¡± Bastion grabbed the piece from him and placed it down again. ¡°Drama queen. It¡¯ll do for now,¡± it commented while placing down another piece. ¡°We¡¯ll test it like this first. Then we¡¯ll order a steel frame when we¡¯re happy with it, and you get us more credits.¡± The robot walked to the box Marcus had brought, pulled out several pistons, and returned to the frame, sorting where each part would go. ¡°Where¡¯s the Ikea manual when you need one?¡± it muttered, making Marcus chuckle. ¡°Idiot,¡± he said to Bastion before heading to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Afterwards he joined his companion, sitting down to watch it work. ¡®If this works, we can build our own robots, or at least the basic plastic version for now. With enough credits, we can either buy or make our own upgraded steel versions,¡¯ he thought, shifting his attention to Bastion¡¯s dented and scratched frame. ¡®Even with all the repairs we¡¯re doing, it¡¯s only a matter of time before their frames are fully out of commission. Let¡¯s hope the old man was right about the newer version.¡¯ He watched Bastion return to the box to retrieve several smaller motors, then go back to work on the frame¡¯s right arm, carefully lining them up. ¡°So, you think it¡¯s going to work?¡± Marcus asked finally. The large robot paused, then shifted its attention to him. ¡°I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s not a steel frame, so this is new territory. No way to know if the Orb and your Ability would even recognize or accept a plastic frame.¡± It picked up another motor and positioned it carefully. ¡°But there¡¯s plastic in my current build, and by all rights, I shouldn¡¯t even be walking or talking. So¡ª¡± ¡°Fifty-fifty?¡± Marcus suggested, the large robot chuckling before nodding. ¡°Still, if this works and we can make more robots, it could be big¡ªfaster repairs and more numbers on our side.¡± ¡°Only one way to find out,¡± Bastion said, gathering a bunch of bolts and screws before dumping them into Marcus¡¯s hands. ¡°Let¡¯s get to work.¡± They slowly attached motors and pistons to the plastic frame over two hours, forming a more complete robot, though a few larger pieces were still missing. Marcus had even grabbed the three Mana batteries he¡¯d bought and carefully slid them into the ribcage gaps, using a steel file to shave off bits of plastic for more room. After a while, Bastion grabbed two pairs of bundled socks, shoving one inside the robot¡¯s chest to mimic where the Orb would go and placing the other where the head would sit once printed. ¡°This is coming together nicely,¡± it said, inspecting its work. Marcus nodded, finishing his water. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s not bad at all,¡± he said, pointing at the batteries. ¡°We still need to figure out just how much Mana each piece can hold.¡± He grabbed one of the batteries and looked at it for a second. ¡®If their frames could make this work, it¡¯d be a massive boon. For Specter, with two Orbs, it could mean larger Mana storage, allowing it to use Overcharge far longer. And for robots with just one Orb, their operating time could potentially increase,¡¯ he thought, recalling their previous experiments. They¡¯d figured out that with one Orb, each robot could contain 25 points of Mana, allowing five hours of operation. ¡®Even a few more points could completely change the way we do combat,¡¯ he thought. ¡°Let¡¯s try to temper our expectations,¡± Bastion said, staring at the battery in Marcus¡¯s hands. ¡°It might not even work.¡± ¡°Screw that. Manifest destiny and all that,¡± Marcus said, moving closer to Bastion and stuffing the battery into its chest, lodging it in place. He fetched some tape and fastened it further. ¡°That should hold for now, I hope,¡± he said, staring at the object and waiting, but nothing happened. ¡°Do you feel anything?¡± ¡°Besides awkwardness?¡± Bastion asked, looking down for a moment and seeing Marcus¡¯s unamused expression. ¡°No, nothing.¡± ¡°How about you try to remember how Specter got its voice to work and how it got used to all three of its cameras, making them feel like a natural part of it,¡± Marcus advised, only for the robot to move away from him in a slightly annoyed manner. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m trying, alright?¡± it said, heading to the couch. It sat down and lifted its gaze to the ceiling. ¡®Bastion¡¯s acting more like my sister¡ªloyal, protective, and stubborn,¡¯ Marcus thought, watching the robot focus on the task. He gave it the time it needed while he continued assembling the plastic frame. ¡°Screw this,¡± Bastion finally said, throwing its hands up. ¡°It won¡¯t work.¡± Marcus smiled and walked over, taking a seat in front of it. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s try a different approach,¡± he said softly. ¡°The first Orb is like the brain and nervous system for a robot, right?¡± he asked, watching Bastion nod in return. ¡°The second Orb is the heart, refueling the body with Mana. And the batteries... well... they¡¯re something else.¡± ¡°Something else?¡± Bastion asked, shaking its head. ¡°You didn¡¯t plan your little speech at all, right?¡± Marcus grinned before picking up his phone and holding up his hand to pause Bastion as he looked up a medical site. ¡°How about the liver?¡± ¡°Meh,¡± the robot replied in a dry tone. ¡°kidneys?¡± ¡°I guess the kidneys make more sense, since we have more than one,¡± Bastion said slowly, doing its best to follow Marcus¡¯s train of thought. ¡°Alright, focus your thoughts on the battery inside you. Treat it like a normal organ, a vital one. Think of how the Orb in your body works alongside it,¡± Marcus said as he slid his hand into the robot¡¯s chest and pressed his fingertip against the Mana battery. Slowly, he let a trickle of Mana flow from his body into it, charging it. ¡°Focus on the Mana, connect with it.¡± ¡°Dude, I¡¯m made of plastic and steel. I can¡¯t feel,¡± Bastion said, its tone tainted with irritation. ¡°Just shut up and try, or I''ll recycle you into a toaster.¡± A few awkward minutes passed like this, with him eventually also pressing his hand against Bastion¡¯s chest and pouring some Mana inside of it as well. The connection grew stronger, and for a moment, Marcus felt like both the machine and the battery were extensions of himself, as though he was bridging the gap between them, like a Nexus.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. His mind felt fuller, the shared focus between him and Bastion growing clearer. They worked together in unison until a beep sounded nearby, signaling the 3D printer¡¯s completion. He let go of the robot and the battery as he leaned forward to take a look at the battery. Tiny blue tendrils slowly spread toward the new addition. Marcus grinned like a child as he slapped the robot''s shoulder. ¡°It actually worked!¡± The robot quickly grabbed Marcus¡¯s phone and snapped a picture of its internal components, inspecting the small blue veins growing inside. ¡°It really did. It worked,¡± it said, dropping the phone to the ground. ¡°This is big. This is really, really big,¡± Marcus said, pacing the living room, too restless to sit still. ¡°I mean, this means that we can add all kinds of new components to you, as long as they make anatomical sense to you guys.¡± ¡°You guys?¡± the robot said, clearly amused. ¡°I wonder how many batteries we could cram inside,¡± Marcus mused, not even registering his companion shaking its head. ¡°We¡¯d first need to figure out just how much Mana each battery can store. But, theoretically, I¡¯d just need credits and time and be able to fill up dozens of these batteries. Hell, perhaps Specter could even help with that. And if that is the case, perhaps we extend Bastion¡¯s operating time indefinitely,¡± he said before he realized that the robot was just staring at him while shaking its head. ¡°Sorry, I got a little excited.¡± ¡°Clearly,¡± Bastion said, amused, before getting up and walking to the 3D printer. It removed the printed piece and smoothed out the imperfections before starting the next one. ¡°Let¡¯s make sure it actually worked before we start popping champagne and eating cake.¡± ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right,¡± Marcus said, helping his companion install and bolt the plastic pieces in place on the new robot. ¡°Alright, phase one of our plan was to spend the last few days collecting as much Glass as we could, print out a template for the new robotic frames, and fix the battery issue,¡± Bastion said while tightening the last bolt. ¡°If phase one works, we¡¯ll need to decide between quantity and quality. Either we double down on specialized robots like Specter and me, pouring all the Orbs into them, or we focus on quantity¡ªcranking out basic robots to overwhelm enemies, with a few specialized ones for specific problems,¡± Bastion said, pointing to a piston. ¡°Either way, it makes sense to give the robots as many similar parts as possible, to simplify repairs and part-swapping.¡± Marcus eyed the plastic frame, noting the missing head. Only two camera lenses and other electronics bits sat where the robot would eventually think, see, hear, and speak. ¡°So, what do we do for the head?¡± he asked, pulling up a folder on his laptop. It contained several design options: one mostly human with two cameras like Bastion, a mechanical one with straight edges and a single lens, and hybrid designs between the two. ¡°Two lenses would look more human and be easier to adjust to. But a single camera and mechanical design would save us credits in the long run.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go with the human-looking one for now. Two eyes are better in case one gets scratched. Besides, this is just the prototype,¡± Bastion said, gesturing to the design he thought would work best. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s do it,¡± Marcus said, queuing it up for the 3D printer and glancing at the dozen other pieces still waiting to be made. He then made his way to the kitchen, grabbed a meal from the fridge, poked a few holes in it with just his finger, and tossed it into the microwave. ¡°Weird that some computer geek in Thailand designed the head, and now we¡¯re printing it here in the Netherlands to build a monster-killing robot army,¡± he said, chuckling. ¡°Weird probably doesn''t even begin to cover it,¡± Bastion countered as the robot scrolled through the various designs. ¡°Besides, we paid the bloke.¡± ¡®If this works, we could gain power fast¡ªmore robots, more Glass. But we¡¯d also attract more attention if we¡¯re not careful,¡¯ Marcus thought, slowly accepting that his life could change drastically in a few weeks. He glanced toward the window, catching flashes of Specter¡¯s memories and thoughts. Moments later, he heard it climbing the fire escape. Marcus smiled, walked to the window, and opened it. Specter crawled through a second later, sinking to the floor, missing its right foot, its body covered in torn black clothes and still wearing its town raincoat. He then shifted his attention to the missing foot. ¡°Didn¡¯t like your shoes?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ask,¡± Specter muttered as it pulled out its foot from its backpack and handed it to Marcus before accepting his help and getting up to its feet. ¡°One of the bolts snapped apart a few hours ago.¡± ¡°During combat?¡± Marcus asked, noticing dozens of new scratches on Specter¡¯s steel frame and the bits of broken plastic plating. Specter formed a connection and shared its thoughts and experiences from the last few days, condensing it all to avoid overwhelming him. Marcus saw Specter hacking apart monsters, luring them in one by one. It set traps and ambushes, explored more of the town, and found possible monster lairs, even destroying one, retrieving all the Glass pieces. Marcus then suddenly remembered how Specter had jumped from rooftop to rooftop to take down a fleeing monster, only to crash through one and land on its right foot at a weird angle, breaking the bolt. Marcus chuckled as he felt Specter also peer into his memories, seeing all the training he had done, the shopping, and the lecture he had gotten a few hours ago from old man Pete. ¡°The old goat was right,¡± Specter said in an annoyed tone as it hobbled to the kitchen with him. ¡°A few extra bolts on hand would¡¯ve solved this on the spot. And the finger tools is actually a good idea.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t let him hear that,¡± Marcus said as he helped Specter onto the kitchen counter. Bastion approached to examine the loose foot, then carefully removed the plastic covering the lower leg, revealing the steel frame underneath and light blue synthetic veins attached to it. Light blue fluid leaked from some of the broken veins and dissipated into the air. ¡°Looks like a simple fix,¡± Bastion said before leaving to find a replacement bolt. Specter then opened its backpack and dumped a load of Glass in the sink, dirtying it with the bits of blood and gore that were still coating the pieces. ¡°As requested, sir,¡± it said, watching him count the pieces. The robot then fished out a smaller bag and tossed it to Marcus. He opened it, eyes widening at five more Glass pieces, a water bottle, smartphone, and some snacks. ¡°I ran into the girl again.¡± ¡°The pepper-spraying one?¡± Bastion asked as he joined them with a new bolt and reattached Specter¡¯s foot. ¡°Yeah, her,¡± Specter said, glancing down at its leg as light blue veins spread from its lower leg to its ankle, attaching to the motor before expanding further. ¡°But I took care of her.¡± ¡°You killed her?¡± Bastian asked, its fingers freezing as it stared at its brother. ¡°No, I didn¡¯t kill her. What the hell, man? She was looting houses again. I just snuck up on her and told her she needed to leave before I called the cops.¡± ¡°Wait, she saw you?¡± Marcus asked, uncertainty creeping into his voice. Specter shook its head, its three lenses focusing on him. ¡°Not me, me¡­ robot man. I stuck to the shadows and was wearing these clothes. I made sure my voice matched yours. So, we should be fine. I did scare the shit out of her though.¡± A light blue mist bled from Specter¡¯s frame as it burned through its Mana, speeding up the growth of its veins until the Mana ran out. It then looked at its foot, seeing more veins covering it. It moved its ankle and foot. ¡°Much better. Thanks,¡± it said to Bastion before the robot jumped off from the kitchen counter and awkwardly moved its foot, getting used to it again. ¡°I¡¯ll put on the plating myself. So, what did I miss?¡± Marcus shoved another mouthful of food inside while pointing at the robotic frame they had built on the ground. ¡°That¡­ and I bought three batteries and shoved one of them inside of Bastion. We just got it to work,¡± he mumbled through a full mouth. Specter bent forward to look at the battery inside Bastion. ¡°Tape, really?¡± it asked, poking the battery with its steel finger before backing off. ¡°Alright. So, this phase of our plan is done, right?¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± Marcus pointed at Bastion. ¡°We still need to see how the batteries work, get plastic-boy up and running, and use up the Glass.¡± Specter paused, then shifted its gaze to its steel kin. ¡°How much Mana do you have in the tank?¡± Bastion concentrated for a moment before speaking up. ¡°The HUD says three and a half hours left. So¡ª¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got around 17 to 18 points Mana in your frame,¡± Specter interrupted him as it walked towards the plastic frame on the ground and picked up one of the batteries, inspecting it up close. ¡°With just the one Orb, you could store 25 Mana, and last for five hours. So, time to see how much these babies can store.¡± Marcus motioned for Bastion to come closer, took another bite of food, and pressed his right hand against the robot. ¡°Say when you¡¯ve got 25,¡± Marcus said before he started to pour Mana through his Marks into the robot, keeping the flow slow and steady to avoid bleeding any out. It lasted a few minutes before Bastion spoke up to say it had 25 Mana inside, though Marcus kept going. He felt more resistance this time, as if the flow of Mana was pushing upstream through a narrow passage. Still, he powered through. ¡°It¡¯s working,¡± Bastion said as it shifted its gaze to Specter. ¡°It feels a bit weird, and my HUD is freaking out, but it¡¯s working.¡± Marcus continued until he spotted blue mist seeping from the robot¡¯s frame, signaling they had reached their limit. ¡°What does the HUD say?¡± he asked as he let go and watched Bastion take a step back. ¡°30 Mana,¡± Bastion said. ¡°So, six hours.¡± Marcus paused for a moment as he heard his robots discussing it. Bastion¡¯s voice carried a note of disappointment. ¡®No, this is good,¡¯ he thought, doing the math twice to be sure before speaking up. ¡°A five Mana increase isn¡¯t much compared to the 55 I currently have at my disposal. But it¡¯s still another hour that Bastion can stay in the field. With three batteries, we can already boost your operational time by three hours. If I do a few more jobs with the Salamanders or Felix, we could install three more, increasing it even further. Hell, we could even see if we can shove in more batteries if needed.¡± Specter nodded, shifting its attention to Marcus. ¡°Your right. And with your 55 Mana, that¡¯s another eleven hours in the field for a robot when you¡¯re nearby to recharge it. So, with just these three batteries charged beforehand, plus your Mana and what you recharge, we¡¯d essentially have two robots active the entire day, with only three Orbs.¡± ¡°Well, that sounds broken,¡± Bastion said as it seemed to realize just how much more they could then get done. ¡°Yeah, but we still need to test it,¡± Marcus said, recalling how difficult it had felt to pour Mana into the battery. ¡°The process burns up more Mana than it stores, and we still don¡¯t know if its accurate.¡± He grabbed his phone and set up a timer. ¡°Let¡¯s see if the extra hour per battery is correct first. Then we¡¯ll add a second battery, and so on.¡± ¡°And I take it you want me to fetch more Glass in the meantime?¡± Specter asked, sighing when it saw Marcus nod. ¡°Fine. But I¡¯m taking some bolts, screws, and tools with me. And I want new shoes.¡± Marcus finished his meal and smiled as Specter grabbed a handful of tools and shoved them into its backpack. ¡°Fine with me. I¡¯ll monitor Bastion and its Mana carefully, finish building the third robot, and do the final preparations for phase two.¡± ¡°You¡¯re forgetting something,¡± Specter said, pointing to the sink full of Glass pieces. ¡°You¡¯ve got to lift your end of the sofa too.¡± (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 23 (Mark of Power) CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE Mark of Power Day 83 Marcus hunched against the downpour, red sneakers splashing in shallow puddles as he trudged on, a heavy bundle slung over his shoulders. He glanced left, spotting the light blue Sphere in the distance, its surface gleaming with rain. The downpour slid off it like water on a balloon. In that moment, it felt like the Sphere mocked his hometown, a reminder of everything that went wrong. He shifted his gaze to the right and saw his father¡¯s old gym, standing like a relic from another life. He jogged towards it, splashing through more puddles. Just before he reached it, the door swung open, and Bastion came into view, towering over him. ¡°How¡¯s the shower?¡± Bastion asked, dry humor lacing its voice. Marcus handed over the package with a smirk, then rapped his knuckles against Bastion¡¯s breastplate. ¡°Funny guy. You should consider doing standup.¡± He shrugged off his raincoat, rubbing his wet hair as he took in the sight of his father¡¯s gym. It still felt like home, even if everything else didn¡¯t. ¡°So, you¡¯ve got your alibi ready?¡± Bastion asked as they moved deeper into the gym, footsteps echoing off the worn floors. ¡°Yeah, did another food truck run with Felix, had a few beers afterward, and sent my sister a selfie of the two of us with beers in hand. I should be good for the next twenty-four hours,¡± Marcus replied as they headed down into the basement. The walls and floors, once moldy, were now stripped and covered in plastic sheets stapled into place. ¡°Looks like a future murder scene,¡± he commented as he ran a finger across the plastic. ¡°Fifty-fifty that it¡¯s going to be that if this Chip thing goes horribly wrong and you kick the bucket,¡± Bastion said, dropping the bundle on the ground. ¡°You really want to go through with it here?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never Chipped myself¡­ why does that sounds so wrong? But I¡¯m sure as hell not doing it at home. It¡¯s better here. No people to hear me screaming like a little girl,¡± Marcus said as he suppressed the jolt of anxiety he felt at the idea of using the Chip on himself. ¡°Me and Specter are still not fully convinced we should let you do this, you know that right?¡± Bastion asked. Marcus only nodded in response. ¡°We could just hold onto it, save up for the procedure and¡ª¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got a million credits that I don¡¯t know about?¡± Marcus asked, interrupting his steel companion. ¡°I know it¡¯s a risk. A massive one. But I¡¯m different¡­ somehow. Rifters shouldn¡¯t be able to use Glass the way I do, nor grow in power. I can. If this works, we¡¯ll gain a huge advantage.¡± ¡°If¡­¡± Bastion countered, letting the word hang in the air for a moment. It then leaned closer towards the package and unwrapped it, revealing Marcus¡¯s third robot. ¡°It looks frail compared to me.¡± Marcus smirked, glad for the change in topic. ¡°Everyone looks frail compared to you, even Specter,¡± he said as he moved closer, studying the new design. It was made mostly out of plastic¡ªa durable kind, but plastic nonetheless, save for the pistons and motors. The robot matched his size and build, with two cameras for eyes and a smooth plate where a face would be. Streamlined for combat, thick plastic plating covered every part of its body without sacrificing much mobility. A spot inside the back of its head was ready for an Orb, and the chest piece could be removed to access slots for Mana batteries and another Orb. ¡°We¡¯re not all made equal,¡± Bastion said, mockingly arrogant, poking at the robot. ¡°I¡¯m still not convinced about all the plastic bits.¡± ¡°It¡¯ll do for now,¡± Marcus said, helping the robot into a seated position against a nearby wall. At first glance, it looked more like a person fully encapsulated in cheap armor, rather than another robot. ¡°It only needs to work as a prototype for now. As soon as we finish the design, we¡¯ll make the old man make us a proper one. Lots of steel and other bits of metal. You¡¯ll love it. Besides, this one isn¡¯t full of holes and dents like you are.¡± Bastion just let out a snort in response before staring at the unmoving plastic shell for a while longer. ¡°Think you¡¯ll manage?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°Taking on another body? Splitting your mind again?¡± Bastion asked, leaning in to poke the plastic robot again. ¡°It should be fine, I think It might dampen our thoughts a little, but I¡¯ve increased the Mental aspect these last few weeks,¡± Marcus replied, shifting his attention back to Bastion. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not worried about the Stat portion, Marcus. I get the whole pouring water into more cups idea, with the Mental Stat able to make the water more potent. I¡¯m more concerned about what splitting your mind over and over might do to you long-term. Psychologically, I mean,¡± Bastion said as it sat down next to the other robot, staring at its own hands. ¡°All of this is pretty weird. What if it messes you up?¡± Marcus sat down beside him, a soft smile tugging at his face, realizing his companion had really embodied several of his sister¡¯s traits. ¡°I¡¯m regularly talking to several versions of myself and about to make another one, lying to my family nonstop, just got out of a coma three months ago, fighting monsters for Glass that I stab myself with, and I¡¯m about to stab myself with a Chip in a few minutes,¡± Marcus said before pointing at his shoes. ¡°And I¡¯m wearing my dead friend¡¯s sneakers. Yeah, I¡¯m well aware that we¡¯re¡­ or rather I am pretty messed up.¡± Marcus opened his mouth to say something else, but the faint sound of movement upstairs stopped him. Fragmented memories filtered in from Specter, signaling his return. ¡°Specter¡¯s back.¡± A few seconds later, Specter entered the basement, its torn black raincoat clinging to its frame, streaked heavily with blood and mud. ¡°What did I miss?¡± it asked, pulling off its backpack and tossing it to the ground. The heavy thud echoed through the room, followed by the unmistakable clinking of Glass pieces rattling inside. ¡°Just having a heart-to-heart,¡± Marcus said. ¡°Talking about what we¡¯ll do when Marcus kills himself Chipping,¡± Bastion added, its tone dry as ever. Specter shrugged, not missing a beat. ¡°My money¡¯s on us performing in robot movies or joining the circus.¡± ¡°Funny,¡± Marcus muttered, getting up and heading toward the backpack. He unzipped it and began sorting through the Glass pieces, mentally calculating the total. Adding them to what he had left over from his last upgrade, he nodded to himself. ¡°This should be enough to upgrade my Endurance again. Probably wise to do that before I ram in the Chip.¡± ¡°Seems smart,¡± Specter agreed, moving toward the plastic robot. With a practiced motion, it slid its metal hand through a small hole in its chassis and ripped out its second Orb. The robot shuddered slightly, watching the blue veins still clinging to the Orb and the liquid that sprayed out before evaporating. ¡°Might be best to try out our new friend first,¡± Specter said, tossing the Orb toward Marcus, who caught it midair. ¡°Before you kick the bucket, that is.¡± ¡°Right,¡± Marcus said, turning back to the plastic robot. He nudged it forward, exposing the back of its head, where three socket cap bolts held a thick plastic panel in place. Bastion stepped in, twisting one of its steel fingertips and slowly pulling it off, revealing a small torx driver tip beneath. It pressed its digit against the back of the robot¡¯s head, and the driver spun, smoothly removing the three bolts. ¡®I really should thank the old man for the idea to install this in Bastion. Occam¡¯s screwdriver and all,¡¯ he thought, watching the last bolt leave the robot. Bastion held onto the bolts as Marcus carefully twisted the panel off, revealing the spherical cavity within. ¡°Moment of truth,¡± Marcus murmured, sliding the light blue Orb inside before sealing the compartment back up. ¡®Echo¡¯ Mana flowed through Marcus¡¯s core, surging down his arm and into the plastic robot. He connected with the Orb within, feeling the energy stream through. He dumped a fair bit of Mana, ignoring the clinking sounds as Bastion reinserted the bolts. Marcus¡¯s perspective expanded abruptly¡ªhe now also saw his own body through the robot¡¯s view. The Orb had already sprouted veins throughout the chassis, weaving its influence through the robot¡¯s system. Marcus felt confident it would work. The day before, he¡¯d run a trial with Bastion¡¯s Orb and consciousness, and although it had taken some getting used to, his companion had moved the frame with ease. This time was different, seeing as he was essentially creating a new personality. ¡®What to do with you?¡¯ Marcus thought, focusing on feeding a constant stream of Mana into the robot. He let it trickle in slowly, careful to avoid any waste through Mana bleed. He could almost feel the robot slowly regaining more of its functions. A few minutes later, it could even stand with his support. ¡®Should I specialize again, like I did with Bastion and Specter?¡¯ The plastic robot stood straighter as Marcus maintained contact, enabling him to control both bodies simultaneously. He knew that if he let go, it would either stand there or collapse, as there was no consciousness behind the steering wheel yet. Bastion¡¯s earlier warning about the risks of mind-splitting and the toll it might take on all three of them echoed in his mind. ¡®Would a sliver even work?¡¯ he wondered, recalling the horror of being trapped in his own body on a hospital bed for years, aware but not fully conscious. ¡°Let¡¯s try a small portion,¡± Marcus muttered, splitting off a fraction of his mind, about the same he used to maintain his HUD. He felt that fragment slip away and settle into the robot. Stepping back and releasing the connection, Marcus watched the robot wobble, half-expecting it to fall over. Specter stepped next to him, its three lenses focusing on the plastic form before speaking up, ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡± ¡°Trying to figure out what¡¯s the least required amount of my consciousness to make a functioning robot,¡± Marcus replied, observing as the plastic prototype stood a bit straighter. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was his consciousness inside of the robot, or if the Orb had sprouted more veins, granting it better stability at that moment. ¡°Try to move your arms for me,¡± he asked. The robot attempted to comply, but its movements were slow and uncoordinated, slowly moving its arms before flexing its plastic fingers. Marcus asked it to take a step, but it only managed one before toppling over, headfirst. ¡°Ouch,¡± Bastion commented, while Specter stepped forward to help its new sibling up. ¡°Guess we need a bit more Marcus-juice in there, huh?¡± Specter suggested. ¡°Juice?¡± Marcus repeated, shaking his head as he placed his hand back on the robot. ¡°That just sounds wrong... like perversely wrong.¡± He split off another sliver of his mind, doubling the amount within the robot. ¡°Try to move again,¡± he instructed, letting go of the prototype. This time, the robot managed a few steps. It still moved clumsily, but it wasn¡¯t falling over anymore.Stolen novel; please report. ¡°It looks a bit better,¡± Bastion said as it approached the prototype and pressed a steel finger against it, pushing lightly to check out its stability. The robot wobbled, nearly falling again over as it struggled to maintain balance. ¡°Emphasis on the looks bit,¡± Specter added dryly. Marcus sighed, touching the prototype again, and doubled the amount of his own mind within it again. He then asked it to move around, even jog. The robot moved noticeably better, smoother, though still robotic. Then he tested more complex tasks. ¡°Can you say our names?¡± Marcus asked, only for the robot to nod, yet no sound came out. He then handed it one of Specter¡¯s axes. It grasped the handle but with awkward stiffness,. ¡°Alright, drop the weapon and pick up seven Glass pieces from Specter¡¯s backpack.¡± The robot nodded again before moving towards the backpack and started digging through the pack, picking up Glass pieces one by one, clearly struggling to keep count. ¡®It¡¯s having a hard time with the complex stuff,¡¯ Marcus thought as he grabbed the robot again, doubling the mental share once more. The improvement came almost immediately when he did so. It still couldn¡¯t talk properly, but its movements sharpened. They repeated the process, each time Marcus feeding more of his mind into the robot, gradually refining its coordination and function. ¡°Try and tag Specter,¡± he ordered. The prototype nodded and charged straight at Specter. It moved with more confidence now, accelerating to full speed, but Specter still evaded it with ease. ¡®It¡¯s at least able to keep up,¡¯ Marcus thought, watching Specter slowly pick up the pace and show off a bit. ¡°It¡¯s not as awkward as before,¡± Bastion observed as Specter darted up the stairs, the prototype close behind. ¡°Yeah,¡± Marcus said, listening to the steady thuds echo from upstairs. ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan here?¡± Bastion asked as the chase continued above them, with gym equipment crashing to the floor. ¡°I¡¯m trying to establish a baseline for the least amount of my mind needed to make a decent fighter,¡± Marcus replied. Moments later, Specter vaulted off the stairs, landing with a smooth roll and sprinting back towards them. The prototype followed, but its attempt at jumping down the stairs ended in a graceless fall. ¡°It might need a bit more work,¡± Marcus admitted, moving to the fallen robot and helping it to its feet. He added another sliver of his mind¡ªthis time, roughly two percent of his entire mental capacity. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± he asked. The robot straightened, its gaze locking onto him. ¡°Fine,¡± it replied for the first time, its voice eerily similar to Marcus¡¯s but flat, devoid of any emotion. Satisfied with the progress, Marcus asked the robot a few more questions to gauge its intelligence. Then he decided to test it in a combat scenario. ¡°Try and punch me,¡± Marcus said, then quickly added, ¡°Gently,¡± when he heard Bastion¡¯s chuckle. The prototype nodded, adopting a combat stance. ¡®It¡¯s moving better,¡¯ he thought as the first jab flew toward him. ¡®Way less waisted movements.¡¯ He dodged the blow, watching the robot follow up with a series of basic, yet solid punches. Marcus blocked a few, dodging most, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. The final blow¡ªa straight punch¡ªcame at him with more force. He stepped in, blocking it with his right arm, and countered with a quick uppercut from his left. His fist stopped just shy of the robot¡¯s faceplate. ¡°That¡¯s enough for now,¡± Marcus said, before flicking his finger against the plate. ¡°You did well.¡± He then brushed away a bit of sweat, watching the prototype settle in a straight posture again, unnervingly still. ¡°It looks weird¡­¡± Specter said, joining him as Bastion began poking the prototype before it tossed it a piece of glass and asked it to catch it, essentially treating it as a dog playing fetch. ¡°All of you buggers look weird. I¡¯m the only pretty one here,¡± Marcus countered with a grin. ¡°Keep dreaming. But about plastic boy¡ªI mean, it can move and fight, sure, but it¡¯s not really like us,¡± Specter continued. ¡°It¡¯s more like a¡ª¡± ¡°A drone?¡± Marcus suggested, with Specter nodding in agreement. ¡°I know you or Bastion could take down a few of them on skill and tactics alone. I¡¯ve seen what you¡¯re both capable of. But sometimes, quantity beats quality.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re dumbing them down?¡± Specter asked, with a hint of something in its voice¡ªconcern maybe. ¡°All of us?¡± ¡°No, not you and Bastion,¡± Marcus said, shaking his head reassuringly. ¡°We need good decisions out there, fighters who know what I¡¯d do. You two are specialists, generals, the fingers on my hands¡­ whatever title fits you best. But having a few drones under your command? That could be useful.¡± He eyed Bastion across the room. ¡°Picture our big boy over there with a few drones, all armed with shields and spears. That time we went for the third Orb in that cavern would¡¯ve been a lot easier.¡± Specter nodded, thoughtful. ¡°I guess that makes sense. Sometimes a mob of peasants with spears is more effective than a single skilled knight.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Marcus said, moving toward the prototype. He placed a hand on the machine, another on Specter, and braced his foot against Bastion¡¯s. Connecting with all three at once hit him like a wave, his mind straining to stretch across four bodies. The sensation nearly made him nauseous¡ªa single person inhabiting four perspectives. He pushed through, mentally sectioning off parts of himself to Specter and Bastion. He then released his steel brethren, focusing solely on the prototype. ¡°I¡¯m giving all three of you an equal share¡ª25 each,¡± he said. He broke off another piece of himself and channeled it into the prototype, feeling it settle into the Orb inside. ¡°You¡¯ll be all right with just a quarter?¡± Bastion asked, its voice uncharacteristically soft. Marcus nodded, focusing on the part of himself within the prototype, experimenting with a new approach. He dulled certain aspects of himself while sharpening others. He didn¡¯t know if it would even work, but he figured he¡¯d give it a shot. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± he muttered, closing his eyes to concentrate. He recalled fights he¡¯d witnessed¡ªruthless boxers, martial artists who could win through sheer intimidation, and his own brutal clashes with monsters. ¡®Bastion¡¯s got defense handled, and Specter''s gotten weirdly good at stealth and ambushes. What we need a damage dealer¡ªshock-and-awe style to crush morale,¡¯ he thought, pulling from memories of brutal knockouts and fighters pushing through pain for a single decisive blow. He even remembered his own reckless younger years. A few seconds later, he released his grip on the robot and stumbled back. He immediately felt dulled. Only 25 percent of his mind remained within his body¡ªenough to function, though everything felt muted. He felt like a weaker version of himself, as though the volume had turned down on every sense. ¡°You good?¡± Marcus asked, watching the plastic prototype flex its fingers and scan its surroundings. ¡°Yes,¡± the robot responded, its voice colder, sharper than before. After watching the exchange, Bastion grabbed the bag and sorted the Glass into neat piles of twenty. ¡°You¡¯re up next. Want me to help?¡± ¡°Are you offering to stab me? That¡¯s sweet,¡± Marcus said, a faint grin tugging at his lips. ¡°I¡¯ve got the stabbing part handled, but I could use some mental aid.¡± He lifted his shirt, bit down on the fabric, and grabbed the first twenty Glass pieces. Without hesitation, he stabbed them into his chest, aiming near the black Marks. Bastion gripped his shoulder, and an immediate connection formed between them. Marcus felt the surge of energy as the Glass disintegrated. The power struck him hard, almost overwhelming. He pushed on, repeating the process until three charges of energy were coursing through him. Teeth clenched, he focused on the one thing that mattered¡ªincreasing his Endurance. ¨X ¨[ [Endurance] [+1] ¨^ ¨a The energy suddenly shifted, striking Marcus like a storm and tearing through ligaments, bones, and sinew. Every organ in his body protested the strain, dropping him to his knees. He tasted blood, metallic and bitter, and his nails scraped at the plastic-covered floor. The chaos raged inside him until it settled, leaving him panting. Slowly, he stood, wobbling on shaky legs. ¡°That was¡­ fun,¡± he muttered as Bastion removed its hand, dulling his senses. Part of him was grateful it did the same for his pain. ¡°The upgrades aren¡¯t as damaging as before,¡± Bastion noted, stepping back as Specter handed Marcus a bottle of water. Marcus gulped down several mouthfuls, swishing the liquid to clear the blood from his mouth. ¡°Yeah,¡± he said, catching his breath. ¡°I¡¯d still rather be kicked in the nuts, but at least I¡¯m not passing out in my own vomit anymore.¡± ¡°There¡¯s still time for that,¡± a cold voice cut in. Marcus shifted his gaze, finding the prototype staring at him. The robot shrugged nonchalantly before heading to one of the backpacks, pulling out an axe and a knife. ¡°So¡­ the new guy¡¯s fun,¡± Specter muttered sarcastically. Its three cameras locked onto the robot, tracking as it flipped the knife and caught it effortlessly. ¡°What did you was the inspiration for the design this time? A psychopath?¡± Marcus opened his mouth to respond, but Bastion beat him to it. ¡°A cunt.¡± The three of them turned their eyes back to the prototype, watching it practice stabbing motions with the knife. It noticed them staring, paused for a moment, then returned to its drills, unconcerned. ¡°I was going for an offense-oriented style. Something that could work well with Bastion,¡± Marcus explained, watching the robot¡¯s eerie precision with the knife. ¡°I might¡¯ve messed up on this one.¡± ¡°You think?¡± Bastion asked sarcastically, shaking its head. Marcus sighed and reached into his pocket, pulling out the Chip. He held it between his fingertips, feeling its weight. It was small, about the size of a thumb, jagged on one side and gleaming dark green. ¡°Moment of truth,¡± he said quietly, rolling up his sleeve and passing the Chip to Bastion. ¡°Still set on the location?¡± Bastion asked, gripping Marcus¡¯s right arm and positioning the Chip¡¯s jagged edge just above his elbow. ¡°No,¡± Marcus said, biting down on his clothes once again as Specter grabbed him under the armpits. His body tensed up as he closed his eyes. ¡°Do it!¡± Bastion suddenly shoved the Chip in with one violent press. The jagged edges tore through Marcus¡¯s skin and flesh, sending a sharp burst of pain radiating up his arm. Blood flowed freely from the wound, dripping down as Marcus groaned, his teeth clenching around the fabric still in his mouth. Specter held him steady while Bastion lodged the Chip just shy of the bone, its smoother edge still sticking out a bit. ¡°Well?¡± Specter asked, watching Marcus spit out the fabric, sweat glistening on his face. ¡°I just feel pain,¡± Marcus muttered through gritted teeth, knees buckling. ¡°Nothing else.¡± Bastion and Specter helped him down, their hands steady, keeping him from collapsing completely. ¡°What now?¡± Bastion asked, glancing at Specter. ¡°No idea. Maybe it needs to be activated or something,¡± Specter replied, its three lenses zeroing in on Marcus. The young man muttered a curse, reaching up to touch the Chip in his arm, wincing as his fingers brushed it. ¡°I think we messed up here,¡± Specter said, its tone filled with an edge of uncertainty. ¡°Let¡¯s pull it out, tie off the wound, and you can head to the hospital. You can think of some bullshit excuse on the way to¡ª¡± Before Specter could finish, a spark of Mana shot from Marcus¡¯s fingertip. The moment it connected with the Chip, it made the object shoot deeper into his arm, tearing through more tissue as it merged with him in one violent moment. The sudden surge of power exploded through Marcus like a shockwave, and before anyone could react, his fist flew forward at blinding speed. Specter didn¡¯t stand a chance. The robot shot backward, body spinning through the air as if struck by a sledgehammer. It slammed into the far wall of the basement with a deafening crash, falling to a stop upside down, its three lenses flickering for a moment as it lay there motionless for a moment. ¡°What the?¡± Specter muttered, shaking off the disorientation from the impact. It turned its focus toward Marcus, who was groaning and clutching his right arm. A stream of wind pressure blasted out from his elbow, causing the plastic sheets on the floor to flap wildly while a dense, light blue mist bled out from his frame, swirling around him like a fog. ¡°He¡¯s hurt,¡± Specter muttered, noticing Marcus''s right hand, bruised and dripping blood onto the floor. Specter glanced at its own chest, noting the massive dent in its chassis and broken plating where Marcus''s punch had landed. Marcus roared in pain as his right arm shot up suddenly, lifting his entire body off the ground for a brief second through sheer air pressure before he collapsed to the floor, unconscious. Specter just stared, confused, then shifted its gaze to Bastion and the prototype, both of whom were frozen in place, staring at Marcus. ¡°Did he kick the bucket?¡± the prototype asked, almost nonchalant. ¡°Dude what the hell is wrong with you?¡± Specter replied, giving the prototype a look. Bastion rushed over to Marcus, crouching down and clumsily attempting to check his vitals with its metal fingers. ¡°He¡¯s still breathing,¡± Bastion said after a moment. ¡°He¡¯s sweating, pale, and his hand looks a bit messed up, but he¡¯s breathing.¡± The other two robots gathered around him, peering down at their unconscious human companion. ¡°Mana drain,¡± Specter said, recognizing the symptoms from Marcus¡¯s memories. ¡°He should be fine in a while. Probably just burned through the last of his Mana. My god, that ability is powerful.¡± Specter squatted beside Marcus, studying the Chip now fully fused to his right elbow. The jagged edges had disappeared, and the Chip was now seamlessly part of Marcus¡¯s skin, no longer protruding. ¡°It¡¯s turned black,¡± Specter remarked, tapping lightly on the Chip to draw the others¡¯ attention. It matched the other dark Marks on Marcus¡¯s arm, face, and chest. ¡°If it wasn¡¯t our body I was looking at, I¡¯d assume it had always been like that.¡± Specter tapped the Chip a few more times, but nothing changed; no new reaction occurred. ¡°So, what do we do now?¡± Bastion asked, its gaze shifting between Specter and the motionless Marcus. ¡°Leave him,¡± the prototype suggested. Both Specter and Bastion immediately turned to stare at it. ¡°What the fuck is wrong with you?¡± Bastion said, moving closer. It towered over the smaller robot. It didn¡¯t have proper facial expressions, but everyone in the room could imagine Bastion''s anger as it grabbed the prototype by the neck, lifting it with ease. The pressure of its steel fingers alone was enough to form cracks in the prototype¡¯s protective plastic plating. Without hesitation, the prototype swung its axe toward its opponent¡¯s face. Bastion blocked it with its arm, the clash of metal ringing through the room. ¡°Stop it,¡± Specter said, stepping forward. ¡°Stop acting like children.¡± After a brief pause, Bastion dropped the prototype to the floor, then grabbed a set of spare clothes and carefully placed them under Marcus¡¯s head to make him more comfortable. ¡°The two of us will cool down our tempers inside the Sphere and get some Glass while we¡¯re there. Bastion, you¡¯ll tend to Marcus, alright? We¡¯ll stick near the edge of the Barrier so you can call if you need anything,¡± Specter suggested. ¡°Fine,¡± the prototype muttered, grabbing a few extra weapons from Bastion¡¯s backpack. ¡°Fine,¡± Bastion replied, sitting down next to Marcus. ¡°I¡¯ve got plenty of battery left. Take care of yourself.¡± Specter nodded, moving toward the stairs with the prototype while suggesting that they should come up with a proper name for it, to make things easier in the field and as a way to address each other. ¡°Piss off,¡± the prototype snapped. ¡°I¡¯ll pick one myself.¡± Bastion sighed as their voices faded, muttering, ¡°Let¡¯s hope something goes wrong and plastic boy gets turned into scrap in the first minute.¡± It then shifted its gaze back to Marcus, focusing on the new Mark etched into his skin. (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 24 (Psychopathic Honey Badger) CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR Psychopathic Honey Badger Marcus woke up groggy and disoriented, his head pounding as he blinked at the familiar sight of the plastic-covered basement in his father¡¯s old gym. ¡®I passed out?¡¯ he thought, vaguely remembering something went wrong with the Chip in his arm. He became aware of his sweaty frame, and how it made his clothes stick uncomfortably to his skin. He pushed himself up into a seated position, wincing at the stiffness in his limbs and the pain in his right hand. The sound of heavy thuds echoed through the room as Bastion approached. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± his steel companion asked, its voice low and steady as it towered over him. ¡°Like I¡¯m thirteen again.¡± Marcus muttered, his voice thick with exhaustion. He rubbed his right hand and noticed the makeshift bandage around it, torn from a spare shirt of his. ¡°Like the day after Felix and Oscar dared me to drink that bottle of scotch Dad used to keep in the garage.¡± He looked down at the ragged fabric on his hand again, closing his eyes for a moment. ¡°I liked that shirt.¡± ¡°Buy a new one,¡± Bastion replied firmly, sitting down next to him. ¡°How¡¯s the hand?¡± it asked, placing its own on Marcus¡¯s shoulder. Marcus felt a familiar rush as Bastion connected with him, carefully feeding him updates on everything he¡¯d missed. It came in small, manageable waves, as not to overwhelm him. ¡®It worked,¡¯ he thought, the realization slowly settling in. He reached toward the spot near his right elbow, fingers brushing over the strange black material that had fused with his skin. It felt oddly natural, like the other Marks that dotted his body. ¡°It really worked,¡± Marcus muttered, still not entirely sure if he was surprised or relieved. ¡°Sure did,¡± Bastion said with a hint of amusement. ¡°Good enough to pass out from Mana drain and almost punch a hole through Specter¡¯s chest. But seriously, how¡¯s the hand?¡± Marcus flexed his fingers, testing his range of motion before making a tight fist. ¡°It hurts, but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s broken. At least, not badly. Should be fine in a few days, I guess. Perks of being a Breacher.¡± ¡°More like your increased Endurance Stat,¡± Bastion corrected, its tone blunt as it stood up and extended a hand to help him to his feet. ¡°You could¡¯ve died, you know that, right?¡± The hesitation in its voice felt almost familiar, reminding Marcus of how his sister sounded after being mad at him¡ªright before the worry kicked in. ¡°I know,¡± Marcus admitted, aware of just how reckless his decision had been and that he was making a habit of it. ¡°But it paid off. I¡¯ll be more careful in the future,¡± he added with a grin, brushing off Bastion¡¯s muttered response that it didn¡¯t believe him. He hesitantly extended his arm to the side, trying to use his Ability¡ªbut nothing happened. He then opened his HUD and checked his Mana, assuming he¡¯d run out, but found he still had a fair bit left. ¡°Wait, how long was I out?¡± ¡°Two hours,¡± Bastion said, studying the confusion on Marcus¡¯s face before it suddenly understood. ¡°Wait? You tried to use your Ability again?¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°You just promised you¡¯d be more careful! The first time you used it, you almost sent Specter through the bloody wall!¡± Bastion replied, taking a cautious step to the side, away from Marcus¡¯s right arm. ¡°So, what¡¯s wrong? Is it not working? Out of mojo?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Marcus said, looking at his own hand. ¡°Maybe it just takes some time to get used to, like learning to control a muscle?¡± He then shifted his gaze towards the stairs. ¡°Are the others still inside the Sphere?¡± Bastion nodded as Marcus reached for a compact backpack, rummaging through it until he found a knife. With a quick flick, he tested the blade¡¯s edge, then passed the bag to Bastion. ¡°Let¡¯s go find the others first,¡± Marcus said, his voice still a bit hoarse from earlier. Bastion nodded once more, catching the backpack and hooking it onto its waist with practiced ease. It turned, retrieving its shield and axe, slamming them against one another for good measure before they moved toward the exit, ready to regroup. - - - Bastion and Marcus moved silently through the Sphere, the familiar landscape now slightly more distorted by chaotic energy than the world outside. He could see some parts of houses covered in a thin layer of moss, the colors strangely vivid, twisting in intricate, unnatural patterns. Signs of battle were everywhere¡ªfresh, bloodstained marks overlaying old battlegrounds. Some of the monsters they¡¯d killed days earlier lay rotting on the ground, their bodies warping and decaying as though the Sphere itself were mutating the remains into something else. The air felt heavy with the sense that nothing here would ever stay still for long. Marcus eyed the scene, taking in the mix of decay and growth. They passed the bodies of more slain monsters, with him recognizing some that Bastion had killed from its memories. They turned onto another street when a blur of movement caught Marcus¡¯s eye. A monster lunged at him from a nearby bush, all teeth and claws. Marcus barely reacted as Bastion¡¯s axe cleaved the creature in two, its pieces hitting the ground with wet thuds. The robot bent down, gripping the monster¡¯s head and crushing it into pulp with a sickening crunch, letting brain matter and fragments of skull drip from its fingers. All that remained was the Glass, wet with gore. ¡°Where are they?¡± Bastion growled, the frustration evident in its voice. ¡°Specter said they¡¯d stick around the barrier.¡± ¡°Maybe they ran into trouble,¡± Marcus offered, though even he doubted it, considering how capable Specter was on its own. ¡°Could be a large group of monsters is near them, and they have to keep still for a while.¡±Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Bastion made an irritated sound, stuffing the Glass into its backpack before they continued forward. ¡°For two hours? That thing¡­ you made is trouble. Mark my words.¡± ¡°Preaching to the choir here, mate,¡± Marcus said as they just kept moving. Not long after, they spotted Specter in the distance, sprinting toward them. The robot looked worse for wear¡ªits body covered in blood, torn clothes hanging off in tatters, and its already battered black raincoat shredded even more, giving it an almost wraith-like appearance. ¡°Where¡¯s that little plastic shit?¡± Bastion asked as Specter reached them, scanning the area. ¡°I lost it,¡± Specter replied, its three lenses shifting toward Marcus, momentarily shifting towards the man¡¯s right arm. ¡°We stuck together for a while, just farming Glass, but eventually, it sped off toward the Orb¡¯s location. Said it was¡­¡± Specter made air quotes with its metallic fingers, ¡°...in need of a real challenge. I tried to run after it, but it was surprisingly quick. Like a crossbreed between a racing dog and a pissed off honey badger¡± ¡°How can you just lose it?¡± Bastion asked, its annoyance palpable in its tone. Marcus stepped between them and reached out, forming a connection with both companions. In an instant, he shared their memories, seeing through their cameras, acting as the nexus and balancing the amount of his consciousness across each body. Marcus recalled Specter and the prototype moving through the Barrier two hours earlier, encountering their first group of monsters. They had fought differently¡ªSpecter, cautious and methodical, had suggested surprise tactics and setting up ambushes. The prototype had ignored the advice, constantly charging headlong into battle with reckless abandon. For an entire hour, they had slaughtered creatures in droves, collecting a decent supply of Glass. But while Specter had remained relatively unscathed, the prototype had grown more worn down during each skirmish, lacking the metal frame of its brethren. The next memory that bubbled up to the surface was the prototype sprinting off, claiming it needed a real challenge, leaving Specter clamoring behind it to keep up. Marcus broke the connection, his expression hardening. ¡°We need to find it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s probably dead,¡± Bastion said bluntly. ¡°Or about to be.¡± ¡°We won¡¯t know for sure,¡± Marcus countered, glancing at Specter. ¡°Let¡¯s see if we can catch up.¡± ¡°Are you sure? You¡¯re not wearing armor. We didn¡¯t plan for this,¡± Specter said, concern staining its voice. ¡°I¡¯m sure,¡± Marcus lied as he pressured his companion to start moving again. The three of them pushed deeper into the Sphere, the ruined city around them as they moved toward the center, where the Orb waited. Marcus felt exposed without his armor, an unsettling sensation gnawing at him as they pressed on. He¡¯d been in a lot of Spheres already, fought countless battles, but something about this time left him feeling uneasy. ¡®I¡¯m stronger now,¡¯ he told himself, steadying the nerves creeping up his spine. ¡®More durable¡­ I should be fine.¡¯ Yet, his grip tightened around the knife in his hand, the cold steel offering little comfort. The night still hung heavy around them, thick and oppressive. A few hours remained until sunrise, but the darkness felt endless. It made Specter¡¯s thermal and night vision invaluable. The robot darted ahead, scanning the area for threats with mechanical precision. Each time it returned, they¡¯d launch a quick ambush, catching smaller monsters off guard, or Specter would guide them around larger groups, saving time, Mana, and bruises. Marcus tuned out Bastion¡¯s grumbling as they moved forward. The robot clearly wanted to turn back, rest up, and return when they were better prepared. Logically, it made sense¡ªhe didn¡¯t have his armor, was low on Mana, and one of the Orbs they usually had at their disposal was missing, leaving them with less juice than usual. Even with Bastion¡¯s internal batteries having some charge, it was a risk. But Marcus didn¡¯t want to risk the chance of losing a part of his own mind. Specter led them onward, following the prototype¡¯s trail. Every so often, they¡¯d come across signs of its passage¡ªshards of broken plastic, surrounded by a few dead monsters. Bloody footprints marked the way forward, leading them deeper into the Sphere¡¯s center. Eventually, they reached the spot where the Orb was supposed to be. An old supermarket stood out in front of them, its structure barely recognizable beneath layers of moss and mutation. Dozens of scale-like patches covered the exterior, woven into the moss as if grown or placed there by the creatures that now inhabited the Sphere. Marcus squinted at the faded letters on the building, the familiar shape of the logo stirring memories from his childhood. He didn¡¯t need Specter¡¯s night vision to know what waited inside¡ªdeath. The stench of blood hung thick in the air, mingling with something far worse. Something rotten. Marcus swallowed hard as they moved closer towards the entrance. ¡°Should we go inside?¡± Specter asked, its voice low as it watched another group of monsters arrive, snarling and hissing at one another as they rushed into the building. ¡°Our plastic idiot is in there,¡± Bastion said, its steel fingers tightening around its shield and axe. ¡°That place is a death trap.¡± Marcus stayed silent, his eyes fixed on the old supermarket. Though it still had the rough, blocky shape he remembered from years ago, the building felt like something else entirely now¡ªwarped, transformed. The windows were gone, replaced by thick earthen walls, covered in scales and moss. The structure had become more like a bunker, fortified by the creatures that infested it. He spotted a faint pulsing light from the entrance. ¡®Could be the exposed Orb, or maybe dozens of sacks holding freshly formed monsters, waiting to burst out and rip my face off,¡¯ Marcus thought as he watched a few more monsters enter the building, drawn to something. ¡°Only one way in,¡± Marcus muttered, dreading the words even as he said them. He knew the danger, but they couldn¡¯t afford to hesitate. ¡°We have to go in. The risk of mental loss is too great. I¡¯m not going to turn into a vegetable today.¡± ¡°Then it¡¯s decided,¡± Specter said, though its tone held a note of hesitation. Bastion moved forward, positioning itself protectively in front of Marcus. ¡°I hate this plan with every bolt in my body. We¡¯re risking more of us¡ªmaybe even you,¡± it grumbled, rolling its steel shoulders like Marcus himself used to do to loosen up before a fight. ¡°But it¡¯s two against one, so, what the hell¡­ blood and iron.¡± ¡°Blood and iron, brother,¡± Specter echoed, tapping its fists twice against Bastion¡¯s breastplate. ¡°You and Marcus make the distraction. I¡¯ll rush past the mob and grab our little plastic honey badger¡­ or what¡¯s left of it.¡± Marcus and Bastion nodded before all three crept toward the entrance. The howls and screams within the building grew louder with each step they took. Over the chaos, Marcus could make out something else¡ªlaughter, broken and unhinged, echoing through the building. Suddenly, a wounded monster burst from the entrance, missing its eyes and bleeding from a dozen wounds as it stumbled out into the open. Specter shot forward, burying a knife deep in the creature¡¯s throat, cutting its scream short. Swift and precise, it stabbed the beast to death, scattering flesh and blood across the ground within seconds. Another blood-soaked monster lurched out, missing an arm and with a snapped tusk sticking out of its torso like a jagged stump. Before it could react, Bastion slammed its shield through the creature¡¯s chest and, in one brutal motion, brought its axe down, splitting its skull. The monster dropped lifeless, and Bastion kicked it free, flicking gore from his weapon. ¡°Ready?¡± Specter asked calmly, its three lenses focusing on Marcus and Bastion. Bastion nodded, stepping in without hesitation. ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with while we still have Mana in our frames. This clown better be worth the trouble,¡± it muttered, moving in with its axe at the ready, while Specter followed close behind, silent and sticking to the shadows. ¡®Time to get some more bruises,¡¯ Marcus thought, stepping in, fully aware fresh horrors awaited him. He tightened his grip on the knife¡¯s handle, the cold metal steadying him as the broken laughter echoed louder from deeper in the building. ¡®I hate my life!¡¯ (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 25 (Supermarket Showdown) CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE Supermarket Showdown The three of them stepped into a maze of moss-covered shelves. Most lay tipped over and broken, creating jagged paths through the aisles. A dozen dead monsters littered the floor, their bodies sprawled at grotesque angles. Marcus¡¯s eyes fixed on two that still lived, maimed and hunched over something. A moment later he realized they were chewing on a torn-off robotic leg. ¡®That¡¯s promising,¡¯ Marcus thought sarcastically, noticing claw and teeth marks scraped over the thick plastic. Bastion and Specter darted past him, weapons in hand. Within seconds, their knives and axes sank into the startled monsters, hacking them apart with brutal efficiency. Marcus stood still, peering deeper into the building¡¯s twisted layout that made his head throb. Thick vines ran up the walls and across the floor, weaving through shelves and tightening the already cramped spaces. ¡®We¡¯ll have to either hack them apart or crawl through,¡¯ he thought grimly, not trusting the old shelves to support his weight. ¡®Bastion¡¯s bulky frame is going to be an issue.¡¯ ¡°Shit,¡± Bastion muttered while pointing its axe upwards, snapping Marcus out of his thoughts. He followed its gaze and froze. Hundreds of sac-like objects lined the ceiling, fastened to the walls and filled with monsters in various stages of development. He could see some of them wriggling inside, claws pressing against the thin membrane, ready to burst free. As they watched, several creatures clawed their way out, dropping to the floor with a splash of viscous, foul-smelling liquid. Two landed close to their position, their grotesque bodies twitching as they adjusted to their surroundings. Before they could even blink, Bastion¡¯s steel foot came down hard, crushing their skulls one after the other with a sickening crunch. The large robot shifted its gaze towards Marcus before speaking up in a whisper, ¡°We need to hurry this¡ª¡± The ground shook beneath Marcus¡¯s feet, a low rumble that sent shivers up his spine. Suddenly, the hissing and screaming inside the building intensified, reaching a feverish pitch. Whatever chaos had been stirring now reached a new level of frenzy, but above all that madness, the sound of maniacal laughter cut through the air, dwarfing the noise. ¡°What the hell?¡± Specter said, its lenses shifting through various modes as it scanned the area. ¡°They¡¯re dying.¡± Marcus didn¡¯t answer, his legs already carrying him out of the building. He stepped outside just in time to witness the light blue dome overhead shatter into countless fragments, each piece disintegrating as it fell. ¡®Did it actually just solo a Sphere?¡¯ Marcus thought, a confused smile tugging at his lips. He shook his head, still in disbelief as he caught sight of two groups of monsters spilling from nearby houses. They charged desperately toward the supermarket, driven to madness by their Mana-starved bodies. Most didn¡¯t make it far, collapsing dead after just a few steps. Three stragglers managed to stumble toward him, sluggish but still dangerous. Marcus met them head-on. His knife cut through the first one¡¯s neck in a clean horizontal swipe. The second had no time to react before the knife pierced its chest, blood spurting as it collapsed. The last one lunged at him, causing Marcus to let go of the knife, his right fist shooting forward. As he did, a sharp, deep roar erupted from his elbow, like a whirlwind tearing through a narrow tunnel. His arm moved faster than he anticipated, fist slamming into the monster¡¯s chest with a thunderous crack. The force sent the creature flying backward at great speed; wind roaring as dust and debris whipped around in its wake. The monster crashed into the ground, rolling over and over until it smashed through the brick wall of a nearby ruined house. The building collapsed on top of it seconds later, crushing the beast beneath the rubble. Marcus stared at his throbbing fist, then glanced at the wreckage. ¡®Guess the Ability kicked in there,¡¯ he thought, realizing the raw power behind that punch and feeling just how much it had hurt his already injured hand. ¡®I¡¯ll need to figure out how to control it in the future. I can¡¯t just let it activate on its own when I¡¯m fighting or stressed out.¡¯ He then retrieved his knife and made sure all the monsters were actually dead, stabbing each one in the throat just to be sure. Specter joined him moments later, drawn by the commotion. It drew up beside him, staring up at the sky where the Sphere had once been. ¡°Plastic-boy actually pulled it off, huh?¡± it muttered. ¡°Guess so,¡± Marcus replied, crouching down to finish off the last monster. He could still feel the sting of raw Mana, coursing through his arm, slowly ebbing away. He wanted to discuss it with his companion, to explain what had just happened, yet kept it to himself for now. ¡®Focus on the prototype and Orb first. We¡¯ll deal with my Ability later,¡¯ Marcus reminded himself and motioned for Specter to follow him back inside. Together, they re-entered the building, now eerily quiet, save for occasional creepy laughter. Bastion was up ahead, hacking apart thick vines with its axe, carving a path deeper into the structure. The overgrown shelves showed signs of destruction¡ªclaw marks raked along the vines and shelving units. Scattered bits of broken plastic lay amongst the carnage, along with the occasional bent piston or motor. ¡°Not much left of it,¡± Bastion commented as it swung its axe again, clearing another section of vines. They moved forward cautiously, occasionally killing monsters that dropped from the ceiling, their bodies convulsing from the sudden lack of Mana. All the while, the echo of laughter faded, but the sense of unease remained, hanging thick in the air. Marcus and Specter moved deeper into the building, gathering Glass along the way, while the aftermath of the prototype¡¯s rampage grew more apparent. Corpses littered the floor, each one bearing savage slash wounds across their faces and throats, the violence brutal enough to resemble the work of a wild animal. Broken parts of the robot lay scattered among the bodies¡ªplastic fingers, pieces of its face, and even one of its feet jammed through a monster¡¯s throat. ¡®This isn¡¯t good,¡¯ Marcus thought, tugging the robot¡¯s foot free from the corpse to examine it. Despite the damage, some pistons and motors inside still seemed salvageable, and he shoved it into Bastion¡¯s backpack with a grunt. ¡°Let¡¯s keep going.¡± Rounding a corner, Marcus spotted a small hole in the ground where cracked tiles gave way to dirt, exposing a tangled network of thick vines that branched out in every direction along with a dozen of torn sacs. At the center lay a pile of dead monsters, their lifeless forms draped across the vines like discarded puppets. A few still hung suspended, their bodies twisted and torn, lifeless eyes staring blankly into the void. And there, at the top of the grotesque heap, lay the prototype¡ªor what remained of it. Its lower half had been completely ripped apart, chunks of its torso missing, exposing jagged plastic pieces and ruined parts. Most of its left arm was gone, leaving only a sharpened stump, slick with blood, that it had clearly used as a weapon. What remained of its right arm cradled a pulsating light blue Orb, its plastic fingers worn down into jagged fragments. ¡°Took you long enough,¡± the prototype said, noticing their approach. It tried to prop itself up, but barely managed a shift before collapsing again. ¡°You missed all the fun.¡± ¡°Fun?¡± Bastion¡¯s voice boomed as it jumped down into the hole, landing with a heavy thud. It marched toward the shattered robot, axe raised. ¡°You call nearly dying fun? What if Specter or I needed you? What if Marcus needed you?¡± The broken machine didn¡¯t respond, it just stared blankly at Bastion while Specter and Marcus slid down the hole to join them. ¡°No response, prototype?¡±Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡°Grow a pair,¡± the prototype muttered, leaning forward to reveal that large sections of its head had been torn off, including one of its lenses. The light blue Orb inside its skull shone through the jagged holes, hinting at how dangerously close the monsters had gotten to ripping it out. ¡°And don¡¯t call me prototype.¡± The words came out cold, like a threat. Bastion took another step forward, but froze as Marcus placed a hand on its shoulder. The connection formed instantly, calming the machine as they moved closer to the wrecked figure. ¡°This was too risky,¡± Marcus said, his voice even and controlled as he stared at the plastic robot while letting go of Bastion. ¡°For you, perhaps,¡± the prototype replied, its remaining camera locking onto Marcus. ¡°I know what I am capable of, even without steel or flesh.¡± ¡°Which is?¡± Marcus asked, not liking the prototype¡¯s attitude. ¡°Getting shit done.¡± ¡°That¡¯s cute,¡± Marcus said, his voice tight as a surge of annoyance rose within him. ¡°Bastion is right. Violence and aggression have their uses, but only when combined with strategy, with us working together. Sure, you succeeded here, but how would you take advantage of your pyrrhic victory? You¡¯re a wreck, unable to move... the cost you paid was too great.¡± The robot didn¡¯t respond. Instead, it tossed the pulsating Orb onto the ground in front of Marcus, as if that action alone justified everything it had done. ¡°Brother,¡± Marcus said again, his tone softening as he stepped closer. ¡°The others have been without Mana before, so we know what happens then. But if your main Orb was ripped out? What happens then? You could¡¯ve died¡ªand with you, a part of my consciousness.¡± A silence hung between them, heavy and lingering, before Specter broke it. ¡°Gentlemen... might I remind you that we¡¯re still in a dangerous location that looks like it could collapse at any moment? Perhaps it¡¯s wise to collect what Glass we can find, and recover what¡¯s left of ourselves, before anyone gets curious about why a Sphere inside a dead zone was suddenly cleared.¡± Specter moved forward, grabbing the Orb off the ground and sliding it into its chassis, slowly wiggling it in place. Marcus nodded, briefly grabbing hold of his largest companion and pouring the rest of his Mana within its frames. ¡°Bastion, take care of our broken friend,¡± he said, turning away. ¡°Specter and I will gather as much Glass as we can before we head out. We¡¯ll meet up at my dad¡¯s gym in three hours.¡± He made his way toward the edge of the slope, when a soft chuckle drifted from the ruined robot behind him. He stopped and glanced back. The broken machine struggled to sit up straighter, flexing its damaged fingers. ¡°Impressive speech before, truly,¡± it said, cocking its mangled head sideways to glance at Marcus. ¡°I¡¯d clap, but...¡± It held up its shattered limbs and shrugged, as if to say, ¡®oh well.¡¯ It leaned back a bit, its voice laced with mockery. ¡°But let¡¯s not forget how you made me, what part of yourself you really poured in to forge my personality. I¡¯m you... the real you.¡± It chuckled again, the sound harsh and disturbing because of its damaged speaker. ¡°I¡¯m what our father saw inside of us, now without the chains of morality holding you back.¡± Bastion¡¯s two lenses locked onto the plastic wreck. ¡°What you are, douchebag, is broken,¡± it said coldly. ¡°And I¡¯m not talking about your ruined body.¡± The robot leaned forward, its voice hissing with anger. ¡°I¡¯m a destroyer, willing to do what you lack the bolts to try.¡± ¡°Try? Like what¡­ prototype?¡± Bastion spat the word like an insult, its tone icy cold, knowing exactly how much it would sting. ¡°To embrace death,¡± the broken robot said, suddenly slamming its remaining plastic fingers through the hole in its head. A finger snapped off, bits of it shattering across the ground. The robot gripped the Orb inside its head, pulling at it. The light blue veins stretched taut, some tearing under the strain and dripping a blue liquid. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Marcus shouted, rushing forward, but the robot let out another broken chuckle. ¡°I¡¯m not a prototype. The name is Reaper,¡± the robot said before yanking its Orb out in one violent motion. The veins snapped, spraying dissipating blue fluid as the prototype¡¯s frame went still. Immediately, Marcus hit the ground hard, landing on his hands and knees, feeling his strength leave him. Pain tore through Marcus like a wildfire. His body screamed, his head burned as though it had split open. For a split second, he felt both alive and dead at once, like something inside him had been ripped away. A part of him¡ªthe part that was Reaper¡ªhad died. The agony dwarfed anything he had ever experienced, a thousand times worse than any upgrade he¡¯d endured. The closest thing to it was the day Oscar had died in his arms. In that same instant, a surge of consciousness expanded his mind. He reclaimed what he had given the robot, his thoughts stretching in ways that made him feel whole again. And then, the pain was gone, leaving only a faint echo of loss, buried deep within his mind. ¡°It¡¯s dead,¡± Marcus muttered, a wave of fatigue crashing over him. Bastion helped him back to his feet as he steadied his breathing. ¡°I... felt it die... its last moments... its screams as it broke apart. It was in pain when it happened.¡± ¡°What about your mind?¡± Bastion asked hesitantly. ¡°Scratch that. What about you in general?¡± ¡°I¡¯m all here, I think,¡± Marcus said, rubbing the spot on his head where the prototype had ripped its Orb out, feeling a lingering fantom pain. ¡°But that was the most harrowing experience of my life. I think I actually experienced what it¡¯s like to die¡­ or got a damn good taste of it. The moment the prototype ripped out its Orb, pieces of its mind slammed back into mine, all cracked and torn. I don¡¯t know how else to say it¡­ the robot¡¯s gone, like, really dead, but my mind¡¯s all there.¡± ¡°But you can remake it, right?¡± Specter asked, gaze locked on Marcus. ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­ at least not how it was,¡± Marcus said, struggling to process what he¡¯d just been through. ¡°I think I can redo the process, maybe even make a perfect copy, but it wouldn¡¯t be the original.¡± He searched for the right words to explain the feeling. Specter grabbed Marcus¡¯s arm and formed a connection, sifting through the shattered memories of their dead companion. ¡°Damm, that is unpleasant to relive. I see what you mean,¡± it said, stepping back before shifting its gaze to Bastion. ¡°If we¡¯re sticking with the water-in-the-glass analogy, then the water Marcus shares with us holds our unique nature¡ªstained or dyed by it. Take your pick. Even if he removed us from our Orbs by using his Ability, we¡¯d still remain within the shared water, just now inside of Marcus again. Reaper didn¡¯t return to him. Its water did¡­ but it got recycled, wiped clean. Marcus was right when he said Reaper¡¯s properly dead.¡± Specter made a nervous clicking sound and turned back to Marcus. ¡°I mean, it¡¯s good we¡¯re figuring this out, but holy shit. Honestly, I didn¡¯t expect we robots could actually die. I figured that was just your department and problem. Makes me nervous,¡± it said, looking down at its own steel fingers, as if expecting them to tremble. ¡°Guess Reaper¡¯s sacrifice¡ªor suicide, whatever you want to call it¡ªwasn¡¯t in vain.¡± ¡°Reaper,¡± Bastion muttered, its voice thick with disgust. ¡°Arrogant little shit. And it got the last laugh in the end.¡± It pointed at Reaper¡¯s broken shell. Marcus and Specter followed its gesture to the shattered plastic frame still clutching the Orb in its ruined hand, the middle finger raised¡ªa final act of defiance. ¡°That thing was a psychopath,¡± Bastion added coldly, stepping forward to retrieve the Orb, crushing the plastic hand in the process. Moments later, it slid the Orb into its own chassis. ¡°Yes, it was,¡± Specter agreed, its gaze lingering on the remnants of Reaper. ¡°But I have to admit, it was effective in its own way, and brave.¡± ¡°Brave?¡± Bastion asked in a irritated tone. ¡°Don¡¯t mistake stupidity for bravery.¡± ¡°We don¡¯t have to like what it did,¡± Marcus said, still rattled from experiencing death so intimately. ¡°But let¡¯s not waste what we learned here today, or what it¡¯s given us in return.¡± He nodded to his companions, signaling that it was time to gather as much Glass as possible from the monster corpses. Marcus moved toward the shattered remains of Reaper, squatting down until he was level with its lens, staring at the dozens of claw and bite marks scarring its frame. ¡®Reaper, huh?¡¯ he thought, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He grabbed what was left of the robot, deciding not to leave it behind. Marcus climbed out of the hole, carrying the broken robot on his shoulder. Specter reached out near the edge, helping to pull him up. Without a word, Marcus made his way out of the supermarket, the sounds of Bastion and Specter hacking apart monsters echoing behind him, along with the occasional thud of a dead creature falling from the decaying sacs on the ceiling. Once outside, Marcus set the robot down near the entrance, adjusting its head so that it looked up at the night sky, now clear and free from the light blue dome that once covered it. ¡®It¡¯s the least I can do for you,¡¯ he thought, gently double-tapping the robot¡¯s chest in acknowledgment of its short and violent existence. ¡°Still, this changes everything,¡± Marcus muttered, shifting his gaze to his right hand. ¡®The batteries are a success, the prototype worked, we¡¯ve got a fourth Orb, and I¡¯ve got a new Ability.¡¯ He let out an odd chuckle, still coming to terms with all the recent developments. He then pushed up his sleeve, exposing his biceps, fingers tracing the two small grey notches etched into his skin, each representing a Sphere they had cleared. ¡®I¡¯ll have to ask my uncle to add a third notch,¡¯ he thought with a grin as he clenched his fist. He closed his eyes, focusing on the new Mark just above his elbow. His arm still felt raw there, his knuckles bruised. ¡®Let¡¯s try this again,¡¯ he thought as he focused on the new Mark. A surge of energy exploded through him a moment later, burning through the bit of Mana he had regained. Instantly, he threw his fist toward the nearby wall, the sound of wind rushing past his ears. He stopped just before his knuckles hit the brick, but the energy continued through, blasting out as pure air pressure from the Marks on his knuckles. When the dust cleared, he saw that the wind attack had cracked several bricks. His jaw tightened from the pain that shot through his already wounded arm, but he his satisfaction dwarfed any discomfort. ¡®This changes everything,¡¯ he thought as he opened his HUD, checking the Mana drain and making a few mental notes about the new Ability. He¡¯d need to run more tests, but for now, he settled on giving it a proper name. ¡®Gale¡¯ (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 26 (The Art of Urban Warfare) CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX The Art of Urban Warfare Day 89 A week later, Marcus found himself sitting in the back of his friend¡¯s food truck, chewing on a burrito. The warm spices and soft tortilla did little to lift his mood. Kay stood nearby, finishing his soft drink before resuming his speech. ¡°I mean¡­ it¡¯s our first proper blue Sphere. Not a light blue. Blue! And the two of us are nailing it, right?¡± Kay grinned broadly, clearly proud of himself. He started rattling off the details of his last fight, explaining how he killed the final two monsters and how his technique had improved. ¡°I mean, it¡¯s a blue Sphere. Most people would be scared to even enter it, right?¡± ¡°You did alright,¡± Marcus said, his voice dry and tired, gaze shifting towards his messy steel armor. ¡®Is that sauce or blood?¡¯ he thought, poking at a spot on his outfit. ¡®Feels too thick to be just blood. Bits of brain?¡¯ ¡°Yeah,¡± Kay said while tossing his empty can toward a garbage bin. It clanged against the edge and rolled away, forcing him to rush after it. He froze mid-step, realizing something. ¡°Wait¡­ dude, I¡¯m the Beta rank here, you¡¯re the Alpha. I think I did a bit more than just alright.¡± Marcus let out a groan, shaking his head as he took another bite of the burrito. ¡°You¡¯ve mentioned you¡¯re a Beta-ranked Breacher... several times today.¡± A string of harsh German curse words broke through their conversation, and Marcus glanced past Kay, spotting Sebastian angrily walking away from a pile of shattered taco shells and meat scattered on the ground. ¡°Need a hand?¡± Marcus called out, half-heartedly, knowing full well it would tick the man right off. Sebastian didn¡¯t even look back, just raised a middle finger and stormed off, leaving Marcus to shake his head again. He stuffed the rest of the burrito into his mouth, tuning out Kay¡¯s constant stream of self-assurance. He nearly choked on the last bite, forcing him to cough and head into the truck. Marcus moved toward the fridge, yanked the door open, and grabbed a cold bottle of water. Twisting off the cap, he tipped it back, taking deep gulps to dislodge the piece of burrito that had apparently decided his throat was its mortal enemy. Each swallow felt like a battle until the bit finally went down. ¡°Customers can¡¯t be inside the truck,¡± Felix said dryly. The man leaned against the counter, dark eyes watching Marcus¡¯ near-death experience with a calm, almost amused expression. ¡°Rules and stuff.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Marcus said, pausing just long enough to finish the entire bottle. He pointed the empty container at Felix like a weapon. ¡°Customer? What happened to the whole ¡®best friend¡¯ bit you told me back in the hospital? I recall seeing tears.¡± ¡°Meh, allergies,¡± Felix shrugged, his tone light. ¡°I mean, acquaintances fits, I guess.¡± Marcus shot him a glare and jabbed a finger into Felix¡¯s ribs, hitting just the right spot to make him wince. ¡°Fine,¡± Felix said, rolling his eyes before letting out a snort. ¡°You can stay, but I¡¯m putting that water on your tab.¡± ¡°Fine,¡± Marcus said as he took up a position next to his friend, staring out of the food truck. The city stretched out before him, but a deep blue Sphere now covered a large chunk of it. The swirling, unnatural distortion twisted and warped the skyline, swallowing up entire buildings in its eerie glow. Tall fences formed a temporary steel barrier around the Sphere, with security teams and military personnel patrolling every inch of the perimeter. ¡°Since when do I have a tab?¡± ¡°Since we had our first beer years ago. You skipped rounds all the time back then,¡± Felix said with a chuckle, his eyes on the scene in front of them. Dozens of smaller Breacher teams scattered the area, their gear dirty, faces streaked with sweat and blood. Marcus could spot similarities in their steel armor, simple but functional, much like his own. A few stood out, sporting more advanced, impressive equipment that gleamed in the sunlight. ¡°You sure you¡¯re good to go?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Marcus muttered as he bent down to grab another drink from the fridge. Before he could open the door, Felix pressed his foot against it, holding it shut. ¡°Stingy old goat,¡± Marcus grumbled as he straightened up. ¡°I¡¯d be better with another sip of water. But, yeah, I¡¯m fine. I just have one more shift and then I¡¯m done for today.¡± Felix¡¯s gaze lingered on the Sphere, his expression softening. ¡°Is it different inside of a blue instead of a light blue?¡± ¡°A bit,¡± Marcus admitted. He¡¯d already been inside twice today and would be heading back in shortly. ¡°I mean, it¡¯s not that different. I think a red one would be a whole different thing. But light blue and blue? They¡¯re roughly the same. Just more noticeable mutation, and from what I experienced, the monsters hit harder. They¡¯re a lot tougher to put down. But¡­¡± He pointed to Benedict, sprawled on the ground with his head resting on a backpack. ¡°¡­ it¡¯s still doable. I mean, the German bloke over there isn¡¯t even a Breacher, and he¡¯s still alive.¡± He gave Felix¡¯s hair a playful ruffle. ¡°Besides, there¡¯s a big guild coming in a few hours to actually clear it. We peasants just need to map out the hotspots and thin their numbers where we can in marked out buildings. And there¡¯s a constant stream of Breachers like me going inside in waves. The hard part is mostly over.¡± Felix just nodded, still staring out of the truck, his gaze locked on the Sphere. Marcus left him to it, focusing on his own gear instead. He checked over his equipment, making sure everything was in back place, and tightened the straps on his armor, occasionally scraping off bits of dried up blood. ¡°How¡¯s the credits coming in today?¡± ¡°Decent, I guess,¡± Felix replied, grabbing Marcus¡¯s helmet and inspecting the scratches that marred the surface. He set it down on the counter and pointed toward another food truck parked a ways off. ¡°Could¡¯ve been a lot better if it wasn¡¯t for Anton¡¯s Sushi Palace.¡± Felix¡¯s expression darkened as he glared at the rival truck. ¡°He¡¯s been stealing the majority of the customers.¡± ¡°It can¡¯t be that bad, right?¡± Marcus asked, eyeing a few people standing in line at the sushi truck. ¡°I mean, his truck looks a bit nicer, but¡ª¡± He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed Felix¡¯s hand slowly inching toward a nearby knife on the table. Marcus coughed, trying to ease the sudden tension. ¡°His truck looks like shit. Who even likes fish, right?¡± Marcus grinned, patting Felix on the shoulder before grabbing his gear and heading out. Seconds later, a sharp ring of a bell cut through the air, signaling the next group of Breachers to prepare. Marcus circled around the food truck and stopped to face Felix again. ¡°Stay out of trouble while I¡¯m out, alright?¡± ¡°That¡¯s my line,¡± Felix grumbled, bending over to grab another drink. He tossed it toward Marcus, who snatched it out of the air. ¡°And you¡¯re paying for that, by the way. So, you better not die in there.¡± Marcus chuckled, raising the bottle in a mock salute as he walked toward the Salamanders. He spotted the rest of the team already gearing up, each member checking weapons and armor. Benedict stood in the middle of the group, pointing at the map of the city, going over the buildings they had cleared and the new areas they were tasked to clear next. ¡°Any questions?¡± Benedict asked, scanning their faces. His gaze met only determined faces; everyone was ready. ¡°Good. Let¡¯s get in, clear the buildings, then back out to get paid. It¡¯s been a long day.¡± The Salamanders, along with a few other Breacher groups, lined up as the next bell rang. Marcus stepped forward with his group, passing through the gel-like barrier. He took a deep breath when he was through, the air inside crisp and cool, tinged with the faint charge of Mana. They paused briefly, waiting for the other Breachers to pass through as well, with Benedict and the other squad leaders standing off a bit to the side. In the distance, a group of Breachers limped toward them, blood splattered across their gear. Some moved more slowly, clearly injured, while others just looked exhausted. ¡®Looks like they ran into a tough fight out there,¡¯ Marcus thought, watching the group pass. ¡®Perhaps they found a next?¡¯ Their leader exchanged quick words with Benedict and another squad leader, pointing to the buildings they had checked or cleared. Marcus scratched his right elbow absentmindedly, still getting used to the black Mark there. The itch seemed constant, as if his skin couldn¡¯t quite accept the change. He fought the urge to yank up his sleeve and give it a proper scratch. Instead, he opened his HUD to distract himself, checking his remaining Mana and reviewing his elevated Stats. ¨X ¨[
Actual Rank: Beta Rank
Power Rating: 22
¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ Stats
Strength: 4 Endurance: 3
Agility: This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it 5 Perception: 3
Mental 4 Vigor: 3
Total Mana 59
¨^ ¨a ¡®The Glass is coming in a lot faster now that we have four Orbs at our disposal,¡¯ he thought, recalling how he¡¯d spent most of the last week training, healing bruises, and nursing his injured hand. Beyond that, he had worked back-to-back shifts with Felix, scraping together credits to buy another Mana battery. While he had done all that, Specter and Bastion had been farming nearby Spheres, bringing in nearly 30 pieces of Glass each night, while working on repairing their frames and improving them during the day. ¡®Weird to think I¡¯ve already gotten to a Power rating of 22 in such a short time. Technically, that means I¡¯m Beta+ rank now. I didn¡¯t even celebrate it when I did. Perhaps I should do so? Pick up a cake or something?¡¯ He smirked as he updated his rank in the HUD, feeling a bit silly for it. ¨X ¨[
Official Rank: Beta+ Rank
Power Rating: 22
¨^ ¨a ¡®Jessica was around 17, and Kay 19, I think. So I¡¯m slightly above their level now, though I have no clue how we¡¯d compared in actual Stats. I think Julien was around 27, and Sebastian 33?¡¯ He glanced over his Status screen again, seeing the balanced spread he had chosen so far. Agility had become his highest Stat. With Bastion and Specter hunting monsters nonstop, his only limitations were repair time and staying out of sight of people. Still, he was starting to hit a wall. Each Stat upgrade required increasing amounts of Glass, with Agility alone having taken 100 pieces of Monster-glass to reach level five. ¡®I wonder how many monsters we¡¯ve killed already. Looking back, it all sort of blurs together.¡¯ Marcus split off a small part of his mind, forcing it to calculate each upgrade so far, multiplying it by 20 to get a rough kill counter. A grin tugged at his lips as the numbers climbed, though he had to correct them a few times. ¡®I still suck at math, huh?¡¯ he thought as the counter settled at 1,060 Glass pieces. ¡®I¡¯ve still got seven pieces back at home. That¡¯s not counting the dozens Specter and me killed in the past but couldn¡¯t loot, or those that didn¡¯t drop a stable Glass piece.¡¯ He paused, the sheer size of the number hitting him. ¡®I kinda feel like a mass murderer if I¡¯m going by pure numbers.¡¯ He almost turned to ask Sebastian about the man¡¯s own kill count, but before he could speak, someone bumped into him, knocking him back. ¡°Watch it, idiot,¡± a blonde Breacher barked, glaring at Marcus as he stumbled back. The guy didn¡¯t linger, though, turning his back and marching towards the edge of the Sphere with several others in tow. Each of them looked rough, caked in blood and dirt. Marcus caught a glimpse of a faded patch on the guy¡¯s back, a sword wrapped in snakes. ¡°Nice patch,¡± Marcus called after them, his tone sharpened by the urge to get back at the rude Breacher. His voice dripped with sarcasm as he added, ¡°Did your mom make it for you guys?¡± The blonde Breacher froze mid-step, turning slowly to face him, eyes blazing with fury, hand moving towards a nasty looking black sword on his hip. ¡°What the fuck did you just say to me?¡± Marcus opened his mouth, ready to fire back, but Benedict stepped forward before he could. ¡°Nothing. He¡¯s just tired,¡± Benedict said, his smile calm and reassuring. The blonde shot them both a pissed-off glare, spat on the ground, and then turned back around, disappearing through the Barrier with his crew seconds later. Marcus closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the familiar wave of regret roll through him. He knew that angry response all too well¡ªit had always been his go-to as a teenager. ¡°Benedict, I¡¯m sorry about¡ª¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re not,¡± Benedict cut him off, locking eyes with Marcus. The man briefly shot him a look heavy with disappointment. ¡°When you¡¯re on a job with us, you behave like the rest of the Salamanders. We¡¯ve got a clean record, and we¡¯re keeping it that way. Alright?¡± Marcus nodded, swallowing his pride. Benedict¡¯s gaze then immediately shifted to his brother, Sebastian, who stood nearby, hand resting on the large dagger strapped to his side while staring at the Barrier. ¡°No, you can¡¯t kill blondie.¡± Marcus watched Benedict move past them, taking the lead as the group headed deeper into the city. He noticed Sebastian lagging slightly behind, tapping his blade playfully against his thigh while still glaring at the Barrier. Marcus couldn¡¯t make out the muttered German words, but he could guess their meaning from Sebastian¡¯s icy glare. Sebastian then locked eyes with him, holding the gaze for a moment before breaking into a brief, amused grin, as if they both understood something unspoken about each other. ¡®I¡¯ll have to remember never to piss him off,¡¯ Marcus thought, realizing that his own temper paled in comparison to Sebastian¡¯s. They joined the others as squads gradually began splitting off in different directions. The officials and guild representatives had instructed each squad to scout different spots near the Barrier. The quiet of the city unsettled Marcus as they pressed on. Streets lay eerily still despite rows of apartment buildings, shops, and the occasional parked car or truck. Dropped items littered the ground¡ªabandoned bags, scattered toys, bicycles, pieces of clothing. It looked like people had bolted out of there in a hurry, abandoning their lives mid-step. ¡®This Sphere has been active for two days now,¡¯ Marcus thought, taking in the abandoned surroundings. ¡®Most of the wildlife still inside has probably died from Mana-sickness by now.¡¯ His mind flashed back to the monsters he¡¯d fought earlier¡ªtwisted creatures that looked like a blend of bird, dog, and cat. He wondered what other abominations lurked within, knowing that monsters within a Sphere were in a constant state of mutation and growth. They arrived at their next target, a large apartment complex that loomed over the empty street. Benedict and Jessica moved toward the entrance, guns drawn. Marcus followed, once again struck by how gracefully Benedict moved. Every step seemed calculated, every shift of his body designed to minimize exposure when turning a corner while maximizing the potential for lethality. Compared to the man, Jessica¡ªa strong and fast Breacher¡ªalmost looked clumsy. ¡®I wonder how long it takes a person to learn to move like that. Months? Years?¡¯ Marcus thought as he and the others filed inside. They combed through the ground floor, moving room by room, clearing each space with precision. The few monsters they found didn¡¯t stand a chance against six armed fighters driven by a clear mission and a craving for credits. It didn¡¯t take long before the group regrouped in the main hall, bodies adorned with a new coating of monster blood. ¡°Julien, Marcus, take care of the first and third floor. Sebastian, take Kay and clear the second and fourth. Jessica and I will block off the entrances to the ground floor and make sure nothing gets inside after you. Alright?¡± Benedict¡¯s instructions were clear, leaving no room for questions. The Breachers nodded and got to work. Marcus adjusted his grip on his sword and shield, his mind slipping into that familiar, ready state. He and Julien headed up the stairs, boots scuffing softly against the worn wooden steps. Reaching the first apartment, Julien motioned for Marcus to stand back as he slowly pushed it open and peeked inside. ¡°Hello?¡± Julien said before taking a few cautious steps inside, finding nothing. The caster moved through the small apartment, checking closets, cabinets, and under furniture. After a while, he returned, closing the door behind him before pulling out a spray can. He painted a bright red cross on the door¡ªa signal that the space had been cleared. They moved to the next door. This time, Marcus pressed the tip of his sword against the wood, cracking it open just enough to get a peek inside. Julien raised a brow at him. ¡°You sure? You¡¯re Alpha rank.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t seem to mind me being an Alpha rank last time,¡± Marcus replied, focusing on the dim room beyond. ¡°Or is that only when you want to abandon people for credits?¡± Julien let out a sigh, but it barely covered the sound of his fingers digging into his staff. ¡°Dude, I said I was sorry. And besides, you got a Chip out of it.¡± A pause hung between them as Marcus pushed the door wider. ¡°Marcus, like I said back then, I¡ª¡± ¡°Relax, I¡¯m just messing with you. We¡¯re fine,¡± Marcus cut in, his voice dry. ¡°Just treat me like an equal, alright?¡± Without waiting for a response, he stepped into the room, shield raised, sword ready. His armor clinked lightly with each movement, but he felt steady, protected. His increased Agility and Perception gave him confidence as he swept through the room. He checked every nook, every closet, even kicking over a few small tables to make sure nothing hid beneath them. ¡°Clear,¡± he said as he reached the final room, eyes catching the soft pink wallpaper and a baby crib tucked into the corner. For a moment, he paused, thoughts flickering to the family who might¡¯ve lived here. ¡®Let¡¯s hope they made it out safe.¡¯ Rejoining Julien in the hallway, Marcus noticed the man smiling. ¡°Two duds in a row. Easy work,¡± Julien said, shaking the can as he sprayed another red cross over the door. ¡°Let¡¯s check the next one.¡± They continued down the hall, stopping at the next door. This one bore claw marks, deep and jagged, running across the wood. Marcus tensed, fully aware of what waited on the other side. He heard movement coming from within. Julien opened the door cautiously. The moment it creaked open, a feathered creature with six legs lunged toward them, teeth bared and hissing. Before Marcus could react, a thin stream of fire shot from Julien¡¯s hand, hitting the creature dead-on. Flames wrapped around the beast, reducing its snarls to screeches as the fire consumed it, leaving a burned, twisted corpse after a full minute of constant fire. Julien stepped forward, stamping out the remaining flames with his boot, making sure nothing else caught fire. ¡°No sense burning down the whole block,¡± he muttered, wiping his brow. ¡®Being a Caster is less useful in these urban settings,¡¯ Marcus thought. He watched as Julien navigated the cramped apartment, occasionally bumping his staff against doorframes. The weapon and long-range Abilities weren¡¯t optimal for tight corners and cramped spaces like this. The last turn he entered this Sphere, Benedict had paired him with Kay, and before that, Sebastian. Each had a distinct style. Kay¡¯s movements synced with his, while Sebastian just charged into every room first, leaving Marcus to handle Glass retrieval and mark cleared rooms. He heard the familiar sounds of more monsters dying and the Caster flinging witty remarks at them, followed by the heavy thud of flames being stamped out. Marcus sighed, making his way further down the corridor. A portable fire extinguisher caught his eye, and he reached for it, but a creak next to him made him pause. The door near him slowly opened, and a long, feather-covered limb slid through, followed by the rest of the monster¡¯s hulking body. ¡®A big lad, huh?¡¯ Marcus thought, remaining calm. He stood with his shield in one hand, his sword still at his hip. Instead of reaching for his sword, he picked up the extinguisher and backed away, waiting. The creature hissed, its beak-like mouth clattering as it crouched low to pounce. Despite its bulk, it shot forward faster than he anticipated. At the last second, Marcus sidestepped and slammed his shield into the side of the creature¡¯s neck with a sharp crack, feeling the jolt of Mana surge through his body as he pushed it down further. For a split second, he pushed into overdrive, letting the energy fuel his movements, strengthening every aspect of him. Bone shattered under the impact, and the creature collapsed, stunned but still twitching. Marcus followed up quickly. He grabbed the fire extinguisher more firmly and brought it down like a hammer, slamming it into the monster¡¯s face repeatedly. The crunch of bone and flesh echoed through the room with each strike. After ten strikes, its skull caved in, and it finally lay still. He dropped the extinguisher, his breathing fast but controlled, then knelt beside the corpse. Reaching down, Marcus dug his hand into its head and ripped out the Glass, feeling the familiar weight and texture between his fingers. Blue mist swirled briefly around him, thicker and darker than it had once been. He noticed it had grown more intense since reaching a higher Breacher Rank. A part of him took pride in that, seeing it as a sign of his growing strength. But at the same time, he knew the mist had become harder to hide. He couldn¡¯t pass for a simple Alpha anymore unless he really focused on keeping his Mana in check around others when fighting. He pocketed the Glass with the others in his pack, then grabbed the extinguisher again. ¡®They really are sturdy buggers,¡¯ he thought, wiping some blood off his hands. Most of the monsters he had fought within this Sphere had tanked a lot more damage compared to what he was used to, with even the smaller ones proving quite durable. Heading back to where Julien was, he found the man stepping out of the apartment, his face dusted with a fresh coat of ash and soot. Marcus tossed him the extinguisher. ¡°Present for you, mate.¡± Julien blinked, staring at the blood-covered tool before glancing past Marcus to the dead creature in the hallway. A warm smile tugged at the corners of the Caster¡¯s mouth. ¡°How thoughtful. Though, I¡¯d have preferred that Chip you got last time. Still have it?¡± ¡°No,¡± Marcus said calmly, watching the Caster pull out the spray can. ¡°It¡¯s probably in some bloke¡¯s arm by now. You know how it is.¡± With a chuckle, Julien crossed off the door before they moved to the next one. ¡°Probably for the best. Hope you got a decent line of credits for it.¡± ¡°If I did, I sure as hell am not going to tell your greedy ass,¡± Marcus countered as he tried the door handle, only to find it locked. He sighed, then kicked the door in, splintering it off its hinges. Inside, two smaller feathered creatures feasted on what was left of a dog-like corpse spread across the table. Marcus rolled his shoulders, readying his shield and sword. ¡®Time to work,¡¯ he thought as he stepped confidently into the room, instantly drawing the aggression of the monsters. (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 27 (Windfall) CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN Windfall One hour later Marcus found himself facing a dozen grotesque monsters, their bodies wreathed in flames. They lunged at him, limbs outstretched. Their skin, a patchwork of fur and feathers, glistened with blood and soot. Talons jutted from their hands and feet, sharp enough to tear into steel, while their faces twisted into grim visages of pain and rage. He braced his shield and shoved against the nearest creature, sending it staggering back, its limbs flailing in a desperate attempt to regain balance. ¡®Now.¡¯ He swung his sword downwards, severing one of the creature¡¯s arms. The limb fell to the ground with a sickening thud, still writhing as if it possessed a mind of its own. He then kicked against the wounded monster, sending it crashing back into its brethren before he backed off again. Every retreat brought him bumping into Julien who was locked in his own battle nearby. The man shouted words of encouragement that mingled with curses, urging Marcus to keep going. ¡°Just keep stabbing!¡± Julien yelled, launching a bolt of pure fire that arced through the air, igniting a rushing monster on his end. It shrieked as flames consumed it, collapsing into a smoking heap that partially blocked the path of the other monsters. Another monster charged. Marcus tightened his grip, forcing himself to stay sharp and focus on his breathing. He felt the creature slam into his shield, before he rammed his sword forwards several times, each time sinking deep within the monster¡¯s flesh. Marcus heard it hit the ground, but he stomped on its neck just to be sure. A moment later, another one came for him. Marcus swung his sword up in a wide arc, severing another arm from the creature before bracing for impact. The beast slammed against his steel chest piece, the force rattling him. He retaliated by slamming his boot onto the monster¡¯s feet before following up with a shield bash that sent the monster crashing into the nearby wall. Ignoring its scratching limbs, he kept it pinned down with his shield before he buried his sword deep in its throat. As he glanced down, he noted the burn marks covering the creature¡¯s hide. ¡®The fire isn¡¯t doing as much damage as before,¡¯ he thought. The heat from Julien¡¯s flames had charred fur and skin, but clearly, the monsters were adapting in ways he couldn¡¯t fully grasp. Dozens of charred husks littered the corridor, reminders that fire still had its effect when generously applied. ¡°You hanging in there, Alpha?¡± Julien shouted, parrying a monster¡¯s talons with his staff. A second later the Caster lodged it in-between the monster¡¯s grotesque beak, then placed a hand on its chest, incinerating it at close range. Ash and burned feathers rained down, leaving nothing but a scorched spot on the ground. ¡°Barely,¡± Marcus replied, a grin tugging at his lips despite the chaos. He lied, thankful Julien couldn¡¯t see the truth plastered on his face. Adrenaline coursed through him, invigorating his senses. ¡®This is fucking awesome,¡¯ he thought as he killed another monster with a single swing of his sword, severing its head. Bruised, bleeding, and drained, Marcus felt alive¡ªgood, even. Fighting had always been his thing, yet the recent Stat upgrades really made him feel powerful. He evaded and wove through the onslaught of limbs and beaks, countering their frantic attacks while holding back just enough to maintain the facade of being a mere Alpha. ¡°Serves you right for drawing in all these buggers,¡± Julien quipped, slamming his staff down to summon a wall of flame in front of him that slowly moved along the corridor before turning to grab Marcus, yanking him behind him. With a flourish, he held out his palm, unleashing a massive beam of fire down the other end of the corridor. The heat washed over Marcus as flames engulfed the remaining monsters, leaving nothing but scorched remains in their wake. ¡°Wait, I drew them in?¡± Marcus said, feeling a bit of relief as the fire subsided, revealing the charred corpses. ¡°You were the one constantly yapping my ear off while clearing out this floor.¡± Julien shot him a look, one that clearly asked, really? ¡°I seem to recall a certain Alpha getting impatient and kicking in a door while I was still clearing mine.¡± The two of them moved through the corridor, methodically stabbing and kicking each corpse to ensure none would rise again while bickering on who had caused the horde to form. Once satisfied, they bent down, retrieving the shattered Glass pieces from the fallen creatures, pocketing the valuable fragments to exchange for credits later on. Exhausted from the hallway horde fight and with Julien nearly out of Mana, they approached the remaining apartments with caution. Room by room, they cleared the floor. In the final apartment, Marcus wandered into the living room, scanning his surroundings. Plates of half-eaten stale breakfast still sat on the table, a small glimpse into the life that had existed here before everything had gone to hell. Folded laundry rested on a nearby chair, untouched by the chaos. The sight of it felt surreal to Marcus¡ªa reminder that normalcy had lived in these walls mere days ago. He stepped toward the window and peered outside. The third floor he was on offered a decent view of the city below. The blue Sphere encased the part of the city they were in, its energy shimmering like an otherworldly barrier. ¡®Feels weird that entire parts of a city can be swallowed up like this,¡¯ he thought, shaking his head as he heard Julien rummaging through kitchen cupboards for something edible. Without warning, a sudden loud impact reverberated through the hall, shaking the walls around them. Marcus stiffened, gripping his sword tighter. Another impact followed, this one louder, sending vibrations through the floor. Then came the roar¡ªloud, primal, shaking the air. ¡°Monster?¡± Marcus asked, his tone coming out awkward. Julien shook his head and rifled through the cupboards without a second glance. ¡°Too deep and German-sounding, if that makes sense. I think that berserker-brain got off his leash again¡­ or off his meds. Who knows what set him off this time.¡± ¡°You ever say those things directly to his face?¡± Marcus asked as he looked upwards, trying to focus on the sounds above. ¡°I don¡¯t have a death wish, so no.¡± More screams and sounds of fighting echoed throughout the building, increasing in volume with each second. The sheer force behind the noises suggested a brutal conflict raging nearby. ¡°Should we help?¡± Marcus asked, though he knew the answer. ¡®Sebastian is strong enough to tear through a horde of monsters, even with one arm. He should be fine. And Kay¡¯s with him. He¡¯d probably just curse us out if we tried to help out, seeing as Benedict has tasked us with clearing two floors per pair.¡¯ ¡°He¡¯s fine. Besides¡ª¡± Julien started, but the words hung in the air as a massive impact shook the building. Cracks raced across the walls. ¡°What the hell was that?¡± A scream cut through the air, and they both turned to the window just in time to see the one-armed breacher, roaring, tumbling through the sky in a rain of broken glass. It almost looked comical, like something out of a bad movie. Julien darted to the window, peering down as the German Breacher smashed into a parked car below. The crunch of metal and shattered glass echoed up to them. ¡°Ouch.¡± ¡°Is he dead?¡± Marcus pressed his face as close to the glass as he could, squinting to see the wreckage below. Julien didn¡¯t bother with the subtlety. He smashed the window apart with his staff, giving them both a clearer view. ¡°Nah, he¡¯s fine,¡± Julien muttered. Down below, the wounded Sebastion stirred, rising slowly from the crumpled car, shaking his head like a dazed bull. ¡°He¡¯s properly pissed off, I can tell you that. Come on, let¡¯s give Kay some backup.¡± They moved quickly back out into the hallway, their footsteps echoing as they sprinted toward the stairs. On the way up, they spotted a dead monster slumped against the steps, its skull caved in, blood trickling down the concrete. ¡°Fourth or fifth floor?¡± Julien asked, glancing at Marcus with a raised brow. ¡°How the hell should I know?¡± Marcus asked, glancing at Julien, who just shrugged in response. ¡°You expect me to calculate what floor Sebastion fell from based on his screams? You know that¡¯s weird, right?¡± Julien stared for a moment, then shrugged. Marcus sighed, frustrated. ¡°You check the fourth, I¡¯ll take the fifth.¡± The Caster nodded and sprinted off, staff at the ready. Marcus moved up another floor, already bracing for what he might find. The hallway showed clear signs of combat. Monsters lay hacked apart, some smashed to death with brute force. Kneeling by one of the corpses, Marcus turned it over and saw a hole in the back of its head, with the Glass missing. ¡®They¡¯ve been busy on the fifth floor. So, they already cleared the fourth,¡¯ he thought, tempted to go down and call Julien back. Just then, a scratching sound came from inside one of the apartments, followed by a deep, low rumble. Marcus moved down the hall, stepping over corpses littered across the floor. His shield and sword remained at the ready, each step careful and deliberate. Glancing at the bodies, he noticed strange indentations pressed into some of them. ¡®Hoofprints?¡¯ he thought while frowning. He crouched down beside one of the corpses. It looked like it had been trampled, showing bones crushed beneath its ruined flesh. He rolled it over, revealing the familiar glint of a Glass piece still embedded in the back of its skull. ¡®It¡¯s still warm, so it isn¡¯t an old kill.¡¯ This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. A low rumble echoed down the corridor, deep and close, coming from his right. His eyes shifted toward a shattered doorframe, where the wall had collapsed inward. He moved silently, keeping his breathing controlled, peering through the hole in the wall. There, in front of a broken window, stood the source of the sound. It looked like a big goat at first¡ªif a goat had massive, muscular forearms that rippled with unnatural strength. Hooves struck the floor with a heavy weight, and dark black fur formed a wild mane along its back. Its torso was encased in chitinous armor. The rest of the face was entirely covered in that bone plating, giving it an almost monstrous helmet-like appearance. ¡®It doesn¡¯t have eyes?¡¯ Marcus thought as he observed the creature. His gaze traveled lower, noticing wounds crisscrossing its body, smaller punctures and slashes marring its skin. But as he watched, the gashes started to close, slowly knitting back together. ¡®It¡¯s able to regenerate?¡¯ he thought, unease creeping up his spine. ¡®Well, that¡¯s not going to be fun.¡¯ The apartment itself was in shambles. Furniture lay broken, walls torn apart, holes punched through into other rooms, like the creature had gone on a rampage. Scratches and blade marks decorated nearly every surface. ¡®Sebastian¡¯s fought it in here for sure,¡¯ he thought, recognizing some of the man¡¯s work. Marcus scanned the room, trying to spot Kay. His eyes trailed upward, and there he was¡ªhugging the ceiling. Kay balanced himself against a nearby doorframe, one foot braced while one hand gripped a ceiling light. His other hand held his sword, embedded deep into the wall. Their eyes locked, and Marcus noticed the wide, frantic look on Kay¡¯s face. The man mouthed something, silently forming the words with his lips. ¡®Don¡¯t make noise?¡¯ Marcus thought, catching the message. He gave a slight nod, his mind already racing. ¡®It must be strong, strong enough to take down Bastion and freak Kay out. That and the ability to regenerate. Maybe I can lure it¡ª¡¯ ¡°Is kay in there?¡± Julien¡¯s voice broke the silence, startling Marcus¡ªhe hadn¡¯t even heard him approach. ¡®Crap.¡¯ The creature spun around with unnatural speed, locking onto their position before it charged. Instinct kicked in. Marcus dove to the side, grabbing Julien and pulling him down with him as what remained of the doorframe exploded as the creature slammed through it. Wood splintered, brick and debris raining down, filling the air with dust and fragments. ¡°Run!¡± Marcus shouted, scrambling to his feet as they bolted down the hallway. His heart pounded, the sound of the monster¡¯s heavy footsteps gaining ground on them. ¡°You idiot!¡± Marcus yelled at Julien as they sprinted. He pushed his body to its limits, moving as fast as he could, not bothering to hold back and pretend to be a mere Alpha. ¡®I¡¯m going full throttle¡ªhow fast is this thing?¡¯ he thought, the dread building with every thundering step behind them. Julien suddenly shoved Marcus to the side, sending him crashing through a door and into a nearby apartment. The world spun as he tumbled in, barely catching a glimpse of Julien diving into another room across the hall. Marcus rolled to his feet quickly, sword and shield at the ready. His eyes darted around the room, every sense on high alert, waiting for the creature to burst through the doorway or even the walls. A shout echoed from outside, followed by flashes of fire. Marcus tensed. A split second later, Julien¡¯s body came crashing through the wall, slamming into the room with a loud thud. The Caster hissed in pain, clutching his ribs as he struggled to catch his breath, still clinging to a broken staff. ¡°Get up,¡± Marcus growled, grabbing Julien by the arm and dragging him to his feet. Without wasting a second, he hauled Julien out of the apartment just as the monster crashed into the space they¡¯d just occupied. The walls shook, debris flying everywhere. Back in the hallway, Marcus pulled the wounded man along as they sprinted down the corridor, his legs burning with effort. They reached the spot where Kay still clung to the ceiling. Without stopping, he shoved Julien into the room. ¡°Take care of him!¡± he yelled to Kay, his voice barely cutting through the chaos. Kay dropped down, eyes wide but ready. Marcus turned, gripping his shield tighter, his sword steady in his hand. The hallway seemed to stretch as he watched the monster emerge from the wrecked apartment. The goat-like creature sniffed the air, its eyeless face slowly shifting in Marcus¡¯s direction. ¡°Over here, you dumb goat!¡± Marcus shouted, his voice booming in the narrow space. The creature¡¯s ears twitched, and then it charged, hooves smashing through the wooden floorboards as it barreled toward him. Marcus didn¡¯t flinch, rushing to meet it head-on. His heart raced, adrenaline spiking. Just as they were about to collide, Marcus slid to the side, narrowly dodging the beast as it thundered past him. He spun around, not wasting a moment. With a burst of speed, Marcus dashed after the creature, his sword aimed for its side. As the creature turned, he drove the blade into its belly that wasn¡¯t covered in chitin. The monster froze, as if stunned, its grotesque form registering the metal embedded in its stomach. In response, its armor-like plates lifted, exposing soft, vulnerable flesh underneath. A gas-like substance seeped from the gaps, quickly flowing outwards. Marcus didn¡¯t have time to react or even think before the gas ignited in a massive explosion. He kept his shield raised as he flew backward, the force sending him crashing through two walls before he finally slid to a stop. Bruised, battered, and gasping for air, he barely registered the muffled sounds of the battle. Through the haze, he felt someone shaking his shoulders. ¡°Fuck,¡± he muttered, blinking a few times until Julien¡¯s face came into focus, the man kneeling beside him. ¡°I¡¯m alright.¡± ¡°The hell you are. I thought you were dead,¡± Julien said, still clutching his ribs. ¡°I¡¯m too stubborn for that,¡± Marcus groaned as he slowly forced himself in a seated position. He glanced down at the burn marks marring his gear and the dent in his armor. Bits of chitinous plating stuck out from his skin. ¡®If one of those fragments had hit my neck or face, I¡¯d be dead.¡¯ His gaze shifted, spotting his shield a few paces away, its surface charred and dented. They both struggled to stand, a symphony of groans and hisses filling the air. Julien, still holding his broken staff, grimaced. ¡°I think a few of my ribs look similar to this,¡± Julien said, wiggling the broken weapon. ¡°What about you?¡± ¡°Still figuring out what¡¯s broken, bruised, or burned,¡± Marcus said, brushing debris and dust off as he stepped forward to retrieve his shield before making his way out of the room. In the next room, the creature lay sprawled on the ground, its chitinous plating slowly knitting itself back together. Kay was relentless, hacking at the monster with his axe. Each swing splattered blood, but no matter how deep the cuts, the creature regenerated faster than he could smash it apart. Kay turned to them, wide-eyed, his face and armor streaked with the creature¡¯s blood while blue mist poured out of him. ¡°I need help over here!¡± he yelled, desperation in his voice. Marcus and Julien moved as fast as they could, Marcus gripping his shield with both hands. He rushed forward, slamming it into the creature¡¯s back with all his strength, over and over. Each blow broke through skin and bone, forcing the monster to stay down on the floor. Julien, meanwhile, produced a steady stream of searing energy, directing it right into the monster¡¯s face, while Kay kept hacking his axe into its neck. Even with the three of them attacking, the creature¡¯s regeneration matched their damage. Julien¡¯s stream of fire sputtered, his Mana depleted. Seconds later the Caster sank to his knees, gasping. ¡®Shit, shit, shit,¡¯ Marcus thought, watching the creature start to knit itself back together faster. It stood up straighter, its monstrous form growing stronger. Kay¡¯s eyes widened as the beast towered over him, standing on its hind-legs, and before he could react, the creature slammed its chitinous head into Kay¡¯s breastplate. The impact sent Kay crashing into a wall, leaving him hanging halfway through it, unresponsive. The creature turned, drawn to Julien¡¯s labored breathing. It stepped toward him, but Marcus acted fast. He dropped his shield and grabbed the monster from behind, locking his arms around it. Even as Marcus squeezed with all his might, the creature still lumbered forward, taking slow, heavy steps toward Julien. Marcus planted his heels into the floor, every muscle straining as he fought to hold it back. ¡°Get Kay out of here and get help!¡± he shouted, his voice strained. Julien wavered as he rose to his feet, hesitating for a second. The monster swung its limb at Julien, barely missing him. Marcus felt his boots scrape across the ruined floor, dragged by the creature¡¯s strength. It kept moving toward Julien and Kay¡¯s motionless body, step by step, with Marcus struggling to hold it back. ¡®Fuck it,¡¯ Marcus thought, teeth grinding together as he poured a massive chunk of his Mana into his muscles. Pain seared through his body as blue energy poured from his skin in thick, swirling mist. He roared, the sound ripping through the room as his muscles swelled, his veins bulging under the pressure as he hauled the creature upward. The creature thrashed, its limbs clawing wildly, but Marcus held on. His body screamed in protest, his bones groaning under the strain. Inch by inch, he raised the beast further off the ground. His vision blurred, blood pounding in his ears as he forced it higher, his feet grinding deeper into the wood, splinters flying around him. Julien watched, wide-eyed, too stunned to even move. It felt like the world had slowed to a crawl. The creature¡¯s massive body writhed, snarling and twisting, but Marcus kept lifting, pulling it further and further off the ground. Sweat drenched his frame as his muscles burned, his roar shaking the air while the blue mist thickened violently around him. And then, with one final, primal scream, Marcus wrenched the creature fully into the air, arched his back, and slammed it down by doing a German suplex. The impact shook the entire room. The wooden floor exploded under the force, boards cracking and splintering as the creature¡¯s head smashed through them. Dust and debris filled the air, and for a second, everything went silent. Then came the groan of the building itself, trembling from the blow. Marcus stood over the beast, chest heaving, his body trembling from the effort, but he didn¡¯t let himself stop. ¡®Gale-jet.¡¯ A rush of wind roared behind his elbow, the sound cutting through the air like a hurricane. The force of it accelerated his strike, sounding as if his fist was breaking the sound barrier with a deafening crack. He slammed his fist down into the creature¡¯s side with all his strength. The blow punctured through skin and flesh, ribs snapping like twigs. The shockwave ripped through the room, shattering nearby windows and sending glass exploding outward. As the wind died down, Marcus found his fist embedded deep in the creature¡¯s torso, his fist brushing against its ruined organs. Gritting his teeth, he activated his ability again, this time modifying its effect. ¡®Gale-blast.¡¯ The same wind pressure surged through his body, coursing through the black Marks on his fist. It exploded outwards, sending a blast of air through the creature¡¯s insides, crushing its organs through sheer pressure. Blood sprayed from the wound, drenching Marcus¡¯s entire right arm and splattering across his face. The monster howled, thrashing violently in pain, but Marcus wasn¡¯t done. He activated the ability again, more blood and gore spurting from the hole as the creature¡¯s movements grew weaker. Panting hard, Marcus finally yanked his hand free, his fist soaked in gore, and more blue mist poured from his body as he had burned through two-thirds of his Mana in mere seconds. His chest heaved as he stared down at the wounded creature, praying it would stay down this time. ¡°Marcus¡­ your Mana¡­ it¡¯s blue,¡± Julien stammered, pointing at the thick, blue mist still swirling around Marcus¡¯s frame. He watched the young man wobble, breath heavy as he turned to face him. ¡°Alpha¡¯s don¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°Drag Kay out of here and get Sebastian!¡± Marcus barked, his voice tight with pain. Behind him, the monster¡¯s wounds were already beginning to knit back together, its grotesque body healing. Marcus spun on his heels and faced the creature, his teeth grinding as he held his right arm against his chest, his fist pointed upwards. ¡°Go!¡± he shouted, gripping his right arm with his left as if holding on for dear life. Without waiting for Julien to respond, Marcus launched himself up in the air above the monster. Both feet aimed straight at its neck as he activated his ability again. ¡®Gale-blast¡¯ A powerful blast of wind roared from his right arm, pushing him down and accelerating his descent. He became a human projectile, the burst of wind turning his simple stomp attack into something more like a ballista bolt. He slammed into the creature¡¯s neck with all his might, the sickening crack of bones breaking filling the room. The impact drove them crashing through the floor, wood splintering and beams snapping as they plummeted into the hallway below, only for their combined weight and energy to smash through the next floor as well, collapsing it entirely. They barreled downward in a chaotic storm of pain, broken wood, and stone, finally hitting the third floor with a heavy thud and an eruption of dust that consumed them both. (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 28 (Chipped and Chased) CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT Chipped and Chased The dust settled in choking waves as Marcus lay sprawled in the wreckage, half-buried under broken wood and shattered drywall. He groaned, brushing debris from his arms, his face caked in plaster and dust. ¡®Thank god I wore a helmet,¡¯ he thought, spitting out dust before coughing to clear his lungs. Every breath felt like it scraped the inside of his chest. His hand wiped the last bit of dirt from his face when movement caught his eye. To his left, the pile of debris shifted, a low, grating sound rising as chunks of plaster and jagged splinters slid away. Marcus froze, his breath hitching as the creature pulled itself free of the debris, its neck hanging at an unnatural angle. The head lolled to one side, its bones shattered. It moved with a jerky, awkward gait, its attempts at regeneration slow, failing to fix the damage quickly. The plating that once armored its skull lay fractured, with jagged pieces chipped away, exposing raw, pulsing flesh underneath. A shard of metal stuck out of its side, dripping with dark blood, but the monster kept pushing itself forward, its heavy limbs dragging through the wreckage. The creature let out a low, gurgling hiss. Marcus stared in disbelief. ¡°Still alive?¡± he muttered, his grip tightening on the nearest chunks of brick in case it came at him again. ¡°You¡¯re as stubborn as you are ugly.¡± The creature¡¯s limp head swung toward him, hearing his voice, that faceless skull somehow fixing on him. More bone plating than anything that resembled a head. Marcus braced himself, barely a breath passing before the creature lunged, barreling across the wreckage on all fours. He rolled to the side, feeling the rush of air as it missed him by inches, the weight of it slamming into the wall beside him. Not wasting a second, he brought the first brick down hard against the side of its skull. The creature let out a furious, strangled cry, thrashing wildly, swinging its head left and right, still dazed. Marcus lifted the second brick and drove it into the thing¡¯s broken neck, each hit hammering bone and splintering plating. Blood oozed out, thick and dark. The creature snarled and swung a limb his way. He sidestepped just in time, then aimed a nasty kick at its hind leg, feeling the joint crack under his boot. The creature just slammed its head into his side in response, with Marcus hissing as he felt the sting of the blow. Then the plating on its head split, releasing a hissing cloud of gas. ¡°Shit, shit, shit,¡± Marcus shouted, dropping the bricks and bolting. He dived into the nearest apartment, hitting the floor as an explosion roared behind him, shaking the walls and sending a fresh wave of dust into the air. Marcus staggered to his feet, fighting the dizziness, when he heard it: the monster barreling toward him. It smashed through the wall in a shower of broken wood and crumbling bricks. The creature looked worse than ever, its face stripped bare of bone plating, raw and bloody, as bits of its head slowly reformed. Acting on instinct, Marcus ripped off his helmet and met the creature head-on. He swung the steel headgear straight into its face, the sharp clang of metal against flesh echoing around them. He hit it again, and again, each blow denting the helmet as it drove the creature back, until finally, the thing went down in a heap. ¡°Fucking hell,¡± Marcus said, panting violently before slamming the helmet down once more. Through the torn remains of its head, Marcus spotted the Monster-Glass glinting, exposed at the back of its skull. He gripped it tight, pulling with all his strength. It started to come loose, a sickening feeling as the thing¡¯s head twisted, until¡ª The creature jerked back to life, ramming him upwards with its head. Marcus slammed into the ceiling, the air knocked out of him as he crashed down, landing right on top of the beast. His vision blurred, but he held tight while the monster screeched and thrashed, trying to throw him off. Then it lunged forward, charging through wall after wall. Marcus clung to its back, pelted with debris as they plowed through apartments, furniture splintering and dust filling his lungs. He dug his fist into its side, finding a soft spot and punching through. Each hit tore into organs and tissue, ripping bits free as he fought to keep his grip. The monster howled, bucking and swerving, but Marcus didn¡¯t let go, battering it from the side even as the world blurred into a stream of shattered walls and carnage. With a final shift of his weight, Marcus tightened his grip and focused, calling up every ounce of Mana left in his body as he released a burst of wind from his knuckles. ¡®Gale-blast.¡¯ The blast ripped through the creature¡¯s insides with violent force while Marcus roared at the top of his lungs, light blue Mana bleeding out of his body, ¡°Die!¡± The brutal gust crushed organs and tissue, the pressure jetting out through the hole in the monster¡¯s side with sprays of blood. The sheer pressure forced Marcus¡¯s arm out, leaving him dangling by one hand as the monster¡¯s blood gushed out in waves. His fingers tightened, his knuckles aching from the strain, but he held on, swinging from the creature as it lurched and bucked. The monster veered right, smashing through another wall in a frenzied attempt to shake him. Shattered bricks and chunks of plaster flew in every direction as it crashed back into the hallway, its agonized howls twisting into a mad wail that echoed off the walls. Marcus barely had a moment to brace before the creature pinned itself against the wall, grinding its massive frame against him, trying to scrape him off like unwanted junk. But he locked his arms around its neck, gritting his teeth as the hallway turned into a blur of walls and carnage until it suddenly stopped. ¡°No, no, no!¡± Marcus yelled as the monster reached the stairs, hurling itself down with reckless speed. They hurtled down the stairs, and Marcus lost his grip, crashing into the wall before tumbling to a painful stop at the bottom. He gasped, pain pulsing through his ribs, each breath feeling like a razor slicing inside his chest. Gritting his teeth, he forced his eyes open and saw the monster, just feet away, its limbs twisted and broken. And yet, like a waking nightmare, parts of its body started to regenerate. The creature¡¯s mangled form slid down the stairs in a twisted, jerking crawl, inching closer. Marcus tried to push himself up, desperation mounting as he edged backward, trying to reach the stairs that led downwards, but the creature kept closing in. Suddenly, a deafening gunshot cracked through the air, and a chunk of the monster¡¯s face blew away in a splatter. More shots followed, and he spotted Jessica charging up the stairs, her shotgun ripping bits of flesh from the creature with each blast. Behind her, Benedict unloaded his assault rifle into its chest and head, each burst ripping through flesh and spraying blood. A second later, Marcus felt himself yanked up, lifted clear off the ground before being dropped back down as Sebastian moved past him. ¡°Step back,¡± the pissed off Breacher said, venom in his voice as he lunged at the creature. When the guns clicked empty, he made his move¡ªhe drove his fist into the monster¡¯s face again and again, each strike pushing deeper, ignoring the mess of regenerating tissue. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! The beat down felt like hours, with Sebastion just punching away, while Jessica and Benedict kept suppressing the creature with more gunfire. With a final, brutal yank, Sebastian pulled his hand free from the torn tunnel of flesh he¡¯d carved. Benedict rushed forward, pressing two grenades into Sebastian¡¯s hand before retreating, pulling Marcus and Jessica back with him. Without missing a beat, Sebastian clenched the grenades in his fist, ripped the pins free with his teeth, and shoved them into the gory cavity he¡¯d just made. He kicked the creature down the next flight of stairs, sending it crashing to the bottom. The monster struggled back to its feet, limbs twisted, head hissing violently as it teetered¡ªthen exploded in a massive shower of blood and gore. Fleshy-debris exploded outward, coating the walls, ceiling, and Sebastian himself. Drenched from head to toe, blood and entrails dripping off him, he stood amid the carnage, a blood-soaked shadow against the broken staircase. ¡°There were three Glass pieces inside,¡± Sebastian said as he picked up the pieces, laughing a little before tossing the them to his brother. ¡°Figured as much.¡± Marcus shook his head, exhaling a heavy sigh. He made a mental note, crystal clear in his mind, to never piss off the German. His gaze shifted to the Glass in Benedict¡¯s hand. ¡®Three? I mean, I¡¯ve heard it could happen, but I didn¡¯t know they¡¯d be that much stronger,¡¯ he thought, eyes narrowing. ¡°It happens more frequently in higher Spheres or the weirder ones,¡± Benedict said, as if reading Marcus¡¯s thoughts. ¡°When a Sphere focuses more of its Mana into sustaining fewer but stronger monsters, you get tougher buggers that are a pain in the ass to deal with. It¡¯s one of the reasons we usually stick to light-blue Spheres.¡± Benedict then gave Marcus another once-over, checking for injuries, before nodding to Jessica. Jessica slipped an arm under Marcus¡¯s shoulder, steadying him as they descended the stairs while the German brothers swept the rest of the building. Every step jarred his ribs, and his boots slipped on the slick, blood-soaked steps. Jessica¡¯s grip held firm, keeping him upright. They passed a bent, spotting his twisted sword lying in a pool of gore. ¡°That was my sword,¡± Marcus muttered, voice layered with defeat, remembering how he had stabbed it inside the monster¡¯s torso earlier. Jessica patted his shoulder. ¡°Occupational hazard, buddy.¡± When they reached the ground floor, they saw Kay resting on a mattress, cradling his head. Julien sat on the stairs outside, his hand clutching his ribs as he kept a tired watch. Jessica knelt to check on Kay while Marcus limped over to Julien and dropped down beside him in an orchestra of groans and hisses, clutching his own ribs. ¡°Still alive?¡± Julien asked, glancing sideways. Marcus groaned. ¡°Kinda wish I wasn¡¯t.¡± He plucked a piece of gore from his hair, unsure what he was even looking at. ¡°How are your ribs?¡± ¡°Like my nan¡¯s hip¡ªcompletely wrecked.¡± Marcus chuckled at the comment, then immediately wished he hadn¡¯t when a fresh jolt of pain shot through him. ¡°How¡¯s Kay?¡± Marcus asked the wounded caster while looking at Kay and Jessica for a moment. ¡°He¡¯ll be fine, but he¡¯s concussed for sure. We¡¯ll get him checked out just to be sure.¡± Julien paused, a silence wrapping around them as they stared out at the city, the occasional gunshot or distant scream echoing through the streets. ¡°You saved my life back there¡­ both our lives.¡± He glanced over at Kay. ¡°You did well. I owe you one.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Marcus muttered, rubbing his ribs. ¡°If I¡¯d known I¡¯d feel like this, I might¡¯ve let the monster eat you, to be honest.¡± ¡°Fair enough,¡± Julien said, picking up the broken staff lying beside him. He turned it over in his hands, inspecting the battered material, then dropped it on the stairs with a frustrated clatter. ¡°The Chip¡¯s is in some bloke¡¯s arm by now, huh?¡± Marcus flashed an amused grin, only for it to twist into a groan as pain shot through his body. ¡°Jesus, even smiling hurts. Technically, I didn¡¯t lie,¡± he said, pressing his thumb against his chest, hinting at himself as the aforementioned bloke. ¡°So¡­ Chipped, huh?¡± Julien¡¯s gaze suddenly sharpened, eyes narrowing as he took in Marcus¡¯s form, like he¡¯d just noticed something off. ¡°Wait, how the hell did you even pull that off? You told me you didn¡¯t have the credits for it, and even if you did, you¡¯d still be laid up from the surgery and therapy.¡± Julien¡¯s brow furrowed deeper as he studied Marcus, trying to piece together the impossible. ¡°It also doesn¡¯t explain what I saw back there. Your blue¡ª¡± ¡°Remember that favor you owe me?¡± Marcus cut him off, a challenge in his eyes. Julien studied him for a moment, as if trying to read the change in him. He then nodded slowly. ¡°It was dusty inside, huh?¡± He shifted his attention back to the city. ¡°Couldn¡¯t see a thing up there. Not¡­ a¡­ thing.¡± Marcus nodded, letting the silence stretch. They kept their gaze on the city until Jessica joined them, grinning as she took in the pair of miserable-looking men. ¡°You boys look like you could use a shower and a drink.¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± Marcus and Julien muttered in unison, and after a moment, a weary Kay chimed in, ¡°Can I also have one?¡± - - - A few minutes later, the six of them made their way back to the edge of the barrier, bruised, grimy, and weighed down with Monster-Glass. Kay, Marcus, and Julien trudged slowly, each step testing their sore ribs and battered limbs. Sebastian trailed behind them as the rear guard, keeping a watchful eye while Jessica and Benedict led the front. As they neared the barrier, more Breacher teams appeared, some limping or nursing cuts, while others looked better off but just as grimy, streaked with blood and dust from battle. Some Breachers chatted, exchanging quick stories or sharing relieved laughs. Even Sebastian grew social, nodding and talking with a towering Breacher who cradled a massive war axe like an old friend. Marcus smirked, shaking his head. ¡®Figures he¡¯s friendly with other berserkers.¡¯ They stepped through the barrier, the gel-like membrane tugging at their skin as they passed through. Beyond it, a crowd of Breachers awaited, many of them new arrivals. ¡°Fresh meat for the grinder,¡± Julien muttered, his voice carrying a tired edge as they walked on. ¡°Thank god we¡¯re done.¡± Benedict and other squad leaders broke off to report to the government officials who lingered near the checkpoint. Marcus¡¯s gaze caught on an ambulance in the distance, along with a police car. ¡°Did someone get injured badly?¡± he wondered out loud, his eyes narrowing. Jessica glanced over at the ambulance, then shrugged. ¡°Probably. Or someone kicked the bucket. It happens.¡± Their group moved to a series of containers, each filled with chemical solutions for the Glass. One by one, they dumped in the pieces they¡¯d collected, watching as the containers fizzed and bubbled before an official pulled each cleaned piece out to dry and counted the haul, transferring it to security crates. Marcus eyed the growing amount, impressed by their total. ¡®It¡¯s a good haul this time,¡¯ he thought, even feeling the familiar itch to jump in and take all the Glass for himself, knowing full well he couldn¡¯t. Marcus spotted Benedict standing a little ways off, talking with an official who kept nodding and pointing in the distance. As the official gestured, Benedict¡¯s face hardened, his jaw set like he was holding back his reaction. Marcus turned to see what they were discussing, but a heavy hand gripped his arm. ¡°Don¡¯t do anything stupid,¡± Sebastian warned, his voice low and even. ¡°What do you¡ª¡± Marcus stopped, catching sight of the ambulance in the distance, noticing just now that it was parked near the food trucks. A knot of dread tightened in his chest. ¡®Felix!¡¯ Adrenaline shot through him, flooding out the ache in his ribs as he shrugged off Sebastian¡¯s grip and limped his way through the crowd of Breachers and site personnel. He shoved past anyone in his way, ignoring their protests, his eyes locked on the ambulance. He broke through the cluster of people, his gaze falling on Felix¡¯s food truck. A massive dent marred its side, garbage bins lay toppled nearby, and a folding table lay broken on the ground. ¡°What happened?¡± he demanded, eyes darting over the scene. Benedict jogged up to him, his calm expression offset by a cautious tone, as though bracing Marcus. ¡°They told me your friend, Felix, got caught up in a fight. Some sort of argument broke out between two groups of Breachers. Apparently, your friend tried to de-escalate things, but he got caught up in it.¡± Benedict placed a hand on his shoulder, holding his gaze steady. ¡°He¡¯s in the back of the ambulance. I¡¯m told he broke his arm.¡± Benedict paused, watching him with a strange, unreadable look. ¡°Marcus, the police have this handled. I think¡ª¡± ¡°Do you know who did this to him?¡± Marcus asked, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. Benedict hesitated, as if weighing his response. ¡°Yes. It¡¯s the same group we ran into earlier. The one that nearly went off on you.¡± Marcus¡¯s fists tightened at hearing it. ¡°Can you get me their names and address?¡± Benedict¡¯s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing in thought before he gave a slow nod. ¡°I can.¡± ¡°Mail it to me.¡± Marcus didn¡¯t wait for a response. He turned, his fingers gripping the edge of the ambulance as he tried to push down the anger swirling in him. He steadied his breath, then went to the back of the vehicle. Inside, Felix lay out on the ambulance stretcher, arm strapped in a sling while the paramedic dabbed carefully at a cut on his cheek. When his friend looked up and saw Marcus standing there, blood-spattered and bruised, worry flashed in his eyes, his face tightening. Then he caught the crooked smile pulling at Marcus¡¯s mouth and relaxed, a small grin breaking through as well. Marcus crossed his arms, leaning against the ambulance and letting out a dry chuckle before he spoke up, ¡°You look like shit, mate.¡± (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 29 (Blue-Collared Justice) CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE Blue-Collared Justice Specter ¡°Come on, lift with your legs,¡± Bastion said as the two robots hoisted the heavy cable machine, hauling it outside and tossing it onto the pile of broken, rusted workout equipment. ¡°You do know that the whole ¡®lift with your legs, not your back¡¯ spiel applies to humans, not robots, right?¡± Specter asked as they headed back into the gym, letting the door swing shut behind them. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. I reckon the advice still holds true. Otherwise, you might blow out a piston,¡± Bastion shot back, grabbing a nearby broom. ¡°Blow out a piston?¡± Specter paused, as if raising a mental eyebrow at the large robot, who only nodded in response. ¡°You¡¯re an idiot, you know that, right? Like a proper one.¡± Specter muttered, afterwards tapping the broom in Bastion¡¯s hand to get it moving again. He then grabbed a second broom and joined in, sweeping up layers of dust and grime that coated the floor. They¡¯d spent the entire day tearing up moldy carpet, clearing out broken machinery, benches, and removing shattered glass still clinging to the window frames. Outside, a pile of large wooden boards sat ready, stacked neatly along with the nail gun they¡¯d ¡®borrowed¡¯ from a nearby abandoned hardware store. By now, the place looked stripped and empty, closer to a warehouse than a gym. Specter took a step back, looking over the space. The gym wasn¡¯t huge, but it had enough room for everything he had in mind. ¡®In a few hours, we¡¯ll have it set up with some basic workout spots for Marcus¡ªpull-up bar, bench press, squat rack, dumbbells, and maybe more as we go,¡¯ he thought, picturing it. And in time, he¡¯d set up a few machines for robot repairs: a 3D printer, assembly bench, and tools for any fixes they¡¯d need. He imagined them in a closed-off corner, maybe even separated by walls for extra security. That or they could clear out and strip the locker rooms and use those rooms. ¡®The basement could make a decent spot to store the Glass and any supplies we didn¡¯t want lying around in the open. And the best part is, the outside still looks shit, so I doubt anyone would think about looting this place, let alone step foot in a dead zone.¡¯ He then thought about the young woman they had already encountered twice. ¡®We¡¯ll have to deal with her before she heads down here again.¡¯ Bastion¡¯s towering frame thudded down each step, sending faint vibrations through the floor as it made its way into the basement. ¡°Say, would it be hard to expand the basement?¡± it asked awhile later, voice echoing in the narrow space. Specter followed, intrigued by his companion¡¯s sudden curiosity. ¡°Expand how?¡± Specter asked, watching Bastion survey the surrounding walls. ¡°You know, expand-expand,¡± Bastion said, waving its arms at the walls. ¡°Like a secure room for Glass, and a storage spot for robots not in use. Sort of making the Batcave, but for robots?¡± Specter blinked, an almost amused look flickering across his expression. ¡°You want to make a Batcave, in our father¡¯s old gym?¡± He shook his head. ¡°Let¡¯s start by just finishing stripping this place, and we¡¯ll see how it goes, alright?¡± He turned and made his way back up the stairs. ¡®A big basement does sound cool,¡¯ he thought, though he refused to admit it to Bastion for now. He made his way outside and grabbed the first board and the nail gun, hauling it inside and setting it against one of the front window before he drove nails into the wood, the sharp clicks of the gun echoing in the quiet room. ¡®Should be good for a temporary fix,¡¯ he thought, stepping back to check his work. He headed out for the next board, pondering as he worked. The boards would darken the space inside, but he figured solar panels and batteries could be something they tackled later. None of them knew much about electricity. Still, between some online resources and potential tips from old man Pete, Specter felt confident they could figure it out. Finishing with the second board, Specter looked over one side of the front wall, now covered. Satisfied, he moved back inside, eyeing the scattered pieces of old equipment and clutter they¡¯d yet to clear. ¡®With a little more work, we¡¯ll have some basic workout spots set up, and Marcus could use the office space in back to sleep. Getting the showers working would be ideal, and perhaps get a fridge, too.¡¯ Bastion lumbered back up the stairs, arms piled with plastic wraps that had been torn when Marcus had gotten Chipped. It moved with a steady clunk, reaching the back door before unceremoniously dumping the junk onto the growing pile outside and ducking back in. ¡°Looks a lot better,¡± it said as it inspected Specter¡¯s work, its gaze running over the newly-boarded windows. ¡°Yeah, it does, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Specter said, stepping back to admire it himself. ¡°You might even say that I nailed it.¡± ¡°Please, don¡¯t,¡± Bastion muttered, then leaned closer, slowly turning the nail gun around to face Specter. A low whir sounded as Bastion¡¯s large finger edged Specter¡¯s trigger finger, firing a nail directly into Specter¡¯s chest with a soft thud. Specter¡¯s camera lenses glowed for a second, looking down at the nail embedded in his plastic plating, then back up at Bastion, brow raised. ¡°Really?¡± Bastion gave a casual shrug and ambled back to its broom, sweeping away dust and debris scattered across the floor. Specter watched his companion go, feeling a mixture of annoyance and amusement. ¡®Prick,¡¯ he thought before he got back to work with boarding up the windows. ¡®Having two sets of Orbs is incredibly useful,¡¯ he thought, noting how he and Bastion had synced into a routine over the past few days. They spent their daylight hours repairing each other, printing out new parts, or fixing up the gym, and by nightfall, they¡¯d take Marcus¡¯s bike out, heading off to hunt more creatures. The steady flow of Glass kept them motivated. Without the tight schedules dictated by Mana supply holding them back, they took fewer risks¡ªwaiting longer to set ambushes or retreating when too many monsters showed up. They kept moving through the gym, boards thudding into place as Specter secured them over the windows, and Bastion swept dust and debris from the floors. Every so often, they stopped to haul more junk out or grab an intact sofa from a neighbor¡¯s house. Later, they turned their attention to their father¡¯s office. Bastion started clearing out the papers and folders, and Specter pushed a filing cabinet to the wall, making more space for a mattress or a bed frame later on. They debated whether swiping a mattress from a nearby house was practical or too risky, considering mold, bedbugs, or worse. Their conversation halted when the phone buzzed in a backpack on the desk. ¡°Marcus?¡± Specter asked, watching as Bastion¡¯s steel fingers reached for the phone. ¡°I¡¯m not a psychic, but no one else has this number,¡± Bastion muttered, then tapped the buttons with surprising care. ¡°Don¡¯t break it, please,¡± Specter said, looking at the cabinet before deciding to drag it outside and toss it on the garbage pile. ¡°Relax, I¡¯m not going to break it. That only happened that one¡ª¡± Bastion froze mid-sentence, staring at the screen as a second vibration sounded. Without a word, the robot resumed tapping the buttons. ¡°What is it?¡± Specter let go of the cabinet, turning to Bastion. ¡°Is something wrong with Marcus?¡± Bastion looked up, staring at Specter before speaking in a flat, icy tone. ¡°You need to gear up. Someone hurt Felix.¡± It handed the phone to Specter, who noticed two emails waiting on the screen. The first was a message from Marcus; the other, from Benedict, included a file attachment. Specter opened the file first, scanning through the addresses and profiles of multiple individuals. Public Breacher records were attached, listing guild affiliations along with close-up shots: some were casual profile pictures downloaded from social media, while others were official Breacher ID photos. Next, he opened Marcus¡¯s email.. ©³ ©· ¡°They broke Felix¡¯s arm. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Get even.¡± -Nexus ©» ©¿ Specter locked the phone and set it carefully on the table. He reached into his backpack, pulling out a pair of black jeans and a hoodie. He slid the jeans over his rigid metal legs and tugged the hoodie over his head, adjusting it for maximum cover, afterwards putting on boots. Across the desk, Bastion unzipped another backpack, revealing an assortment of store-bought axes and knives, their wear clearly evident. The robot grabbed two larger hunting knives, sturdy with reinforced handles, and handed them to Specter, who secured them to his body with duct tape, wrapping the blades flat against his sides until they all but disappeared. He grabbed the three Mana batteries from the bag, briefly lifting his clothes before sliding them inside and lodging them in place. ¡°Try not to kill them, alright?¡± Bastion asked, its voice stern as it poured most of its Mana inside Specter¡¯s frame to top it off. ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± Specter replied, slipping on his worn black raincoat. The hoodie¡¯s edge shadowed most of his face, obscuring his features. ¡°Don¡¯t wait up.¡± He pocketed the phone, turned on his heel, and pushed open the door. The quiet street greeted him as he stepped outside. The dead zone lay sprawled ahead of him, dimming under the weight of the setting sun as he made his way to the edge, every step heightening his anger in that moment. - - - The bar felt dim and smoky when Specter walked in, the low thrum of voices and laughter reverberating through the room. He registered each figure quickly, matching faces from Benedict¡¯s dossier to those scattered around. ¡®All five of them here,¡¯ he thought, noticing the Marks on some of their faces and arms, all too pretty and symmetrical. ¡®Three of them Forged, two human like Benedict.¡¯ Some slouched over drinks, half-suited in armor, with bulky crates containing their weapons stacked on the table beside them. Two Breachers sat by a pool table, one nursing a beer, the other staring at a television screen that was showing a soccer match. A couple of other patrons noticed Specter¡¯s entrance, eyeing his worn hoodie and raincoat. He ignored their murmurs and headed for the jukebox in the far corner. The device hummed softly until Specter silenced it with a slow button press. He scrolled through the options, barely acknowledging one of the irritated Breachers who shouted, ¡°Hey, douchebag! I was listening to that!¡± A beer can sailed past Specter¡¯s head, smacking the wall behind him. He didn¡¯t flinch, just calmy watch as the next record settled into place: ¡®I¡¯m Your Boogie Man¡¯. The song began, low and haunting, filling the bar with a darker edge. He moved to the bar, taking a seat and watching his hooded reflection in the mirror behind the shelves. After a few seconds, two of the Breachers sauntered over, lazy grins playing on their faces and eyes half-lidded with disdain. They sandwiched him between them, one leaning against the bar with a beer in hand, the other looking him over with a sneer. ¡°Nice threads. What are you, hipster or hobo?¡± the man sneered, looking at Specter¡¯s worn-out clothes. He leaned in close, the stale scent of alcohol thick on his breath as he squinted at the rain-slick fabric hanging off Specter¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Or do you just like wearing a cheap Halloween costume?¡± Specter kept his head down, continuing to let the hood cast his face in shadow. He stayed silent, unmoved by the taunt. The Breacher¡¯s eyes narrowed, irritation flickering at the lack of response. He raised the beer and held it above Specter¡¯s head, letting a slow trickle pour from the rim, dribbling onto Specter¡¯s hood and shoulders in a thin, mocking stream. ¡°Oh, whoops,¡± he snickered, sparing a glance over at his friends lounging in the corner. All three sat with their feet kicked up on the table, smirking at the spectacle and chuckling with open-mouthed grins, nodding at their friend¡¯s performance like they¡¯d seen it a thousand times before. Encouraged, the man raised the glass a little higher, letting more of the beer drizzle down Specter¡¯s back. ¡°Maybe you could use a shower, huh?¡± he sneered, his smirk growing as he stared at Specter¡¯s bowed head, waiting for a reaction. But Specter didn¡¯t flinch or look up. He let the beer soak in, his silence growing colder as the man¡¯s laughter rang out. The other man next to him, tapping fingers against the bar, leaned closer. ¡°You a mute or something?¡± he asked before he switched his tapping to Specter¡¯s chest. Specter kept his gaze steady on the scratched wood of the bar, ignoring the man¡¯s insistent finger prodding at his chest. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m talking to you,¡± the Breacher sneered, gripping a handful of Specter¡¯s clothes. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? You deaf, or just dumb as bricks?¡± The bartender, glancing nervously between them, cleared his throat. ¡°Come on guys, knock it off,¡± he warned, his voice holding more caution than authority. Another Breacher at the table sneered and tossed an empty beer can, which thudded against the wall near the bartender. A few nearby patrons exchanged looks, tense and wary, before deciding it wasn¡¯t worth sticking around. They rose quietly and slipped out the door, the sharp clinks of the exit bell underscoring the bar¡¯s sudden heaviness. Specter finally spoke, his voice so soft it barely carried over the sound of glasses clinking in the bartender¡¯s nervous hands. ¡°You hurt someone today¡­ broke his arm.¡± His words fell like frost, a quiet menace wrapped in calm. ¡°¡­an innocent man.¡± The Breacher¡¯s brow furrowed, then his confusion melted into a mocking grin. ¡°Get a load of this guy,¡± he said, looking back at his friends, a laugh building in his throat. ¡°He¡¯s talking about the food truck lad¡ª¡± Before he could finish, a thin mist began to bleed from Specter¡¯s frame, a pale, eerie blue that caught the Breachers off guard. Their eyes widened in understanding, their laughter vanishing as the mist thickened. In one swift motion, Specter seized the man¡¯s wrist, his grip like iron. The Breacher gasped, a flicker of panic flashing through his eyes, and before he could react, Specter twisted, the bones in the man¡¯s wrist giving way with a sickening crack. The man choked on a scream as Specter slammed the broken wrist onto the bar, then drove his knife through the man¡¯s hand with a brutal finality, pinning him to the counter. The Breacher¡¯s sharp, guttural scream tore through the room, catching the attention of the few patrons who hadn¡¯t fled. His closest companion whipped around, his shock hardening to terror as he watched Specter slam the wounded man¡¯s head into the bar¡ªonce, twice, thrice, then a brutal fourth time. Each brutal impact was an unspoken word; don¡¯t hurt my friends. The Breacher slumped over the bar, his fight knocked out of him. Specter moved quickly, pivoting to the next Breacher just as the man swung a beer bottle towards him. His metal fist shattered the glass mid-swing, sending shards slicing across the man¡¯s face and forcing him to stumble back. The man gritted his teeth and threw a wide punch, but Specter stepped in and drove his steel head into the man¡¯s fist, the metal meeting bone with a sickening crunch. The Breacher recoiled, clutching his mangled hand. Before the man could react further, Specter seized his arm, twisting it outward as his other hand crashed into the man¡¯s elbow, snapping it at an unnatural angle. The Breacher screamed, eyes wide with agony, stumbling back as he clutched his mangled arm. His legs buckled, his pale gaze flicking down in shock at the ruined limb. Not stopping, Specter grabbed the nearest barstool, spinning in a fluid motion before swinging it full-force into the man¡¯s chest, sending him flying. The impact sent the Breacher flying headfirst into the jukebox. With a loud crack, the machine buckled, and the song began to skip, repeating the line, ¡®I¡¯m your boogie man¡­ I¡¯m your boogie man¡­¡¯ like a sinister mantra. Chaos erupted. One of the Breachers dove for a crate, fumbling with the latch before pulling out a pistol and aiming it at Specter while the others got into a defensive stance. The man fired, the shot ringing out and striking Specter on the side of his head. The round bounced off the metal, leaving only torn fabric as Specter slowly turned to face the three remaining men. ¡®Two Forged, one human,¡¯ he calculated. His camera lenses flickered to life, their eerie blue glow cutting through the shadows beneath his hood as he locked onto the man with the gun. ¡°What the fuck¡­ what are you?¡± the man shouted, panic edging his voice. The Breacher fired two more times¡ªone round glanced off Specter¡¯s torso, while the other punched through his frame with little effect. ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± the man stammered, holding the pistol out in shaky hands. His companions stood tense beside him, hands hovering over their own crates, nerves tight as tripwire. In the background, the bartender sank to the floor behind the bar, gripping his phone tightly, the screen showing an outgoing call. Every other patron had bolted when the shots rang out, their screams fading into the night. ¡°We¡¯re sorry,¡± the scared Breacher said once more. Specter stepped forward, the tilt of his head radiating a menace colder than anger, more like hatred turned to ice. His voice, low and controlled, sliced through the air. ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± he replied, each word clipped and chilling, the repeat from the jukebox looping behind it like a heartbeat slowed to something sinister. ¡°It doesn¡¯t change what I¡¯m going to do to you.¡± The robot moved with a terrifying calm, his footsteps measured, as though each step barely restrained the violence thrumming within. For a moment, Specter was gone; in its place stood Marcus¡ªcold, unchecked, filled with a fury that could only be quenched with his fists. He drew his second blade slowly, pale blue mist seeping from his frame once more. He burned through what little Mana he had left in his frame and the batteries he had lodged there, reinforcing his steel limbs. In one swift motion, Specter kicked the table, sending it crashing into the Breachers¡¯ path. Then he lunged, a blur of metal and dark fabric, his blade flashing outward as the bar erupted into a storm of gunshots and frenzied shouts twisted with pain and terror. - - - Twenty minutes later, Specter stood alone in an alley, the dim streetlight glinting off the bullet hole in his metal and plastic frame. He lifted his hoodie, dragging a steel finger over the jagged entry wound on his robotic frame, tracing the rough edges of the damage. He shook his head, a flash of irritation crossing his mind before he pulled out his phone, quickly typing brief mail. ©³¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡©· ¡°Got even.¡± -Specter ©»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡©¿ His mind replayed the fight that had erupted in the bar moments before. The Breachers hadn¡¯t stood a chance¡ªSpecter had made sure of that, using Overcharge right off the bat and the element of surprise. He¡¯d worked through them one by one, beating them before breaking each right arm with a mechanical precision that bordered on ritualistic, just to send a message. None of them had escaped punishment. They had earned it for hurting his friend. He felt no guilt, no regret for what he¡¯d done. Keeping them alive was mercy enough. But what he¡¯d done afterward lingered in his thoughts, a small prickle of unease. He glanced to the side at the three security crates lined up near his feet. Breacher crates, the kind flagged to the authorities as soon as they were opened without permission. He¡¯d ripped them open without hesitation, knowing the risks. ¡°They hurt Felix,¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°And shot me¡­ three times. They¡¯re lucky I only grabbed three crates.¡± He yanked off his torn raincoat and laid it flat on the ground, dumping the items inside one by one. He tightened the makeshift bundle, preparing it to be smuggled out. ¡°Marcus will understand.¡± (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 30 (Triggering a Bloodhound) CHAPTER THIRTY Triggering a Bloodhound Day 90 Laurens Laurens watched his nephew wrangle Felix into a fresh shirt, smirking behind his fashion magazine at the struggle. He glanced over at the cast on Felix¡¯s arm, seeing what Marcus had done with it. His nephew had taken his chance to scribble every expletive he could think of across the cast on Felix¡¯s arm while the man had been sleeping, creating a masterpiece Felix did not seem to appreciate for some reason. ¡°I can do it myself,¡± Felix muttered, trying to push his friend away with his good arm. Marcus grinned and held him steady, barely shifting. ¡°A little help here?¡± Felix glanced Laurens¡¯s way, a plea in his eyes. ¡°Tell your nephew to back off.¡± Laurens didn¡¯t even look up. ¡°No thanks,¡± he replied dryly, flipping another page. ¡°I¡¯d rather he bully you than me. You kids have fun.¡± Felix poked Marcus hard in the ribs, and Marcus hissed, stepping back with a hand on his side. ¡°Yeah, you better run,¡± Felix said, jabbing a finger his way like he was wielding a spear. Felix finally tugged his shirt into place, muttering, ¡°I¡¯m a grown ass man.¡± Laurens flipped another page, throwing in, ¡°Never heard of a grown man crying when they took his IV out.¡± Felix shot him a dark look, grumbling something about ¡°not helping, old man,¡± as he slipped his shoes on and wrestled with the laces one-handed. ¡°Bianca¡¯s safe, right?¡± Felix asked, voice softer in that moment, his eyes fixed on Laurens as he mentioned his food truck. ¡®I swear, that guy and his food truck,¡¯ Laurens thought before sighing, not sharing Felix¡¯s affection for the truck¡¯s name. ¡°Safe and sound. Colleague of mine parked her at the station. We¡¯ll pick her up after your statement.¡± Felix nodded, then noticed Marcus packing his bag without a word. ¡°Dude, I can pack my own stuff.¡± ¡°Jesus, sorry for trying to be a good friend,¡± Marcus muttered, backing off with his hands up. He shot an eye-roll toward his uncle, then dropped into a seat beside him. Laurens¡¯s attention seemed fixed on a fashion magazine, eyes glued to a picture of a woman on the page. ¡°Picking out your new wife?¡± Marcus asked, grinning at his own comment. Laurens calmly flipped the page, not even looking over at his nephew before speaking up, ¡°Ever been tased?¡± When there wasn¡¯t any reply, he just nodded, as if ending the topic. He watched Felix struggle to pack his bag, fumbling with the zipper as he tried to close it one-handed. Felix¡¯s expression soured with every failed attempt, his mouth setting into a hard line. Laurens shook his head before returning to his magazine, only glancing up to watch the man¡¯s frustration grow. Shifting his gaze to Marcus, he noticed the fresh bandages wrapped around his nephew¡¯s arms. ¡®He¡¯s alright,¡¯ he reminded himself, working to push down a nagging worry that hadn¡¯t quite left him. He thought of how long it had taken him to get used to his niece becoming a Breacher, seeing her come back bruised and cut from time to time. If he had to be honest with himself, then he still hadn¡¯t fully adjusted to her new calling. His gaze lingered on Marcus¡¯s right arm, seeing the third gray notch tattooed into the skin of his bicep¡ªone Laurens himself had marked there himself a few days ago. ¡®Cute that he¡¯s emulating me and his old man,¡¯ Laurens thought, scratching his beard thoughtfully. But the reason behind those marks still puzzled him. ¡®We used to count official matches we¡¯d won,¡¯ he mused, ¡®but what¡¯s he counting? Every job he¡¯s done with those Salamanders? Times he got paid? Times he escaped death?¡¯ He heard his nephew again attempt to help his friend. As expected, Felix shot him down without hesitation, waving him off with his good arm. Resigned, Marcus leaned back, pulling out his phone to check something. Laurens watched as a more serious look briefly settled over Marcus¡¯s face, only to be replaced by a grin as he read whatever was on the screen. In the end, Laurens couldn¡¯t resist a jab. ¡°What¡¯s up with the stupid grin? You got a girl or something?¡± Marcus closed his phone, scoffing. ¡°No, I don¡¯t have a girl,¡± he replied. ¡°And why¡¯s everyone picking on me?¡± ¡°It helps with my pain,¡± Felix said, a gleam in his eye, while Laurens rubbed his brow, bemoaning his lack of coffee. Felix didn¡¯t stop there. ¡°And it¡¯s not true,¡± he teased. ¡°I know for a fact that you¡¯ve got a crush.¡± Laurens perked up, a rare smirk stretching his face as he tossed the magazine aside. ¡°Oh, do tell. Who¡¯s this mystery girl. I take it she¡¯s blind and doesn¡¯t have sense of smell?¡± Marcus shot Felix a warning look, but Felix pointed at the slur words scribbled on his cast for a moment before turning his attention back to Laurens, grin widening. ¡°You know the Gold Claws, right?¡± Laurens nodded, catching on to the direction this was heading. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve actually been outside before. Biggest guild in Europe. They cleared that nasty Sphere in Portugal a few years back. What about them?¡± ¡°You know Fari Suarez?¡± Felix asked, savoring the moment while Marcus looked ready to punch him in the gut. Laurens shook his head, then froze, as if recognizing the name. ¡°You mean, Lynx?¡± ¡°Mhmh,¡± Felix bit his lip, holding back laughter. Laurens blinked, then slowly pieced it together, his eyes going wide. ¡°As in one of the Five Claws?¡± His gaze snapped to Marcus, eyes full of disbelief. ¡°Wait¡ªyou fancy Lynx? An actual Delta-ranked Breacher?¡± Marcus tensed. ¡°Fancy is a big word,¡± he muttered, voice flat. ¡°I just talked to her once.¡± Felix couldn¡¯t contain himself anymore. He slapped his thigh before pointing at Marcus with his good hand. ¡°He offered her a muffin. A muffin!¡± Laurens lost his composure, laughing so hard he almost slid off his chair. He wiped a tear from his eye, clutching his stomach as the realization sank in. Even Felix, clutching his arm in pain, joined in, making it all the sweeter. Marcus stood, shaking his head. ¡°Screw you guys,¡± he muttered before striding out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Laurens grinned after him, the image of his nephew¡¯s hopeless crush burned into his memory. ¡°A muffin,¡± he whispered to himself, chuckling. ¡°God help him.¡± - - - Laurens changed out of his civilian clothes, ignoring how tight his police uniform felt around his waist as he buttoned it up. He took a moment in front of the small mirror in his locker, running a hand over his beard to check its state before winking at his own reflection with a little click of his tongue. With a glance down at his biceps, he noticed the seventeen gray notches inked into his skin. He ran a finger over one of them thoughtfully. ¡®What are you doing, Marcus?¡¯ he wondered, then shook his head and closed the locker. Heading through the station, Laurens dropped a few things off at his desk before making his way toward the entrance. He spotted his nephew on a bench, sipping coffee and staring at the door to a private room across the hall. Inside, Felix sat with another officer, recounting what had happened yesterday, giving his official statement. Laurens could almost see Marcus¡¯s mind ticking behind his serious gaze, as if picturing every detail of how his friend explained how the fight had broken out between the two groups of Breachers and who had thrown the first punch. ¡°So, this brings me back,¡± Laurens said, sitting down on the bench next to his nephew before swiping Marcus¡¯s coffee and taking a few sips. ¡°I still remember the day you were at the old station, and your old man had to pick you up.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Marcus replied with a soft smile. ¡°Thirteen years ago.¡± Laurens drained the last of the coffee, nodding to a colleague who was walking down the hallway. Again, his gaze fell on the bandages covering Marcus¡¯s arms and the fresh bruise darkening his cheek. He clenched his jaw for a moment. ¡®He¡¯s a good kid,¡¯ he reminded himself, memories stirring of how frail Marcus had looked all those years, trapped in his hospital bed. Laurens closed his eyes and leaned further back against the bench. In that moment, he could almost feel his own brother grip his shoulder, demanding something of him. ¡°Are you sure about the whole Breacher part?¡± he asked, his voice soft. ¡°I¡¯m sure,¡± Marcus said, glancing at him, as if reading the concern on his face. ¡°I¡¯m alright. It¡¯s just bruising. I¡¯m not doing anything crazy.¡± ¡°You¡¯re fighting literal monsters,¡± Laurens countered, shaking his head. ¡°First your sister¡­ now you. Your dad would be turning in his grave if we hadn¡¯t cremated him. And your mum is probably going to haunt me for allowing this.¡± He sighed, standing up to toss the empty coffee cup in a nearby garbage bin. He started to say something else, but the door beside him opened, and Felix emerged with a police officer. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°We¡¯ll get this sorted out, alright?¡± the officer said as Felix nodded. He handed Felix a printed document before awkwardly shaking his left hand. ¡°Good luck on your recovery.¡± The officer nodded to Laurens, then walked off down the hall. ¡°Thanks, Bob,¡± Laurens called out after the officer before turning his attention to Felix. ¡°You alright, lad?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Felix said, his voice a little stiff as he stared at the document. ¡°I¡¯m still not thrilled about pressing charges against several Breachers. But, yeah, it wasn¡¯t that bad.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Laurens reassured him, giving his shoulder a solid pat. ¡°You did well. We¡¯ll handle things from here.¡± He pointed at the document. ¡°Just send a copy of that to your insurance, and get an estimate on the repair costs for your truck. You should be all covered. If not, you¡¯ll call me, alright?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do that,¡± Felix said, pocketing the document before the three of them headed out of the station after picking up the keys. Felix awkwardly climbed into the driver¡¯s seat after reaching his truck, wincing as he maneuvered with his good arm. Meanwhile, Marcus did a quick check along the side of the truck, running his fingers over the large dent. He sighed, then hopped into the passenger seat. Laurens stood by as the engine roared to life, the radio blasting a wave of salsa music so loud it nearly rattled the windows. He winced, while Marcus quickly reached over and twisted the dial to decrease the volume, muttering something that made Felix chuckle. Laurens just shook his head, walking around to the back of the truck. ¡°Alright, take it slow,¡± he called out, signaling for them to reverse. The truck jerked backward, tires squealing as it struggled to fit out of the tight parking spot. Laurens guided them, waving his hands to the left and right. Marcus leaned over, handling the gear shift while Felix steered one-handed, his face tight with concentration. ¡°Straighten up... easy... there you go,¡± Laurens coached, making sure they didn¡¯t scratch up any of the station¡¯s property. Finally, with a few more adjustments, the truck rolled free from the cramped lot, engine rumbling. He walked up to the driver¡¯s window, leaning in with a stern look. ¡°Now, you boys don¡¯t do anything dumb, alright? Straight home, and then you park this monstrosity. And Felix, don¡¯t let me catch you letting my idiot nephew drive.¡± Felix shot him a toothy grin. ¡°Promise,¡± he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. The salsa music flared up again as if mocking Laurens¡¯s warning. Before he could say anything else, the truck lurched forward, tires screeching as Felix made a sharp turn out of the lot. Laurens could hear Marcus shouting something over the music, but the words got lost in the noise as the truck sped off. He stood there with his hands on his hips. ¡°Bunch of idiots,¡± he muttered to himself, watching as the truck disappeared around the corner, leaving nothing but a fading echo of salsa music behind it. Laurens walked back inside the station, leaving the morning sunlight behind as the glass doors slid shut. The familiar hum of activity greeted him¡ªofficers talking, phones ringing, the constant clatter of keyboards. He wove through the maze of desks, nodding at a few colleagues who gave him quick waves. His own desk came into view, a mess of papers, empty cans, and a half-eaten granola bar that had probably been sitting there for days. He dropped into his chair with a sigh, reaching over to power up his workstation. The monitor flickered to life, casting a pale glow as he tapped in his login details. He groaned as a mandatory software update screen popped up, glaring at him. ¡°Fantastic,¡± he muttered, tempted to discharge his service pistol into the machine several times. Instead, he settled for clicking the ¡®update¡¯ button like it had personally offended him. The progress bar inched along at a snail¡¯s pace, so he grabbed the dirty mug sitting beside his keyboard, grimacing at the crusty ring left inside. ¡®It¡¯s fine. The coffee will kill any germs.¡¯ The breakroom offered a brief reprieve from the chaos outside. Laurens pushed open the door, spotting a few police officers clustered around the small table, laughing over something on someone¡¯s phone. He gave them a quick nod, then made his way to the coffee machine. Bob stood there, cleaning his own mug. ¡°Thanks again for earlier,¡± Laurens said, nodding to him before holding up his grimy mug with a raised brow. He gave it a sniff, shrugged, then stuck it under the machine¡¯s spout and hit the button. Bob glanced over, one brow raised. ¡°The kid alright?¡± he asked, drying his mug before handing it over to him. ¡°Yeah, Felix is a tough kid,¡± Laurens replied, just filling his own mug before taking a cautious sip, ignoring the Bob¡¯s mug. ¡°Really?¡± Bob asked, a smirk forming. ¡°What, I¡¯m old and senile,¡± Laurens shot back, nudging the man aside with his hip to make room for himself. Bob just chuckled, moving over to make his own coffee. Minutes passed in a comfortable rhythm, the two men sipping their drinks. They went over the shifts they had lined up for the day¡ªpaperwork, patrols, a few ongoing cases that needed wrapping up. A vibration from his pocket pulled his attention. He fished out his phone, seeing a new message from Marcus flash across the screen. ©³ ©· ¡°Home safe. Didn¡¯t hit any pedestrians along the way. Thanks for everything!¡± -Marcus ©» ©¿ Laurens smiled, typing back a quick reply before tucking the phone away. Bob caught his eye, raising his mug in a silent toast. He mirrored the gesture, then downed the rest of his coffee in one go. He stretched afterwards, stifling a yawn as he shut off his phone. ¡°Alright, time to face the music,¡± he grumbled, pushing away from the counter. The day had just begun, but the weight of it was already settling on his shoulders. Between last night¡¯s and this morning¡¯s trips to the hospital, he felt drained. ¡°Rough night?¡± came a voice from behind him, smooth but carrying that familiar edge. Laurens turned, finding Detective Nanda Walters standing there, hands casually tucked into the pockets of her tailored slacks. He met her gaze with a tired look, then shrugged, scratching his beard. ¡°Rough life,¡± he countered, taking another sip of his lukewarm coffee. ¡°Nephew called last night. His best friend got hurt trying to calm down a group of Breacher. Broke his right arm in the process. So, me being the generous and loving uncle, had to grab them both some fresh clothes and babysit them for a few hours. Bob took their statement a few minutes ago.¡± Bob nodded in confirmation, stepping aside to let Nanda have her turn at the coffee machine. ¡°Your nephew again, huh?¡± she asked, arching a brow with a knowing smile. ¡°I thought we scared him straight?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like that this time,¡± Laurens said with a chuckle. ¡°He was working a Sphere, while his friend was handling food and drinks on site. Some pent-up Breachers got fussy, started a brawl with another group, and decided to take it out on Marcus¡¯s friend.¡± ¡°There¡¯s dozens of witnesses, and they¡¯ve got priors,¡± Bob added, draining the last of his coffee. He looked like he was about to say more when a voice from down the hall called for him. He gave Laurens and Nanda a quick nod before moving off to chat with a couple of colleagues, leaving Laurens and Nanda alone. Laurens seized the moment, taking a dramatic step closer to her, his eyes twinkling with mischief. ¡°So, Detective Walters,¡± he said, waggling his empty mug playfully, ¡°might I ask what you¡¯re doing later on?¡± He leaned in just enough to suggest a hint of charm, hoping to sound a bit more seductive. Nanda let out a soft chuckle, giving him a teasing elbow to the ribs. ¡°Filing HR reports if you keep using that horrible tone,¡± she replied, her voice warm despite the words. She pressed a button on the coffee machine, her focus briefly shifting to the brewing process. ¡°So, anything special planned for your shift today?¡± ¡°Hopefully working alongside you,¡± Laurens shot back, earning himself another elbow. He grinned, then sighed, placing his mug on the counter behind him. ¡°Paperwork, mostly. They never told me before joining the force that I¡¯d spend half my time glued to a computer screen.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because you type like an old lady, Officer Smit,¡± Nanda teased, her lips curving into a smirk. She glanced over at Bob, who was deep in conversation with two other officers, all of them hunched over a data pad. ¡°Something up?¡± she asked, nodding toward them, seeing Bob occasionally nod and point at Laurens. ¡°Probably more paperwork,¡± Laurens groaned, pushing off the counter. Together, they made their way over to the small huddle. Bob glanced up as they approached. ¡°Good and bad news,¡± he began, focusing on Laurens. ¡°We found the five Breachers in question. Bad news is, they¡¯re all in the hospital or on their way there.¡± ¡°Still not hearing the bad news,¡± Laurens muttered under his breath, but Nanda silenced him with another elbow. ¡°Ignore him,¡± she said, ¡°please continue.¡± ¡°Looks like some Breacher took them out,¡± one of the other officers chimed in, his face serious. ¡°Beta rank at the very least, from what we could gather.¡± ¡°Wait,¡± Nanda said, her brow furrowing. ¡°One person took down five guys?¡± ¡°Three Marked and two non-Marked,¡± the officer clarified. His colleague pulled up a shaky video on his data pad, turning it toward Laurens and Nanda. ¡°Destroyed half the bar in the process.¡± The recording showed a chaotic scene¡ªtables overturned, glass shattering. In the midst of it all, a hooded figure moved like a force of nature, fists flying as the individual dismantled several men in seconds. The video quality made it hard to make out details, but the person making the recording ducked behind the bar just as gunfire erupted. ¡°Rewind that,¡± Nanda ordered, her eyes narrowing. She leaned in as the officer rewound the footage, stopping at a clearer frame of the hooded individual and the torn clothes. Her gaze sharpened, studying the figure¡¯s movements, trying to glean any identifying details. ¡°Hello again,¡± she muttered, more to herself than anyone else, but Laurens caught the shift in her tone¡ªa mix of fixation and curiosity. ¡°It¡¯s the figure from the hospital,¡± Laurens muttered, his jaw tightening. He hadn¡¯t forgotten the gut-wrenching news of an unknown assailant attacking his comatose nephew three months ago, nor forgotten the image. That moment still gnawed at him. ¡°Why is it that every time this figure shows up, your nephew¡¯s involved?¡± Nanda asked, her sharp gaze shifting toward Laurens, probing for answers. He tensed up, feeling that familiar pull in his shoulders as his tone turned sharp. ¡°Careful, detective.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just asking a question.¡± Laurens jabbed a finger at the screen, pointing to a clock in the background of the chaotic footage. ¡°Marcus was in the hospital with me at that time. I watched him get treated by a nurse.¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± she pressed, sliding her hands into her pockets, her eyes locked on his with a steady calm. ¡°Come on, Laurens, you can¡¯t tell me you¡¯re not seeing a pattern here. First the hospital, then the Sphere we found your nephew in, now this.¡± ¡°I was with him,¡± Laurens insisted, stabbing his finger at the screen again, this time highlighting the faint, light blue mist surrounding the shadowy figure. ¡°Marcus¡¯s an Alpha, and barely one at that. He couldn¡¯t produce that much Mana. He was with me, along with his friend and a nurse. He never left my sight.¡± Bob opened his mouth to speak, but Laurens cut him off with a raised hand. ¡°Besides, you¡¯re not on this case. Lucas is. I¡¯ll talk to my nephew today, see if he knows something about all of this. Alright?¡± Nanda nodded slowly, a soft smile tugging at her lips. ¡°I¡¯d appreciate that, Laurens.¡± For a moment, she just stared at him, something unreadable in her eyes, before he collected himself with a frustrated huff, grabbed his dirty mug, and stormed off toward his desk, his face set in a scowl. Nanda watched him go, her eyes lingering on his retreating figure before turning her attention back to the screen. ¡°You said they were all taken to the hospital?¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± one of the officers confirmed. ¡°Minor lacerations, puncture wounds, broken ribs, and all of them had broken arms.¡± ¡°All of them?¡± Her eyebrow shot up, clearly intrigued. ¡°Yeah, all of them,¡± the officer repeated, looking puzzled. ¡°A witness said it almost felt... mechanical.¡± Nanda grabbed the data pad, studying the hooded figure closely, her eyes narrowing as she absorbed every detail. ¡°Let me guess¡­ their right arms?¡± The officers exchanged confused glances before one of them nodded. ¡°Yeah, how did you know?¡± ¡°Women¡¯s intuition,¡± she replied, handing the data pad back with a smirk. ¡°Send me everything you¡¯ve got on the incident, alright?¡± Bob leaned in, his eyes narrowing at the hooded figure frozen on the screen. ¡°I thought Detective Lucas was handling the hospital case?¡± Nanda¡¯s gaze sharpened as she looked back at Laurens from across the room, her smirk widening into something almost predatory. ¡°Not anymore.¡± She turned to the officers, pointing at them with a decisive snap of her fingers. ¡°Everything you have, on my desk.¡± Without another word, she strode away, that familiar thrill of the chase sharpening her mind as she locked onto a new fixation. (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 31 (Symphony of Pain) CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE Symphony of Pain Day 97 Marcus ¡°Hey,¡± Marcus said as he entered Pete¡¯s shop, immediately getting assaulted by the scent of oils and paint. He spotted the old man behind the counter, hunched over his cellphone. Without lifting his gaze, Pete barely acknowledged Marcus¡¯s arrival. ¡°You again?¡± the old man grumbled, not bothering to hide his annoyance. ¡°What¡¯s it this time?¡± ¡°I thought we weren¡¯t allowed to ask stupid questions?¡± Marcus shot back as he approached the counter. ¡°I got your text about the finished parts.¡± ¡°Hmhm,¡± the old man muttered, still glued to his phone. He didn¡¯t bother to make eye contact, letting the silence stretch uncomfortably long. ¡°Making and ordering it all was quite the hassle. Are you good on the credits?¡± Marcus let out a small chuckle. ¡°What are you, the mafia?¡± The old man slowly raised his eyes, his unamused stare sharp enough to cut steel. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve got the credits,¡± Marcus assured him. Satisfied, the old man nodded curtly and disappeared behind the counter. Marcus heard muttering, followed by metallic clanks and the occasional curse. Moments later, the old man reappeared, gritting his teeth as he pushed a heavy cart with a large box stacked on top. He maneuvered it around the counter with some effort, parking it right next to Marcus. ¡°There,¡± he grunted, flipping the lid open. Inside, Marcus saw dozens of steel plates neatly packed, along with stacks of pistons and motors. The parts gleamed under the overhead lights. Marcus grabbed one of the steel plates from the box, turning it over in his hands. The metal felt cool and sturdy, a solid weight that promised durability. ¡®Lots of pistons and motors for new robots, and some steel protective plating for Bastion¡¯s current body,¡¯ he thought, tapping his knuckles against it and listening to the sharp ring it produced. His gaze shifted to the new click and push system designed to house the batteries within his robots. It was sleek and efficient, exactly what he needed. ¡®Now I only need enough credits to buy about a dozen Mana batteries to go along with it.¡¯ Satisfied, he closed the box with a firm shove. Seconds later, the old man reappeared with a roll of tape, sealing the box shut with quick, practiced motions. Without a word, he disappeared through the back door again, returning with several large steel rods, their tips honed to sharp points. He dropped them on the counter with a dull thud. ¡°There we go. Artwork rods that you¡¯ve assured me are not spears,¡± Pete said, his tone dry as sand. ¡°Anything else?¡± ¡°I might have a big order in a few days, depending on how well the next job goes,¡± Marcus said, his eyes lingering on the box for a moment longer. ¡°Job?¡± The old man squinted, suspicion flickering across his face. ¡°You gonna be alright?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Marcus replied, pulling out his phone. ¡°I¡¯m always alright.¡± He wiggled the phone in the air, signaling for the man to hurry up. Pete snorted, muttering, ¡°Arrogant little shit,¡± under his breath. He rang up the total, watching as Marcus hesitated before tapping his phone to the register. Marcus let out a small sigh of relief when the payment went through, then slipped his phone back into his pocket. He squatted down and grabbed the box with both hands. ¡°Need help with¡ª¡± Pete started, then stopped mid-sentence as he watched Marcus stand back up, barely breaking a sweat while carrying the heavy load. ¡°¡ªthat.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got it, old man,¡± Marcus said, already heading for the door. Pete stared for a moment, clicking his tongue before grabbing the bundle of steel rods and following him outside. Marcus placed the heavy box in his cargo bike, the suspension groaning under the added weight. Pete handed him the rods one by one, his eyes darting to the other items already crammed in the cargo bed¡ªlarge lithium batteries, coiled wires, and assorted parts. ¡°How the hell did you manage to make that box look light? You on steroids or something?¡± the old man asked, eyebrows raised. ¡°You know that stuff shrivels your bits, right?¡± ¡°Just healthy living,¡± Marcus lied with a grin. In truth, he¡¯d gotten a lot stronger over the past three months. Every day, more Glass accumulated, bringing him closer to raising his Stats further. ¡°Right,¡± Pete muttered, eyeing him skeptically. ¡°This job you¡¯ve got¡­ don¡¯t die, alright?¡± He turned and walked back into the store without waiting for an answer. Marcus grinned, watching the old man through the window for a moment longer. He then pulled a blanket over the contents of his cargo bike. ¡®No point in biking across town with visible spears sticking out.¡¯ He swung a leg over the bike, settling into the seat just as his phone buzzed in his pocket. He patted his pockets before fishing out the device. The screen lit up with a new text from Laurens. ©³ ©· ¡°Hey, kid. How¡¯s it going? Haven¡¯t heard from you in a bit. Got time to grab lunch this week?¡± -Uncle Laurens ©» ©¿ Marcus stared at the message, his grin fading. A flicker of guilt wormed its way in¡ªstill remembering their call a few days ago. The tension had hung heavy between them, his uncle¡¯s voice carrying a mix of worry and something like doubt. His uncle had called him after he and Felix got back, explaining that the police had found the Breachers who hurt Felix. An unknown Breacher had then beaten the hell out of those same attackers. Apparently, this Breacher had broken their right arms and matched the description of the hooded figure from the hospital. He sighed, recalling how Laurens had sounded back then on the phone, tone soft and hesitant, as if both dreading and needing the answer. Marcus hated himself for lying, telling his uncle he didn¡¯t know anything and that he¡¯d been with Felix the entire time. The lie had come out too smoothly, a reflex to keep his secret safe, even from the one person who had always been there for him. The call had ended on a strained note, with Laurens asking if he was sure and reminding him he could share anything. He¡¯d said he¡¯d have Marcus¡¯s back, just like his father would¡¯ve. The last part had stung the most, twisting the knife of guilt deeper. He exhaled slowly, thumb hovering over the screen, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to respond. ¡®I¡¯m a shitty nephew,¡¯ he thought, slipping the phone back into his pocket. He shook his head and started pedaling at a steady, unhurried pace. The streets blurred past him, and he kept his focus on the road, trying to push the nagging thoughts aside. - - - Marcus coasted to a stop in front of his father¡¯s old gym, staring at the wooden boards that now covered the broken windows. The boards gave the building a more secure look but left it uglier, like a poorly healed scar. He started pulling the blanket off the cargo bed when a loud thud sounded behind him. He turned to see Bastion, who had dropped from the roof with all the grace of a falling anvil. Marcus looked up to see Specter peering down from the rooftop, its three optics faintly glowing in the morning light. ¡°How¡¯s the leak?¡± Marcus called up. Specter gave him a thumbs-up. Bastion wasted no time, hoisting the heavy box and steel rods from the bike over its shoulder like they weighed nothing. It marched toward the gym entrance, the steel rods clattering against its back as it moved. Specter followed, landing behind Marcus with a softer thud, a hammer clutched in its hand. ¡°Leak should be good for now,¡± it said, sounding pleased with itself. ¡°I mean, it¡¯s shoddy work based on a 30-minute clip I found online, but it should hold up. You got everything?¡± Marcus grabbed the large lithium batteries and shoved them into Specter¡¯s waiting hands. ¡°Got four of them. All second-hand, but they should be fine.¡± He threw a coil of wires over Specter¡¯s head, draping it like a makeshift scarf. ¡°And you¡¯re sure you can hook it all up?¡± ¡°I mean¡­ sure is a broad term,¡± Specter replied, sounding amused. ¡°I¡¯m going to learn how to. Worst case I get electrocuted.¡± Marcus smirked, gathering the last of the parts before following the robots inside. The gym felt emptier than ever, with echoes bouncing off bare walls. He stared at his new workout stations and the basic gas-stove kitchen. Bastion disappeared into the basement with the heavy box, leaving Marcus and Specter to navigate the tangled mess of extension cords strewn across the floor. They stepped into what used to be the women¡¯s locker room, now stripped of benches and lockers. The space had transformed into a makeshift workshop. Marcus¡¯s 3D printer sat in one corner, humming as it worked, a laptop beside it displaying the design for a prototype faceplate. A dozen plastic pieces lay scattered on a nearby table, the product of their recent trials. ¡®We might need to switch to a steel printer or cutter soon,¡¯ Marcus thought, realizing they were outgrowing the limitations of thick plastic. A small gasoline-powered generator rattled in the corner, powering the entire setup. Marcus and Specter dumped the load of batteries and cables next to it, the heavy thuds blending with the constant hum of the generator. Beside the pile sat the stash of weapons Specter had acquired after taking matters into its own hands. The memory of how that cache had come into their possession still lingered uneasily in Marcus¡¯s mind. He wasn¡¯t entirely sure if it had been the right thing to do. On one hand, Specter had broken several laws, not to mention a good chunk of common decency, by stealing from the crew responsible for hurting Felix. It was clear theft, no two ways about it. But on the other hand, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that those people had gotten off lightly. Felix¡¯s broken arm flashed in his mind¡ªthe cast, and the helpless way he¡¯d looked at him back in the ambulance. It still churned his stomach. He moved toward the weapon cache, seeing the shotgun that sat propped against the pile, its barrel polished and ready. Next to it lay a pistol, two Glass-grade daggers, and a steel sword. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. The sword stood out. Its blade was a deep, dark black, the kind that almost drank in the light instead of reflecting it. The hilt had a Mana-battery woven into its design. The craftsmanship alone made it an expensive item. His gaze shifted back to the heap of cables lying tangled next to the generator. They looked like something out of a junkyard, a mess of frayed insulation and mismatched connectors. He rubbed the back of his neck, stifling an awkward laugh at the sheer disorder in front of him. ¡°This place looks like shit,¡± Marcus said, honestly. Specter responded by jabbing a metal finger into Marcus¡¯s ribs, just hard enough to make him flinch. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t know you were expecting a Michelin-worthy stay,¡± it quipped, amusement lacing its tone before it left the room. Marcus followed, trailing behind as they descended into the basement. Downstairs, they found Bastion perched on a stool, methodically removing bolts and screws from its plastic plating with a tool embedded in its index finger. Each piece of armor clattered to the floor, revealing the exposed, broken blue veins underneath. A thin liquid sprayed from the severed veins, evaporating before hitting the ground. Bastion worked with clinical precision, completely unbothered by the self-inflicted damage, already preparing itself for an upgrade. Specter approached its steel brother, its three optics focusing on the exposed frame. It removed the tip of its own finger, revealing a similar tool hidden underneath. It went to work on Bastion, deftly unscrewing bolts and connectors. Bit by bit, it stripped the plastic exterior, pieces falling away to reveal the machinery beneath. Specter¡¯s hands moved with mechanical precision, showing no sign of slowing as it dismantled the outer shell. Meanwhile, Marcus wandered to the right, his eyes landing on the partially assembled steel frames of two more robots. Their structures looked skeletal, with many key components missing. Most of the pistons and motors hadn¡¯t been installed yet. He glanced at the heavy box they¡¯d hauled in earlier. ¡®Should be enough to finish these two,¡¯ he thought, but he knew resources were tight. ¡®One at the very least.¡¯ He turned his attention to a nearby table cluttered with uninstalled parts¡ªlamps, cameras, and other essential pieces he needed to bring his creations to life. ¡®It¡¯ll be a while until we have a steel exterior for these two,¡¯ he mused, recalling how the old man had already been swamped with orders for Bastion¡¯s armor and future upgrades for Specter. ¡®Maybe I should start ordering parts online. Or find someone else skilled in metalworking?¡¯ He weighed the risks¡ªquicker parts would speed up progress but could attract unwanted attention and cost more credits. ¡®Best we stick with the plastic exterior for these two for now. Or we could¡ª¡¯ A sudden clatter of metal pulled him out of his thoughts. He turned to see Specter dumping the box¡¯s contents onto the floor, sorting through the pile in an inefficient way. It separated pieces meant for Bastion, pushing aside those intended for the newer models. Marcus walked over to Bastion, feeling a bit uneasy at seeing the robot laid bare. Its towering frame, now stripped of the thick plastic plating, exposed a network of pistons, motors, and glowing blue veins that pulsed faintly. These veins wove through its components, connecting to the glowing Orbs embedded in its chest and head. The damage Bastion had sustained over time became glaringly obvious¡ªsmall dents, deep cuts, and remnants of burn marks marred its internal frame. ¡°Am I going to make it, doc?¡± Bastion asked, with an overly dramatic tone, its two lenses locking onto Marcus. ¡°Funny,¡± Marcus said, knocking his knuckles against the robot¡¯s metal chest with a dull thud. ¡°Let¡¯s patch up some of the internals first, then slap on your new skin.¡± He grabbed two of the newly sorted pieces and pressed one against Bastion¡¯s lower left arm, holding it in place like a puzzle piece fitting into a larger whole. ¡°Looks a lot better,¡± he muttered, noting how the new design covered most of Bastion¡¯s exposed mechanisms, giving it a more armored, cohesive look. ¡°Hopefully, this¡¯ll hide your inner workings. Make you look like a Breacher in proper gear instead of a walking junkyard.¡± ¡°Yeah, right,¡± Specter quipped, stepping over with another two pieces and holding one against Bastion¡¯s shoulder and the other against its upper arm. ¡°Have you seen how tall and wide our boy is? Even with all the robotic bits hidden, he¡¯ll still turn heads.¡± ¡°Hey,¡± Bastion said, its tone feigning offense. ¡°As long as they think he¡¯s human, it¡¯s fine by me,¡± Marcus replied, stepping closer. He found himself staring up at Bastion, again noticing just how much larger the machine was. Even on his toes, his eyes only just met the robot¡¯s camera lens. ¡°But you¡¯re not, are you?¡± ¡°No,¡± Bastion said, slowly rotating its arm to the side, testing the range of motion. Its fingers flexed, the steel plates along its right arm shifting as the blue veins tightened beneath, securing the new armor in place. The protective plating hid most of the exposed pistons and motors, making it look more solid, almost organic. ¡°I¡¯m a steel wolf.¡± Marcus nodded, taking a step back to admire their work. At first, his smile stayed soft, but it grew wider, sharper, a mix of pride and something darker. ¡°Good,¡± he muttered under his breath, eyes gleaming with satisfaction. Specter turned away, heading back up the stairs to grab something before joining the others again. In its hand was a grinding tool, the heavy metal glinting in its grip. ¡°So, what¡¯s first?¡± it asked, dropping into a crouch and plugging the tool into one of the power cables snaking across the floor. The grinder roared to life, spinning aggressively, sending a few sparks flying. ¡°Build our two new friends first, or¡­¡± Specter paused, letting the grinder spin a moment longer, the high-pitched whine filling the room, ¡°are we going to play operation and see if we can¡¯t make some room in Bastion and me to fit in those Mana battery systems?¡± Marcus¡¯s gaze shifted from the skeletal frames of their unfinished robots to Bastion¡¯s partially armored form. He weighed his options before Bastion spoke up, ¡°Let¡¯s fix one of the robots first. You can focus on all the Glass.¡± ¡°Sounds good,¡± Marcus said. Bastion didn¡¯t waste a second. It ripped off the steel plates they had just secured to its arm, the new armor clattering to the floor with a heavy thud. As the plates came free, blue liquid sprayed out from torn veins, hissing and evaporating on contact with the air. Unbothered, Bastion tossed the discarded pieces aside and moved to grab a set of tools from the cluttered workbench. It marched over to the partially constructed robots, joining Specter, who had already started attaching pistons to one of the skeletal frames. Meanwhile, Marcus made his way to another table tucked against the far wall. A metal crate rested there, secured with a thick combination lock. He entered the combination and opened the container, revealing the hoard they had collected over the past few days. Shards of Monster-Glass lay piled inside, some still flecked with bits of bone and brain matter¡ªthe remnants of their previous owners. The pile had grown substantial, dozens of pieces stacked haphazardly, each one pulsing faintly with trapped energy. ¡°I¡¯m going to dick around with some of the Glass. You two sure you¡¯ll manage without me?¡± he asked, closing the container and grabbing it by both ends. ¡°Yeah,¡± Specter said, its lenses focused on attaching another piston. ¡°Knock yourself out. I¡¯ll check on you later.¡± Bastion straightened, setting down its tools to approach Marcus. ¡°Do you need anything?¡± it asked, its large frame looming over him, lenses fixed with an almost concerned intensity. Marcus shook his head. ¡°Nah, I¡¯ll be fine,¡± he lied. He knew full well what he was about to do¡ªstabbing himself with 20 shards of Monster-Glass, over and over. The upgrades messed him up and hurt like hell, but they strengthened his Breacher¡¯s body, each one making the next a little less debilitating. He was experiencing the most difficulty as of late in the sheer volume of energy he needed. The last Agility upgrade had required five charges worth of energy, a painful process that meant housing the power of 100 pieces of Glass inside his body all at once. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Bastion asked, as if trying to pierce through Marcus¡¯s bravado. Marcus met its gaze, forcing a grin. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m sure.¡± But inside, he braced himself for what came next. He turned away from his companions, the faint whirring of their tools fading as he climbed the stairs, each step feeling heavier than the last. The old wooden steps creaked under his weight, the sound echoing through the empty gym. He pushed open the door to his father¡¯s old office, the hinges letting out a low groan. Dust motes danced in the thin beam of sunlight that filtered through the windows. He set the crate down beside the worn-out desk, the thud of metal on wood breaking the silence. Marcus took a moment, standing there, eyes closed, listening to the faint sound of his own breath. He knew what came next would hurt like hell. With a sigh, he pulled out the old leather chair, its fabric cracked and peeling, and sank into it. The chair groaned as he leaned back, eyes tracing the familiar water-stained ceiling tiles above him. But he couldn¡¯t delay any longer. He reached into the crate, pulling out handfuls of Glass shards and stacking them neatly on the desk. Piece by piece, he created 13 neat stacks, each with 20 shards. As he placed the last one, a jolt of nervous energy shot through him. ¡°Fuck me sideways,¡± he muttered, leaning back in the chair with a nervous chuckle. ¡°If this keeps up, stabbing myself will turn into a full-time job.¡± He glanced at the few remaining shards still lying at the bottom of the crate, a glimmer of Glass reflecting the dim light. Taking a deep breath, he lifted his shirt and hoodie, stuffing the fabric into his mouth, biting down hard. The taste of old cotton filled his senses. ¡°Come on,¡± he muttered, psyching himself up, eyes narrowing as he grabbed the first stack. Marcus didn¡¯t hesitate. He slammed the shards into his chest, the sharp edges tearing through his skin before they disintegrated. A shock of pain ripped through him, followed by a violent surge of energy that crashed into his body like a rogue wave. His muscles seized, teeth clenching down on the fabric as he fought to keep steady. He reached for the second stack, thrusting it into the marks on his chest, feeling the raw power flood through him again. One by one, he drove the stacks into his chest, the pain intensifying with each strike. Each time he pierced his skin, the chaotic energy surged, growing wilder and harder to ignore. It clawed through his core, threatening to burst him open from the inside out. His breathing turned ragged, each gasp a struggle as he forced himself to keep going. ¡°Seven,¡± he muttered, his voice muffled by the fabric between his teeth. Blood trickled down his chest, warm and sticky, mixing with the sweat that drenched his skin. He blinked away the haze creeping into his vision and activated his HUD with a thought. The numbers flashed across his mind¡¯s eye, the charge count steadily climbing, each one proof of his self-inflicted suffering. A part of him knew it was better to stop and upgrade a Stat first rather than build up the energy further. But curiosity got the better of him; he wanted to push himself, to see how this would be in the future. The energy now felt like it had a mind of its own, swirling inside him, pushing against the confines of his body. He could almost hear it¡ªa roaring static in his ears, like molten glass coursing through his soul. He stabbed himself again, twice in quick succession, almost collapsing forward from the sheer force of it. His body shook, every nerve alight, as the energy levels soared beyond what he could comfortably handle. Marcus turned his head to the right, gaze settling on the old, worn photo propped against the edge of the table. The edges had curled with age, colors fading, and a crease ran straight through the middle, but the figures remained clear enough. His father stood front and center, stern yet kind eyes staring back, a gaze that always seemed to cut through any excuse. It wasn¡¯t anger¡ªit was expectation, the kind that demanded more, that pushed him to step up as the eldest. Marcus¡¯s chest tightened under that invisible pressure, a weight he could never quite shake. He grabbed another stack of 20 Glass and slammed it against his chest, teeth sinking into the fabric of his shirt to muffle the grunts of pain. The energy surged into him, hitting his core like a sledgehammer. His muscles tensed, the force disintegrating the Glass in an instant, leaving a trail of raw energy along his veins. He kept his eyes locked on his father¡¯s face in the photo, imagining that voice in his head. ¡®Do better. Be better. For them. Be more than a destroyer.¡¯ Before the rush could subside, Marcus snatched another stack, hands trembling. He focused on his mother¡¯s figure in the photo, her smile warm, eyes filled with a softness that hurt to remember. ¡®Do it!¡¯ he screamed silently, forcing the stack into his chest again. The impact left him gasping, lights flashing behind his eyes as the power coursed through his system like wildfire. His hands shook so badly he nearly dropped the next set, lungs burning with every ragged breath. Blood trickled from his nose, a thin line staining his shirt, already soaked with sweat and blood. The taste of iron filled his mouth as he bit down harder, his vision blurring from the strain. But he couldn¡¯t stop now. He wouldn¡¯t stop. He grabbed another stack, fixing his gaze on the next figure in the photo¡ªhis sister. The memory of her sacrifices, of all she had endured for him, slammed into him harder than any burst of energy ever could. He drove the Glass into his chest, the twelfth charge ripping through him, leaving his nerves screaming, his heart pounding like it might burst. Marcus willed himself to stay conscious, head swimming, hands slipping as he reached for another stack. It clattered to the table as his trembling fingers fumbled for a grip. He forced his gaze back to the photo, eyes zeroing in on the smallest figure in the frame¡ªhis little brother, Martin. A familiar ache twisted inside him as he remembered the bloodstains that marred their old family house. He could still see the deep scratch marks Martin had left in the wooden floor, desperate to reach their mother. The image of his brother¡¯s mangled leg, torn and twisted in a last-ditch effort to free himself, burned into his mind. ¡°Never again,¡± he hissed through clenched teeth. The words came out choked, more a promise to himself than anything else. His fingers tightened around the last stack, blue mist bleeding from his body as he burned through a reservoir of Mana, fortifying his trembling frame. The air around him grew cold, crackling with energy, as he willed his body to remain steady. Marcus drove the final stack into his chest, feeling the shards tear through his already ruined skin. The burst of power that followed nearly knocked him off his feet, the additional surge crashing into the chaos already inside him. It all joined together, a violent torrent of raw energy, roaring through his veins, threatening to shred him from within. He gripped the edge of his father¡¯s old desk, knuckles white as he fought against the urge to scream. Pain roared through every nerve, his vision tunneling, but he refused to break. With a ragged breath, he activated his HUD, forcing his mind to focus. The numbers and graphs blurred before snapping into sharp clarity as he redirected the chaotic energy, shaping it, forcing it to settle deep within him. Every muscle in his body burned, his heartbeat thundering in his ears, but slowly, inch by inch, he forced the storm to obey. The energy settled, thick and heavy, like molten metal pouring into a mold, strengthening him beyond any mortal limits. ¨X ¨[ [Endurance] [+1] [Mental] [+1] [Vigor] [+1] ¨^ ¨a Marcus''s body gave out moments later, his vision blacking over as he slumped forward. His head hit his father¡¯s desk with a dull thud, and everything went dark. (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 31B (Status Screen) CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE-B Status Screen Marcus Smit ¨X ¨[
Actual Rank: Beta Rank
Power Rating: 25
¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ Stats If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
Strength: 4 Endurance: 4
Agility: 5 Perception: 3
Mental: 5 Vigor: 4
Total Mana 71
¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ Passive Abilities Link: Constant synchronisation effect between mental fragment. 100% synchronisation at physical touch. 50% within 5 meters. Less than 1% beyond 5 meters. ¨^ ¨a ¨X ¨[ Active Abilities Echo: The ability to fragment the mind and imbue it in a robot containing an Orb. Gale: The ability to manifest air for offensive and acceleration. ¨^ ¨a (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 32 (Tipping Point) CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO Tipping Point Marcus woke up a while later, his body aching like he¡¯d been hit by a truck. His head throbbed, each pulse sending sharp pain through his skull, and his nose felt crusty, as though it had dried out completely. He blinked a few times, trying to clear his vision, and noticed his head now rested on a towel stained red with his blood. He pushed himself away from the desk, groaning, and adjusted himself in the chair, ignoring the dried streaks of blood smeared across his father¡¯s desk. Specter sat beside him, a small plastic drone in its metal hands. It toyed with the four propellers, one steel finger flicking them like tiny spinning tops. ¡°What did I miss?¡± Marcus asked, his voice rough as he rubbed at his aching temples. ¡°Hey, sleepyhead. Not a whole lot,¡± Specter replied, flicking one of the blades again before setting the drone on the table. ¡°Uncle Laurens called. Gave us an update on Felix¡¯s case. How are you feeling?¡± ¡°Shit,¡± Marcus muttered, pressing the heels of his hands against his eyes. ¡°My head hurts like I¡¯m hungover.¡± Without a word, Specter grabbed a bottle of water from a small stack on the floor and handed it over. Marcus took it, twisting off the cap with a shaky hand. He downed several long gulps, the cool water easing the dryness in his mouth. ¡°Thanks,¡± he said, setting the bottle back on the desk. ¡°Wait, you talked to him?¡± Specter nodded, its frame leaning casually against the nearby wall, as though it was enjoying itself. ¡°What about it?¡± it asked, but this time its voice mimicked Marcus¡¯s own tone perfectly. ¡°Facetiming wasn¡¯t an option, obviously, but I figured I could pull off pretending to be you during a simple phone call. After all¡ª¡± It leaned forward, its voice shifting back to that deeper, gravelly tone that sounded like their father. ¡°¡ªI am you¡± Marcus just let out a painful sigh, sinking deeper into the chair. ¡°Just tell me what happened.¡± Specter shrugged its metal and plastic shoulders in a smooth, fluid motion. Then it tapped a finger on Marcus¡¯s phone, which sat on the desk next to the drone. ¡°Not much to tell. He asked how Felix was doing now, and if you read his text earlier. Made some small talk about your siblings and asked when you were going to spruce up your apartment. He even talked about the tattoos on your arm, and when you were going to tell him about their meaning.¡± It leaned forward again, flicking the rotor of the drone Marcus recovered from the girl in the dead zone. ¡°His tone was pleasant, but he sounded off. Like¡ª¡± ¡°He¡¯s suspicious,¡± Marcus interjected, rubbing a hand through his short black hair, his fingers grazing the black Marks etched into the right side of his face. ¡°Yeah, he was,¡± Specter said. Marcus pushed himself out of the chair, wobbling as he steadied himself. ¡°Why did you have to break their right arms?¡± he asked, his tone carrying a mix of frustration and fatigue. ¡°I mean, all of them?¡± ¡°They deserved it,¡± Specter replied, its tone flat and unbothered. ¡°Of course they did,¡± Marcus muttered, not in the mood to argue with his robot self. ¡°But you could¡¯ve gone for the occasional broken foot or a knee, or at least switched to the left arm. Felix broke his right arm, and now all of them suddenly have broken rights as well? Any cop worth his salt would see the pattern.¡± ¡°You were the one who texted me," Specter countered, tapping the phone again with its steel finger. ¡°Get even¡­ remember?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Marcus muttered, not liking where this was going. ¡°I¡¯m just annoyed, sorry. I mean, Pepper-spray-girl is probably figuring out something¡¯s off about this dead zone and me. Uncle Laurens is suspicious of us. Old man Pete¡¯s likely realized we¡¯re using machines to clear Spheres. And Julien¡¯s no doubt noticed we¡¯re abnormal for a Bracher in every way. It¡¯s all falling apart a bit.¡± Specter stayed silent for a moment, its glowing lenses fixed on Marcus, as if weighing its next words. ¡°We¡¯re at the tipping point now. It was going to happen eventually,¡± it said carefully. ¡°You¡­ we¡­ made a decision to speed up our growth, to protect our family and save our sister from financial bondage. That growth also meant more risks, more exposure. We were bound to be discovered at one point. The only thing we can do now is to expedite that growth and be strong enough to endure whatever shitstorm will come when we¡¯re exposed for who and what we really are.¡± The young man nodded slowly, his jaw tightening. ¡°We can try some damage control in the meantime,¡± Specter added. ¡°Like what?¡± Marcus asked, shifting his gaze towards the robot. ¡°You deal with our uncle for now. Be present, hang out, convince him you¡¯re not doing anything bad. I think Pete¡¯s smart enough to not ask questions or make a scene. I¡¯ll handle the pepper-spray-girl. See if we can¡¯t convince her to throw her lot in with us,¡± it said calmly. ¡°Wait, you want that brat to work for us?¡± ¡°Why not?¡± Specter asked, tapping the drone on the table. ¡°She looked resourceful and likely knows things we could benefit from. We have several of her belongings, so tracking her down shouldn¡¯t be too difficult. She¡¯s already committed a crime by loitering in dead zones and looting homes, so we¡¯ve got leverage. Why not offer her employment, decent credits for Glass?¡± ¡°You can¡¯t be serious?¡± Marcus said, shaking his head as his steel self pitched the ridiculous plan. ¡°The girl looked barely sixteen or seventeen.¡± ¡°She¡¯s probably been doing this longer than we¡¯ve been out of our coma,¡± Specter said, its three lenses lingering on Marcus before continuing, ¡°and she made this choice long before we ever ran into her. We¡¯re not ruining some innocent maiden here. And besides, do you want her to continue to deal with shady collectors or greedy Breachers and potentially get hurt?¡± ¡°What you¡¯re doing is called emotional manipulation,¡± Marcus said, sighing as he sank back into his chair. ¡°I hate this plan,¡± he muttered, rubbing at his eyes again. ¡°You¡¯ve made that perfectly clear,¡± Specter said, a hint of amusement threading through its voice. Marcus pressed his fingers to his temples. ¡°How long was I out?¡± ¡°About three hours,¡± Specter replied casually, its lenses shifting to the side as if reading something only it could see. Marcus blinked, confusion knitting his brows when his HUD flickered to life, displaying a time stamp. ¨X ¨[ This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Current time: 15:31 Time passed since losing consciousness: 3 hours, 12 minutes and 43 seconds. ¨^ ¨a ¡°What the...¡± he muttered, staring at the overlay. He hadn¡¯t set his system to monitor time like this. The sudden activation felt invasive, almost like his own HUD was organically reporting back to him without permission. But then it hit him¡ªhe actually felt sharper, like the fog in his mind had lifted a bit. ¡°Right,¡± he mumbled under his breath, realization dawning. ¡°I increased the Mental Stat, guess a part of it went to my HUD.¡± Specter tilted its head. ¡°You good?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Marcus muttered, still scrolling through the changes on his HUD. ¡°Just getting used to the Stat increase.¡± His smile widened a fraction as he spoke, preempting the question he knew Specter was about to ask. ¡°Endurance, Mental, and Vigor went up. Mana¡¯s at 71.¡± Specter let out a low whistle, a sound that almost felt human. ¡°Endurance is smart. You got pretty banged up during that last run with the Salamanders.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Marcus agreed, his gaze flicking back to the drone Specter had been fiddling with. ¡°But I¡¯m not planning on getting slammed through several walls again. So, what¡¯s up with the drone?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got a weird idea I want to run by you in the future,¡± Specter said, its tone shifting to something that almost sounded like excitement. ¡°Oh, god,¡± Marcus groaned, already piecing together where this could lead. ¡°Relax, it¡¯s just an idea. We¡¯ll talk about it later,¡± Specter said, grabbing the drone before heading for the door. ¡°Come on, Bastion and I need to show you something, along with his own weird idea.¡± Marcus sighed and pushed himself out of the chair, following Specter out of the office. The gym lay quiet, the echoes of their footsteps bouncing off the old walls. Specter moved quickly, leading him toward the back of the gym, where the stairs connected to the old dojo in the basement. When they reached the top of the stairs leading down, Specter held out its hand, signaling Marcus to stop. The robot tapped a section of the wall beside them. ¡°You finished, Bastion?¡± it called out, its voice carrying down into the darkness below. ¡°Ready,¡± came Bastion¡¯s deep, rumbling reply, the sound vibrating through the floorboards. Specter turned back to Marcus, nudging him in the ribs with an exaggerated motion. ¡°You tell me this doesn¡¯t look cool,¡± it said, sounding eager. Marcus frowned, listening closely. The first thing he noticed was the sound¡ªa heavy, rhythmic clunking that echoed from the basement. Each step grew louder, the old wooden stairs creaking and groaning as if they might splinter under the immense weight. He knew Bastion¡¯s frame was heavier than Specter¡¯s, but the noise felt different this time, more ominous, each footfall resonating like the beat of a war drum. The noise grew louder, accompanied by the clank of metal on metal, until a massive silhouette emerged from the stairwell. Bastion came into view, fully clad in thick steel plating. The armor covered every inch of its towering frame, turning the already imposing robot into something out of a nightmare. It had painted each steel section matte black, absorbing the light, while dark green lines ran across its torso and limbs, highlighting the contours of its body in sharp angles. The paint job gave it a fierce, almost regal look, making the machine seem even wider than before. In its right hand, it gripped a thick steel spear, the tip sharpened to a deadly point. Despite its considerable length, the spear looked almost small in Bastion¡¯s oversized grip. As it stepped onto the gym floor, the floor groaned in protest under its weight. With a deliberate motion, Bastion slammed its foot down, the sound echoing like a thunderclap. Two sharp metal spikes shot out from its foot, driving into the floor and anchoring it in place. A second later, the same thing happened to its other foot, with Marcus slowly realizing that it had essentially upgraded itself to root itself in place like a defensive wall. It then withdrew the spikes underneath its steel feet before positioning itself a few paces in front of Marcus. The young man stared up at the armored figure, a mixture of awe and disbelief on his face. Bastion¡¯s lenses locked onto him, briefly glowing light blue. ¡°Well?¡± Specter asked, leaning casually against the wall, its lenses flickering in that way Marcus was slowly coming to recognize as its version of a grin. ¡°What do you think?¡± Marcus couldn¡¯t help but let out a low whistle. ¡°Okay, yeah¡­ that¡¯s impressive,¡± he admitted, still trying to wrap his mind around the transformation. ¡°We turned Bastion into a damn tank.¡± Bastion tilted its head slightly, the movement surprisingly fluid for something so heavily armored. ¡°The steel shell offers a lot of protection, but it¡¯s harder to move because of its weight.¡± Specter pushed off the wall and strolled over to Bastion, tapping its chest twice in quick succession. ¡°We even managed to get the Mana-battery slot in,¡± it said, its tone smug. ¡°I¡¯m sure Pete would have a stroke if he saw how we did it, but it¡¯s in there. We only need to remove the bolts at the front, then lift the plate to pop out the batteries for an easy change.¡± ¡°Easy, huh?¡± Marcus asked, scratching his chin as he studied the modifications. Bastion¡¯s left hand wiggled, metal fingers flexing. ¡°We literally have tools inside our fingers,¡± it said, sounding almost annoyed. ¡°Trust me. It¡¯s quick.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Marcus said, giving the towering robot a firm pat on its shoulder. ¡°You guys did great. Let¡¯s see the status on the other two.¡± They made their way back down the stairs into the dojo, the old wood creaking under their combined weight. As they descended, Bastion launched into an update. ¡°The second robot is mostly done. All systems functional, except for the speaker, and it¡¯s missing one camera since we cracked it during the installation. We also need more plastic plating to finish the exterior.¡± Marcus nodded, taking in the scene as they entered the dojo. Two robots stood lined up against the far wall. The nearly completed one had most of its plastic panels securely fastened, though its chest and the rear of its head remained exposed. He could see the open cavities where Orbs could be shoved inside. ¡°Looks good,¡± he said, crouching down beside the unfinished unit. His fingers ran along the edges of the plastic plating that was installed, testing its durability. Like Bastion, the design covered nearly everything, making the bot resemble an armored Breacher, though clad in thick, rugged plastic instead of steel. ¡°Though I¡¯ve gotta say,¡± he added, glancing back at Bastion, ¡°it looks a bit weird seeing at all this plastic now that we¡¯ve got you all dressed to the nines in steel.¡± ¡°Paint could help,¡± Specter suggested, making its way over to one of the tables. It grabbed a matte black spray can and returned to the unfinished robot, giving its arm a quick coat. The plastic turned a shade closer to Bastion¡¯s dark armor, though its texture still betrayed it upon closer inspection. ¡°Better-ish,¡± Bastion said, staring at the painted arm. ¡°Now what?¡± ¡°Marcus goes home to shower, purchase the missing pieces for the robots, then takes his uncle out for a bite to eat,¡± Specter replied smoothly. ¡°You¡¯ll stay here and fix up our two new brothers as best as you can, print out the missing plastic plating.¡± It moved towards a cluttered desk where a bag of personal items lay, including a shredded raincoat it usually wore during field missions. Instead, it pulled out a plain hoodie, a pair of jeans, and some boots before putting it on. ¡°And what will you do?¡± Bastion asked, its tone curious, lenses tracking Specter¡¯s every move. Specter¡¯s three lenses flickered in rapid succession, like a blink of hesitation, before locking onto its steel-plated brother. ¡°Scare the shit out of a young girl and offer her a job,¡± it said, voice dropping to an unsettling, almost gleeful tone. The words hung in the air, sending a chill down Marcus¡¯s spine. With that, Specter grabbed the small drone from the corner of the table, tucked it under its arm, and started up the stairs. The echoes of its footsteps faded, leaving Marcus and Bastion standing in silence. Marcus exchanged a look with Bastion, both shaking their heads in unison. ¡°I swear, you two are responsible for most of my nightmares,¡± Marcus muttered. ¡°At least you can get them,¡± Bastion rumbled, its lenses dimming before it returned to its tasks. The large robot continued its work without missing a beat, its metal fingers moving with surprising dexterity as it tightened bolts and adjusted parts inside its half-finished kin. Marcus just stood there, listening to the rhythmic hum of the 3D printer spitting out a new part from the floor above. The sound mixed with the clanks and whirrs of Bastion¡¯s efforts, creating a mechanical symphony that filled the dojo. Marcus took a deep breath, feeling a knot of tension in his chest. ¡®Tipping point, huh?¡¯ he thought, his gaze dropping to his right hand. The black Marks snaked along his skin like ink, dark against the pale of his knuckles. He turned his hand slowly, examining the way the light caught on the jagged patterns. With a slow exhale, he clenched his fist, feeling the Mana stir within him. A faint heat pulsed under his skin, like an ember waiting to ignite. He channeled a bit of Mana, letting it flow into his muscles, testing the way it strengthened his grip. It wasn¡¯t much, just enough to remind himself of the power he held, the control he¡¯d gained over the last few months. ¡®Let¡¯s see if the world is ready for us,¡¯ he thought, a quiet resolve hardening in his eyes as he made his way upstairs to grab his things and contact his uncle. (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 33 (Job Offer) CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE Job Offer Kate The City of New Haven blurred past as the girl leaned into her moped, weaving between pedestrians and dodging cars with the ease of someone who¡¯d done it a thousand times. The wind whipped her hair back, tangling it as she sped through narrow streets and open boulevards. Music blasted in her ears, the pounding beat of a high-energy track drowning out the city''s noise. She barely slowed for corners, tires screeching slightly as she made sharp turns, the engine whining in protest. At last, she skidded to a stop in front of an old house, her moped still protesting violently as it halted. She hopped off, grabbing the insulated food container strapped to the back. The smell of meat and spices wafted up as she opened it, but she ignored the rumble of her own stomach. Slinging the container over one shoulder, she jogged to the door, her boots slapping against the cracked pavement. She jabbed the doorbell repeatedly, a rapid-fire assault that echoed through the building. After a long moment, the door swung open, revealing a middle-aged man more interested in his phone call than in her. He didn¡¯t even glance at her. Instead, he snatched the bag and tapped his phone against hers. A beep signaled the credit transfer. Without so much as a thank you, he turned and disappeared back inside, the door slamming shut behind him. ¡°Motherfucker,¡± she muttered under her breath, glaring at the closed door. Her fingers itched to break the door down, but she forced herself to breathe, clenching her fists instead. ¡®Kate, no point in losing your cool over one more rude customer,¡¯ she thought, forcing herself to turn around. She trudged back to her moped, mounting it with a practiced swing of her leg. Pulling out her phone, she checked for new orders. The screen showed nothing¡ªno customers waiting, no deliveries to make. ¡°Great, and it¡¯s already getting dark,¡± she muttered, clicking her tongue in annoyance. With a resigned sigh, she shoved her phone back into her pocket, revved the engine, and set off. This time, she took it slower, winding her way through the busy streets of New Haven. She let the music carry her, the adrenaline of her earlier rush fading into a steady rhythm as she cruised through the city. The streets felt more alive at this slower pace, with crowds gathered around food stalls, their chatter filling the air. But as she rounded a corner, her gaze locked onto a newly formed Sphere in the distance. Its surface shimmered with a dull, ominous red glow. ¡°Red one, huh?¡± she muttered to herself, feeling a jolt of fear at seeing the color, knowing full well that anything else then blue meant certain death when trapped inside, no matter how fast you ran to the edge. Her mind quickly ran through the usual drill¡ªwondering which Guild had been tapped to clear it out, and how long it would take before they actually bothered. ¡®They¡¯re probably gonna milk it for another few months,¡¯ she thought bitterly, ¡®while the rest of us have to live with that reminder of hell staring us in the face.¡¯ A pang of anger shot through her, a sudden tightness in her chest. Each Sphere stood as living proof of everything she¡¯d lost¡ªher stolen childhood, the parents she barely remembered, and the siblings she never had the chance to grow up alongside. She forced herself to look away, gripping the handlebars tighter as she focused on the road ahead. The ride home took longer than usual, the city lights streaking by as the sky faded into twilight. Eventually, she pulled up in front of a dilapidated apartment complex, the kind of place where no one asked questions and everyone minded their own business. She parked her moped against a rusted railing, securing it with two heavy-duty chains and locks. She knew better than to leave it unsecured in this part of town; things had a way of disappearing around here. She trudged into the building and stopped at the row of grimy mailboxes by the entrance. A quick check revealed only junk mail¡ªtakeout flyers and overdue bills she¡¯d been ignoring. Shoving them into her bag, she turned towards the elevator, only to see the ¡®Out of Order¡¯ sign still taped to its doors. ¡°Of course,¡± she muttered, rolling her eyes as she headed for the stairwell. By the time she reached the fifth floor, her legs burned, and she cursed under her breath with each step. ¡®One day,¡¯ she promised herself, ¡®I¡¯ll live somewhere with a working damn elevator.¡¯ Finally, she reached her door and dug her keys out of her jacket pocket. She slid them into the lock and pushed the door open, stepping into the cramped space she called home. The door clicked shut behind her, and she leaned back against it, letting out a long, weary sigh as she slid down to the floor, knees pulled up to her chest. ¡°What the fuck am I going to do about rent?¡± she muttered, tugging out her earphones and running a hand through her short brown hair, leaving it sticking up in messy spikes. ¡®Probably need to head into a Dead zone again, see if I can find some jewelry in houses or exposed Glass pieces,¡¯ she thought, hesitating as memories flashed through her mind. The last two trips had been rough¡ªthe first time, she¡¯d barely escaped from a strange Breacher; the second time, that same Breacher had stalked her inside a house, taunting her from the shadows. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. ¡°I¡¯ll worry about credits later. First, food,¡± she sighed, pushing herself to her feet. She flipped the light switch, but nothing happened. The room stayed pitch dark. ¡°Great,¡± she grumbled, squinting up at the ceiling where her lamp was. The weak moonlight from the window barely cut through the darkness, casting long shadows across the cluttered room. She frowned, noticing the window ajar, the curtain swaying in the breeze. She didn¡¯t remember leaving it open. Pulling her phone from her pocket, she used it as a flashlight. ¡°Perfect end to a perfect shitty day,¡± she muttered, directing the beam of light toward the floor to see where she stepped. Before she could even make a single step, a deep voice cut through the darkness. ¡°Are you always this crude?¡± Her heart leapt into her throat as a scream tore from her lips. She nearly dropped her phone in panic. The light jerked wildly as she fumbled, finally managing to aim it toward the source of the voice. The beam revealed a hooded figure against the far wall, arms crossed, face hidden in shadow. ¡°Take a deep breath,¡± the man said, voice smooth but tinged with amusement. ¡°I¡¯m not here to hurt you.¡± ¡°What the fuck?¡± she gasped, sinking back down to the floor, knees trembling. ¡°You scared the piss out of me.¡± The hooded figure kicked something across the floor toward her. A small backpack slid to a stop at her feet, spilling open. She glanced down, recognizing the contents instantly¡ªit was all the stuff she¡¯d scavenged from the Dead zones. Jewelry, bits of Glass, some old bottles, her drone. Her heart pounded harder with each item she recognized. ¡°What¡­ what¡¯s going on?¡± she stammered, eyes widening as the man pushed off the wall and took a few slow steps toward her, staying just out of the light¡¯s reach. ¡°Are you going to kill me?¡± The figure paused, the hood shifting slightly as if considering the question. ¡°Not tonight,¡± he said, voice low and dangerous. ¡°I¡¯m here to make you a job offer.¡± ¡°What?¡± she said, eyes wide as she shifted left and right, searching for an escape. ¡°What kind of job?¡± Before the man answered, a piece of Glass dropped to the ground with a heavy thud. The sound made her flinch. She stared at it, her breath catching in her throat. ¡°I want to hire you to retrieve Glass from a dead zone and teach me everything you can about it. That and other useful skills,¡± the figure said, tone calm but with a hint of something darker beneath. The hooded figure squatted down, pressing a finger against the Glass. He tapped lightly, the sound echoing in the small room. As she watched, she noticed something strange about the man¡¯s fingers, like they were covered in some kind of material¡ªalmost like gloves, but thicker, more rigid. ¡°You¡¯ll get paid full price for each piece,¡± the figure continued, voice steady, each word confusing her more. ¡°Similar to what Breachers get paid, but off the books.¡± She swallowed hard, unsure how to respond. Part of her wanted to scream at the weirdo to get the fuck out, to tell him to shove his offer where the sun didn¡¯t shine. But she couldn¡¯t help but freeze at the mention of full price. That was a far better deal than the meager cuts she usually got from Breachers and collectors. ¡°Why the hell would I agree to that? All you Breachers are proper twats,¡± she spat out, trying to push herself to her feet, but her knees buckled, protesting the sudden movement. ¡°Because¡­ I¡¯m not like any other Breacher you ever worked for,¡± the figure said, tapping the Glass again, a soft metallic tick filling the silence. He slowly pulled its hoodie back, revealing a strange metal and plastic face that wasn¡¯t a face at all. ¡°Nor is the one that made me.¡± Three lenses embedded in its head lit up with a bright blue glow, flickering to life and illuminating its inhuman features. ¡°You in?¡± Her eyes widened further, mouth agape, as she struggled to make sense of what she saw. She tried to speak, her lips moving silently several times, but no words came out. Every fiber in her body urged her to run, to bolt down the stairs and call for help. But she stayed rooted in place, unable to tear her gaze away from the robot and the piece of Glass on the floor. Her eyes hardened as she stared at the latter, memories of monsters flashing through her mind. Each one of those pieces had once been a living nightmare. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re asking¡­ an Orphan of the Great Impact¡­ to look around for Glass¡­ for a job? A person who lost her entire family¡­ to those¡­ things?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± the robot answered swiftly, voice calm, as if it had anticipated her reaction. ¡°Fuck you,¡± she muttered, surprised by the venom in her own voice. ¡°Fuck all of you.¡± She closed her eyes, feeling the cold, jagged surface of the Glass bite into her skin as she picked it up. Pain flared through her hand, but she clung to it, using the sharp sting to ground herself. Her legs trembled as she pushed herself upright, leaning against the door for support, her knuckles white from the force of her grip. ¡°What do I call you?¡± ¡°Is that a yes?¡± ¡°Fuck you,¡± she repeated, voice shaking, but her grip on the Glass only tightened, drawing blood. ¡°Specter,¡± it replied, the glow from its lenses flickering slightly. ¡°The Breacher who made me is Marcus. He¡¯s the one you pepper sprayed.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve dealt with a lot of weird Breachers before. Each one a greedy cunt, only out for fame or credits. Why is this Marcus cunt doing this?¡± she demanded, needing to hear something that made sense of the madness unfolding around her. ¡°He¡¯s like you¡ªhe¡¯s lost everything because of the Great Impact,¡± Specter said, its tone almost fragile for a moment. ¡°He¡¯s doing this to grow, to make sure he¡¯s strong enough for what comes next.¡± Specter¡¯s gaze stayed locked on her, the three lenses on its face shifting focus, glowing brighter for a brief second as if assessing her reaction. ¡°He wants to destroy every Sphere out there to protect what remains of his family. He wants retribution.¡± She held the robot¡¯s gaze, every instinct still urging her to flee, to escape this impossible situation. But instead, she extended her blood-stained hand, the Glass pieces biting into her palm. Specter mirrored the gesture, its metallic hand steady as she dropped the Glass into its waiting grip. ¡°Every Sphere, huh?¡± she asked, watching as the robot slid the Glass back into its hoodie. ¡°I can work with that,¡± she said, forcing a confidence she didn¡¯t quite feel, her knees still threatening to buckle. ¡°But I want to see it for myself.¡± ¡°See what?¡± Specter asked, unblinking. ¡°See this Marcus destroy an actual Sphere. I want to see him ripping out an Orb and killing every single monster out there. I want to see him avenge humanity with my own two eyes.¡± She held out her bloodied hand again, this time in a gesture of agreement. Specter took it without hesitation, its cold, unyielding grip a stark contrast to her trembling fingers. ¡°Specter, huh?¡± she said, a shaky smile finally breaking through. ¡°I¡¯m Kate Dekker.¡± (OsiriumWrites) Breachers -II- Nexus Event - Chapter 34 (Lightbringer) CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR Lightbringer Somewhere in Belgium The old church stood silent in the dark, its once-grand facade marred by graffiti and neglect. Bright, rude scrawls covered the ancient stone walls, while wooden boards replaced shattered stained glass windows, barely holding back the chill of the night air. Inside, flickering candles cast a dim glow, revealing rows of worn wooden benches where people sat huddled, their faces tense with a mix of hope and doubt. A woman stood in front of the altar. Her head was cleanly shaven, and she wore a simple white robe that gracefully draped over her body, accentuating the swell of her belly and the way she was cradling it with affection. A blue circle painted on the fabric stretched across her chest, thin blue lines trickling down like streams of tears. She looked over the gathered crowd, her eyes warm and welcoming as she met each gaze in turn. ¡°I know the pain in your hearts, children,¡± she said softly, her voice carrying through the hollow space. She paused, her gaze lingering on the faces staring back at her. ¡°I also know many of you carry doubts about this journey, about the light we seek, even about me.¡± A gentle smile curved her lips, a hint of amusement softening her expression as she brushed a hand over her robe. ¡°I know how silly I might look to you and the rest of the world.¡± She stepped forward, barefoot on the cold, cracked tiles, her movements slow and deliberate. ¡°Doubt,¡± she continued, lifting a hand toward the ceiling, ¡°is the first step toward true belief. It is hope laid bare, ready to grow into faith.¡± Her voice grew more fervent, each word reverberating in the silence. ¡°We walk this path not because it is easy, or because it will erase the pain of the past, or bring back those we have lost.¡± Her gaze swept over the room, acknowledging the grief and longing etched into every face. ¡°We walk this path because it is the path of light. The only path that truly brings us closer to the divine, to the blessed.¡± One by one, she passed down the aisle, calling each of them by name. Her familiarity with their stories, their pain, was clear in the way she spoke. It was as if she had memorized each of their lives from their brief time together. Her soft murmurs of encouragement seemed to lift the weight from their shoulders, if only for a moment. When she returned to the front, she turned to face them once more, her smile more delicate now, almost fragile as she gently touched her belly. ¡°But why take my word?¡± she asked, spreading her arms wide. ¡°I have only heard whispers and searched for it, just as you are now beginning to do.¡± Her eyes sparkled with something close to reverence. ¡°So, I bring you news of one that isn¡¯t a Lightseeker but has walked the path, felt the warmth of light, spoken to its angels as an equal. I present to you, children,¡± she said as she held out her hands towards the large wooden door at the entrance, ¡°the one who walks with Angels.¡± At that, the heavy church doors creaked open. The sound echoed through the old building. Heads turned, whispers rising among the congregation. Three men stepped into the church, the first one hooded, his face hidden in shadow. The other two, dressed in robes with a red orb painted on the front, followed closely, shutting the doors behind them with a resounding thud, then positioning themselves as silent sentinels on either side. The hooded figure moved forward, his steps echoing across the broken tiles as he ignored the murmurs and curious stares. He walked with purpose, his presence a stark contrast to the frailty of the candles and the crumbling stone. All eyes were on him as he made his way down the aisle, the weight of expectation thickening the air with every step. The hooded man reached the front, pausing just a step away from the woman with the blue circle. He nodded to her, a silent exchange that sent her retreating a few steps, positioning herself at the far end of the church, right before the crumbling old altar. In his hand, he held a small child¡¯s bracelet. Its wooden beads, worn with age, bore faded colors of white, pink, and blue. With a steady, rhythmic motion, he turned the bracelet in his fingers, each bead gliding between his thumb and forefinger. The soft clatter of wood filled the silence, while whispers fluttered through the crowd like anxious birds. The murmurs grew¡ªquestions, speculations¡ªuntil the man lifted his head. Curly hair spilled out as he pulled back his hood, revealing its brown color and the shaved sides and back of his head. The hushed voices died in an instant, replaced by stunned silence. Embedded in the back of his skull was a strange, glasslike object that pulsed with a faint, otherworldly glow, its light flickering in time with his heartbeat. Below it, another piece protruded just beneath the skin, a jagged, crystalline piece that mirrored the glow of the first. And below that, yet another¡ªeach fragment forming a line down the nape of his neck, disappearing beneath the collar of his robe. The glow from the pieces pulsed in sequence, like a string of luminescent beads, suggesting more hidden along his spine. He turned to face the gathered crowd, his expression a mask of calm, devoid of any warmth or malice. The quiet stretched, growing heavier with each passing second, until it became unbearable. Finally, he spoke, his voice barely more than a whisper, yet it cut through the air like a blade. ¡°The old gods are dead,¡± he said, his fingers pinching another bead, ¡°if they ever existed at all.¡± The words hung in the air as he paused, turning another bead, the motion anchoring him like a ritual. ¡°Without light, humanity has been left to fester¡­ to corrupt¡­ to destroy itself. It has turned to worshipping false idols¡ªpoliticians, celebrities, Breachers¡ªwhile turning a blind eye to how it pollutes and destroys the world.¡± His gaze dropped back to the bracelet, which he cupped gently in his hand, as if it held the fragile remnants of something sacred. ¡°Humanity needs a cleansing light.¡± The woman standing by the altar lifted her hand, a silent signal mirrored by the guards at the doors. As if on cue, the congregation¡¯s gaze shifted upward, a mix of confusion and reverence flickering across their faces. Above them, nine robed figures crawled across the ceiling, their movements unnaturally quick and fluid. The crowd gasped and froze in fear as the figures dropped down one by one, the impact of their landing cracking tiles and splintering wooden benches. The figures formed a perfect circle around the crowd, towering above them. Their white robes concealed most of their forms, but not enough to hide the grotesque features beneath¡ªfur-covered limbs, scales glistening in the candlelight, claws and talons that scraped the ground. They stood as monstrous sentinels, creatures born of nightmares, yet cloaked in the garb of something holy. ¡°What humanity needs is angels to offer guidance,,¡± the man continued, his voice calm against the chaos he had summoned. The robed giants stood in silence, their presence both a promise and a threat, as if waiting for a command to unleash the divine guidance he had promised. Most of the congregation whimpered, clutching each other, frozen in wide-eyed terror. But two among them broke free¡ªwhether from courage or sheer desperation was unclear. They bolted from their benches, sprinting toward the heavy wooden doors at the back of the church. They barely made it halfway when two of the robed angels leapt upon them, their monstrous forms descending like a hammer. Screams split the air as claws and fangs tore into flesh, spraying blood in violent arcs. The pristine white robes of the creatures turned a vivid, sickening red, the color spreading in grotesque patches as they fed. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. The rest of the crowd cowered, their wide eyes glued to the horror, as if held by an invisible force. At the front, the man stood calm amidst the chaos, slowly stretching his arms out to either side, palms facing upward. He closed his eyes briefly, as though in silent prayer. ¡°What this world needs¡­¡± he whispered, his voice so soft it was almost drowned out by the dying screams. Behind him, the woman near the altar began to convulse, her body twitching in unnatural spasms. The warmth that once radiated from her eyes vanished, replaced by a sickly pallor as her skin turned ghostly white. She clawed at her robe, tearing it away in frantic motions to expose her naked flesh and swollen belly. The crowd gasped, some turning away in horror. Her abdomen bulged grotesquely, veins pulsing beneath the tight, stretched flesh with a dark, throbbing glow. It shone through her skin, a deep red light that flickered like a heartbeat, growing brighter with each pulse and highlighting old scars. ¡°...is light,¡± the man continued, his voice rising as if calling down the heavens themselves. But instead of light, a scream tore through the air¡ªraw, guttural, filled with unimaginable pain. The woman¡¯s cries rose sharply, blending with the monstrous roars of the angels. Her body twisted violently as if something inside her sought escape. Suddenly, her flesh split open, and thick, writhing tendrils erupted from her torso. The grotesque limbs flailed wildly, slamming into the ground with a force that sent tiles flying. They snaked across the floor, burrowing deep into the stone, while others shot upwards, tearing through wooden beams and rafters. The church shuddered as if gripped by an earthquake, dust and debris raining down. Then came the shockwave, a blinding burst of force that sent everyone flying. The air itself seemed to scream as it was torn apart. Bodies crashed into benches and walls, limbs flailing like ragdolls. Dust filled the air, so thick it swallowed the flickering candlelight, plunging the church into near darkness. For a few agonizing seconds, there was only chaos¡ªdust-choked air, the sounds of gasps and groans, the ringing in their ears. Then, slowly, the world steadied. The survivors blinked, their eyes stinging as they struggled to clear their vision. Crawling on hands and knees, they tried to make sense of the nightmare around them. When the dust settled, fresh horrors awaited. The world had turned a deep, ominous red hue, as if the very air bled. The man with the children¡¯s bracelet man stood at the center, arms still outstretched, seemingly untouched by the shockwave that had assaulted them. Behind him, the woman had been transformed into a twisted, tree-like monstrosity. Her body replaced with the writhing tendrils that now sprouted in every direction, reaching up to the vaulted ceiling and out towards the walls. The grotesque growths enveloped parts of the church, consuming stone and wood alike in a terrible blend of flesh and roots. Her once-human form had become an unholy fusion of the divine and the grotesque, resembling a tree of flesh. Beyond the shattered windows, a massive dark red sphere enveloped the entire church, sealing it off from the outside world. The sphere¡¯s surface seemed to ripple and undulate, trapping everyone inside a crimson cage. The tree-like abomination sprouted strange, bulbous sacs along its twisted branches¡ªhorrible fruits that pulsed and throbbed. Each sac grew larger, stretching with the grotesque sound of flesh expanding, filling with a thick, foul liquid. Within the sacs, dark shapes began to form, shifting slowly in the murky fluid. The shapes grew more defined, monstrous forms with claws, teeth, and limbs pressed against the thin membrane, eager to break free. The congregation watched in horror, unable to look away, as the sacs quivered, ready to burst and unleash whatever abominations had been birthed within. The nine robed monsters moved with a terrible grace, slinking through the broken benches toward the terrified civilians. They stopped just behind the trembling crowd, watching over them like executioners. Each monster reached beneath its robe and pulled out a perfectly round, glowing orb¡ªa soft shade of gold that bathed their grotesque features in an otherworldly light. The man approached them, stepping carefully over the shattered tiles. His gaze swept over the faces before him, noting the telltale signs of Mana-sickness: glazed eyes, clammy pale skin, and trembling hands. Others, clinging to the remnants of their strength, held themselves upright, battling the sickness with every shallow breath. ¡°Nine of you will bring Light into this world, as she has done here,¡± he announced, his voice a solemn echo in the hollow space. He reached out, placing a hand on the shoulder of a young woman who looked healthier than the others. Her wide, pleading eyes met his soft smile, as though he were bestowing a blessing. ¡°Moscow,¡± he said, the word a quiet benediction. He moved to the next one, touching a middle-aged man, the fear etched deep into his wrinkled face. ¡°Tokyo.¡± He continued this ritual, naming each city in turn¡ªSydney, Beijing, Berlin, New York, Rome, Bangkok, Mecca¡ªhis touch both gentle and resolute. The monsters wasted no time. They seized the chosen nine, their claws sinking into flesh as they dragged them away from the rest. The church filled with screams¡ªdesperate, choked cries as the selected were hauled out, their resistance nothing more than futile struggles against overwhelming strength. ¡°Good luck, Lightbringers,¡± the man whispered, his voice barely audible over the echoes of their screams as the last of the chosen vanished through the church doors. Silence fell, heavy and suffocating. The dozen remaining civilians stared at the man, eyes wide with terror, their bodies wracked with agony as the Mana slowly began to shut down their organs one by one. They gasped for air, their breaths ragged and shallow. Some collapsed one by one, slipping into unconsciousness to escape the pain, while others stayed awake, their faces twisted in silent pleas for mercy they knew would not come. The man stood there, fingers clenched around the child¡¯s bracelet, its beads digging into his palm. His gaze swept over the broken, dying congregation, devoid of emotion. ¡°Mercy, please,¡± one of the dying croaked, a woman with sweat-soaked hair clinging to her pale skin. Her trembling hand reached out, desperate. He looked at her for a long moment, his eyes narrowing, not feeling anything anymore. He moved closer, each step echoing in the hollow, blood-stained church. He knelt beside her, his cold fingers wrapping around her outstretched hand. ¡°This is mercy,¡± he murmured, his voice surprisingly soft, almost gentle. He held her gaze, taking in every detail of her fear-stricken face. Then his eyes fell on the pendant around her neck, a tiny silver locket. She recoiled, but he was faster, tightening his grip as he pried the locket open with a flick of his thumb. Inside, a faded photograph of two small children smiled up at him¡ªinnocent, unaware of the world¡¯s cruelty. He studied it for a heartbeat, then met her tear-filled eyes again. ¡°Be one with the light,¡± he whispered, his tone like a tender caress. ¡°Bask in it and become a Lightspeaker... if you survive.¡± He rose to his feet, his fingers slowly slipping from hers. ¡°Otherwise, rise as one of the angels.¡± Her eyes widened, terror swallowing any hope she had left. She sobbed, her voice breaking into desperate wails as he turned away. Others begged, their words pouring out in a flood, but he didn¡¯t look back. The two robed figures by the doors moved swiftly, dragging limp, half-dead bodies across the broken floor. The congregation watched, paralyzed with fear, as the bodies were offered up to the grotesque tree that had once been a woman. Fleshy tendrils slithered down like serpents, coiling around each captive, lifting them into the air. The tendrils formed translucent sacs around the thrashing forms, sealing them in like grotesque cocoons. The man barely spared a glance at the writhing, entombed figures as Glass began to form inside. He pulled his hood up, casting his face back into shadow. The bracelet in his hand rattled softly, a quiet, rhythmic clatter that cut through the screams. Behind him, monsters emerged from the sacs, their wet, fleshy bodies hitting the stone floor with bone-crunching force. The air filled with the sound of flesh ripping, teeth gnashing, but he didn¡¯t flinch. He stepped through the heavy church doors, letting them swing shut behind him with a hollow thud. Outside, the city lay in ruin, bathed in the red glow of the massive Sphere that swallowed the sky. The towering barrier cast everything in a sickly crimson hue, its energy crackling like a living thing. Around him, the world had turned into a nightmare. Crumbling buildings leaned like dark sentinels, their windows shattered and lifeless. The air crackled, heavy with the stench of Mana. As he walked, monstrous forms darted past him, their eyes glowing in the darkness, their limbs a blur of fur, scales, and claws. They hissed and screeched, rushing into the desolate streets beyond, vanishing into the shadows to carry out whatever dark commands had been whispered into their minds. He walked on, unscathed and indifferent, the screams and chaos fading behind him. With each step, he clutched the bracelet tighter, the beads a silent reminder of the light he now granted¡ªand the darkness he still carried in his heart.