In a dark, chilling and eerie tunnel also known as the slums, six soldiers paroled around, flashlights on their heads — eyes, as sharp as an eagle's.
From one point of the tunnel which flanked into two paths, soldiers mounted. And at the rear end, which held the three possible exits, soldiers also mounted there.
Above the tunnel, which housed the entire slum itself, another soldier was positioned in place almost as if something bad was about to happen.
Chills crawled down spines.
The tunnel underneath the slum is highly prohibited from entry which means that there are other visitors or even dwellers who trudged above it all — slum travellers, and maybe those slum-rats, those who feet from hand-to-mouth, typically the slum-survivors.
Within a small office-room, computers were seen seated in rows and columns, operated by technicians whose main priority is — information, feedback, database and all whatnot. And of course, another man stood by the side, watching them closely.
"It's the usual information — skyliner, black suds, pipeline leakage, disbursement and automated rays."
Loud sound of clicks echoed off in the room accompanied with low hums, tactical beeps.
No one spoke — the silence was deafening.
++++++++++++++++
Kael leaned against a pillar, his eyes, an icy hue.
He had asked the CoreCoin System to hack into the computers down the tunnel.
It did.
And of course, he had another alternative to monitor the situation in the slums.
[Activating, drone projections]
Several disks appeared in Kael's grasp…
A gentle hum, escaping from their celo engine.
[Rotation — 90° data spikes]
And then invisible tiny blades spun, taking these drone projections into the air, their celo mechanism humming softly.
[Cancelling sound projections]
[Distance, calculating…]
[Target Location: The slums]
Several system notifications shifted in Kael's vision.
The drones travelled towards the slums, directed by the system itself and the moment it reached its destination, one drone stopped just above the tunnel, its projection, overlooking the entire slum. It even looked down upon the soldier positioned there for security purposes.
Ten screens appeared in Kael's line of sight. Nine blank, one active. Kael observed the slum. He saw people, slum-rats, slum-survivors…
He saw a man putting on an overall blue — a soldier.
He was carefree, calm and seemed to ignore everything around him. His hands worked with a tablet — perhaps, monitoring other delicate parts of the tunnel to prevent invasion.
However, he remained oblivious to the fleets of drone projections, speeding past him overhead.
Kael's system had killed these drones' sound, so they moved swiftly and noiselessly.
A drone projection stopped at the flanked point, with two paths where three soldiers mounted.
Meanwhile, more screens activated in Kael's vision. The ability — the feeling of observing a place, despite not being there himself. Although it wasn't a true skill, the feeling was mutual.
He observed the tunnel, the tight security — the soldiers stationed on their duty post. Kael observed more screens.
The information and resource room.
The technical room — Kael's expression turned grim.
He saw computers lined up.
On the screens it read, "pipelines destruction," and "flammable toxins."
And finally, the seventh screen showed the mastermind — Elias Vorn. He was in an abandoned neon-lit factory, probably planning on his next scheme and probably— his next victim.
A cruel smile, twisting on his lips. His face showed wrinkles and age.
Without these recons, it would have been impossible to monitor the state of the tunnel. However now, he already had a better understanding of the place and how exactly to enter.
For a start, the tunnel was guarded in such a way that breaking into it would be considered as a death wish, but not for Kael, as long as he possessed skills and abilities, proffered to him by the system then invading shouldn't be a problem.
Now that he has an overall picture, it is time to work on his look, his dress. He needed something to protect his skin, his head — an armory and a helmet.
The system realized his intention and a simmering rune popped up.
[CoreCoin Market]
[Shop?]
Kael lingered for a while and responded. "Yes."
The previous stats disappeared, replaced by new ones.
[Basic weapons] [Classic Weapons](Locked) and [Legendary Weapons](Locked)
[Basic Armors] [Classic Armors](Locked) and [Legendary Armors](Locked)
[Recovery potions]
[Stamina Potions]
[See more…]
Kael did not need to see more. He needed an armory, and probably a few weapons or two. But will 1000 CoreCoins be enough to purchase it?
He went for basic armory first.
[Basic Armors]
> Sleek Lightweight:
Stealth +5
Speed +3
(700 CoreCoins)
> Anti-gravity Weightless:
Stealth +12
Speed +15
Gravity control +20
(1200 CoreCoins)
[Unlock more Armors at Level 4]
Kael clicked his tongue.
The second armor would have been ok, but it was more expensive. Already more than what he has in his CoreCoin balance. Plus, he still needed a weapon or two, short daggers, short spears… long swords, double-edged swords.
He sighed.
Quickly without hesitating, he spent 700 CoreCoins for the Sleek Lightweight. And the ambiguous armor materialized on his body.
Normally he was fast with the help of the system, but equipping the armor increased his speed by 3%
He summoned his newly unlocked Phantom Edge—a blade that turns intangible until it pierces flesh, then solidifies.
It felt cold and chilly in his grasp. A smirk eluded his pretty face.
Finally:
[Temporary ability achieved:]
[Shadow Blink]
[(short-range teleport through darkness)]
Kael was stunned.
"Oh wow."