[Character: Hiro Banks]
[Status: Active]
[Bond Level: 18.5%]
[Location: Erebos Outpost, Siren]
[Level: 10]
[XP: 2500/3000]
[Health Level: 250%]
[Energy Level: 100%]
[Completed Tasks: 2]
[Pending Tasks: 0]
[Current Objective: Take over Siren and become Lord]
[Objective Progress: 25%]
[Unlocked Abilities: Mind Machine Interface, Psionic Domination]
[Skills: Melee master, Sharpshooter, Tactical Strategist, Augmented Reality]
Hiro studied the updated information with a sense of satisfaction. The possibilities presented by these skills, combined with the power of the Arkstones, filled him with confidence.
He decided to gather a few Arkstones from the cave, ensuring that he used his gloves to handle them. These mysterious rocks held incredible energy, and Hiro intended to keep them as a valuable secret resource.
"This is my new secret hideout," Hiro mused after collecting enough Arkstones to carry easily.
Just then, Lirien's voice crackled through the comms, breaking his train of thought. "Hiro? Where are you? I think I found something."
Hiro's heart skipped a beat. He had momentarily forgotten about Lirien and their mission. He needed to divert her attention away from his discovery.
'Nova, where are we right now?' Hiro asked.
[Isn't it obvious? We're in a cave, filled with Arkstones,] Nova replied.
"I can't tell her that. I can't let anyone know about my discovery," Hiro muttered to himself as he began to retrace his steps.
"Hiro, can you hear me?" Lirien's voice came through the comms again.
"Yes, yes, I'm on my way to you already," Hiro replied, trying to sound casual while blocking out further communication.
Back at the point where he had initially fallen into the underground chamber, Hiro looked up at the tunnel entrance, pondering how to get back up.
"How do you propose we get back up there?" he asked Nova.
Nova's response was swift and unexpected, [The thrusters in your boots.]
"I thought they weren't charged," Hiro retorted.
[Well, the juice from the Arkstone gave them a boost.]
With that, Nova activated the thrusters in Hiro's boots, propelling him upward towards the tunnel entrance.
Hiro emerged from the tunnel entrance with the aid of his thrusters, landing gracefully on the surface once more. He took a moment to adjust his bearings before setting off to meet Lirien.
As he traversed the rugged landscape, Hiro couldn't help but ponder the implications of his discovery. The Arkstones were a formidable source of power, and he now possessed the means to tap into that energy.
'Should I keep this a secret or inform Kaida and the rest of it?' He pondered within himself for a while before concluding on keeping it a secret for now. He just have to find a way to keep Lirien in the loop.
Just then, the screen in his eyes lit up.
[New Task! This should help you decide.]
1. Use mind control to make her loyal to you alone. [+150 XP]
2. Promise a night of pleasure for her silence [+50 XP]
3. Kill her [+1 XP]
Hiro knew that the third option was utterly unthinkable. The idea of killing Lirien was not even a consideration, and he was taken aback by the suggestion.
"Wait, why would you suggest something like that?" Hiro questioned Nova, his disbelief evident in his thoughts.
[For fun?] Nova's response was nonchalant, and Hiro couldn't help but scoff at her lackadaisical attitude.
"Hmmm... I know what to do," Hiro finally decided.
Soon, Hiro reached the point, which was a laboratory the one Nova had mentioned earlier.
However, the scene that met his eyes was far from what he had expected. The laboratory was in disarray, a chaotic aftermath of a catastrophic event.
Lirien was already there, her face etched with shock and concern as she examined the grim scene. Bodies lay strewn across the floor, and shattered glass and debris littered the room. The holographic displays flickered randomly, displaying fragmented data and equations.
"What happened here?" Lirien asked, her voice filled with a mix of dread and curiosity.
Hiro gestured to the chaos around them. "Looks like an accident, an experiment gone wrong."
As Hiro and Lirien studied the chaotic scene before them, their eyes were drawn to a cluster of Arkstones embedded within a device connected to various machines. It was evident that this energy source was what they had been tracing all along.
"This is the energy we've been tracing," Lirien remarked, her fingers inching closer to one of the Arkstones.
Hiro acted swiftly, his instincts kicking in. He gently but firmly held Lirien's hands to prevent her from touching the Arkstone. "Wait, Lirien. We don't know what it is yet, or if it's something contagious." He stammered.
'It's now or never.' He said to himself.
'Nova, activate Psionic Domination.'
[Psionic Domination activated.]
Hiro focused his mind on Lirien, gently influencing her thoughts.
"You will remain loyal to me and do exactly as I asked. We didn't find anything and the energy signature was a false one. Understood?"
Lirien's expression changed subtly as Hiro's influence took effect. Her curiosity about the Arkstones and the accident was replaced by a sense of understanding.
"Understood," Lirien replied with a single word, her voice steady.
Hiro leaned in slightly and spoke softly, "Good. Meet me in my room by 11."
Lirien simply nodded and with that, Hiro took her out of the facility.
[Task Completed: Use mind control to make her loyal to you alone. [+150 XP]
[Task Completed: Promise a night of pleasure for her silence [+50 XP]
Hiro smiled at the prospect of using 1 stone to kill 2 birds.
"Nova, shutdown this facility, no one should be able to gain access to it except me."
[On it, host.]
With that, Hiro and Lirien left the facility and headed back for the outpost. The journey back took about 3 hours and as soon as they got back, Hiro went to get rest while Lirien went to give the mission debrief.
Hiro woke up 2 hours later and his stomach growled in hunger. He headed straight for the cafeteria and saw some of the ladies they had freed alongside Mylleen. As he ate, he couldn't help but watch them from the corner of his eyes.
[Found anyone of interest?]
"One? Damn I'm seeing about 10 of them that I'd love to get laid." Hiro replied smiling to himself.
"Mind if I join in?" A voice interrupted Hiro's inner talk with Nova and he glanced up to see Kaida standing above him.
"Sure…" Hiro said gesturing to the seat in front of him.
Kaida began to ask how he was feeling as Lirien had told them he needed to sleep off a headache.
As they discussed, an alert popped up in Hiro's eyes.
[Alert: 11:01. Lirien is currently waiting at the door.]
"Oh shit, and you couldn't remind me on time?" Hiro asked Nova in his mind, as he covered his face with his hands.
"Anything the problem?" Kaida asked him, leaning forward a bit.
And then a new task popped up.
[New Task]
Dismiss her and send her on her way. [+ 10 XP]
Invite her to join you and Lirien tonight. [+ 20 XP]
Reply rudely and walk out. [+ 5 XP]
"Nothing , I'm fine," Hiro replied as he studied the screen.
'What's the time left for the Psionic Domination cooldown?' He asked Nova as he began to consider his options.
[2 minutes, 43 seconds.]
"Kaida, would you mind walking me to my room? I suddenly don't feel too well." Hiro requested.
"Are you sure you are fine?" Kaida asked, concern filling up her face.
"Yeah, I'll be fine after I lay down for a bit."
Together, they left the cafeteria and started heading towards his room. Hiro took deliberate slow steps to allow enough time pass for the ability cooldown, his eyes constantly glancing at the countdown.
As soon as they got to Hiro's door, the countdown hit zero and immediately, Hiro turned to face Kaida.
"Nova activate Psionic Domination." He said to Nova.
[Psionic Domination activated.]
With that he stared straight at Kaida and reached out to her thoughts.
"You'll love to join me in my room tonight, right?" He said, using his abilities.
Kaida's eyes glossed as Hiro's abilities took over. She opened her mouth to respond, "Yes, Hiro."
"I want to hear you say it, and address me as Lord." Hiro said with a mischievous grin.
"Yes my Lord. I'd love to join you in your room tonight."