Name: Subject 4082; Dawn
Age: 4 months
Race: Biologically Engineered Human
EXP: 2,310
Level: 14 (F-Grade)
Stats:
Health: 320/320
Stamina: 400/400
Energy: 25/25 (Level 2)
Strength: 18
Dexterity: 22
Endurance: 24
Intelligence: 25
Mystery: 22
Charm: 6
Luck: 1
Free Attribute Stats: 3
Free Potential Points: 4
Major Classes:
Mechanic, lvl 4
Esper, lvl 4
Mage, lvl 4
Minor Classes: Close Combatant, lvl 10 (Max)
Skills:
Low-level Intelligence enhancement, lvl 3
Low-level experience boost, lvl 5
Combat Mastery, lvl 6
Polearm Expertise, lvl 4
Advanced Reflexes, lvl 5
Stealth and Ambush Tactics, lvl 4
Weapon Disarmament, lvl 2
Tactical Acumen, lvl 4
Sensory Training, lvl 4
Archery and Throwing Precision, lvl 3
Endurance and Stamina, lvl 8
Mental Resilience, lvl 5
First Aid, lvl 3
Recovery, lvl 9
Adaptive Combat, lvl 5
Counterstrike, lvl 3
Defensive Stance, lvl 4
Critical Strike, lvl 4
Chain Attacks, lvl 4
Whirlwind Assault, lvl 4
Increased Focus, lvl 12
Armor Piercing Strikes, lvl 5
Emotional Equilibrium, lvl 1
Meditative Transcendence, lvl 2
Quick Adaptation, lvl 2
Multi-weapon Coordination, lvl 4
Environmental Utilization, lvl 3
Disruptive Strategy, lvl 2
Aural Detection, lvl 4
Heat Resistance, lvl 1
Quick Fix, lvl 1
Tech Affinity (low), lvl 1
Overcharge, lvl 1
Arcane Intuition (low), lvl 3
Spell Weaving, lvl 3
Mana Channeling, lvl 2
Tactical Assessment, lvl 2
Spells:
Arcane Insight
Electrochain
Pyroclasm
Levitation
Feather Float
Elemental Burst
Cryogenic Snap
Rust Touch
Mystical Ward
Eldritch Pull
Blueprints:
Solar Recharger
Basic Drone Scout
Modular Tool Kit
Energy Pulse Emitter
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Looking over the interface. Dawn nodded slowly. She had put most things where she wanted to now, at least until she could get some more experience.
And by increasing her level, she had unlocked some new things.
Tactical Assessment: Grants a passive boost to understanding enemy weaknesses during combat. Letting her deal increased critical damage.
Energy Pulse Emitter: A device that emits a pulse of energy, disrupting nearby electronic devices.
Mystical Ward: Creates a temporary shield around the caster, deflecting magic and ranged attacks.
Eldritch Pull: Draws in a target, or several items, closer to the caster using arcane forces.
With these, she felt a little more confident in starting her gathering of supplies for her trip.
Slowly moving out of the cave, she checked her surroundings for a while. Finding nothing around, she stepped out into the forest once again. Her main goal was to find enough food to last her a short time, so she could later focus on gathering materials she could use to make the trip easier.
The dawn light, shimmering through the dense canopy, painted the forest floor in muted golds and greens. It was breathtaking in its beauty, yet eerily deceptive. For every rustle and shadow sent a ripple of anxiety through Dawn's young heart.
Tightly grasping the energy-based hand cannon, she felt the hum of charged particles within it. This piece of advanced tech was her only line of defense against the unpredictable wilderness. Alone, she had to rely on her instincts, which, truthfully, were still adapting to this new reality. A world where her bedroom's comforts felt galaxies away, replaced by the looming trees and the ever-present threat of mechs.
Slowly moving through the undergrowth, the different lights from the the various bioluminescent plant life painted a disturbing scene. One that made it difficult to judge what was simple more harmless flora, or the possibility of a threatening beast, mech or mutant.
And soon, the caution Dawn showed proved to be correct. As a strong whirring of motors came from the left, as a shape came crashing through the brush, a mid-sized mechanoid, standing roughly at the height of a human adult. Its sleek metallic form mimics the streamlined body of a roadrunner or secretary bird, but with a luminous twist befitting its bioluminescent home. Elongated tail feathers adorned with soft-glowing tips balance its body as it maneuvers through the forest floor, while its chest and wings display a mesmerizing array of cascading lights, resembling the dance of stars in the night sky.
As it crashed through, it ran directly into Dawn. Knocking the wind from her as she was sent sprawling across the ground, having only been able to lift her arms to deflect some of the momentum.
'A Lumavine Raptor.' Dawn thought, looking up at it from the floor was frightening, thought she saw one of its legs was almost broken, many scratches over its side. It was clear it had been through a few battles, but Dawn knew she couldn't underestimate it. The Lumavine Raptor's head is equipped with a beak-like appendage, but its eyes are what captures one's attention: dual orbs with deep, glowing irises capable of scanning and analyzing its surroundings with precision.
The Lumavine Raptor's flickering bioluminescent eyes fixed intently on Dawn. Though she had been trained, nothing had prepared her for the raw immediacy of a live threat, and the weight of her reality bore down heavily. She felt small, vulnerable; the metallic behemoth's gaze seemed to pierce through her very soul.
With every fiber of her being screaming at her to run, she grounded herself. The hum of her energy-based hand cannon in her grip served as a comforting reminder that she was not entirely defenseless. The contrast of her beating heart against the cold metal grip was a vivid reminder of her human fragility.
However, the Lumavine Raptor was on borrowed time. It didn't feel pain, didn't tire. It acted on programming and sensors.
Suddenly, the Raptor emitted a harsh, piercing Sonic Cry, designed to disorient its prey. The soundwaves felt like a physical blow to Dawn, scrambling her senses and making her vision blur. The world tilted, and she felt the sting as an exposed tree root scraped against her ankle, sending her sprawling backward. As she hit the ground, the sharp jolt of pain from her grazed arm was a cruel jolt back to reality.
As the Raptor prepared to strike, Dawn's training kicked in. Her skill, Tactical Acumen, allowed her to swiftly analyze the situation. The mechanoid's legs, despite their sleek design, were its most vulnerable points. If she could disable even one, it might give her a temporary advantage.
But she was disoriented, her side burning with pain, and her vision still reeling from the sonic assault. Every instinct told her to defend, to put something—anything—between her and the imminent threat. Yet, defensive maneuvers wouldn't work long-term against a relentless mechanoid. She needed to counter-attack, to take the offensive, to turn the tables.
Harnessing her pain and fear, she channeled them into focus. Drawing on her Archery and Throwing Precision skill, she aimed a shot from her hand cannon at one of the Lumavine Raptor's legs. The energy bolt discharged with a bright flash, leaving a streak of light in its path.
The Raptor's movements hesitated for a split second as the bolt made contact, a spark indicating a hit. But it wasn't enough. The Raptor quickly recalibrated, its bioluminescent eyes now glowing an even more menacing hue, signaling its intention to engage.
Dawn's heart raced. She knew that this was just the beginning, the opening salvo in a dance of life and death. Each move, each decision, would determine her fate in this bioluminescent arena.
Despite the mechanoid's damaged leg, the Lumavine Raptor still moved with uncanny swiftness, its streamlined body shimmering with shifting lights as it advanced. Each step it took resonated through the forest floor, sending vibrations that Dawn could feel pulsating against the soles of her boots.
Her initial shot had only angered the Raptor, making it more aggressive. She could see it processing, its systems adjusting to her as a new threat. That in itself was terrifying: a machine that could adapt on-the-fly, learning from its environment and opponent.
Panic threatened to set in. The forest, with its bioluminescent glow and gentle hum, now seemed like a trap, the beautiful lights turning into deceptive distractions. The serene beauty she had once marveled at now only served to disorient her further against the advancing mechanoid.
Taking a shaky breath, Dawn called upon her Emotional Equilibrium skill, a way to keep her mind centered in intense situations. The forest noises faded slightly, her focus narrowing solely on the Raptor.
She had to move, to create distance. Backpedaling, she tried to put trees between herself and the Raptor, attempting to use the environment to her advantage. But the creature was smart, flanking and cutting off her escape routes with calculated precision. She could almost "see" the algorithms working in its movements, the deadly dance of a machine.
The memory of her Environmental Utilization skill flashed in her mind. She had trained for this, learning how to use her surroundings in combat. Spotting a tree with overhanging branches, Dawn swiftly climbed up, using the tree as a vantage point. But as she looked down, she realized her mistake. The Lumavine Raptor, with its beak-like appendage, began tearing at the base of the tree, intending to bring her down.
Fear constricted her throat. The tree wouldn't hold for long, and jumping down would be too risky. She felt trapped, a prey item cornered. The cold realization dawned on her that training and real-world combat were leagues apart. The adrenaline, the palpable fear, the weight of every decision bearing down on her shoulders.
Doubt clouded her mind. Was she truly ready for this world? For all its threats and dangers? The biting reality of her situation was a stark contrast to the simulations she had been put through. But she couldn't afford to give in to despair. With the Raptor relentlessly tearing at her refuge, Dawn had to think, and act, fast. Every second counted.
Biting her lip, Dawn began to rummage through her mental arsenal of skills and spells. Her gaze darted down to the Lumavine Raptor, its metallic body rhythmically thrashing against the tree trunk. As the tree shuddered from the mechanoid's assault, a plan began to form in her mind.
Eldritch Pull. It was risky, but she might be able to redirect the Raptor's momentum, using its own strength against it. Timing would be crucial. Wait too long, and the tree would collapse, sending her crashing down. Act too soon, and she'd be within the Raptor's striking range.
She focused her energy, letting the arcane forces build up within her, feeling the familiar tingling sensation as it spread through her fingertips. The Arcane Intuition skill helped her sense the optimal moment. As the Lumavine Raptor reared back for another powerful hit, she unleashed the Eldritch Pull, targeting a large stone formation nearby.
The Raptor's forward motion was suddenly and violently diverted, its body dragged sideways towards the stone. It collided with a resounding crash, the force of its own attack turned against it. The bioluminescent lights across its form flickered erratically, signaling temporary disorientation.
Seizing this momentary advantage, Dawn quickly cast Levitation on herself. She floated just above the tree as it gave one final groan before toppling to the ground. Descending gently, she repositioned herself, putting more distance between her and the recovering Raptor.
Her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath, her eyes never leaving the mechanoid. Its recovery speed was unnerving. Within moments, it was back on its feet, its sensors locking onto her position once more.
"I can't keep running..." she thought. Each confrontation, each skirmish, was draining her both mentally and physically. Her stamina wouldn't last forever, and the energy levels of her hand cannon were also depleting. She had to find a way to incapacitate the Lumavine Raptor, or at least deter it long enough for her to escape.
As it began its relentless advance once more, a sense of resolve washed over her. "Adapt or perish," she whispered to herself. And with that, she prepared for the next phase of their deadly dance.
Sweat streamed down Dawn's brow as the Lumavine Raptor advanced, its glowing eyes locked onto her. Dawn mentally kicked herself for not checking the area more thoroughly before moving, but regret was a luxury she couldn't afford now.
"Focus," she urged herself. With every ounce of concentration, she activated Tactical Acumen, trying to anticipate the Raptor's next move. The device, damaged though it was, moved with surprising agility for something of its size, using the tree's fallen trunk as cover, and darting out intermittently to gauge her position.
Taking a deep breath, she whispered, "Electrochain." A surge of energy flowed through her, culminating at her fingertips, forging a bright chain of pure electrical energy. But she held off from launching it immediately, waiting for the opportune moment.
The Raptor, sensing an imminent attack, rushed forward. Just as it was about to strike, Dawn released the Electrochain. It wrapped around the mechanoid, sending pulses of electricity coursing through its frame. Sparks erupted, and its luminescent glow flickered madly.
Yet, in its final attempt to overpower her, the Lumavine Raptor lunged, catching Dawn off-guard. The sharp beak-like appendage on its head struck her side, tearing through her clothing and drawing blood. The sheer force of the hit knocked her back several feet, her body slamming into a rocky outcrop.
The pain was immediate and sharp. She could feel the warm blood oozing from her side, staining her clothes. Every breath sent a stab of pain through her. But the Raptor was down, its systems overloaded from the Electrochain.
Despite the pain, a wave of relief washed over her. She had managed to disable the mechanoid, but at a great cost. Gasping for breath, she assessed the damage. The wound was deep, but it wasn't fatal. Using First Aid, she tried to stem the bleeding, mentally cursing her lack of preparation.
"Stupid, stupid!" she chastised herself, her vision blurring from the pain. It was a harsh lesson on the importance of caution and preparation.
Leaning heavily against the rocks, she took a few moments to recover, her thoughts swirling. She needed to find shelter, patch up her wound, and reassess her situation. But for now, she was alive, and that was what mattered.