The inner nexus of Nexhaven, often referred to simply as "The Nexus," stood in stark contrast to the chaotic sprawl of the Undermarket. As Dawn approached the vast, inner walls of this section, she was immediately struck by the sheer scale and sophistication of the architecture.
These walls, much taller and more robust than the outer defenses, gleamed with a polished shine. Every brick, every stone seemed to have been placed with deliberate intent. The massive gates were protected by a shimmering energy field, a more refined and stable version of the one that shielded the city from the surface dangers.
Inside, the streets were lined with uniform, white cobblestones and illuminated by strategically placed energy lamps that emitted a soft, ambient glow. Gone were the haphazardly constructed stalls and makeshift huts. In their place stood well-designed buildings, constructed from a blend of old-world materials and new-age technologies. Grand archways led to communal plazas, where fountains danced and children played.
Above, the ceiling was an artful tapestry of luminescent crystals, set in patterns that mirrored the constellations of the old world sky. Their gentle light gave a sense of day and night within the subterranean city, a touch of nostalgia for a world that many had never seen.
The Nexus was divided into several districts, each with a specific purpose:
The Living Quarters: Here, the residents of Nexhaven dwelt in multi-tiered apartment complexes, each designed for optimal space utilization. Green spaces, vertical gardens, and communal areas dotted this district, giving a sense of community.
The Civic Center: This was the administrative heart of Nexhaven. Grand buildings, reminiscent of classical architecture, housed the city's governing bodies. A vast council chamber, where representatives from different sectors of the city met, was its centerpiece.
The Academy: Education and research thrived here. Sprawling libraries filled with knowledge from both before and after the fall, advanced laboratories, and lecture halls formed the core of this district. Young minds, including those of Dawn's age, were molded here, away from the chaos of the outside world.
The Market Square: Unlike the Undermarket, this was a place of legitimate trade. Artisans, craftsmen, and traders from all over Nexhaven displayed their goods in organized stalls. Everything, from fresh produce grown in underground farms to sophisticated gadgets, was available here.
The Recreational Zone: Parks, entertainment centers, theaters, and more. This was where the residents of Nexhaven came to unwind and entertain themselves.
And unknown to the common civilian here, The Barracks: A military academy and place for training for the soldiers of Nexhaven. Hidden further beneath the rest of the Nexus. And beneath the Civic Center, more special forces and intelligence experts were stationed.
The sounds of the Nexus — the laughter of children playing near the fountains, the distant hum of conversations, the clang of tools and machinery from various trades — were a stark departure from the muffled din of the Undermarket. But in all its elegance and order, the Nexus had an underlying tension. Dawn could feel eyes watching her, both out of curiosity and suspicion, as she moved through the districts.
With her credits dwindling, Dawn's first priority was to find shelter. But with the lavishness of the Nexus, accommodation came at a price. She managed to find a small inn at the edge of the Living Quarters, but a quick glance at the rates told her she could only afford a day or two, at most. And she needed a job, urgently.
That's when she remembered the name "Lina's Mechanic Shop." A place she knew of from her knowledge of the game, run by a spirited young woman with an uncanny knack for repairs. Dawn figured it was worth a shot. After all, she had some knowledge about machinery from her past and was quite handy with tools.
The shop wasn't hard to find. A sign with bold letters reading "LINA'S FIX-IT SHOP" stood over a rustic but well-maintained building. As Dawn approached, she could hear the soft hum of machinery and a cheerful voice singing along to an old tune.
Pushing the door open, she was greeted by a burst of steam and the scent of metal and oil. The interior was a maze of workbenches, shelves lined with parts, and machines of various sizes. And right in the midst of it all, leaning over an open device, was a young woman with streaks of grease on her face, her hair pulled back in a messy bun.
"Oh! Hello there!" the woman chirped without looking up, focused on her work. "Be with you in a jiffy!"
While waiting, Dawn's attention shifted to an elderly man seated in a corner, a newspaper in hand and a pipe clenched between his teeth. His gaze was stern, almost judgmental, as he assessed the newcomer.
After what felt like an eternity but was probably just a few minutes, the young woman straightened up, wiping her hands on a rag. "Sorry about that! I'm Lina. What can I do for ya?"
Dawn cleared her throat, "I'm Dawn. I've heard you might need some help around here. And, well, I'm in need of a job."
Lina's eyes brightened. "Oh, always looking for a pair of skilled hands! But, fair warning, it's not easy work. And you'll have to deal with him," she said, tilting her head towards the older man, who merely grunted in response.
"That's my father, Gralen. He used to run this place before he got all... grumpy," Lina said with a playful smirk.
Gralen harrumphed, "Enough chit-chat. If you want a job, prove you can handle it."
Lina rolled her eyes, "Don't mind him. But he's right. Let's see what you've got."
Dawn, determined to prove her worth and secure her place in the Nexus, rolled up her sleeves, ready to show Lina and Gralen just what she was capable of.
"Okay. But I would like a place to stay, if you have room. I don't mind if it takes some of my pay in order to cover the costs." Dawn mentioned. Hoping that they wouldn't turn her away for it. She knew the old man here was an important figure, but that he was retired. Meaning that she would get housing, protection and credits by working here.
Lina, studying Dawn for a moment, looked thoughtful. "We do have a small spare room upstairs. It hasn't been used in a while, but it's cozy enough. We can certainly work something out with your pay."
Gralen's gruff voice cut in before Dawn could respond. "Now hold on just a moment. We don't even know this girl. And look at her." He pointedly eyed the mechanoid fibermech wrapped around Dawn's body, suspicion evident in his gaze. "That's not something a commoner would wear, especially not someone her age."
Lina's eyebrows furrowed, her cheerful demeanor shifting slightly as she, too, gave a more discerning look at Dawn's attire. "What's the story with the fibermech?" she inquired, her tone hinting at both concern and curiosity.
Dawn took a deep breath, pondering on how much she should reveal. "I've had to fend for myself for a long time. The fibermech... it's protection, of a sort. Given the world above, it's been necessary."
Lina's eyes softened with understanding, but Gralen remained skeptical. "That doesn't explain how a child managed to get her hands on such tech. Let alone you want to tell me that someone the age of you survived up there? And beat those mechs to get that fiber?"
Dawn's eyes hardened with determination as she remembered the harrowing experiences that brought her to this moment. "I didn't get this fibermech from my mentor or anyone else. I got it myself," she corrected, her voice edged with defiance.
Gralen leaned forward, interest piqued. "Go on."
Dawn continued, "The surface is a nightmare. The mechs, they're relentless. They hunt, track, and eliminate any human they come across. But I learned their patterns, their weak points. Through sheer will, strategy, and more than a few close calls, I took down one of those mechs. It took days to dismantle it, days where I had to constantly watch my back. From its remnants, I extracted the fibermech and adapted it to my body. It became a second skin, protecting me from the elements, other mechs, and... other dangers."
Lina looked at Dawn, her initial cheer replaced with admiration. "That's... that's incredible. You're just a kid."
Dawn looked away, uncomfortable with the praise. "I did what I had to. To survive."
Gralen grunted, "It's one thing to claim such feats, but another to prove it." He stood up, limping slightly, and approached a nearby workbench. Picking up a damaged device, he tossed it to Dawn. "Fix this. Show me you have the skills you claim to have."
Dawn caught the device and began to examine it. Recognizing it as a power regulator, she quickly assessed the damage and started her repairs.
Lina watched, impressed with the young girl's proficiency and speed. "She knows what she's doing, Dad."
Gralen remained silent, his eyes scrutinizing every move Dawn made.
As Dawn reconnected the last wire and handed the now functioning device back to Gralen, she met his gaze squarely, "Proof enough?"
The old man grunted, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "For now."
Lina clapped her hands together, "That settles it! Dawn, you can stay with us. And about the room, we'll figure something out with your pay."
Relief flooded Dawn's features. It felt like, for the first time in a long while, she had found a semblance of safety. And perhaps, even a place she could call home.
The room Lina led her to was small but comfortable. There was a rustic charm to it with wooden panels lining the walls, a soft bed with a quilted blanket, and a window that looked out into a small atrium where luminescent moss grew. Dawn took a moment to take it all in.
"I know it's not much," Lina began, "but I hope it'll be comfortable enough for you."
Dawn turned to Lina with a gentle smile. "It's perfect. Thank you."
Lina leaned against the door frame, studying Dawn with a tilted head. "You know, it's not often we come across someone with your skills. Especially someone your age. Most of the kids here grew up in the safety of the Nexus."
Dawn moved to the window, tracing a finger along the cool pane. "Safety is a luxury not all of us have. The world outside doesn't care about age or innocence."
Lina's face softened, and she moved to stand beside Dawn. "Your eyes... They've seen a lot. More than any child should." She hesitated, "You don't have to talk about it, but if you ever want to, I'm here."
Dawn took a deep breath, memories of the harsh surface world threatening to overwhelm her. "Maybe one day," she whispered, "but not today."
Lina nodded. "Understood. Rest up, tomorrow's a big day. We open early and close late. If you're going to be part of the team, I expect you to be up and ready."
Dawn chuckled, "I'm no stranger to hard work."
Later that evening, as Dawn lay in bed, the weight of her day began to press down on her. It had been a whirlwind – from the dangers of the Undermarket to the awe of the Nexus and now, the promise of a new beginning at Lina's shop.
But amidst the physical exhaustion, her mind raced. She found herself constantly on alert, waiting for a threat that might never come, a habit from her weeks of survival on the surface. The shadows cast by the moss outside her window danced like ghosts from her past.
Her thoughts then drifted to Gralen. His initial skepticism was warranted. Dawn knew she was an anomaly in this protected world, and she couldn't blame him for being cautious. Yet, she also sensed a depth in him, a past filled with its own set of challenges.
She could hear faint sounds from downstairs – the hum of machinery, Lina's soft singing, and Gralen's occasional grunts. It was soothing in a way, a lullaby of normalcy she hadn't experienced in so long.
Closing her eyes, she made a silent promise to herself. She would earn their trust, integrate herself into this community, and maybe, just maybe, find a semblance of the peace she so desperately yearned for.
But Dawn knew that peace came at a price. The world above was a testament to that. And while the Nexus was a sanctuary, it wasn't immune to the challenges of the post-apocalyptic world. She had to be ready, not just for herself, but for the sake of her newfound family.
Morning came swiftly, with Lina pounding on her door, "Rise and shine, newbie! We've got a full day ahead!"
Dawn groggily sat up, stretching her limbs. "I'm up, I'm up," she mumbled.
Downstairs, the shop was already abuzz with activity. Gralen was meticulously organizing tools, and Lina was engrossed in repairing a device. Dawn took a moment to appreciate the organized chaos.
She approached Gralen, "What can I start with?"
The old man raised an eyebrow, "Eager, are we?" He pointed to a pile of malfunctioning gadgets. "Start with these. Diagnose the issue, fix what you can, and set aside what's beyond repair."
As the hours passed, Dawn found herself engrossed in her work. The familiarity of the task grounded her, the mechanics and intricacies pulling her in.
Lina, noticing Dawn's proficiency, remarked, "You've got a gift. Ever thought of building something of your own?"
Dawn paused, "I've always been in survival mode, fixing things out of necessity. Never really thought about creating."
Lina's eyes sparkled with mischief, "Well, maybe it's time you did. And who knows? You might just surprise yourself."
Dawn turned her attention back to the gadgets before her. Every device seemed to tell a story, its design indicative of its history, its malfunctions hinting at the trials it had undergone. Her fingers moved deftly as she began her diagnostic process.
A small, cylindrical device caught her attention. It emitted a faint glow, but it sputtered and flickered intermittently. Popping it open, she noticed the energy coil had corroded at certain points, disrupting the flow. Her Mechanic Major class had taught her about energy dynamics and flow optimization. Pulling out a thin wire, she carefully looped it around the corroded coil, enhancing the flow. As she sealed it shut, the device emitted a steady, vibrant glow.
Next was a mechanical wrist attachment, resembling a compass but with intricate details. On closer inspection, she noted the internal gears were jammed with a foreign material. Recalling her training, Dawn utilized a fine-tipped tool to clear out the debris, and a magnifying glass to align the misaligned gears. Once fixed, the wrist attachment sprung to life, with the dials moving with precision.
Throughout the day, she tackled numerous such devices. There was a certain rhythm to it, a dance of sorts between her fingers and the innards of the gadgets. Lina occasionally watched her, a smile playing on her lips, while Gralen would shoot her impressed glances.
As evening approached, the shop's hustle and bustle began to subside. Lina started closing up while Gralen prepared a table for dinner.
The table was set with an assortment of dishes. A large bowl in the center was filled with a stew – a concoction of underground vegetables, mushrooms, and some protein chunks that Dawn assumed were from some kind of subterranean creature. There were also slices of a dense bread, and cups filled with a mildly fermented drink that emitted a sweet aroma.
Lina dished out the stew, her eyes sparkling. "It's an old recipe," she said, "passed down for generations. These ingredients are all we've got, but we make do."
They dug in, the warm food a comfort after a hard day's work. As they ate, conversation flowed.
"You did good today," Gralen admitted, nodding at Dawn. "Haven't seen such nimble fingers in a while."
Lina laughed, "Don't let him fool you, he rarely gives compliments."
Dawn smiled, savoring the taste of the stew. "Thanks, Gralen."
The conversation then veered towards everyday topics - customers they'd encountered, the state of their supplies, and even some lighthearted banter about the quirks of living underground.
As they were finishing up, Lina eyed Dawn's attire, a mix of patched-up rags and makeshift garments. "You know," she began, "you could use some decent clothes. I've got some old ones that might fit. At least until we can get you something new."
Dawn, slightly embarrassed but grateful, replied, "I'd appreciate that, Lina."
Gralen chuckled, "You're becoming one of us already."
Dawn, feeling the warmth of acceptance, replied, "I hope so." And as they continued their meal, she felt a profound sense of belonging, something she hadn't felt in a very long time.
That night, as Dawn laid on her bed, wrapped in a set of pajamas given to her by Lina, her hair was slightly damp from a shower she had taken. Finally able to feel fully clean in a long while.
Dawn looked up at the roof of her room, however to only her eyes, the system was open before her. As she looked over everything on it.
Defeating Mechs had given her a fair amount of experience, and repairing the gadgets, while it only gave a little each time, also gave some to her.
----
Name: Subject 4082; Dawn
Age: 5 months
Race: Biologically Engineered Human
EXP: 1,115
Level: 23 (E-Grade)
Stats:
Health: 980/980
Stamina: 1500/1500
Energy: 80/80 (Level 3)
Strength: 24
Dexterity: 30
Endurance: 30
Intelligence: 45
Mystery: 60
Charm: 6
Luck: 1
Free Attribute Stats: 8
Free Potential Points: 2
Major Classes: Mechanic, lvl 13 Esper, lvl 13 Mage, lvl 13
Minor Classes: Close Combatant, lvl 10 (Max)
Skills:
Resource Scavenging, lvl 10 (Max)
Long-Range Accuracy, lvl 4
Rapid Reload, lvl 6
Alchemy, lvl 2
Lifelink, lvl 1 (Max)
Summoner's Sanctuary, lvl 1 (Max)
Mana Infusion, lvl 1
Blueprints:
Holoprojector
Photon Pistol
Aero-Boots
Kinetic Energy Gloves
Spells:
Purify
Arcane Lock
Verdant Growth
Astral Chain
Zephyr's Flight
Aquaform
-------
Most of her points had gone into Mystery, in order to increase her spells power. As such was on of the main ways she took on the mechs of the wild. However, needing to split between Intelligence for her Mechanic class, and Mystery for her Mage and Esper class may prove to have some challenge. But for the time being, things had worked out.
Laying on her bed as she slowly fell into sleep. Dawn waved away the system, letting her mind drift into stillness. The feeling of finally being safe. Was one she had felt was almost impossible only a few days ago.