S+ Nano-Suits were conceptually ultra broken. They were created through the collapse of reality. For example, the Gambler asked a simple question.
"What has a higher chance of appearing? 1 or 2?"
"Equal!"
The man stated confidently, eager to see what would happen next.
"You're wrong! 2 is composed of 2 1's, therefore 2 has a higher chance to appear!"
The illusory punch went through the force shield and slammed into the man's chest. The forcefield literally became useless. It worked because the man gave an incorrect answer.
"Brilliant! I never would've expected this answer but it makes sense"
Pause.
"Just now, you unlocked the Gambler somehow. I recognize its method yet a counter has never been found since it's always changing the rules to stack the favor towards itself"
The man took out a gun. It was outfitted with glowing micro-disks that gave it a rather futuristic look.
"Depend on yourself. Do not rely on the Nano-Suit"
After several shots were fired, the Gambler worked with the Composer to seamlessly help the Sharpshooter. It was a decision made on the whim. The Gambler liked to mix things up. The Sharpshooter didn't just aim for vital points. It aimed for major organs and tendons. The theory was that if the opponent was slowed down, it would be an easy victory even though crippling your enemy was the easiest victory.
The Micro-disk never fired a bullet. A high frequency hum caused the bullets to hit non-vital spots. Nothing hit a major organ or vital spot.
"Null. These things are called Null. They negate the characteristics of Nano-Suits but they can be countered. If the Gambler applies its traits properly, they can be defeated. Null isn't in every weapon since it's so expensive but it plays an important part on the battlefield and only S+ tier Nano-Suits can overcome them. Figure out how the Gambler might be able to overcome them"
He asked a question earlier and because the answer was that 2 consisted of 2 1's, to say that 1 and 2 had an equal chance of appearing was wrong. The answer split the higher number into 2 separate ones, therefore, while the opponent thought it was 2 separate numbers, the answer could be in fact that it was 3 separate numbers.
The man also said the Gambler was derived from a very high tier trait known as luck.
"Stacking traits?"
"Luck is even rarer than stacking traits"
Speed, Precision, and Criticality. How could Luck work with those? Maybe, he could make the opponent doubt where he actually was. Precision wasn't compatible. It applied to himself and didn't affect the enemies perception. He could use it in conjunction with other traits but by itself, there wasn't a lot of benefit. Criticality would allow the enemy to question exactly what was going on with it.
Then there was Reaction, Reflex, and Perception. Reaction and Reflex could trick the opponent into thinking they were seeing something that wasn't really happening and Perception was a self-buff.
If the Brawler rushed at the man and the Gambler made a move, Null would weaken the brawler while exposing the Gamblers trick. However! If the Magician shifted it out of the way, then the Rogue was free to mix up chaos.
So, he put the plan into action. Leo rushed at the man who began firing Null. It was an ordinary pistol that had ordinary bullets in it, yet because of its powerful effect, most Nano-Suits were stopped dead. The Magician's Brawler punched Null out of the way before the Gambler and the Rogue stepped into action.
The Rogue utilized Speed, Reaction, and Reflex with the Gambler in the background while working with the Magician to give the Brawler more room to breathe.
The full might of Space forced itself onto Null, straining the man in the process. As the man sunk into the ground and the walls began to crack, the gun finally cracked before several robots rushed into the room to help the man.
Unfortunately, they all underestimated the Concept of Space, one of the Absolute Four, since the Spatial Confinement Zone he employed to deal with Null had an iron tight grip.
All the robots turned to dust as his attacks were nullified by an even stronger attack.
"Enough. I'm impressed. Don't you find it odd that an ordinary human could remain composed under your attacks? This is a Cyborg. It represents me in many different locations. I've never seen an Operator or a Specialist wield so many Nano-Suits in a single frame. So, have you thought about my offer? I'm helpless to stop you but you could do a lot of good"
The voice came from the speakers around the room. Neil Sommers the 'Cyborg' had repaired itself and smiled at him.
"Is this a Robo-Frame?"
"Not quite. It's what Robo-Frames are based off of"
"So what are Cyborgs?"
"You'll learn when the time comes. They are powerful machines of war, although this is a scouting unit"
"So what's really going down below?"
"Nothing. A pretense. This is a hot site to test potential military veterans"
"Potential?"
"To advance beyond a Shadow Ops Specialist"
"But you invited me to become a Shadow Ops Specialist"
"I did. You're not even a Covert Ops Specialist yet you passed a test meant to challenge Shadow Ops Specialist. Your ability is remarkable. Average test completion time is 7 hours and 52 minutes. You passed it in 10 minutes"
"So what's next?"
The most obvious question.
"I'll personally talk to the general in charge of high ranking promotions. He'll have an even harder test for you. Before that time comes, I'll speak to Madelin to give you hellish training"
"How do you…"
"My information network is vast. Alright. Go back home. As for the matter with Jayo Hindenbrook, if you're unable to deal with them, I'll retract my consideration. Childs play. Don't disappoint me"
"Jayo? I already crippled his arm"
"Yes. Via Sprinter. They don't need proof to deal with you though. Just to handle you legally"
"What do you suggest?"
"Get stronger"
"I feel like all my secrets have been exposed"
"Not all of them. I don't know how you added so many Nano-Suits to a single frame. It lets you combine them in ways that are impossible"
With that, Neil Sommers disappeared. Or well, his voice. His Cyborg had also long gone. Just out of curiosity, Leo tried to descend to the sub-floors but found that there were none. It was all a ruse to get him to attack the Cyborg and engage in an exhibition. He was like a puppet with no will of his own. It was not a good outcome and he vowed to not let that happen again.
He even vented by 'stacking' all his traits and all his modes and sending a devastating punch at a wall. The building rocked back and forth under the impossible damage. Half the building collapsed and he tried escaping but couldn't. He ran with mortal legs instead of using the Sprinter. Unfortunately, he tripped on something. Taking a closer look, he found a golden key that fit perfectly into a hole he never knew existed.
He was brought into a vivid dreamscape where a Nano-Suit stood in front of him. There was a black fragment made of void in its hand. Without warning, it shoved the void into his mouth and even as he choked, continued to force it down.
His mind exploded from the surge of information.
The Genius. God-Grade Nano-Suit/Robo-Frame/?…
His blood boiled with excitement as though he had returned home. Then he saw words that shocked him.
Forged by ??, Human God.
Dear Remnant of the past, should I find this, it means that the worst possible future has come to pass.
The Brawler. The Sharpshooter. The Sprinter. The Composer. The Gambler. The Genius.
If this exact combination of Nano-Suits was discovered in this order, hope may not be lost.
The Genius will create miracles while an ACE will unify them all.
..
..
It was a painting and each line was exquisitely written. A story was drawn to accompany each line and when fully read, the painting shattered, but not before one last thought rushed into his mind.
Neil Sommers is a relic of an ancient past. A brat I helped in the past. He knows the stakes. He knows everything about you because I told him about myself. An exceptional student masquerading as a low-tier general, this building he set up used to be my former home. It's only purpose is to deliver this message.
—
When Leo Skyfang woke up again, he had no idea where he picked up two extra modes. Furthermore, they seemed extremely powerful. One was the S+ Tier 'The Gambler' while the other was an unknown grade 'The Genius' that didn't do anything. Or well, not obviously at least. It was very mysterious. The only thing he knew about it was that the Sharpshooter would never miss if it did not slack off.
Why the hell would the Sharpshooter miss at all? He was clearing missing a lot but he couldn't recall it no matter what.