"What is it worth it me? of course not you fool, we're on the run—well, at least in this city." Sera muttered, eyes glancing toward the night sky from the balcony. Everything felt distant, surreal. The sounds of the city below seemed muffled, as if they weren't even real. Was it all worth it? she thought, but even that felt like a hollow question. Could anyone ever really say if anything was worth it? Especially in this world—where everyone was flawed and survival wasn't about who was right, but who made the last move. Tch. It doesn't matter now, does it? Everyone's the protagonist in their own story.
Her eyes flickered back to the room. The massacre from moments ago left a bitter taste in her mouth, and the acrid stench of blood still hung in the air. The chaos wasn't finished, but she couldn't stay. Not here. Not with the walls closing in. As she stepped back inside, something caught her eye. A button, inconspicuous, unmarked.
She raised an eyebrow. "Tch, I wonder what that button does." She pressed it, more out of boredom than curiosity. The sound of gears turning behind the walls made her pause, alert again. The wall to her right shifted, revealing a hidden compartment.
"Well, would you look at that." She stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she took in what lay behind the moving wall—a room, small but filled with artifacts from Markus' life. Trinkets, photos, things she didn't care about. But something in the middle of the room caught her attention.
A vest. Nah more accurately a plate carrier..maybe just the front part of one? who fucking knows
She stepped closer, eyes trailing over the sleek black and translucent material of the plate carrier suspended in midair. It hovered there as if waiting for someone—waiting for her. "What the hell..."
Her fingers brushed the surface of the vest, and a soft hum vibrated against her touch. The material was smooth but solid, a strange mix of ethereal and tangible. It felt like it shouldn't exist, like it was too advanced, too... otherworldly. A notification popped up.
[Ghost Guard - PT09]
The plate carrier seemed to float just in front of her, just floating on what was supposed to be its case, as if it wasn't bound by the laws of physics. Its angular and curved sections offered both protection and mobility, like it had been designed for someone who needed to move fast but hit hard. The translucent areas shimmered, almost like ghostly outlines. Why? Because i said so.
The obsidian plates gleamed under the dim light, the deep black surface reflecting her image back at her, fractured but clear. White highlights ran along the edges, tracing the interlocking sections like veins of magic, pulsing faintly with life.
This isn't just armor, Sera thought, her breath catching in her throat. This is fucking amazing!.It mine now bitch.
The subtle gold accents gave the carrier a regal, almost otherworldly touch. It was like a relic from another age, something that belonged to the battlefield of whatever shit show it came from.
Her hand traced the edges, the translucent sections almost vanishing against the darker plates. It looked solid, impenetrable, but there was something about the way it hovered—weightless but present—that made her feel like it could disappear at any moment.
The plates themselves were built to be replaced, an automatic swap system allowing damaged sections to eject and repair mid-battle. Perfect for someone who doesn't have time to stop. And then, there was a knife—it blade was somewhat transparent—mounted diagonally across the vest, its handle made of obsidian. It wasn't just for show. This was meant to kill.
Everything about the Ghost Guard seemed to scream precision, control. And yet, it was beautiful, elegant even. It wasn't like the armor she had worn before—this was something different, something dangerous.
Sera smiled, an excited gleam in her eyes. "Yeah, I'm definitely taking this for myself. Sure as hell not leaving something like this to rot here." The magicules inside her pulsed, feeding into the Ghost Guard, and the armor responded, coming to life as it synced with her.
Thin, transparent straps anchored the plate to her chest, ensuring it floated perfectly without constraining her movements. The entire thing felt like a second skin, something that blended seamlessly with her body rather than weighing her down. She could barely feel it, and yet it was there, protecting her.
[Notice: Armor Rating +236]
"Whoa… so much armor in one go... must be my lucky day." She couldn't help but laugh as the power surged through her. The suppressors were already tucked into one of the pouches on the vest. The weightless feel made her feel invincible.
She spun slightly, moving her body to adjust to the new weight—or rather, the lack of it. It felt natural, almost like it was made for her. The massacre she had left behind seemed distant now, her focus entirely on this new acquisition.
Sera found a mirror nearby and took a long look at herself, tilting her body from side to side. The vest gleamed under the lights, its sharp, angular design hugging her torso, making her look like something out of a war-torn dream. The reflection smiled back, but the cold reality of the situation crept back in when she heard voices.
Shit. I'm still on the run.
Her heart skipped a beat as she quickly scanned the room, adrenaline spiking again. No time to admire yourself now, Sera. She forced herself to focus. The voices were coming from the lower levels, the unmistakable sound of security closing in.
Her mind raced. Elevator? Out of the question. They've got that locked. The stairs? That's a guaranteed death sentence. She spun toward the balcony again, peering over the edge. Something caught her eye—a ladder, sticking out from just below.
Sera leaned out, looking down. The drop was dizzying, but it was her only option. The ladder swayed slightly in the night breeze, rusted and unsteady. "Fuck me…" she muttered, swallowing hard. The trip down wouldn't be easy. But nothing ever was.