Melton stopped short of the chamber door and took a little, elegant vial out of his utility belt. As soon as he injected the recovery serum into his arm, he experienced an instant surge of rejuvenation as the serum began to heal his wounds and restore his strength. His muscles, which had been burned and tired, felt refreshed and prepared for the tasks ahead.
"Nexus, status check."
"Stamina at 100%. Health fully restored. All systems optimal."
"Perfect," Melton muttered, stepping into the chamber.
As he went farther, the tunnel opened up into a huge cavern and the air became increasingly chilly. Strange, glowing graffiti that seemed to pulse with an alien energy covered the walls. The graffiti golems, enormous stone figurines with vivid, luminous markings, stood in the middle of the room. The golems' eyes glowed with the same unsettling light as the graffiti on their bodies as they walked with a heavy, deliberate grace.
"Nexus, analyze the graffiti golems."
"Graffiti Golems: Threat level high. Analysis: Golems possess significant physical strength and resilience. Estimated win rate against current threat: 45%."
Melton's brow furrowed. "Only 45%?"
"The golems' durability and strength exceed your current capabilities. Recommend strategic engagement."
He nodded, seeing that prudence was warranted. Compared to the ratmen, these golems were more difficult but still manageable. His footsteps resounded throughout the cavern as he stepped closer, his grip tightening on his blades.
The first golem saw him right away, locking onto his figure with its flashing eyes. It growled low, rumbling, and charged. Melton ducked as the golem's enormous fist came dangerously close to crushing him. With a retaliatory blow, he skimmed the stone skin of the golem with his blade and sent sparks flying.
The golem barely flinched. Melton cursed under his breath. This was going to be tougher than he thought.
"Nexus, highlight weak points."
"Identified: Joints and markings are vulnerable to focused attacks."
Melton rearranged his plan, focusing on the pulsing graffiti and the glowing joints. His second blow penetrated one of the golem's knees, striking home. The monster staggered, its actions growing increasingly chaotic. Emboldened, Melton used his advantage to his advantage, dodging and twisting around the golem's blows as he struck its vulnerable spots with accuracy.
The golem was skilled, but his might was immense. He was able to counter every hit he delivered with such force that it almost took his balance. Even with his energy restored, his resistance started to flag under the constant barrage.
The first golem finally fell, crumbling into a heap of stone and light. Melton barely had time to catch his breath before the next one charged, its movements just as deliberate and deadly.
The battle against the second golem was even fiercer. Melton's strikes were precise, but the golem's strength seemed unending. He dodged a massive swing, rolling to his feet and slashing at its arm. The golem roared, swinging wildly. One glancing blow caught Melton's shoulder, sending him skidding across the floor.
"Nexus, stamina check."
"Stamina at 60%. Recommend tactical retreat or use of special skills."
"No retreat," Melton gritted out, pushing himself to his feet. "I need to finish this."
He activated his newly acquired 'Endurance Surge,' feeling the rush of energy flood his system. His movements became faster, his strikes more powerful. With renewed vigor, he attacked, aiming for the golem's weak points with relentless precision.
The second golem finally crumbled, its body breaking apart in a cascade of stone and glowing shards. Melton stood over the wreckage, panting heavily, but victorious.
"Nexus, status report."
"All graffiti golems neutralized. Experience points gained: 10,000. No new skills acquired."
Melton wiped the sweat from his brow, his body aching from the exertion but still standing strong. He knew the dungeon held more challenges, but with each battle, he grew stronger, more capable. The chimera still awaited him, but he was one step closer, and this time, he would be ready.
"Let's move forward," he said, determination burning in his eyes.
************************************
As Melton ducked under another swipe of the techno ghoul's razor-sharp claws, his breath came out in frantic gasps. All around him, the dungeon was cramped and dark, with luminous circuitry along the walls that pulsed menacingly. The electronic ghouls were unrelenting, their motions uncannily coordinated, their eyes a chilly blue as they charged.
He swung his blade, aiming for a decapitating strike, but the ghoul anticipated it, blocking with a move that mirrored his own. Melton grunted in frustration, sweat dripping down his brow. No matter what he tried, the ghouls adapted almost instantly, countering with the same techniques he used.
Nexus, his system, pinged in his mind, analyzing the situation with cold efficiency.
"Warning: Enemies possess adaptive capabilities. Conventional combat strategies will be mirrored and countered."
Melton said to himself, "Yeah, no kidding," as he barely avoided getting kicked enough to send him tumbling. Something fresh was required, something the ghouls were unable to foresee. The goblins surrounded him, their metal appendages shining in the twilight.
Melton inhaled deeply and concentrated on their rhythmic movements, their seeming synchronization. Perhaps he could take advantage of the fact that they had become accustomed to his attacks.
He feinted a strike to the left, watching as the ghouls moved to counter, then shifted his weight and launched a quick jab to the right. For a brief moment, he thought he had them, but the ghouls adjusted mid-movement, blocking his attack with infuriating ease.
Nexus chimed in again.
"Analyzing combat patterns. Suggestion: Utilize unpredictable maneuvers and environmental interactions to disrupt enemy adaptation."
erratic movements and interactions with the surroundings. Melton's gaze darted throughout the dungeon, taking in all of its details. The illuminated circuits on the walls, the heaps of trash, and the sporadic outbursts of steam emanating from concealed vents. Though small, it was something.
He backed towards one of the walls, drawing the ghouls in. As they closed in, he kicked out at a loose chunk of debris, sending it flying into one of the ghoul's faces. The ghoul stumbled back, momentarily disoriented. Seizing the opportunity, Melton ducked low, rolling to the side and coming up behind another ghoul.
He grabbed a handful of loose wiring from the wall and yanked, causing a shower of sparks to rain down. The ghouls recoiled, their systems momentarily overloaded by the sudden electrical surge. Melton didn't hesitate, launching himself at the nearest ghoul and driving his blade into its core.
The ghoul shuddered and collapsed, its eyes dimming. The others recovered quickly, their eyes locking onto Melton with renewed aggression. But now he knew their weakness. They could adapt to his attacks, but they couldn't anticipate his interactions with the environment.
Using every trick in the book, he darted about the prison. He threw mounds of rubble down on the ghouls, let off puffs of steam to block their eyesight, and took advantage of every frayed wire and broken circuit. He started to change the tide gradually but steadily.
Nexus's voice rang in his mind, a constant source of analysis and support.
"Enemy numbers decreasing. Maintain current strategy. Adapt and overcome."
Melton grinned despite the exhaustion gnawing at him. "Adapt and overcome. Got it."
With a final, coordinated effort, he brought down the last of the techno ghouls, his blade slicing through its metallic frame. The ghoul crumpled to the ground, sparks flying from its severed circuits.
Panting, Melton leaned against the wall, allowing himself a moment of respite. Nexus's voice was calm, almost reassuring.
"Threat neutralized. May proceed to the next chamber for further challenges."
Before he leaves, Melton asks Nexus to scan and analyze the body of one of the techno ghouls for any parts he can salvage. As Nexus begins the scan, a soft blue light emanates from the ghoul's corpse, running over the intricate circuitry and metal plating.
"Scanning complete. Several parts are viable for recycling," Nexus reports. "Notably, one of the ghouls still has an active core."
Melton's eyebrows raised in surprise. "An active core? Where?"
"Approximately six inches beneath the central processor of the ghoul on your left," Nexus replied.
Melton worked rapidly, picking his way through the tangled mass of metal and wiring until he found the core. It was about the size of his palm, a smooth, metallic sphere that pulsed softly with a faint blue light.
He whispered, "Got it," and carefully removed the core. He raised it, studying the fine engravings and sensing the subtle pulse of energy inside. "This could be useful."
He stepped on a loose fragment of rubble as he turned to go. Melton staggered forward, the core slipping from his grasp, and let out a frightened yelp. He reached for it frantically, but the core bounced off his hand, shot through the air, and, at the most ridiculous moment of all, got stuck in his mouth.
He attempted to cough it out instinctively, but his reflexes failed him, and he forcefully swallowed the core, which fell down his throat. His eyes wide with fear, he clawed at his neck as panic shot through him.
He pleaded for death in that moment because of how he was feeling.