The air in Central City's underworld was a cloying mix of gasoline fumes and decaying trash, the perfect miasma to smother any remnant of the daylight world above. Melton Ryder's group, huddled together beneath a sagging billboard, exchanged wary glances as their de facto leader Maya, straightened up, her expression betraying no hint of the weariness that had plagued their journey.
"We'll need supplies, information, and allies if we're to survive here," Melton said, his voice low but firm. "There are things I must take care of personally. Stay together and keep a low profile. I'll be back soon."
That being said, he turned and disappeared into the network of passageways covered with graffiti, leaving the group to choose their next course of action. The neon signs above flickered, throwing intermittent flashes of color into the darkness, highlighting the gang and street art that denoted this area as hotly contested territory.
Melton moved with purpose, his mind already calculating the risks and rewards of his destination: the fabled Steel Gullet, a dungeon hidden beneath the old subway tunnels. It was said to be filled with urban monsters, creatures twisted by the city's dark pulse and infused with the powers of the metropolis itself. He thought about being the weakest in his group and had made up his mind to use Nexus to get stronger.
With the sound of faraway traffic drowning out the creaking of the old gate, he slipped over it. He down a deteriorating stairway and entered the maze-like chamber. His senses were assaulted by the smell of mold and mildew, but he persisted, the only light on his path coming from sporadic sparks from malfunctioning electrical equipment.
As he ventured deeper, the true nature of the dungeon revealed itself. The walls were alive with motion, infested with Ratmen – humanoid vermin with sharp claws and keener minds. Their eyes glinted with a predatory intelligence, but they kept their distance, sensing the danger Melton represented. These ratmen were the weakest of monsters; he wanted something more.
Melton navigated the twisting corridors, each step echoing in the confined space. The dungeon's denizens were varied and strange: Graffiti Golems, formed from the living art plastered on the walls, lumbered through the tunnels, their bodies a chaotic blend of colors and forms. These creatures moved slowly but possessed immense strength, their fists capable of smashing concrete. Melton gave them a wide berth, knowing that disturbing them would mean certain death.
The air got warmer as one moved inside, and the distant sound of equipment got louder. He was now in the realm of the Techno-Ghouls, ex-humans who merged with abandoned electrical parts to become digital nomads. Their limbs were a mix of metal and flesh, and their eyes flashed an unsettling blue. In a deranged pursuit of perfection, they constantly upgraded themselves by scavenging the remnants of outdated technology.
Melton stayed in the shadows, staying out of the way. His objective was located much farther down, at the center of the dungeon, where there were rumors of a beast called the Concrete Chimera. Melton needed this treasure—which this beast was rumored to be guarding—to ensure his group's survival and possibly even find a way out of this abandoned underworld.
The ground beneath his feet began to pulse rhythmically as he got closer to the lair, almost like the heartbeat of the city. The tube led to a large room with the ruins of the previous subway system lining its walls. The Concrete Chimera, a gigantic structure made of asphalt, steel, and stone, stood in the middle.
It was a hideous yet powerful creature with the head of a lion, the body of a bull, and the wings of a gargoyle combined. With a loud thud, Melton hit the chamber, causing the dungeon floor dust to swirl about him. He studied the large space as his eyes grew used to the low light. The dim glow from the crystals embedded in the walls cast eerie shadows, making the place look like the lair of a nightmare.
"Nexus, report," Melton whispered.
"High-level threat detected," Nexus responded, the digital voice calm yet urgent.
Melton's heart raced as he saw the massive silhouette of the chimera at the far end of the chamber. The beast's three heads—lion, bull, and gargoyle...swayed as if sensing his presence. He felt a bead of sweat trickle down his forehead.
"Combat analysis, Nexus."
"Probability of success against current threat: less than 12%."
"Great," Melton muttered. He knew he couldn't take on the chimera in his current state. The cloak of invisibility, a high-tech marvel, was his only chance. Activating it, he felt the familiar hum as the cloak wrapped him in a veil of near-perfect transparency.
Silently, he slipped past the monstrous beast, its three heads oblivious to his presence. The tunnel leading back to the ratmen's domain was narrow and winding, a stark contrast to the grand chamber of the chimera.
He was right where he anticipated to find the ratmen, rushing through their maze-like tube systems. Their red eyes glowed with malice; they were hideous, hunched animals with sharp jaws and claws.
"Nexus, scan the ratmen."
"Threat level: low. Quantity: approximately 500."
Melton clenched his fists. Quantity was never his friend. Even weak enemies could wear him down if there were enough of them.
He drew his blades, the steel whispering as it left their sheaths. The first ratman fell silently, a clean cut severing its head. But the others noticed almost immediately, their shrieks filling the tunnels.
The battle was grueling. The ratmen's sheer numbers overwhelmed him, their claws and teeth scratching at his armor, sapping his stamina. Each swing of his blades felt heavier, each breath more labored. He could feel his muscles burning, his energy waning.
"Nexus, status report."
"Stamina at 20%. Recommend retreat."
"Not yet," Melton grunted, driving his blade into another ratman.
"Stamina at 15%. Recommend retreat."
Yet he fought on, the ratmen falling one by one. Despite their weakness, their persistence was a test of his endurance and resolve. His movements became more sluggish, his vision blurring with exhaustion.
Finally, with a last, desperate lunge, he felled the last ratman. He stood amidst the carnage, panting heavily, his body trembling with fatigue.
"Nexus, status."
"All enemies neutralized. Experience points gained: 5,000. New skill acquired: 'Endurance Surge.'"
Melton felt a surge of energy course through his veins, revitalizing his tired muscles. The skill, a reward for his perseverance, was a boon that would make a difference in the trials ahead.
He leaned against the wall, catching his breath. The battle had been brutal, but it was a necessary step. He needed the strength, the experience, to face the greater threat that lay ahead.
"Let's get back to the chimera," he said, determination steeling his voice.
"You wouldn't survive"
Nexus said.
In that moment, the same message that he got before came up again.
"You've been exposed, you're now a target"