As the notification chimed in, Six felt the tension of the battle finally ease from his shoulders. The system's rewards were impressive, even more so given the scale of Shido's invasion attempt.
Ding!
[Quest Complete: Defend invasion and eliminate the invaders]
[Objective: Successfully Slay Invader. Complete]
[Reward: Ultra-rare Violet-Tier Item Two Umbilical Cord (Bloodborne)]
[Bonus Objective: Successfully Defend the world within the time limit. Complete]
[Reward: Super rare Gold-Tier Item Invasion Ticket]
[Bonus Objective: Successfully 5th and last invasion. Complete]
[Reward: Super rare Gold-Tier Item Revenge Invasion Ticket]
Two Umbilical Cord:
A great relic, also known as the Cord of the Eye. Every infant Great One has this precursor to the umbilical cord. Use to gain Insight and, so they say, eyes on the inside, although no one remembers what that truly entails.
Invasion Ticket:
Randomly invade a different world and set an anchor. The user is given five chances to Meet the requirements to set the anchor permanently into another world. If failed, the anchor disappears.
Revenge Invasion Ticket:
Unlike invasion tickets, which are random at choosing worlds. With this ticket, the users are able to invade the individual who's been invading their world for revenge.
Ding!
[Level Up!]
Upon accessing the skill screen, Six was now level 17, he decided to continue enhancing his BARTER skill to 100, he could now negotiate or barter with virtually anyone, making him a master of deals and trades in the Mojave and beyond. He invested enough points to bring SPEECH to 51, making him even more convincing and persuasive in dialogue.
Next up were Perks. He considered his options but ultimately chose Light Step, a subtle yet invaluable perk for his future endeavors. With Light Step, he would be able to move without fear of triggering floor traps or mines, crucial in a world filled with hidden dangers.
Ding!
[BARTER has been maxed!]
[Perk gained: Treasure Eyes]
Treasure Eyes:
This unique perk allows users to instantly see the precise value of every item they encounter. Whether it's caps, precious resources, or rare collectibles, you can now gauge worth at a glance. No more guessing when trading or scavenging—every item's value is laid bare before you, helping you prioritize the most valuable finds.
Six quickly pulled up his inventory and inspected his new items. The Two Umbilical Cords from Bloodborne were a particularly cryptic reward, but he understood their power well enough. "Eyes on the inside" and "Insight" could prove valuable when navigating unknown realities.
The Invasion Ticket was equally intriguing. With it, he could now invade random worlds, just as Shido had done to his world. But more importantly, the Revenge Invasion Ticket would allow him to target Shido's world directly. Even though Shido was now dead, the opportunity to strike back at whatever forces had sent him lingered like a challenge that begged to be taken.
"Perfect."
Six muttered.
"Now the tables have turned."
As Six stood amidst the wreckage of Shido's failed invasion, he glanced at Rebecca, who was checking on the systems and preparing for the inevitable rebuild.
"Looks like we've got a bit more control now."
He said, smirking as he held up the Revenge Invasion Ticket.
Rebecca grinned, wiping the sweat from her brow.
"Looks like it's time to start planning our own invasion."
Six laughed, feeling more energized than ever.
"Exactly. It's about time we take the fight to them."
With the world momentarily at peace, Six and Rebecca could focus on what came next—expanding their influence and striking back against those who dared to challenge them. The next battle would be on their terms.
With the Treasure Eyes perk, Six now possessed a distinct edge in the wasteland. As he scoured ruins or dealt with merchants, he could immediately assess what items held the greatest value. Whether it was bartering for supplies or deciding what to bring back from scavenging missions, nothing would escape his notice anymore.
This new perk would be invaluable in his future dealings, allowing him to immediately assess the worth of items and resources he encountered. No longer would he need to guess whether an item was valuable or just junk; he could discern its true worth with just a glance.
"Now that's a game changer."
Six said, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.
"With this, I can make better trades and maximize our resources."
Rebecca looked up from the systems console, her eyebrows raised in curiosity.
"What's the perk do?"
"Let's just say I'll be able to spot treasures hidden among the garbage."
He replied, winking.
"This will give us a serious edge when we start collecting gear for our next adventures."
She smiled back, the prospect of new ventures invigorating both of them.
"So, what's our next move?"
"First, we take a moment to regroup."
Six said.
"Then, we can check out the rewards from the last quest. We've earned a little downtime after that chaos."
Rebecca nodded, her expression turning thoughtful.
"What do you want to do with the Invasion Ticket? I mean, we could explore, or maybe target something specific?"
"Hmm."
Six pondered.
"I think we should use the Invasion Ticket first. It might lead us to a new resource or allies that we can bring back here. Plus, it'll be a good test of our new perks and skills."
Rebecca agreed, her excitement growing at the prospect of new adventures.
"And the Revenge Ticket? Should we save that for later?"
"Definitely."
Six replied, a determined glint in his eyes.
"We'll use that when we're ready to deal with any remnants of Shido's forces. For now, let's focus on gathering resources and strengthening our position."
With a plan forming in his mind, Six began to organize his gear and strategize their next steps. The world was full of possibilities, and he was ready to seize them. Together, they would carve out a future that would rival anything the wasteland had ever seen.
Six monitored the data streams from the eyebots he sent out, assessing the aftermath of the nuclear detonations. The immediate threat had passed, but the devastation left in the wake of Shido's final attempt to link the Highschool of the Dead world with Fallout was undeniable.
Scanning Results:
-Radionuclides: Short half-lives, decaying within minutes to days.
-Goodsprings Status: Safe, buildings underground and underground vaults sealed for 8 days.
-Primm Status: Safe, nuclear bomb safety protocols activated, buildings underground sealed for 8.
-Sloan: Partially destroyed, Residents exposed to radiation will die in weeks.
-Blast Containment: 2/3 of the nuclear blast was contained by surrounding mountains.
-Long-lived radionuclides: Long half-lives and remain in the environment for a long time.
-Red Rock Canyon: Destroyed, Khan have died or turned into feral ghouls by high
-Spring Mt. Ranch State Park: Destroyed, reduced to a large crater, became Mohave's Glowing Sea
-Glowing Sea: The entire region is heavily irradiated, causing damage in second in most areas, killing unprotected people in less than two minutes.
-Fallout: Large debris cloud blocking out sunlight, covering the Mojave with radiation material.
The mountains had acted as a natural barrier, preventing the destruction from spreading further. However, the massive cloud of radioactive material now hung ominously in the sky, dimming the sun and casting the Mojave in a gloomy twilight.
"Spring Mt. Ranch didn't stand a chance."
Six muttered, grimacing at the sight of the crater on the display.
"At least the mountains stopped the worst of it."
Rebecca leaned over his shoulder, her expression darkening.
"But that cloud… It's going to affect the whole region, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
Six replied.
"We'll need to stay underground until the radiation clears. We're lucky the bombs didn't cause more damage, but we're not out of the woods yet."
He tapped into the local weather systems, calculating the potential fallout patterns. If they stayed underground for the next eight days, the worst of the radiation would decay before it reached the major populated areas. But the lingering effects could still pose a threat to scavengers and traders in the Mojave.
"We need to make sure everyone stays put."
Six said, issuing commands through his Pip-Boy.
"No one leaves Goodsprings or Primm until we've cleared this mess."
Rebecca nodded.
"I'll help reinforce the message. Everyone should have enough supplies to last. What about the radiation cloud? Any way to disperse it faster?"
Six considered their options.
"We could send out drones to release dispersants, maybe seed the clouds with something that could neutralize the radiation particles. It'll be risky, but it might speed up the process."
"I'll get the droids prepped."
Rebecca said.
"We need to keep the area safe for when we come back topside."
As the two of them coordinated the defenses and cleanup efforts, the eerie silence of the underground vaults contrasted sharply with the devastation outside. Though the immediate threat had passed, they knew this would be a long recovery.
"Eight days underground."
Six mused.
"That should give us enough time to get everything back in order."
"And then?"
Rebecca asked, her eyes glinting with determination.
"Then we rebuild."
Six said, his voice firm.
"And we prepare for whatever's next."
"Looks like those whining NCR Soldiers will finally get their fucking nuclear winter."
Rebecca said with a smirk after checking the cloud debris covering the sky on the screen.
Six chuckled at Rebecca's comment, though his eyes remained fixed on the screens displaying the cloud of radioactive debris hovering over the Mojave. The eerie twilight cast a grim shadow across the landscape, giving the once-scorched desert a bleak and unsettling atmosphere.
"Yeah."
Six replied with a smirk.
"The NCR's been asking for it, complaining about how hot it always is. Now they'll be begging for a little sunshine when they get a taste of that cold."
Rebecca crossed her arms, standing next to him.
"Do you think they'll try to pin this on us?"
Six shook his head.
"Doesn't matter if they do. We've got all the proof we need that this was Shido's doing. Even the NCR wouldn't be dumb enough to pick a fight with us after this. They know we've got the tech, and now they've seen what we can do."
Rebecca glanced back at the screen, her smirk fading slightly as she watched the thick clouds slowly drifting over the mountains.
"Still, it's going to make things complicated for a while. Trade routes, scavenging, everything's gonna slow down with this nuclear winter hanging over us."
Six leaned back, stretching his arms.
"Yeah, it'll be tough, but nothing we can't handle. Once the radiation clears, we'll come out stronger. And besides, we've already got everything we need underground. Goodsprings can hold its own while the rest of the wasteland freezes over."
Rebecca grinned again.
"And while they're struggling, we'll be warm and cozy, getting ready for the next chapter. I bet this nuclear winter will make our enemies think twice before coming for us."
"Exactly."
Six said, smirking.
"They'll learn quickly. Don't mess with us, or you'll end up like Shido—buried in a crater."
Rebecca laughed softly, leaning against him.
"Well, I guess it's time to settle in for the long haul. We've got a winter to outlast."
Six nodded, his gaze still on the cloud-covered horizon.
"Let's see who survives this wasteland now."
Level: 16
NAME: Six XI
GENDER: MALE
STRENGTH: 10
PERCEPTION: 10
ENDURANCE: 10
CHARISMA: 10
INTELLIGENCE: 10
AGILITY: 10
LUCK: 10
-----------
BARTER: 100
ENERGY WEAPONS: 36
EXPLOSIVES: 36
GUNS: 100
LOCKPICK: 39
MEDICINE: 100
MELEE WEAPONS: 39
REPAIR: 100
SCIENCE: 100
SNEAK: 39
SPEECH: 51
SURVIVAL: 39
UNARMED: 39