The next morning dawned cold and bleak, as it always did in the Rust Quarter. Alex lay awake, staring at the ceiling of the shelter as the familiar hum of energy rotated steadily through his body, managed by the AI. The steady flow kept him alert, kept him sharp. It had been a few days since he'd started expanding his energy reserves, and while the changes were subtle, he could feel himself growing stronger.
But it wasn't enough.
Alex knew he needed more energy if he was going to push his limits further. The small repairs he was doing in the market were good for tokens, but they weren't going to be enough to support the group long-term. And if anyone caught on to his abilities, it could lead to trouble. He needed a bigger plan—something that would give him access to more energy and, ultimately, more power.
The power station came to mind again. It had been risky sneaking in last time, but the energy he had absorbed had been worth it. If he could make another trip, he could top off his reserves, giving him more flexibility to use the new techniques he was developing. And, perhaps more importantly, the extra energy would give him an edge when it came to increasing his repair skills.
I'll head back to the power station tonight, Alex decided. If I want to make real progress, I need more energy. And fast.
As the others began to stir, Alex quietly slipped out of the shelter, making his way through the winding streets of the Rust Quarter. The day was already picking up, vendors setting up their stalls, scavengers haggling over scraps, and the cold wind biting at anyone brave enough to walk the streets.
Alex kept his head down, moving quickly through the crowd. His thoughts shifted to the Elite District—the wealthy, walled-off part of the city where the privileged lived in relative comfort. He had heard rumors of repairers working there, fixing high-end old-world tech for the elites, earning more tokens in a day than he could make in a week of scavenging.
Could I do that? he wondered. If I can repair their advanced tech, I could make a fortune. But getting into the Elite District… that's a different challenge.
The thought of working in the Elite District gnawed at him. The people there wouldn't care where he came from if he could fix what they needed. And the tech in that part of the city was far more advanced—complex devices that would challenge his skills but also offer huge rewards. He could earn enough to not just survive, but thrive. And with the AI's help, maybe even surpass the existing repairers.
But there were risks. The Elite District was heavily guarded, and they didn't let just anyone in. He would need to approach cautiously, find a way to offer his services without drawing too much attention to himself. If the elites knew what he was truly capable of, they might see him as a threat—or worse, try to exploit him.
First things first, Alex thought as he made his way to a secluded corner of the market. I need more energy before I can even think about the Elite District.
The day passed slowly, with Alex buying and repairing small items just as he had the previous day. His mind was elsewhere, though—focused on the power station, on the plan he was formulating for the night. He sold what he could, earning a decent amount of tokens, but it wasn't enough to distract him from the bigger picture.
By the time the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the Rust Quarter, Alex was ready. The power station loomed in the distance, its towering structure glowing faintly in the evening light. The guards would be on patrol, just like last time, but Alex was confident he could slip in and out without being noticed.
As he approached the outer fence of the power station, his heart quickened. The last time he had been here, he had nearly been caught. But now, with more experience under his belt and a better understanding of his abilities, he felt more prepared.
AI, Alex thought as he crouched low, watching the movements of the guards from a safe distance. What's my current status?
"Displaying current status," the AI responded, and in an instant, a detailed readout appeared in Alex's mind, visualized in numbers and data that only he could see.
Energy Reserves: 82%
Maximum Capacity: Moderate (continuously increasing)
Energy Flow Rate: Stable
Strength Enhancement: +10%
Reflex Enhancement: +15%
Stamina Enhancement: +8%
Current Techniques Available:
Energy AbsorptionEnergy Repair (Basic)Energy Rotation (Continuous)
Potential Techniques Pending Development:
Energy Surge (Requires higher capacity)Energy Shielding (Requires more testing)Enhanced Repair (Requires more external energy)
Alex absorbed the information quickly. His energy reserves were nearing full capacity, but that wouldn't last long if he started using advanced techniques. He needed to top off, and the power station was the best place to do it.
Perfect, Alex thought, watching the guards closely. Let's get this done.
The AI provided a visual map of the guard routes, allowing Alex to time his movements perfectly. He slipped through the outer fence just as one of the guards turned the corner, crouching low as he made his way toward the access door he had used before. The cold night air bit at his skin, but the adrenaline kept him moving.
Once inside the power station, Alex moved swiftly through the darkened corridors, the faint hum of energy growing louder as he neared the central power core. His heart pounded in his chest, but the AI's calm guidance kept him focused.
"This location is optimal for energy absorption," the AI informed him as they reached the same spot where Alex had absorbed energy before.
Let's do it, Alex thought, already feeling the buzz of anticipation.
He placed his hands on the cold metal surface of the power core, closing his eyes as he focused on the flow of energy. The AI guided him, helping to regulate the absorption process as the raw power surged through the core and into Alex's body. It was an overwhelming sensation, but he kept his focus, controlling the intake to avoid overloading himself.
The energy poured into him, filling his reserves, strengthening the rotation flowing through his system. His muscles tightened, his reflexes sharpened. The enhancements were already beginning to take effect.
"Energy absorption complete," the AI said after a few minutes. "Current reserves: 100%. Maximum capacity reached."
Alex let out a slow breath, stepping back from the power core. His body buzzed with energy, his mind sharp and focused. This was what he needed. He could feel the difference—the strength, the speed. It wasn't just about surviving anymore. It was about thriving, about taking control of his fate.
As he slipped out of the power station, moving quickly and quietly through the shadows, Alex's thoughts returned to the Elite District.
If I can get in there, he thought, if I can fix their tech and gain their trust, I can secure a future for all of us. No more scraping by, no more scavenging. Real money, real power.
But the road ahead was uncertain, and the risks were high. For now, though, he had what he needed: energy, focus, and a growing skill set. The next steps would be crucial.
As Alex made his way back to the shelter, the energy still humming in his veins, he knew one thing for certain: he wasn't going to stop until he had everything he needed to protect those he cared about—and to carve out a future in this broken world.