As Jax Talon strode through the grimy streets of the slums, the weight of his rifle slung across his back, he couldn't help but feel the change in the air. The slums, once bustling with civilians trying to survive the harsh conditions, now lay eerily quiet, save for the occasional echo of distant howls.
He had just dispatched another pack of Ravagers, their bodies scattered around the dimly lit alley. The creatures had been larger than usual, with twisted, muscular bodies and gnarled claws sharp enough to tear through steel.
The fight had been tough, but nothing Jax and his team couldn't handle. Steelwolf, his massive mecha, stood guard beside him, its smoke missile launcher still cooling from the previous battle. Jax wiped the sweat from his brow, surveying the aftermath.
Suddenly, the familiar chime of his system echoed in his mind.
"Ding~"
[Quest Complete: You have successfully eliminated another pack of monsters. You've caught the eye of the council.]
[Reward: 500 XP | 100 Popularity | Special Rewards Unlocked]
A smirk tugged at the corner of Jax's lips as he felt the surge of experience and popularity rush through his system. He opened his status to check the latest updates.
Status:
Name: Jax Talon
Age: 27
Level: 10
XP: 365/1000
Health: 100
Strength: 20
Stamina: 17
Agility: 16
Endurance:
Points: 10
Popularity: 647
Jax grinned. His progress had been rapid ever since they'd started clearing out the slums, and the council's recognition would only increase his influence. However, the system wasn't finished yet. Another prompt appeared before his eyes.
"Ding~"
[New Base Unlocked: For your continued success and recognition by the council, you've been granted a base of operations. The base includes a state-of-the-art defense system, a control room, living quarters, and trained staff. This will be your command center for future operations.]
Jax blinked in surprise. A base? This was more than he had expected. But the rewards didn't stop there.
[New Equipment Unlocked: Commander Pilot Suit awarded. Designed for high-ranking officers, this suit enhances combat efficiency and communication with mechs. Increases agility and stamina by 5%.]
[Additional Soldiers: 40 more soldiers have been assigned to your corp, fully trained and equipped for combat operations.]
Jax's eyes widened as the rewards continued to pour in. He could hardly believe the scale of what the system was providing him, but the final reward left him speechless.
[Steelwolf Upgrade: Your mecha, Steelwolf, has been upgraded. A new blade attachment was added to the back, capable of being deployed at any time for close combat. AR-14 Assault Rifle was added to its armory for increased firepower. Shoulder-mounted missiles and turret upgraded for faster reloading and greater range.]
Jax took a deep breath, a sense of pride swelling within him. Steelwolf had already been a fearsome machine, but now with the upgrades, it was a walking fortress of destruction. He glanced at the massive mech, noticing the gleam of its new blade and the sleeker design of its assault rifle, which replaced the standard-issue weapon it had previously carried.
The ground trembled slightly as Steelwolf adjusted its stance, the new blade shining under the faint streetlights. Jax couldn't help but marvel at the machine's new form. "Well, Steelwolf," he muttered, "you just got a serious upgrade."
He was still absorbing the system's rewards when another notification appeared.
"Ding~"
[Message from the Council: You've been officially recognized by the leadership of Whitestone City. They are impressed by your actions in the slums and have extended an invitation for a formal meeting. Your presence is requested at the council chamber to discuss your future role.]
Jax raised an eyebrow. The council wanted to meet him. Things were moving faster than he anticipated. "Looks like we've caught their attention," Jax muttered to his team as they regrouped after the latest fight.
His second-in-command, Marcus, a grizzled soldier who had seen more battles than most, nodded. "About time they noticed. With the way we've been clearing these streets, it was only a matter of when not if."
Jax glanced at the system notifications again, then at the darkened streets of Whitestone. His soldiers, now twenty stronger than before, lined up behind him, weapons ready and eyes sharp. With Steelwolf towering over them, their presence was intimidating, even in the slums.
"Let's head back to base," Jax said, his voice firm. "We've got a lot to prepare for. The council's watching, and I'm not about to let this opportunity slip."
As they made their way back, the streets seemed quieter, almost as if the city itself knew that change was coming. Jax's mind raced with the possibilities. With the new base, additional soldiers, and the upgrades to Steelwolf, he could push his corp to new heights. But the meeting with the council was another matter entirely. If they were reaching out to him, it meant that Whitestone City was in deeper trouble than they let on.
The night air was cool as they approached their new base, the structure looming in the distance like a fortress. It was equipped with defense systems that Jax could control from the command center—a secure location that would serve as the heart of the Blackhand Military Police Corps.
.
His thoughts turned to the future. His system had laid out paths before him: the trauma mecha corp, the mercenary corp, and the government corp. But he had chosen a different way—the Blackhand Military Police Corp—an organization that would bring order to the chaos of Whitestone City.
As they crossed the threshold of the new base, Jax couldn't help but feel that this was only the beginning. He looked up at the looming steel doors, the fortified walls, and the soldiers stationed around the perimeter. They had a lot of work ahead of them, but now they had the resources to get it done.
And with the council's eyes on him, Jax knew he was just getting started.