Jax Talon stood alone in the command center, his mind racing as he reviewed tactical documents detailing Blackhand's latest operations. For days now, his corporation had been on the rise, gaining influence across Whitestone City. Patrols were running smoothly, and monster incursions had been decreasing—or so they thought. Suddenly, the calm was shattered by the harsh, metallic chime of the system ringing in his helmet.
[Emergency Quest: Defend Whitestone!]
Objective: A massive horde of monsters is moving toward Whitestone City, led by a powerful Horde King. Stop the horde from breaching the city's defenses.Reward: Border posts will be established around the city, 10,000 Popularity.
Jax's eyes sharpened as the gravity of the situation sank in. A Horde King—a beast of terrifying strength that commanded legions of monsters—was no simple threat. This was something capable of leveling entire districts, an apex predator in the world of chaos. He set down the documents, rising from his chair with purpose.
"This is serious," he muttered.
Jax immediately opened the comms to all Blackhand soldiers stationed at the base. His voice, calm yet commanding, echoed through the halls. "Attention, all units! Full combat readiness! We have a massive horde of monsters heading straight for Whitestone, led by a Horde King. Everyone, prepare for deployment. I want fifty soldiers armed and ready to move in five minutes!"
The command center erupted into action. Soldiers scrambled into formation, pulling on their combat gear and prepping for the fight of their lives. Engineers buzzed around the massive mechs housed in the hangar, checking systems and fueling up for combat. The quiet efficiency of the Blackhand base quickly turned into an all-out military mobilization.
Jax wasted no time himself. Striding toward the hangar, he donned his Commander Pilot Suit, feeling the power surge through his body as the suit synced with his neural systems. A red interface blinked into existence inside his helmet, feeding him streams of data about the approaching horde.
Steelwolf—his trusted mecha—stood waiting, its towering form shimmering under the hangar lights. The mech's weapons gleamed, from its newly upgraded AR-14 Assault Rifle to the glowing blade now mounted on its back. Jax climbed into the cockpit with ease, the mech sealing itself around him as it came to life. The powerful hum of its systems vibrated through the suit, and Jax could feel his bond with Steelwolf deepen.
"Let's show them what Blackhand is made of," he whispered, gripping the controls.
Outside, his elite soldiers were already forming ranks, fully armed and ready for battle. Fifty men, all trained to the peak of their abilities, stood at attention, awaiting orders. They had fought alongside Jax before, but this was different—this was a fight for the future of Whitestone City.
Jax activated the base-wide comms once more. "Soldiers, form up and move out! We're going to stop this horde before it even reaches the city walls."
The soldiers saluted and moved into formation, their rifles slung over their shoulders, tactical grenades at their belts. With Steelwolf leading the way, the convoy set out, mechs and soldiers moving through the city streets with precision. As they reached the inner district, the scenery shifted dramatically. Here, towering mansions and gilded estates stood in stark contrast to the city's outer regions. It was a playground for the rich and powerful.
But now, the streets were filled with panic. Nobles, usually too refined to show emotion, were now running frantically, their finely tailored robes flying behind them as they scrambled for safety. Cries for help echoed in the air as desperate elites ran toward the soldiers, their wealth and status forgotten in the face of impending doom.
One nobleman, a portly figure clutching a heavy sack of coins, rushed forward. "Talon! Please! Protect my estate, and I'll pay you twice the value of any contract—gold, as much as you want!"
Another noblewoman, draped in jewels and silks, frantically shoved a bag of gemstones into a soldier's hands. "Take this! Save my children, I'll give you anything!"
The offers kept coming: power, influence, titles, even promises of marriage to their daughters. One desperate aristocrat, face pale and drenched in sweat, went so far as to offer his entire estate to Jax.
Jax ignored them all, his focus unwavering. As the pleas continued, he finally spoke, his voice cold and decisive. "We're not for sale. Keep your gold."
His helmet remained firmly in place, masking his expression as he marched past the nobles without a second glance. His soldiers followed his lead, moving through the crowd with steely resolve.
Finally, they reached the outer walls of Whitestone City, and the mood shifted from one of panic to grim anticipation. In the distance, the sound of the monster horde grew louder. A low, rumbling roar echoed across the land, shaking the very ground they stood on. The skies darkened as if the horde itself cast a shadow over the city.
The system blinked again, feeding Jax crucial information:
[System Notification: The Horde King is leading a massive assault. Its horde consists of hundreds of monsters, including ground-based ravagers, sky serpents, and stone-beasts. The Horde King itself stands at over thirty feet tall, wielding immense strength and dark energy. Highly dangerous.]
Jax's HUD zoomed in on the Horde King, towering at the center of the beastly army. The creature was a massive, grotesque figure, with horns curling around its head and glowing red eyes that burned with malice. It wore makeshift armor fashioned from bones and steel, and a gigantic, rune-covered warhammer swung at its side. Surrounding it were hundreds of monsters, ranging from ravenous Ravagers to hulking Brute Beasts, each one eager to tear into Whitestone's defenses.
Jax checked his status screen one last time, making sure he was ready for the fight ahead.
Status:
Name: Jax Talon
Age: 27
Level: 10
XP: 365/1000
Health: 100
Strength: 20
Stamina: 17
Agility: 16
Endurance: 15
Stat Points: 10
Popularity: 647
As they neared the outer wall, Jax's team came face to face with the horde. The ground trembled beneath the weight of the charging beasts, their roars deafening. Dust clouds rose from the ground as claws, fangs, and monstrous appendages tore at the earth. The Horde King's warhammer slammed into the ground with a thunderous boom, signaling the attack.
"Steelwolf, weapon systems online," Jax commanded.
Steelwolf's systems activated in a flash. Its assault rifle whirred as bullets loaded into the chamber, the turret on its shoulder rotating into position. The blade on its back shimmered with energy as it extended outward, ready to cut through anything in its path.
"Soldiers, form defensive positions!" Jax shouted over the comms. "Prepare for engagement!"
His men quickly fell into position, forming a defensive line with their rifles aimed at the approaching monsters. Grenades were prepped, ready to be thrown at a moment's notice. The tension was palpable as the horde bore down on them.
The Horde King let out a bone-rattling roar as it charged forward, its warhammer raised high. The monstrous creatures around it surged with renewed energy, their eyes locked onto Jax's forces.
Jax gripped the controls tightly, his heart pounding in his chest. "This is it. We stop them here."