Everest wearily rubbed his forehead, unable to comprehend what had recently occurred. Out of nowhere, the system directive went on its way to trick and humiliate him for its amusement. It didn't even bother to hide its intention, and he fell for it.
Damn, when did I become this stupid?
He shook his head and realized how much he fell as an individual. The supposed last commander of the final bastion of humanity, the one who concluded the war by blasting the entire playing field with nuclear hellfire, was tricked by a robot.
Before he could waste more of his time dwelling on something as foolish as humiliation, a bit of reality fractured, unveiling an expanding rupture radiating a bluish hue.
The emergence of the fracture was utterly an unforeseen circumstance.
It was an absurd occurrence that defied his views of what was real and what wasn't.
What is this?
Everest pondered to himself for a moment, but promptly realized what it may be. The bluish and pulsating fracture was an invocation for a summoning.
The Avian Drone.
Subsequently, the fracture shimmered in an ever-expanding magnitude and unfolded a wonder of technology, which departed the clutches of the ruptured part of reality.
It was clad in metal, glistening in every move, with feathers as sharp as exquisite knives, beaks that could puncture concrete, and talons as resilient as the guillotine. It resembled a bird, a Red-Tailed Hawk. The predator of the heavens.
As the biomechanical drone stood in front of Everest, the fractured reality dimmed and vanished into the darkness as though it hadn't existed in the first place, akin to fiction. It was bewildering as it was astonishing.
The mechanoid bird of prey gazed upon him through its pulsating, cold bluish eyes. It coolly awaited for the command of its master, though what followed was an instruction, but the hand of its overseer.
Humans have an instinctive behavior to pat creatures or objects they intend to have a relationship with. It was a peculiar action that emerged from the necessity to test the hostility of someone or something by sacrificing one's hand.
Born from naivety, trust, and sincerity.
It was dangerous, yet strangely beautiful.
Everest felt the cold mechanical surface of the drone who accepted his touch without a tinge of resistance. It was smooth, reflective, and firm. The Avian Drone wasn't an extremely large mechanoid.
As said before, it resembled a Red-Tailed Hawk, meaning it had an identical proportion to the original. Although it was sizeable, the biomechanical lifeform could probably perch over his shoulder.
"Do you have a name?"
He questioned the mechanoid, who merely tilted its head while gazing at him. Even though the Avian Drone couldn't express any expression, he had a feeling that it could be confused from the words that escaped his mouth.
"I guess that was a dumb question."
Everest wryly smiled and rubbed the back of his head with a snippet of awkwardness. It was stupid to asked the name of something that had just been recently summoned into the world. Obviously, it wouldn't have a name.
"Before I give you your name, I'd like to confirm one thing."
He took a good look at the biomechanical lifeform and continued.
"Can you understand me?"
It was a simple question, a much-needed one. Understanding was vital for the relationship he would build with the drone. With its capabilities, there was no doubt that he would be sooner or later trusting it with his life.
The mechanoid bird of prey vacantly nodded like dull-witted canine, earning a smile from its master. He didn't know if he was imagining everything, but for some reason, the hawk seemed to be strangely expressive.
"Alright, thank you for answering."
"I'll name you..."
Everest carefully thought of a name that was perfect for the biomechanical hawk while it sauntered towards him, awaiting of its name. The way it walked reminded him of a penguin, which distracted him for a moment.
However, understanding that it wasn't the time to enjoy the behavior of his drone, he continued devising a name for his newly-emerged companion.
"Hmm... How about Zephyr?"
He watched as the mechanoid eagerly nodded its head up and down in agreement to the name given to it. It was endearing, but he understood that the Avian Drone wasn't to be underestimated.
"Zephyr, it is!"
With the name of his companion confirmed, it was time to test the capabilities and cost of his companion. The first ability he tested was its reconnaissance, which was simple to test.
Through a single thought, a small digital screen materialized in the uppermost right of his vision. Inside was the live footage directly connecting to the telescopic and peerless eyes of Zephyr. There was little to no latency between the two of them, meaning it was a reliable in terms of perception.
It isn't bad-
-Useful in short and maybe long reconnaissance.
Having an actual and direct field information through an observation from a bird's eye view is convenient. It gives me a chance to avoid trouble instead of accidently confronting them. Perhaps, I could also confirm information provided to me.
However, its attack capability remained in question unless tested against a hostile entity. Although the convenience of Zephyr far outweigh its peculiar offensive ability.
Everest nodded to himself as thoughts about the advantages and disadvantages of the Avian Drone surged within his mind. Other than its capabilities, he also pondered about its cost. Specifically towards his energy cache.
If he wasn't careful, the quantified energy mass within his cache might reach zero. He'd rather not test the effects of having no energy. The adequate and likely result would be exhaustion alongside the lost of consciousness. The worst would be a coma or death.
But when befuddled, there was always the system directive to rely upon.
System, I'd like to know the effects of exhausting my energy reserve.
[ Consequence of depleted energy stockpile ranges from exhaustion, dizziness, nausea, and weakness. Complete recovery will consist of an eight-hour period slumber. ]
The consequences aren't too severe, but not good either.
Eight hours was too long, and the countless things could occur in that timeframe. He'd rather avoid relying too much in luck as he knew better than to be dependent on it.
[ Everest ]
-[ Energy : (100/130) ]-
-[ Class : Operator(★★★★) ]-
-[ Level 1 : ( 10/200 AXP ) ]-
-[ Attribute(s) ]-
--[ STR : 11 ]-[ END : 13 ]--
--[ AGI : 16 ]-[ DEX : 11]--
--[ INT : 12 ]-[ WIS : 12 ]--
--[ Attribute Point(s) : 0 ]--
-[ Skill Index ]-
-<[ Avian Drone(★★★) ]>-
-<[ Marksmanship(★★) ]>-
-<[ Close-Quarters Combat(★) ]>-
-[ Inventory ]-
-<[ Supply Crate ]>-
-<[ 2x Carts of Groceries ]>-
-<[ 4x Boxes of Bottled Water ]>-
-<[ 3x Bags of Hygiene Products and First-Aid ]>-
-<[ Bag of Canned Goods ]>-
-<[ 2x Glock-17 9mm ]>-
-<[ 4x Glock-17 Magazines ]>-
-<[ 2x Sheathed Knives ]>-
-<[ 3x Butterfly Knives ]>-
-<[ Suppressed Ruger Mark IV ]>-
-<[ 9x 22LR Magazines ]>-
20 energy has already been utilized from the summoning of Zephyr while 10 energy was consumed for my companion to be operational for 5 minutes.
Do I have to cancel the summoning and return him to where he came from? That would be too inefficient, costing me an average of 30 energy per summon.
There must be another way.
Everest furrowed his eyebrows as he thought of ways that could solve the troublesome issue of energy inefficiency. After a moment of deep thinking, an idea was conceived within his mind. He wasn't assured of its feasibility, but it was worth trying.
Glancing at his companion, he nonchalantly asked the biomechanical hawk.
"Zephyr, can you turn yourself off for the meantime? And will it temporarily halt the energy consumption of your body?"
The mechanoid bird gazed upon its master and tilted its head before nodding in a row. It could shut down and hibernate, although it would be no less than a statue once deactivated. The benefit was the suspension of energy expenditure.
Perceiving the countless nods of his biomechanical companion, the edges of Everest's lips curled up. He patted its head, feeling the soft and cool mechanical surface.
"Alright, can you temporarily shut down for me Zephyr? I'll lie down for now, but once I'm rested enough, we'll start accomplishing the quests provided by the system directive."
He asked the mechanoid bird, who merely nodded in understanding and waddled towards the bedside. When it arrived upon its destination, it stood frozen as its gaze became distant. The bluish hue pulsating from its eyes faded, vanishing into the darkness.
Everest softly shook his head after watching Zephyr turned itself off. A heavy sigh escaped his breath as he threw himself to the embrace of his comfortable bed. Turning on the television, he watched various channels with interest, but over time, he slowly closed his eyelids.
Weariness had ensnared him
In spite of the development his endurance underwent through, the ceaseless activity since his awakening brought a peculiar mental fatigue. Nonetheless, it shouldn't take long before he adapted to his current attributes.
And the future him should have the mental capacity to utilized the attributes granted upon him.
Meanwhile... The television gleamed with luster, displaying advertisements and shows one after another for a couple hours. But the screen abruptly distorted, replaced by the breaking news. A newscaster emerged, holding a file while a grave expression etched itself on his face.
*The Federal Government has affirmed a saddening news from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization. In the following statements of these organizations, a pandemic has erupted within the continent of Africa.*
*Furthermore, the contagion had made its landfall into the United States. Cases throughout the coastal east and west of the country have been confirmed alongside the verification of the authorities in regards to the pandemic.*
*The White House has issued an executive order for the quarantine of over 140 coastal cities alongside 300 neighboring counties. The national guard and the military will be deployed to maintain order over quarantined areas.*
*The authorities and emergency services will be kept operational as long as possible. However, citizens are advised to remained in the safety of their homes. Avoid interacting with others, especially those who have displayed the following symptoms.*
*Pale skin, bulging black veins, bloodshot eyes, growling, rabid behavior, and twitching.*
*An evacuation order has been given to the listed cities below. Remain vigilant, and if possible, fortify your homes. Individuals bitten by the infected will become one of them, afflicted by the Aberrant-Syndrome.*
The newscaster anxiously reported, barely able to conceal his trembling hand. Fear and dread consumed his heart, yet as the speaker of those that listened. He must prevail and continue no matter what.
*A state of emergency has been declared, and the Federal Government will not be lenient to those who dare to exploit the disaster that will ravage the country. This is not a warning, b- but a threat!*
*I repeat, remain in the safe confine of your homes and await for further instructions. For those within the listed cities under evacuation, abide the commands of the personnel of the military and do not resist.*
*Security zones will be established in the outskirts of the coastal cities, heavily secured and stabilized by the military. The President has given his remarks before evacuating from the House of the Executive.*
*The United States shall persist and endure the upcoming disaster. We will remain, survive, and step forward into the future regardless of the price or costs. We will not fall!*
*God bless the United States of America!*
The breaking news was suddenly replaced by an announcement of the Federal Government to follow the instructions listed in a bulletin below the beneath the message. It was displayed throughout all public and private channels of the television, signifying the gravity of the situation.
Everest solemnly gazed upon the television, already wide awake since the breaking news made its appearance. Glancing at the digital clock beside him, he briefly thought and muttered to himself.
2:10 PM...
"It's the same as before, the outbreak is about to start."
Even though he already expected the emergence of the outbreak, a part of him wished that everything from his past or future was nothing more but a dreadful nightmare.
The modern civilization is nearing its end, huh?
I should have spent more time enjoying it.
An ironic smile creeped into his face as a bluish and translucent digital screen materialized. Written inside was a notification, the second quest has been unfolded by the system directive.
[ Apocalypse Quest Established! ]