Chapter 18: Rising from the Ashes
The early morning light bathed the landscape in hues of orange and gold. Alex stood atop a ridge, gazing at the smoldering ruins of the Genesis Core facility below. A wave of relief washed over him—he'd survived—but it was quickly replaced by a gnawing unease.
The system chimed softly in his mind.
> System Notification:
New Mission Unlocked: Investigate Coordinates Beta-13.
Reward: Advanced Weapon Blueprint. Danger Level: High.
He frowned. Beta-13. The encrypted files he'd salvaged from the facility hinted at other Genesis Core facilities spread across the region. But the mission's danger level wasn't what concerned him most. The coordinates placed Beta-13 within a red zone—a quarantined area where the infection had mutated uncontrollably.
Alex sighed and checked his System Points (SP): 790. It was time to see what his hard-earned points could unlock.
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System Interface: The Upgrade Decision
The system's upgrade interface opened before him, a sleek grid of options glowing faintly. Alex scrolled through the categories:
Combat Upgrades: Enhanced reflexes, precision aiming, and hand-to-hand combat mastery.
Utility Skills: Stealth mode, hacking proficiency, and survival efficiency.
Special Unlocks: Unknown.
A new category caught his eye—Genesis Arsenal.
He selected it, and the system expanded to reveal a range of high-tech blueprints and weapon upgrades.
> Genesis Arsenal Tier 1 Unlocked.
Plasma Blade: 500 SP
EMP Pulse Grenades (x3): 200 SP
Adaptive Armor Module: 600 SP
The Plasma Blade immediately drew his attention. It was a close-combat weapon designed to slice through even the toughest infected hides with ease.
"I'll take it," Alex muttered, selecting the Plasma Blade.
> 500 SP deducted. Remaining SP: 290.
The system flashed a blueprint before his eyes, breaking down the components required to craft the weapon. Alex glanced at his inventory—he already had most of the materials from his scavenging runs.
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Crafting the Plasma Blade
Alex set to work on a makeshift workbench he'd set up near his camp. The process was intricate but familiar, his IT background helping him make sense of the complex schematics. Sparks flew as he welded components together, the hum of energy growing louder as the weapon began to take shape.
Finally, with one last adjustment, the Plasma Blade powered up. A shimmering, blue energy blade extended from the hilt, its surface crackling faintly. Alex tested it against a nearby boulder, slicing clean through with minimal effort.
"Looks like we've got a winner," he said, a rare grin crossing his face.
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The Next Step
Alex packed his gear, including the Plasma Blade, the remaining grenades, and a small stockpile of rations. Beta-13 wasn't close—it would take at least two days of travel, and the red zone would make every step dangerous.
As he walked, the world around him seemed unnaturally still. The cities were long abandoned, their once-bustling streets overrun by nature and the infected.
The system suddenly pulsed.
> Proximity Alert: Hostile Presence Detected.
Alex froze, gripping his shotgun. He scanned the area, his heightened instincts kicking in. A faint rustling came from the underbrush to his left.
Then he saw it—a pack of Runners, their emaciated forms moving unnaturally fast.
> Threat Level: Low. Quantity: 4.
"Low, huh?" Alex muttered. "Let's test the new toy."
---
Field Test: Plasma Blade
The Runners charged, their shrieks piercing the air. Alex waited until they were within striking range before igniting the Plasma Blade. The weapon hummed to life, and with a single sweeping motion, he cleaved through the first two infected.
The remaining Runners hesitated, their primal instincts sensing danger. Alex didn't give them a chance to regroup. He lunged forward, his movements fluid, and decapitated the third Runner with a precise strike.
The fourth tried to retreat, but Alex hurled a knife, impaling it through the back of the skull.
The system chimed again:
> Runners Eliminated: +40 SP. Current SP: 330.
"Efficient," Alex said, inspecting the blade. "This will definitely come in handy."
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Beta-13: The Red Zone
By nightfall, Alex had reached the edge of the red zone. The air was different here—thicker, almost toxic. A faint red haze hung over the landscape, and the distant howls of mutated infected echoed through the night.
The system chimed again:
> Warning: Entering Red Zone. Mutant Strain Detected. Survival Probability: 42%.
"Comforting," Alex muttered, adjusting his mask to filter the air.
The landscape was eerie—twisted trees, pools of strange, glowing liquid, and infected that didn't move like the ones he'd encountered before. These were larger, more aggressive, their bodies warped by the mutation.
The system pulsed again.
> New Objective: Locate Beta-13 Facility Entrance.
Alex tightened his grip on the Plasma Blade, his every step measured and deliberate. As he moved deeper into the zone, he couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching him.
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The Encounter
Near the entrance to the Beta-13 facility, Alex spotted a figure standing in the shadows. At first, he thought it was another infected, but as he drew closer, the figure raised a hand in greeting.
It was a man—clad in tattered, high-tech armor that looked far more advanced than anything Alex had seen before. His face was obscured by a helmet, and a strange energy rifle was slung across his back.
"Didn't expect to see another survivor out here," the man said, his voice distorted by his helmet's speakers.
"Who are you?" Alex asked, keeping his weapon ready.
The man chuckled. "Someone who's been hunting the people behind this mess for a long time. The question is—are you here to stop them, or to join them?"
Alex frowned, his system already scanning the man for threats. Whoever he was, he wasn't ordinary.
> Unknown Entity: Combat Proficiency High. Intent: Undetermined.
"I'm here to end this," Alex said firmly.
The man nodded. "Good. You'll need all the help you can get."
He extended a hand. "Name's Carter. Let's make sure Beta-13 isn't the end of the road for either of us."
Alex hesitated for a moment before shaking his hand.
"Alex," he replied.
The two turned toward the facility entrance, their weapons ready. Whatever lay inside Beta-13, they would face it together.