Exo Arm

[Strength +25 after wearing]

[Right arm armor increased]

[chargeable]

[Can be modified]

Dan couldn't believe his luck when he stumbled upon an engineering-grade mechanical exoskeleton, a far cry from what he had anticipated. Little did he know that this piece of equipment, once meant for more mundane activities among exoskeletons, was a versatile marvel awaiting modification.

"Well, I could actually imagine that..." He thought to himself seeing the Exo Arm as more of a weapon than a tool.

Upon inspecting the hefty contraption lying on the ground, Dan marveled at its weight. However, as soon as he strapped it onto his arm, he discovered its surprising flexibility. Not only that, but the exoskeleton boasted an impressive operational endurance of ten hours under high-intensity use after just one hour of charging. With a full charge, it could last a whopping ten days.

Examining the numerous sockets on its base, Dan randomly selected one and plugged in the provided device charger. To his amazement, the plug wire retracted on its own, reminiscent of a tape measure.

As the exoskeleton recharged, Dan delved into research via the system, uncovering that the Type 01 in the catalog was quite the prototype. It was fairly old in design at least according to the system. Fortunately, it was modifiable equipment. 

Dan was not lacking in imagination. It seemed that it was possible to add batteries or incorporate more weapons and mechanisms to the Exo Arm.

This could be a game changer for him. 

Equipped with a telescopic drill on the forearm and a welding gun, Dan found these features sufficient for the take he had in mind. The multifunctional drill head allowed for tool replacement, transforming it into a screwdriver or impact drill. He marveled at the possibility of installing a sharpening head for tool maintenance.

Admittedly, the exoskeleton was a remarkable piece of technology. Despite lacking professional expertise, Dan, guided by his high-school-level understanding of physics and through his observations, connected additional entrances and exits to enhance the device's functionality.

Don't look down on Dan's highschool knowledge! He was quite an honor student himself. Though he ended up with a Creative Writing degree, he was quite knowledgeable about all kinds of topics.

In fact, in the current wasteland, Dan might consider himself among the smarter considering his advantages in education from the 21st century. Admittedly, he might not be as advanced as he think especially how far-flung 21st century to the current timeline.

Once Dan grasped the Exo Arm's operation, he recharged the exoskeleton, preparing it for immediate use.

Time and time again, Dan diligently went on his responsibilities while he waited for the Exo Arm to charge. He harassed the bandits, went some fishing, and explored the yet-to-be completely unmapped Outpost 72.

One evening, right after dinner, a torrential rainstorm descended. Dan, ready for action, declared, "Help me, Anna, I am going out."

Concerned, Anna inquired about his late-night venture. Dan reassured her, revealing his raincoat, a gun, and his newly discovered robotic arm.

After helping Dan don the mechanical exoskeleton, Anna watched as Dan silently slipped out the door, carrying a Molotov cocktail in his backpack.

"Come back," The little girl cried in a small voice. "You will come back, right?"

"Yes, I will, dear... I will."

In the midst of a heavy downpour, thunderstorms illuminated the sky, revealing a reddened hue due to radiation. The rain was laced with a considerable amount of radiation, a challenge that Dan, with enhanced anti-radiation capabilities, could withstand even without a raincoat.

Unlike the bandits seeking shelter from the rain, Dan patiently waited for an opportunity amidst the heavy rainfall.

The rain was so acidic that it would turn the soil black, not that most soils had not eroded to black already. Though the rain had no immediate effects, Dan recalled it being capable of reducing a man to a scalding heap of mumbling flesh after an hour of concentrated bathing from such heavy downpour.

Hungry and fatigued, the bandits huddled together in their shelter. Taking advantage of their vulnerable state, Dan ignited a Molotov cocktail using a welding torch and hurled it into the bunker.

The resulting explosion engulfed the bunker in flames, causing panic and chaos. Several bandits attempted to flee but succumbed to the stampede and subsequent bottle explosions.

It was unusual that the Molotov caused such an explosion. At maximum, it would have just burned and scattered. Then Dan recalled the current world had been so fucked up, some laws of physics had become wacky.

Dan was strategically positioned with a pistol as he shot down the escaping bandits. As the flames raged, he descended into the bunker, encountering a vest-clad man with an axe.

With a deft movement of his enhanced exoskeleton arm, Dan repelled the attacker into the fire. It was a single push, and the axe-wielding bandit was flung backward.

Surveying the surviving bandits with a cold gaze, Dan decisively shot one at close range.

Taking advantage of the exoskeleton's strength, Dan incapacitated another bandit with a simple metallic maneuver, smashing the bandit right at his nose.

Subsequently, Dan effortlessly broke a bandit's neck with a single punch, credited to the exoskeleton's considerable power.

Firing relentlessly with his handgun, Dan painted the bunker walls with blood, single-handedly eliminating dozens of bandits.

With the carnage complete, Dan retraced his steps, heading back to base. Just as he neared home, a sudden realization struck him – in his haste, he had forgotten to about Nia!

When Dan was out and about or was sleeping, he would always be locking Nia away so as to ensure Anna's safety.

"You fucking dunce!" Dan roared as he ran over back to the base.

He felt his heart thumping with rage. he was angry at himself for letting the blood get in his head. The adrenaline continued to pump in his veins, and his self-loathing was so strong that he'd rather die than fail now.

Anna, such a sweet little girl, "My daughter," He gritted his teeth as he scaled the rough junctions, ignoring the more handy pathways. Relying on his genetically enhanced physique, he reached inside the base.

To his horror, he saw several dead bodies, killed from different fatalities. Ripped from the throat, dead. Smashed in the head, dead. 

Dan felt a cold chill at the back of his neck.

Rushing down from the passage, Dan anxiously sought Nia, only to discover her sitting with Anna, seemingly protecting her. A wave of relief washed over him.

Dan quickly discarded his raincoat, then turned his attention to Nia and Anna.

With a calm facade, Dan informed them, "I've taken care of the bandits." Of course, Dan was not certain, he killed those his eyes could reach.

Every person in this wasteland was a survivor, and in a sense, it would be arrogance to claim he did kill all of them when in fact, the rain had blurred so much of the fight. Maybe he missed one or two.

Now, Dan was only grateful that Anna was not hurt. There was this impetus inside Dan more than just about his morality, but something more inanely inherent. He was a father now, and his daughter needed him. 

Dan hugged Anna, with a silent cry in his heart, "Thank God, you are fine."

Nia, seemingly incredulous, pointed at Dan, stammering, "You, killed, Nia's enemy?"

Dan gazed at Nia whose eyes were bleary, and distant. Affirming her suspicions with a nod, Dan calmly recounted, "Yes, I took care of them all." And God, Dan felt good when he said it.

The Dark Impulses inside Dan began to take soil.

Nia stood up abruptly, rushing towards Dan and embracing him. In an excited whisper, she revealed, "Thank you. Nia's family fell victim to them. I became the guard of the high priest, seeking revenge. I haven't harmed anyone innocent." She confessed as if pleading.

The weight of NIa on his shoulders felt so surreal that Dan became speechless, he continued hugging the still-quiet, Anna. 

Dan reassured Nia, "Yeah, I hear you..."