As the morning sun gradually pierced the sky, warming the Fertissio desert, Modeus and Abigail woke up from their sleep, their eyes still a bit bleary from the cold night. As usual, Abigail was up first, already busy preparing their gear and checking his A.R.M. to make sure everything was set for the day's journey.
Modeus slowly got out of bed, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "So, we really have to walk again?" he complained.
Abigail gave a small smile as he packed up their things. "Yes, Modeus. We still don't have a vehicle, remember?"
Modeus sighed but quickly began getting ready. They folded the tent and organized their gear before resuming their trek towards the mission coordinates. The route they took today was easier than yesterday's, but it was still a long way. Modeus tried to pass the time and distract himself from the monotony with light conversation.
"Have you fought mechanical monsters before?" Modeus asked, quickening his pace.
Abigail kept his gaze ahead, maintaining his steady stride. "A few times. They're different from biological monsters. They can withstand physical attacks but are more vulnerable to magic."
"So, we just need to take them down with basic magic?" Modeus confirmed.
"Yeah, as long as we avoid using large-scale magic. It's quite effective and doesn't drain too much energy," Abigail replied calmly.
They continued in silence until the ruins they were heading to became visible in the distance—a complex of old, crumbled buildings surrounded by large mechanical monsters roaming aimlessly. Modeus watched carefully, observing the movements of the monsters.
Abigail pulled out his A.R.M., and a digital hologram display appeared in front of him. He checked the number of monsters listed in the mission details and compared it with what he saw in the field. "Just as expected. There are ten mechanical monsters roaming around the ruins," he said, confirming his findings.
Still curious, Modeus asked, "So, how do we handle this? Do we go with the standard approach, or is there some special trick?"
Abigail glanced at him briefly. "Just activate your A.R.M. when we reach the coordinates and take down all the monsters. Make sure the number matches the mission details."
Modeus nodded, looking ready for action. They both carefully approached the ruins, weaving through the debris to avoid drawing the attention of the mechanical monsters. When they were close enough, Modeus activated his A.R.M., the metal spine integrated into his augmented suit lighting up with a cold sensation on his back.
"Ready?" Abigail asked in a low tone, preparing his basic magic.
Modeus took a deep breath and nodded. "Ready."
They simultaneously leaped from their hiding spot and attacked the mechanical monsters. Modeus cast his basic magic, a small plasma burst shooting from his hand and striking the first monster right in its visual sensors. The monster jolted, its head exploding in a burst of blue light.
Abigail was just as quick. With a nimble movement, he unleashed a small fire spell from his palm, targeting the monster's vulnerable parts. The creature fell with a loud crash, making the ground shake beneath them.
"Four more," Abigail said, keeping track of the remaining monsters with his A.R.M.
Modeus aimed his next plasma shot at an approaching monster, destroying its body with a swift explosion. However, when one of the monsters tried to attack from behind, Modeus barely had time to react before Abigail leaped in front, creating a magical shield that blocked the attack. Modeus grinned.
"Not bad," he said briefly.
"Just stay focused," Abigail replied tersely.
The battle was swift but efficient. They worked well together, using their basic magic effectively without expending too much energy. Whenever one of them was cornered, the other quickly covered for them, showcasing the growing synergy between them.
After a few minutes, only one monster remained. Modeus aimed his magic precisely, and with one final plasma burst, the monster exploded into a heap of metal and cables.
Abigail checked his A.R.M. to confirm the number of monsters they had defeated. "Done. Ten monsters, just as per the mission details."
Modeus sighed in relief, surveying the scattered debris of the monsters around them. "Well, that was easier than I expected," he said, stretching his limbs.
Abigail gave a thin smile and deactivated his A.R.M. "This is just the beginning. We have many more challenging missions ahead."
The journey back to the city felt lighter after their successful monster-clearing mission at the ruins. The late afternoon sun was beginning to dip, casting a golden hue over the Fertissio desert. Modeus and Abigail walked at a steady pace, occasionally chatting to pass the time.
Suddenly, Modeus's A.R.M. beeped, displaying a surprising notification. An emergency message appeared on the holographic screen in front of them. Modeus raised an eyebrow, staring at the message. "What's this?" he muttered, coming to a halt.
Abigail, who received the same notification, glanced at his A.R.M. "It's an Emergency Request," he replied briefly.
Modeus looked at him in confusion. "Emergency Request? We just finished a mission. We don't need to get involved in other requests."
Abigail sighed softly, glancing at Modeus. "This Emergency Request is different. It's not an official mission from the Old World Network, but a plea from a fellow Relic Hunter who is in danger or needs immediate assistance. They usually send these requests to nearby hunters who might be able to help."
Modeus huffed, clearly uninterested. "If it's not an official mission, why should we bother?"
But Abigail wasn't done. "Because it could be a lucrative opportunity," he said persuasively. "Depending on the situation and negotiation, the relic hunter sending the request is often in urgent need of help and willing to pay well. Especially if the situation is critical."
At the mention of "money," Modeus's attitude changed instantly. His eyes lit up, and he turned to face Abigail. "Money, huh?" he said, his voice brimming with interest. "Well, why didn't you say so earlier? I'm in!"
Abigail smiled slightly, amused by his sudden change of heart. Modeus, who had been indifferent, now seemed to have found a new reason to be enthusiastic. Modeus looked back at his A.R.M., where the details of the Emergency Request were displayed, but there was still one issue.
"We don't even know who sent this request or where they are," Modeus noted with a hint of frustration.
Abigail pressed a few buttons on his A.R.M. and dug deeper into the signal details. "The request came from about two kilometers north of our current position. There's a small set of ruins there; that's likely where the relic hunter is."
Modeus quickly picked up the pace. "Alright, let's get this done and make sure we get a good payout. After this, we definitely need to buy a vehicle."
Abigail nodded in agreement and followed Modeus's swift steps. They both hastened their journey towards the location indicated by the emergency signal.
After a few minutes, they approached a smaller set of ruins compared to their previous mission site. Though not large, this area appeared more isolated, with large scattered rocks and nearly indistinguishable remnants of ancient buildings.
In the distance, faint sounds of small explosions suggested that a battle might be underway. Modeus quickened his pace, his enthusiasm growing as he imagined the potential financial gain. Abigail remained calm, checking the sensors on his A.R.M. to ensure they weren't walking into a worse situation than it appeared.
"There are signs of a fight ahead," Abigail said, glancing at his screen. "But I can't tell who's fighting whom yet."
Modeus didn't slow down. "Doesn't matter. We just need to rescue that relic hunter, wrap up their problems, and make sure we get paid well."
As Modeus and Abigail neared the source of the Emergency Request signal, the atmosphere grew tense. They arrived at a quiet ruin site, with only the sound of the wind carrying the scent of sand and dust from the Fertissio desert. There, amid the ancient debris, stood a woman Modeus immediately recognized from a brief encounter at the Old World Network plaza district. She was still wearing a tight augmented suit that showcased her strength, and a large, heavy rifle was slung across her back.
When the woman saw Modeus and Abigail approaching, her expression turned to one of disappointment. She sighed deeply and walked towards them with quick strides. "Ah, so you're the ones who responded to my signal?" The woman's tone was frustrated as she looked Modeus up and down before continuing. "Sorry if I sent the Emergency Request to the wrong people. I thought only high-ranking relic hunters would be around here."
Modeus frowned, clearly irritated by her remark. "How does everyone know I'm a Wanderer?" he asked, half annoyed, half puzzled. "Is there something about my face that makes it obvious?"
Abigail stepped forward, his calm demeanor contrasting with Marlene's distress. "Can you explain what's going on? Why did you send out an Emergency Request?" His voice was firm but steady, signaling that he was ready to act regardless of the circumstances.
Marlene sighed deeply, this time with a noticeable weariness. "I didn't mean to drag rookie relic hunters into this. But since you're here... well, I'm in a tough spot. My name is Marlene."
She gestured towards the ruins behind her, where faint wisps of smoke were still rising from collapsed structures. "My team and I were on an expedition to collect quantum artifacts. It was supposed to be a routine job, but suddenly we were ambushed by another team of relic hunters. They came to steal everything we had gathered. Everyone... they were all killed. I survived because I was positioned far from them as a sniper."
Abigail listened intently. "And you sent the Emergency Request for what exactly?"
Marlene looked at Abigail, her gaze intense. "I need help to take down that team and recover the A.R.M. of one of my fallen team members. If I can get it, I might be able to salvage some critical data. The problem is, the team that attacked us is higher ranked. They're no ordinary hunters. I'm not sure you're up to it, but I'm out of options."
There was a brief pause. Modeus glanced at Abigail with a questioning look, but before he could speak, Abigail took charge. "We can help. But of course, it won't be free."
Marlene looked taken aback by their willingness. "You… are actually going to help?"
Abigail nodded decisively and quickly assessed the situation. "If the team that attacked you is high-ranking, then the risks are high as well. The fee should match." He looked directly at Marlene. "We're asking for 1 million nexbit."
Marlene froze, stunned by the amount Abigail had quoted. "1 million nexbit?" she said, incredulous. "That's a huge sum."
Abigail remained composed. "Yes, it's a large amount, but the team you're up against is no ordinary threat. They've already taken down a high-ranking team, so they're more dangerous than usual. If you want us to risk our lives, 1 million nexbit is a fair price."
Modeus, who usually didn't pay much attention to such negotiations, now looked at Abigail with newfound respect. He was impressed by how quickly Abigail assessed the situation and took control, realizing that despite their appearance as novices, Abigail was serious about the money.
Marlene bit her lip, clearly weighing her options. Eventually, she nodded slowly. "Alright. 1 million nexbit if you succeed. I don't have any other choice. But remember, the team that attacked me isn't just any hunters. They're cunning and highly trained."
Abigail nodded. "We understand the risks. Now, give us the coordinates of the attackers' last known position. We'll get to it as soon as possible."
Marlene quickly sent the coordinates through her A.R.M. to Abigail and Modeus. As Abigail received the data, he immediately checked the map and turned to Modeus with a determined look. "Let's get started."
Modeus tightened his sword belt and followed Abigail and Marlene. They moved swiftly towards the coordinates, approaching the location where Marlene's team had their last battle.
During the trip, Modeus couldn't help but ask, "Why did you agree to such a high payment so quickly?" he asked quietly, keeping a safe distance from Marlene.
Abigail glanced at him briefly before responding in a low voice, "Because it's a major opportunity. We need the money, and a job like this can elevate us. If we succeed, we could build a reputation among elite hunters."
Modeus smiled slightly. "Ah, so it's not just about the money, huh? You've got ambitions too."
Abigail didn't respond, focusing on the map on his A.R.M. He knew deep down that this job wouldn't be easy, but he was ready to face the challenge.
***
Amidst the futuristic ruins, walls of oxidized metal enclosed six individuals clad in expensive augmented suits. The dim gleam from their metal gear reflected off the faintly glowing panels around them. Each team member carried an array of heavy weapons, from automatic rifles to explosive grenades, with several support robots standing guard behind them. The robots' red digital eyes scanned the surroundings ceaselessly.
This team belonged to The Outcast Collective, an elite shadow organization known for their involvement in quantum artifact heists and illegal trade of ancient technology. They had just seized all the artifacts from Marlene's team, eliminating them one by one with minimal resistance.
One of the members, a woman with augmented legs featuring mechanical modifications, stood in front of a small holographic display projected from her wrist. Her sharp green eyes coldly examined the A.R.M. device she had taken from one of Marlene's team members. Her name was Selena March, the leader of this operation, renowned for her exceptional agility thanks to her mechanical enhancements.
"Perfect, the haul meets expectations," Selena murmured, inspecting their loot. "These quantum artifacts are quite valuable on the black market. We'll be heading home with a significant profit this time."
Beside her, a large man named Harlan, holding an automatic rifle nearly as big as himself, lifted his weapon and checked the chamber. He nodded in agreement with a cynical smile. "Of course. Their team didn't even have a chance to react. They thought these ruins were just full of old tech traps, never expecting us to emerge from the shadows."
Selena's smile turned icy. "They underestimated us. Now they're all dead, and we have everything." She kicked one of the A.R.M.s taken from the bodies of the victims. The holographic display was still active, showing the last message before its owner died. "This ancient technology... it just gets more intriguing. I wonder how powerful the data inside it is?"
Another team member, Luca, crouched down to examine a quantum artifact encased in a transparent container. "Don't worry too much about their data; the important thing is the artifact. Quantum artifacts like this are rare. The Outcast Collective will be thrilled."
Harlan, having finished checking his weapon, chimed in with his deep voice. "But we need to get out of here soon. We don't want to be caught by more relic hunters who might detect our activity, especially if someone responds to the Emergency Request. We could be in serious trouble."
"Ah, right," Vince, the team's technician responsible for the support robots, added. "We've intercepted the Emergency Request from the opposing group. Another team might be on their way. We don't know who, but we should wrap this up and head back to base."
Selena nodded decisively. "Exactly. We can't stay here any longer. Load everything into the truck; we're heading back to base." Her cold, authoritative tone left no room for debate.
Just as they were about to move, Zena, the team's sniper equipped with advanced sensory systems, suddenly raised her hand to signal a halt. "Wait," she said sharply. She pulled a small device from her belt and began scanning the signals. "Something's approaching."
The entire team fell silent, focusing their attention on Zena.
"What do you mean?" Selena asked, raising an eyebrow.
Zena concentrated on her device for a few seconds before responding. "I'm detecting two A.R.M. signals approaching... probably other relic hunters responding to the Emergency Request."
Selena snorted. "Two signals? That's not many. Are they high-ranking?"
Zena examined the data more closely. "No. One of the signals is ranked Wanderer, and the other is Seekers. Beginners."
The whole team fell silent for a moment before Harlan burst into laughter. "Wanderer and Seekers? Just two rookie relic hunters? Are they coming here to get themselves killed or something?"
Selena gave a faint smile but remained cautious. "Even if they're novices, don't let your guard down. We've got what we came for, and there's no point in getting into unnecessary fights. We're here for looting, not pointless slaughter."
Vince chimed in, "We can set up a trap if they get closer. My support robots are ready at any time."
Selena raised her hand to cut off the discussion. "No need for traps. We're leaving now. Don't let them know we're here."
Zena frowned, sensing something was off. "Are you sure? They're getting pretty close."
"Let them find what's left. Their team is dead, we have the artifacts, that's enough. We're heading back to The Outcast Collective and preparing for the next operation."
Quickly, Selena signaled her team. In no time, they began packing up the equipment and the stolen artifacts. Just then, a loud gunshot rang out, piercing through the ruins and hitting Vince in the head. The unfortunate man collapsed to the ground with a gaping wound in his skull.
Everyone was startled by the sudden turn of events, and Selena, realizing the gravity of the situation, shouted to her teammates.
"We're under attack! Prepare to fight back!"
Zena, who was about to pack away her long-range rifle, quickly returned to her position and began aiming her sniper rifle at the two rookie relic hunters advancing towards them.
***