Chapter 4: Roaming the streets

A few hours had passed since the drills, and I was preparing for the next step. The city outside seemed to be waiting for something, an uneasy calm hanging in the air. As I stared out the cracked windows of the abandoned building, I heard a familiar sound.

Ding~

[New Quest: Get to Work]

Objective: Patrol the Slums. Ensure the safety of civilians and eliminate any threats.

Reward: 100 Popularity, 500 XP

I turned to the soldiers standing by. "Looks like we've got work to do," I said, my voice firm. "Our first official mission is to patrol the slums and take out any threats. Let's move out."

We marched through the city's empty streets, the sound of our boots echoing off the dilapidated buildings. Steelwolf led the way, its massive form cutting an imposing figure as it scanned the surroundings. The slums were a dark, twisted part of the city, full of hidden dangers.

As we ventured deeper into the slums, I heard an unsettling growl, low and menacing, coming from the shadows. "Stay alert," I whispered, my senses heightened. The air felt heavier here, charged with a sinister presence.

Suddenly, from the corner of my eye, I caught movement. Emerging from an alley, a group of grotesque creatures slithered into view. They were like nothing I had ever seen before—towering beasts with leathery skin, hunched backs, and multiple limbs that twitched with unnatural speed. Their heads resembled a twisted blend of reptilian and insectoid features, each adorned with rows of serrated teeth that dripped with venom.

Ding~

[New Enemy Identified: Ravagers]

Description: These agile, mutated creatures are fast, lethal, and thrive in dark environments. They use their venomous bite to paralyze prey and have razor-sharp claws capable of ripping through metal. Beware of their pack mentality; they hunt together and attack with overwhelming force.

"Ravagers," I muttered. "This is going to be fun."

"Form up!" I shouted to the team. Steelwolf positioned itself on my right, while Sergeant Reyes and the soldiers formed a protective line. The Ravagers let out shrill screeches as they rushed toward us, their claws clicking against the ground.

I raised my AR and opened fire. The bullets tore through the air, hitting the first Ravager square in the chest. Its screech was cut short as it collapsed, but the others continued their charge, faster than I'd anticipated.

"Steelwolf, fire!" I commanded.

Steelwolf's auto turret spun into action, releasing a barrage of bullets that shredded through the incoming horde. The sharp crack of gunfire echoed through the slums as two more Ravagers fell, their bodies writhing on the ground.

One Ravager broke through the line, lunging toward a soldier. Before it could strike, I moved in swiftly, drawing my pistol and firing three rounds into its head. It screeched in pain, collapsing at my feet. The soldiers kept up the fire, holding their ground as the Ravagers tried to swarm.

"Steelwolf, missiles!" I shouted.

The left shoulder of Steelwolf hissed as two ballistic missiles launched, streaking through the air and slamming into the pack of Ravagers. The explosion rocked the street, sending debris and pieces of the creatures flying. The remaining few let out shrieks of panic as they tried to retreat.

"Don't let them get away!" I ordered, sprinting after the stragglers. The soldiers fired, cutting them down before they could disappear back into the shadows.

Panting, I scanned the area. The street was littered with the bodies of Ravagers, the smell of burnt flesh hanging in the air. My heart pounded in my chest as I holstered my pistol.

"Good work, team," I said, nodding at the soldiers. "The slums are secure, for now."

As we caught our breath, a noise caught my attention—a faint cry for help echoed from a nearby alley. I exchanged a glance with Sergeant Reyes. "Did you hear that?"

"Yeah, let's check it out," he replied.

We moved cautiously toward the alley, the air thick with tension. As we rounded the corner, we stumbled upon a small group of people huddled together. In the center was a girl, no older than eighteen, with fear written all over her face. Her clothes were tattered, but there was something regal about her—an unmistakable aura of importance.

"Please, help us!" she pleaded, her voice trembling. "They're coming!"

"Who's coming?" I asked, scanning the area.

"Ravagers," she gasped. "We were on our way to find my father when they attacked. I—I don't know what to do!"

"Your father?" I pressed, trying to gather more information. "Who is he?"

"He's Councilman Blake! We were trying to get to safety!"

"Get behind us," I commanded, positioning Steelwolf in front of them. "We'll protect you."

Just then, more Ravagers appeared at the alley's mouth, their snarls echoing as they surged forward. "We need to move, now!" I yelled.

Steelwolf powered up, its auto turret rotating to face the approaching threat. "Engaging targets," it announced.

"Open fire!" I shouted as the first Ravager lunged at us. I squeezed the trigger of my AR, striking it in mid-air. It hit the ground hard, thrashing about before falling still.

The soldiers flanked us, forming a protective barrier around the girl and her companions. As more Ravagers charged in, Steelwolf unleashed a flurry of bullets, shredding through the enemy ranks. I could feel the tension in the air as the battle intensified.

"Stay close!" I shouted, covering the retreat of the girl and her group. "We'll get you out of here!"

"Thank you!" she cried, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and gratitude.

With a final push, we cleared the alleyway, making our way back to the street. The Ravagers fell back, but I knew they would regroup and come again.

"Get her to safety!" I ordered my team. "We can't let her father worry. He's important to the city."

As we made our way through the slums, the girl looked at me, determination filling her eyes. "I won't let my father down. Thank you for saving us. 

"Just doing our job," I replied, my heart racing from the encounter. "Let's get you home."

After escorting the girl and her companions to safety, we made our way back through the streets, adrenaline still coursing through me. I felt a surge of energy and accomplishment. Suddenly, I heard the familiar sound again.

Ding~

[Congratulations! You have completed the mission. You have earned 500 XP. You have leveled up to Level 3!]

"Nice!" I exclaimed, feeling a rush of excitement. I glanced at my updated status:

Status:

Name: Jax Talon

Age: 27

Level: 3

XP: 200/300

Health: 100

Strength: 13

Stamina: 8

Agility: 8

Endurance: 11

Stat Points: 5

Popularity: 100

Inventory:

Basic Set of Light Advanced Armor

Description: Lightweight armor offers essential protection and flexibility. Includes reinforced chest plate, shoulder guards, and knee pads to absorb impact.

Advanced AR (Assault Rifle)

Description: High-tech rifle with customizable attachments. Suitable for close-quarters and medium-range combat, featuring high accuracy and a fast rate of fire.

Pistol with 30 Mags

Description: Reliable sidearm with 30 magazines. Compact and effective for close-range encounters, with a steady firing rate.

Basic Fighting Skills

Description: Basic combat techniques for hand-to-hand fighting. Covers defensive stances, strikes, and grappling.

Steelwolf

Description: A powerful mecha equipped with:

AR-14 Assault Rifle: High-tech rifle for versatile combat.Two Ballistic Missiles (Left Shoulder): Powerful missiles for long-range strikes.Auto Turret (Right Shoulder): Capable of piercing 50-inch steel.

20 Soldiers

Description: Equipped with medium armor and standard-issue weapons for support and combat.

I couldn't help but grin. This was a significant boost, and the additional stat points would make a difference. "Time to allocate my points," I said to myself, considering my options.

I spent my stat points as follows:

Stamina: +2

Agility: +2

Endurance: +1

Ding~

[Stat points allocated.]

My status was now:

Status:

Name: Jax Talon

Age: 27

Level: 3

XP: 200/300

Health: 100

Strength: 13

Stamina: 10

Agility: 10

Endurance: 12

Stat Points: 0

Popularity: 100

Inventory:

Basic Set of Light Advanced Armor

Advanced AR (Assault Rifle)

Pistol with 30 Mags

Basic Fighting Skills

Steelwolf

20 Soldiers

Ding~

[You have gained 100 Popularity! Popularity can be used to purchase items from the system shop. You need 1000 Popularity to unlock it.]

The possibilities were expanding, and I felt a sense of direction settling in.

Ding~

[Choose your path for the mecha corporation:

Trauma Mecha Corp: Specializes in medical and rescue operations. Focus on providing aid in disaster scenarios.

Mercenary Mecha Corp: Operates on a contract basis, offering combat services for various factions. High risk, high reward.

Government Mecha Corp: Works closely with governmental organizations, enforcing laws and order. Offers a stable income but demands loyalty.

Military Police Mecha Corp: Focuses on maintaining peace and safety within the city, acting as a frontline defense against threats.]

"Interesting options," I said aloud, contemplating the future. Each path had its perks and risks.

"Alright, team," I called out to my soldiers. "We've had a successful day, but our work is just beginning. We'll continue to patrol and secure the city, and I'll figure out which path we should take as a corporation."

The soldiers nodded, determination in their eyes. The city was a maze of threats and opportunities, and I was ready to carve our place in it.

"Let's move out!" I shouted, the team rallying behind me as we returned to base.

As we returned to base, my mind raced with thoughts about the future. The options before me all held potential, but one resonated deeper. The Military Police Mecha Corp stood out, offering a chance to establish order in a chaotic environment. I could envision a team dedicated to protecting the innocent and enforcing justice—a path that felt right.

"Alright, team," I said, stopping to gather everyone's attention. "I've made my decision. We're going to become the Blackhand Military Police Corp."

A murmur of approval swept through the soldiers. Sergeant Reyes stepped forward, a proud smile on his face. "Sir, that's a strong choice. We can make a real difference in this city."

"Exactly," I replied, feeling a surge of determination. "We'll be the ones who keep the peace and ensure that those who threaten it are dealt with swiftly. The Blackhand Military Police Corp will stand as a symbol of safety in these streets."

Ding~

[Congratulations! You have established the Blackhand Military Police Corp. Your corporation will focus on maintaining order and providing safety for the citizens of the city. You gain 200 Popularity for this decision.]

"Let's gear up and get ready for the challenges ahead," I said, feeling more resolute than ever. "We have a lot of work to do, and we'll start by expanding our presence and capabilities."

As we continued our patrol, I felt the weight of my decision settling in. The city needed heroes, and with the Blackhand Military Police Corp, we would be that force for good.

"Stay sharp, everyone," I reminded my team. "We've got a reputation to build and lives to protect."

With renewed purpose, we moved through the slums, ready to face whatever threats lurked in the shadows.