Penalty

In the upcoming days, Adam did everything he could that would earn him EXP points. He pushed each body fitness quest the system gave him, sometimes going overboard and exceeding the limit of what the system had asked him to do. He eventually obtained 2 passive level 1 skills, the first one being stealth, which allows him to dampen the sound of his footsteps, but the system had explained to him that if he level up the skill, it's application can be changed.

The second one was a distortion skill that changes his face according to his wish.

Today, Adam decided to visit the Skyview Museum, an entertainment and relaxation facility on Arc Aegis that preserves the history of humanity, with displays of ancient artefacts and paintings from a long-lost era.

Although Adam was quite interested in the relics of the past, the main attraction that brought him to the place was the large viewing station of the Museum that showed a live view of the sky below them.

The facility had served as the only entertainment for families of soldiers who were in the recruit training base of Arc Aegis.

The glow of Arc Aegis's artificial lighting was dimmer today, casting long, soft shadows across the observation deck where Adam stood. It was a rare training-free day, and while most recruits revelled in their break, Adam found solace in isolation. On the display, the vast surface of the planet stretched out like an endless void, obscured by thick clouds and swirling winds. It was both beautiful and terrifying, it was a constant reminder of the world humanity had abandoned.

Adam's thoughts were interrupted as the Primordial Beast System materialized in his vision with a chime.

New Mission Available.

Objective: Infiltrate the restricted sections of Arc Aegis to retrieve a hidden "Cobalt Core" prototype from the security vault.

Time Limit: 2 hours.

Reward: Skill: Stealth Mastery and Genetic Purity +3%.

Penalty for Failure: Immediate Transport to the Surface for Survival Test.

Adam's breath caught in his throat. The surface. He knew the stories of how the air itself was hostile, teeming with extremovores. Although he had started his training as a soldier, he had even taken a simulation survival, but even the bravest soldiers dreaded the thought of facing them in reality.

"Two hours," Adam muttered to himself, the weight of the mission sinking in.

The Cobalt Core wasn't just any piece of tech; it was a Nytherite-powered energy regulator, a closely guarded prototype. Why the system wanted it, Adam couldn't fathom, but there was no time to question it.

He knew what the system was capable of, and this was the first time he had been given a mission that had a penalty attached. He wasn't going to wait to find out what would happen if he were to fail the mission.

Adam slipped through the hallways of Arc Aegis, his footsteps silent against the cold metal floors. The system provided a translucent map overlay, highlighting his route to the personnel-restricted zone. His first obstacle appeared quickly: a checkpoint guarded by two sentries.

"Stealth required," the system advised.

Adam crouched behind a stack of crates, his heart pounding. The interface displayed an option.

Skill active: Silent Steps.

Effect: Dampens footfalls and reduces sound.

Activating the skill, Adam felt a strange sensation ripple through his legs. Moving forward, his steps became unnaturally quiet, even as he approached the guards from their blind side. He activated the distortion skill so no one will recognize his face.

His pulse quickened as he slipped past them unnoticed, entering a dimly lit corridor.

The restricted section was labyrinthine, its walls were adorned with warning signs and reinforced with layers of alloy. Security drones hovered silently, their red lenses scanning the environment. Adam's interface highlighted their paths, allowing him to evade their detection with precision.

Half an hour passed, the pressure mounting with every step. Finally, he reached the vault: a massive door with intricate locking mechanisms glowing faintly with Nytherite energy.

"System, how do I open this?" Adam whispered.

Scanning and analysing security protocols.

Solution: Channel your energy into the locking mechanism to destabilize it.

Risk of alerting security: Moderate.

Adam hesitated. The hum of drones patrolling nearby reminded him that failure here wouldn't just cost him the mission, it would expose him if he got caught. But the thought of being sent to the surface was more terrifying than any consequence he could face on the arc.

He placed his hand on the lock, focusing his Primordial Light ability. Golden energy pulsed through his fingertips, and the mechanism shuddered, its lights flickering erratically. With a faint hiss, the vault door slid open.

Inside, the Cobalt Core rested on a pedestal, its crystalline structure radiating a faint blue glow. Adam stepped forward cautiously, marveling at the device. But as he reached out to grab it, the system flashed a warning.

Alert: Security breach detected. Response units inbound.

The corridor outside erupted in chaos as alarms blared, and the red glow of warning lights filled the restricted section. Adam grabbed the Cobalt Core, its weight surprisingly light, and bolted. His enhanced agility allowed him to move swiftly, dodging drones and guards who flooded the area.

"Stop! Intruder detected in Sector Four!" a voice barked over the intercom.

Adam darted down a side corridor, the map overlay flashing alternate escape routes. But the guards were relentless, cutting off every exit. He rounded a corner, only to find himself face-to-face with a towering automated mech, its twin cannons aimed directly at him.

"Target acquired," the mech intoned, its voice cold and mechanical.

Adam's instincts took over. Summoning a blade of golden light, he lunged forward, slicing through one of the mech's legs. Sparks flew as the machine staggered, but its cannons roared to life, sending a barrage of plasma bolts in his direction. Adam rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the blasts, and sprinted away before reinforcements could arrive.

Five minutes remaining, the system reminded him, its calm tone a stark contrast to the chaos around him.

Desperation fueled his movements as Adam made a final dash for the exit. Just as he reached the boundary of the restricted zone, a bolt of plasma struck the ground near his feet, sending him sprawling.

"End of the line," a voice sneered.

Adam looked up to see a squad of guards advancing, their weapons trained on him. He scrambled to his feet, clutching the Cobalt Core, but it was too late.

A system window appeared.

Mission Failed. Initiating penalty.

The guards marched toward him, but before they could reach him, a blinding light engulfed Adam. The world dissolved around him, replaced by a deafening silence and an overwhelming sense of weightlessness.

When the light faded, Adam found himself gasping for air, the ground beneath him hard and uneven. The oppressive heat hit him first, followed by the acrid scent of burning metal and decaying earth. He coughed, his lungs struggling to adjust to the dense atmosphere.

Slowly, Adam rose to his feet, his surroundings coming into focus. The surface was a desolate wasteland, its sky a swirling mass of grey clouds streaked with crimson. The ground was jagged and uneven, littered with remnants of a civilization long gone, twisted metal, shattered glass, and skeletal remains of buildings that had once touched the heavens.

But the stillness didn't last.

A low, guttural growl rumbled in the distance, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps. Adam turned, his enhanced vision picking up movement among the shadows. Creatures unlike anything he'd faced in simulations emerged, their forms grotesque amalgamations of scales, fur, and bone.

Survival Test Initiated:

Objective: Survive for 10 minutes.

Reward: Return to Arc Aegis.

The system's voice was calm, but Adam's heart raced as more creatures appeared, their glowing eyes locking onto him. One, a massive extremovore with serrated limbs and a mouth bristling with fangs, let out a deafening roar that shook the ground.

Adam clenched his fists, golden light sparking around him. "Ten minutes," he whispered, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him. "I just have to survive ten minutes." He muttered as the primordial light engulfed his body.

The extremovores charged.