EPISODE 8 – SCENE 2: FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Location: Main Caravan, Black River Gorge

The calm outside sharply contrasted with the turmoil within.William stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the holographic interface floating before him. The bluish glow illuminated his face, his features etched in the cold light, while the screen hummed faintly, like a pulse in his mind. His fingers glided slowly across the display, scrolling through his inventory with deliberate slowness. The cold metal of his fingers against the glass created an almost tactile sensation of the virtual world, a fusion of the real and digital realms.A smooth motion, and his hand reached out to deploy his shadow veil, an extension of himself. The ring on his finger activated, and two spectral clones appeared instantly, blending into the air with a grace that bordered on the supernatural. He threw an armor piece at one of them, and it adjusted instantly, perfectly fitting the clone's ethereal form. William observed the floating armor pieces for a moment, arms crossed, his gaze calculating. He manipulated the armor parts slowly, like a craftsman seeking the perfect balance, looking for more than mere protection, but a true embodiment of his will.— "I want something impressive, but not too much," he murmured softly, almost as if to himself.The silence stretched, thick and heavy, until a soft glow appeared near his shoulder. Iris' voice, calm and ever familiar, resonated in his mind.— "Good morning, Master Cheezy. How are you feeling today?"William sighed, closing his eyes for a moment, the weight of exhaustion bearing down on him like an invisible burden.— "I'm fine, Iris. Just a little tired."His response was brief, a mask to hide the turmoil of his thoughts.— "I'm glad to hear that, Master. However, my sensors detect some agitation in your mind."A glimmer of amusement flickered in his eyes, but he knew Iris was never just a program. She understood him, perhaps better than he understood himself sometimes.— "I have to be the example, Iris. My men depend on me to embody strength, determination. But..."He turned his gaze to the floating armors, each piece seeming to accentuate his frustration.— "None of these armors reflect who I am. Or what I want to become."Iris, ever calm, seemed to catch the nuance in his voice, her glowing halo pulsing gently, as if to signal an intimate understanding.— "Master Cheezy, your doubt is revealing. You're not just seeking protection. You're looking to inspire, to make an impression."A half-smile tugged at William's lips.— "You know me too well, Iris. Through experience, I know the first impression is crucial."— "Would you like me to assist you in the design?"William nodded slowly, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.— "Yes, Iris. I'm counting on you."The caravan systems hummed softly. Data began to flow around him, analyzed in real-time by Iris. Her adjustments were precise, calculated, as if each movement was an addition to the symphony of power he sought to compose.— "Analysis in progress… Optimizing preferences… Displaying results."The miniature armors dissipated in a brilliant light, the pieces floating around him in a fluid dance, assembling with an almost supernatural perfection. The statistics scrolled at dizzying speeds. William scrutinized the options intensely, his brow furrowing in concentration.— "This is good, but I need more subtlety. And impact, especially when it counts."Iris immediately adjusted the parameters, her soft voice resonating through the hum of pure energy.— "Adjustment in progress..."William sent the pieces flying toward one of his clones. The result materialized with palpable tension. He waited, his breath shortening, almost suspended in the air.Then the armor appeared. Fluid. Dark. Almost alive. Its surface seemed to absorb the light, blending into shifting shadows that seemed to follow William's every movement. The contours altered with each gesture, giving the impression that the armor adapted, responding to his will.— "This... the armor of the void, Kū no Yoroi... Kael'Thir, the Scourge's?" he whispered, his voice laced with awe and respect.Iris, perceptive as always, sensed his excitement and responded with a slightly livelier tone, a trace of satisfaction slipping through her words.— "Not quite, Master. I used the Kū no Yoroi armor as a base, then directly drew inspiration from your Shadow Veil. It's been adjusted to fit your form perfectly and reinforced with special materials, increasing its durability and granting it enhanced resistance."The armor molded to his body, each piece fitting with an almost supernatural precision. An ethereal aura surrounded him, pulsing in perfect synchronization with his heartbeat. Shadow serpents traced the surface of the armor, enhancing both its majesty and its threat.— "It's perfect," he murmured, a carnivorous smile slowly stretching across his lips.Iris emitted a soft pulse, filled with satisfaction.— "Creation complete. Update finished. The Yami no Yoroi set allows you to conceal your aura. Additionally, the resistance of your second skin has been increased by 15%, boosting your physical and defensive capabilities. The passive skill – Adaptation allows the armor to evolve as you progress, adjusting your stats with each level up."Now fully equipped, William absorbed all the light around him. His silhouette stood out in imposing shadow, marked by a violet gleam that added a dimension both mysterious and menacing to his presence. He examined himself for a moment, fully aware of the power the armor granted him, and the impact it had on him. Never before had he had to conceal his aura, but now he mastered its control.With almost imperceptible precision, he adjusted his will.He refocused his energy, compressing his aura to limit its range to 100 meters.Gradually, the dark veil tightened around him, perfectly controlled, yet still tangible, a whisper of palpable power in the air. The armor seemed to merge with his movements, adapting to every intention with unreal flexibility.A confident, almost threatening smile spread across his lips.With a steady step, he opened the caravan door.The cool morning breeze brushed against his face, like a timid breath of air in the face of the imposing figure he had become. Around him, the voices suddenly fell silent, as if the entire world held its breath, waiting for the slightest of his actions.All eyes were fixed on him. A shiver ran through the assembly, a shared shudder, a respectful silence, a tacit recognition of the new entity he had become.He was no longer just William. He was the embodiment of a silent, yet overwhelmingly crushing power.And soon, this world would discover it, to their detriment.