The base hummed with cautious energy. Tess, still recovering from her injured arm, manned the perimeter with a watchful gaze. Her awaken power pulsed quietly beneath the surface—an ability to manipulate electricity. Sparks danced at her fingertips whenever she focused, ready to surge through the defenses and stun any unwelcome intruder.
Jaden sat apart, the faint glow of his personal interface flickering in the dim light. Without mentioning the system or any quest, he simply told the team, "I'm going out to gather supplies. When I get back, I'll strengthen the base's defenses."
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "How exactly are you planning to do that?"
Jaden shrugged lightly. "It's part of another awaken power I have."
The group exchanged curious glances. They'd always known Jaden's power leaned toward combat, but whispers had begun circulating about a possible double awakening.
Marcus smirked. "Well, if anyone can pull that off, it's you."
As Jaden prepared to leave, he reflected on the team's powers:
Marcus: A powerhouse of strength and endurance, absorbing damage that would cripple most, acting as the frontline tank.
Raya: Her sharpened senses and reflexes made her an unmatched scout and sniper, reading enemy moves before they struck.
Tess: Her electrical awaken power allowed her to channel electricity, electrifying fences or stunning attackers—a key defense for the base.
Kira: Newly awakened with healing abilities, she patched wounds quickly and kept the team fighting fit.
Jaden slipped into the dark outskirts alone, the ruins stretched before him like an open wound. He knew the task ahead: hunt down five elite zombies that had been spotted near the industrial district.
Each encounter tested his skills.
The first Elite, a towering brute with jagged bone plates, lunged with savage force. Jaden dodged, flickering through space with Phase Trigger, landing sharp strikes with his steel-tipped combat knife. The fight was a tense dance of precision and speed.
From its corpse, Jaden recovered a Reinforced Bone Shard and a Muscle Fiber Sample, both rare crafting materials that hummed with strange energy.
The second Elite was faster, a mutated creature with whip-like claws. Using Shadow Bind, Jaden immobilized it, then finished with a quick, clean kill. From this one, he claimed an Energy Core Fragment, its corrupted pulse faint but powerful.
Next, a heavily armored Elite charged with reckless fury. Reflex Pulse sharpened Jaden's senses, letting him weave through its attacks and strike at exposed joints. The loot was a Hardened Tactical Plate, perfect for upgrading armor.
The fourth Elite was cunning, setting traps and luring Jaden into a tight alley. But Jaden's perception and agility saved him. He struck with adrenaline-fueled precision, claiming a rare Mutated Tissue Sample.
The final Elite was the fiercest—a mutated heavywalker with an armored exoskeleton. The battle pushed Jaden to his limits, but with careful timing and combined use of all his skills, he brought it down.
From this fight, he retrieved a Corrupted Energy Core, a unique item that pulsed with an ominous energy.
Returning to the base, Jaden moved silently to the perimeter defenses. He focused his energy, and the walls seemed to thicken, barricades grew sturdier—the defense attribute of the base visibly strengthened.
Base Attributes:
Defense Rate: 47%
Energy: 12%
Occupancy: 37/100
Awakeners: 12
Faultline was no longer just a shelter; it was a fortress shaped by the team's awaken powers and Jaden's hidden force.
Marcus watched in awe. "What did you do?"
Jaden smiled, cryptic as ever. "It's part of my awakening."
The team exchanged whispers, a mix of amazement and curiosity. The rumor of Jaden's double awakening spread quietly, fueling both hope and mystery.
The Lock System remained hidden, but its influence was clear: empowering their sanctuary against the darkness beyond.