The abandoned research facility loomed before us, a monument to forgotten science and potential supervillainy. Broken windows stared out like vacant eyes, and the wind whistled through shattered panes, carrying the scent of dust and decay. Nightshade's stealth team – a surprisingly well-equipped duo she'd contacted through encrypted channels – moved with practiced efficiency, securing the perimeter and disabling any obvious security measures.
Inside, the facility was a labyrinth of dimly lit corridors and rusting equipment. The air was thick with the metallic tang of old machinery and something else… a faint, almost chemical odor that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
『Harem Streamer System: Infiltration sequence initiated. Probability of encountering hostile entities: 63%. Recommendation: Utilize 'awkward distraction' skill if necessary. (New skill unlocked: 'Accidental Trip Hazard.')』
"'Accidental Trip Hazard'?" I muttered, eyeing a suspiciously placed pile of rubble. "Great. My superpower is now being clumsy."
Nightshade, leading the way with a tactical flashlight, moved with a silent grace that made my attempts at stealth look like a drunken elephant in a china shop. Maya and Nova flanked me, their powers simmering just beneath the surface, ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice. Glitch, meanwhile, was glued to their portable console, attempting to remotely access the Shadow Syndicate's server.
"Anything?" Nightshade whispered, pausing at a junction in the corridor.
"Almost there," Glitch replied, their fingers flying across the screen. "Their firewall is robust, but I'm cracking it… just a little further…"
Suddenly, the lights flickered, plunging the corridor into near darkness. A low hum filled the air, growing steadily louder.
"What was that?" Maya asked, her voice tense.
"Power surge," Nova replied, her eyes glowing faintly. "It feels… artificial."
Then, a voice echoed through the facility's intercom system, cold and devoid of emotion.
Voice:Intruders detected. Security protocols engaged.
Red lights flashed to life, bathing the corridors in an ominous glow. Heavy metal doors slammed shut at the end of each hallway. We were trapped.
"They knew we were coming," Nightshade growled.
"Glitch, can you still access the server?" I asked, my heart pounding.
"Trying!" Glitch yelled over the rising hum. "But their system is going into lockdown!"
We pressed forward, following Nightshade's lead, the sounds of approaching footsteps echoing from down the hall. We rounded a corner and found ourselves facing a group of heavily armed figures in black uniforms, their weapons trained on us. They bore a familiar insignia: the stylized shadow of a grasping hand. Shadow Syndicate operatives.
"Stand down!" one of them barked. "You are trespassing on restricted property!"
"Not in the mood for a polite chat," Maya retorted, unleashing a blast of cosmic energy that sent the operatives scrambling for cover.
A chaotic firefight erupted, energy blasts colliding with gunfire, the echoing sounds amplified by the confined space. Maya and Nova moved with incredible speed and power, their attacks precise and devastating. Nightshade and her team provided cover fire and tactical support, their movements coordinated and deadly.
As for me? I mostly ducked behind conveniently placed overturned tables and tried not to get shot. My 'Accidental Trip Hazard' skill didn't seem particularly useful against automatic weaponry.
『Harem Streamer System: Combat engagement initiated. Probability of host survival: 42% (dependent on heroine protection). Recommendation: Express admiration for heroine combat prowess to increase affection levels.』
"You guys are amazing!" I yelled, narrowly avoiding a laser blast. "Seriously, your fighting skills are… wow!"
The operatives, though well-trained, were clearly outmatched by the combined might of two superheroes and a highly skilled stealth team. They fell back, retreating further into the facility.
"They're leading us somewhere," Nightshade said, her voice grim. "Into a trap."
We continued to advance, the humming growing louder as we descended deeper into the facility. We reached a reinforced door, sealed shut with a heavy electronic lock.
"Glitch, can you open this?" Nightshade asked.
Glitch, who had been frantically working on their console during the fight, nodded. "Almost… got it… and… open!"
The door hissed open, revealing a vast chamber filled with strange machinery, glowing consoles, and a central platform upon which a large, pulsating energy core hummed ominously. This had to be the sub-level marked Project Chimera.
And standing before the energy core was another figure in black, their back to us. They radiated an aura of cold authority.
"So," the figure said, their voice amplified by the chamber's acoustics. "You've finally arrived, Nightshade. And you've brought… the Lavender Lout?"
The figure turned, and my blood ran cold. It was the same masked figure who had offered me a place in the Shadow Syndicate.
"Who are you?" Nightshade demanded, her voice filled with a barely suppressed fury.
The masked figure chuckled, a chilling sound that echoed through the chamber. "You can call me… the Director. And Project Chimera… is about to change everything."
『Harem Streamer System: Boss battle initiated. Probability of success: 17% (without significant power-up). Recommendation: Utilize 'unexpectedly insightful question' skill.』
"Project Chimera?" I blurted out, my voice trembling slightly. "What is it?"
The Director turned their masked gaze towards me. "You have a role to play in this, Lavender Lout. A crucial role."
They gestured towards the pulsating energy core. "Project Chimera is the culmination of years of research. It will allow us to… amplify existing energy sources within the city. To control them. To unleash chaos on a scale you can't even imagine."
Their words sent a shiver of dread down my spine. A city-wide blackout was just the beginning. They wanted to weaponize the very energy that powered NeoVeridia.
"And what does this have to do with me?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
The Director took a step closer, their masked face inches from mine. "Your connection to the… unusual energies that permeate this city… it's stronger than you realize. Project Chimera will allow us to… harness that connection."
My connection? What were they talking about? The Harem Streamer System? Was that what they sensed?
Before I could process their words, the Director raised their hand, and the energy core pulsed violently. Tendrils of dark energy snaked outwards, reaching towards me.
"It's time, Lavender Lout," the Director said, their voice filled with a chilling anticipation. "Time for you to finally embrace your… potential."
The dark energy slammed into me, and everything went black.