The hospital corridor was filled with tension. Outside, the C-Class humanoid, designated C-01, glowed like molten metal under the dim emergency lights. Its massive cannon arm hummed with energy, a soft mechanical growl vibrating through the floor. Jack's heart pounded.
Beside him, the Dummy Clone mirrored every movement perfectly, staff in hand. Jack flexed his fingers, feeling the energy coursing through his veins. Temporary fusion with Eve was risky, but necessary.
"Jack," Eve's voice cut through his mind, calm but sharp, "activate fusion protocol. This isn't a game. Use my predictive algorithms. Time your attacks. Think three moves ahead."
Jack swallowed hard. "Temporary only, right? Once this is done… we're separate again?"
"Correct. Don't fry yourself," Eve replied, neon eyes flaring slightly in the air. "Let's make it quick."
He nodded. Taking a deep breath, he grasped the Unbreakable Stick with both hands. Blue light crackled along his arms. The hologram of Eve shimmered and flowed into him like liquid fire. His muscles surged. Reflexes sharpened. Vision expanded. He could see the C-01's joints, weak points, even the circuits powering its weapons.
[ Fusion Activated: Temporary ]
Duration: 180 seconds
Predictive Combat Algorithms: Online
Strength Boost: +50%
Speed Boost: +50%
Stamina Boost: +50%
Jack felt alive in a way he had never known. "Okay… let's do this."
Scene 1 – First Clash
The giant humanoid raised its cannon arm. A ball of pure plasma formed at its barrel. Time seemed to slow. Jack's vision snapped into predictive mode. A neon overlay traced the cannon's arc and the robot's weak joints.
"Step back to the left, then slide under its arm," Eve instructed. "Punch the knee actuator. Then follow up with the groin kick."
Jack's heart raced, but he obeyed. He sidestepped, slid under the swinging cannon, and slammed his staff into the robot's knee actuator. Sparks flew. The robot staggered slightly.
"Now!" Eve prompted.
Jack jumped, spinning midair, and drove a kick into the lower sensors with the infamous "ball breaker" maneuver Eve insisted on using. The robot convulsed violently, its energy core flickering.
The Dummy Clone fought beside him, smashing a servo joint with perfect timing. Jack dodged a second cannon blast and slammed his staff into the humanoid's chest, just short of the glowing core.
The robot stumbled back. "It… it's… predicting me!" Jack gasped, adrenaline flooding his veins.
"Focus! Another three attacks and we can disable its core!" Eve's voice was sharper now, guiding every motion.
Jack nodded, teeth gritted. He struck with a flurry of moves, combining staff swings, kicks, and throws, his predictive mode showing exactly where the robot would move next. Sparks and smoke erupted with every strike.
Scene 2 – Fusion Ticking
Seconds passed like hours. Jack could feel the strain. Every heartbeat, every nerve screamed. Eve's temporary fusion amplified his power, but she whispered constantly, "You have 60 seconds left. Don't overuse the predictive system. You can't maintain this beyond 180 seconds."
Jack gritted his teeth. "I… I got this!"
The humanoid recovered partially and lunged. Jack twisted midair, staff connecting with its shoulder joint, sending it spinning. He ducked another swing. Eve's algorithms highlighted one last weak point: the chest core.
"NOW!" she shouted.
Jack leapt, swung the staff like a lance, striking the glowing core. The machine shuddered violently, sparks flying, systems failing. With a massive clanging roar, the C-Class humanoid collapsed, smoke pouring from its chest.
Notifications popped in Jack's vision:
[ C-Class Humanoid Defeated ]
+100 Stat Points
+1 Rare Photon Item
Fusion Protocol Terminated: Temporary Overload Avoided
Jack collapsed on one knee, exhausted but exhilarated. His vision swam. Eve's holographic glow separated from him, hovering beside his shoulder once more.
"You… survived," she whispered. "And you didn't fry yourself. Impressive."
Jack wiped sweat from his brow. "I… I can't believe it actually worked…"
Eve floated closer, a faint smile on her neon features. "Temporary fusion is just a taste of what you can do. Permanent… is still off-limits for now. Luke's watching, and you need to learn control first."
Jack nodded weakly. "I don't know if I could handle permanent fusion yet anyway…"
Scene 3 – The Rare Photon Item
Jack looked down at the Rare Photon Item glowing in his hand. Eve hovered over it.
"Open it. Carefully," she instructed.
Jack tapped the item, and it unfolded like a miniature holographic interface. Inside was a glowing sphere, pulsing with light and energy. Eve's voice resonated:
"This is a Photon Core. Integrating it will temporarily boost all stats by 20% for your next boss quest. But it's a single-use item."
Jack's eyes widened. "One use…? That could save my life."
Eve's eyes narrowed. "Yes. And you will need it soon. Luke isn't playing games anymore. He's preparing his strongest lieutenant yet."
Jack swallowed hard, pocketing the core. "I… I'm not going to lose next time."
"You better not," Eve said, smirking. "Or the penalty will be… less forgiving than before."
Jack gritted his teeth. "I've learned. I'm ready."
Scene 4 – Outside the Hospital
The battle outside had stopped for now. The remaining red-eyed humanoids froze, seemingly waiting. Eve's hologram leaned toward Jack.
"They know you've survived. Luke's lieutenant will arrive soon. C-Class was just the appetizer."
Jack clenched his staff. "Then we train harder. Upgrade stats, sharpen skills, everything. We'll be ready."
Eve nodded. "And remember weakling temporary fusion isn't a crutch. It's a test. You have to learn to fight without me fully merged. Otherwise, you'll be predictable."
Jack smirked weakly. "Predictable? Me? Never."
Eve laughed softly, a melodic tone that seemed almost human. "We'll see, weakling. We'll see."
---
Scene 5 – Cliffhanger
A shadow moved on the rooftop across the street. Red eyes glinted in the darkness.
Luke's hologram appeared again, glitching and flickering. His grin was sinister.
"So… you survived your little playtime," he said. "Good. But the next one? My lieutenant will crush you."
He tapped his interface. A wave of energy pulsed through the city. Far away, a hulking figure stirred—larger, faster, armor glinting black with crimson highlights.
Jack gripped his staff, sweat and determination mixing. Eve's hologram flickered, ready to dive into him for another temporary fusion if needed.
"Time to see if your training paid off, weakling," she whispered.
Jack squared his shoulders. "Bring it."
Notifications popped up in neon letters across his vision:
[ Next Boss Quest Incoming: Luke's Lieutenant – B-Class AI Humanoid ]
Reward: 200 Stat Points + 1 Rare Photon Item
Penalty: Temporary Fusion Overload Risk
Jack's eyes flared with determination. The countdown began.
(End of Chapter 5)