[Warning: Energy Low (2/50)]
[Warning: Bleeding Status active.]
The world was spinning. The high-contrast greyscale of my 'Feral Burst' flickered, threat-lines on the ground blurring into the mud.
"Two more," I hissed.
"Tory, stop! You're going to blow a lung!" Hi's voice crackled through the earpiece. "I'm looking at your vitals. Your heart rate is 220. That's 'corpse-in-waiting' territory!"
"I have... to finish the quest," I muttered.
Two LIRI 'Suits' tactical specialists stepped into the clearing. The silver cylinder of a pneumatic rifle leveled at my chest.
[Option: Overclock Mitochondria?]
[Cost: 20% Permanent HP reduction until next Rest.]
[Yes / No?]
Yes! Do it!
[Skill 'Adrenaline Overdrive' Activated!]
[Energy Refilled: 10 (Temporary)]
The world slowed. I watched the neuro-dart leave the barrel in slow motion. I didn't just dodge it. I caught it.
I appeared in front of the lead guard before he could chamber the next round. I grabbed the barrel of his rifle and twisted. The steel snapped like a twig.
[Guards Neutralized: 3/4]
The last guard reached for a distress flare.
"Don't," I growled.
I didn't jump. I teleported. One second I was ten feet away; the next, my hand was crushed around his wrist.
[Emergency Quest: COMPLETED!]
[Calculating Rewards...]
Exp Gained: 50
Level Up! (Level 1 -> Level 2)
Stat Points Gained: 5
Skill Unlocked: 'Predator's Eye'
[All Injuries Healed by Level Up!]
A golden light washed over me. The exhaustion vanished, replaced by a terrifyingly clean sense of power.
"Tory?"
I turned. Ben, Hi, and Shelton were standing at the edge of the clearing.
"You guys okay?" I asked. My voice was normal again.
"Tory, you just took out an Alpha Team in forty-five seconds," Hi whispered. "You were... different."
I looked at the blue screen floating in my vision.
[New Quest Available: The Den]
[Bonus: Reveal the System to a Pack Member (0/1)]
"I'm still Tory," I said, looking at the 'Stat Points' waiting to be spent. "But the virus... it just got an upgrade."
I looked at Ben. "And I think you're next."