The afterglow of the setting sun sank behind the ruins, and dusk shrouded the dilapidated Pentagon. The smell of gunpowder and corrosion faded away, leaving only the whimper of the evening wind blowing through the broken walls. Liam, Kane, and the surviving soldiers trudged toward the temporary stronghold, stepping over gravel. Injured soldiers supported each other, groaning but never complaining—their weapons and the intact core energy converter in their backpacks were their only hope.
Liam walked at the forefront of the team, the blue-black halo at his fingertips flickering occasionally. With his brain activation level stabilized at 16.8%, the super energy perception granted by this level allowed him to capture subtle energy fluctuations in the ruins a hundred meters away, accurately avoiding the patrol tracks of scattered Reapers in the distance. After defeating four Reaper pursuers, the bioenergy he had absorbed had not yet been fully refined. His energy intensity stabilized at 36 units, and his neural symbiosis stability remained at 76%. His energy control, honed after advancement, became increasingly fluid. Even while running quickly, he could synchronously guide energy to repair the residual muscle strain from the battle. [Host, it is detected that the fusion degree of symbiotic energy and Reaper bioenergy in the body has reached 45%. It is expected to complete refinement in 18 hours, which can upgrade the primary energy absorption ability. Current brain activation level: 16.8%, physical damage has been repaired to 95%, and the remaining slight strain can be accelerated through the stronghold's medical equipment. At that time, it is expected to stably break through the 17% safety threshold with the opportunity of energy fusion!] The AI's prompt sounded slowly, synchronously displaying an energy fusion progress bar.
"Can energy fusion and activation breakthrough proceed simultaneously?" Liam muttered to himself, guiding his energy to feel the entanglement of the two energies—the blue-black symbiotic energy was gentle and tenacious, while the black Reaper energy was violent and sharp. The stinging pain from their collision and integration was gradually transforming into a more powerful composite energy as the refinement progressed. He quickened his pace, his heart becoming more firm: he must complete the fusion and breakthrough as soon as possible to deal with the counterattack of the Reaper main force that Hale was about to bring, and at the same time completely master the activation level above 17%, breaking free from the constraints of physical load.
Kane walked up to Liam, his tone solemn: "On the way back, our scouts detected dense energy fluctuations in the distance, suspected to be a Reaper patrol team of more than 30 members, moving slowly towards the stronghold. I have arranged for two soldiers to return early to inform Dr. Elena to strengthen the defense and be on alert. After Hale escaped, he will definitely contact the main force immediately. We must let Elena complete the development of the counter-weapon as soon as possible, and your activation breakthrough will be our biggest trump card."
Liam nodded, looking at the faint light in the direction of the stronghold: "The core components are intact. With Elena here, the counter-weapon can be built soon. In addition, my symbiotic energy is fusing with the Reaper energy. If I can synchronously break through 17% activation, I can not only enhance my own combat effectiveness but also inject stronger energy into the counter-weapon, forming a double deterrent."
A glimmer of light flashed in Kane's eyes: "Great! Your symbiotic ability is already outstanding. If you can stably break through 17% and cooperate with the counter-weapon, our chances of winning against the Reaper main force will be greatly increased. We need to speed up and complete three things before Hale arrives—strengthen the defense, develop the weapon, and assist you in breaking through the activation level. There is no room for error."
Half an hour later, the team arrived at the entrance of the stronghold, and the remaining soldiers immediately greeted them. "Captain! Mr. Liam! You're back!" A soldier stepped forward quickly, "Dr. Elena has adjusted the equipment and is waiting for the core components! In addition, the Reaper patrol team is 8 kilometers away from the stronghold and has not found us yet. The medical cabin is ready and can assist Mr. Liam with repair and activation breakthrough at any time."
"Well done." Kane's tone was serious, "Immediately arrange for soldiers to stand guard in three shifts and issue an alarm immediately if Reapers are found; medics take care of the injured soldiers, count ammunition and supplies, and prepare for a protracted war; technical soldiers assist Dr. Elena and fully cooperate with the counter-weapon manufacturing!"
The soldiers replied in unison and took action quickly. The stronghold was busy but orderly—after countless battles, they had long been used to standing firm in danger.
Liam took off his backpack and walked quickly to the underground laboratory. Transformed from a communication room, the laboratory was filled with simple equipment. Elena was concentrating on tapping the keyboard and checking data and drawings. Next to her, the medical cabin had started the preheating program, and the screen displayed "Activation Breakthrough Assistance Program V1.0". Hearing the footsteps, she turned around, saw Liam, and immediately walked forward quickly.
"Liam, you're back! Where are the core components? Are they damaged? After your activation level broke through 17% just now, the energy fluctuation was somewhat unstable. How are you now?" Elena's tone was eager. She cared about the core components, the key to the counter-weapon, and also worried about Liam's physical condition—the physical load brought by 17% activation had always been a hidden concern for her.
Liam smiled, took out three core components and placed them on the experimental table. The components flickered with a stable blue light: "They are intact. Although Hale escaped, we guarded the core. I have now lowered my activation level back to the 16.8% safety threshold, and my body is fine. The medical cabin is ready in time. Kane has arranged for vigilance, and the Reaper patrol team is approaching. We have no time to waste and must develop the counter-weapon as soon as possible. At the same time, I can try to stably break through 17% with the help of energy resonance during the manufacturing process."
Elena nodded, put the components into the detection instrument: "I have analyzed the drawings and adjusted the equipment. This counter-weapon uses high-frequency blue energy to accurately lock on the biochip on the Reaper's forehead, which can destroy its energy core and make it lose combat effectiveness with one hit. The core components fully meet the requirements. It takes 1.5 hours to manufacture one, and three components can be used to manufacture three at the same time, which is enough to equip a team to deal with the patrol team. We can mass-produce and take the initiative to attack later." She paused, pointing to the energy transmission interface between the medical cabin and the weapon manufacturing platform, "I specially designed an energy linkage device. When you conduct the breakthrough in the medical cabin, you can synchronously guide symbiotic energy to inject into the weapon prototype. This can not only enhance the weapon's attack power but also make energy fusion smoother, reducing physical damage during the breakthrough. It is estimated that this device can reduce the breakthrough risk by 40% and improve the weapon's energy adaptability by 25%."
Looking at the linkage design drawings on the screen, Liam's eyes were full of determination. [Host, it is detected that the resonance frequency between the high-frequency blue energy of the counter-weapon and the own symbiotic energy reaches 92%. Injecting symbiotic energy can enhance the weapon's attack power by 30%, and at the same time accelerate the energy fusion progress to 50%, providing double assistance for the activation breakthrough! The nerve soothing program of the medical cabin can synchronously suppress the muscle tearing pain during the breakthrough, and it is expected to extend the physical tolerance time of 17% activation to 1 hour.] The AI's prompt sounded again, synchronously marking the optimal frequency band for energy injection and the energy threshold during the breakthrough.
"This design is crucial." Liam said, "My symbiotic energy has a high resonance with the counter-weapon energy. When injecting, I can use the weapon's energy cycle to stabilize the turbulent fusion energy in my body, which is just in line with the need to break through 17%. I will enter the medical cabin when manufacturing the weapon and conduct the breakthrough attempt synchronously. You monitor the data in real time and adjust the interface parameters to ensure everything goes smoothly. According to the current energy fusion progress, combined with the linkage device, the breakthrough success rate can reach 75%."
At that moment, Kane rushed into the laboratory, his tone urgent: "It's not good! The guard soldiers found that the Reaper patrol team suddenly accelerated, with the number increasing to more than 45. They are only 5 kilometers away from the stronghold and are expected to arrive in 20 minutes! In addition, a strong dark energy fluctuation was detected, confirming it is Hale. His energy intensity has reached 20 units, and his neural symbiosis stability has broken through 60%. Obviously, he has been nourished by the Reaper's energy and is leading the patrol team towards us!"
Elena's face turned pale: "How could it be so fast? We haven't started manufacturing the counter-weapon yet. We only have a small number of pulse guns and ammunition, which are completely unable to deal with more than 45 Reapers plus Hale's command... Liam's breakthrough still needs time. Forcibly interrupting it may cause neural damage, making it difficult to improve the activation level later!"
"Don't worry." Liam pressed Elena's shoulder, his tone firm. Stimulated by the crisis, his brain activation level slightly rose to 17.0%, and a familiar tearing sensation instantly came from his muscles. But with the buffer of energy fusion, he forcibly suppressed the pain within a bearable range, "I will go to block them and buy you time to manufacture the weapon. Although the current 17.0% activation level exceeds the safety threshold, the improved physical adaptability brought by energy fusion allows me to maintain this state for a short time. With the primary energy absorption ability, it is enough to contain them for 30 minutes. Kane, you lead the soldiers to defend the stronghold and assist Elena in starting the weapon manufacturing; Elena, after I set off, you immediately start the linkage program. I will synchronously transmit energy through the energy transmission interface, not only delaying the enemy but also not delaying the weapon manufacturing and energy fusion—each energy transmission can accumulate an additional 1% fusion degree for the breakthrough."
"No, it's too dangerous!" Elena retorted, "More than 45 Reapers plus Hale's command, you can't contain them alone. Moreover, continuous combat with 17.0% activation may cause energy fusion disorder, and the subsequent breakthrough success rate will drop to below 50%! We'd better transfer, take the core components and drawings, and continue the research and development and breakthrough elsewhere!"
"We can't transfer." Liam shook his head, quickly increasing his energy intensity to 40 units, maintaining his neural symbiosis stability at 75%, "Transferring now will only be locked by Hale's tracking energy. We have no way out but to stand firm. Although the defense of the stronghold is simple, it is enough to resist for a period of time. As long as we build the counter-weapon, coupled with my combat effectiveness after the breakthrough, we can completely repel them. Trust me, I will accurately control the battle duration and energy output. Every time I kill a Reaper, I will absorb its bioenergy to supplement myself, not only buying you time but also accumulating practical data for the breakthrough, which is expected to increase the fusion degree by another 8%."
Kane nodded in agreement: "Liam is right. We have no way out but to stand firm. Liam, don't worry. I will lead the soldiers to defend the stronghold and assist Elena in starting the manufacturing program. Hale's dark energy has improved, and he is familiar with your combat style. You must be careful, avoid direct energy collision with him, use the tactical prediction advantage brought by 17.0% activation to maneuver, and prioritize solving low-energy Reapers to accumulate fusion energy."
Liam nodded, turned around and walked towards the laboratory door, while guiding the fusion energy in his body. The blue-black halo at his fingertips surged, his brain activation level was accurately stabilized at 17.1%, his energy intensity climbed to 42 units, his neural symbiosis stability was 75%, and the energy fusion degree reached 53% in an instant. A strong warm current of composite energy flowed through his body, not only suppressing the pain of physical load but also allowing him to clearly feel the energy trajectory of distant Reapers and Hale. [Host, the energy fusion degree has reached 53%. The primary energy absorption ability is about to be upgraded. Absorbing Reaper energy in battle can accelerate fusion and breakthrough! It is detected that Hale's energy intensity is 20 units, with a neural symbiosis stability of 62%. He is followed by 48 Reapers, whose energy intensities are between 40-45 units. It is recommended to prioritize solving low-energy Reapers to accumulate fusion energy and avoid Hale's corrosive energy attack! The physical tolerance limit of the current 17.1% activation level is 35 minutes. Exceeding this time will result in irreversible muscle damage.]
"Elena, speed up. I will wait for you outside the stronghold." Liam looked back, his eyes firm, "Remember, no matter what happens, prioritize completing the counter-weapon. Every weapon built will increase our chances of winning. I will control to return within 30 minutes, just in time for the critical node of the breakthrough."
"I will. You must be careful and ensure to control the battle duration! The medical cabin will continue to preheat, and you can start the breakthrough program immediately after you come back!" Elena's eyes were filled with tears, her tone firm. At the same time, she quickly tapped the keyboard, starting the weapon manufacturing program and the energy linkage interface, "The energy channel is open. You can transmit energy at any time. I will record the data synchronously and optimize the breakthrough plan."
Liam smiled, picked up a modified pulse gun, and walked quickly to the guard post outside the stronghold. At this time, the soldiers in the stronghold were already ready for battle, holding weapons with firm eyes. Although tired, no one flinched—they knew that this battle was related to the life and death of humanity and Liam's activation breakthrough, and they must do their best.
In the distant darkness, the Reaper's roars drew closer and closer. Hale's dark energy intertwined with the Reaper's energy, forming an oppressive energy field, only 3 kilometers away from the stronghold. Liam stood at the guard post, his eyes locked on the depths of the darkness, a sharp composite light blade condensing at his fingertips. Driven by the fighting will, the energy fusion degree quickly increased to 55%. He took a deep breath, accurately stabilizing his brain activation level at 17.1%, not only retaining the maximum combat effectiveness but also controlling the physical load within a manageable range, muttering to himself: "Hale, this time, I will not only block you but also use your energy to complete the breakthrough of my symbiotic new stage."
In the darkness, Hale's figure was faintly visible, surrounded by richer dark energy, his eyes crazy and cold, leading 48 Reapers to approach quickly. A triple battle involving delay, counter-weapon research and development, and symbiotic breakthrough was about to begin. Deep in the stronghold, Elena stared closely at the energy transmission curve and weapon manufacturing progress bar on the screen, with only one belief in her heart: defend the stronghold, build the weapon, and assist Liam in completing the breakthrough—these three goals were indispensable, related to the future of human resistance.