Chapter Three: Encounter on the Wasteland

While Ember was absorbed in admiring his new armor, Wine Grows Stronger found herself locked in a bitter struggle. Although this assessment was a cooperative mode, the involvement of spatial teleportation triggered a scattered landing setup. Ember landed amidst a field of ruins, while Wine Grows Stronger appeared in the middle of a road near the ruins—unfortunately, right in the path of two elite-level Wastelanders.

With no time to search for her teammate, Wine Grows Stronger was forced into combat with these two game characters.

Strictly speaking, the exploration missions initiated by the major organizations of Paradise World amounted to spatial invasions; the leaders of the Wasteland had never agreed to joint operations. The restricted zone maps acquired by the Foundation, therefore, had less-than-honorable origins. Though the powers of the Wasteland refrained from open provocation due to Paradise World’s overwhelming strength, they took covert action, issuing numerous bounties for “otherworldly visitors” on the black market.

Wine Grows Stronger’s sudden appearance, her attire so starkly different from the Wasteland’s battered aesthetic, instantly gave her away. The two Wastelanders attacked without a word, catching Wine Grows Stronger off guard and plunging her into peril.

Wine Grows Stronger, who now possessed the skill of detection, saw that these two foes had stats nearly on par with the enhanced Mutant Seeds. Though her own strength had increased as well, facing two Mutant Seed-level enemies at once was simply too much. Her focus on damage output left her health dangerously low, and she couldn’t help but yearn for Ember’s taunting presence. Beset on both sides by powerful enemies, she could only fight as she retreated, fleeing toward the cover-rich ruins.

“If I’d known, I would’ve logged in later… If this were normal difficulty, I wouldn’t be in such a sorry state.”

Regret flashed in her eyes as she countered their pursuit, racking her brain for an escape plan.

“Find somewhere to hide. Don’t get hit by stray bullets.”

At that moment, a voice full of disdain suddenly sounded from behind. Wine Grows Stronger spun around, only to discover that a certain infuriating individual had been concealed just behind the broken wall she’d passed. As he spoke, he was already springing forward like a tiger from its cage, launching himself at the Wastelander closest to her.

...

In fact, as soon as Wine Grows Stronger’s battle began, Ember had a rough idea of her location. The two weren’t far apart, and one of the Wastelanders had fired a gun, its thunderous report instantly drawing his attention. Realizing Wine Grows Stronger was under attack, he hurried into the fray.

Since this was a two-person cooperative mode, Ember certainly didn’t want to lose his partner right away—especially as he bore Wine Grows Stronger no ill will. Thus, he did his utmost to rescue her. Fortunately, her desperate scramble for cover led her straight into the ruins, allowing the two to rendezvous quickly.

While Wine Grows Stronger was making her escape, Ember activated his Eye of Detection and scanned the two Wastelanders:

...

Name: [Wasteland Bladesman] (Elite)
Health: 62/100
Attack Level: Weak (10)
Defense Level: Weak (8)
Attack Speed: Fast
Alert Range: Ordinary
Skills: Blade Mastery, Blade Technique: Cleave, Basic First Aid
Description: A native of the Wasteland, a fierce warrior wandering the wilds, expert in close combat, but has not undergone any physical enhancement.

...

Name: [Wasteland Gunman] (Elite)
Health: 76/100
Attack Level: Average (14)
Defense Level: Weak (6)
Attack Speed: Normal
Alert Range: Long
Skills: Firearm Mastery, Marksmanship: Precision, Marksmanship: Critical Shot
Description: A native of the Wasteland, a fierce warrior wandering the wilds, expert in firearms, but has not undergone any physical enhancement.

...

The new version of the Eye of Detection allowed Ember to view their attack and defense stats as well as their tier, and he immediately understood why Wine Grows Stronger had been forced to flee. The synergy between one close-range and one long-range fighter gave these two Wastelanders a combined strength greater than the sum of their parts. Though Wine Grows Stronger had dealt significant damage in a short time, she was herself gravely wounded, forced to use up her only defensive item just to survive. Facing two enemies equivalent to Mutant Seeds at once was truly a stretch.

Crouched behind the broken wall, Ember watched as the enemies closed in.

The Wasteland Bladesman, doggedly pursuing Wine Grows Stronger, was a dark-skinned, powerfully built middle-aged man clad in rough beast-hide armor and heavy boots. His piercing gaze was fixed on Wine Grows Stronger’s crossbow, and even with his prey cornered, he showed not the least sign of carelessness. In the Wasteland, after all, there was a saying: only a dead enemy is a good one.

The heavy darkness hampered everyone’s vision, and in the pitch-black environment, the Wasteland Bladesman failed to notice Ember.

As Wine Grows Stronger ran past, Ember calmly drew his enhanced telescopic baton from his pouch. With a firm grip, he triggered the weapon’s energy storage stone embedded in the handle. The sudden, intense vibration made him feel as if he held raw “power” within his grasp.

His eyes cold, like a hunter stalking prey, he locked onto the Wasteland Bladesman tailing behind. In an instant, motion replaced stillness. Ember sprang forth like a tiger and, with a flick of his wrist, extended the baton two segments—making it as long as a short sword—then brought it down hard on the stunned Bladesman’s head.

[Notification: You have activated the weapon “Enhanced Energy Baton’s” special effect “Energy Infusion,” increasing your next three attacks by one attack level.]

[Notification: You have triggered the active skill “Baton Technique: Skullcracker,” lowering the target’s head defense by one level.]

[Notification: You dealt fourteen points of damage to “Wasteland Bladesman.”]

[Notification: The Wasteland Bladesman’s Agility is below five, and he cannot ignore the “Slowed” status of “Average” level. For the next five seconds, his attack and movement speed are reduced by 25%.]

Where once his baton could only scratch enemies, it now dealt double-digit damage even against opponents with “weak” defense.

Ember was very satisfied with the effects of his upgraded weapon. He had followed the control center director’s advice, invested most of his previous assessment’s earnings into it, and the results in actual combat made him marvel:

Worth every coin!

...

[Enhanced Energy Baton] (Light/Basic)
Weapon Quality: Excellent (2 enhancements remaining)
Attack Range: Very short/Short/Medium
Attack Level: Weak (6-8)/Average (15-19)
Equipment Effect: None
Enhancement Effect 1: Attack Boost (Damage increased by 50%)
Enhancement Effect 2: Energy Infusion (Once every thirty seconds, gain Energy Infusion, increasing the next three attacks by one attack level)
Inset Gem: Mimic Chest’s Broken Fang (Damage increased by 1-2)
Requirement: Strength Level 2/Strength Level 4
Description: This is the core component of an heirloom weapon. Properly restored, it is sturdier and more durable, and its telescopic function has been revived. Thunderstruck hardwood increases its base damage, while the energy storage stone lets it unleash a burst of power—but be warned, activating the energy stone requires greater strength to fully control this unruly weapon.

[Damage Calculation Formula: (Base Damage + Inset Damage) x (All Equipment Bonuses) x (All Skill Bonuses) x (Special Buffs) = Final Damage (Decimals usually rounded, but not always.)]

...

Bang!

A heavy blow landed squarely, making the Wasteland Bladesman’s face twist in shock. He tried to retaliate against this new foe, only to find his own body sluggish, as if trapped in mud. His blade, two beats too slow, had yet to reach Ember before his head was struck twice more.

[Notification: You have been hit by “Blade Technique: Cleave” from the “Wasteland Bladesman,” taking eighteen points of life damage.]

In this lightning-fast exchange, Ember dealt a total of forty points of damage to the Wasteland Bladesman, while the latter’s counterattack seemed weak by comparison. His blade struck Ember’s [Active Soft Bio-Suit] but met resistance, its force dissipated as if striking dough. Ember’s enhanced energy baton, however, landed solidly on the Bladesman’s head.

Fatal!

Only then did the Wasteland Bladesman realize the dire situation. This sudden new adversary not only struck hard but was also well-defended. Terrified, he dared not linger in battle and turned to flee.

But a crossbow bolt whistled through the air, striking him square in the back and instantly wiping out his remaining twenty-two health points. He stumbled, fell, and never even had time to call out to his companion.

Such high damage!

Ember was a little surprised. He looked back at Wine Grows Stronger, who was holding her crossbow aloft. Even without the bonus from her skill plug-ins, she could still deal such impressive damage?

He was genuinely pleased by this—her strength had clearly also grown, and he truly needed a companion who could keep pace with him.