Chapitre 18: Into the Abyss
The distant hum of drones faded into silence, replaced by the grinding roar of shifting metal. The cage beneath their feet trembled as the mechanisms above prepared for the next round. A cold voice echoed from their BIOs, emotionless and cruel:
"Round 3: Predator's Spiral. Survive the hunt. Timer: 60 minutes. Rewards: Advanced Gear Upgrades and Credits. Failure: Elimination."
The words sent a chill through the group. Survive the hunt. It was ambiguous, but they all knew one thing: they were about to face something far worse than anything before.
Captain (Reika) stood at the forefront, her Reaction Enhancer already syncing with her heightened senses. Her voice was calm, commanding. "Stay close. No one strays, no matter what."
The cage doors opened with a screech, revealing a new arena below. It was a sprawling, dense jungle of metallic trees and glowing vegetation, their neon hues casting eerie shadows. The air was thick with mist, obscuring visibility beyond a few feet. This wasn't a battleground. It was a labyrinth, designed to disorient and terrify.
They descended via a retractable platform, their boots hitting the ground with muted thuds. The moment they stepped off, the platform retracted, leaving them alone in the suffocating jungle.
Techie (Haruto) scanned the area with his BIO, his fingers dancing across the interface. "This environment is different—dynamic. The terrain changes. Look." He pointed at a glowing tree nearby as its branches shifted, twisting into new shapes. "We're not just fighting enemies. The arena itself is going to work against us."
"Great," Shadow (Mika) muttered, her voice tight with unease. "As if the monsters weren't enough."
Ace (Kaito) adjusted his gear, the suit responding like a second skin. He felt the Speed Booster coursing through him, his legs light and ready to spring. "We stick to Captain's lead. No wandering off."
A faint rumble cut through the mist. The ground beneath them trembled slightly, sending ripples through the glowing pools scattered across the jungle floor. Something was coming.
Then came the roar—a deep, guttural sound that vibrated through their chests. It wasn't human. It wasn't anything they could recognize.
Captain's eyes darted around the mist, her enhanced senses picking up subtle shifts in the air. "It's circling us. Weapons ready."
The roar was followed by the sound of snapping branches and heavy footsteps. The group instinctively formed a tight circle, their backs to one another, scanning the jungle for movement. The mist parted briefly, revealing a hulking silhouette.
The creature emerged—a towering beast, its body covered in jet-black armor that glinted like obsidian. Its glowing red eyes burned with malevolence, and its elongated claws dripped with a viscous, glowing fluid.
Shadow let out a sharp breath. "What the hell is that thing?"
Techie's BIO buzzed as it analyzed the creature. "Predator-class entity. Weak points… unknown. Great."
The beast roared again, its maw opening to reveal rows of jagged teeth. It charged with terrifying speed, its massive form barreling toward them.
"Move!" Captain shouted.
The Speed Boosters kicked in, and the group scattered just as the beast crashed into the spot where they'd been standing. The impact sent shards of glowing debris flying, slicing through the air.
Captain's Reaction Enhancer flared, allowing her to predict the beast's next movement. "Left flank! Shadow, cover me!" she barked, darting to the side with inhuman agility.
Shadow moved in sync, her BIO displaying the trajectory of Captain's path. They wove through the jungle, using the shifting terrain to keep the creature at bay.
Meanwhile, Techie scrambled onto a nearby metallic tree, his suit's adaptive material gripping the surface with ease. From his elevated position, he analyzed the creature's movements. "Its armor is deflecting everything. We need to find an opening!"
Ace's voice crackled through the BIOs. "We can't keep running forever. We need a plan."
Captain's mind raced, her enhanced senses picking up subtle shifts in the creature's posture. "It hesitates when it charges. That's our window. We draw it in, then strike when it pauses."
Ace gritted his teeth. "I'll bait it. Be ready."
"No," Captain said firmly. "You're not doing this alone. Shadow, you're with him. Techie, find a vantage point. I'll flank it and take the shot."
The group moved into position, their training and instincts kicking in. Ace and Shadow stood in the open, their sleek gear glinting under the alien light.
"Come on, you ugly bastard," Ace muttered, his voice steady despite the fear coiling in his stomach.
The beast roared, locking onto them. It charged, its claws tearing through the terrain with feral intensity. Just as it closed the distance, Ace and Shadow split in opposite directions, their Speed Boosters propelling them to safety.
The creature hesitated, confused by the sudden movement.
"Now!" Captain shouted.
From her hidden position, she launched herself at the beast, her body a blur of motion. The alien material of her gear hardened on impact as she slammed into the creature's exposed side. Her arm blade, formed from the suit itself, plunged into a weak joint near its neck.
The beast let out a deafening roar, thrashing violently. Captain held on, her enhanced reflexes allowing her to dodge its retaliatory strikes. "Techie, take the shot!"
From his perch, Techie activated his suit's integrated weapon—a sleek energy cannon that formed over his arm. He aimed carefully, the BIO's targeting system locking onto the creature's vulnerable joint.
"Firing," he said, his voice calm.
The blast hit its mark, sending a surge of energy through the creature's body. It collapsed with a final, guttural growl, its massive form slumping to the ground.
The group regrouped, their breaths heavy but victorious.
Captain removed her faceplate, her expression grim. "That was just the start. We need to move before the next one finds us."
They disappeared into the jungle, their gear and instincts their only lifelines. The hunt was far from over.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Tenshimeo
Tenshimeo "I recently had an idea while eating: what if the gear in the story could transform into weapons? This would add a dynamic element to the battles, with characters customizing their gear to suit their fighting styles and needs. The transformation could be tied to the credits system or other mechanics, making it a strategic choice during the survival."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone