章 3: System Missions

---

Aegis paused as Benzo started to walk away. The man's calm demeanor and confident stride piqued his interest. Something about Benzo felt like an anchor amidst the chaos of Zaun's streets. Silently, Aegis decided to follow him, keeping a safe distance. He slipped into the shadows, his movements quiet and deliberate.

After wandering the streets a little longer, Aegis had learned enough to navigate the area and return home safely.

Before leaving, Aegis turned to Benzo, who watched him with a mix of amusement and curiosity.

"Alright, old man," Aegis began, his tone sharper than necessary. "I heard them call you Benzo. In the future, I'll repay you. I don't like owing favors."

Benzo chuckled, his arm whirring softly as he crossed it over his chest. "You've got guts, kid. I'll give you that. Goodbye, then."

As Benzo began to walk away, Aegis called after him, his voice steady and filled with eerie confidence. "Remember the name Aegis. One day, just shouting it might save your life."

Benzo paused, glancing back over his shoulder with a faint smile. "I'll keep that in mind, kid."

With that, Benzo and Aegis disappeared into the alleys, one after the other.

---

When Aegis returned to Silco's lair, the atmosphere was tense, heavy with unspoken threats. As he descended the stone steps, he heard a voice—sharp, trembling, and filled with fear.

Peering around the corner, he saw Silco standing tall and menacing, his lidless orange eye glowing faintly in the dim light. Before him knelt a wiry, scrappy young man with yellow hair: Deckard.

"You were supposed to follow them, not interfere." Silco's voice was low and dangerous. He leaned closer to Deckard, his presence suffocating. "Zaun is not a place for betrayal. I need loyalty."

Deckard stammered, his knees shaking. "I-I didn't mean to, Silco! I swear! It won't happen again—"

"They caught us by surprise."

Silco silenced him with a wave of his hand, his patience clearly wearing thin. Aegis stepped into the room, unnoticed at first, and leaned against the wall, silently observing.

"You aren't worth the risk I'm willing to take," Silco said, his tone softening yet losing none of its menace.

"The kids... they caused the explosion in the upper city."

"That was them?" Silco paused, his expression shifting. "Vander is in trouble."

"Smartest thing you've ever said, boy."

He waved his hand, dismissing Deckard, and then noticed Aegis.

Silco gestured to a cage in the corner of the room. Inside was a small, unassuming rat, its movements unnaturally quick and its eyes glowing faintly.

Turning to Aegis, Silco finally acknowledged him. "You're just in time. I want you to see this. Blood is the only currency that holds value here, and I need you to understand that."

He opened the cage, releasing the rat onto the floor. A cat was brought in, its eyes darting nervously between the humans and the rodent. Silco's scientist injected the rat with a small vial of shimmer, triggering an immediate transformation. The rat's body swelled with unnatural energy, its movements becoming erratic and powerful.

The cat hissed and pounced, but the rat was faster. With a vicious leap, it latched onto the cat, sinking its teeth into the feline's neck. The struggle was brief and brutal. Within moments, the cat lay lifeless, its blood pooling on the floor.

Aegis's eyes widened slightly before his expression hardened. Silco turned to him, a faint smirk tugging at his scarred lips.

"Do you see, Aegis? This is the world we live in. Strength, power, and control—they're all that matter. Without them, you're nothing."

Aegis met Silco's gaze with unwavering red eyes. "I understand," he said simply, his voice steady.

Silco studied him for a moment before nodding. "Good. Remember this lesson."

---

Aegis sat cross-legged on the small, crude bed in his room, the faint hum of machinery from the lair serving as white noise. His mind raced with thoughts of Silco's lesson, the shimmer-enhanced rat, and the brutal realities of Zaun. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Alright, system," Aegis muttered under his breath. "Time to figure you out. What can you do?"

[Initializing Host Query...]

The system's voice resonated in his mind, calm and mechanical:

[The Arcane System assists the host in unlocking and refining abilities while navigating this world. Current Host Level: 1. Mana Reserves: Low.]

"Low, huh?" Aegis frowned. "How do I fix that?"

[Simple tasks and missions will provide the host with experience points (XP) and mana. Additional mana can be cultivated as the host gains strength and grows accustomed to the Arcane System.]

Aegis tilted his head, intrigued. "What kind of missions are we talking about?"

[Generating an appropriate mission for the host...]

[Mission Generated]

Title: Power of Observation

Objective: Observe and learn the habits, movements, and weaknesses of one individual in Zaun.

Reward: +50 XP, +10 Mana.

Failure Consequences: None.

[The mission encourages the host to sharpen observational skills, a critical asset for survival and strategy.]

Aegis smirked. "You're telling me to stalk someone? Alright, easy enough. Let's get started."

He stood up, stretching his small frame. His new body still felt foreign, but he was already adjusting to its lighter weight and nimble movements. He stepped into the dimly lit hallway of Silco's lair, his mind racing with possibilities.

"Observation, huh? Guess I'll learn more about my so-called father, Silco. He's powerful, calculating, and clearly someone I need to understand if I'm going to survive here."

Back in his room after a day of covertly observing Silco around the lair, Aegis sat down, a triumphant grin spreading across his face as the system chimed.

[Mission Complete]

Rewards Granted: +50 XP, +10 Mana.

Progress: 50/5000 XP.

Mana Reserves Updated: 20.

[Observation complete. Host has gained a better understanding of Silco's leadership methods and his reliance on fear and loyalty. Skill development encouraged.]

Aegis chuckled. "That was almost too easy."

He then spent the next days getting stronger.