A heavy combat boot kicked the diagnostic console, shattering the holographic screen into a shower of sparks.
Reina scrambled backward, her bare feet slipping on the wet tiles. Three Awakened mercenaries wearing oil-stained gear of the Eastern Ruins tech-guild cornered her against the edge of the purification pool.
They leveled heavy magic rifles at her chest, the barrels glowing with charged volatile energy.
"Scott missed his check-in," the lead mercenary snarled, stepping closer. "He said you were holding out on the water tax, so we are here to collect the debt."
Reina raised her hands, a desperate pulse of blue water-mana flickering at her fingertips. She was completely outgunned and possessed virtually no combat experience compared to these hardened wasteland thugs.
