Tetson was a good friend to Rynbart—so much so that he grew concerned about Rynbart's slipping focus and declining performance. While the rest of the team improved, Rynbart's results steadily dropped. As the team's tech expert, Tetson took it upon himself to run analytical checks and a full scan of Rynbart. What he found was troubling. The serums injected before their experiments were deteriorating. His enhancements—muscle, reflexes, everything—were fading. Rynbart was slowly becoming...human.
During one of the group's missions codenamed: Frantic Destruction. Tetson noticed that Rynbart was struggling with his performance. Their target was a deranged man named Grit, whose file revealed a history of severe psychological issues. Driven by delusions of a new world order, Grit had begun using his own advanced technologies to plunge an entire nation into chaos. His vision was to reduce it all to rubble and only then, from the ashes, could his ideal world be born.
The team had just managed to halt the madman's progress. Desperate and out of options, Grit unleashed his animalistic machines in a last-ditch effort to stop them. At first, they varied in form and strength but none posed much of a threat, and the team quickly subdued them. That was until Grit summoned one final creation: a massive, serpent-like dragon machine. Each member fought fiercely, using their unique abilities to weaken it. Rynbart was the last to strike. He aimed for its weak point.....but for some reason, he missed. In a flash, the mechanical serpent struck him hard, slamming him into a nearby wall.
It was then that the team's leader, known simply as Boss, stepped in and delivered the final blow, bringing the monster down for good.
After the mission ended and the madman Grit was finally arrested, the team returned to headquarters. Tetson pulled Rynbart aside and asked him to follow. He led him into his workshop, where he picked up a small device from his workbench and handed it to Rynbart. It was a tool Tetson had designed specifically for him—still in its experimental phase, but a promising start. "Here, take this," Tetson said, holding the device out in his open palm.
"No," Rynbart said firmly. "I know you're worried about my performance, but trust me—I can handle myself."
He understood what Tetson was trying to do. He knew his strength had been slipping, his reputation faltering. But Rynbart believed this was something he needed to face on his own. He didn't want help. He had to believe his strength would return.
The only problem was... deep down, he wasn't entirely sure it would.
Tetson didn't like Rynbart's response. Without a word, he stepped forward, took Rynbart's right hand, and placed the device firmly in his palm. "I don't care what you have to say," he said. "This is for you. Think of it as a gift—for all the times you had my back, yeah?"
Rynbart took the device and stared at it for a moment. Then he let out a quiet sigh, the weight of pride giving way to acceptance. "So… how?" he asked. "How do I use this?"
Later on, Tetson installed the device into Rynbart's suit. Once integrated, a new system came online—different from the one he was used to. Still, Rynbart figured he'd get used to it in time.
Tetson gave Rynbart a rundown of the device he had installed. Given the many disadvantages Rynbart was currently facing, the device—worn like a belt around his waist—was designed to adapt to his condition. It would sync with his headset, displaying vital data in real time. The system could analyze and recommend a set of specialized chips, each programmed with unique abilities.
"There are 20 chips in total," Tetson explained. "Each one offers different capabilities tailored to your needs." He tapped a command into his tablet panel. "For example—activate Chip 12!"
In an instant, a blade materialized along Rynbart's arm—sleek, metallic, and sharp as a pike. He flinched, caught off guard by how quickly it formed.
"See?" Tetson said with a grin. "The device uses nanotechnology. Though…" he paused, inspecting the suit, "I'll probably need to upgrade your suit to better support the nano systems."
He looked up. "You good with that?"
Rynbart slowly but surely nodded.
"It's also better this way—you'll be able to draw your sword more easily," Tetson added. Rynbart listened quietly.
Though as far as he was concerned, though, he had no intention of relying on the nanotech system. For now, he would stick to the basic upgrades Tetson had installed—just enough to get by. Still, deep down, he knew the day would come when he'd have to use it. That time was approaching... just not yet.
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Phooffffmmm! Dennis landed with a powerful impact that shook the ground. The mercenaries staggered and instinctively backed away. Even Aelira, weakened and breathless, froze in surprise. Her eyes locked on Dennis, who had landed right between the opposing forces. Rising from his crouch—one knee down, the other foot planted firmly—Dennis straightened slowly, the tension of his arrival still hanging in the air.
He rose and said firmly, "Enough of this."
Smoke and dust swirled around him, then slowly cleared, revealing his calm but commanding presence.
"I believe there is—there must be—a way we can resolve this." He stood tall, like a statue carved from stone, his gaze steady as he looked around at the mercenaries.
"W-Who the hell are you?!" one of the mercenaries shouted, his voice a mix of shock and fear.
"Yeah, buddy—beat it!" another mercenary barked, trying to mask his unease with bravado.
The leader of the mercenary group said nothing. His eyes were locked on Dennis, studying him in silence.
Finally, he spoke—his voice low and edged with suspicion. "Who are you?"
"I don't owe you an explanation," Dennis said coldly. "Surrender now—or face the consequences."
"Well, I suppose you're with that elf, huh? No matter—you'll pay dearly for it," the leader growled.
The leader wasn't afraid—at least, not yet. What could this man in black possibly do?
Still, something about his presence stirred a flicker of hesitation. He didn't recognize him; he had never seen this one before.
There was something unfamiliar… something dangerous. He almost resembled one of the Ninjo warriors from the East.
Never mind—he had the numbers. That was all that mattered. "Attack him!" he shouted, thrusting his hand forward.
Dennis surged forward, charging headlong into the mercenaries.