<Mask of Khaos/>

The comm device crackled ominously, Damian's distorted voice lost to static. My fingers tightened around the device, the faint buzz of white noise filling the silence.

"Damian? Hey… are you there? Damian!"

A scream ripped through the transmission, cutting deep into my gut. It wasn't just a scream—it was raw, animalistic.

I froze, my thoughts racing. My chest tightened as the transmission collapsed into silence, then clicked off.

I stared at the dark HUD in front of me. My instincts screamed for me to move. Damian was in trouble. Family—someone who actually mattered in this life—was in danger.

I wasn't about to sit back and let the system dictate what happened next.

I didn't hesitate.

"Accept mission."

The mission prompt flared to life on the black HUD.

[Mission: Tower Guardian]

Rank: S

Objective: Save the Tower Guardian from destruction by otherworldly creatures within 12 hours.

Bonus Objective: Complete the mission undetected by Gaia.

Failure Consequences: Imminent destruction of your world.

The countdown timer blinked, mercilessly starting the clock. 11:59:58.

The text shimmered and locked in.

Gaia wouldn't let me waltz into the Tower unnoticed. I needed a disguise, and Codebreaker was my ace in the hole.

"Codebreaker, create new Mask ID."

The system paused. For a moment, I worried the function wouldn't work. Then, with the smooth precision of a system built to break others, Codebreaker replied:

[Mask ID Created. Please name the new ID.]

I smirked. The name came to me instantly, a callback to my former hacker persona. "Khaos."

[Mask ID updated: Khaos.]

[Configure Class, Rank, and Talent?]

I mulled it over. Gaia classified me as a Technomancer, but I couldn't risk my usual abilities being linked to me. I needed something close enough to explain any slip-ups but far enough removed to avoid suspicion.

"Rare Class: Mech Summoner. Talent: Mage. Rank: SS."

[Attributes and Stats Randomized.]

The stats materialized before me, a near-perfect spread for combat. The system worked its magic, the numbers confirming my disguise was both functional and intimidating.

Khaos (Mask ID)

Class: Mech Summoner (Rare)

Talent: Mage

Rank: SS

DA: 88

EA: 90

STR: 95

INT: 90

WIL: 99

AGI: 92

END: 95

LCK: 80

"Codebreaker, activate mask and initiate system cloaking."

The air shifted as Codebreaker wrapped me in its protections, hiding me from Gaia's prying algorithms. The transition felt seamless, like slipping into an old hoodie—comfortable and familiar.

[Switching to Khaos...]

[Cloaking Active.]

A sly grin spread across my face. "Wait for me, Damian. I'm coming."

*********

The Tower loomed like a jagged spear against the skyline, its massive structure pulsing with faint energy. Its entrance shimmered with the eerie glow of a portal, inviting and ominous.

"This is one massive tower," I sighed, overwhelmed by the sheer monstrosity of it. Steeling myself, I thought of Damian, whose fate inside the tower remained uncertain. I couldn't falter now.

"It's time that I put in practice my new Apex-rank skills," I muttered.

I stepped through, the world shifting as I entered. The oppressive silence of the Tower hit first, followed by the faint hum of distant machinery. The air felt thicker here, laced with static electricity and the faint copper tang of blood.

The map in my HUD guided me to Level 45, where Damian's last signal originated. The crystalline Tower Guardian—a giant, glowing generator roughly the size of a fridge—would be there, keeping the ecosystem of the level stable. If it fell, the entire floor would collapse into chaos.

The first signs of trouble appeared as I approached the level's outskirts. Charred walls, broken weapons, and pools of black ichor hinted at a recent battle. 

I activated my drones, commanding them to survey the area and act as recon to assess the situation ahead.

Drone Swarm: Deploy.

The drones activated with a soft hum, their sleek forms zipping ahead to scout the area. Through their feed, I spotted the invaders— grotesque creatures with warped, chitinous bodies and too many limbs. They scuttled over debris, their glowing yellow eyes scanning for prey.

[Intruder Detected]

Species: Serak Sentinels

Origin: Serakis Planet, Denith Cosmos

Rank: B

Weakness: Physical Attacks, Firepower

"Alien creatures?" I murmured, more surprised that my drone was able to identify them. It had to be Codebreaker supplying the data.

"Hah! This should be easy, it's only a B-rank," I said confidently. "I'm gonna destroy these bastards."

********

"EMP Barrage," I whispered, a thrill running through me as the command initiated.

The drones dropped the EMP devices into the fray, the resulting pulse lighting up the area like a miniature thunderstorm. Sparks flew as the creatures' tech-enhanced bodies convulsed, their movements jerky and uncoordinated.

"Mecha Suit activate," I muttered, activating my Mecha Suit.

With a mechanical whir and a flash of light, the suit materialized around me, its sleek, armored frame locking into place. I felt the surge of power as the systems came online, the heads-up display lighting up with tactical data.

"Okay, Mecha Suit. Let's see how op you are," I said, my voice steady through the suit's voice modulator.

The HUD adjusted to the suit's interface, enhancing my vision and combat capabilities. With a burst of speed, I descended on the disabled creatures.

"Die, you friggin alien creatures," I said with a smirk, the Mecha Suit's systems humming as I prepared to strike. "You messed with the wrong planet. See you in hell. Or not."

The first swing of my gauntlet obliterated a creature's head, the next sent another crashing into a wall. The drones provided backup, picking off stragglers with pinpoint accuracy.

As the last creature fell, I spotted a faint heat signature deeper within the level. I approached cautiously, the drones circling to guard my flanks.

Damian lay slumped against a wall, blood streaking his face and armor. His team wasn't far off—three unconscious bodies sprawled in various states of injury.

I crouched beside him, the Mecha Suit's interface scanning his vitals. Alive, but barely. Relief flooded through me, but the mission wasn't over.

"Hang in there, big bro," I muttered.

I activated the suit's med-drone, releasing a small bot to stabilize Damian. Meanwhile, my HUD flashed another alert.

[Tower Guardian Under Siege.]

The crystalline core of the Tower Guardian was surrounded by more creatures, their claws slashing at the energy shield protecting it. Cracks had already begun to form.

"Drone Swarm: Offensive Formation."

The drones swarmed forward, firing bursts of concentrated energy at the creatures. I followed, activating the Electromagnetic Barrier to shield myself as I tore through the enemy ranks.

"Overload Pulse!"

A surge of energy erupted from the suit, frying the remaining invaders in a brilliant flash. The battlefield fell silent, the acrid smell of burned flesh hanging in the air.

The Tower Guardian's shield flickered back to full strength, stabilizing the level.

With the immediate danger dealt with, I returned to Damian, hoisting him onto my shoulder. His teammates were barely conscious, but alive.

As I carried him toward the exit, a faint vibration buzzed in my suit. My HUD lit up with an unfamiliar message.

[Warning: Anomaly Detected.]

[Gaia Surveillance Active.]

My chest tightened. Gaia was watching. If it discovered Khaos or connected me to Noah Adler, everything I'd worked for would unravel.

The mission isn't done yet. The countdown in my HUD continued to tick down.

Damian groaned softly, his head lolling against my shoulder. "Don't worry, bro," I murmured. "I'll get you out safely."

The portal shimmered ahead, but the real battle was far from over.