The return to Sub-Station Epsilon under the pre-dawn gloom was swift and silent. Kai, still masked as Umbra, deposited the heavy crate of military-grade pulse pistols in the designated armory – a reinforced sublevel room Breaker had recently secured. Roric was waiting for him in the control room, a single cup of steaming synth-kaf beside his ever-present data-slate.
"Report," Roric said, his eyes immediately going to the mud on Kai's boots and the faint, lingering scent of the street that clung to his cloak.
"Iron Vultures neutralized," Kai stated, his voice still altered by the mask's modulator. "Four hostiles. No complications. Acquired five 'Striker' pulse pistols and ten power cells, as per your intel." He placed the low-grade data-chip he'd found on the table. "This was also in their den. Might be something Shift can use."
Roric picked up the data-chip, his expression unreadable but with a hint of satisfaction. "Excellent work, Umbra. Efficient. The pulse pistols will be a significant upgrade to our defensive capabilities, and a valuable asset for future operations. Shift will analyze the chip immediately." He paused. "And your… other objective?"
"Handled," Kai said curtly, the memory a fresh stab of self-loathing. His Anima Core Stability was now a robust 95%, the System commendably silent about any immediate "sustenance" needs.
"Good," Roric replied, accepting the terse answer without further probing. "Your contributions as Umbra are already proving invaluable. Rest. We'll debrief fully later."
Kai retreated to his private quarters, the small, secure room that was becoming his only true sanctuary. He removed the mask, the cool air a relief on his skin. The first thing he did was access the System interface, the notifications from his level-up still glowing faintly in his vision.
[CONDUIT LEVEL 4] [Total Undistributed Attribute Points: 11. Total Available Skill Points: 2.] [New System Functions Unlocked: Anima Affinity Specialization (Tier 1 – Draconic), Basic Anima Crafting (Requires Anima Shards and specific components).]
"Anima Affinity Specialization," he murmured, focusing his intent on the new menu option. A complex, branching diagram appeared, far more intricate than the basic Skill Tree. It was specifically labeled 'Shadow Scale Draconic Anima – Evolutionary Pathways.'
His current Anima Affinity was 5. The diagram showed several interconnected nodes, most of them greyed out, requiring higher Affinity levels or specific "Evolutionary Triggers" – a new term. However, a few initial pathways were now accessible under "Tier 1 Specialization."
[Draconic Resilience (Passive – Tier 1):] Requires Anima Affinity 5. Enhances natural regenerative capabilities and resistance to environmental toxins. Minor passive increase to Dermal Plating density when manifested.
[Shadow's Embrace (Passive – Tier 1):] Requires Anima Affinity 5. Enhances natural stealth in low-light conditions. Minor reduction in Anima signature leakage when utilizing concealment skills.
[Primal Might (Passive – Tier 1):] Requires Anima Affinity 5. Minor passive increase to raw physical strength and intimidation factor when Anima is partially or fully manifested.
He could choose one of these Tier 1 specializations to activate. It wasn't a skill point expenditure, but a fundamental direction for his Anima's growth. "Draconic Resilience" seemed the most immediately practical, given the beating he often took.
Then there was "Basic Anima Crafting." Accessing it revealed another interface, currently empty except for a prompt: [Requires Anima Shard (any type) and compatible crafting components (e.g., raw Anima-conductive materials, refined technological parts, specific biological catalysts) to initiate crafting. No valid recipes currently known. Discover or acquire recipes to unlock potential.] The D-Grade Myomer Augmentation Shard he'd acquired from Crusher was listed in his inventory. The System now provided more detail: [Anima Shard (D-Grade – Myomer Augmentation Type): Can be used in Anima Crafting to imbue items with minor properties of physical reinforcement or kinetic resistance. Alternatively, can be directly assimilated by a compatible Anima for minor, temporary stat boosts (high risk for non-Myomer types) or potentially integrated for permanent trait gain (extremely high risk, unpredictable outcome – as previously experienced by Conduit).] So, the Shard he'd already forcefully assimilated was a one-off, high-risk event. Future shards could be used more… constructively, if he found recipes.
He turned his attention to his 11 attribute points and 2 skill points. The need for better defense was still paramount.'System, Anima Affinity Specialization: Select Draconic Resilience (Tier 1).' [Draconic Resilience (Tier 1) Activated. Passive regenerative capabilities enhanced. Dermal Plating density will exhibit minor increase during next manifestation. Anima Core adapting to new evolutionary pathway.] A subtle, deep warmth spread through him, a feeling of his Anima settling, solidifying.
For his skill points, he looked at the "Anima Control" tree. "Improved Anima Concealment" was already at Rank 1. He could upgrade it further, or he could finally purchase "Dermal Plating Manifestation (Rank 1)" as a dedicated skill, which might offer more control and efficiency than just raw, instinctual manifestation. The prerequisite of "Unlock 'Shadow Scale Draconic Anima – Tier 1 Manifestations'" was now met due to his Anima Affinity reaching 5 and selecting a Tier 1 specialization. 'System, allocate 1 Skill Point to Dermal Plating Manifestation (Rank 1).' [Skill Acquired: Dermal Plating Manifestation (Rank 1/5). Allows conscious, controlled manifestation of Tier 1 Shadow Scales on designated body areas. Reduces Anima cost for sustained plating by 5%. Improves plating resilience by 10% over instinctual manifestation.] This was good. More control, better efficiency. He had 1 skill point left. He decided to hold it.
Now for the 11 attribute points. His recent fights had shown that while his Strength and Vitality were high, his Agility and Perception, though good, could still be better for avoiding hits and controlling engagements. And Cognition was always tempting. 'System, allocate 3 points to Agility, 3 points to Perception, 3 points to Cognition, and 2 points to Vitality.'[Attribute Points Allocated. Agility, Perception, Cognition, Vitality Increased.] He felt the familiar subtle shifts – a sharpening of his senses, a quicker processing of thoughts, a greater nimbleness in his limbs, and a deeper well of resilience.
His updated status, after the level up and allocations: [STATUS – KAI (CONDUIT)] Level: 4 EXP: (Value from Umbra hunt)/300 (to Level 5) Anima Core Stability: 95% Undistributed Attribute Points: 0 Available Skill Points: 1
ATTRIBUTES:
Strength: (Previous +1 (Level) +1 (Shard))
Vitality: (Previous +1 (Level) +1 (Shard) +2 (Allocated))
Stamina: (Previous +1 (Level))
Agility: (Previous +1 (Level) +3 (Allocated))
Perception: (Previous +1 (Level) +3 (Allocated))
Anima Affinity: 5
Cognition: (Previous +1 (Level) +3 (Allocated))
He felt… significantly more capable. Not invincible, but better equipped.
Later that day, school was a muted affair. He managed to complete his Daily Quest – "Maintain Composure During Provocation (Simulated)" (which involved Leo trying to get a rise out of him about his "secretive behavior") – with only a minor internal Anima flicker. Sera Kaelen was absent from class. He felt a strange pang of… not disappointment, but awareness of her absence.
The "Shadow Hunt Protocol" had proven effective for growth and sustenance. The new System unlocks promised deeper, more complex development for his Anima. The Crimson Coil had new weapons. Kai, the student, was a facade. Umbra, the hunter, was a tool. And Kai, the Conduit, was evolving, walking a razor's edge between power and monstrosity, with Roric's grand, shadowy ambitions looming over everything. The path ahead was still terrifying, but for the first time, he felt he had a few more reliable weapons in his own arsenal.