I sit beneath a leaning tree, holding the finished mask in my hands.

It's carved from dense, polished wood, shaped to fit snugly over my face. The grain is smooth where I sanded it down, a dull sheen from the resin coating.

The antennae trail from the top, made of intertwined neural filaments from the arthropods' antennae, humming faintly as they respond to my mental waves. I test them with a small pulse; they vibrate perfectly, amplifying my range.

I slip the mask on. It fits like it was meant to be there, the filaments swaying lightly behind me. I glance at my reflection in a nearby puddle—I look like a creep. I laugh to myself.

Well, this will do.

After that, I check my status screen, silently thanking Houston for his meticulous hard work.

Status Screen

Stage 1 - 5.146%

Wave control

Personal Output:

2.37 SU

Assisted Bonus (at 69% Merging Rate):

0.92 SU

Bonus from Helmet

: 35%

Total Output:

4.44 SU

Magnetization Efficiency:

77%

Overdrive

Max Output:

78%

Physical Combat (Technique)

Swordsmanship:

0.79 SU

Footwork:

0.73 SU

Wave/Body Synchronization:

62%

Notable Equipment

Sword:

Indestructible(?) Weight increases with stage progress. EM conductivity (1.0)

King Lobster Gauntlets:

Indestructible(?) Weight increases with stage progress(?) EM conductivity (2.0)

A 1% improvement in the mask? Not too bad.

And Lobster? Wasn't it the king crab? Well… it did look more like a lobster now that I think about it.

The other parameters have clearly improved after the fight, even the technique. Phase 2 did its job.

But the synchronization—only 62%? Really? It feels much smoother than that. Hmm. I'll have to work on it later.

Well, that's that. I pick up my backpack and eat some of the leftover lizard snacks. Time to go.

I start running at a comfortable pace through the swampy region. The ground is soggy, with mossy patches and pools of stagnant water reflecting the faint light.

Towering, gnarled trees with dangling vines loom over me, their roots sprawling like tangled webs over the muddy terrain. The air smells of damp earth, heavy and still, and the silence presses down—eerily absolute, broken only by the faint rustle of my movements.

Not far ahead, the land 'looks' normal—smooth and dry—but I grin. Those bastards are at it again.

I smile, change course, and push the pedal to Overdrive. Got you!

I rush toward the area, evading a slimy tentacle that lashes out, and thrust my sword straight into its mind core. The creature disintegrates instantly, leaving behind an orb that I ignore.

Suddenly, the land ahead shifts. What appeared to be solid ground morphs, revealing the swampy region hidden beneath.

These ugly creatures are masters of illusions, skilled at creating optical and EM sense distortions while cloaking themselves from detection. They're pros of my long-forgotten fake reality.

Unfortunately for them, my enhanced senses on Overdrive make them a terrible match against me.

I shake my head and keep running, taking down several more of them along the way, until I finally glimpse the edge of the swamp and the next region beyond.

Last time, I stayed back, watching it from afar and deciding not to wander too close. But now, the closer I get, the more my eyes widen. And then, as I reach the dividing edge, the full sight stretches out before me.

It's like stepping into another world.

Towering cliffs rise in the distance, their rugged surfaces adorned with waterfalls that tumble into crystal-clear lagoons. The soothing sound of rushing water replaces the swamp's stifling silence, a melody that feels almost surreal. Fruit-laden trees line the banks of tranquil rivers, their colorful canopies swaying gently in the breeze, while serene lakes reflect the vibrant greens and blues of the landscape.

The shoreline shimmers with vivid coral reefs that blend into rocky tidal pools, the water alive with subtle ripples and flashes of color. Hidden caves peek out from the cliff faces, their dark entrances cloaked in shadow, inviting curiosity.

Mist drifts softly from the waterfalls, creating an ethereal haze that catches the sunlight in faint, rainbow-like arcs. The air feels fresh and sweet, carrying the scent of blooming flowers mixed with the faint, salty tang of the sea.

It's breathtaking, like a scene from a dream brought to life. I pause for a moment, letting the serenity wash over me.

Why the fuck have I been sleeping in the swamp?!

I suddenly start laughing. The landscape before me makes the Oasis look like a barren wasteland and the best views I'd seen hiking back on Earth feel like ordinary sights.

It's unbelievable. The region slopes downward, and from where I stand on the edge, the terrain stretches out in a panoramic display, like a painting brought to life.

I also notice the region seems to be the last—there's nothing visible beyond it. Odd. This is the sixth region; shouldn't there be seven?

Well, whatever. I take a deep breath, savoring the fresh, invigorating air, a welcome change from the stagnant, damp atmosphere of the swamps.

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It feels like going on a holiday vacation. I grin.

Hope the creatures here aren't too shabby.

I crouch low, pushing forward with everything I've got, building momentum as I race down the slope.

The wind tears at me, pulling my hair back, and the ground blurs beneath my feet. Then, with a deep breath and a grin, I leap high into the air, gripping my sword tightly.

The hum of energy flows through me as I channel my waves into the blade and my gauntlets. The force pushes back against gravity, slowing my descent and letting me glide. For a moment, I feel weightless, suspended in the vast expanse of sky.

The wind roars past my ears, cool and sharp, stinging against my cheeks. My sword hums softly in my grip, the magnetized pull creating a subtle, stabilizing tension.

The air smells crisp and fresh, tinged with salt and the faint sweetness of ripened fruit carried from the forest below.

I tilt slightly, adjusting my trajectory. Below, the rivers wind like liquid silver, weaving through the emerald canopy. The waterfalls gleam in the distance, their mist curling upwards in soft, lazy spirals. I catch glimpses of coral reefs near the shoreline, glowing faintly with otherworldly hues.

The rush of the wind mixes with the distant crash of water hitting rocks, the sound rising and falling like a rhythm in the background. The sunlight catches on the mist, scattering into a halo of soft colors, casting the scene in an ethereal glow.

I angle forward, leaning into the glide as I pick up speed. My scale armor shining under the sun, and my heart pounds with the thrill of it all. The view, the wind, the freedom—it's intoxicating. The world blurs around me, a kaleidoscope of color and light, as I soar above this paradise.

It's fantastic.

I finally land at the top of a waterfall, rolling on the ground to reduce the impact.

The cool, damp grass presses against my skin as I come to a stop, lying there for a moment to catch my breath. The rush still lingers in my veins, my heart pounding with exhilaration, even after slightly lowering Overdrive.

I sit up and glance around. The waterfall roars beside me, crystal-clear water tumbling down the cliffs into the shimmering lagoon below.

The spray rises like a gentle mist, cool against my face. I lean closer to the edge and catch my reflection in the flowing water—distorted but undeniably mine, the faint lines of exhaustion on my face softened by the clear, pristine surface.

Lifting my gaze, I take in the scene before me. The sun hangs high, its golden light filtering through the mist and painting the cliffs in shades of amber and green.

The rivers below weave intricate patterns through the lush forest, their surfaces sparkling as if dusted with diamonds. The breeze carries the mingled scents of fresh water, blooming flowers, and the faint tang of the sea, filling my lungs with every deep breath.

I close my eyes for a moment, listening. The waterfall's roar is a steady rhythm, underscored by the softer notes of rustling leaves. It's harmonious, peaceful—so different from the chaos I've lived through.

Opening my eyes again, I let the full weight of the moment sink in. This place feels alive in a way nothing else ever has, and I'm here. Just me, the flowing water, the sun, the sky, the sound, and the gentle touch of the breeze. I sigh, a long, contented exhale.

A paradise, discovered by my own hands. A paradise I earned after surviving, after fighting and killing all manner of abominations. And here I am, standing on its edge, as if it had been waiting for me all along.

I grin to myself and shake my head. It's so—

I sigh. "You really had to mess it up, didn't you?"

Suddenly, I backflip into the air, narrowly avoiding the massive tentacle that slams into the shore with a wet, thunderous crash.

As I land, my eyes lock onto it. How the hell does a creature this massive hide in plain sight?

I shake my head and bolt forward, but a buzzing sensation ripples through my mind, spreading like static. My limbs grow slightly numb.

Paralyzing waves?

Another annoying bastard. I push into Overdrive, the full 78%.

The mental fog cracks under the surge, and I break through its attack, my focus narrowing on the target.

I can't see its body—hidden beneath the water—but everything about the tentacles screams massive octopus.

Another tentacle lashes out, cutting through the air with a slimy, wet sound.

I dodge, twisting to the side as it sweeps past me.

In slow motion, I catch its texture: mottled gray with patches of deep blue, rough yet glistening with water. A sharp, briny scent mixed with a faint metallic tang wafts from its slimy surface. Tiny, faintly glowing suction cups line its underside, pulsing faintly with energy.

I dive closer, my sword ready. Another tentacle shoots upward, aiming to crush me, but I roll under it, skidding to a halt just by the water's edge. The waves ripple violently as the beast shifts, revealing a faint outline of its enormous shadow beneath the surface.

I swing my sword, slashing clean through a smaller tentacle as it lunges toward me. The creature lets out a deep, guttural vibration that reverberates through the ground, shaking the trees nearby.

The water surges forward, and more tentacles rise, their movements coordinated, almost intelligent.

I leap straight into the air as the tentacles converge below me.

Mid-air, I swing downward, aiming for the largest appendage, my arms and blade propelled with the force of my waves.

The strike connects with a sharp crack, splitting through the thick flesh. The severed part crashes into the water, sending up a massive spray that drenches me instantly.

I land on one of the remaining tentacles, using its writhing motion to springboard forward. My waves ripple outward, scanning for the core—the nerve center. If I can pinpoint it, this fight will be over.

But then, the water below explodes, and the massive head of the beast emerges, its bulbous form glistening in the sunlight, with two glowing, sinister eyes locked onto me.

Oh, there you are.

Its head looms enormous—at least 8 meters tall.

As I prepare to rush forward, I notice one of the severed tentacles quickly regenerating. Similar to a jellyfish?

It's clear a war of attrition won't work. Not that I planned to drag this out anyway.

I charge through its writhing tentacles, using my waves to propel myself midair, gaining speed and changing direction even after leaping.

The tentacles lash out with renewed fury, and I feel the creature's mental waves intensify now that it's exposed its head.

But my mental defenses are far too strong for that.

A tentacle whips overhead, descending fast. It will collide with me if I keep going straight.

I focus the waves into my gauntlets, twisting and rolling my body midair, just barely sliding past it.

My feet catch a foothold on the tentacle's side, and I push off again, leaping away. The texture is rough and slimy beneath my boots, bending under the force of my departure.

I dart forward, faster now. The head looms before me—massive and grotesque. Its hazy, gray eyes fix on me, unreadable yet menacing.

With one final burst of speed, I propel myself downward and swing my blade in a powerful chopping arc.

The blade connects, slicing deep into its rubbery flesh. Thick, dark ichor sprays out, splattering my face and arms. The creature lets out an ear-piercing shriek, the sound vibrating through my body and leaving me momentarily dizzy. I grit my teeth and steady myself, planting my feet on the slippery surface of its head.

The wound oozes profusely, but the edges already begin to knit together, the flesh closing at an unnatural pace.

I don't stop.

My waves stabilize me as I slash again, hacking through its tough hide. Each swing sends thick chunks of flesh flying, the ichor spraying in wild arcs around me. The smell is overwhelming—a mix of brine and decay, clinging to my skin and making my stomach churn.

The creature thrashes violently beneath me, its tentacles flailing wildly, but I hold firm, driving my blade deeper with every strike. The slick, rubbery flesh gives way to harder resistance—a dense, bone-like skull beneath.

My arms ache from the relentless assault, but I keep going, pushing harder, carving through layer after layer.

Finally, with one last, forceful blow, I breach the thick skull and pierce its brain. The creature convulses, its shriek cutting off into a low, gurgling rumble. The tentacles fall limp, crashing into the water below as the massive form begins to sink.

I push my hand deep and manage to grab hold of the orb before leaping off, landing back on solid ground as the beast collapses, its life extinguished.

Stage 1 - 5.196%

I'm covered in its gore, panting heavily, but mostly fine.

First one down.

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