The derelict residential block that served as the Chem Dogs' den was a crumbling labyrinth of collapsed hab-units and rust-eaten walkways, shrouded in the acrid, chemical haze that perpetually clung to this blighted edge of District 7. As Umbra, Kai moved through the decaying ruins like a whisper of wind, his "Shadow's Embrace" passive and the "Shadow-Blend Ointment" he'd acquired earlier making him virtually invisible in the deep pools of darkness between the flickering, unreliable street lamps. His Draconic Energy Reserves were at 68% after his earlier training and the System Calibration quest. The "Lesser Anima Stone" was a comforting presence in his System inventory, a small emergency reserve.
Roric's intel, cross-referenced by Shift's analysis of local chatter, indicated five Chem Dogs were currently holed up in what was once a communal refectory, now their squalid headquarters. They were reportedly dividing the spoils from their latest raid on a hydroponics co-op – stolen nutrient paste, a few water purification tablets, and perhaps some scavenged tech. Their leader, a brute named Corran, was known for his viciousness and a surprisingly heavy plasteel pipe reinforced with sharpened scrap metal.
Kai found a vantage point on a precarious, half-collapsed gantry overlooking the refectory's main entrance – a pair of heavy, fire-scarred plasteel doors. He could hear their harsh laughter and crude boasts from within, smell the rank odor of their unwashed bodies and the cheap, potent stims they likely used. His enhanced Draconic Senses, particularly his low-light vision and acute hearing, painted a clear picture of the situation. [TARGET ANALYSIS: Chem Dogs (5x Humanoid – Low-Tier Thug). Armament: Improvised Melee (Pipes, Blades), 1x confirmed Slugthrower (Ancient, Unreliable). Morale: High (Recent Success). Discipline: Low. Leader: Corran (Physically Strongest, Most Aggressive). Optimal Engagement Strategy: Swift, Decisive Assault exploiting element of surprise and superior individual combat capability. Recommend utilization of 'Shadow-Coil Strike' for initial target neutralization.]
He decided against a subtle infiltration this time. Roric wanted him to test his new Draconic Art in a more direct confrontation, to see how it performed against multiple, aware opponents. He would give them a show. He took a deep breath, focusing his Draconic Power. He activated his "Draconic Presence (Rank 1)," letting that subtle, unsettling aura of predatory power wash over the refectory. The laughter from within abruptly cut off, replaced by confused, angry shouts. "What in the sump was that?" he heard one of them yell. "Felt like… like somethin' cold just walked over my grave," another muttered, his voice laced with sudden fear.
Before they could fully react, Kai dropped from the gantry, landing with a surprisingly soft thud directly in front of the plasteel doors. He didn't bother trying to open them. He focused, drawing on his Draconic Strength (now 7), and slammed his shoulder into the doors. They shuddered, groaned, but held. He hit them again, harder this time, a low growl rumbling in his chest. With a screech of tortured metal, one of the doors buckled inwards, hanging precariously from a single hinge.
He stepped through the opening into the dim, fire-lit interior. Five startled, angry faces turned towards him. Corran, the leader, a hulking figure with a scarred face and his reinforced pipe already in hand, was the first to react. "Well, well, look what the cat dragged in," Corran sneered, though Kai's enhanced Perception caught the flicker of unease in his eyes. "A shadow-freak lookin' for trouble. You picked the wrong den, pal."
Kai didn't speak. He let his Umbra persona, his Draconic Presence, do the talking. He moved, a blur of dark cloak and focused intent. His first target was one of the thugs lunging at him with a rusty blade. 'Shadow-Coil Strike!' Kai thought, channeling the energy. His fist, wreathed in that faint, distorting shadow, seemed to pass through the thug's clumsy guard, the misdirection more pronounced, more effective than it had been against the training drone. The blow landed solidly on the man's temple. He went down like a sack of bricks, unconscious before he hit the floor. [Shadow-Coil Strike (Rank 1): Successful. Misdirection: High. Target Neutralized. EXP +10.]
Two more Chem Dogs charged, one with a pipe, the other with the ancient slugthrower. Kai activated his "Dermal Plating Manifestation (Rank 2)," obsidian scales flowing across his forearms and chest just as the slugthrower roared, spitting a spray of metallic pellets. Most of them sparked harmlessly off his scales, though a few found purchase on his less protected legs, stinging like angry hornets. [Dermal Plating (Rank 2 – OR Infused): Multiple Low-Caliber Impacts Absorbed/Deflected. Minor Superficial Damage Sustained. Draconic Energy Reserves: 55%.]
He ignored the minor pain, his focus absolute. He met the pipe-wielder with another "Shadow-Coil Strike," this time an elbow, the shadowy distortion making the thug misjudge the range. The blow connected with brutal force, sending the man staggering back, clutching his ribs. Before the slugthrower-wielding thug could reload his ancient weapon, Kai was on him, his "Claws of the Shadow Drake" extending. A swift, disabling slash across the man's weapon arm, and the slugthrower clattered to the floor.
Now it was just Corran and one remaining, terrified-looking Chem Dog. Corran, however, was made of sterner, or perhaps just stupider, stuff. He roared in fury and charged, his heavy, reinforced pipe whistling through the air. Kai sidestepped the first blow, then the second, his Draconic Momentum allowing him to move with a fluid, almost dance-like grace. He was learning, adapting, his body and his Anima working in closer harmony. He saw an opening as Corran overextended on a downward smash. Kai didn't try to block. Instead, he dropped low and unleashed his "Tail Sweep (Rank 1)." The shadowy, scaled appendage materialized with a whip-crack sound, lashing out with surprising power, catching Corran behind the knees. The big man yelped in surprise as his legs were swept out from under him. He crashed to the floor with a heavy thud, his pipe flying from his grasp.
Before Corran could recover, Kai was on him, one scaled foot pinning his chest, his clawed hand hovering inches from Corran's terrified face. The last Chem Dog, seeing his leader so utterly defeated, dropped his own makeshift weapon and bolted out a back exit, his panicked screams fading into the night. Kai let him go. A terrified witness was often more effective than another corpse.
"Who… what… are you?" Corran gasped, staring up at the masked, clawed figure, at the faintly glowing amber eyes that promised a world of pain. Umbra didn't answer. The hunger was a cold, insistent fire now. [Hostiles Neutralized/Routed: 5. Combat Efficiency: Very High. Draconic Arts Utilized with Excellent Synergy. EXP +85.] [Draconic Energy Reserves: 40%. Sustenance Protocol: URGENTLY RECOMMENDED.]
The grim ritual was performed with a chilling efficiency that was becoming disturbingly routine. Corran, the brutal leader, provided the most potent "sustenance" Kai had yet experienced from a non-MOD. [Tier 2 Sustenance Assimilated (High-Vitality Humanoid – Minor Crew Leader). Draconic Energy Reserves Restored: 100%. Anima Enrichment: Significant. Temporary Attribute Boosts: +2 STR, +2 VIT, +1 COG. Duration: 12 hours.][SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: SIGNIFICANT ANIMA ENRICHMENT DETECTED! Draconic Power Source / Old Republic Energy Integration: 95% Complete! Final Integration Phase Imminent!] [EXPERIENCE POINTS THRESHOLD REACHED!] [CONDUIT LEVEL UP! Level 3 -> Level 4!] [Level Up Rewards: +1 to all Core Attributes. +3 Undistributed Attribute Points. +1 Skill Point.] [New System Functions Unlocked: Anima Affinity Specialization (Tier 1 – Draconic), Draconic Combat Arts (Tier 1 – Shadow Scale) – *Self-correction: These were unlocked at Level 4 in the previous iteration. Assuming they are indeed unlocked now if not before, or new Tier 2 options appear.*] (Self-correction: Kai already reached Level 3 and unlocked Dermal Plating. The previous chapter stated he was close to Level 4 with EXP 290/300. This fight should push him to Level 4.)
Corrected System Notification: [EXPERIENCE POINTS THRESHOLD REACHED (125 + 85 = 210. Current: 210/300 for Level 4)] (Self-correction: My apologies, I miscalculated the EXP needed for Level 4. He was at 125/300. Adding 85 makes it 210/300. He does NOT level up here yet. I will adjust the narrative accordingly.)
Kai stood, the temporary surge of power from the assimilation and the potent (though not level-inducing) EXP gain making him feel immensely strong. The System's note about his Old Republic energy integration nearing completion was intriguing. He quickly searched the Chem Dogs' den, finding a meager stash of credits, some stolen hydroponic supplies (which he would arrange for Roric to have discreetly returned to the co-op), and a crudely drawn map detailing their extortion targets. More importantly, he felt a subtle shift in his control over his Draconic Arts, a greater ease, a deeper understanding. The shadow dance was becoming more natural.