Location: Romania – Hydra Bunker Ruins
Time: 03:00 AM
Henri stood in the back of the SHIELD Quinjet, eyes focused on the swirling storm clouds below. The ground was cracked, a crater marking the spot where Node-X had emerged. Red lightning danced across the sky as the corrupted system pulsed like a living heartbeat.
The Quinjet pilot's voice cut through the comms:
"Approaching drop point, Agent."
Henri glanced at Eyla and Sorin, both suited up.
"This isn't just a recovery mission," Henri muttered. "It's a warzone."
---
Node-X Combat Report
> Location: Romania Hydra Vault
Status: Corrupted Hybrid
Threat Level: Tier III
Mission: Intercept Node-X Before Full Sync
Countdown: 46 Hours Remaining
---
As the jet's ramp lowered, Henri's system flashed:
> 🧠 System Notice: High-Risk Environment Detected
Activating Full Sync Mode
Tri-Link Status: Stable
Henri jumped first, gliding down on a light platform crafted from craft energy. Eyla followed, twin blades spinning with blue light, while Sorin descended calmly, his black sword drawn.
The ground below them was covered in steel and ash. Crushed Hydra mechs, broken walls, all signs of battle long past.
In the center of it all, Node-X stood.
A towering humanoid figure of black and silver metal mixed with red organic tissue, like Ultron fused with a symbiote.
And inside its chest, an open cavity glowed—the corrupted system core.
---
The Battle Begins
Node-X turned its head, faceless except for glowing red lines running vertically like a scanner.
"New sync signatures detected," it spoke in a voice layered with machine static.
"Authorization: Elimination."
Before Henri could move, Node-X raised its arm. A beam of pure red energy fired—Admin-level code weaponry.
"Cover!" Henri shouted.
He crafted a Reflector Wall, but the beam shattered it on impact.
---
🧠 Combat Advisory: Node-X utilizes Admin Protocol attacks. Standard shielding ineffective.
Suggested Strategy: System Fragment Overdrive + Tri-Link Assault.
Henri gritted his teeth.
"Eyla, Sorin—we hit it together. Aim for the core!"
Eyla leapt forward, slicing into Node-X's leg. Sparks flew, but the wound sealed instantly. Sorin followed, his blade glowing with Phase Energy, but even that barely cut deeper than an inch.
"This thing is no joke," Eyla hissed through comms.
Henri opened his system menu mid-combat:
> System Fragment Activation: Core Memory Override
Available: Genesis Blueprint
He selected it.
> Crafting: Genesis Overdrive Gauntlet
Required Materials: 3 Phase Shards + Admin Core Fragment
Estimated Build Time: 60 Seconds
---
Desperate Measures
While Henri crafted, Eyla and Sorin kept Node-X occupied. The corrupted being slammed its fists down, sending shockwaves through the earth. Chunks of rock flew through the air like missiles.
Eyla ducked under one, her eyes sharp.
"This isn't working—we're chipping away at nothing!"
Sorin's voice was calm, almost too calm.
"We can't kill it the normal way. We need to rewrite it."
Eyla blinked. "What?"
Sorin pointed to the chest cavity.
"That core isn't just Admin-built. It's a system user's corrupted fragment. Someone who fell."
---
Truth Revealed
As Henri finished crafting, his system pinged with new information:
> Node-X Host Identified:
Former User: Axel Cain
Status: Deceased – Corrupted by Admin Override
Henri's stomach dropped.
"That was… a system user?"
Sorin nodded gravely.
"He must've synced too far. The Admins converted him instead of deleting."
Henri's gauntlet clicked into place—sleek black and silver, pulsing with Genesis energy.
---
Final Strike
"Alright," Henri said. "Let's finish this."
He activated Genesis Overdrive Mode.
His body glowed with golden light as his stats temporarily doubled.
Speed, Strength, Reflex—all boosted.
Charging forward, he punched directly at Node-X's chest, shattering its outer armor. Eyla and Sorin struck at the same moment, both hitting from opposite angles.
The core inside flickered violently, red turning to white-blue light.
---
> Sync Complete
Node-X Overwritten Successfully
Core Retrieved: Axel Cain's System Memory Fragment
The towering corrupted figure collapsed in on itself, breaking apart into code and dust.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then Henri's system showed:
---
> Mission Complete: Node-X Intercept
Rewards:
– Admin Core Fragment x1
– System Trait Unlocked: Adaptive Resistance (Reduces damage from Admin Attacks)
– New Blueprint Slot Opened
---
Aftermath
Eyla dropped to one knee, exhausted. Sorin simply sheathed his blade.
Henri stood over what remained of Node-X's core—now just a quiet silver shard.
His system pinged again.
> System Message:
New Fragment Ready.
Access Memory of Axel Cain?
Yes / No
Henri hesitated.
"Who was Axel Cain really?"
Sorin placed a hand on his shoulder.
"A pioneer. Someone like us. Someone who pushed too far."
Henri stared at the quiet shard in his hand.
He wasn't sure if this was a win... or just the beginning of something bigger.
---
✅ End of Chapter 11