Side Story: The Scavenger’s Signal

  The South District of Mandaue had become a maze of abandoned structures and smoldering ruins. Adrian stood in the shadow of a collapsed building, eyes narrowed as he surveyed the horizon. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and something else—something metallic, as if the very atmosphere had been altered by the cosmic storm. Every step they took felt heavier, the weight of their mission pressing down on them.

  Mike walked up beside him, his movements still wary, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of movement. The sounds of the city—once so vibrant—were replaced by eerie silence, broken only by distant rumblings and the occasional shriek of mutated creatures that roamed the streets.

  “Another day in paradise,” Mike muttered, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "I still can’t believe we’re actually walking into the heart of this mess."

  Adrian’s eyes were locked on the glowing skyline of the South District. He didn’t share Mike’s tone. “Focus, Mike. We’re not here for sightseeing. Sarah’s signal is coming through clearly, and I’m not about to let it fade.”

  Mike raised an eyebrow. "Right, Sarah. Still don’t get why we’re chasing a scavenger."

  Adrian turned to face him, his expression serious. “Sarah Jenkins isn’t just some random survivor. She’s one of the few people who can access the deeper layers of the System’s UI. If anyone can help us understand what’s happening—and why the System keeps throwing these tests at us—it's her. Trust me, she’s been on my radar for a while.”

  Mike shifted uncomfortably. "You’ve been tracking her?"

  Adrian’s gaze softened for a moment before he nodded. “I’ve been keeping tabs on her, yes. She’s a hacker—a scavenger, yes, but not like the others. She’s the kind of person who can figure out things others can’t. I need her skills.”

  Mike fell silent for a moment, thinking. Then he looked back toward the horizon, his eyes scanning the streets ahead. "Alright, I get it. Let’s just make sure we don’t walk into a trap."

  Adrian didn’t reply immediately. His mind was already racing ahead, thinking about the potential consequences of reaching Sarah. She had always been a wild card in his calculations, but after the events with the Typhon-Aswang Hive, they couldn’t afford to leave any stone unturned. If Sarah had any answers about the System’s true intentions, they needed to hear them.

  They moved quickly through the streets, their footfalls echoing in the emptiness. Adrian kept his senses alert, feeling the subtle hum of the Genesis Ring against his wrist, knowing it was attuned to the Node’s energy. They were getting closer. He could feel it in the air.

  It didn’t take long for them to reach a narrow alleyway that led to the outskirts of the South District. At the end of the alley was a small, rundown building with its lights flickering—an obvious sign of life in the desolate landscape. The energy signature emanating from it was faint but unmistakable. It was coming from inside.

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  “This is it,” Adrian said, his voice low. He motioned for Mike to follow him, and they moved cautiously toward the entrance.

  Before they could reach the door, however, a loud crack echoed in the distance—a sharp, jarring sound that made both men freeze. It was followed by a series of strange, guttural noises, almost like the howling of wild animals. Mike tensed immediately, his hand resting on the weapon at his side.

  “What the hell was that?” Mike asked, his voice tense.

  Adrian’s eyes flashed. “I don’t know, but I don’t think we’re alone.”

  The noise grew louder, and Adrian could feel the pull of the System, the subtle hum of energy that alerted him to a new threat. He motioned for Mike to stay close and then pushed forward toward the door. As they neared, the door swung open with a creak, revealing a dimly lit interior.

  Adrian stepped inside first, his senses alert, scanning the room. The faint glow of an old, flickering screen illuminated a corner where a woman sat, hunched over a desk covered with scattered papers, devices, and a tangle of wires. Her back was to them, but Adrian recognized her immediately.

  "Sarah Jenkins," he called, his voice cutting through the tension.

  The woman stiffened but didn’t turn. “I was wondering when you’d show up.”

  Adrian didn’t move, but Mike took a step back, keeping his distance. "You’ve been waiting for us?"

  Sarah finally turned around, her face partially obscured by the dim light. Her features were sharp, eyes intense—there was a sense of urgency about her, the kind that came from surviving in a world that was trying to crush you at every turn. She didn’t look surprised to see Adrian. In fact, she seemed almost... relieved.

  “I didn’t expect it to take you this long, though,” Sarah said with a wry smile. “But I suppose things are a little different now, aren’t they?”

  Adrian took a step forward. “How long have you been in contact with the System?”

  Sarah shrugged, leaning back in her chair, her hands laced together. “Longer than you’d think. I’ve been watching it, studying it. I’ve hacked into its broadcasts, its networks. What’s happening... it’s not just an accident. This is being controlled.”

  Mike’s eyes narrowed. "Controlled? By who? By what?"

  Sarah’s eyes flicked to Adrian before she answered. “By the Admin. The one who created this whole mess. You’re not the first group to show up. But you’re the first ones to make it this far.”

  Adrian clenched his fists. “The Admin? Who is he?”

  “I don’t know,” Sarah admitted. “But I’ve been tracking him. He’s not just some rogue player—he’s manipulating the System, forcing it to act in certain ways. He’s trying to break the world down and rebuild it in his image. And you, Adrian, are one of his key pieces.”

  Adrian felt his heart rate quicken. He had suspected it for a while, but hearing it confirmed was unsettling. “So, the System is being controlled by this Admin. But why? What does he want?”

  Sarah didn’t flinch. “I can’t answer that yet. But I know this: If you’re going to stop him, you need to understand the System’s core. The Nodes, the energy, it’s all connected. The Admin is using it as a tool, and right now, it’s working in his favor.”

  Mike looked at Adrian, his face grim. “So, we’re not just fighting monsters. We’re fighting the guy who built all this.”

  Adrian nodded slowly, his mind racing. "If we want to survive, we need to understand the System completely. And that means trusting Sarah."

  Sarah leaned forward, her expression serious. “I’m not here to play nice. I’m here to survive. And right now, we’re all on the same side, whether we like it or not.”

  Adrian met her gaze. “Then help us. Show us how to fight back.”

  For a long moment, Sarah studied him, her eyes calculating. Finally, she spoke.

  “I’ve got access to a deeper layer of the System’s UI. I can help you, but we need to move quickly. The Admin’s forces are closing in. And if we don’t act fast, it’ll be too late.”

  Adrian’s heart pounded in his chest. This was it. The missing piece had arrived.

  “We’ll move now,” Adrian said, his voice firm with resolve. “Mike, prepare to move out. Sarah, you’re with us.”

  Sarah nodded, pulling a small device from her pocket and plugging it into the console next to her. “Let’s get to work.”

  Adrian’s mind raced with the possibilities. The Admin, the System, and now Sarah. They had a chance—a small one, but a chance nonetheless. If they were going to survive, they had to outsmart the System, use everything they had, and push forward.

  But Sarah had just opened a new door, one that would change everything.

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