Crafting Gear From Monster Genes

Sometimes incidents occurred during tests on the floating islands. The military would arrive and always find a way to deal with the problem, but not this time.

"What... What the hell was that just now?" Kreyn muttered as the barrier protecting him from death faded away.

He was so shocked by everything that, to some extent, he didn’t even pay attention to it. Dozens of corpses, both monsters and humans, surrounded him, so his mind decided to focus on just one thing: his gene.

"Right, I got the gene that fell from the sky, and now I’m a Hunter! The system messages, damn! I don’t even remember what was in them anymore!"

Whenever a person went through the awakening process, it took place in a calm environment where instructors explained everything step by step. Such were the privileges of talented individuals and those with strong bloodlines.

Well, Kreyn got kicked out right at the very beginning, and even though all the instructors were right there with him, they’d hardly be able to answer him now. He’d have to figure it out on his own if he wanted to get out of the wasteland.

"Status!"

He shouted, and to his surprise, it worked.

[Name: Kreyn Scard

[Core Gene: Blood Constellation

[Soul Shard: White (Initial)

[Evolution Cell: First Stage

[Collected Genes: Crimson Reaper (Used)

[Abilities: Gene Forge

[Mutations: Arms of the Red Banner.]

Blink.

Kreyn blinked a few times as he looked at his hands. The red gauntlets were still there. Clearly, they were what protected him.

Pop!

The system window opened before him, sensing his will.

[Arms of the Red Banner

[Type: Mutation

[Tier: I

[Cells: None

[Sockets: None.]

[Description: The gauntlets were created from the Crimson Reaper’s gene. Like any mutation, when used, they temporarily alter a part of the body. They grant the user enhanced attacks as well as the ability to store energy for an explosive blast or a defensive barrier.]

"Huh? A mutation?" Kreyn muttered, raising his hands in front of him.

Then, his face paled, and his eyes widened.

"So these aren’t my hands?!"

He began waving his hands from side to side, but without success. They weren’t going anywhere.

During the crash, there was no time to think or read the abilities, so Kreyn didn’t even realize what happened.

Whoooooosh!

Suddenly, something moved from the side as a bullet blew up a rock next to him.

"Damn it!"

Kreyn jumped in fright, stumbling into a random monster.

"Hey, you!"

The deep, stern voice rang out, causing Kreyn to turn around.

On the hill ahead stood a woman in a black military coat. She had long gray hair and green eyes, as well as a huge rifle that she held effortlessly in her right hand.

"What the hell happened here, and who are you?"

Kreyn remained silent.

What was he supposed to say? He hadn’t even regained his senses yet.

Click.

She cocked the bolt, aiming it at him.

"Answer me!"

"Wait!" Kreyn jumped up immediately, raising his mutated hands. "I don’t understand any of this myself! The monsters broke out of the research center, and then the island collapsed!"

The woman nodded.

"Yeah, I know. I was told about it. I just happened to be closer than the others. So..."

Her gaze swept over the dozens of corpses around them.

"Looks like you got lucky twice in a row. Not only did you activate your gene, but you also have an ability that saved you, right?"

That was quite a stretch from what actually happened, but Kreyn was the only surviving witness.

’It would be dumb to tell her all the details, wouldn’t it?’

"Yes! That’s exactly how it happened! I managed to activate my ability at the last moment! Look!" He waved his hands. "It looks pretty cool, right?"

She clearly wasn’t impressed as she slid down the hill toward him.

"My name is Prima. I’m a First-Rank Hunter."

"My name is Kreyn. Am I a First-Rank Hunter now, too?"

She shook her head.

"No, everyone who starts begins at the Initial Rank. It’s sort of a training ground for newbies. They were supposed to explain this to you at Aegis A-13, but it seems they didn’t get around to it."

At the same time, Prima touched the earpiece on her right ear as she listened intently to the voice on the other end.

"Yes, Prima Korado here. Yes, one survivor. Hey, boy, what’s your name? Full name." She glanced at him.

"Kreyn Scard!"

Then, Prima’s gaze darkened.

"Huh? He failed the first test? That must be some kind of mistake. The entire system has collapsed, and that’s the only explanation, because he’s the only one here, and everyone else is dead."

A noise came from the earpiece as if several people were arguing on the other end. Soon, the voice grew quiet again as Prima nodded.

"Fine, I’ll do it. We’ll wait for you at the dark cliff in 12 hours. Also, I want the reward for my canceled mission paid out in double the amount."

With increased intensity, the noise came through the earpiece again, but Prima turned it off with a light touch.

"Boy, do you even know where we are?"

Scratch.

Kreyn scratched his cheek.

"No? I mean, I, like everyone else, was brought here, and then we went up on the platform, by the way..."

He looked up at the floating island only to see the ruins that remained of it. The platform, like everything else on the island, was destroyed.

"I see. Well, we need to get out of here. Sooner or later, the engines will shut down, and the Aegis A-13 will crash. Right now we’re in FR-03. It sounds complicated, but essentially it’s just the First Ring, Circle 3. The farther the circle is from the city, the greater the danger."

Kreyn turned around.

In the distance, beyond the mountains, lay their city. It would take a few hours to get there in military trucks. It was possible to do it on foot, but it would take much longer.

"Are we heading to Dust Star?" Kreyn asked, pointing back.

Prima shook her head. "No, maybe I could do it on my own, but not with dead weight like you on my back."

Kreyn frowned as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"So, what are we going to do then?"

"We’ll head to the dark cliff as I said, but... Since all your instructors are dead, I think I can teach you a thing or two."

"Hm?"

"Come on, follow me."

They descended the sandy hill as a group of lizards came into view in the distance. Right now, they were tearing apart a large monster resembling a rhino. They’d be able to feed on that meat for a long time.

"Go and kill them," Prima said casually.

"W-What? There are more than ten of them! No, that’s not even the point, I’ve never fought anyone before!"

Prima shrugged as she set her rifle on the ground in front of her, adjusting the sights.

"At Aegis A-13, you killed the monster with the instructors, didn’t you? This is the same thing, just a little harder. I’ll cover you, I’m better than any instructor."

Kreyn couldn’t tell her that he hadn’t even met the instructors yet, since he’d failed the first stage of the test.

So, he had no choice but to sigh and move forward.

’Alright, I have a mutation. I could handle a few lizards, right?’

Kreyn moved closer to the monsters. They ignored him, busy devouring the rhino.

Bam!

He threw a rock at the nearest lizard, hoping to distract it.

"Rgh?!"

Strangely enough, Kreyn’s plan worked as the lizard with sharp, sandy scales and a long tail headed toward him. The others didn’t perceive Kreyn as a threat.

’And? What am I supposed to do now?’

Kreyn wasn’t lying. He’d only fought a few times, and that was back in his teenage years. But he never had to face a monster this close before.

The lizard circled around him as soon as the monster decided to attack.

"RGA!" With a roar, the lizard lunged at Kreyn, who crossed his arms in front of him to defend himself.

SHOT!

A split second before the lizard was about to touch Kreyn, a deafening shot rang out, blowing the monster’s head off.

Kreyn turned to look at Prima. She simply gestured for him to try again.

"Right, there’s nothing wrong with not getting it perfect the first time!"

BANG! BANG! BANG!

He kept trying, and Prima kept shooting. It got to the point where, of the three remaining lizards, two ran away, and only one decided to face Kreyn.

Kreyn waved his hand, signaling Prima not to rush.

"I’ll handle him myself!"

Strangely enough, Prima just shrugged and gave him a thumbs-up.

The lizard licked its fangs as if understanding their communication, then lunged straight at Kreyn.

’Come on, these arms saved me from falling off that damn island! I’ve got to take down this lizard!’

Slash!

The lizard’s claws sliced through the wind as it lunged at Kreyn, who in response thrust his hand forward.

With a bright flash, a barrier the size of a plate, but very sturdy, appeared before his palm.

"Rgka...?" The lizard’s paw was knocked back by the recoil as Kreyn stepped forward.

BAM!

His fist slammed into the lizard’s jaw, knocking it to the ground. Then, with a fierce look, Kreyn continued his attack, landing one blow after another.

’I can’t stop!’ he exclaimed inwardly as spurts of blood flew left and right around him. ’This is my only chance!’

Prima, who was watching from a distance, was impressed.

"Oh, not bad. Looks like he didn’t survive for nothing."

She rose from the ground and headed toward Kreyn, realizing the fight was over.

Crack!

Kreyn landed one final punch as he looked at the battered lizard before him.

"Agh... Agh... Agh... I did it!"

Step.

A footstep sounded from behind as Prima approached.

"Now, absorb its gene. Go ahead, since you’re a Hunter, you can use genes to become stronger."

Kreyn nodded as soon as he saw the amber light emanating from the lizard. He reached out for the light, and his eyes flashed.

[Sand Lizard Gene has been obtained!]

[You can use the Gene Forge to transform the Sand Lizard Gene into a mutation or an item.]

"Do it!" Kreyn replied immediately.

The next moment, his mind was transported to another location, straight to the Gene Forge, where he could start creating.

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