Erik was greeted by an expanse of meticulously designed, ultramodern interiors when he stepped through the door of corridor A10. The corridor was wide and open, with smooth ceramic floors glowing with an ambient blue light emanating from the neon strips along the walls. The radiant light filled the space, creating an ethereal ambiance that gave the corridor an almost surreal quality.
On both sides of the corridor, multiple doors were marked with an alphanumeric code in luminescent lettering. Erik knew these were the test rooms where trials of strength, intellect, and character were held. Each door held a different challenge and path for aspiring mercenaries looking to rise through the guild ranks.
Erik's instructions were clear, so he descended the illuminated pathway toward door B1. The only sound he heard was the echo of his footsteps in the wide corridor, the silence heightening the gravity of the journey he was about to embark on. The letter 'B1' glowed brightly against the metallic surface as he approached the door.
Upon reaching the door, Erik paused, taking a moment to steady himself before what lay ahead. Then, with a deep breath and determined gaze, he reached out and pushed open the door to his trials.
The door swung open with a low hum of automated machinery, revealing a large, high-tech room. Erik entered, his gaze immediately drawn to the figure waiting for him. The man was in his early thirties, with a build that suggested a life of physical activity. As Erik walked in, his eyes scanned him.
"Greetings," the man said calmly and authoritatively. "My name is Kane Shand, and I'm the examiner for this assessment." He extended his hand, and Erik shook it, introducing himself in return. His grip was firm, like the handshake of a veteran of many battles.
"I'm sure you're aware, but this is the Combat Assessment test," Shand said, motioning around the room. Erik realized it was an arena with training equipment and interactive screens displaying various parameters and statistics. "Your task is to demonstrate your combat skills against a series of robotic opponents."
Shand then went on to explain the scoring system. Erik's performance would be graded on various criteria, including offensive techniques, defensive maneuvers, and overall combat effectiveness, with a score ranging from 0 to 10 assigned to each. The young man nodded in understanding, his mind thinking about battle strategies and tactics he could use to win.
A platform in the center of the room held several humanoid robots, their frames made of advanced alloys and mechanical components that gave them an uncanny resemblance to real fighters. These were the opponents Erik would face, advanced training bots programmed with various combat patterns and techniques. However, Erik wasn't intimidated in the slightest.
Shand crossed his arms across his chest, his gaze fixed on Erik. "We want to see how well you can handle yourself in battle and how well you learned the combat technique during training, Erik," he said, his tone serious. "Your performance here will determine your progression within the guild, so give it everything you've got."
Erik took a deep breath, taking in the high-tech arena, the testing bots, and the watchful eyes of his examiner. The tension was palpable, the anticipation heavy in the air. But beneath it all, Erik felt a spark of exhilaration. He had come here for this to prove his worth and climb the ranks of the guild.
He clenched his fists, his features hardened by determination. "Understood," he said calmly. "I'm ready to start."
Shand took a step back, signaling the start of the test with a nod. Erik stepped onto the platform, his heart pounding as he prepared to face his opponents.
The young man used analysis on them. They were robots, so the biological supercomputer had an easy time understanding their combat ability.
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-Name: Sentinel-5R
-Brain crystal power: N/A
-Race: Robotic.
-Physical characteristics: Stands at 1.95 meters tall. Their weight is 125 kilograms. Constructed from high-strength alloy.
-Personality and traits: Sentinel-5R is an advanced training robot programmed to mimic various fighting styles. It can adjust its combat style and difficulty level based on the opponent's performance. It does not possess a personality per se but is relentless and unforgiving in its attacks.
-Power Level: 56
-Strength: 30
-Intelligence: 5
- Dexterity: 26
-Energy: 0
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Erik stood opposite the five robots, his gaze wandering across the five metallic foes. The soft hum of the robots' servo motors punctuated the silence between them in the room, a practical realm of gray concrete.
The cold white illumination from the ceiling lamps cast long, sharp shadows that tangled with Erik's feet, adding to the austerity of the testing area.
The robots across from him remained motionless, their bodies a mix of polished steel and muted alloy. Despite being built in the shape of humans, their featureless faces remained frozen in an eerie non-expression. Their bodies glistened under the sterile lights, exuding an intimidating presence.
The young man looked at them with calm eyes. He was well aware that they were only tools. Tools that provided just enough resistance to put a novice's abilities to the test.
A challenge designed for people new to the job, not for Erik, who had faced far more dangerous battles and encounters than any people his age.
The biological supercomputer's information displayed in his peripheral vision confirmed his observations.
His opponents could not harm him; their power levels were far too low compared to his. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly. The irony wasn't lost on him - the real challenge here wasn't the combat itself but ensuring he didn't expose his true strength while making a good impression. He would make it so that he was much stronger than his peers but not so much as to arouse suspicion.
Erik readied himself as the digital countdown clock etched into the stark, concrete wall approached zero, his posture relaxed and poised. The five training robots looming across the arena seemed to twitch eagerly. Yet Erik wasn't worried; he knew they were just machines, not nearly capable enough to challenge his true capabilities.
Though, he had to tread carefully, ensuring that his performance remained plausible for a Novice, albeit a powerful one. The true challenge here was balancing showing his potential and hiding his true strength.
As the countdown ended, the room fell silent, giving way to the low hum of the robots coming to life. Their mechanical eyes glowed with an eerie, soulless light, and their bodies moved with an unnatural fluidity that was both intriguing and slightly unsettling.
On the other hand, Erik didn't seem to mind. Instead, he mentally prepared himself to take a defensive stance, ready to expertly parry and evade incoming attacks. His gaze darted from one robot to the next, calculating their potential moves as a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
This was it. It was time to put on a show.
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