Kael Draven

  “Do you think there are any more surprises around here?” I asked as I opened a door with a rusty crowbar that squeaked as if I was ripping its soul out of it.

  “It's a magical submarine full of mysteries and a system with a dubious sense of humor. Of course there are more surprises,” Sofia replied, holding the flashlight as she followed me.

  Said and done. The room we found looked like a makeshift laboratory. There were metal tables full of flasks, broken microscopes, and something that looked like a tank filled with.... some kind of fluorescent slime?

  “Please tell me that's not alive,” Sofia said, backing up a step.

  “If it is, it doesn't have a friendly face,” I replied, touching the glass hoping it wouldn't explode.

  “System Note: Lab room unlocked. Current functionality: basic analysis. Enhancement capability available.”

  “Basic analysis, huh? Is that a fancy way of saying we can only use it to experiment on suspect liquids?”

  Sofia Draven

  We advanced to the next aisle, where we found what could only be described as a dilapidated armory. There were empty shelves, a couple of rusty swords and what appeared to be a grenade launcher that had seen better days.

  “Why is there a grenade launcher on a submarine? Were they planning to fight mutant sharks?” I asked, holding up one of the swords.

  “With this place, I wouldn't be surprised if mutant sharks were real,” Kael replied, inspecting the grenade launcher with a mixture of interest and caution.

  “System Note: Armory unlocked. Current capability: small arms storage and maintenance. Upgrades available through completed missions.”

  “Fantastic. An armory that has no weapons. This feels like finding an empty candy store,” Kael commented with a sour smile.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Kael Draven

  After exploring a while longer, we found what appeared to be a recreation room... or something like that. There was an old couch, a coffee table with stains of what was probably very old coffee, and a screen embedded in the wall.

  “Well, at least we have a place to relax after almost dying,” I said, plopping down on the couch which, to my surprise, wasn't as uncomfortable as it looked.

  “System Note: Recreation room unlocked. Current functionality: basic media playback. Relaxing music will be available to registered users.”

  “Aha, I knew there was a catch with the music!” I exclaimed, pointing at the screen.

  “Do you think there's anything useful here?” asked Sofia, turning on the screen. This showed a minimalist menu with options like “Music Player,” “Video Projections,” and “Digital Board Games.”

  “System Note: Some functions are locked until specific requirements are met. Thank you for your patience.”

  “Patience? I don't know if the system understands who it's talking to,” Sofia muttered.

  Updated Submarine Status Panel:

  After our scan, the system updated the sub's now more detailed statistics:

  ________________________________________

  Submarine Status Panel (Updated):

  - General Status: 85% (Additional repairs needed to avoid critical failures).

  - Oxygen: Sufficient for 14 days. Secondary generator can be extended for an additional 7 days.

  - Fuel: 35%. Upgrade capacity: installation of additional tanks.

  - Maximum speed: 20 knots.

  - Weapons:

  o Main Gun: Inoperative.

  o Torpedoes: 0 available.

  o Minor defenses: Offline.

  - Defense Systems:

  o Armor: 60%.

  o Electronic countermeasures: Offline.

  - Unlocked rooms:

  o Main room: Base of operations.

  o Warehouse: 40% capacity.

  o Laboratory: Basic analysis.

  o Armory: Storage only.

  o Recreation room: Basic multimedia player.

  - Blocked Rooms: ????

  - Storage Capacity: 50% occupied.

  ________________________________________

  Sofia Draven

  “Well, that's not too bad,” I said, as I looked at the list. “Though I still don't understand how they intend for us to survive with an inoperative cannon and zero torpedoes.”

  “Easy,” Kael replied, ‘they make us suffer first and then give us a mediocre reward they call ’progress'.”

  “System Note: First main mission in 2 hours, 15 minutes and 32 seconds. Hint: prepare your tools and replenish your morale before the next challenge.”

  And as if in direct response, the recreation room screen turned on a “Relaxing Music” mode.

  “System Note: To promote mental well-being, relaxing music will be available to registered users.