The journey back was fast and uneventful. The Hand's approach to the Gutter Nest—an immense, hidden hive beneath beast city's crust—was a familiar and welcome sight. As the Hand lowered us onto the main landing platform, Doctor Syn, my lead researcher, and Felicity, my technical specialist, were waiting. The total run took ten hours, this also included the hand digging us out after the cave-in. This Meant This meant that humanity had 26 six hours left until the Lunar Cry.
Syn, perpetually clad in her grease-stained lab coat, was already rushing up to me to examine the umbral scythe matter clinging to my armor. "The seismic reports were catastrophic, Ash! What manner of beast did you engage? Is the Core secured?"
"The Umbral Scythe Dragon," I confirmed, tapping the Satchel Ring. "Core secured. All essences collected. The Dahkra Rod has reached tier two and the Brood Mother Palm is unlocked."
Felicity, ever the pragmatist, immediately took a look at the newly restored Blender Team. "We'll run full diagnostics on them Ash. Good work, team. You survived a data wipe."
I summoned the umbral scythe dragon crystal from my satchel ring, as well as the blood crystallized blood samples and handed them off to Syn for immediate study. "It's an incredibly strong beast crystal, Syn. Handle with extreme care. Now, I need to consolidate my gains. The run is over. It's time to upgrade."
I sought out a quiet cozy corner in the forge. With the immediate danger gone, the full weight of the 6 Skill Points and the newly unlocked Brood Mother Palm path settled in. I opened my menu and I accessed the Brood Mother Path Skill Nodes.
My first examination of the Brood Mother Path confirmed my initial analysis: it was entirely dedicated to mastering the art of the summoned organism. The path's initial nodes focused on capacity and complexity, but a quick scan of the other available branches revealed a deep and diverse network of specialization.
I currently had 10 SP to spend. Herja spoke, "Here are the core skill nodes available within the Brood Mother Path, categorized by function.
The Hive's Fury branch. This branch focuses on maximizing the offensive power and tactical utility of all summoned units, ensuring they hit harder and faster.
'Pheromonal Aggression.'
All active summons gain +15% to their Attack and Agility for 2 turn after being summoned. Price 2 SP.
'Brood Synergy'
When a summoned unit attacks an enemy currently affected by a debuff applied by another summoned unit, the damage is increased by 25%. Price 3 SP.
'Detonation Mastery'
Increases the Defense-Ignoring Damage of all detonating summons (like Scuttle Bugs) by an additional 500 per unit. Price 4 SP."
Next Herja read the skill node details of the 'Fortress Brood.' branch. "This branch focuses on improving the survivability and sustainability of summoned units, turning them into reliable meat shields and draining utility.
'Symbiotic Linkage'
All active summons gain +10% of your current Defense and Resistance stats. Price 2 SP.
'Strain Adaptability'
Lowers the Orgone cost of summoning a creature type you have successfully cultivated an essence from by 15%. Critical for sustained combat. Price 3 SP.
'Kinetic Dampener'
Summons gain 50% immunity to Stun and Entangle debuffs, making control difficult for the enemy. Price 4 SP.
Finaly we made it to the last branch of the Brood Mother Palm, a storage and expansion branch!
"This branch focuses on increasing the capacity of the Palm to store essences and enhancing complex, multi-unit strategies. Note: Investment in this branch is mandatory for evolution to the Evil Eye Palm.
'Biolink Nexus'
"Allows the simultaneous control of three different summon types in battle! Price 4 SP.
'Essence Vault Expansion'
Increases the Brood Mother Palm's storage capacity by 100 to 250 new unique essence slots. Price 6 SP.
'Mass Production'
Increases the maximum number of Lv1 units you can summon at once by 10 to 20 (e.g., from 10 to 20 Lv1 Scuttle Bugs).Price 4 SP.
'Gotta catch'em all'
Increase the capture success rate of high level genome beasts up to level 25. Price 10 SP
I looked carefully at this node because connected to it where two higher tier nodes, still greyed out until I unlocked this one first.
I looked at the three branches, but my eye kept returning to the one that delivered pure, overwhelming offense. The battle with the Umbral Scythe Dragon had taught me a harsh lesson: against true boss-tier enemies, utility and defense were secondary to raw, focused damage. My Kinetic Scuttle Bugs had won the fight, and I needed to double down on that strategy.
"Herja, I'm committing to the offensive branch," I announced, tapping the first skill node in the Hive's Fury branch, 'Pheromonal Aggression.'
A surge of energy flowed from my core into the Brood Mother Palm.
"Basic combat efficiency secured," Herja confirmed. "Continuing commitment to The Hive's Fury." I immediately committed to the next node 'Brood Synergy.' The synergy of debuffs was a tactic I already employed with Koba and Mothman, and applying it to my summoned army was a must.
Finally, the node that would turn my humble Scuttle Bugs into miniature tactical nukes. The final burst against the Dragon was based entirely on ignoring its defenses; enhancing that damage potential was non-negotiable. 'Detonation Mastery' purchased. The entire Hive's Fury branch of the Brood Mother Path lit up with a brilliant, aggressive red glow. The combined power immediately made the Brood Mother Palm feel heavier, throbbing with kinetic potential.
"The Hive's Fury branch is fully unlocked," Herja stated with satisfaction. Your offensive summoning capabilities have increased exponentially, Ash."
My gaze drifted away from the red glow of the newly unlocked Hive's Fury branch. While offense was crucial, surviving the next boss-tier encounter would require more than just bigger explosions. It required resilience, and more importantly, healing. The Dahkra Rod had been fully charged and upgraded to Tier 2 during the Gamma-7 run, cultivating its own reserves of SP. Tapping into its separate menu, I found the core support branch of the Beast Master menu.
"I'm shifting focus, Herja," I stated, tapping the designated node with the precision of long-practiced intent. I saw the node I had been saving for.
'Orgone Transfusion'
Allows rapid injection of a high dose of Orgone energy into an exhausted or injured subject, instantly overcharging their capabilities or forcing a rapid recovery. Price 5 SP.
I unlocked the node and a wave of pure, cold energy surged from the Rod, flowing through my own massive Orgone pool and settling into a new, resonant frequency in my hands. The skill was now integrated. With my vast personal Orgone reserves, I was no longer just the party's Beast Master and summoner; I was now its ultimate emergency support. I could keep the Blender Team in the fight, no matter the punishment.
"Orgone Transfusion is successfully integrated," Herja confirmed. "A highly strategic acquisition, Ash. Your sustainability in prolonged conflicts is now greatly enhanced. The total investment is 9 SP into the Brood Mother Palm and 5 SP into your Beast Master path abilities."
I paused, feeling the residual power humming within my hand and the newly acquired healing capability of the Rod. The upgrades were immense, but my resources were now razor-thin. I had 2 SP total (1 from the Palm, 1 from the Rod) and a single Action Point.
I looked over at Doctor Syn, who was already running spectral analysis on the crystallized blood samples. The Umbral Dragon Core sat encased in a containment field nearby, pulsing with a cold, distant light.
"Herja, hold the remaining points," I commanded. "I'll save them up until I can purchase a whole skill. I want to see what Syn and Felicity can pull from that Umbral Core before we commit to the next phase."
I rose from the cozy corner of the forge, my attention fixed on the true prize of the Gamma-7 run: the boss loot. I strutted over to Felicity and Syn still working on the Umbral Dragon Core Analysis. My decision to pause was a calculated risk. I was sitting on minimal resources, but I had access to the Umbral Dragon Core, an item that could fundamentally enhance my gear.
"Syn, Felicity, what's the word on the dragon crystal?" I said, approaching the containment field.
Syn, rubbing her hands together with intense excitement, I can use it to complete a secret project! I raised an eyebrow A small grin touched my lips as I listened to Syn's enthusiastic plan, or lack thereof. "I like your style, Syn. Mad genius it is." Syn smiled, "Its a something I've only theorized, but with the resoucres of the forge and Aegis 7, it might be possible." Syn went to Felicity and started sharing her idea.
I watched Syn and Felicity begin their intense analysis of the Umbral Dragon Core, confident I secured a path to a major gear upgrade. With 26 hours until the Lunar Cry, I had covered all of my bases. I had done the most I could to make strategic decisions and upgrades to ensure my clans continued survival. But after storing all of my Satchel Rings gathered components and raw materials, for Syn's secret project my resources were already running thin again.
I checked my Party Menu and noted the experience bars of Koba, Mothman, Marla and Felicity. All were nearing their Level 6 breakthrough. A quick, successful hunt could push them over the edge, cementing their battle readiness.
But suddenly, a surge of raw indignation hit me—the memory of Felicity and Mothman telling me about the trespass of Vespa Nox, the clan leader of the shadow fangs, attempting to stake claim to my territory. As a clan leader I knew that kind of violation couldn't go unanswered. I needed to secure my dominance and potentially acquire a potent new ally.
"Everyone, I'm going out for a little a while, to secure a new pet." I announced, my voice firm. "Hold the fort while I'm out."
I vanished into the maze of the Gutter Nest's access tunnels, darting up through the familiar sewer pipes and emerging into the chaos of the Beast City streets. My target: Vespa Nox.