I integrated the Research Scraps, their advanced biomechanical fragments syncing with my system, guided by Lumen's precision.
The scraps reinforced my operator interface, forming a fifth Blood Bulb, increasing my durability for encounters.
My interface logged: ''Fifth Blood Bulb acquired.''
The Neuro-Wisp ensured no corruption from the scraps.
''corruption level stable, preserving Purity alignment.''
This critical success granted a fifth Blood Bulb without complications, enhancing my resilience for the fight with Prince.
I used the Red Bile to enhance the Bile Irritant Gun.
Granting it +2 in all combat encounters!
I confronted Prince, its fluid-like form darting through the corrupted water, its single Core Shard pulsing with hostility.
I activated the MM Manipulator Gun, its field targeting Prince's sleek, plate-like exoskeleton to halve its defense.
The gun ripped away plates, exposing Prince's Core Shard, reducing its defensive capability by half!
Lumen's Guiding Pulse distracted Prince, creating an opening.
I struck with the Ecdysis Spur, aiming for the Core Shard!
The Spur cleaved through the exposed core, shattering it in a burst of fluid and energy.
Prince convulsed and collapsed, its form dissolving into the water.
''Prince neutralized.''
The pipe to the Palace was open, and paths to the Flooded Repair Center and Magnetic Garden remain accessible.
Dormant threats may lurk, but the biome was secure.
I chose to enter the Palace via the outlet pipe, navigating to explore this regal biome, likely a critical step before confronting the Corruptor in the Core Nexus.
I entered the outlet pipe, its narrow, crystalline interior slick with corrupted fluid.
Lumen's Guiding Pulse lighted the way, and the Neuro-Wisp stabilized my interface against psychic echoes.
The pipe ascended at a thirty five degree angle for forty meters before opening into the Palace, a majestic biome of towering crystalline spires, pulsating Purity altars, and biomechanical tapestries etched with Seraph-7's sigils.
The air hummed with divine energy, but faint Destruction-aligned corruption lingered in shadowed alcoves.
My threat detector pinged!
''Mother Gyne nearby''
I prepared to face Mother Gyne, a massive, egg-producing vessel with three Core Shards.
Mother Gyne emerged from a crystalline alcove, her bloated, biomechanical form pulsating with eggs.
She hurled Jewel hostiles small, crystalline proto-vessels, one Core Shard each and lashed with her corrosive tongue!
I wielded the Bile Irritant Gun, targeting the Jewels' exoskeletons, with Lumen's Guiding Pulse creating openings!
The irradiated spikes shatter two Jewels, neutralizing them.
Mother Gyne cried out, summoning three Prince hostiles!
One Core Shard each, aquatic.
I used the MM Manipulator Gun on my pinky digit to detach Prince plates, halving their defense!
I Spur striked one Prince, destroying its Core Shard!
The remaining two Princes and Mother Gyne's tongue lashed attacked!
I dodged, guided by Lumen, taking no damage, all 5 Blood Bulbs intact.
I targeted Mother Gyne with the Spur, shattering one Core Shard, reducing her to 2 Core Shards.
She entered Phase 2.
Mother Gyne tongue lashed and the remaining Prince's attacks surged!
I evaded, unharmed.
Mother Gyne, now at 2 Core Shards, released the Infant, a writhing, toothed proto-vessel emerging from her cavity, attempting to pull me into its maw!
I used Purifying Light to stun the Infant and weaken Mother Gyne!
The light purged the Infant's aggression, halting its pull, and damaged Mother Gyne's second Core Shard.
I followed with the Bile Irritant Gun, targeting her exoskeleton!
Shattering her final Core Shard!
The two remaining Princes attacked, but the MM Manipulator Gun detached their plates!
I fired off a quick burst from the Bile Irritant Gun, destroying both.
Mother Gyne collapsed, entering Phase 3, with the Infant as the remaining threat.
The Infant tried to pull me again. The Neuro-Wisp's light deflects its psychic pull, no damage taken.
Mother Gyne died, her form disintegrating, leaving the Infant as the final threat, lunging with snapping jaws.
I fired another volley of spikes!
The spikes pierced the Infant's Core Shard, destroying it instantly.
The Infant collapsed, its form dissolving into goo.
My interface logged: ''Mother Gyne and Infant neutralized.''
I approach the Purity Sanctum, its radiant altar pulsating with Seraph-7's essence.
Channeling the Seraphic Mantle, I communed to enhance my abilities.
The altar flared, and Seraph-7's voice resonated: "Vessel, your light nears my heart. Take my strength for the Corruptor's end."
A surge of Purity energy enhanced my systems, restoring Radiant Aegis and granting Seraphic Strike!
My interface logged: ''Radiant Aegis restored. Seraphic Strike acquired.''
The Neuro-Wisp ensured no psychic strain, and the Sanctum's glow stabilized the Palace, reducing corruption traces.
This critical success restored my Radiant Aegis and granted the new Seraphic Strike ability, without complications.
Bolstering my capabilities for the Core Nexus.
My five Blood Bulbs remained intact, and the Sanctum remained active for potential future interactions.
With Lumen's Guiding Pulse illuminating the crystalline spires, I explored the Palace further, seeking relics or systems.
The Neuro-Wisp's light revealed a hidden passage behind a tapestry, leading to the Gulk, a research facility center embedded in the Palace's core.
The Gulk was a labyrinth of biomechanical consoles, glowing vats, and data nodes, presided over by the Oracle, a towering merchant vessel with a single Core Shard, its form a fusion of crystalline tendrils and Purity-aligned circuitry.
The Oracle greeted me: "Vessel, I craft builds and limbs for Seraph-7's chosen. Offer Polyps, and I shall forge your strength anew."
My interface logged: ''Gulk discovered. Oracle offers new builds, limbs, and upgrades for Polyps (currency from hostile vessels).
The Oracle's wares included but were not limited to:
Purity Limb (attachable via MM Manipulator Gun, +1 to combat rolls, permanent, 3 Polyps).
Core Overcharge (upgrade, +1 permanent Blood Bulb, 5 Polyps).
Pulse Lash Recharge (restores Proto-Vessel Shard for 2 uses, 2 Polyps).
No Polyps were in my possession, requiring me to hunt hostile vessels (e.g., Jewels, Princes, or others in prior biomes).
This critical success revealed the Gulk and the Oracle without triggering threats.
My Threat Scanner detected faint hostile signatures in the Palace's alcoves, likely Jewel or Prince remnants, suggesting Polyps could be obtained by hunting them.
The Gulk was secure, and the Oracle remained neutral, awaiting my trade.
To trade with the Oracle, I decided to hunt for Polyps in the Palace's shadowed alcoves, where Jewel and Prince remnants lurk.
Lumen's Guiding Pulse highlighted two Jewel hostiles, one Core Shard each, crystalline exoskeletons.
I engaged them with the enhanced Bile Irritant Gun, leveraging Seraphic Strike!
The spikes shatter both Jewels, yielding 2 Polyps, one per Core Shard.
I used my MM Manipulator Gun embedded in my pinky digit to safely collect them.
''Corruption level stable''
The Neuro-Wisp prevented psychic backlash, and no further threats emerged.
My interface logged: ''2 Polyps acquired.''