"I guess we are starting from scratch again, I am Primrose, call me Prim. It is nice to make your acquaintance." Saying so, she offer her hand to me.

I had to look up to stare straight into her eyes but it was clear, there are no deception within it nor any ill will just a bit if nervousness.

Taking her hand in a firm handshake, I say in a milder tone. "Vayne, now can you tell me my damage report?"

'If I can't figure out that my last fight put me to sleep due to damages then I must be an idiot.' I thought, keeping a calm facade outside.

I tried to call out the status and inventory but none of them responded nor can I scan Prim even though she is right in front of me, so I guess the system scan have something to do with the core damages.

"I'll answer that for you." the little thing chime in from where she try to fit the prism into her machine. "Your memory modules are scrambled up but it wasn't recent so it shouldn't give you any problem other than not having a past when you're first reactivated.

The second problem is your scanning module, it's fried beyond repair. I would have replace it with something but Prim here reject the idea of modifying your core even if it's just putting a sticker on it. Oh and no worries, you can check your current specs by using the built in modules for your current body, just give the command "properties".

Your third damage are your Space-time shifter module, I don't know how you got your hand on such strictly illegal module but the thing are cracked, I wouldn't use that anytime soon if I were you.

Fourth problem is actually the most crucial, your core seem to be a growth type with it's own body printer. Yeah the thing got fried so until that's fixed you are stuck with cybernetic body.

Last problem I could find with my available equipment is your mana container, that thing is completely busted and I doubt it'll be able to hold any mana without being replaced.

I've put your core in a container and use that to empower your current body to somewhat take care of the problem but this leave you with very little mana reserve."

Glancing over her shoulder, she said in a bored tone. "I'm Kanyarat by the way, I don't care if you are pump full of illegal modules and modifications but i will give you my service if you offer me the right price."

Taking a few moments to digest her words, I start to think about my next moves. Without most of my essential features available, my combat prowess are very limited. I had always maintain the skill Body fortification up, making it a pseudo passive, whenever I go out to do my tasks. But now that I can't just switch it off I need to familiarize myself with power output and management.

Her explanation also answer some of my questions like why my body doesn't recover like before or why can't I use the system inventory and scan.

"Properties" following the word, a translucent window appear in front of me. Showing the condition of the head, torso, arms, waist, and legs to be at 100% while below the 3D model are two bars colored yellow and purple respectively.

The yellow one are called EN or Energy, it appears that if I run out of energy my body will stop functioning while the small Purple bar are for MP.

Next to these things are a separate section filled with words. Skimming thought it, I realized this section are listing what modules are built into my current body and their usage. At first I felt somewhat elated with the idea of magic meeting sci-fi but after skimming through their information my excitement quickly deflated.

Almost all of the modules are worthless without mana powering them, especially combat ones! With my reserve being no more than 300 I can't use any of them for extended periods of time or simultaneously.

Closing the window, I sigh before looking back up to Prim. She still look at me in silence, as if letting me taking as many time I need to get used to my current situation. Kat however aren't as considerate.

"If you two have no more business with me then please leave, I need to concentrate on my project."

"We'll leave you to it then, come on let's go." Prim answered, reactivating her helmet before gesturing for me to follow her out.

Once outside, I got taken aback by the buzzing activity of people in various type of skin suits or power armors walking back and forth what seems to be a market. Kat's workshop seem to be just one of many establishment around here and from how I look at it not one of the popular ones.

I quicken my pace to catch up with Prim, who had walk some distance ahead, and ask her as I look around.

"So where are we currently?"

"Currently we're in the market place of the survivor city Red Light, don't act so curious many people are targeting drifters who see civilization for the first time in a while and some are already onto us."

To her words, I silently activate the environment scan module and true enough many people are secretly glancing our way while a few people are blatantly following us from the back.

"So what's the plan?" it's not that I trusted her but currently she is the only "ally" I have in hostile territory. I would be a fool not to take advantage of it.

"We do nothing, we will be leaving this city right away so there is no need to confront them. Those who prey within the city usually aren't skilled fighters or cowards who aren't willing to risk their lives."

Continuing down the main road, we pass by what seems to be a residential area before reaching a massive metallic wall with an equally massive gate, their futuristic pattern and neon lights made me want to gawk and admire them but Prim quickly tug me forward.

As we move closer to the wall I finally realize that above the city there are some kind of translucent barriers encasing the entire area. I wonder what they are for but I had no time to ask as we reach a small outpost by the wall.

We then led to enter a small side gate with a long corridor that leads to an isolated chamber where the air was sucked out until it was vacuum condition. I was confused at first but Prim voice quickly explain through the comms module.

"Beyond this point everything the air are contaminated, so they clear out the air before letting anyone in or out."

I nod to show I understand but I feel a bit annoyed when she pat my metallic head. This height difference is pretty annoying in my opinion, I will need a taller body someday.

Once we are out of the vacuum chamber, we walk down.. or rather glide down another corridor until we pass by some kind of decontamination chamber that leads outside.

I expect to see more wondrous sci-fi world outside but what I see make me pause in my steps. Rather than a beautiful world where flying cars and drones flying around under a blue sky, the outside world is a decaying gray wasteland with a sky much thicker and redder than blood.

There aren't even a single patch of grass on the cracked earth and crimson sand flew along with the violent wind. Outside the gate there is a cracked asphalt road leading to a ruined city, the architectural design looks far more advanced than that of earth but not advance enough to match the ones I've seen inside the city.

"What are you doing? Come on, we need to hurry to our destination before the storm blows over!" Prim voice resound within the intercom, only then did I realized she had walk far ahead of me and I had to dash to catch up.

It was also at her mention did I notice a brewing brown storm clouds far on the horizon, It may not look too big from here but I definitely do not want to be outside seeing how violent the thunderstorm it produce wreak havoc below it.

Looking ahead, I pray that the ruins aren't as bad as how it seems.