Chapter 1 : Tutorial Boss

WELCOME BETA TESTER TO SRMOM Ver:3.0+1.0

[PRESS ANY KEY]

*CRACKING*

*BOOM * *BOOM*

After I randomly press the keyboard.Some sort of lightning and thunder along with the faint sound of explosions appear for the duration of 30 seconds. After that a bluish purple portal seems to be swallowing everything and covering the whole monitor and it goes blank for a moment. A question appear

[DO YOU WANT TO USE MICROPHONE]

[Yes] [No]

I move my key mouse and press Yes

[WHAT A RECENT GAME YOU PLAY]

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

I Write 'Armored Core 6' and then press ENTER.There are few more questions but without reading closely I answer them without thinking about the consequences. The downloading additional assets appear and the progress happens fast glad I am. After finishing, Then a bright flash appears so bright that I cover my eyes on impulse.

*BEB* *BEB* *BEB*

Accompanied by the computer sounds like an effect and screen slowly showing some sort of midget humanoid alien with a boxy head with its boxy antenna hologram appeared. On its left hand holding some sort of sci-fi thin white tablet.This alien is drawn in 2D illustration. Then It talks with a grumpy tone while bubble speech text appears simultaneously when its mouth moves to introduce itself as a player guide or something .On second thought this guide looks chubby and cute to certain people. Change my mind.

"WELCOME RECRUITS TO MERCENARY GUILD.MY NAME MIMICHIGAN,AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND TODAY I WILL BE... YOU KNOW WHAT SCREW THE GUIDELINE. I'M HERE JUST TO SHOW HOW THIS WORK AND KICK YOUR BUT INTO FIELD TRIP. NOT BABY SITTING SOME NOOB. AARRGGHH... YOU, ARE YOU A BOY OR GIRL?"

It pointed one of its four digits to me with a more frustrated face."Hmm.... interesting. Usually they ask named First.Also using Pokémon First introduction eh?.Wait where is the option..."

"OI!! WHAT NONSENSE YOU TALKING ABOUT FRESH MEAT. ARE YOU DEAF OR WHAT. I SAID WHAT IS YOUR GENDER!!? "

"Aaaa...." Did this guide NPC just talk to me?Naah... Maybe it's like a death pool. Lol what is realistic NPC Keith.Hey what is that look. Looking at me like some idiot answering the obvious question.I do realise I'm using a standard gaming ear headset and that my microphone is currently on.

"AAA...AAAA..., STILL NOT ANSWERING? FINE, I DECIDE YOUR GENDER AS Non Binary. ARE WE CLEAR"

As his tiny hand pushes his finger on the tablet.

"WOW. What is this response. Is this pre recorded or what. For the doujin game, whoever that voice acting is on par with the professional." As I continued commenting but the NPC cut me off.

"ENOUGH!!.. *COUGH* NOW TO DETERMINE YOUR SKILL LEVEL. WE WILL PUT YOU ON SIMULATION COMBAT. USUALLY WE PUTTING FRESH RECRUIT AGAINST SOME BOT BUT DATA HERE SUGGEST YOU ALREADY A VETERAN.SO I SENDING RANDOM HIGH LEVEL COMBATANT AGAINST YOU TO CONFIRM SUCH CLAIM.BEWARE, DON'T THINK TUTORIAL IMMUNITY WILL SAVE YOUR SANITY.NOW BUCKLE UP MAGGOT. AH.. BEFORE I FORGOT, SOME OF THE GAME MECHANICS FROM PREVIOUS GAME YOU PLAY ARE THERE WITH A LITTLE DIFFERENT BATTLE STYLE.SO HAVE FUN MAGGOT"

"Huh? What the hell"

Again with lightning,thunder and faint explosion sound and bright light on the monitor.Slowy the monitor unmistakably has shown a game avatar or mecha I'm familiar with recently. Yes what I'm saying is the Armored core Nightfall Raven with gray colour. But the weapon set is different as the left hand seems to handle both a burst handgun MA-E-211 SAMPU and melee weapon Vvc-770LB Laser Blade which in original game will not allow it.For right hand weapon set RF-024 TURNER Assault Rifle and no additional accessory like the left hand.For Right Back weapon is armed with Plasma Missile Launcher Vvc-706PM. Finally on the left back using coral shield IB-C03W4: NGI 028.

For the targeting system hud cockpit design is similar to Armored Core 6 but with more colourful and other minor difference.Even the graphic is similar but somehow it's more detailed Then usual even though I'm using standard graphics setting.Is graphic mod is built in on this game?.Too many questions left answered.I have quick check my PC and it's still in normal condition and definitely not making weird noise and smoking.The surrounding stage I'm in seems full of rocky mountain area with few of open space.Conviniently a perfect place to hide behind from enemy fire.Setting pop up appears immediately.

[NOTIFICATION]

ARE YOU USING 1st POV OR 3rd POV?

[NOTE:]

YOU CAN ALWAYS CHANGE POV SETTING AT ANYTIME

Is that obvious,when playing Armored Core game, it always plays on 3 POV and so I set a default 3rd pov. While my AC is standing still, a cut scene appear.The beeping noise with danger signs pops up on the left screen.The Nightfall Raven boasting backwards automatically and I saw tons of missiles fly in front and exploded.The explosion is bigger than they should be but hey,it's video game who cares.The AC then turn around and facing the sources of the attack.

The sound of the jet can be heard from the beginning to be loud each second.A black dot could barely see on distance.Following with a loud sonic boom, More missiles are heading in my direction. Then the camera angle focusing on the plasma missile launcher on the Right Back of the AC prepping and opening the hatch ready to fire. With a beeping sound then 6 missiles have been launched heading towards the storm of the missile. It takes 3-5 seconds for the missile to make contact and those 6 plasma missiles explode simultaneously on an electrical blueish explosion covering the whole missile from the enemy directly triggering premature explosions. Thus it creates a huge black cloud formation in the sky.

*BOOMM...!!?*

Then a huge gaping hole in those cloud formations and cameras focusing on that scene. It slowly reveals this enemy. At first glance it looks like a purple coloured jet fighter but upon focusing you can see an arm sticking out in front holding 2 some kind of Rifle. Probably laser or plasma. Around 800 meters those rifles begin to light up and shoot green straight light continuously. Unfortunately the AC, Nightfall Raven managed to dodge by boosting left and right leaving the burn mark on the ground.

*SWOOOOSHHH....!?*

Those jets with arms fly low leaving trail of dust.With sharp corner it lands on nearby rocky hills with its feet.The loud *Thut* noise with cracking crater. The camera rolls from its feet to the head.Those glowing red eye with helmet like cone shape. Unfortunately it's not the Macross Robotech Valkyrie unit but Mobile Suit Zaku AMA-953 BABI.

"WELL-WELL WHAT WE GOT HERE. A FRESH MEAT READY TO BE DEVOUR. SERIOUSLY I'M ALMOST FEELS SORRY FOR YOUR IGNORANCE. YOU SHOULDN'T GET A BAD SIDE WITH THAT BOXY HEAD. ALSO SORRY FOR NOT LET YOU FAMILIARISE YOURSELF WITH THE MECHANIC.ITS JUST A JOB NO HARD FEELING.ANYWAY CHATTING TIME OVER."

The voice is distorted so it is hard to tell which gender this pilot is.Just assume it was middle age man with tons of experience. That 20 meters tall robot double the size of my AC readying its weapon and the thruster on the back has begun to fire up brightly. It's rushing towards me at full speed on Jet Mode. The cutscene ended and the camera back at me specifically behind the AC. The iconic announcer with English voice has said the word.Instead of male it was female robotic voice similar to Ayre but with lower pitch voice.A health bar appears on top of screen monitor with Red Line name "Combatant MS - AMA-935 O-69".

[MAIN SYSTEM, ACTIVATED COMBAT MODE, SAFETY ON]

Of course the line is a little different. It's like Pal and Pokémon.The battle OST has kicked in and it's using another Armored Core asset and the music from ACVD 'Mechanise Memory'.With a quick scan on the monitor, I notice even more differences with AC6 such as radar equipment on Right top.The AP total point is 9999 with standard 3 repair kit. A new stuff added such munition resupply with drone like crates icon just beside repair additionally, there some sort of ultimate skill icon but all still in lock state.And about assault armored module use is still unknown.

The notification Tips guide pops up and does quick explanation.The shooting setting from single,burst and auto on both left and right hand ammo counting. It is also the same with missiles with similar functions. Currently the missile has set to launch all warheads but no change to both guns firing setting.On the other hand, the AP and energy bar is the same as original with a little detail like percentage number. Over all the game mechanics are similar to Armored Core 6 so I am able to familiarise the gameplay faster.

{MUNITION}

MA-E-211 SAMPU:560/560 (Burst)

RF-024 TURNER:877/877 (semi auto)

Vvc-706PM:136/136 (all launch)

After being able to move, I make some distance by moving backwards. But that Mobile Suit manages to get closer by second as the targeting hud has soft locked the target with distance 600 meter and it keeps decreasing rapidly.Both arms have rise that Rifle pointing at me begins shooting those green energy beams at distances of 350 meter.

*POW* *POW*

Pressing the keyboard for moving and boosting to the left, I manage to dodge all of the shots and in response I shoot all of my hand held weapons but the armor thick enough to deflect the bullet barely scratches it as the health bar does not change at all. With sudden speed momentum, the Jet like Mobile Suit flies faster aiming to crash me and stab with its pointy nose or head?.

*CRASH!!?*

Caught off guard it managed to stab me thus the AC flew away while the AP cut down 25% instantly and still decreasing at alarming rate.It carry me meet up to the sky at 900 meter.Thanks to shield which conveniently turn on automatically upon impacts thus damage has been kept at minimum level.The enemy Mecha stopped and transformed into robot mode.

With the momentum build up, I fly a bit higher and begin to fall at great speed.For a second before thruster on to decrease the falling.Of course the enemy didn't give me time to properly organise my self and showering my AC with tons of missiles. Before closing distance, Tips notification pops up again.

[TIPS]

-USE THE EITHER BACK WEAPON OR HAND HELD WEAPONRY TO INTERCEPT IN COMING HOSTILE PROJECTILE.

[NOTE:]

YOU CAN ALSO CANCELING THE ATTACK WITH SHIELD ENERGY OR BALLISTIC AT CERTAIN DEGREES.

With a couple of seconds in decision making I decided to use both. Right after closing the pop up, I click both my mouse to shoot plasma missile and barrage of bullet from SAMPU and TURNER Rifle at full auto.Most missile has been intercepted and then I press left mouse unleashed another 6 plasma missile straight ahead and explode creating another wall of black cloud in the sky. Hopefully those missiles manage to land a blow.Furthermore, I use assault boost to close the distance so I can slash it with my Laser blade.But thing always not getting ugly real quick.

{CHARGING SFX}

It turns out the plasma missile only hit the air while the real target magically teleports on the ground while posing Mazinger on the "Breast fire" pose. A bright red light and chest with little electric spark has reached maximum charge. While I'm still flying at high speed, the energy has been depleted forcing me to stop in mid air and slowly descending to the ground thanks to the additional thruster all over the AC body. This gives the Mobile Suit a huge opportunity to aim its deathly looking beam.The energy bar is not fully charged so I can't dodge it with a quick boost.

"GOT YOU ROOKIE"

"God damnit. Charge faster you sonabi"

{LASER BEAM SFX}

With barely sufficient energy bar, I boost ahead 2 times before depleting again.Red Energy beam just behind 40 meter away before burning my AC into hot iron chunks.Turning around 180° and waiting the targeting Hud to lock at him and launch 6 plasma missiles one by one before I reach the ground which is open field.Again he easily dodge it with Jet form of his by flying faster than missile could catch up. It is like fighting AC NEXT as Normal.

"NOT BAD KID. YOU HAVE A MOVE THERE. BUT STILL NOT ENOUGH TO BEAT ME" In response back by throwing more missiles than before like Macross missile fest.

"Bloody hell, is this even legal? This guy is Balteus or what!!?Is not fair? Why he's faster than my AC could keep up. AAARRGGH F@CK YOU" Screaming on top of my lungs evade and intercept all of those missile. My energy management is getting worse as I keep pressing the boosting button while sliding on zig-zag heading to the rocky area.Not all missiles can be destroyed or dodge all as some manage to hit my shield.My current AP has reach 50% mark.With top speed of 325 km/h I hid behind the huge wall of rock as the missile couldn't follow me and hit the rock instead.

*BOOM...BOOM...BOOM*

While this giving me time to organise myself. The AP is chipping off and I realise that missile are not just standard warhead. Incendiary are mixed in as I can see a hot flaming surrounding the monitor frame. The damage is not comparable to incendiary attack in AC 6 but still a threat to me.Using repair kit, only 2 have left enough to carry me on this level.I move once again under cover of rocky terrain around while AMA BABI Mobile Suit in Jet form flies above circling to find me.

"HAHAHA....!? YOUR TANTRUM IS FUNNY AND YOU MOSTLY PUT SOME OF THE NEW PLAYER TO SHAME.I DON'T KNOW THIS BALTEUS GUY IS BUT YOU BET THIS MACHINE ARE SUPERIOR TO THAT HALFLING MOBILE SUIT CALLED AC" As the pilot said with a happy yet stoic voice accompanying the sound of the wind from his cockpit.Yep he indeed mocking me as he respond to my earlier tantrums?

"(Is Keith said true. No he must be trolling me. This must be NPC like Death pool or Hight on Live to give an illusion of self aware NPC. That must be it)" as I speak with an inner voice thinking this is just regular NPC speaking to Player.While he is chatting, I keep moving while keeping my eye on that Zaku jet thing thanks to radar equipment. While my right hand holding triggers the missile to find opportunities to shoot .

Oh boy this supposed "Tutorial levels" are getting annoying.Curse the jinx I said earlier.More missile payload he dumped,carpet bombing the surrounding landscape blindly. With a mixture of explosions and flaming of fire turning the peaceful rocky mountain to warzone. Unfortunaly, none of those bombs hit as I'm far away from the kill zone. On the other hand my computer seem looking good despite these amounts of graphics and sound effects.

*Whistling SFX*

*BOOM* *BOOM*

"COME OUT,COME OUT WHERE EVER YOU ARE." He said with arrogance while still flying at low attitudes circling the area.This close enough for missiles targeting system to reach.

While hiding between these rough terrains in high places.I wait for the Mobile Suit to get closer before releasing the left key mouse to launch the plasma missile while changing the location.It takes 5 seconds for the next launches.The was repeated action until the announcer voice appear

[WARNING! RIGHT BACK AMMUNITION AT 30%]

You're gonna play smart as that thing is too fast for my AC to stand up especially in the sky and in jet mode.After all AC is like tank with legs.Even if I try to fight him in the sky but with limited energy to stay float seem not practical for now.Now I think about it.Nah let's finish the fight before thinking any further.Its only 3 minite since the fight started.

The last salvo missile has unleashed heading to the enemy. While most warheads explode without getting close but with Decent size of diameter of explosions range can disturb its flying capability. Dancing in the sky doing various Jet manuverable and counter measures similar to Ace Combat but a little sluggish and awkward due to its shape and size. Luckily,one of the missiles managed to hit the back engine.Then he changed back to robot form and descending to the ground on top of rocky hills.

"Tsk... THAT TINY MOBILE SUIT OF YOURS CAN'T FLY OR WHAT.HOW ABOUT WE SETTLE THIS ONCE FOR ALL TINY MAN. COME ON SHOWN ME YOUR MANHOOD. I KNOW YOUR A MAN"

Taunting me we little frustrated voice.He standing there while keeping the guard up.Of course, realising how out class are our Mech is, I decide to camping while spamming remaining missile and couple of burst from hand weapon at distances of 500 meter. Thank god for this huge rock. I continue shooting like there is no tomorrow.

*MISSILE ENGINE SFX*

*BOOM!!?*

*ELECTRICAL SFX*

"THERE YOU ARE" Shooting both of his laser rifle and missile at me.Exchanging laser,bullet and rocket at some distance. While he has durability advantage, I have a lot of cover to protect me from its fire power and constant movement for him to hit me more difficult.

[RIGHT BACK AMMUNITION 0%. PURGING ACTIVATED]

[WARNING! RIGHT HAND AMMUNITION AT 30%]

[WARNING! LEFT HAND AMMUNITION AT 30%]

That's it, that was my last missile salvo.At this rate, battle of attrition are in my opponent's favour. So I once again closed the distance carefully to not get hit. Switching to single use and burst to conserve ammo while under heavy suppression. I notice those rifle never need a reload or cooldown but there was a time lag during exchanging earlier. Aiming for that time I still running around in circle.

*BRRT*

"THIS GETTING OLD REAL QUICK.COME ON SPEAK. IS YOUR MIC JUST FOR SHOW" Amuse with this NPC act like he is talking to me I decide to entertain for a moment.

"Yo, nī&@@ your momma green. Can't hit these little men with giant pointy sticks. Also you hit like a beech.Is that what you got you piece of sheet" On this very moment he stop shooting. Without delay I immediately use assault boost to close a distance and ready to use melee. Switch again to full auto while fly straight to him even though is still deflated some of the shoot.

*BRRRRTTT*

*POM POM POM POM*

"YOU KNOW WHAT LITTLE MAN, I LOVE PEOPLE TALK DIRTY TO ME" Using whatever thruster that thing has moving my left side thus the collision being avoided.On this close distance I can't no longer avoid those laser beam rifle.Even with coral shield, it can't protect me from sustainable damage for longer periods but at least manage to reduce damage accumulation.

[WARNING! AP AT 50%]

[WARNING ! AP AT 30%]

"Hory Sheet..!!? Again this tricks.Screw you" Moving the camera to face that Mobile suit and shoot back with all remaining weapons while keeping healing using the repair kit leaving only one. Current AP I have is around 6700.

While at longer distance, my bullets are deflated but in close quarters combat the damage is acceptable as his AP bar drops significantly and stagger bar finally rises up.He keep a distance but it not enough to keep me out.Indeed while in jet form,He flew faster than missile but in robot form the speed and movement is sluggish comparedable to heavy build AC albeit much slower without booster.Determined to finish in close quarters combat, I immediately pressed the keyboard longer,ready to unleash the charging slash attack.

*SLASH*

"ARRRGGHH!?" Upon a second slash, he finally stagger. Without hesitation, with 3 special moves icon AKA assault armour (or pulse shield),I activate to give lethal blow.

*KABOOM!?* *CRACKLED*

"Take this you bastard..!?" Using all of munion remaining and shoot it while circling. When the last clip was empty, I injected those two weapons from my AC hand and went assault boost and ready to kick his ass.

"GHAARRHK, STOP IT YOU BASTARD" Recover from stagger,he tries to retaliate but it's too late

*CLACK*

The kick has push him at 10 meter. I continue the assault,not giving him time to move.Punching,slashing and kicking. Stagger bar fill quicker when using ranged attack. Each blow pushes him back and he yells arhk,urkh and cursing but couldn't reteliate because of fierce barrage melee attack.

*CLACK* *PUNCH* *PUNCH* *PUNCH*

*SLASH* *PUNCH* *CLACK* *SLASH*

The cycle continues until his AP bar is almost gone. I use a double slashing attack to finish the job.But of course there is no smooth sailing. While performing this attack, there are times lag less than 2 seconds. Using a thruster, he goes back behind the range of Slashes. The chest area and the red electric light glow once again ready to unleash its fury.

"THIS IS THE END" Then those red lights are bathing my AC. Consume it completely. The AP instantly drops to 100. Luck on my side as the last Repair kit kicked it in giving the AC another chance to finish a job.

"Reverse UNO card madapacka" the final assault armour roar again but this time finish him once and for all.Mini explosion around the Mobile Suit joint following the electrical crackling sound around it's chest.The limbs start to break down piece by piece until he is forced to lying on the floor. Then he uttered the final world before gone from this world for good.

"I CHANGE MY MIND ABOUT YOU. MIND TELLING ME YOUR NAME?HEY ANSWER ME"

"Sure whatever.The name is .... Silver balls and imma get out from here.". Doing T bagging by jumping and circling around him.Then I go down stairs and have some quick snacks to cool down my head. Leaving my computer on while the "cut scene" play.It's around 4 p.m. so why not have some quick break.

"TSK,COCKY PILOT."

*KABOOM*

{FF 7 "VICTORY FANFARE" INSERT}

[ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCK]

[ "ARE YOU SURE THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME?" ]