Dragonrise
patreon
Effects Of A Gamer Chapter 6
🕑 Added 2025-07-21 13:52:51 +0000 UTCThe bright blue holographic display of Arthur's terminal bathed his face in an ethereal glow as he processed the last of his assigned files for the day. Around him, the C-Sec office hummed with the steady rhythm of law enforcement—officers filing reports, witnesses being interviewed, and the occasional heated argument between suspects and their handlers. After a month of this routine, Arthur had grown accustomed to the symphony of sounds that made up daily life at C-Sec headquarters.
"Done again?" Santana asked from the adjacent desk, glancing up from her own terminal with a mixture of admiration and exasperation. Her dark hair was pulled back in a severe bun, and there were slight shadows under her eyes from hours of staring at reports.
"Just finished," Arthur replied, stretching his arms above his head. "Need any help with yours?"
Santana hesitated, pride briefly warring with practicality before she nodded. "If you've got the time. These smuggling reports are driving me crazy—the jurisdictional boundaries between Zakera and Tayseri Wards are a nightmare."
Arthur moved his chair beside hers, the wheels squeaking slightly against the polished floor. "The trick is to focus on the point of origin rather than where the goods were intercepted," he explained, pointing to a specific section of her report. "See this clause here? It supersedes the standard territorial guidelines when dealing with cross-ward trafficking."
"How do you remember all this?" Santana asked, shaking her head in disbelief. "I've been studying the same regulations for weeks, and they still read like gibberish half the time."
Arthur shrugged, careful to keep his expression modest despite the pride he felt at his rapidly expanding knowledge. "I've always had a good memory for details. Plus, the patterns start to make sense after a while."
Across the room, Jason approached with three cups of what passed for coffee on the Citadel—a blue-tinted beverage that tasted vaguely of hazelnuts and something metallic. "Thought you two could use a pick-me-up," he said, setting the cups down. "Arthur helping you crack the smuggling cases?"
"What would we do without our resident genius?" Santana replied, taking a grateful sip of the strange brew. "At this rate, he'll be running C-Sec by next year."
"I'd settle for getting out from behind this desk," Jason said, leaning against the partition. "A month of paperwork. A whole damn month. If I'd known being a galactic cop meant filing reports until my fingers bleed, I might have reconsidered."
Arthur nodded sympathetically, though his mind was already processing the benefits of their current assignment. While the others saw only tedium, he recognized the opportunity it presented—access to C-Sec's vast databases, exposure to case files from across the galaxy, and most importantly, the chance to build his skills without drawing too much attention.
"It's hazing, pure and simple," Santana said, lowering her voice. "But I've got to admit, it's working. The turian officers actually nodded at me in the break room yesterday. Progress, I guess."
"Small victories," Jason agreed, raising his cup in a mock toast.
As they spoke, Arthur noticed a salarian officer approaching with a stack of datapads. Officer Kirrin, one of the few non-humans who had been openly friendly to the human recruits from the beginning.
"Morrigan," Kirrin said, his large eyes blinking rapidly with excitement. "Those case correlations you suggested for the red sand distribution network? Brilliant work. We've identified three new suspects based on your analysis."
Arthur smiled, genuinely pleased. "Just connecting the dots, Officer Kirrin. The pattern was there in the shipping manifests if you knew what to look for."
"Modest, too," Kirrin said with an appreciative nod. "Most wouldn't spot connections across seventeen separate cases spanning three wards. If you're interested, I have some cold cases that might benefit from your... perspective."
"I'd be happy to take a look," Arthur replied, accepting the datapads.
As Kirrin walked away, Jason raised an eyebrow. "You're making friends in high places."
"Just doing my job," Arthur said, though he couldn't help but feel satisfaction at how quickly he'd begun to earn the respect of his alien colleagues. It wasn't just Kirrin—over the past few weeks, several asari officers had sought his input on cases involving human suspects, and even a few turians had grudgingly acknowledged his contributions during briefings.
Only Lieutenant Vakarian remained inscrutable, watching Arthur's progress with an unreadable expression. Arthur had learned his first name was Castis. The turian's mandibles would occasionally twitch when Arthur presented his findings, the only hint of any reaction beneath that metallic carapace. Arthur could feel those piercing avian eyes following him across the room during briefings, studying his every move, analyzing his methods with clinical precision.
While in the game, Garrus had described his father to Commander Shepard as a no-nonsense, by-the-books C-Sec officer and investigator, Arthur couldn't recall if he'd ever mentioned his name. Now he knew. The knowledge sent an odd shiver down his spine—another reminder that this wasn't just a simulation but his new reality.
The senior officer's approval seemed impossible to earn. Arthur's stomach tightened whenever Castis reviewed his work, that familiar knot of anxiety that came with being under constant scrutiny. Yet Arthur sensed he was being evaluated constantly, tested in subtle ways that weren't immediately obvious. The weight of those unspoken expectations hung in the air between them like an invisible barrier, one Arthur wasn't sure how to breach.
That evening, after his shift ended, Arthur returned to his small apartment in the lower wards. It wasn't much—a studio with basic furnishings and a view of the ward's industrial sector—but it served his needs. More importantly, it gave him privacy to continue his real work.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Arthur activated his omni-tool and connected to the Citadel's information network. His enhanced intelligence allowed him to navigate the vast sea of data with remarkable efficiency, filtering out irrelevant information and focusing on technical specifications, engineering principles, and weapons designs.
Night after night, he had followed this routine—absorbing knowledge at a superhuman rate, his mind cataloging and synthesizing information that would take normal humans years to process. The results were evident in his rapidly evolving skills:
[Armsmith Ascendant] – Level 20/30
"You don't carry weapons. You forge them."
You have achieved master-level understanding of all handheld weaponry—bladed, blunt, ballistic, plasma, laser, or hybrid. At this level, your crafted gear rivals or exceeds Spectre-grade arms. You can now:
Forge programmable weapons and adaptive ammunition.
Blend kinetic and energy mechanics instinctively.
Imbue weapon systems with AI-guided targeting or energy-based enhancements.
[Galactic Engineer] – Level 12/30
You can draft, prototype, and construct advanced starships, habitats, and orbital systems. You now build stealth vessels, modular cruisers, and deployable stations from observation or blueprint analysis.
[Drive Architect] – Level 12/30
Your mastery of FTL systems has matured. You can now construct Warp Drives and non-eezo-based propulsion systems with high reliability, breaking away from Citadel dependency entirely.
[Macro-Structural Vision] – Level 12/30
You design planetary megastructures, orbital cities, and Dyson-class infrastructure. At this level, you can begin creating artificial planetary ecosystems and building integrated celestial habitats.
[Planetary Defense Architect] – Level 12/30
You build full planetary shield networks and kinetic grids. You can now create defensive architectures that automatically respond to threats using orbital AI-linked platforms.
[Weaponsmith of the Void] – Level 12/30
Your capital ship weapons are devastating and precise. You now deploy multi-layered systems: torpedo racks, EMP net cannons, gravity pulse lances, and breach-core accelerators.
[Integrated Systems Mastery] – Level 12/30
You design ships as living ecosystems. You can create fully integrated AI-governed vessels with predictive repair, dynamic energy balance, and life-support that evolves with crew behavior.
[Reverse-Engineer] – Level 12/30
You can now understand and repurpose complex alien tech, including Prothean, Geth, and advanced Reaper hardware. You can fabricate new blueprints simply from data scans or wreckage remnants.
Arthur wasn't surprised that his Armsmith skill had leveled up faster than his other abilities. Every day at C-Sec headquarters provided a treasure trove of weapons knowledge—schematics flickering across terminals, officers discussing modifications in the break room, the subtle differences in alien weaponry designs. His enhanced mind absorbed every detail with almost frightening efficiency, cataloging each component, weakness, and potential improvement.
The scent of gun oil and heated metal filled his nostrils during his shifts at the weapons locker, where Officer Tarius supervised his maintenance duties. While his hands methodically broke down and reassembled standard-issue firearms, his mind was racing, calculating optimal barrel lengths, imagining improved heat sink configurations, visualizing the perfect balance between stopping power and control.
I could increase the thermal capacity by at least 35% just by reconfiguring these vents, he thought, fingers tingling with the desire to implement his ideas as he cleaned another officer's shotgun. And that trigger mechanism is unnecessarily complex—three fewer parts would make it more reliable.
The frustration of not being able to modify C-Sec's arsenal gnawed at him, a constant itch he couldn't scratch. But his own M-3 Predator had become his canvas, his laboratory. In his quarters at night, surrounded by the soft blue glow of his workbench and the metallic taste of eezo particles in the air, Arthur had transformed the standard sidearm into something extraordinary—a weapon that whispered of potential far beyond its humble origins.
To the casual observer, it looked like a standard-issue sidearm, but beneath the surface, thanks to his armsmith skill it was a marvel of engineering—a weapon that could rival anything a spectre had.
Customized M-3 Predator – codename "Predator Mk. X"
Base Model: M-3 Predator Heavy Pistol Crafted By: Arthur James Morrigan (Gamer)
Key Improvements:
Smart Kinetic Core: A redesigned thermal clip system and magnetic accelerator chamber increase damage by 85% and reduce recoil completely.The rounds now punch through heavy armor and personal shields with ease.
Modular Barrel Assembly: Switchable barrels allow for adaptive fire modes:
High-velocity AP rounds
Disruptor capacitor bursts
Sonic concussion rounds (non-lethal mode)
Target-Link HUD Sync: Built-in targeting computer syncs with Arthur's [Interface HUD], highlighting weak points in enemies in real time. +20% crit chance when aimed at vital zones.
Omni-Modular Rail Integration: Includes micro-Omni-blade extension for close quarters (blades snap out under the barrel) and a built-in energy pulse charger to disable synthetic enemies temporarily.
Smart Grip Biometric Lock: Weapon only fires for Arthur (or designated allies), and adjusts grip and recoil dampening in real time to match stress levels or stance.
Precision Heat Management: Vents and alloyed plating allow for extended firing before overheating, nearly doubling sustained fire time. Thermal signature reduced for stealth missions.
"Someday," he murmured to himself, holstering the pistol, the weight of it familiar against his hip. The metal still radiated warmth from his modifications, and he could almost feel it pulse with potential beneath his fingertips. "Someday I'll build something that can take down a Reaper." The words hung in the air, a promise that tasted like metal and ambition on his tongue.
But even as his skills grew, Arthur found himself questioning his path, doubt crawling under his skin like an itch he couldn't scratch. The quiet hum of the Citadel's environmental systems seemed to mock his indecision. Was C-Sec really the best use of his abilities? With his knowledge and talents—with the system's power flowing through him—he could establish a private company, develop technologies decades ahead of their time, perhaps even build defenses that could save millions when the Reapers eventually arrived. I could be so much more than just another officer, he thought, the interface's blue glow reflecting in his eyes as status updates scrolled across his vision.
Yet something kept him at C-Sec—a sense that this position, at the heart of galactic politics, offered opportunities he couldn't find elsewhere. Information, connections, legitimacy—all valuable currencies in the complex game he was playing. The center holds the power, he thought, remembering strategy games from his previous life. Control the center of the board.
"Patience," he reminded himself as he prepared for bed, the sheets cool against his skin as he slid between them. His mind raced with possibilities, calculations, and scenarios branching out like a neural network. "Build the foundation first. The rest will follow." He closed his eyes, but the glow of his interface persisted in the darkness, a constant reminder of the path he'd chosen and the burden he carried.
On the fourth day of their second month at C-Sec, Arthur's omni-tool chimed with a priority message as he was processing reports on illegal tech modifications in the lower wards. The familiar orange glow illuminated his face as he opened the notification.
"Officer Morrigan," the message read. "Report to Lieutenant Vakarian's office immediately."
Arthur exchanged glances with Santana, who raised an eyebrow. "The boss wants to see you? Either you're getting promoted or fired."
"Fifty credits says it's a promotion," Jason chimed in from his desk. "The man's been watching you like a hawk watches a mouse."
"Thanks for that comforting image," Arthur replied dryly, straightening his uniform as he stood. "I'll let you know which it is."
As he walked through the bustling operations center toward Vakarian's office, Arthur mentally reviewed his recent work, searching for any mistake that might have drawn the lieutenant's attention. He found none, which only increased his curiosity.
Vakarian's office was spartan and immaculately organized—a reflection of its occupant. The turian sat behind his desk, mandibles tight against his face as he studied a holographic display of case files.
"Officer Morrigan," Vakarian said, looking up as Arthur entered. "Close the door."
Arthur complied, then stood at attention before the desk. "You wanted to see me, sir?"
Vakarian studied him for a moment, his predatory eyes unreadable. "I've been reviewing your work over the past month. Your processing speed, analytical abilities, and attention to detail are... exceptional."
"Thank you, sir," Arthur replied, keeping his expression neutral despite the surge of satisfaction he felt.
"I have a case," Vakarian continued, activating a larger holographic display that showed crime scene images, witness statements, and forensic reports. "A string of murders and suspected trafficking operations in the residential sectors of Kithoi Ward. The latest victim was discovered this morning—a salarian scientist. His asari bondmate and their daughter are missing."
Arthur scanned the information quickly, his enhanced perception immediately identifying patterns and inconsistencies. A notification appeared in his field of vision:
MISSION: Investigate Murder and Trafficking Ring
STATUS: Available
OBJECTIVE: Solve the case and rescue victims
REWARD: 3000 XP, Increased C-Sec Reputation
ACCEPT? [YES/NO]
"Yes," Arthur said, both to Vakarian and to the prompt only he could see.
"Good," Vakarian replied, standing and grabbing his sidearm from the desk drawer. "We leave immediately. I'll brief you on the details en route."
The C-Sec skycar cut smoothly through the Citadel's regulated traffic lanes, its blue and white markings ensuring a clear path as other vehicles moved aside. Castis Vakarian piloted with practiced efficiency, his three-fingered hands moving confidently over the controls.
"I want to be clear about something, Morrigan," Castis said as they descended toward the residential sectors of Kithoi Ward. The buildings below grew larger in the viewport, a mix of sleek modern structures and older, more utilitarian designs. "This assignment isn't standard procedure for a recruit with less than two months of service."
"May I ask why you selected me, sir?" Arthur inquired, genuinely curious despite already suspecting the answer.
Castis's mandibles flexed slightly—the turian equivalent of a contemplative frown. "Your work has been... noticed. Not just by me. Several senior officers have commented on your analytical abilities. And frankly, we're shorthanded on this case."
He paused, then added in a slightly softer tone, "I also wanted to apologize for the extended administrative duty. It wasn't personal."
"Hazing," Arthur said with a slight smile. "We figured as much."
"A necessary test," Castis corrected, though there was a hint of amusement in his flanged voice. "The First Contact War is still fresh in many minds—especially turian minds. Some officers were... resistant to the idea of humans joining C-Sec. Your group's willingness to handle the mundane work without complaint has earned respect."
"Even from you, sir?" Arthur asked, allowing a touch of boldness.
Castis's mandibles twitched in what might have been a suppressed smile. "I reserve judgment until I see field performance. Which brings us to today's assignment."
The skycar began its descent toward a cordoned-off residential block, where several C-Sec vehicles were already parked. The flashing lights reflected off the surrounding buildings, creating a pulsing blue glow that cut through the artificial twilight of the ward's day cycle.
"The victim is Mordin Vass, a salarian biochemist working on medical applications of element zero," Castis explained as they landed. "His bondmate, Alera T'Nara, and their five-year-old daughter, Linya, are missing. Initial evidence suggests domestic violence—neighbors reported hearing arguments in recent weeks."
Arthur nodded, absorbing the information as they exited the vehicle. The crime scene was on the twenty-third floor of a mid-range apartment complex—nice enough for professionals, but not luxurious. The hallway outside the apartment was crowded with forensic techs, uniformed officers, and curious neighbors being kept at a distance.
Inside, the apartment told a story of violence. The salarian's body lay in the living area, surrounded by broken furniture and splattered green blood. The forensics team was carefully documenting every detail, their omni-tools casting orange glows as they scanned for evidence.
"Officer Morrigan will be assisting me with this investigation," Castis announced to the room. "Give him full access to your findings."
A female turian in forensic gear looked up, mandibles tight with surprise. "A human recruit? For this case?"
"Do you have a problem with that, Officer Vitrian?" Castis asked, his tone deceptively mild.
"No, sir," she replied quickly, though her subharmonics conveyed skepticism that Arthur's enhanced hearing easily detected.
Arthur moved through the apartment methodically, his senses heightened, absorbing every detail. The victim had been killed by blunt force trauma—the back of his skull crushed with tremendous force. There were signs of a struggle, but something felt off about the scene.
"What are witnesses saying?" Arthur asked a nearby officer who was interviewing neighbors.
"The usual," the asari officer replied with a shrug. "Nobody saw anything definitive. Several mentioned hearing arguments between the victim and his bondmate over the past few weeks. One neighbor claims to have seen the asari leaving with a bag and the child early this morning, looking distressed."
"So the working theory is that the bondmate killed him and fled?" Arthur clarified.
"It fits the evidence," the officer confirmed. "Domestic dispute turned violent. Happens all the time, even in mixed-species relationships."
Arthur nodded but continued his examination. Near the kitchen, he found subtle scuff marks on the floor that didn't match any of the furniture. In the bedroom, the dresser drawers were open and clothes strewn about—but in a pattern that suggested hasty searching rather than packing.
Most telling was a faint residue on the apartment's entrance panel—a powdery substance that, when analyzed with his omni-tool, contained traces of elements common in krogan biochemistry.
Castis approached as Arthur was completing his analysis. "Your impressions, Officer Morrigan?"
Arthur straightened up. "Sir, I don't think the bondmate killed him."
"Explain," Castis said, crossing his arms but giving Arthur his full attention.
"Several inconsistencies," Arthur began, activating his omni-tool to display his findings. "First, the force required to crush a salarian skull in this manner exceeds what most asari are capable of without biotic enhancement. There's no residual biotic energy signature in the room."
"She could have used a weapon," Castis pointed out.
"Possible, but unlikely given the wound pattern," Arthur countered. "Second, the disruption in the apartment doesn't match someone packing to flee—it matches someone searching for valuables. Third, and most significantly, there are trace elements on the door panel consistent with krogan physiology."
Arthur guided Castis through the apartment, pointing out additional evidence—the angle of blood spatter that suggested the attacker was much taller than an asari, the width of the scuff marks on the floor, and a barely perceptible dent in the wall that matched the height of a krogan shoulder.
"My theory," Arthur concluded, "is that a krogan intruder killed the salarian, then took the bondmate and child—not as murder victims, but as merchandise. This fits the pattern of the other disappearances in this sector."
Castis was silent for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he said, "That's... a compelling analysis. Different from our initial assessment, but it fits the evidence better."
"Thank you, sir," Arthur replied, feeling a surge of satisfaction.
"If you're right," Castis continued, "then we need to move quickly. The trafficking rings don't keep their merchandise on the Citadel for long."
Back at C-Sec headquarters, Arthur and Castis compiled their evidence and cross-referenced it with similar cases. Arthur's enhanced cognitive abilities allowed him to spot connections that others had missed—shipping manifests that aligned with disappearances, financial transactions that coincided with suspected abductions, and communication patterns that suggested coordination between different criminal elements.
"Here," Arthur said, pointing to a data point on the holographic display that filled Castis's office. "Every victim disappeared within twelve hours of a registered cargo shipment from Docking Bay E-24. That can't be coincidence."
Castis studied the information, mandibles tight with concentration. "That bay is registered to a volus trading company... but the manifest details are suspiciously vague."
"And look at this," Arthur continued, bringing up another dataset. "Financial transfers to an account on Omega, routed through six different proxies. The amounts correspond roughly to black market values for the species that disappeared."
"Good work," Castis said, genuine approval in his voice. "This gives us enough for a warrant to investigate the docking bay."
Arthur checked the time on his omni-tool. "The next scheduled departure is in three hours. If our theory is correct..."
"They'll be moving the latest victims then," Castis finished, already reaching for his sidearm. "I'll call for backup, but we need to move now to set up surveillance."
Docking Bay E-24 was located in one of the Citadel's less prestigious sectors, where cargo of questionable origin frequently changed hands with minimal oversight. The warehouse adjacent to the bay was officially listed as storage for industrial supplies, but Arthur and Castis's surveillance revealed a different purpose.
From their hidden position on a maintenance catwalk overlooking the main floor, they watched as a krogan mercenary entered the warehouse, followed by two batarians dragging a container large enough to hold multiple people.
"That's our suspect," Arthur whispered, focusing his enhanced vision on the krogan. "The residue on his armor matches what we found at the crime scene."
Castis nodded, his expression grim as he spoke quietly into his communicator. "Backup is ten minutes out. We need to maintain position until they arrive."
Below them, more batarians entered—nearly twenty in total, all armed and moving with the practiced efficiency of experienced slavers. The krogan was arguing with what appeared to be the leader, his deep voice carrying up to their hiding spot.
"Six thousand credits for the kid is insulting," the krogan growled, pounding his fist on a crate. "Her organs alone are worth twice that on Omega."
"The market's flooded with asari right now," the batarian leader replied with a dismissive wave. "Take it or leave it."
"And what about the mother?" the krogan demanded. "She's prime breeding age, untouched merchandise."
"Fifty thousand. Final offer."
The krogan snarled but nodded. "Fine. But I want payment now, before they're loaded."
The batarian gestured, and one of his men brought forward a case. As he opened it to reveal credit chits, Arthur felt a cold rage building inside him. These creatures were casually discussing selling a child for her organs, treating sentient beings like livestock.
Beside him, Castis tensed. "We can't wait. They're preparing to transfer them now." He activated his communicator. "This is Lieutenant Vakarian. We have confirmation of trafficking activity at Docking Bay E-24. Moving to intervene. Backup requested immediately."
Without waiting for a response, Castis stood and called out in a commanding voice that echoed through the warehouse. "C-Sec! Nobody move! You are all under arrest!"
The response was immediate and violent. The batarians scattered for cover, drawing weapons, while the krogan roared in rage and flipped over a massive metal table for protection. Gunfire erupted, forcing Arthur and Castis to duck behind the catwalk's metal railing as bullets pinged off the structure around them.
"So much for the element of surprise," Arthur muttered, drawing his modified M-3 Predator. The weapon hummed with power in his hand, its custom modifications making it feel like an extension of his arm.
"Cover me," Castis ordered, preparing to move to a better position.
Arthur nodded and leaned out from cover, his enhanced reflexes allowing him to target with superhuman precision. He squeezed the trigger in rapid succession, each shot finding its mark despite the distance and poor lighting. Three batarians fell immediately, their shields offering no protection against the modified rounds from Arthur's upgraded pistol. The bullets passed through barriers and armor alike, dropping them with clean headshots that left their companions staring in shock.
Castis used the distraction to move to a flanking position, his own weapon firing with the accuracy of a veteran officer. Between them, they created a deadly crossfire that quickly thinned the batarians' numbers.
"The merchandise!" the batarian leader shouted. "Get it on the ship!"
Two batarians rushed toward the container, but Arthur's next shots took them down before they reached it. The modified rounds from his Predator punched through their armor with ease, leaving neat holes that leaked dark blood onto the warehouse floor.
The krogan, seeing his profit literally dying before his eyes, let out a bellow of rage. With surprising speed for his bulk, he hefted two massive metal crates and hurled them toward the catwalk where Arthur was positioned.
"Look out!" Castis shouted.
Arthur dove to the side as the crates smashed into the catwalk, tearing through the metal and sending debris raining down. He landed hard on the warehouse floor, rolling to absorb the impact and coming up in a crouch, weapon at the ready.
The krogan had already drawn a massive shotgun—an M-300 Claymore, a weapon so powerful it could break other races' arms from the recoil alone. The air around Arthur seemed to thicken with tension as the barrel swung toward him, the krogan's nostrils flaring with anticipation of the kill.
"I'll tear you both in half before you even know what's happening!" he roared, his voice reverberating through Arthur's chest as the warehouse's metal walls amplified the guttural challenge. The stench of gun oil and krogan sweat filled Arthur's nostrils as the alien squeezed the trigger, the thunderous report of the Claymore echoing painfully in his ears.
Arthur's muscles responded before his conscious mind could fully process the danger, his body twisting sideways in a fluid motion born of enhanced reflexes. He felt the superheated air from the shot singe the fabric of his armor as it passed mere centimeters from his shoulder. The pellets punched through a storage container behind him with a shriek of tortured metal.
Too close, Arthur thought, his heart hammering against his ribs. Need to neutralize that weapon before he gets lucky.
His enhanced reflexes gave him a crucial split-second advantage as he brought his own weapon up to fire. But his target wasn't the krogan—it was the Claymore itself. With perfect precision born of his system-enhanced targeting, Arthur's shot struck the weapon's exposed heat sink, the impact sending a spiderweb of cracks through the delicate cooling mechanism.
The krogan, either not noticing or not caring about the damage, pulled the trigger again. A horrible grinding noise erupted from the shotgun as its internal components catastrophically malfunctioned. Blue-white sparks cascaded from the barrel, the weapon smoking and hissing like an angry serpent in the krogan's massive hands.
"Ancestors curse you!" the krogan howled, his pain-filled roar making Arthur's ears ring as the alien hurled the damaged weapon aside before it could explode completely. The shotgun clattered across the floor, still spitting sparks and venting superheated gas.
The krogan's red eyes narrowed to slits, his pupils constricting with murderous rage as he locked his gaze on Arthur. The alien's breathing came in heavy, hate-filled snorts that Arthur could feel as much as hear.
Now I've really pissed him off, Arthur thought grimly, readying himself for the inevitable charge.
"You'll pay for that, human," he snarled, lowering his massive head and charging.
Arthur had no time to reload. Instead, he channeled his biotic energy, the power surging through his nervous system and manifesting as a purple-blue aura around his body. He met the krogan's charge head-on, their bodies colliding with a thunderous impact that sent shockwaves through the warehouse.
To the krogan's visible shock, he was the one who staggered backward. Arthur had not only withstood the charge but pushed back, his enhanced strength and biotic reinforcement allowing him to match the alien's legendary physical power.
"What the hell are you?" the krogan demanded, genuine confusion in his voice.
"C-Sec," Arthur replied simply, then launched a counter-attack.
What followed was a brutal exchange of blows, with Arthur moving with a speed and precision that the krogan couldn't match. Each of Arthur's strikes landed with devastating force, cracking the alien's natural armor and drawing grunts of pain and disbelief.
"I am Nargus of Clan Gorvun!" the krogan roared, blood leaking from his mouth as he swung wildly at Arthur. "No human can stand against me!"
Arthur dodged the clumsy attack and delivered a punishing counter-blow that sent Nargus stumbling backward. "First time for everything," he replied coolly.
Nargus spat blood and bared his teeth in a vicious grin. "When I'm done with you, I'll fuck that asari bitch while you watch. Then I'll sell her daughter's organs to the highest bidder."
Something in Arthur snapped. The cold, calculating control provided by his Gamer's Mind trait faltered in the face of such monstrous cruelty. Rage flooded his system—not the hot, blinding anger of normal humans, but something colder and more terrible. A shiver ran down his spine as he felt his control slipping, replaced by an icy determination that froze his blood and sharpened his senses to a painful clarity. His biotic aura intensified, shifting from blue to a deep, unsettling purple that seemed to bend the light around him, casting twisted shadows across the warehouse floor.
"Wrong words, bastard," Arthur said, his voice unnaturally calm despite the storm raging inside him. The words left his lips as a whisper, yet somehow filled the entire space with their menace. The metallic taste of adrenaline coated his tongue as he channeled his large amount of biotic power into a singularity unlike any he had created before.
The dark energy swirled between his hands, growing in intensity until it formed a miniature black hole of impossible density. The air crackled with electricity, raising the fine hairs on his arms as the power built to a crescendo. This is wrong, a distant part of his mind whispered, but he silenced it. He deserves this. They all do.
But instead of simply lifting Nargus off his feet as a normal singularity would, this one's gravitational forces were focused with surgical precision, like a scalpel in the hands of a vengeful god.
The krogan's eyes widened in sudden fear as he felt his body being pulled in different directions simultaneously, the realization of his impending fate dawning on him. "What—what is this?" he gasped, genuine terror replacing his earlier bravado. His massive frame trembled, the sound of his armor creaking under the impossible pressure filling Arthur's ears.
Arthur didn't answer. His mind was elsewhere, lost in the cold satisfaction of retribution, in the primal thrill of unleashing power that shouldn't be his to command. The singularity pulsed once, twice—a heartbeat of dark energy that resonated with his own—and then Nargus of Clan Gorvun was literally torn apart, his massive body separated into pieces by opposing gravitational forces that no organic being could withstand.
As the biotic energy dissipated, Arthur stood motionless, staring at what remained of the krogan. A notification appeared in his field of vision:
LEVEL UP!
You are now Level 8
Attribute Points Available: 9
Gacha Roll Available
He dismissed the notifications with a thought, his attention already shifting to the container where the victims were being held. He moved quickly to it, using his omni-tool to bypass the lock. Inside, he found the asari woman clutching her daughter, along with several other captives of various species—all looking terrified and disoriented.
"It's okay," Arthur said gently, helping them out. "You're safe now. I'm with C-Sec."
The asari woman stared at him with wide, tearful eyes. "You... you saved us," she whispered, holding her daughter tightly against her chest.
Before Arthur could respond, the warehouse doors burst open as C-Sec backup finally arrived—a dozen officers in full tactical gear, weapons ready. They swept through the space with practiced efficiency, securing the few surviving batarians who cowered against the walls, eyes fixed on Arthur with undisguised terror. The acrid smell of discharged weapons and the metallic tang of blood hung heavy in the air.
"Demon!" one of the batarians hissed through bloodied teeth. "He's not human!"
Arthur felt nothing at their accusations, his heart still cold from the battle. Fucking slavers! he thought, a wave of disgust washing through him. His fingers tingled with residual biotic energy at the thought of killing them all.
Castis approached Arthur, mandibles tight against his face, his predatory eyes taking in the scene of devastation with a mixture of astonishment and professional assessment. The turian's footsteps echoed across the warehouse floor, crunching over spent thermal clips and debris.
"Officer Morrigan," he said, his dual-toned voice carefully neutral despite the carnage surrounding them. "Status report."
Arthur straightened, pushing down the adrenaline still coursing through his system. He could feel his heart hammering against his ribcage, the taste of copper in his mouth from where he'd bitten his cheek during the fight.
"Hostages secured, sir," Arthur replied formally, forcing his breathing to steady. "All victims appear to be physically unharmed, though they'll need medical evaluation and psychological support. The krogan suspect is..." he glanced at the scattered remains, "...neutralized. I've broken through his firewalls and accessed his omni-tool. Retrieved comprehensive data on their operation, including names of additional victims and co-conspirators across three systems."
Castis nodded, his piercing gaze moving to the remains of Nargus. The smell of burnt flesh and ozone lingered around what was left of the krogan.
"I see. C-SEC?" he asked sharply, mandibles flaring slightly.
Arthur shook his head, feeling sweat cooling on his brow. "No, sir. Mostly dockworkers and private security. Low-level muscle with minimal training."
The turian seemed to relax marginally, his posture shifting as he surveyed the aftermath. He gestured toward the biological puzzle that had once been a krogan battlemaster, his voice dropping to a professional murmur.
"And the... method of neutralization?" he inquired, eyes narrowing on Arthur's still-glowing hand.
"Biotic singularity, sir," Arthur said simply.
An asari officer nearby overheard and looked skeptical. "A singularity doesn't do that," she said, gesturing to the krogan's remains. "It creates a gravity well that lifts and suspends targets."
Arthur shrugged. "Mine does that," he replied, then handed her his omni-tool. "I've forwarded the intelligence from the krogan's device to all of your terminals. There are names, locations, and transaction records—everything we need to dismantle their entire operation."
The asari took the device, clearly wanting to press the issue but distracted by the wealth of information now scrolling across her screen. "This is... impressive work," she admitted reluctantly.
While the other officers secured the scene and tended to the victims, Castis gestured for Arthur to hand over his weapon. "May I?" he asked, an unreadable expression on his face.
Arthur hesitated only briefly before surrendering his modified Predator. The cool metal left his palm reluctantly, like parting with an old friend. Castis examined it carefully, mandibles tight against his face, his trained eye immediately recognizing the extensive modifications. The turian's talons moved expertly over the customized grip, the reinforced barrel, the heat sink that shouldn't have been possible on a standard model. Without comment, he activated his omni-tool and discreetly scanned the weapon, the orange glow illuminating the intricate changes as it documented the specifications before returning it.
"Standard issue?" he asked mildly, though they both knew it was anything but. The question hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken implications.
"With a few adjustments for improved performance, sir," Arthur replied, feeling the half-truth stick in his throat. More like complete overhaul of the firing mechanism and power regulation system, he thought, remembering the hours spent hunched over his workbench, the smell of gun oil and metal shavings filling his quarters.
Castis's mandibles twitched in what might have been amusement—or suspicion. "I see." He handed the weapon back to Arthur, the weight familiar and comforting as it settled into his grip. The turian's piercing gaze lingered on the human officer with newfound interest, his eyes calculating and assessing. He knows there's more to this than I'm saying, Arthur realized though he inwardly didn't seem to care much if he did. Not like he could accuse him of anything.
They began helping the rescued captives, the acrid smell of discharged weapons and spilled krogan blood still hanging in the air. The asari mother held her daughter close, her voice trembling with relief as she thanked Castis profusely, the child's soft whimpers muffled against her chest. The turian acknowledged her gratitude with a respectful nod, the rigid formality of his posture never wavering, but his attention remained fixed on Arthur, who was examining the broken M-300 Claymore with undisguised curiosity.
Arthur's fingers traced the weapon's damaged components, feeling the rough edges where the krogan's grip had warped the metal. His eyes absorbed every detail of its construction, the weight distribution, the firing mechanism, the reinforced stock—all of it feeding into his mental database as if being scanned and categorized. What would it take to modify this for human use? he wondered, already feeling the familiar itch to tinker and improve.
As he looked on at the curious human, for the first time, Castis wondered exactly what kind of human the Systems Alliance had sent their way—and what other surprises he might be hiding beneath that unassuming exterior.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Arthur Morrigan's Traits and Levels
Core Attributes
Strength: 15/50
Your physical power is significantly above the human average, comparable to trained special forces or Krogan shock troops.
You can wield heavy weapons and melee tools without penalty.
Your strikes hit with bone-breaking force.
Carry capacity and armor handling are enhanced, including power-assisted exosuits.
Dexterity: 15/50
Your reflexes, hand-eye coordination, and agility rival elite pilots or martial artists.
You move fluidly through obstacles, combat zones, and parkour-style movement.
Firearm accuracy, reload speed, and melee counters improve noticeably.
Capable of dodging incoming fire with precision timing in close quarters.
Endurance: 15/50
Your body operates at a high level of stamina and resilience.
Extended firefights, long-distance running, and surviving harsh environments cause minimal fatigue.
Poison, radiation, and other environmental threats affect you far less.
Healing from injuries occurs faster even without potions or medigel.
Intelligence: 15/50
You process complex information with speed and clarity equal to advanced AI operators or scientist-commanders.
High-tier hacking, puzzle-solving, research, and multi-layered strategy become routine.
You can design high-complexity machinery, weapons, and starships faster.
You naturally detect logical flaws, battle patterns, or diplomatic loopholes others miss.
Willpower: 15/50
You exhibit formidable mental fortitude and psychic resistance.
Strong defense against fear, indoctrination, biotic domination, and even Reaper influence.
Biotic powers remain stable under pressure, allowing for longer chains of attacks or defense.
Capable of resisting pain, mental illusions, or psionic attacks that would cripple others.
Charisma: 15/50
Your social presence carries weight across species lines.
Persuasion, intimidation, seduction, and leadership options expand in conversations.
You gain easier access to political, criminal, or military channels.
Relationship meters with companions and NPC factions increase faster.
Luck: 15/50
Probability tilts in your favor more consistently now.
Rare loot, critical hits, jackpot events, and random quest triggers occur more frequently.
Situations tend to break in your favor even when logic suggests they shouldn’t.
You may stumble across secret items, hidden allies, or avoid death by inches without clear reason.
Primary Traits
- [Gamer's Mind]: Immunity to panic, fear, or mental interference. Cold calculation under pressure.
- [Gamer's Body]: Heals via rest or potions; stats govern physical and mental performance.
- [Interface HUD]: Sees XP gains, skill trees, threat levels, quest prompts, relationship meters.
- [Class System]: Can multi-class between Soldier, Vanguard, Engineer, Adept, or create hybrid builds.
- [Choice Echo]: Arthur's decisions ripple across the galaxy more strongly than others'. Even minor choices can diverge reality from canon.
Special Combat Trait
- [Singularity Core]: Biotic strength surpassing even Asari Matriarchs. Abilities can exceed the stat cap of Willpower, Singularity can absorb other biotic powers, passive barrier generation, and can develop original biotic powers.
Acquired Traits
Combat Traits
- [Mixed Martial Arts] – Level 5/10: Seamless integration of multiple combat disciplines. Enhanced unarmed effectiveness and counter reflexes.
Knowledge Traits
- [Galactic Scholar] – Level 10/10 (MAXED): +25% success on legal appeals and administrative bypasses. Can bypass checkpoints using obscure laws. Passive reputation bonus with legal officials.
- [Xenobiologist] – Level 10/10 (MAXED): Reveals weak points on alien species in combat. +10% effectiveness on first-aid and species-specific tactics.
- [Cultural Chameleon] – Level 10/10 (MAXED): +15% diplomacy success with all Citadel species. Access to culture-specific dialogue options.
- [Protocol Sync] – Level 10/10 (MAXED): +10 rapport bonus in formal interactions. Auto-calibrates body language to match listener's background.
- [Codex Archive] – Level 10/10 (MAXED): Instant access to information on any major species or law. Can scan NPCs for data on race, status, and affiliations.
Engineering Traits
- [Armsmith Ascendant] – Level 20/30: Master-level understanding of all handheld weaponry. Can forge programmable weapons, adaptive ammunition, and blend kinetic and energy mechanics.
- [Galactic Engineer] – Level 12/30: Can design stealth vessels, modular cruisers, and deployable stations from observation or blueprint analysis.
- [Drive Architect] – Level 12/30: Can construct Warp Drives and non-eezo-based propulsion systems with high reliability.
- [Macro-Structural Vision] – Level 12/30: Can design planetary megastructures, orbital cities, and Dyson-class infrastructure.
- [Planetary Defense Architect] – Level 12/30: Can create defensive architectures that automatically respond to threats using orbital AI-linked platforms.
- [Weaponsmith of the Void] – Level 12/30: Can design devastating ship weapons including torpedo racks, EMP net cannons, and gravity pulse lances.
- [Integrated Systems Mastery] – Level 12/30: Can create fully integrated AI-governed vessels with predictive repair and dynamic energy balance.
- [Reverse-Engineer] – Level 12/30: Can understand and repurpose complex alien tech, including Prothean, Geth, and advanced Reaper hardware.
Current Status
- Current Level: 8
- Available Attribute Points: 9
- Gacha Roll: Available
Custom Equipment
- Customized M-3 Predator – "Predator Mk. X": Heavily modified standard-issue pistol with smart kinetic core, modular barrel assembly, target-link HUD sync, omni-modular rail integration, biometric lock, and precision heat management.
Comments
Fortunis
Interesting. That hand gun is a beast for sure. One thing I'm curious about is how long is a C-Sec tour of duty? Because if I were Arthur I'd be saving my pennies. Or building patents to sell for simple items. Like minor Omnitool upgrades or C-Sec efficiency applications or programs. Easy generic stuff to make credits on so he can work towards his own ship when his tour is done. I mean, they literally conscripted him. plus hes wasted in C-Sec.
Pearl of the Orient
At this point the Citadel races will think the protagonist is a human bioengineered supersoldier. Sent as a warning. Now I'm imagining how many sleepless nights they'll spend trying to find the labs, secret projects and armies the SI came from.
Ronin Katarn
More of this please. Lol. Really loving the pace and character development you’ve got going. Can’t wait to see the fallout from this in the next couple chapters.
Pride
More please
Thomas Hearne
I'm curious how this story is going to be paced considering the MCs progression rate.
Thomas Hearne
MC is gonna complete all the side quests and achieve max level before the reapers even arrive. When they do I won't be surprised if they face weaponised Dyson Spheres.
Darth Vance
Plus, the fact he took down a Krogan in his first assignment...Yeah, there's no point in laying low anymore.
Darth Vance
Well, now that Castis has seen how he can handle Field work, he doesn't have a reason to not put Arthur out there, especially since it was Arthur's uniqueness that not only solved the case but bust an entire crime ring before anymore damage was done. The fact he was able do it all without breaking C-Sec protocol probably earned him points with Castis. I do wonder how Arthur's gonna put off the Asari officers questioning him about his Singularity in the long term because there is no way that's gonna go unnoticed for long. His goes completely against what they know about Biotics. Then again, the working story of this being the result of an accident does work in his favor.
Pearl of the Orient
fabric of his armor Metal. CSEC wears combat hardsuits. They don't wear fabric uniforms unless there is a public ceremony. Especially not when they're on active duty patrols and investigation. Is this supposed to be a possession story? This is the fifth time something else took control and he acted like a moronic berserker. His internal justifications and verbalized excuses are starting to sound trite and pro forma. At this rate he may as well just tell the world he's not a normal human. There's no point hiding it if he's going to start displaying his supernatural abilities the moment someone startles him.
Jar Jar Bingus
Time to print this off, chop into ultrafine powder and inhale; thanks for the chapter!
Xuzar Horan
Try telling an AI to translate "kichwa chake kilichukua vitu vyote kwa mbio na efficiency " Lol😭 someone make a better translator please.
Pearl of the Orient
mind absorbed every detail with almost frightening efficiency, Frightening capability navigate the vast sea of data with remarkable efficiency, Remarkable speed and ease reduce recoil completely.The Reduce what completely? You forgot a space after the period. maintenance catwalk" That's our suspect," Arthur whispered, focusing his enhanced vision on the krogan. "The residue on his armor matches what we found at the crime scene." You've created a plothole. The catwalks ingame are 50 to 100 feet above ground. Omnitool scanners only have a 6 foot range. practiced efficiency of experienced slavers I hate your translator's love of the word efficiency. It doesn’t even make sense in this context pulled the trigger again. Squeezed. You squeeze a trigger, pulling jerks the gun off target all of your terminals Omnitools. The terminals are at headquarters. Surpri ses Surprises
Gage Scott
Arthur needs to get permission to start overhauling C-Sec's body armor and weapons with non-eezo power systems. The sheer amount of eezo that can be recovered for other uses would be a major funding improvement for C-Sec, and give Arthur exactly the sort of social capital necessary to start meeting with the Council. The refit will cost more in the short term, but the long term cost reduction from less eezo used by C-Sec will be absolutely huge. The excess funding C-Sec won't need anymore could be put toward building more effective defense systems in preparation for the Reapers
Spider-manfav
Intriguing story your writing up. I love the mass effect series so I'm thankful that you've started getting into such an amazing universe. The gamer like system is interesting and showing how much Arthur stands out due to it.
Stanley Seymour
Thank you for the newest chapter. I am always looking forward to this story updating and it is a real treat to sit down and absorb. Keep up the amazing work and great writing on your part!
Arsylvos
Nice, would be surprised if he gets himself sone deadpool level regeneration
Zenith
yes more
PhotoStorm
nice work with that singerlaity. looking forward to seeing what he do with space magic.
