Chapter 387: Salvation


Alex Kerber: Lvl 6


HP: 243/373, MP: 230/373 AURA: 102/263 SHIELDS: 350/350


Alex decides to use up one dose of [Medigel], not wanting to take any unnecessary risks.


You have recovered 50 HP


You have recovered 50 HP


You have recovered 50 HP


You have recovered 50 HP


Refreshed, Alex rushes back up the platform, eyes locked on Benezia, who still hides behind her shimmering barrier.


Her gaze is full of hate as she launches another Warp at him. This time, Alex reacts quickly—jumping off the platform and dashing behind the giant cage. The biotic projectile slams harmlessly against the protected cage, not able to damage it.


From his cover, he glances around—and freezes.


Ashley and Kaidan are lying behind a crate, not moving.


No!


His feet move before his mind can fully process, sprinting toward them as a lone Asari Commando walks toward their position, clearly intent on finishing the job.


She sees him coming and hurls a Warp his way. Alex desperately blocks with his sword, but the ability still deals devastating damage to his shields, breaking almost half of them.


You have received 166 damage (blocked by shields)


[Executioner’s Blade R2]


Durability: 88/120 (Can’t be destroyed)


The sword’s damaged. Fine. I’ll repair it with your blood!


The Commando opens fire in desperation—two bullets land—but Alex surges forward, activating Nen for support and launching himself into the air.


You have received 55 damage (blocked by shields)


You have received 44 damage (blocked by shields)


Mid-flight, he prepares a Flying Thundara Sword, aiming to end her before she can react.


At the last second, she erects a biotic Barrier, her teeth clenched as she braces for impact.


You have dealt 144 + 126 = 270 damage to Asari Commando


The impact shatters her shields and barrier—but she’s still standing, seemingly not that hurt.


Still airborne, Alex twists and slashes down again.


She tries to repel him with a Push, but he powers through it, bringing his blade down—slicing through her left arm, before landing.


You have dealt 89 damage to Asari Commando


You have crippled Asari Commando (left hand)


You have caused bleeding


She screams, blood spraying, and fires her rifle wildly with her one remaining hand. The shots go wide and miss their target.


Alex wastes no time. He finishes her with a clean, horizontal slash.


You have dealt 81 damage to Asari Commando


You have killed Asari Commando


Panting, exhausted, Alex stares at the aftermath.


Kaidan and Ashley are conscious now, each using [Medigel], but they’re in bad shape—Ashley clutches her stomach, while Kaidan's pale face is visible even through his helmet.


“Lie down and take cover! I got it!” Alex shouts.


Ashley lowers her head silently. Kaidan gives him a weak nod, acknowledging his words.


Alex turns and scans the battlefield. Shepard, Wrex, Liara, Tali, and Garrus are finishing off the last of the Geth and Commandos—though several of them look almost as battered as Kaidan and Ashley.


He rushes back toward the main platform.


Benezia’s expression looks visibly strained as she collapses onto the ground for a second, her barrier now gone. Her knee drops to the floor as she’s surrounded by the entire crew, except Kaidan, Ashley, and Garrus, who’s tending to both his own wounds and theirs.


Kneeling down, with her barrier gone, she’s now exposed, drained, unprotected, and helplessly outnumbered.


Her voice trembles, but her words remain sharp. “This is not over. Saren is unstoppable. My mind is filled with his light. Everything… is clear.”


“I expected better from Asari Commandos,” Shepard says, raising her gun with a wry, mischievous smile.


Benezia’s expression turns and he leans on top of the control board for the Rachni Queen. “I will not betray him. You will— You…”


Suddenly, her hate-filled demeanor changes into one of desperation. “You must listen. Saren still whispers in my mind. I can fight his compulsions. Briefly. But the indoctrination is strong!”


“Mother?!” Liara asks her eyes filled with hope, but Shepard stretches out her free hand to hold her back, her gun still aimed at her.


“Why are you able to break free of his control now?” Shepard questions her.


Benezia speaks in a calm voice, “I sealed a part of my mind away from the indoctrination. Saving it for a moment when I could help destroy him. It will not last long.”


Shepard doesn’t seem sympathetic as she says, “You chose to join with Saren. You just got more than you bargained for.”


“Right, Shepard, these foolish regrets are laughable,” Wrex steps forward, his face bloody. “Killing you will be enough to calm me down until we can get rid of Saren. Do you want to do the honor, Human?” He then looks at the clueless Alex, who says nothing and just shrugs.


Not really time for that Wrex… he looks angry, looks like even he came close to dying.


“Shut up! Not without my command! What do you have to say, Benezia?” Shepard says in a commanding tone.


“It is a terror to be trapped in your mind. To beat upon the glass as your hands torture and murder. I was powerless—nothing but a tool for Saren. He sent me here to find the location of the Mu Relay. Its position was lost thousands of years ago.”


“Explain, how does something that big go missing?” Shepard asks, her gun still aimed at her.


“Four thousand years ago, a star nearby went supernova. The shockwave propelled the relay out of its system, but did not damage it. Its precise vector and speed are impossible to determine. As millennia passed, the nebula created by the nova enveloped the relay. It is difficult to find any cold object in interstellar space. Particularly something swathed in hot dust and radiation.” Benezia explains.


“She is not wrong,” Liara confirms, nodding at Shepard.


“Tell me where the Mu gate is before I lose my temper. You can atone for your actions by giving it to me!” Shepard asks.


“Of course, Commander,” Benezia says, slowly walking towards Shepard with no fear in her eyes. Her figure, even graceful..


[Forceful Recruitment Token]


World: Fantasy Realm


Quality: Purple


Effect: Allows the user to try to forcefully recruit a Character, allowing him to become a permanent Follower and join the player in the Realm as a Supporter. The base chance of success is 10% for Purple Quality followers, 40% for Blue Quality followers, and 80% for Green Quality Followers. Success is guaranteed on Light-Green characters or below. It does not work on Light-Gold Quality Characters or above. Each attempt uses up a Medium Soul Crystal, and this item can only be used once on every character.


Note: You don’t need to rely on Destiny to recruit your comrades! Non-tradable.It can be used endlessly as long as the effect is not successful. After a successful activation, this item will be used up.


Why would I even…? She’s powerful, sure, but—


“PLEASE!!” Liara begs again, shaking him, her eyes full of tears.


Alex freezes. Something stirs inside him—her desperation hits him hard.


“Stand down, Liara! I’m ordering you to stop!” Shepard yells, voice rising.


“Alex!!” Liara screams in desperation.


“I…” Alex stammers.


Fine! I haven’t thought about it but… worth a try! System use [Forceful Recruitment Token]on Benezia now!


You have lost 1 Soul Crystal (Medium)


[Player has activated [Forceful Recruitment Token] on Benezia]


[Checking Benezia’s status:


NPC Quality: Deep Purple — Chance of Recruitment 5%


NPC Status: Close to dying — Unable to suppress [Forceful Recruitment Token]]


[Checking Result…]


[Benezia has been recruited as a Follower. Due to the Follower’s Status, she will be immediately returned to the Realm.]


Benezia, close to death, asks, “No light? They always said there would be a—ah… there it is!” Her momentary desperation turns into salvation as she smiles and closes her eyes.


Suddenly, a light erupts from her and shoots into the space, disappearing in less than a second.


To Alex's surprise, her dead body is left behind… but more importantly, Alex sees a Golden Chest appear on her!


Jackpot!