No easy, instant popup here. The game had great immersion. Each system with its own effect. And so, the multitude of creepy legs sewed the selected Artefacts over, and into, Enoch.

The legs constructed the items in tiny blocks who stuck together with a magnetic effect. An articulated tube spread a paste of mineral clay over the structure. Prodding limbs sent sparks of Mana into it. The energy tingled Enoch as it hardened the material.

Some of the building blocks had sockets to receive mechanical parts. With that base, the Enchanter Drone made a mesh of copper wires, mana batteries and gears. Over time, a shape emerged, glowing neon rainbow. It buzzed to a soft hum.

It didn’t take too long for the messy part. Spikes of sharp pain then back to the inorganic components.

Grinders and limes polished, dirt and scrum vacuumed away in big glass tube. Then on to sprays of white paint.

Nothing pleasant about the process. Contrived in a steel giant. The air heavy with a strong spicy sent. Cramped. No real danger from the game per say. Only to his rebelling mind. The surrounding appendages slithered, stung, went against his monkey brain’s instinct.

Enoch closed his eyes. Concentrated on his breath, read the chat.

“I never saw that event in game. Strange camera work.”

“So creepy. I couldn’t do it.” Tip | 12$

“With that kind of loot, he and Art Delvers are going to shoot way past the other players.”

It lasted way too long. The tune in Enoch’s mind playing tribal drums as a beating heart. The prodding legs were all around his face now, dialing the discomfort to 11. Enoch reduced to breathing with short, contrived breaths to calm himself. Then, suddenly, the limbs all clicked away, and the hatch opened. Done.

Enoch rolled his shoulder, stretched his arms, cracked his neck, and, finally, exited the cranny. His magical limp came out first. Enamel paint, dull white, vaguely shaped as a human leg, reconstructed by a visionary designer. Flexible blades bent inside the structural mesh, articulated at five major points and countless minor ones. Mana batteries, pressure chambers, interlocking cylinders. It was, in short, cool.

Followed his other leg, identical. He had, madly, sacrificed his one good leg to assure a perfect synergy between his two Mobility engines.

Completely in the open now, he saw the world through a layer of thick, transparent metal. A helm like no other. Sleek, with matching white paint. It protected his whole head. Same material as the drones. A unique alloy. Heavier than steel. Much more durable. Built to host a spirit for eternity.

The drones cheered with their mind. Art Delvers clapped. The humans NPCs clapped.

Achievement unlocked | Craftborg

Your weak flesh replaced by an articulated alloy, upgraded by an Artifact. Biology obsolete. Rejoice in your mechanical glory.

Reward | 2500 XP

***

The live audience clapped. Enoch’s exit displayed in all its glory on the stage’s main screen. They had seen him lose his leg about two hours ago in one of the highlights. Seen him vaporize an army of mutants with a bundle of wand, dodge some of the most dangerous known traps, blink all around the last stand of a dying group of NPCs. Seen Art Delvers’ dramatic arrival.

They clapped. Relived for his leg. Curious of what was to come.

The celeb host looked at the live caster, seated beside her at the same oblong desk. She said, “the sheer level of his abilities let him reach that point. We wonder now, what will he do with his newfound powers?”