Arknights: Mobile City

In that moment, Obsidian burst into cheers, sheer delight lighting up his face.

Strictly speaking, the results of these three gacha rolls weren't all that impressive in terms of rarity.

Just five basic Threads, two, red Identity Cards, and not a single gold-tier pull.

But what Obsidian saw in this draw… was a spark of hope.

At the very least, it offered him a fighting chance against the Food Chain. Even if it couldn't solve the problem once and for all, it gave him the means to buy time.

And right now, buying time was the best outcome he could hope for. In every sense of the word, time was hope.

He gathered the Threads, setting them aside to offer as payment to Texas later. Then, Obsidian turned his gaze to the two new red cards he'd pulled, considering how best to use them.

He needed to consolidate every resource he had and throw everything into resisting the Food Chain.

The good news? There was only one Food Chain. If this were Lobotomy Corporation, where monsters came in waves, he'd already be doomed.

What he'd just received weren't new technologies—they were two entirely new items.

[Full-Body Prosthetic: Standard Model]

[Identity Authorization Privilege]

To Obsidian, these two items were critical.

The first was a complete cybernetic body, capable of total human replacement. Once modified, it could eliminate the need for food and provide enhanced physical strength, requiring only electrical charging to function. It was similar to the prosthetics used by the Iron Brothers from the Library of Ruina. Though future upgrades would be limited by the base model's specs, for Obsidian, this was a gift in a snowstorm.

Because it gave him a fully controllable physical form. And thanks to the integrated voice system, he could even communicate through it—normally and fluently.

The second item, [Identity Authorization Privilege], was even more straightforward.

It allowed Obsidian to create a new identity, complete with all the necessary documentation and credentials. By assigning that identity to any entity, he could grant someone a legitimate, verifiable identity...

And the moment he saw both items together, Obsidian immediately came up with a plan.

He would control the prosthetic body with his consciousness, giving it an independent identity—and then assign it a legitimate background!

With that new identity, he could finally interact with the outside world in person!

I have to take the risk...

Obsidian leaned back slowly, lying on the bed, lost in thought.

What he lacked most now was resources.

And the fastest way to get them… was to trade for ready-made materials with the outside world.

If I can raise the number of Doubts to match the swarm from Fresh Food, I might stand a chance against the Food Chain. All I need… is enough materials.

In that instant, Obsidian finalized the plan.

He would use the two new items to create a new identity for himself, take a team of Doubts, leave the City, and head to the nearest major settlement to trade for steel resources.

He had the means to sell these constructs at a high price. What mattered now was how to position and execute the sale.

First, the identity he created had to be watertight. He couldn't afford to be careless.

After a long moment of contemplation, Obsidian stood up and looked at the prosthetic body before him. Humanoid in shape, it lacked facial features. Its entire frame was forged from steel, with only a pair of glowing eyes visible.

After a pause, he fetched a wide-brimmed cowboy hat and a traveler's outfit, dressing the body in something suitably nondescript.

Then, solemnly, he declared:

"From this moment forward… your identity is as a member of the City's most powerful corporate leadership—A Company. You are one of the highest-ranking figures in the organization, part of its core executive group: the Heads."

"Your codename is: Pioneer."

The moment he spoke, [Identity Authorization Privilege] activated. A flash of light erupted in his hand, and several documents appeared before him. A blank sheet materialized in the air.

Obsidian glanced at it and instantly understood—it was asking him to design a logo for A Company.

So this is required because the concept of A Company is being introduced for the first time… I need to flesh out the worldbuilding to complete the identity.

Letting out a slow breath, Obsidian casually sketched a cityscape beneath a starry sky.

One by one, the documents began to materialize: onboarding paperwork for A Company, credentials for a Head executive, and a full personnel file for Pioneer... All of them were fabricated, but airtight—no one would find flaws unless they came to the City and checked in person.

Thus, the figure standing before Obsidian became his new identity: [Head Executive · Pioneer].

The inspiration came from the urban mythos of his previous life. In that setting, the world was ruled by the Wings of the World—twenty-six massive conglomerates. And among them, the one in charge of maintaining global order was none other than A Company. Its top executives, the so-called Heads, orchestrated the continued survival of the City with tireless effort...

Of course, they were also the main reason the urban hellscape was such a cesspool.

After setting everything up, Obsidian diverted a portion of his consciousness and fully synchronized it with the prosthetic. Instantly, the eyes of the synthetic body lit up, glowing with a warm orange hue.

"Integration's stable. Battery's full."

A synthesized voice echoed from Pioneer's mouth as he flexed his limbs and began pacing around the room.

"Phew… It really does feel amazing to finally have a body."

Murmuring to himself, Pioneer stepped out of the wooden cabin and scanned his surroundings. Without hesitation, he headed toward the edge of the human-activity zone.

Grip strength's around 200 kilograms, kick force about 350. Stronger than the Iron Brothers by a fair margin—but still no match for Texas's Thumb identity.

Compared to standard full-body prosthetics of the same tier, its main advantage was the built-in solar generator. If it ran out of power in the wilderness, it only needed a day of sunlight to recharge halfway.

With that, its endurance saw a significant boost. On sunny days, one full charge every three days was more than enough.

Strictly speaking, this was Obsidian's first true physical body.

Pioneer made his way to the edge of the City. Behind him, ten Doubts lined up in formation—his trade goods for the journey ahead.

This will be enough. It has to be enough to barter for the resources I need…

Light gleamed in Pioneer's eyes as a steady stream of resolve surged through his mind.

The City has been moving for a while. By now, it should be close to Victoria…

Gazing out at the wildlands beyond, Pioneer muttered to himself. Then, stepping off the platform, he and his squad of Doubts descended into the dusty expanse.

Everywhere he looked, the terrain was coated in yellow sand and loose earth. The wind whipped the dust into the air, dyeing the sky a muted ochre. Tumbleweeds drifted lazily across the ground. Pioneer pulled his cowboy hat low over his eyes.

This… was the Outskirts.

And his next destination—was Victoria.

To secure the resources they needed.