In the eighth episode of Secret Level, we're transported to the realm of Armored Core, where an aged augmentation patron at a dimly lit bar ignites a brawl. Swiftly, he's dispatched to the snowy ground with a resounding thud, while the Pilot, still leisurely puffing on his cigarette, chuckles dismissively. Disillusioned by the world that surrounds him, the Pilot finds solace only in the companionship of the "voice" echoing within his mind.
Just as the laughter fades, Dispatch interrupts with a mission, informing him that sunrise is but 40 minutes away and he must board the Shrieker before then. The target lies deep within the mountain's heart, and as the Pilot prepares for battle, we delve deeper into the mystery of the Voice. It seems to be a malfunction embedded within his brain, possibly an extension of the Shrieker itself. Yet, answers remain elusive, and the Pilot sets forth across the icy terrain towards his destination.
The action unfolds swiftly, with our protagonist decimating incoming foes with precision. Resources dwindling and hope fading, the Pilot manages to infiltrate his objective against all odds.
Inside, they've crashed into a clandestine laboratory, where their target reveals itself to be a mech suit, occupied by a fellow augmented human. It transpires that they sought not his demise but his assistance. However, the Pilot, consumed by his solitude, systematically dismantles his target, whispering, "Nobody's like me," before retreating into the shadows, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.
