《Another Terror Infinity Fan Fiction》 Ch.1 I awaken to the sound of silence. That might sound strange to some people, but I have always had a hard time sleeping if there isn¡¯t any ambient noise. What greets my eyes isn¡¯t the familiar sight of my dorm but a steel wall, the next thing I notice is how uncomfortable the thing I¡¯m laying down on is. As I slowly get up, rubbing my eyes in the hope that they will stop hurting, I look around. What I thought was a wall was actually steel containers stacked on top of each other. The stack reached to the top of the ceiling, which was around 25 ft tall and made of steel grates. Lights were periodically placed on the ceiling but I can only see two so that might not be the case. ¡°Uhhhhhhhh.¡± I looked down as I hear a groan escape someone¡¯s lips Only then do I notice the six other people laying on the floor, which was made of the same grates as the ceiling. ¡®Huh, so that¡¯s why I was so uncomfortable.¡¯ The person who groaned was slowly rising from the ground, as they turn to look at me I see it is a middle aged man with short grey hair and a suit. He looks confused for a couple seconds then asks me,¡± Who the hell are you?¡± ¡°My names Joshua but you can call me Josh,¡± I answer back. ¡°Well, Josh, what the hell is going on?¡± asks the middle aged man. ¡°I don¡¯t know, I only woke up a little while before you so I¡¯m just as clueless as everybody else.¡± I answer back. ¡®Jeez, he¡¯s a little rude. He didn¡¯t even give me his name after demanding mine.¡¯ ¡°Everybody else?¡± Only then does he realize we aren¡¯t the only two people in the room. ¡°By the way, you haven¡¯t given me your name yet.¡± I say. ¡°Oh right, I forgot to tell you my name. I¡¯m Bill.¡± Bill says then holds out his hand.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. I grab his hand and we shake. ¡®Remember Josh, firm not weak. Weak hand shakes leave bad impressions.¡¯ ¡°Sorry about being rude just now,¡± Bill says. ¡°You can probably understand why I¡¯m a bit on edge.¡± I nod. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± As we finish speaking the others start to wake up. ¡®Two more men and three women. Interesting, I wonder why a kidnapper would leave us all in the same room without being restrained. Unless we haven¡¯t been kidnapped and this is something else entirely, but what else.¡¯ ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± One of the two other men ask. This man is fairly tall with a muscular body, chiseled jaw, short blonde hair, and blue eyes. ¡®Jesus he is like a walking stereotype.¡¯ The other man is almost as tall as the first one but is a lot leaner he has brown hair that comes down around his eyes, his features are obscured by his hair. ¡®I¡¯ve never been good at reading people but if I had to guess he¡¯s probably a loner.¡¯ ¡°We don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on.¡± Bill says. ¡®I¡¯ll let Bill handle this he seems like the leader type and I¡¯m not necessarily the most charismatic of people.¡¯ ¡°Bullshit, if you didn¡¯t know anything then what were you two just talking about!¡± Mr.Walking Stereotype yells. ¡®Wow, not even a minute and everything has gone downhill.¡¯ ¡°I said we don¡¯t know anything punk. You should show more respect to your elders.¡± Bill responds with a raised voice. ¡°What did you just call me old man? You know what Fuck this I¡¯m leaving!¡± Mr.Stereotype starts to walk away but doesn¡¯t get far as he hits something and is knocked down. ¡°WHO DID THAT?¡± he yells from his position on the ground. ¡°NO ONE MAKES A FOOL OF ME!¡± Immediately he gets up and tries get past again but is knocked down again. ¡°What do you think is stopping him from getting away?¡± I turn to Bill and ask. ¡°I don¡¯t know but whatever it is I¡¯m glad it¡¯s there.¡±Bill says not bothering to hide the grin on his face and amusement in his voice. All of the noise caused by Mr.Stereotype caused the women who were still on the ground to wake up. All three of them looked around in a daze then screamed. ¡°AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.¡± ¡®My ears.¡¯ ¡°Jesus Christ stop screaming!¡± Bill shouts but that only seems to make it worse. ¡®Mission start.¡¯ A mechanical voice sounds in my head and by the looks on everyone else''s faces theirs too. Ch.2 ¡°What was that?¡± Bill asks. ¡°You heard it too?¡± I ask back. ¡°Yeah.¡± Bill responds. ¡°Interesting, well I don¡¯t know what it was but what interests me more is what it said.¡± I say to Bill. ¡°Yeah, I wonder what it meant?¡± Bill says while placing a hand on his chin. ¡°FINALLY! WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU YOU¡¯LL WISH YOU WERE DEAD YOU BASTARD!¡± I look over to see Mr.Stereotype run off while yelling at the top of his lungs. ¡°Should we go after him?¡± I ask Bill. ¡®I really don¡¯t want to go after him, but I have to at least appear to care.¡¯ ¡°No, if he wants to get lost let him. Shows him right for disrespecting me.¡± Bills says, with a grin. ¡®Looks like me and Bill are on the same page.¡¯ ¡°Ok.¡± I respond. As Bill and I are talking the thin dude casually walks away in the opposite direction from Mr.Stereotype. ¡°So, back to what we were talking about before, what do you think the voice meant by ¡®Mission start¡¯?¡± I ask Bill. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I think we should really worry about how to get out of here. Where ever ¡®here¡¯ is.¡± Bill answers. As Bill is talking the 3 woman on the floor get up and run off.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. ¡°You¡¯re probably right, so which direction should we go. Right or Left?¡± I say while pointing between the 2 directions. ¡°We don¡¯t really have any information to go off of so we might as well just pick at random.¡± Bill says then starts walking the way the thin dude walked, which is the left. ¡®Well I don¡¯t really want to go off on my own so I might as well follow him.¡¯ I quickly start walking and catch up to Bill. We walk in silence for a couple minutes until Bill asks, ¡±So, Josh, where are you from?¡± ¡°Hmm. Oh, I¡¯m from New Mexico and you?¡± I respond. ¡°I¡¯m from Illinois, specifically I¡¯m from Chicago.¡± He answers back. After that we walked another couple minutes in silence. ¡°You really aren¡¯t a talkative one are you kid?¡± Bill says a little annoyance in his voice. ¡°Sorry I¡¯m a bit awkward. I don¡¯t really talk to people much.¡± I say while I rub the back of my neck, more than a tinge of red on my face. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Bill sighs and we go back to walking. ¡°Hey Bi ¡°AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH¡± A scream rings out cutting me off. ¡°What was that?¡± Bill asks as he turns towards where he heard the scream. ¡°I don¡¯t know, do you think we should check it out?¡± I ask. ¡®I hope he doesn¡¯t want to check it out. That¡¯s just asking for trouble.¡¯ ¡°Let¡¯s go and see what happened.¡± With that Bill starts to run towards the source of the scream. ¡°BIll. Jeez, WAIT UP.¡± I say as I run after him. It only takes me a minute to catch up to him. I almost run into him because he stopped abruptly. ¡°Bill why did you¡­¡± I stop as I see what lays on the floor in front of us. Blood runs through the grates on the floor exiting from a mass of flesh, organs, and bones. What used to be the chest was a hole, expelling blood like a dam that had burst. What once was an organised and efficient system of organs, blood vessels, and nerves was now a thick bloody pulp. I could still see the expression of pure horror on his pale face, now colored only by bits of viscera and blood. ¡°Oh God.¡± I fell on my knees letting go of what remained in my stomach after a night of rest. Bill just continued to look at the corpse, not moving a muscle. After awhile nothing comes out and I just stare at the ground, until a hand appears in my vision. I look up to see Bill standing in front of me, hand offered, and back to the ¡®mess¡¯. ¡°Come on kid, get up, we need to go before whatever did that comes back.¡± He says in a soft but firm voice. ¡°Ok.¡± I respond quietly. I take his hand and get up. I stand there for a second staring blankly at the floor. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Bill says then puts his hand around my shoulder and leads me away from the ¡®mess¡¯. Ch.3 Bill and I walked in silence, both of us in deep thought. My mind keeps going back to that scene, back to that face, back to those eyes. ¡®Is that going to be me? Torn open and slumped against a wall, with no one to mourn me? Does it even matter, I mean even if there was someone who cared about me I would only cause them pain. Maybe it¡¯s for the best that I have no one who cares about me?¡¯ Deeper and deeper my mind went into an ocean of dark thoughts. ¡°We¡¯re going to be fine Josh.¡± Bill says pulling me from the cold depths of my thoughts. ¡°We¡¯re not going to end up like him. We¡¯re going to survive this, whatever it is, and make it back in one piece.¡± ¡°How can you be so sure Bill.¡± I ask. ¡°How do you know that we¡¯ll get out of here.¡± ¡°Josh, I don¡¯t know, but I can¡¯t just give up hope. If I give up hope then there is no way I¡¯m surviving, but if I have hope and I keep on trying then at least there is a chance that I will survive even if it is 1%.¡± Bill responds. ¡°I know that what we saw terrifies you, but we can¡¯t let despair take us, now stop moping and let¡¯s figure out how to survive!¡± ¡°Sorry Bill, it¡¯s just I don¡¯t know what to think after seeing what happened to the thin dude. Jesus, I don¡¯t even know his name.¡± I look down at my hands in dismay at that thought. ¡°I know Josh, no one should have to see something like that but we need to get ourselves together if we want to survive. The thing that got him could just as easily get us so we need to do something before that happens. After we survive we¡¯ll have time to reflect, but not now.¡± Bill says placing one hand on my shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re right Bill.¡± I stand up straight. ¡°Sorry again for breaking down like that.¡± ¡°Stop apologizing kid your reaction was normal.¡± Bill assures me. ¡°Right, so what should we do?¡± I ask Bill. ¡°Well, first things first, we need to find weapons to defend ourselves, after that we should try to find a place to hold out until someone comes to help us, and if no help comes we¡¯ll need to find a way out.¡± Bill responds. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡°Why can¡¯t we just try to find a way out now instead of waiting for someone to come help us?¡± I ask. ¡° Remember kid there is something out there hunting us and that thing has the ability to kill a man in seconds. Do you really want to face that?¡± Bill asks. I shake my head. ¡°I thought so, let¡¯s get a move on.¡± Bill and I begin walking again, this time with a renewed sense of purpose. We continue walking through corridors of steel crates in search of a means to defend ourselves. Unsurprisingly we find nothing but we continue searching. Seconds pass, then minutes, slowly time ticks on until an hour had passed. ¡°I don¡¯t think we¡¯re going to find anything around here Bill.¡± I say to Bill as we continue walking. ¡°We can¡¯t just give up now. We must continue searching, NO MATTER WHAT!¡± Bill responds while speeding up his walking pace. ¡°Bill it¡¯s been an hour and we haven¡¯t found anything. I know that you don¡¯t want to give up, but we need to be realistic here.¡± I tell him as I speed up to match his pace. ¡°We should try to find the others, who knows maybe they have found weapons already?¡± ¡°You talk about being realistic but do you really think we can find the others in here. Unless you¡¯ve been keeping track of the way we¡¯ve been going it will be near impossible to get back to the place we all started at. This place is like a maze. All of the corridors look the same with the same steel containers stacked to the ceiling and the same lights on the ceiling.¡± Bill responds while speeding up to a jog. ¡®He¡¯s right, it would be impossible to get back to our starting spot.¡¯ I sigh. ¡®Besides we would have to pass the body again to get back.¡¯ Shuddering at the images rushing back into my head I try to think about something else. We jog in silence, passing row after row of steel containers. ¡®Everything looks the same. No matter how many containers we pass, no matter how fast we jog, it all looks the same. Why, why is this place so confusing? What is the point in making this like a maze? Is it to stop us from getting out?¡¯ I keep asking myself questions to pass the time. ¡®Maybe it¡¯s not to stop us from getting out, but that thing, whatever it is, that got the thin dude. It¡¯s pointless to speculate on things like that. I need to focus on the task at hand, even if that is also pointless.¡¯ ¡°Thump¡± ¡°What was that?¡± Bill looks back and asks. ¡°What was what?¡± I question. I look behind me and see nothing. ¡°I heard something.¡± Bill insists, slowing down his pace he turns around and starts to scan the steel containers. ¡°Are you sure you heard something Bill?¡± I slow down and turn around. ¡°We¡¯re both at our wits end Bill maybe it was just your mind playing tricks on you?¡± ¡°No, I definitely heard something.¡± Bill insists slowing down further. ¡°Well if you really did hear something we shouldn¡¯t be slowing down.¡± I say. I start to turn around and that¡¯s when I see it. Ch.4 A pure black domed eyeless head greets me as I turn around. Saliva drips from its maw, which contain teeth like nails, inside the mouth of the creature I can see what looks like a tiny version of its head. ¡°SHIT!¡± I yell as I try to back away from it. It lunges at me with incredible speed and I¡¯m only able to move my body a little to the side before it hits me. The creature slams into me with what feels like the force of a truck. I crash into the steel container right next to me with the creature on top of me. It presses down on me with its arms making sure I can¡¯t move. It opens its mouth and the head like tongue shoots towards my face. ¡°Thump¡± The creature is tackled off me by Bill. Bill quickly gets up and starts running away from the creature. ¡°RUN JOSH!¡± Bill yells as he passes me. With my body pumped full of adrenaline I quickly get up and start sprinting after Bill. We continue sprinting past steel container after steel container until we can¡¯t anymore. ¡°Bill¡­ I¡­ think¡­ we¡­ should¡­ rest¡­ a¡­ bit.¡± I manage to say in between gasps for air. ¡°Yeah.¡± Bill responds as he slumps to the ground. I join him and we sit in silence as we slowly regain our breathe. After awhile I break the silence, ¡±What the hell was that thing¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Bill responds. We continue to sit and rest. ¡®I almost died back there.¡¯ I reflect. ¡®If Bill hadn¡¯t been there I would have ended up as a pile of viscera on the floor just like thin dude.¡¯ ¡°Thank you Bill.¡± I say. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I only did what anyone else would¡¯ve done.¡± Bill responds.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°Bill, you just as easily could have run while that thing was busy with me. You put your life at risk by tackling that thing and helping me. Why would you do that?¡± I ask. ¡°Because if I just left you I wouldn¡¯t have been able to live with myself.¡± Bill responds. ¡°You¡¯re a good guy Bill.¡± I say. We sit in silence with only the sound of our breathing to break it. Time ticks by slowly and the pain from the earlier confrontation starts to wash over me. ¡®I can feel a dull pain on the back of my head but that is overshadowed by the stabbing pain in my side. Everytime I breathe it feels like someone is stabbing me with a knife.¡¯ I lift my shirt up to check out my side. What greets me is a deep purple area the size of a hand. ¡®I probably broke a rib or two. I¡¯m glad I was to focused on running away to notice. If I had felt like this earlier I probably wouldn¡¯t have been able to make it.¡¯ ¡°That looks pretty nasty kid. I guess that thing did a number on you.¡± Bill says breaking our silence. ¡°Yeah, I probably have a broken rib.¡± I say. ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound to good.¡± Bill says. ¡°Yeah.¡± I respond. ¡°Do you think you can move around or is the pain too much?¡± Bill asks. ¡°I should be able to move, it didn¡¯t get my leg after all.¡± I respond. ¡°Good, we should start moving in case that thing is still following us.¡± Bill says. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m surprised it didn¡¯t catch up to us.¡± I agree with him. ¡°Maybe you hurt it Bill.¡± ¡°Huh, I doubt it.¡± Bill says with a sigh. Bill stands up and offers me his hand. I gladly take it and he heaves me up. ¡°Fuck.¡± I whisper as the force needed to get me off my ass sends more knifes of pain into my side. ¡°You really sure you can move?¡± Bill asks again. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m just being a little bitch.¡± I say trying to play down the agony my side is causing me. ¡°Ok.¡± Bill says. ¡°Don¡¯t push yourself to hard.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t, besides the pain reminds me I¡¯m still alive.¡± I respond. Bill and I walk side by side as he supports me with his arm. Our wandering is cut short as I hear something. ¡°Thump.¡± I turn my head as a sense of dread fills me. My worst fears become reality as I see the quickly advancing form of the creature. ¡°Bill ru¡± I¡¯m cut off as Bill pushes me behind him as he turns. Bill doesn¡¯t complete the turn as the creature descends upon him. My last sight is that of Bill being pierced by the tongue of the creature then everything turns black. Ch.5 I awaken from unconsciousness to find myself floating above a white platform. A set of stairs lead up to the platform and below the platform there is an empty white room with 20 doors along its walls. ¡®Where am I? What happened to Bill? The last thing I remember¡­¡¯ In that moment it all comes back to me. ¡°BILL!¡± I scream out unable to control the tears that flow down my face. ¡®Why Bill? Why would you do that for me? We only just met yet you gave your life to protect me.¡¯ After awhile I am let down from the beam of light that had kept me floating in the air, as I am let down I fall to my knees and bury my face into my hands. I stay like this until I can cry no more tears. ¡®I won¡¯t forget what you did for me Bill! Never! I won¡¯t let your sacrifice be in vain. I will live, not only for me, but for you too Bill.¡¯ After I make my pledge I head to one of the doors, mentally exhausted from what has transpired these last couple hours. When I placed my hand on the door knob a mechanical voice sounded in my head. ¡®Please imagine a room.¡¯ ¡°Who said that.¡± I say as I look around the room. After looking and finding no one I try to open the door again. ¡®Please imagine a room.¡¯ The mechanical voice prompted. .¡¯Where is that voice coming from?¡¯ I look around again and find no one, again. I then look at the door knob. ¡®Well it did speak every time I tried to open the door. Maybe I should listen to it.¡¯ As I place my hand on the door knob the voice rings again but this time I follow its instructions. I imagine my dorm room with my bed, dresser, desk, desk chair, computer, bookshelf and bathroom. Then I tried to open the door for a fourth time and it finally budged. What greeted me was an exact replica of my dorm room that I imagined, except there was one more door. ¡®I didn¡¯t imagine that.¡¯ I went to the door and tried to open it. ¡®Please imagine a basement.¡¯ The mechanical voice said. ¡®Interesting, I wonder what the purpose of the basement could be? Wait, I¡¯m getting ahead of myself. How could it even create this room from my thoughts?¡¯ It was at that moment I realized something. ¡® Why am I not in any pain?¡¯ I look down at my side and pull up my shirt only to see my injury is gone. ¡®How? This is so confusing. Wait, there is an even bigger question. How did I even get here?¡¯ It was at that moment that I noticed the black watch on my wrist. ¡®What is this? I don¡¯t remember having a watch like this.¡¯ The black watch was made of a black metal and I could see no noticeable breaks in its surface indicating a clasp to keep it on. Where there would normally be a clock the black watch had a screen, like an apple watch. I pressed the screen and it turned on. I looked at the screen.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Stats Points Enhancements Mission ¡®What does this all mean? I guess only one way to find out.¡¯ I clicked on the word stats. Joshua Peterson Intelligence- 115 Mental Capacity- 106 Cell Vitality- 95 Reaction Speed- 92 Muscle Density- 90 Immunization Strength- 94 ¡®Is this some sort of joke? This is an rpg status screen. Why would the watch show this to me. Unless these are my stats? Damn I feel like an idiot for not realizing it immediately. Well, this is me I guess. It looks accurate to me at least. Considering I¡¯m not the most physically gifted of individuals.¡¯ After looking at my stats for awhile I clicked the back arrow at the top of the screen and clicked on Points. Points- 990 Ranked Rewards D- 0 C- 0 B- 0 A- 0 S- 0 ¡®I wonder what these points and Ranked Rewards are used for? Why do I have 990 points? That seems like an oddly specific number. Wait, maybe those points were used to heal me. Now that I think back to it when I first woke up I was floating above the ground in a light beam. At the time I was too confused to think much of it but now. Well, I¡¯ll look into that strange light later I need to check out the other menus now.¡¯ I exited out of the points screen and clicked the Enhancements screen. Enhancements- None ¡®This just keeps getting more confusing.¡¯ Seeing nothing of use on the screen I exit out and check the final menu. Missions- None Time Until Next Mission- 9d 22h 45m 37s ¡®What does it mean by missions? Looking at the time I only have less than 10 days to get ready for it. What will happen after the 10 days are up? The more I learn the more confusing everything gets.¡¯ I take a seat at my desk and put my head into my hands. ¡®I wish Bill was here. He¡¯d know what to do.¡¯ With that thought tears begin to stream down my face. ¡®It¡¯s all my fault.¡¯ Suggestions Please Leave suggestions for characters, itmes, and enhancements in the comments below. FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLEFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERRFILLERFILLERFILLEREnjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. FILLERFILLERFILLERwambatFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER Ch.6 I get up from my desk chair having cried all the tears I could for the second time that day. ¡®I better go check out what¡¯s outside my room and see if I missed anything.¡¯ I walk out the door I left open and take a look outside my room. What greets me is the same white room with doors, a set of stairs, and platform, but I see something I didn¡¯t notice before. A giant white ball floats above the platform. ¡®I guess I missed that because I never bothered to check what was behind me on the platform.¡¯ I close the door to my room and travel across the room and up the stairs to the white ball. The moment I get within 5ft of the white ball a screen appears in front of me. Exchange System Sci-fi Weapons Magical Items Support Items Entertainment ¡®My theory about the points seems to be right, so this is where I can spend them and judging by the different categories healing is not the only thing I can spend points on.¡¯ I look at the 4 categories. ¡®Which should I look at first? Might as well go from the top.¡¯ I place my finger on the Sci-fi Weapons category. When I clicked on it page after page of weapons from different sci-fi universes appeared. ¡®Wow there are so many. How will I ever get through this many? Wait, before I get to excited I should check if I can search for specific weapons or maybe different types of weapons. Ok, let¡¯s start with something basic. The stormtrooper blaster from Star Wars.¡¯ When I thought of that a page came up. E-11 Blaster Rifle Rating:20This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Useful at mid to long range the E-11 Blaster Rifle fires beams of charged particles. The E-11 Blaster Rifle has three settings semi-automatic, fully automatic, and pulse and can fire a variety of ammunition. Cost: 150p ¡®Looks like I can search for specific things. Good. I wonder if they have something else. Imperial Lasgun.¡¯ Imperial Lasgun (M35 M-Galaxy Short Pattern) Rating:20 Useful at mid to long range the Imperial Lasgun fires focused beams of light capable of doing damage to lightly armored foes. The Imperial Lasgun has 2 fire modes single shot and fully automatic with shot intensity from low to high. Cost: 150p ¡®It does have 40k items. Great! I wonder what else it has.¡¯ That¡¯s when I look under the Lasgun and see an Infinite Ammo Lasgun. ¡®I don¡¯t remember that in the lore?¡¯ I look at the description. ¡®The only difference I can see is that it has infinite ammo, costs more points, and a D Ranked Reward. A D Ranked Reward? I wonder how I get ranked rewards? Well that¡¯s a question for another time.¡¯ I exit out of the Sci-fi weapons menu. I go to the next category, Magical Items. What I find are pages upon pages of magical items. ¡®Go figure there are magic items in the Magic Item menu, but why are they so expensive.¡¯ They require a lot more points and almost all of them require ranked rewards. ¡®I guess now¡¯s the best time to see if I can narrow searches down by price. Show items without Ranked Rewards and under 100 Points.¡¯ As I thought about what I wanted the list shrank. ¡®I guess I can do that to.¡¯ I look at the items that are left and it¡¯s only a few pages. ¡®Magic Bullets, those look interesting, but I¡¯ll have to look at them later right now I need to check out the other categories.¡¯ I exit out the Magical Items menu and go to Support Items. In the Support Items category I find many different things ranging from simple bandages and med kits to genetic mutations such as a Spiderman mutation and a Vampire mutation. ¡®Wow, there is so much stuff, but all the good stuff requires Ranked Rewards.¡¯ After browsing for a bit I exit out of the Support Items menu and go to the final menu. In the Entertainment category there were things for entertainment like food, drinks, alcohol, and even drugs but what interested me the most was that I could buy days in previous worlds. Not only could I buy days in previous worlds but I could buy my freedom from this place. ¡®I can get out of here.¡¯ I was so excited that I immediately clicked on it. ¡°50,000 POINTS. WHAT THE FUCK.¡± I yell. ¡°HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO GET 50,000 POINTS.¡± For the third time that day I placed my head in my hands and cried. Ch.7 I lift my head up from my hands and wipe away my tears. ¡®I can¡¯t keep falling into despair. I need to look on the bright side and have hope like Bill said.¡¯ After wiping away my tears I continue to browse through the Entertainment category. ¡®What¡¯s this? Human Creation?¡¯ I click on the Human Creation and a screen pops up in front of me with a blank human body. It has no face or defining features besides being made of flesh and looking humanoid. Above the Human Creation screen it shows the point value. ¡®It says that the point value is zero. Does that mean it is free or is it because I haven¡¯t done anything? Well, only one way to find out.¡¯ I start to imagine the most beautiful woman I can. The blank body morphs to fit my vision. After it attains the form I had in mind I check the point value. ¡®Still zero. Does that mean that Human Creation is free or is it only the first one?.¡¯ I move to hit the confirm button but stop myself. ¡®Do I really want to create a woman? Besides that I haven¡¯t tested the limits of the Human Creation. How far can I push it? Can I make a human that is 10x stronger than the average person?¡¯ I take my finger away from the confirm button and Imagine the woman 10x stronger than a normal person. ¡®Nothing happened. Let¡¯s try 5x times then.¡¯ Again I imagine her as 5x stronger than a normal person. ¡®Still nothing. Maybe 2x?¡¯ I imagine her as 2x stronger than a normal person and this time the body changed becoming more muscular and defined. ¡®Looks like 2x is the limit. That¡¯s probably the limit for all other stats as well. Though I¡¯ll probably change her to a man since she¡¯s not really my type.¡¯ I imagine the change and the female form I imagined earlier changed to a man. ¡®I wonder how much I can change the aesthetic. Can I give him natural purple hair and eyes or is it only limited to natural colors?¡¯ I imagine the man with purple hair and eyes. ¡®Nothing changed. I guess that answers that.¡¯ I changed his hair to black and eyes to brown. ¡®I wonder what the height limit is?¡¯ I imagine the man as 10ft tall. ¡®Nothing changed. How about 8ft?¡¯ I imagine the man as 8ft tall. ¡®Nothing again. How about 7ft?¡¯ I imagine the man as 7ft tall. Then body of the man morphs and becomes taller. ¡®Looks like the limit is between 7ft and 8ft. It¡¯s not particularly important though.¡¯ I imagine the man as 6¡±2¡¯ and the body morphs becoming shorter. ¡®I Guess that¡¯s really it. Now that I¡¯ve found the limits I need to ask myself an important question. What role do I want my human creation to play. Should I make him a bodyguard or should I change it to a woman? Though not mutually exclusive, if it¡¯s a woman I want them at least to appeal to me. I don¡¯t want a partner to protect me either. I don¡¯t even know if I can take my Human Creation on missions. It¡¯s a gamble but I think a bodyguard is more important than someone to comfort me at this point.¡¯ I hit confirm on the Human Creation and he appears in front of me in jeans and a white shirt. ¡®Now I¡¯ve confirmed that I can actually acquire things that I buy. That¡¯s good.¡¯ I look at my Human Creation. ¡®I¡¯m glad that it provides clothes for the Human Creations.¡¯ I clear my throat. ¡°Hello.¡± I say to my Creation.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! ¡°Greetings creator.¡± He responds to me in a deep voice. ¡°Good you can speak. Do you have a name?¡± I ask him. ¡°No, I have not been designated a name.¡± He responds. ¡°That¡¯ll be a problem. I can¡¯t just refer to you as ¡®you¡¯. How about Dave. Does that name seem fine to you.¡± I ask Dave. ¡°Dave is an appropriate designation Creator.¡± Dave responds. ¡°Good. I¡¯m glad you think so. By the way Dave please stop referring to me as creator. My name is Joshua but you can call me Josh.¡± I tell Dave. ¡°Affirmative ¡®Josh¡¯.¡± Dave says. ¡°Now that I¡¯ve created you I need to see if the price has changed on the Human Creation.¡± I say to Dave. I look at the Human creation screen and the human figure has reset to being blank. At the top of the screen the point value has also changed. ¡®Now it¡¯s 500 Points. I wonder if it¡¯s 500 for every Human Creation after the first or if it increases for every Human Creation. A question to be answered at a later date.¡¯ ¡°Where to start now? I¡¯ve looked through every category so I know what I can buy or at least what there is to buy. I guess I need to start with weapons and armor for you and I. Huh Dave.¡± I say to Dave. ¡°Whatever you wish ¡®Josh¡¯.¡± Dave responds. ¡°After weapons and armor I¡¯ll need to get supplies like food, water, and bandages. I don¡¯t know how long each mission will last or what I will face.¡± I tell Dave. ¡°Ok, I think I¡¯ll buy a Lasgun and Flak Armor for both of us. That¡¯s 300 Points for the Lasguns and 200 Points for the 2 sets of Imperial Guard Flak Armor. We¡¯ll probably need some power packs for the Lasguns. Maybe a frag or krak grenade. Let¡¯s see. 10 Points per power pack and 15 Points per grenade. Each power pack has 150 shots and can be recharged so 5 each will probably be good. That¡¯s 100 Points. As for grenades 2 of each type for each of us, so that¡¯s 120 Points. Now about food and water. I saw something in the Magical Item category. It was a bottle of food pills and a bottle of water pills. The food pills satiates hunger and gives enough energy for 24 hours, while the water pills do the same thing but with thirst. 10 Points for a bottle of 20. I¡¯ll buy 2 bottles of each that¡¯s 40 points. For medical supplies I saw a Hemostasis Spray that helps stop bleeding and close wounds. 10 Points per bottle. I¡¯ll buy 10 bottles of it for 100 Points and 10 rolls of bandages for 10 Points along with 10 rolls of gauze for 10 Points. We¡¯ll need backpacks to hold our supplies and ammo belts to hold our power packs and grenades. I can buy that for just 2 points. So far that¡¯s 882 Points, I guess the rest I¡¯ll spend on stat upgrades. Wait, I should give Dave a melee weapon. Hmm, how about a bayonet for his Lasgun. Yeah that sounds good. That¡¯s another 5 Points, so I have 103 Points left. Wait, can I buy stat upgrades and mutations for Dave.¡± I look and see I can. ¡°That¡¯s an option for the future, but for now I¡¯ll just raise my Reaction Speed and Muscle Density by 5 each.¡± After I bought everything I only had 3 Points left. Ch.8 ¡°We better sort out our kit.¡± I say to Dave as I start dividing the stuff into 2 piles. Dave helps and we end up with 2 piles almost identical in composition except Dave¡¯s has a bayonet. ¡°Let¡¯s go take this stuff to my room.¡± I say to Dave as I pack away everything except for my Lasgun, a power pack, and my Flak Armor into the backpack. I heft my backpack and walk towards my room which now has my name on the door. ¡®How convenient.¡¯ I twist the knob and enter setting my pack down on the desk. ¡°Just set your pack down on the desk. Actually let¡¯s see if you can use the room next to this one.¡± I say to Dave. I exit my room and place my hand on the door next to mine. ¡®Individual already owns a room. Would you like to switch rooms?¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s interesting it looks like I can only have 1 room. Hey Dave can you place your hand on this door for a second.¡± I tell Dave. ¡°As you wish ¡®Josh¡¯.¡± Dave responds. He places his hand on the door. I wait for him to tell me if it said anything. ¡®Why isn¡¯t he saying anything?¡¯ ¡°So what happened.¡± I ask Dave. ¡°Nothing.¡± Dave responds. ¡°Did you hear a voice when you put your hand on the door?¡± I ask. ¡°No.¡± Dave responds. ¡°I guess Created beings can¡¯t own rooms. Good to know.¡± I say. ¡®I¡¯ll have to change my room to accommodate Dave.¡¯ I walk into my room and take my pack. I set my pack down outside and place my hand on the door I think about changing my room to have 2 beds in it. ¡®I¡¯ll probably need a kitchen since I¡¯ll be here for 10 days.¡¯ I also thinking about adding a kitchen next to the bathroom. I open the door and find the rom has changed to accommodate my wishes. ¡°Good now you have a bed Dave.¡± I say.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Thank you, ¡®Josh¡¯.¡± Dave answers. ¡°Don¡¯t mention it.¡± I tell him. ¡°As you wish ¡®Josh¡¯, I shall not mention this incident.¡± Dave says. ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡­ Ugh, fine.¡± I sigh. After setting my pack down on my desk which is now between the beds I walk to the kitchen. I place my hand on the fridge inside the kitchen. ¡®Please think of a food item.¡¯ ¡®I wondered if I had to buy food from the orb. I guess it provides food while we¡¯re here.¡¯ I think of an apple. When I open the fridge an apple is sitting in the fruit bin. ¡®Nice.¡¯ I open up the plastic drawer and take out the red apple. I bite into. ¡®Wow, this is delicious! It¡¯s so crisp and sweet. I¡¯ve never had an apple like this.¡¯ I finish the apple quick. ¡®That¡¯s the first thing I¡¯ve had to eat for hours.¡¯ I think of another apple and it appears I take it and head into the bedroom. I walk to the door that is supposed to lead to the basement. ¡®I think I know what the basement is for. It¡¯s probably there for a training room of some sort. Considering we probably shouldn¡¯t test our weapons in our rooms.¡¯ I put my hand on the door knob. I think of a set of stairs leading down to a room with a firing range,track, and fighting ring. ¡®If I¡¯m going to be fighting for my life I¡¯ll need to train with my Lasgun and I also need to train my body.¡¯ I open the door and see a set of concrete stairs. I go down the stairs and see a massive concrete room with a track, fighting ring and firing range. ¡®Good it worked.¡¯ I walk back up the stairs and grab my Lasgun and put a power pack inside it. ¡°Dave grab your Lasgun we have some training to do.¡± ¡°Ok ¡®Josh¡¯.¡± He answered. Mirroring my actions and following me down to the firing range. Once I get there I wait for Dave to arrive. When he arrives I take aim at one of the targets that is 50ft away. I line up the iron sight and pull the trigger. A bright flash of light occurs but no kick back. ¡®I don¡¯t know what I expected, it¡¯s a laser weapon after all not a kinetic weapon. It doesn¡¯t use gunpowder.¡¯ I set down my weapon and head to the target. ¡®It hit right where I aimed. As expected from something that fires beams of light, it¡¯s extremely accurate.¡¯ I head back and pick up my Lasgun. ¡®It¡¯s extremely accurate that means I need to learn to control my body so it doesn¡¯t shake so I can use that extreme accuracy. I¡¯ll also need to train my endurance so I can escape if need be. Not to mention I¡¯ll need to get comfortable with moving with my Flak Armor and full load out, so much to do.¡¯ ¡°No time like the present to get started. Come on Dave let¡¯s get to work.¡± I say as I take aim with my Lasgun. Ch.9 10 days passed in the blink of an eye. Mornings were spent training Josh and Dave¡¯s bodies while afternoons were spent in weapons training. Dave focused on using both the Lasgun and the Lasgun with bayonet. Josh focused on his aim and steading his body. Both Josh and Dave would do physical training in their armor so they could get used to it. Everyday Josh would work until he was exhausted. Dave was far more physically fit than Josh so he had an easier time. On the morning of the 10th day ¡°It¡¯s time Dave.¡± I say as I step out of my room. Dave quickly follows. ¡°Correct ¡®Josh¡¯.¡± Dave responds. A beam of light shoots out from the orb of light. ¡®Please enter the light in 30 seconds.¡¯ The mechanical voice of the orb rings. Both Dave and I step into the light. ¡®Entering mission world. Mission Parameters: Extermination. Scenario: Zombie Apocalypse. Difficulty: 7 man. Side Mission: Introduction.¡¯ ¡®I guess the first mission I was a part of was a survival mission or something. It was also a 7 man mission. I wonder if that¡¯s the easiest.¡¯ My thoughts were cut short as everything went black. When I awaken I find myself on an asphalt road. Everything is eerily silent, like the first time I woke up. I stand up and see that Dave is already awake. ¡®It must be his superior stats. Well that¡¯s a question for later.¡¯ I look down at my watch and click the Mission menu. Mission: Extermination Kill 100 zombies Points- Basic Zombie 1p Mission Completion 1000p This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Start Time: 4m 20s Time Limit: 24h Side Mission Introduction- Inform the new people of the situation. 100p After looking at my watch I look at the ground. I see 6 people laying on the ground. ¡®Looks like Dave doesn¡¯t count towards the mission total. Good to know.¡¯ I look closer at the people on the ground. I see a young man in a suit, a middle aged man wearing camo pants and a t-shirt, a lady in office attire, a teenage girl in jeans and a t-shirt, a teenage boy in a sweatshirt and sweatpants, and young woman in gym attire. ¡®Last time I survived because of luck and Bill. This time I¡¯m more prepared but even being prepared I might die to the zombies if they come in a horde. I wonder which of these people will survive.¡¯ As I¡¯m thinking the man in camo pants starts to stand up. ¡°Where am I?¡± He asks with his back turned to me. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you but you¡¯ll have to wait for the other people to wake up. I don¡¯t want to explain it multiple times.¡± I answer him. He quickly turns around to face Dave and I. ¡°Who are you and what are you wearing?¡± He asks with confusion on his face. ¡°My names Joshua and this is Dave. As for what I¡¯m wearing, well it¡¯s Flak Armor.¡± I respond. ¡®I¡¯m surprised he can remain calm in a situation like this. Maybe he¡¯s military.¡¯ Currently both Dave and I were wearing our Flak Armor. We had our backpacks on along with our ammo belts. Dave had his bayonet on his Lasgun and both of us had our Lasguns in our hands. ¡°That looks more like cosplay armor than actual armor. What are those guns you¡¯re holding. They don¡¯t look like any gun I¡¯ve ever seen.¡± He asks with knit eyebrows. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you once everyone has woken up.¡± As I say that all of the other people start to wake up. ¡°Speak of the Devil.¡± Before anyone can start asking questions or freak out I start to speak. ¡°Hello everyone, my name is Joshua. You all should have a black watch on your wrist please click on the mission menu.¡± I say as I lift my wrist and show them my watch. ¡°You guys have been brought here to fulfill the mission described by your watch.¡± As I say this the lady in Office attire and camo pants man both try to say something. ¡°Please keep your questions till the end. As I was saying you¡¯ve been brought here to fulfill the mission after you fulfill the mission you will be transported to a white room where you will be able to spend your points that you get for completing the mission. One of the many things you can buy is the Lasgun I have in my hands or the Flak Armor I¡¯m wearing.¡± After I say this the mechanical voice sounds in my head. ¡®Side Mission: Introduction complete. 100p awarded.¡¯ ¡®Good. It worked.¡¯ ¡°This is Preposterous.¡± The office lady says. ¡°Do you really expect us to believe this blatant lie.¡± She continues. ¡°You don¡¯t need to believe me.¡± I say. ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡± As I say that ambient noise rushes in to greet my ears. ¡®Mission start.¡¯ The mechanical voice decrees. ¡°Last time I barely survived if you guys want to survive find somewhere safe to hide. ¡° I say this and turn around. I start walking down the road. ¡°Of course you¡¯re free to come with me, especially you Camo man.¡± I say over my shoulder. Ch.10 As Dave and I are walking I hear someone call after us. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± I stop and turn around. ¡°Excuse me?¡± I say looking at the person who spoke. It was the office lady. ¡°I said, where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± She repeats. ¡°Well, as I said before I¡¯m going to complete the mission.¡± I respond. ¡°Then what about us?¡± She asks. ¡°Like I said before you can either hide or follow me. I¡¯d suggest hiding because I can¡¯t protect all of you.¡± I answer. ¡°If you can¡¯t protect us maybe your friend can.¡± She points to Dave. ¡°No.¡± I respond. ¡°Why did you answer for him? He can make his own decisions can¡¯t he?¡± She scolds. ¡°Jesus.¡± I sigh. ¡°Dave do you want to protect these people?¡± I ask him. ¡°I do not have a desire to protect these people ¡®Josh¡¯.¡± Dave responds in a monotonous tone. ¡°See, he doesn¡¯t want to. If there are no more questions I really want to complete the mission as soon as possible. Unless you guys want to figure out the consequences for failing a mission?¡± I say, annoyance clear on my face. ¡°If neither of you can protect us at least give us something to protect ourselves with.¡± The office lady insists. Her statement brings cries of agreement from the other people in the group, except for the man in camo.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡°What exactly should we give you? I don¡¯t have any extra weapons.¡± I respond. ¡°Well, can¡¯t you give us one of those guns your holding.¡± She demands. ¡°I¡¯m not even going to humor that with a response. Let¡¯s go Dave.¡± I say as I turn around. Dave and I continue walking ignoring the calls of the others to wait. ¡®This place looks like it¡¯s be abandoned for a while.¡¯ I look around at the smashed windows of shops and crashed cars. ¡®Damn it what was I thinking. We made so much noise talking there in the middle of the street.¡¯ I continue to scan the buildings as we pass them. ¡®I don¡¯t see any movement and the only thing I can hear is our footsteps.¡¯ ¡°Be on your guard Dave we don¡¯t know where the zombies are or how many of them there are.¡± I say to Dave. ¡°Affirmative ¡®Josh¡¯.¡± Dave responds. We continue walking down the street until we come to a four way intersection. ¡°This looks like a fairly small town.¡± I say. ¡°This is probably the center of it.¡± On the four way intersection there is a diner, a gas station, a motel, and a general store. ¡°Let¡¯s check out the diner first.¡± I tell Dave. The diner is short building with smashed in glass windows, the outside wall are covered in a tarnished metal, and the sign above the glass doors reads ¡°Milly¡¯s Diner.¡± I walk up to the glass doors that are barely held to their hinges. ¡®Just touching them might make them fall.¡¯ I let Dave go in first then I follow. Both Dave and I have our Lasguns ready to fire. Dave walks in and looks to the right while I follow but look to the left. Inside the diner I see red leather booths with white tables in between. The floor is made of a checkered pattern tile. Dishes and silverware are strewn everywhere, I scan the room and some movement catches my eye. I see a door behind the counter slowly open to reveal a rotting face. Maggots swarm the rotting flesh of its body and a horrible stench accompanies it. ¡°Behind the counter.¡± I call out trying to stop myself from vomiting. ¡®Damn it why are my hands so sweaty? Why can¡¯t I pull the trigger? If I don¡¯t pull the trigger it will kill me. I need to pull the trigger or all of my training will have been useless. BILL¡¯S SACRIFICE WILL HAVE BEEN USELESS!¡¯ The rotting corpse slowly shambles forward reaching the counter. I look into its maggot infested milky white eyes and pull the trigger. A hole appears in its forehead and slumps over the counter. I release a breath and bend over, losing my breakfast. ¡°¡®Josh¡¯ have you been injured?¡± Dave asks as he places a hand on my back. ¡°No, I¡¯m fine.¡± I say. I straighten my back and wipe my mouth. ¡°Thanks for asking.¡± Dave and I search the dining area. ¡®Look at it don¡¯t ignore it. You had to do it. It was either you or it. It was only a zombie. Now its soul can finally rest.¡¯ I think as we pass the corpse behind the counter. Dave enters the kitchen first, Lasgun at the ready. I follow after him. The kitchen was a cramped space with barely enough room for two people to walk side by side. Inside the kitchen there was a grill, a fryer, an oven, and a door. ¡®That must have been the cook. I wonder where the rest of the people in this town are?¡¯ I walk to the door and get behind it. ¡°On 3 I¡¯ll open the door. Wait a bit before entering we don¡¯t know what¡¯s in there.¡± I tell Dave. Dave nods. ¡°1,2,3!¡± I pull the door open. I hear something stumble out then a thud. ¡°Enemies neutralized ¡®Josh¡¯.¡± Dave says. Ch.11 I walk out from behind the door and see Dave cleaning the bayonet on his Lasgun. Black ichor, grey goo, and bone flakes are wiped off with a cloth from the kitchen. On the floor a corpse lies with a hole in its head. ¡®I¡¯m glad I don¡¯t have anything left in my stomach.¡¯ I look up and into the room which turns out to be a freezer but because there isn¡¯t any power all the food inside has thawed and spoiled. ¡°Let¡¯s go. We need to find out if there is a mob of zombies or if we have to hunt threw each building like this.¡± I tell Dave. ¡°Affirmative.¡± Dave responds. Dave and I leave the diner and start heading down the road opposite the way we came. We walk down the road until we reach the edge of town. Once we reach the edge of town I scan the horizon. ¡®I can kind of see something off in the distance. I wonder what it is?¡¯ I look at the buildings on the edge of town and see a 2 story apartment building. ¡°Dave let¡¯s go clear out that apartment building. I want to get on the roof and see what that is off in the distance.¡± I say. ¡°As you wish ¡®Josh¡¯.¡± Dave responds. We quickly make our way to the apartment building. Dave takes the lead and we walk threw the main door. Once we enter 2 zombies meet us in the main lobby. Like the other 2 zombies we met they had maggots and flies swarming their bodies, as they walked they left a black liquid and bits of flesh in their wake. ¡°I¡¯ll take the 1 on the right you take the 1 on the left.¡± I tell Dave. I take aim at my zombie while Dave steps forward to meet his. A single shot and I finish mine. Dave, using his Lasgun like a spear, strikes at the zombie¡¯s head. The bayonet slides into its forehead. The zombie falls to the ground, dead, again. Dave takes a minute to clean his bayonet then we walk to the door that says ¡°Stairwell¡±. The door is slightly agar. I look down and see that a zombie is stuck between the door frame and the door. ¡°End it Dave, I don¡¯t want to waste a shot.¡± I say. Dave thrusts his bayonet into its head, then opens the door. I step over the body and Dave quickly follows suit after wiping his blade. I let Dave take the lead as we climb the stairs. ¡®I¡¯m glad I trained before this otherwise I¡¯d be winded from all the movement.¡¯ We reach the top of the stairs and go threw the door leading to the second floor. At the end of the hallway we entered I see a zombie. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°Practice is always good. Let me deal with this 1 Dave.¡± I say. I put the Lasgun up to my shoulder and look down the iron sites. I line up the zombie¡¯s head with my sites. The zombie is slowly shambling towards Dave and I as I follow its head with my sites. I press my finger into the trigger and a flash of light is emitted. ¡®Damn it, body shot.¡¯ I breathe in as the zombie shambles closer. I slowly release my breath then pull the trigger again. ¡®Bull¡¯s eye.¡¯ The zombie falls as a hole is opened in its face. Dave and I move on in our usual manner to the end of the hallway, passed the body. When we reach the end there is another door. I open the door and Dave enters. I follow after him.We go up the stairs and find another door. I open it and Dave enters, again. I follow after him just in time to see him deal with another zombie. After finishing off the zombie Dave wipes his bayonet and I look out at the thing I saw on the horizon. ¡®Oh no. This is really bad.¡¯ What I had seen earlier turned out to be and horde of zombies and it was slowly moving towards the town. ¡®There must be at least a couple hundred if not a thousand zombies out there. I need to warn the newbies or else they are going to die.¡¯ I start to breathe quicker and quicker. ¡®Dave and I might even die. There are so many of them. How can I possibly face them all? Is this going to be the end of me?¡¯ Panic starts to set in. ¡®Am I going to die? NO. I CAN¡¯T DIE. I WON¡¯T DIE!¡¯ I take a deep breath. ¡®That¡¯s right, breathe. Stay calm.¡¯ After awhile my breathing goes back to normal. ¡®Ok, now that I¡¯m calm I need to get moving.¡¯ ¡°Come on Dave let¡¯s go. We need to find the others and warn them.¡± I tell Dave. ¡°Understood ¡®Josh¡¯.¡± Dave responds. Dave and I quickly head down the stairs and move threw the hallway. Getting to the first stair we practically jump down taking 2-3 steps at a time. Once on the first floor we rush out the main door and start heading down the road we came from. Running towards the starting location we quickly arrive there. ¡®I wonder where the newbies went.¡¯ I scan the area and see a door open to a house. ¡®Probably there.¡¯ Dave and I walk towards the house cautiously. Dave enter first and I follow. ¡°Is that you Josh.¡± Someone yells from further inside the house. ¡°Yes.¡± I answer. I hear footsteps then the man in camo pants appears in the living room, which was directly in front of the door to the right, on the left was a set of stairs. ¡°I¡¯m glad you came back Josh. I can¡¯t stand taking orders from Ms.Baker anymore.¡± The camo pants man stated. ¡°Ms.Baker? Wait, that''s not important right now. I came back to tell you about the zombie horde that¡¯s approaching the town.¡± I say. ¡°Oh no.¡± The man in camo pants responded. ¡°Go tell the others. We need to move quickly and find a place that we can defend better.¡± I tell him. ¡°We? Wait, does that mean you¡¯re going to help us.¡± He says. ¡°I can¡¯t just let you guys die without doing anything about it.¡± I respond, resolve evident in my words. Thank you I appreciate the 5 people who follow my story. It''s really cool that I can provide entertainment for people while also doing something enjoyable. I also appreciate the people who rated my story. I thank you and hope you guys can continue finding entertainment in my story. Please give me feedback in the comments and suggestions.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERwambatFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER Ch.12 After a couple minutes the man in the camo pants comes out with the rest of the newbies in toe. ¡°What is the meaning of this?¡± The office lady asks in a sharp tone. ¡°Currently there is a horde of zombies coming towards the town. I came back to tell you guys that.¡± I tell her. ¡°If that is the case we need to leave immediately!¡± The office lady states. ¡°I agree with you. You guys should leave, but I need to stay to complete the mission.¡± I say. ¡°Ok that¡¯s fine.¡± The office lady says, then turns around and starts to tell the others what to do. ¡®Wow that was cold. What was I even expecting? Did I actually expect someone to stay? Was I hoping that someone actually cared?¡¯ I shake my head. ¡®That¡¯s not important right now.¡¯ I turn around and start heading towards the side of town the zombie horde is coming from. ¡°Wait.¡± Someone yells at me. I look behind and see it¡¯s the man in camo pants. He runs up beside me and starts walking with Dave and I. ¡°Why did you follow me?¡± I ask him. ¡°Because I couldn¡¯t just let you face the zombie horde alone.¡± He answers. I look forward. ¡°Thank you.¡± I whisper. ¡°What¡¯s your name? I already told you mine but I never asked your¡¯s.¡± I ask. ¡°My names Charlie, Charlie Garza.¡± He responds and sticks out his hand. I shake it. ¡°So what is the plan?¡± Charlie asks.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°I was planning on trying to slowly whittle down the zombies by keeping my distance and picking them off, but first I¡¯d throw a couple of grenades into the horde to disperse it.¡± I respond. ¡°Given the current situation I can¡¯t really think of anything better, so let¡¯s go with that.¡± Charlie says. ¡°Oh right, Dave take off your bayonet and hand your Lasgun to Charlie.¡± I tell Dave. ¡°Yes ¡®Josh¡¯.¡± Dave responds then takes his bayonet of his Lasgun amd hands it to Charlie. ¡°Dave doesn¡¯t really use his Lasgun much, so I thought you¡¯d have a better use for it.¡± I tell Charlie. ¡°Thank you.¡± He says. We walk in silence after that. Eventually we reach the side of town where the horde is coming from. ¡®It¡¯s only gotten a bit closer. I¡¯d give it about an hour before it reaches town.¡¯ We continue walking until we are 100ft away from the horde. ¡°Dave hand Charlie your ammo belt but take off one of the frag grenades.¡± I tell Dave. ¡°We only have 4 frag grenades so let¡¯s make our first volley count.¡± Dave hands Charlie his ammo belt and takes off a grenade. ¡°Once they get within 50 ft throw them.¡± Charlie states. We wait as the horde slowly shambles towards us. Foot by foot and inch by inch it slowly moves forward. A virtual cloud of flies surrounds the horde. The buzzing of tens of thousands of flies creates a tune to which the horde marches. Slowly but surely it moves, slowly but surely it devours, and slowly but surely it will reach us. The smell of hundreds of rotting bodies causes both Charlie and I to go pale. I look over to Charlie and see that he is vomiting. I look back at the obscured horde and watch as our death slowly gains on us. After 20 minutes the horde finally gets to about 50 ft away from us. ¡®Bombs away.¡¯ We all throw our grenades and watch as they clear out massive portions of the front in a rain of metal and fire. ¡®Wow we might actually be able to do this.¡¯ Then they start to move. Missing legs, missing arms, even missing their lower bodies they still continue. ¡®Shit.¡¯ I see a flash of red light and one of the zombies drop. ¡°WHAT ARE YOU DOING, FIRE!¡± Charlie yells as he lines up another shot. I place my Lasgun to my shoulder. ¡®He¡¯s right I need to shoot or I really will die.¡¯ I line up my site and fire. We continue like this for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes we move back 25 ft and begin firing. Again and again. Move, fire, and repeat. Move, fire, and repeat. For hours we continue. Picking off zombies then when they get too close moving back. Whenever the odd zombie actually made it to us Dave would stab it. It became almost instinct for me to fire and my accuracy increased dramatically. Eventually there were none left. I drop down to the ground. ¡®I feel so tired. It¡¯s hard to think and my legs feel like lead.¡¯ I look down at my Lasgun. ¡®I¡¯m on my very last powerpack. Good thing I bought 5 for each of us.¡¯ Charlie sits down next to me. ¡°You ok?¡± He asks. ¡°Yeah I¡¯m just tired.¡± I respond. ¡°Let¡¯s go see if we can find a safer place to rest.¡± He says. ¡°That sounds like a really good idea.¡± I say. Charlie gets up and offers me a hand. I take it. Ch.13 Charlie pulls me off the ground and we start walking towards the apartment building Dave and I had initially cleared. ¡®I¡¯ll be damned if we didn¡¯t complete the mission.¡¯ I look down at my watch. Mission: Extermination Kill 100 zombies (complete) Points- Basic Zombie 1p Mission Completion 1000p Time Left: 12h 27m 43s Side Mission Introduction- Inform the new people of the situation. 100p (complete) ¡®I wonder how many points I have?¡¯ I exit out of the Mission menu and go to the Points menu. Points: 546 Ranked Rewards: D: N/A C: N/A B: N/A A: N/A S: N/A ¡®I started off with 3 Points, then got 100 for the introduction, that must mean I killed 443 zombies. That¡¯s more than 1.5 times the amount I got from the initial mission. Good.¡¯ A grin spreads across my face after my realization.Stolen story; please report. ¡°Are you ok Josh?¡± Charlie asks as he sees Josh grin. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I was just looking at how many points I earned. That reminds me, how many points did you earn?¡± I respond. ¡°How do I see how many points I earned?¡± He asks. ¡°You go to the points menu on your watch.¡± I answer. ¡°Oh yeah. I completely forgot about that.¡± He says then looks down at his watch. ¡°It says I have 487 points.¡± ¡°That¡¯s great.¡± I say. ¡°Thanks.¡± He responds. While we were talking we reached the apartment building. Dave takes the lead and we walk to the second floor. ¡°We should check to see if any of the doors are unlocked.¡± I say. ¡°We¡¯ll be able to use the door instead of having to break it.¡± ¡°Affirmative.¡± Dave responds. Dave reaches for the nearest door knob and tries to turn it. ¡°It will not open.¡± Dave observes. ¡°Looks like it¡¯s locked.¡± Charlie adds. ¡°Next door.¡± I tell Dave. We go threw seven doors before we find one that is unlocked. I stop Dave from opening the door fully. I get behind the door and Charlie goes on the other side of the door frame. ¡°I¡¯m going to open it on 3.1,2,3!¡± I pull open the door and Dave enters, followed by Charlie then me. I scan the room with my Lasgun at the ready as Dave moves threw the living room, bayonet in hand. Charlie is a few feet behind Dave and is aiming at the hallway that leads to the other rooms in the apartment. Dave reaches the kitchen, which is connected to the living room, and walks in. I move into the living room and aim down the hallway. Charlie moves into the hallway and next to a door. I follow and get behind the door. I place my hand on the door knob and open the room. Charlie enters. I get out from behind the door and see Charlie next to a corpse. I scan the rest of the room but see no more danger. I exit the room and see that Dave is in the hallway next to a door. I get behind the door and open it for him. He enters. I get out from behind the door and look inside what I can now see is the bathroom. Dave turns his head and looks around the bathroom. Finding nothing he leaves. I go to the front door and close it, making sure to lock it before I go back to the living room and plop down onto the sofa. Dave enters the living room along with Charlie. Charlie sits down in the arm chair. Dave sits down onto the floor. We sit in silence for a couple of minutes until my stomach rumbles. ¡°Damn I¡¯m so hungry. I wish I¡­¡± I stopped myself from finishing my sentence as I looked at my backpack, which I had placed on the floor. ¡°Fuck how could I have forgotten!¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter ¡®Josh¡¯?¡± Charlie asks. ¡°I forgot about something I had bought.¡± I say as I take out the food and water pill bottles. I pop the cork off the food pill bottle and take 2 out. I place 1 of the food pills in my mouth while I toss the other to Charlie. ¡°It¡¯s called a food pill and it¡¯s supposed to get rid of hunger and provide a days worth of energy.¡± I crunch down on the pill and a sweet taste fills my mouth. When I swallow my hunger immediately disappears and a warm feeling comes from my stomach. See that I took one Charlie follows suit. ¡°Wow that¡¯s amazing.¡± Charlie says. ¡°Yep.¡± I respond. I open the water pill bottle and take out 2. I throw one to Charlie and place the other in my mouth. The moment I put it in my mouth it dissolves and I feel my thirst quench. Charlie took the pill I threw at him and Dave took out his pills. Taking out one of each he takes the pills. ¡®I feel so tired.¡¯ I lay down on the coach. ¡®I think I¡¯ll take a n..a...p.¡¯ My eyes close and darkness consumes me. Ch.14 When I open my eyes I find myself in a white room. ¡®I really must have been tired if I slept for 12 hours.¡¯ I get up off the ground and look around the room. I see the other 5 newbies standing in the center of the room. ¡®I¡¯m glad they survived.¡¯ I notice Dave and Charlie are a couple feet away from me. ¡°Dave, Charlie, what¡¯s up?¡± I ask them. ¡°Oh, Josh you¡¯re awake. Good.¡± Charlie says as he turns around to look at me. ¡°The others are just talking about what they should get. I decided to wait until you woke up to explain what¡¯s the deal with this place.¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad you place so much trust in me, thanks.¡± I respond with a smile. ¡°The first thing you should probably do is take ownership of a bedroom.¡¯ I point to my room. ¡°That¡¯s the room Dave and I live in.¡± ¡°I guess I should take the room next to your¡¯s.¡± He says. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s a good idea. If not for anything but convenience.¡± I say. ¡°When you try to open the door imagine the room you want and it will appear.¡± Charlie walks to the door next to mine and places his hand on the door knob. After placing his hand on the door knob he closes his eyes for a minute then opens the door. Charlie walks after some time and comes back to Dave and I. ¡°So what now?¡± He asks. ¡°Now it¡¯s time to spend your points. I suggest buying a weapon and some armor, then buying supplies necessary for survival and finally buying stat upgrades.¡± I tell him. ¡°I¡¯m probably going to buy an upgrade for my Lasgun and make it a Long Las. As you could see from the last mission I don¡¯t really like getting into melee combat, but that¡¯s why I have Dave here.¡± I pat Dave¡¯s shoulder.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°Speaking of Dave, why does he live in your room? Not that there''s anything wrong with that, but you know.¡± Charlie asks with an awkward laugh.. ¡°What do y¡­¡± My face heats up. ¡°No, it¡¯s not like that. It¡¯s just that he¡¯s my human creation, so he doesn¡¯t get his own room.¡± I say while waving my hands. ¡°Human creation?¡± Charlie asks. ¡°I didn¡¯t tell you did I. Well, you get one free human creation from the entertainment category. I decided to make Dave because I wanted a bodyguard. Not that women can¡¯t be bodyguards it¡¯s just I was more comfortable with a male bodyguard.¡± I tell him. ¡°Now It makes sense why Dave acted so oddly.¡± Charlie says as he snaps his fingers. ¡°Yeah.¡± I agree. ¡°Speaking of Dave I¡¯ll need to search the store for something he can use. I feel like the Lasgun just wasn¡¯t the right weapon for him. On the subject of Dave¡¯s Lasgun you can keep it if you want to Charlie.¡± ¡°What, really? Thanks.¡± Charlie responds with a grin. ¡°I feel pretty rested after the nap I took so I¡¯m going to browse the store.¡± I tell Charlie then start walking up the stairs to where the store is. Once I get to the platform the store screen appears in front of me. Exchange System Sci-fi Weapons Magical Items Support Items Entertainment ¡®Long Las conversion.¡¯ Lasgun to Long Las conversion Rating: 35 The conversion of the standard imperial Lasgun to the Long Las. The Long Las has a longer barrel for increased accuracy and flash suppression. The barrel is made of a stronger material. The Long Las fires overcharged shots or ¡®Hot Shots¡¯. Cost: 300p ¡®This is definitely something I¡¯ll get. Carapace Armor.¡¯ Cadian Pattern "Kasrkin" Storm Trooper Carapace Armour (Basic) Rating: 40 Armor made of plates of form fitting ceramite. Comes equipped with a rebreather, photo visor, encrypted micro bead, and auspex unit. Is powered by a powerpack. Cost: 750p Suggestions 2: Electric Boogaloo Please comment suggestions for items, powers, equipment, and characters. I¡¯d especially appreciate ideas for what to do with Dave and Charlie. FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLEREnsure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER Ch.15 ¡®Jesus, that¡¯s half my points and I still need to upgrade Dave¡¯s equipment. Actually if I buy the long Las Conversion and the Carapace armor it¡¯s more than ? of my points. I probably don¡¯t need carapace armor yet, but maybe there is a less expensive Variant that Dave can wear. Carapace Armor.¡¯ Arbitrator Light Carapace Armor Rating: 30 An armor made from plas-steel plates overlaid a plastic fiber body suit. A form fitting body glove is worn under. The helmet is equipped with a micro bead and a rebreather can be attached. Cost: 500p ¡®This will definitely work. Now I need to find a weapon I can give him. Maybe he should just go full melee. He needs a good melee weapon then. I wonder.¡¯ I browse through the melee weapons. ¡®All of the good magical weapons cost Ranked rewards and at the very least vibro weapons cost D ranked rewards. A sword made from just good material will work for now. A ceramite sword only costs 50p.¡¯ I stop looking at the items in the shop. ¡®So far I want the Long Las conversion which is 300, Light carapace which is 500, and a ceramite sword for 50. That¡¯s 850 Points. I probably want to restock on frag grenades so that¡¯s 60. Taking the cost up to 910 Points. I need the overcharged power packs which are 20 per power pack. I¡¯ll want 5 to be safe so that¡¯s another 100. Making my cost thus far 1010. That leaves me with 536 points. Just enough for another suit of light carapace.¡¯ ¡®But do I really need carapace armor. Better safe than sorry. I¡¯ll put 30 Points into Reaction Speed and keep the last 6 Points.¡¯ I confirm my purchases and a light shines on me. Another light shines on my Lasgun. The light only shines on me for a brief second then disappears but my Lasgun is suspended in the air for a minute before it is let down. Now my Lasgun has a barrel that is twice as long as before. 5 overcharged power packs, 4 frag grenades, a white sword made of ceramite, and 2 sets of black light carapace armor appear in a pile on the ground next to me.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it I look down at the newbies who are still talking amongst themselves. ¡°Hey, does anyone want to trade 50 Points worth of materials or items for a set of flak armor?¡± I yell down. ¡°How do we know you¡¯re not scamming us.¡± Ms.Baker (the office lady) asks. ¡°Because you can check the price in the system.¡± I say. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that.¡± She says but makes no effort to move. ¡®Your loss.¡¯ ¡°Hey, Charlie get up here it¡¯s your turn.¡± I yell. ¡°Alright.¡± He yells back then jogs up the stairs. ¡°Dave help me carry this stuff to the room.¡± I tell Dave, who is standing at the bottom of the steps. He walks up the steps and we both take the stuff and move it to our room. After moving the items to our room we went out to wait on Charlie. After 10 minutes of waiting a beam of light appears in front of Charlie. Charlie grabs all of the stuff then heads towards us. ¡°So, what did you get?¡± I ask him. ¡°I bought ODST armor for 750 Points, a Gauss Carbine for 300, 5 magazines of anti-personnel and 5 magazines of armor-piercing ammunition for 150, 2 frag grenades and 2 krak grenades for 80, a backpack with food and water pills for 41, some bandages and rolls of gauze for 20, and finally 10 bottles of hemostasis spray for 100 points. I only have 46 Points left.¡± He responds. ¡°I guess great minds think alike. We have almost the same load out. Except for the ODST armor and Gauss Carbine. Speaking of the Gauss Carbine what is it?¡± I ask. ¡°The Gauss Carbine is a portable railgun that uses magnets to fire slugs instead of gunpowder.¡± He answers. ¡°Wow that¡¯s super cool.¡± I say. Explanation I¡¯m sorry for not getting anything out last weekend. The reason is because my friends and I played some tabletop 40k, you could probably tell I was a fan by the items. On Sunday I had to finish my class work that I procrastinated. Those are the reasons I did not get out any content last weekend.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER Poll FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERReading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER Ch.16 ¡°I¡¯ve heard of ODST armor, I know it¡¯s from the halo franchise, but what specifically does it do?¡± I ask Charlie. ¡°ODST armor provides protection from extreme heat and protection against energy weapons, along with having a heads up display, a communication device, and something that highlights enemies.¡± Charlie answers. ¡°Wow that sounds extremely useful.¡± I say. ¡°I wonder if we can link your communication device with Dave and I¡¯s micro-beads.¡± ¡°Before we do that maybe we should go somewhere more private.¡± Charlie says. I look around and notice that all the other newbies are listening to what we say. ¡°It doesn¡¯t particularly matter, but ok.¡± I shrug my shoulders and say. I enter my room and wait for Charlie and Dave to follow. ¡°Your room reminds me of a dorm.¡± Charlie states as he looks around. I close my door and say. ¡°It¡¯s modeled after the dorm I used to live in. You know, until I came here.¡± ¡°Oh, ok.¡± Charlie says, while looking down. ¡®I guess my words reminded him that we are trapped here.¡¯ I wait a couple of minutes in awkward silence until Charlie looks back. ¡°So the communication devices?¡± He asks. ¡°Oh, right.¡± I go over to the black arbite armor that I placed on my bed. ¡®I¡¯m glad that didn¡¯t last long.¡¯ I start to take off my clothes so that I can put on the body suit and armor.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Wow, at least wait until I¡¯m out of the room.¡± Charlie says as he rushes to the door. ¡°Wha¡­ Crap I¡¯m so used to changing with Dave in the room that I forgot it would be weird to do so with someone else.¡± I hit my head and say. I wait until Charlie closes the door to change. ¡®First goes the body suit, then goes the plastic armor with ceramite plates, and finally the helmet with micro-bead.¡¯ After putting everything on and waiting for Dave to do the same I open the door and let Charlie in. ¡°Sorry about that.¡± I say. ¡°It fine I just didn¡¯t expect you to change right there.¡± He answers. ¡°Any way back to what we were originally doing, let¡¯s see if we can connect our communication devices.¡± I say. ¡°Is there anywhere that I could change.¡± He says as he holds up his armor. I point to the bathroom door. ¡°There¡¯s a bathroom there.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± He says as he opens the bathroom door. He enters and closes it behind him. After a couple of minutes he comes out, armor donned. ¡°How do we do this?¡± He asks. ¡°I have no idea.¡± I answer. ¡°But we should probably check to see if they are on before we do anything else.¡± ¡®I say that but I don¡¯t even know how to turn it on.¡¯ I feel the micro-bead for a second until I find bit that protrudes out. I push down and a static noise enters my ear. ¡®Ok now it¡¯s receiving, i just need to tune it to the proper channel.¡¯ I look at Dave. ¡°Dave press the button on the micro bead.¡± I say. He nods his head and press the button on the micro-bead, which is set into his helmet near his ear. After he presses the button the static in my ear disappears. ¡®It seems that it¡¯s connected.¡¯ I hold up my hand to Dave and enter the bathroom. ¡°Dave can you hear me.¡± I whisper. ¡°Affirmative.¡± He answers. ¡°Good, it worked.¡± I say as I exit the bathroom. ¡°How¡¯s it going on your end?¡± I ask Charlie. He doesn¡¯t answer for a couple seconds then I hear his voice in my ear. ¡°Yes, I got it.¡± He says as he punches up into the air. ¡°Sorry, what was your question?¡± ¡°You just answered it.¡± I state. ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± He says. ¡°Now that we have the comms working we can go down to the basement to test our weapons.¡± I say. I walk to the door to the basement/training area and head down the stairs. Charlie quickly follows me and asks. ¡°Why are we going into your basement to test weapons? Doesn¡¯t that seem a bit unsafe.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll see when we get down there.¡± I answer with a grin on my face. We reach the bottom of the steps and Charlie gasps. ¡°How is this all down here?¡± He asks. ¡°I don¡¯t know and it doesn¡¯t really matter to me.What does matter is that we have a place to test weapons.¡± I answer. He looks at me with shining eyes. ¡°Then let¡¯s go get them.¡± He then runs up the stairs to get his gauss carbine. I quickly run after him. Ch.17 Once I reach the top of the steps I go to my bed where I had placed my Long Las .Charlie goes to the desk where he placed his gauss carbine and backpack with supplies. ¡°Dave, grab your sword we¡¯re heading down to the basement.¡± I tell Dave. ¡°Affirmative ¡®Josh¡¯.¡± Dave responds, then grabs the white sword he had placed on his bed. After we all had our weapons we walked down the stairs to the firing range. Once we arrived at the firing range I went down range and placed some paper targets and mannequin targets. ¡°I think you should test your weapon first Charlie.¡± I say. He looks at me with a huge smile. ¡°With pleasure.¡± He then grabs a magazine of ammunition labeled ¡®Anti-Personnel¡¯. Putting the magazine inside the gauss carbine he lines up the sites on the carbine. Aiming at a paper target he tenses up and fires. There was a large pop as he fired. I look down the range at the target. ¡®Did he hit? I can¡¯t see from here.¡¯ ¡°This thing has some kick but it manageable.¡± Charlie says as he set his carbine down on a table. ¡°Let¡¯s go check out what it did.¡± I say. I then start walking towards the target. Charlie and Dave soon follow. When we get to the target I scan it. ¡®I don¡¯t see a hole. He must have missed.¡¯ ¡°I swore I hit it.¡± Charlie says as he runs his finger along the paper. Suddenly the paper folds in as he pass over it with his finger. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Charlie asks. I walk closer to get a better look. I look through the line like hole in the paper and see something sticking out of the wall behind it. ¡°Hey Charlie, do you know what kind of projectile the Anti-Personnel ammo is?¡± I ask as I look at the wall. ¡°No, I didn¡¯t bother to take a look inside the magazine.¡± He answers. He joins me behind the target. I walk up to the wall and carefully pull out a thin rectangular piece of metal. I hold it up for Charlie to see. Charlie takes the piece of metal from me and lightly touches the edge. ¡°Fuck!¡± He exclaims as he pulls his finger back.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. ¡°What happened?¡± I ask. ¡°I cut my finger on that fucking thing. I didn¡¯t even touch it that hard.¡± He responds. ¡°I guess this is what the Anti-Personnel round is. A thin razor.¡± I look at the blade and shudder. ¡°It must be horrible to get shot by that thing, if just lightly touching it cuts so deep.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Charlie says as he puts his finger into his mouth. ¡°I¡¯ll go get some hemostasis spray and bandages.¡± I say as I start jogging towards the stairs. Once at the top I go to my backpack and take out a bottle of hemostasis spray and a roll of bandages. Running back down the stairs I arrive back at the firing range. ¡°Show me your finger.¡± I say. Charlie obliges and takes his finger out of his mouth. I set down the bandages and spray his finger with the hemostasis spray. His finger immediately stops bleeding after I spray it. I then put the bottle down and wrap his finger in bandages. ¡°Thanks.¡± Charlie says and flexes his finger a couple times. ¡°No problem.¡± I answer. ¡°Hey Charlie.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± He answers. ¡°Do you know what it takes to be a good sniper.¡± I ask. ¡°Well, I can¡¯t tell you much since I wasn¡¯t a sniper but what I can tell you is that the most important thing to being a sniper is mobility.¡± He says. ¡°What do you mean?¡± I ask. ¡°You see Josh a sniper is good at taking down single targets, but what happens when there is more than one. Sure you might be able to kill a few before they find you but eventually they will find you. Of course that is only if you stay in one place. If, after every shot, you change to a different position then it will be extremely hard to find you. Not to mention you probably won¡¯t be that far away from people considering that you haven¡¯t been formally trained by the military.¡± He answers. ¡°Wow, I never thought about it like that, but now that you have said it it makes a lot of sense.¡± I say. ¡°No problem. We are friends aren¡¯t we. I¡¯m always happy to help.¡¯ Charlie says. ¡°Really? Thanks a lot.¡± I say a huge smile plastered across my face. After a couple minutes of silence I walk over to the table where I placed my Long Las and lined up the iron sites on one of the mannequins. I place my finger on the trigger and pull. A bright flash of light beams out and a hole the size of a baseball opens in the face of a mannequin. ¡®I see why these are called ¡®hot shots¡¯ these overcharged packs really pack a punch.¡¯ After a couple hours of practice, in which Charlie gave me pointers on how to shoot better and Dave practiced swinging his sword, we head back up and Charlie leaves for his room. ¡°See you tomorrow Charlie.¡± I say as he heads out the door. ¡°See ya.¡± He responds with a wave. After Charlie leaves Dave and I enter the kitchen and sit down at the table. ¡°I¡¯m glad we have someone else to train with.¡± I say as I slump down in my chair. ¡°Charlie will be able to provide valuable information on combat and shooting.¡± Dave responds. ¡°Yep.¡± I answer. ¡°It almost makes me excited for the next mission, almost.¡± I stare down at the table. ¡®We got lucky this time. It wasn¡¯t that hard and most of the newbies survived but I¡¯m almost certain that trend will not continue. Most of them will die. I might even die.¡¯ My thoughts swirl in my head. I slam my fist on the table. ¡®I can¡¯t think like this. I need to survive. This isn¡¯t just about me, it¡¯s about Dave, it¡¯s about Charlie, but most importantly it¡¯s about Bill.¡¯ My eyes start to water and I place my head on the table. Soon everything fades away. Ch.18 I wake up to a feeling of immense hunger. I look around and realize that I¡¯m still in the kitchen. ¡®Did I fall asleep at the table.¡¯ I look down and see a small puddle of drool. ¡®I fell asleep on the table.¡¯ I get and stretch. ¡®Fuck my neck is sore. I¡¯m not going to be able to get rid of that until tomorrow.¡¯ I look over to the other side of the table and see Dave sleep in his chair. ¡®I wonder why he didn¡¯t go to his bed. Well he¡¯s basically a flesh robot so it can¡¯t be helped.¡¯ I walk over to the fridge and think of eggs, hashbrowns, and bacon. I open the fridge and a carton of eggs, a frozen packet of hashbrowns, and a package of bacon are inside. I grab the ingredients and start to prepare breakfast. I put the hashbrowns in the oven while I fry the bacon. Once finished I fry the eggs in the bacon grease leftover. I put 2 eggs, 2 strips of bacon, and a mountain of hashbrowns on to a plate and the same amount on another and place both plates on the table. After putting the plates down I stick what''s left of the carton of eggs and the package of bacon into the fridge. I then go to a cupboard and pull out 2 forks and 2 knifes. I look down at my plate. ¡°Eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns never get old.¡± I look over at Dave who has woken up. ¡°Let¡¯s eat.¡± We both dig in. After breakfast I take a shower then I go outside and knock on Charlie¡¯s door. The door opens after a couple minutes and Charlie comes out. ¡°It¡¯s 6 am. Why are you here so early?¡± He asks. ¡°I was going to ask if you wanted to train.¡± I say. ¡°I might as well, I¡¯m already up.¡± He says then closes the door. After a few more minutes he comes out in a fresh shirt and camo pants. ¡°What do you usually do in morning training sessions?¡± He asks as we walk into my room. ¡°Normally we just do physically training.¡± I say. ¡°Why are you in your armor if you¡¯re going to do physical training.¡± He asks as he looks at.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°So I can get used to moving and just generally being in my armor.¡± I reply. We reach the basement door and Dave joins us. ¡°What kind of exercise do you do first?¡± He asks. ¡°Well, first we run for an hour around the basement.¡± I say. ¡°Ok sounds good.¡± He says then stops. ¡°I should probably get my armor.¡± He rubs the back of his head then runs back up the stairs. I look Dave. ¡°Let¡¯s get started. I have no doubt that he¡¯ll be able to keep up.¡± We start jogging side by side. At first it¡¯s easy but after the first 5 minutes my lungs start to feel tight. ¡®Jesus, I wish I had run more while I was in college.¡¯ Charlie soon came down the steps and joined us. We ran in silence. After 10 minutes the tightness turned into a burning. ¡®Even after doing this for 9 days it still kills me.¡¯ By the 20 minute mark my sides start to hurt. ¡°I need to catch my breath you guys can go on ahead.¡± I say as I slow down to a walking pace. After a couple minutes I can jog again. This goes on for an hour. I collapse on the floor after the hour ends. My breathes coming in short quick gasps. ¡°Are you ok Josh.¡± Charlie asks as he kneels down beside me. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ Fine¡­¡± I say in between gasps. ¡°Ok.¡± Charlie says, obviously not convinced. After 5 minutes my breathing calms down and I¡¯m able to get back up. ¡°So, what¡¯s next?¡± Charlie asks. ¡°Next is push ups and sit ups.¡± I say as I kneel down on the ground. I place my hands shoulder length apart and get off my knees. It doesn¡¯t take long for me to reach my limit. ¡®Fuck my arms feel like jelly and my legs feel like lead.¡¯ Dave and Charlie both continue but Dave wins out eventually. ¡°Jesus, how strong is Dave.¡± Charlie asks as sweat drips down his face. ¡°He¡¯s 2x stronger than a normal person.¡± I answer. I then sit on the ground. ¡°Hey Dave can you hold my legs?¡± ¡°Affirmative ¡®Josh¡¯.¡± Dave responds as he stops doing push ups and places his hands on my feet. Like push ups I don¡¯t last long doing sit ups. After we finish sit ups we all sit down. ¡°So, what next¡± Charlie asks. ¡°We rest for an hour then do it all again.¡± I say. ¡°Sounds good.¡± Charlie says. After resting for an hour we get up and continue training. In the afternoon we train with our weapons and Charlie continues to give me advice. Day after day passed and slowly but surely we improved. My aim improved as did my endurance and strength. Dave hasn¡¯t had anyone to teach him so he just practiced swinging his sword. Charlie has gotten more comfortable with his gauss carbine but couldn¡¯t practice much due to his limited ammo, instead he practiced with the Lasgun I gave him. No Chaps this weekend I¡¯m sorry to say but I will not be able to get out any chapters this weekend. I¡¯m currently on a band trip. FILERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERLove what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER Ch.19 I look down at my backpack and check it¡¯s contents to make sure I didn¡¯t leave anything behind. ¡®Food pills? Check. Water pills? Check. Gauze? Check. Hemostasis spray? Check. Bandages? Check.¡¯ I look up from my backpack to my ammo belt. ¡®2 Frags, 2 Kracks, and 4 overcharged packs.¡¯ I place my hand to my helmet and press the button for the micro bead. ¡°Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3. Charlie can you read me?¡± ¡°I read you.¡± Charlie responds. ¡°Dave?¡± I ask. ¡°Affirmative.¡± Dave replies. I pick up my Long Las and take the power pack out before putting it back in. ¡®Long Las locked and loaded.¡¯ I flex my fingers and look down at my armor. ¡®Arbite Light Carapace Armor? Check.¡¯ I stop flexing my fingers and pick up my pack. After putting on my pack I put my Long Las against my shoulder. ¡°Everyone ready to go?¡± ¡°Ready.¡± Charlie responds. ¡°Ready.¡± Dave answers. ¡°Ok. Remember Charlie for this mission you will give the introduction if no one else does.¡± I tell him. ¡°Right.¡± Charlie says and nods. ¡°Then let¡¯s go.¡± I say and push open my door. It is currently 6AM and we are the first people to arrive on the platform. ¡°Last time the light gave the mission at 9AM so I¡¯m assuming it will do the same this time.¡± ¡°What will we do for the next 3 hours?¡± Charlie asked.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. ¡°Make our peace and pray that we don¡¯t die.¡± I say. I then set my pack and Long Las against the stairs while sitting down next to them. The next 3 hours pass in silence only interrupted by occasional small talk. At 9AM 7 light beams shoot out of the ball of light. ¡®Please enter the beam of light within 30 seconds.¡¯ When the mechanical voice rings in my head I pick up my stuff and enter the first beam of light. Dave soon follows me into my Beam. Charlie tries to enter with us but he is blocked. After attempting and failing to enter our beam of light he enters the beam next to ours. I look out over the platform and see Ms.Baker¡¯s group scrambling to get into a beam. Each person in her group, including her, is dressed in modern bullet proof vests and has a modern firearm of some sort. ¡®I thought she was smarter than that. Oh well.¡¯ I take my eyes off them. ¡®Entering mission world. Mission Parameters: Survival. Scenario: Xenomorph Infestation. Difficulty: 14 man. Side Mission: Introduction and Xenomorph kills.¡¯ The mechanical voice dictates. ¡®Oh no.¡¯ Is my last thought before my consciousness fades away. My eyes open to the sight of steel walls and metal grates. I quickly stand up and look around. Dave is already awake and standing while Charlie is just getting up. ¡®Why did it have to be here.¡¯ I look at the familiar storage crate walls, steel grate floors, and well lit ceiling. ¡®Of all the worlds it had to be here didn¡¯t it.¡¯ I feel my breathes start to come quickly and my hand shake. Images of Bill and the guy who was torn open flash in my mind. ¡®I barely survived last time and now there are more of them.¡¯ Finally my body freezes as I remember the dripping maw of the beast as it was about to kill me. Metalic fangs and clear saliva adorned a pink fleshed tongue inside a black shell of horrific strength. ¡°Are you ok Josh¡± Charlie asks as he moves over to me. My mind melts the mental frost of terror at Charlie¡¯s words and I release a breathe I didn¡¯t realize I was holding. I take a deep breathe in and answer. ¡°Yeah I¡¯m fine. I was just remembering the last time I came here.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been here before?¡± Charlie asks surprised. ¡°Yep, my very first mission, though I don¡¯t know if this is the same place.¡± I answer. ¡®I sure hope it¡¯s not the same place. I wouldn¡¯t be able to handle seeing Bills body.¡¯ ¡°That¡¯s great.¡± Charlie says. While we were talking Ms.Baker¡¯s group had woken up along with some of the other newbies. I look over at the newbies. ¡®None of them seem to be exceptional but I guess we¡¯ll find out by who survives.¡¯ I shiver a bit and glance down the corridors to either side. As more of the newbies get up Ms.Baker gets their attention and starts to give an introduction. ¡®So that¡¯s how this is going to be.¡¯ I check my armor to see if it¡¯s sealed properly then click my microbead. ¡°We¡¯re going to take a back seat approach to this mission.¡± I tell Dave and Charlie. ¡°This is going to be the hardest mission we¡¯ve been on and it¡¯s going to be a question if we even survive. The best thing we can do is leave the newbies to Ms.Baker and Co and hope that their numbers will deter the xenomorphs from attacking them.¡± ¡°Affirmative.¡± Dave answers through his micro bead. ¡°Ok.¡± Charlie says in a stiff voice. Ch.20 ¡®Is this really the right thing to do?¡¯ I look over at the newbies who are listening to Ms.Baker. ¡®Is it really right to right to just leave them when I have the ability to protect them.¡¯ I shake my head. ¡®I need to focus. There is nothing I can do for them.¡¯ I look down at my wrist and click the menu button on my watch. Mission: Survival Survive: 24h Points- Mission Completion 1000p Start Time: 2m 47s Time: 0h 0m 0s Side Mission Introduction- Inform the new people of the situation. 100p Xenomorph facehugger- 10p Xenomorph drone- 100p Xenomorph warrior- 500p D ranked reward Xenomorph queen- 2000p C ranked reward ¡®This really is terrible. I¡¯ve never seen ranked rewards offered as rewards.I¡¯m going to assume that the xenomorph I faced last time was a drone. Just that drone was able to wipe the rest of the party.¡¯ I shudder. ¡®I can¡¯t imagine what a warrior is like not to mention a queen. 2000p that¡¯s double the reward for surviving and a C ranked reward is 2 steps higher than anything I¡¯ve gotten up until this point.¡¯ I take a deep breathe. ¡®Calm. I need to stay calm.¡¯ ¡°Charlie the moment the barrier drops we need to run and find a place to hide.¡± I say.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°What? Why?¡± Charlie asks. ¡°Because the enemy we will face is too strong. We cannot beat them.¡± I answer. ¡°It can¡¯t possibly be that bad.¡± Charlie responds. ¡°Charlie, the lowest tier Xenomorph was able to slaughter almost everyone on my first mission. I only survived because someone sacrificed their life to save me. There are 2 types of enemies stronger than that. That¡¯s not even taking into account the number of drones. Do you really think we can beat that?¡± I ask my question genuine. ¡°Wow I didn¡¯t realize it was that bad.¡± He says. ¡°You¡¯re right we need to find somewhere where we can hold out until this is over.¡± ¡®Mission start.¡¯ The mechanical voice decrees. ¡°Let¡¯s move.¡± I say as I take off in a sprint towards the end of the corridor. Charlie and Dave soon follow. We sprint for 5 minutes until we reach the end of the corridor. I place my back against the wall where the two walls of the corridor meet. Charlie stands behind the cargo container near the corner and watches one corridor while Dave watches the other. ¡®Damn I still don¡¯t have enough endurance. I need to work harder so this doesn¡¯t happen and I don¡¯t weigh Charlie and Dave down.¡¯ Once I catch my breath I ask Charlie, ¡°Do you think we should keep moving?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, honestly. If we keep moving we might find a better position but we might not. It¡¯s up to you to decide if we should take that risk.¡± He answers. ¡®Thanks for pushing the responsibility on me.¡¯ ¡°I think we should keep moving, but maybe at a more manageable pace.¡± I say with a grin. ¡®Wait, why am I grinning? He can¡¯t see my facial expressions.¡¯ I start to jog down the other corridor. Charlie jogs next to me and Dave jogs behind us. We continue jogging until eventually we find a door. I look at Charlie and Dave. ¡°Dave you¡¯re going to go through the door first, Charlie you will follow after him, and I will follow last after I open the door for Dave.¡± ¡°Affirmative.¡± Dave responds. ¡°Ok.¡± Charlie says. I walk up to the door and inspect it. The door is made of the same steel that everything else is. The only reason I can tell it¡¯s a door is because there is a handle on it along with the indent in the wall that the door is placed in. I walk up to the door and test to see which way it opens. I push against the door but it doesn¡¯t budge. I pull the door but it doesn¡¯t budge. I try pulling it into the wall. That makes it move. I push the door back and signal to Dave and Charlie that I¡¯m ready. I place my body against the door. ¡°3, 2, 1. GO!¡± I pull the door into the wall and Dave quickly enters the room. Soon after Charlie enters the room with his Gauss Rifle at the ready. I enter a little bit after Charlie my Long Las against my shoulder and my finger on the trigger. I sweep my eyes to the right but only see a hallway that goes on. I quickly sweep my eyes to the left and I see the same thing. I then look forward and find a door identical to the one I just opened on the other side of the hallway. Dave and Charlie are both watching different sides of the hallway. I step into the hallway and place my back against the wall. ¡°Everything is clear on my side.¡± Charlie says. ¡°Likewise.¡± Dave answers. Annoucement No chapters this weekend. I''m not feeling to good but I''ll try to get something out next weekend. FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERIf you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER Ch.21 I scan both ends of the hallway again but nothing has changed. ¡°Let¡¯s check this door before we move down the hallway.¡± I tell Dave and Charlie. They both nod so I walk behind the door, placing my shoulder against the hard metal I raise my hand with 3 fingers up. ¡°1,¡± my ring finger drops, ¡±2,¡± my middle finger drops, ¡±3, GO!¡± My index finger drops and I pull hard on the handle causing the door to slide into the wall. Dave rushed in first, sword at the ready, and swept to the left, while Charlie advanced after him, gauss rifle ready, sweeping right. As I bring my long las to my shoulder and ready to enter I hear a pop. ¡°Hostiles sited! Dave, back me up!¡± Charlie states over the comms. Processing what Charlie said, I wait and allow Dave to pass me before entering the room and aiming right. Looking down my iron site I barely catch a glimpse of something black before I see Dave get thrown back. Moving my eyes back down the site I see Charlie backup as he fires another shot. ¡®Focus idiot!¡¯ For the third time I look back down my site and take in the full horror of the 2 drones attacking us. ¡®I can¡¯t breathe. Why can¡¯t I breathe? I need to fight or I¡¯m going to die. I know I need to fight so why can¡¯t I move? What has all the training been for if not this moment? What has the sacrifice of Bill been for?¡¯ ¡°...h..sh.osh. Josh. JOSH!¡± Charlie¡¯s voice wakes me from my thoughts and I pull the trigger, firing into the mouth of the drone that was bearing down on me. The supercharged las round punched straight through the throat of the drone and cauterized the resulting wound. The drone reared back in pain while I stepped backwards in a panic, causing me to fall. Stolen novel; please report. *POP* A line appeared on the drones head and it fell backwards. I look down and stare at my hands. *POP* *SLICK* I look up from my hands and see Dave pulling his sword out of the chest of the other xenomorph. Charlie walkers over to me and offers me a hand. I look at the hand for a couple of seconds then grit my teeth and take it. With the help of Charlie I stand up. Charlie pats me on the shoulder then walkers over to Dave. ¡®I need to pull my shit together. I can¡¯t just let Dave and Charlie save my ass while I stand there frozen in terror like a little bitch.¡¯ Slapping my helmet, I walk over to Dave and Charlie. ¡°Let¡¯s get a move on,¡± I tell them and walk back out into the hallway. ¡°So, which way?¡± Charlie asks as he exits the room. ¡°We don¡¯t have any information on where to go so let¡¯s just go right.¡± I answer. While Charlie and I were talking Dave had entered the hallway and we had gotten back into formation. I stepped forward and had my long las at the ready. We moved forward in silence. Each step seemed like it took us nowhere as we traveled down an endless corridor. My heart thundered in my ear as anticipation gripped my body and mind. Step by step, minute by minute, we walked, step by step, minute by minute. Minutes fell into tens of minutes and still nothing. Cold sweat dripped down my face and back. The clang of our covered feet on the metal rang in my ear. Every breath I took felt harder and harder. ¡®Why isn¡¯t anything happening? Why are they not attacking us? Are they just waiting for the right opportunity, stalking our every move?¡¯ My eyes dart around at the well lit hallway and linger on the vents, ducts, wires, and pipes on the ceiling. ¡®They must be in the vents.¡¯ I then glance down at the grated floor, ¡®or the floor.¡¯ My eyes track the walls, ¡®or the walls.¡¯ My eyes glance around erratically, ¡®they could be anywhere.¡¯ I grip my long las a bit harder. ¡®Fuck, the stress is getting to me. It¡¯s making me paranoid. I need to chill.¡¯ I take a deep breathe. ¡®Chill.¡¯ I breath in again. *clang* The breath I was taking gets caught in my throat and my eyes start darting around erratically again. ¡°Did you hear that,¡± I ask over the comms with a gulp. ¡°Affirmative.¡± Dave answered. ¡°Yeah.¡± Charlie responded. ¡°We¡¯re being hunted.¡± I state. ¡°It seems so.¡± Charlie agrees. ¡°What do you think it¡¯s waiting for?¡± I ask Charlie. ¡°An opportunity.¡± He answers. ¡°Like what?¡± I ask while I scan the hallway left to right. Then the lights cut out. Ch.22 I can see nothing. My eyes start to dart around the dark abyss from the safety of my helmet and I can feel panic rising within me. Then it¡¯s broken. ¡°Josh get a hold of yourself.¡± Charlie states with a raised voice over the comm. ¡°Sorry.¡± I say as I hold out my arm trying to find a wall. Eventually I feel cool metal under my fingers so I face the opposite direction and back up until my I feel the metal against my back. ¡°Charlie, where are you?¡± I ask. ¡°I¡¯m against a wall. You?¡± He responds. ¡°Likewise.¡± I answer. ¡°Good. Dave, where are you?¡± Charlie asks. ¡°I am located against a wall.¡± He responds in a neutral tone. ¡°Ok, we need to avoid moving so we don¡¯t separate from each other.¡± Charlie tells us. ¡°Wait, we need to all take off our helmets.¡± I say. ¡°Why?¡± Charlie asks. ¡°So we can locate each other based on the sound of our voices.¡± I explain. ¡°Of course.¡± Charlie says followed by a dull thud. I hurriedly take of my helmet and put it under my arm. Then I listen for a few moments. ¡°Josh! Dave!¡± I hear Charlie yell to my right.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. ¡°I¡¯m over here Charlie.¡± I yell back. I hear metallic thumps and then feel something on my shoulder. ¡°Is that you Charlie?¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s me.¡± He responds. ¡°We need to stay together so I¡¯m going to keep my hand on your shoulder, got it.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± I say. ¡°Dave!¡± He yells. ¡°Dave, where are you?¡± ¡°Over here.¡± He responds in a raised voice. Quickly but carefully we travel towards his voice. I keep my hand on the wall to help with orientation and to give me comfort. After a bit we manage to arrive at the source of the voice. I put my other hand out and try to find Dave. While I¡¯m moving my arm I hear a sound that makes my blood run cold. It was the screech of carapace on metal. I move my arm around more but I still can¡¯t find Dave. ¡°Dave!¡± I yell. ¡°Yes ¡®Josh¡¯.¡± He responds from a few feet away. ¡®Damn it he¡¯s on the other side of the hallway.¡¯ The screeching grows louder. ¡®Do I goto the otherside or do I tell him to come to us? Fuck it.¡¯ ¡°Dave, don¡¯t move we¡¯re coming.¡± I yell then I start walking to the otherside of the hallway. The screeching isn¡¯t far away. I speed up my pace and run face first into the other wall. ¡°Fuck.¡± I fall down to the floor. ¡°Are you ok?¡± Charlie asks, hand still on my shoulder. The screeching is almost upon us. ¡°Yeah. Dave, come to us.¡±I yell my words quick and frantic. ¡°Affirmative.¡± He responds not to far away. I hear metal thumps but they are overpowered by the screeching. Then it stopped. I felt something pass me quickly along with a meaty thunk. Then something crashed to the floor. ¡°Dave?¡± No response. ¡°Dave.¡± Still no response. ¡°DAVE!¡± No response.Then I hear the woosh again. ¡®I don¡¯t want to die. Not in the dark. Not on the ground. Not after¡­ Dave.¡¯ I feel my blood boiling in anger. ¡®I WILL NOT DIE. NOT HERE. I WILL AVENGE YOU DAVE.¡¯ Then my heart sped up and my body started to move. I fell back just in time to avoid whatever was coming at me. Once the air passed my my hand shot up and grab something hard which quickly pulled me towards the thing. My body angled itself and let go of what I was holding on to. Using the momentum I hit the thing with both my feet. It collapsed under the force and I quickly straddled it¡¯s back. My hand shot back as I heard another whoosh. I redirected it then I heard a metal thunk. With precision and power I ponded what I presumed to be the neck with my elbows. After awhile I started to hear screeching and I felt it struggle to get what I presumed was its tail out of the floor, but I continued. I continued when the screeching grew loud, I continued when my elbow started to burn, and I continued when the body went limp. Then it was over. I stood up and yelled out, ¡°Charlie, where are you?¡± ¡°Over here.¡± I hear from my left. ¡°Ok I¡¯ll come to you.¡± I said then I started to walk towards him. I only get a few steps before I feel an immense pain throughout my entire body. ¡°AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!¡± Then everything went dark. Ch.23 My whole body is in immense pain. Everytime I woke up I would writhe in pain for a couple minutes before fainting. In and out, I would wake up then faint, in and out. Pain wracked my very soul, it felt as if all my veins were pumping molten lead through my body and all of my nerves were on fire. Then I would fall back into darkness. The cool soothing darkness. It brought me away from the pain. It cleared my head and let me forget. Like a cold shower after a hard days work. In the darkness nothing mattered. Then I would wake up and repeat the cycle all over again. I don¡¯t know how long I was in that state, it might have been seconds or it might have been a lifetime. But eventually the pain lessened enough that I could dream easy. That¡¯s when the nightmares came. The meaty thunk in the darkness and then the cold dead eyes of Dave and Bill. Both of them died because I couldn¡¯t do anything. Because I was weak. I wish those eyes held hatred but I know they didn¡¯t. Neither of them resented me and both of them made their decisions willingly. But my logical thoughts couldn¡¯t outweigh my emotional mind. Then I woke up. I open my eyes and feel the cold metal against my head and back and I see the steel containers and lights. The lights. ¡°I see your awake.¡± Someone says to my right. I turn my head and see Charlie with a grim face. ¡°How long was I out for?¡± I ask as I sit up. He looked down at his watch then back to me,¡°about 20 hours.¡± He says. ¡°That long, huh.¡± I respond as I set my back against a wall. ¡°Yep.¡± He says while looking away. ¡°We only have 2 more hours so I think we¡¯ll make it.¡± As he says that I look towards the way he¡¯s looking and notice a pile of xenomorphs.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve been busy.¡± I observe. ¡°Yep. Little buggers are persistent. Had a couple close calls but we should be fine. The newbies have been providing a good distraction so we¡¯re more or less left alone.¡± He states. ¡°That¡¯s unfortunate but that¡¯s reality.¡± I say as I chuckle in a grim tone. ¡°Yep.¡± Charlie responds then we go quiet. Silence reigns for the next 2 hours as a gloomy atmosphere pervades our hiding spot. After the 2 hours pass we are enveloped by darkness. I open my eyes and look around. As expected it is only Charlie and I left. Both of us are floating in the air being healed by the light. After 30 seconds Charlie is let down. As I am suspended in mid air I look down at my elbow and see the flesh knitting itself back together. ¡°System leave my elbow scarred.¡± I say as a tear slides down my face. I then close my eyes and wait to be let down. After about 5 minutes I am let down. ¡®Deducting 150p for healing.¡¯ The mechanical voice announces. I then look down at my watch to see how many points I have. As I look down I see a message from the system on my watch. Hidden Mission Complete-Unlock First Level of Genetic Constraint Reward- 1000p D ¡®Genetic Constraint? Wait, is that what allowed me to fight the xenomorph bare handed and win? It must be. That¡¯s the only explanation especially if the System is giving me a reward for it.¡¯ I take a deep breathe.¡¯Calm down. This is all guess work. All I need to know is that the System gave me extra points and a D ranked reward.¡¯ I then look at my total points. Joshua Peterson Intelligence- 115 Mental Capacity- 106 Cell Vitality- 95 Reaction Speed- 100 Muscle Density- 95 Immunization Strength- 94 Points- 2459 Ranked Rewards D- 2 C- 0 B- 0 A- 0 S- 0 Enhancements- None ¡®No way. NO. FUCKING. WAY.¡¯ I double take just to see if I wasn¡¯t being tricked. ¡®Fucking hell that¡¯s a lot of points and another D ranked reward!¡¯ I gasp.¡¯That means I killed a xenomorph warrior with my bare hands. I guess that¡¯s the power of the Genetic Constraint.¡¯ I run to my room and quickly enter. ¡®I can worry about points tomorrow.¡¯ I look at Dave¡¯s bed then I fall to my knees. I bury my head in my hands. ¡®I can worry about that¡­ Tomorrow.¡¯ Suggestions 3 What powers, items, and abilities do you think Josh and Charlie should get. Genetic enhancement suggestions would be especially helpful. FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERThis narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER Ch.24 I wake up finding myself on my cool smooth wooden floor kneeling in front of Dave¡¯s bed. ¡®I guess it¡¯s not his bed anymore, huh.¡¯ I start blinking and feel grief rush through me. ¡®NO!¡¯ I clench my fists, my knuckles turn white. ¡®No more crying.¡¯ My nails bite into the palm of my hand. ¡®The time of mourning has passed.¡¯ Skin breaks and blood flows. ¡®He gave his life fighting for me and I will not tarnish his memory by wallowing in self pity.¡¯ Drip drop the blood flows. ¡®I will fight, not for myself but for Dave and for Bill.¡¯ Slowly I unclench my fist. ¡®I¡¯ll grow strong for them and for Charlie.¡¯ I place my hands on my legs and push up to a standing position. ¡®I¡¯ll do it for them.¡¯ I look down at the blood flowing from my palm. I stare at the crimson liquid entranced by it. I shake my head. ¡®I need to go bandage this up.¡¯ I look around my room. ¡®Where is it?¡¯ I search the floor and my bed but I can¡¯t find it. ¡®Come to think of it where are my helmet and rifle?¡¯ Then it comes to me. ¡®I must have dropped it during the fight and since I was knocked unconscious afterwards I didn¡¯t have the chance to grab it and Charlie probably didn¡¯t have the chance either. Fuck.¡¯ I sit on my bed and close my eyes. ¡®Well whatever I have enough points and 2 D ranked rewards so it won¡¯t be a problem to replace my backpack and weapon.¡¯ I look down at the destroyed section of my armor and my scarred elbow, the skin was a dull red and had bubbled up. Although I felt no pain and could move it perfectly fine. ¡®The system does truly wonderful work, but I¡¯ll probably need new armor.¡¯ I lay on my bed with my eyes closed for a couple minutes before I slowly rise up and walk towards my door. I open it up and the bright white of the floor, walls, and door comes into view along with Charlie who is sitting on the steps up to the ball of light. Charlie waves at me once he sees my door open. I wave back and walk towards him. It doesn''t take me more than a couple seconds to reach him. He stands up as I arrive at the steps. ¡°Morning Josh.¡± He says with a friendly smile on his face. ¡°Morning Charlie.¡± I greet with a small smile. ¡°How are you feel?¡± He asks with still smiling. ¡°I¡¯m feeling pretty good besides for a sore back.¡± I place my hand on my back and lean back. ¡°But I guess sleeping on the floor does that to you.¡± Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. He looks at me with concern. ¡°Are you really ok Josh?¡± He places a hand on my shoulder. I look back at him and stop smiling. ¡°Thanks for the concern Charlie but I¡¯m really ok.¡± He looks me in the eyes. ¡°It wasn¡¯t your fault, what happened to Dave. He just got unlucky. That xenomorph could¡¯ve gone for any of us so don¡¯t blame yourself.¡± My eyes start to tear up again. ¡°I know Charlie, I know.¡± I drop my head and look at the floor. After a couple minutes I raise my head and smile. ¡°Thanks Charlie. Even though I had told myself to stay strong I just couldn¡¯t hold it in.¡± He smiles back. ¡°No problem Josh. Afterall we are teammates, aren¡¯t we.¡± Then he lets go of my shoulder and turns towards the the light. ¡°Let¡¯s go, we have a lot of options now that we have so many points so we to start looking.¡± He starts to walk towards the light but I stop him. ¡°Charlie, I want you to have this.¡± I send a mental command to the system. ¡®System transfer 1 D ranked reward to Charlie.¡¯ ¡®Confirmed, transfering 1 D rank reward to Subject .Charlie¡¯. Warning one can only transfer once per resting period would you like to proceed with the transfer?¡¯ ¡®Yes I would like to proceed.¡¯ ¡®Confirmed.¡¯ A look of shock appears on Charlie¡¯s face. He looks at me and opens his mouth to say something but I quickly shake my head. He raises an eyebrow. ¡°Why are you giving me this?¡± ¡°Because I don¡¯t want you to die and I need someone to watch my back.¡± I answer. Charlie looks at me then looks at his watch, after a few minutes he sighs. ¡°I guess I have no choice but to take it.¡± He turns back around and walks towards the light, this time uninterrupted. When he reaches the platform he looks over his shoulder and beckons me. I walk up to the top of the stairs and stand on the platform next to him. ¡°So what do you need?¡± I ask him. ¡°Well.¡± He rubs the back of his neck. ¡°I was wondering if you had any suggestions for me.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± I cup my chin and look down at the floor. After awhile I look back up. ¡°Currently you are a very tech focused mid ranged fighter, you have a decent set of armor and a decent weapon so maybe an enhancement to give you better reflexes or an enhancement to increase your survivability. You could also get something a support item of some sort to help you. Like an upgrade for your helmet or something to help with targeting or something.¡± ¡°Maybe.¡± He responds. After a couple more minutes I connect to the system and browse. After a bit of searching inspiration hits me. ¡°I got it.¡± I say interrupting the silence that had inadvertently fallen over us. ¡°You can get chakra and at a later date a dojutsu but in the short term genin level chakra will have to do and for a support item a Tau Markerlight drone along with the drone controller and a universal tech converter to interface the Tau tech and your ODST armor.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t understand most of what you said but ok.¡± Charlie says with a grin. I laugh. ¡°Ok Charlie.¡± I say. Character Stats Joshua Peterson Intelligence- 115 Mental Capacity- 106 Cell Vitality- 95 Reaction Speed- 100 Muscle Density- 95 Immunization Strength- 94 Points- 2600 Ranked Rewards D- 1 C- 0 B- 0Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. A- 0 S- 0 Enhancements- None Dave (deceased) Intelligence- 200 Mental Capacity- 200 Cell Vitality- 200 Reaction Speed- 200 Muscle Density- 200 Immunization Strength- 200 Points- N/A Ranked Rewards D- N/A C- N/A B- N/A A- N/A S- N/A Enhancements- None Charlie Rodriguez Intelligence- 90 Mental Capacity- 87 Cell Vitality- 115 Reaction Speed- 123 Muscle Density- 125 Immunization Strength- 96 Points- 1646 Ranked Rewards D- 1 C- 0 B- 0 A- 0 S- 0 Enhancements-None Ch.25 Charlie looks up at the ball of light and hsi eyes go out of focus. ¡°So 1000 points and a D rank reward of genin level chakra, check. Tau Markerlight Drone and drone controller 500 points, check. Universal Technology Interfacer 100 points, check.¡± After checking everything a beam of light shot out of the ball of light and enveloped Charlie. From the light blue tiny blue orbs shot into Charlie then he was carefully set down. Another 2 beams of light shot out and a Drone along with the drone controller in one beam and a black box in the other slowly descended. Once they reached the platform the light beams ascended and disappeared. Charlie quickly grabbed the U.T.I. and placed it on the back of the drone controller. Black wires shot out of the black box and penetrated the back of the drone controller. Soon the black box integrated into the back of the drone controller leaving the screen on top of the black box. Charlie the held the black box to his wrist where a similar process took place. After everything was finished only a black band along with a screen were left on his wrist. Charlie rotated his hand and threw a couple punches before nodding and tapping the screen. The screen lit up and his fingers quickly fluttered across its opaque surface. After a couple of minutes the previously lifeless drone lit up and slowly hovered towards Charlie. It position itself behind his right shoulder and hovered behind him. Charlie looked at the drone with a grin. ¡°Man this is so cool.¡± He then looked at me. ¡°Thanks for the suggestions, this was definitely worth it.¡± I nodded my head and smiled back at him. ¡°No problem.¡± ¡°So what are you going to get.¡± Charlie asks. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± I cup my chin and look down at the ground. ¡°I¡¯m a long ranged support and I want to keep it that way.¡± My mind turns back to the darkness. ¡°Never again do I want to be in such a powerless situation.¡± My brows furrow. ¡°Maybe I can get psychic energy or psionic energy. Maybe telekinesis or telepathy. Hmm.¡± I look up at the ball of light. ¡°I¡¯d be more versatile if I got an energy type instead of a specific power or I could get a different type of energy like mana or qi. So many options.¡± My brow furrows deeper. ¡°Maybe I should get a full body enhancement but then brings up which one.¡± I connect to the System and browse aimlessly after awhile I start looking through the higher level stuffer. ¡®That¡¯s interesting, most of these have a previous enhancement requirement. That¡¯s something to keep in mind.¡¯ I continue to look. ¡®Most of these creatures are both physically and magically gifted.¡¯ I narrow down my search to introductory bloodlines that provide energies. ¡®This one actually suits me quite nicely. Actually it¡¯s exactly what I was looking for.¡¯ Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡®System, I would like the Imp body enhancement.¡¯ I tell the System. ¡®Confirmed, deduction 1000 points and a D rank reward.¡¯ The Systems mechanical voice informed. ¡®The Imp bloodline provides me with demonic essence, some minor mental boosts, and some physical changes like dark vision, small horns, leathery skin, claws, and fangs. It also gives me a resistance to fire and magical resistances to curses and fire. Pretty good and the next step is a fiend or fiends with specific magical aptitudes.¡¯ Lost in thought I don¡¯t notice the beam of light picking me up or the black orbs entering me. Once I realized what was happening it was over. I turn my head again to look at the ball of light but something feels off. ¡®Why does it feel like my body is moving slower than I¡¯m wanting it to. It¡¯s like my mind and body are out of sync.¡¯ I look at the ball of light for a couple of seconds then it comes to me. ¡®It must be my enhanced mental stats. My mind and body were in sync from years of working together and my other stat enhancements were to minor to effect it.¡¯ I glance at my hand and watch it rise. ¡®I don¡¯t feel any resistance but I have this feeling as if it¡¯s slow. I guess I¡¯m going to need to enhance my physical stats or at least my muscle density to the level that it can keep up with my mental stats.¡¯ I look back up at the ball then I start to think again. ¡°Charlie do you have any ideas for support items that I could use.¡± I asked Charlie. ¡°I don¡¯t know, since you are a sniper maybe some sort of camo or concealing device.¡± I heard his voice respond. ¡®Camo or concealing device, camo or concealing device, concealing device. I got it a camo cloak from 40k. It will provide me with concealment and just in general hide my now changed features.¡¯ I think back to my ash grey skin, tiny horns, and claw like black nails and needle like black teeth. ¡®Yep definitely useful.¡¯ I quickly search for the item and find it. ¡®500 points, ok then that¡¯ll leave me with 1100 points for a new weapon and supplies.¡¯ I confirmed my purchase and beam of light descended carrying a grey cloak. Once the item reaches the ground the beam ascends back to the ball of light. I pick up the cloak and fascin it around my neck. Once I¡¯m finished I pull the cloak around my body. ¡®Perfect fit.¡¯ The fabric that had previously been grey starts to change color and soon takes on a bright white appearance. ¡°Wow, it¡¯s really hard to see you against the backdrop of the walls and floor.¡± Charlie says. He walks over to me and starts circling me. Amazement emanating from his expressions. ¡°Yep it¡¯s pretty good.¡± I agreed. ¡°Now I just need to get another rifle and supplies then we can start training.¡± I flash Charlie a grin then I get back to searching. ¡®I should probably get a combat knife just in case someone closes in on me.¡¯ I connect to the System and start to browse the combat knives. ¡®Now that I think about knives aren¡¯t really my style, maybe a pistol then.¡¯ I search the pistols. ¡®I guess I got to go with an oldy but goody, the Laspistol. 100 points, that leaves me with 900 for my main rifle.¡¯ I search the rifles. ¡®All the good Tau rifles like the rail rifle and ion rifle cost 1000 points, I guess I¡¯ll just go with the standard pulse rifle. 500 points for a standard pulse rifle. That leaves me with 400 points that I could¡¯ve used on my rifle. I guess I¡¯ll just use it on stat enhancements. I¡¯ll put 200 points into Muscle Density and 200 points into Cell Vitality. That should boost my survivability. That leaves supplies, food and water pills are 20 points, hemostasis spray is 10 per bottle I¡¯ll take 5 so that¡¯s 50 points, and finally a backpack and bandages for 10 points. That leaves me with 20 points left.¡¯ Ch.26 The ball of lights beams descend with my items and for a second time I am taken up. After the balls of light enter me I am set down filled with a new vitality and strength. I clench my fist slowly then release my grip. I lift my arm and see the muscles bulge. A smile finds its way onto my lips. ¡®Wow, this is the best I¡¯ve felt in years.¡¯ I look up and see Charlie snickering at me and my face heats up. I quickly turn around and gather up my backpack and rifle. I put the backpack on under my cloak then I grab my rifle with both hands and point the barrel down. ¡®Safety first.¡¯ I let out a chuckle. Just as I¡¯m about to leave the platform a thought strikes me. ¡®I need ammo for this thing.¡¯ I check the sleek futuristic rifle and find it already has a powercell. ¡®One powercell is good for 50 shots but I¡¯ll need a couple more.¡¯ Once again I connect with the System and purchase 2 powercells for 10 points each. ¡®Anything else.¡¯ I think for a couple more seconds before sighing and walking down towards Charlie. ¡®I don¡¯t have anymore points so it doesn¡¯t matter.¡¯ I quickly travel down the steps and meet Charlie who is at the bottom. ¡°Are we going to your room to train?¡± He asks as we start walking towards our rooms. ¡°Yep.¡± I answer then I look towards his room. ¡°Unless you want to use your room.¡± ¡°Nah, your rooms good enough, besides it¡¯s not like it would change anything to train in my room.¡± He says as we reach my door. I place my hand on the door knob and open the door for us. ¡°True.¡± I say. We continue past the beds then enter the basement. ¡®I guess it¡¯s less of a basement and more of a training room but hey details.¡¯ We walk down the steps and enter the metallic box that is my basement and training room. ¡°We should start out by testing out our new toys.¡± I say to Charlie. Charlie gives a thumbs up and a smile that makes him resembles a child on Christmas. Charlie practically sprints to the firing range while I casually follow behind him. Charlie arrives then starts tapping away at his drone controller. Soon after his drone flies to Charlie¡¯s right and he starts aiming his carbine. I reach him just as the first round is fired along with its characteristic pop. I look at the target and see a red light along with a little grey line. ¡°As good a shot as ever I see.¡± I tell Charlie. Charlie looks at me with a glint in his eyes. ¡°This drone is amazing, not only does it provide a marker of where I should hit it¡¯s also providing information on the optimal engagement range and angle of fire to best hit the target. Along with providing a video feed that¡¯s linked to my helmets hud.¡± He turns back to the target and continues firing. ¡®Looks like he¡¯s going to be practicing for awhile.¡¯ I walk to Charlie¡¯s right for a bit until I reach the next target. I then heft up the pulse rifle to my shoulder and look down the iron sites. I take a breathe then slowly breathe out. Once there is no ir left in my lungs I pull the trigger. A little pressure on my shoulder followed by a bright flash of light is the result of my action. When I open my eyes after a couple seconds I find that my paper target is gone and there is a scorch mark on the metal wall behind where the target used to be. ¡°Jesus, I guess I shouldn¡¯t expect anything less from plasma.¡± I hear a whistle to my left. I turn and see Charlie looking at the scorch mark on the wall. ¡°You sure did pick a good weapon, huh.¡± ¡°Yep.¡± I answer back. I look back at the wall then I place my pulse rifle on a table. ¡°I¡¯ll keep practice with that for later.¡± I say as I try to find a comfortable place to sit. I eventually just end up sitting down next to the table.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡°Why are you sitting down?¡± Charlie asks with a look of confusion. ¡°Because I want to try and sense my demonic essence.¡± I answer Charlie. I then close my eyes and focus on my body. ¡®I¡¯ve felt something off since buying the imp bloodline and it wasn¡¯t only the increased mental stats.¡¯ I focus on the slight burning sensation in my chest. I feel something like sticky fire. The more I focus on it the more intense the burning sensation gets. ¡®I wonder how I can use this? Is it like Qi where I have to circulate it. Do I gain more of it by cultivating or exhausting it.¡¯ I try to move the demonic essence from my chest to my hand. It takes immense concentration but I am able to move it but as it moves it feels like every where it passes is set on fire. Slowly, agonizing second by second I push it towards my hand and after what feels like a lifetime I manage to get the demonic essence to my hand. I then push it towards my index finger and open my eyes. The demonic essence easily passes through the skin unlike every other part of my body and a dark red almost black film covers my finger. I look at my finger for a couple seconds the I slowly stand a place my finger on the table. No visible effect occurs. ¡°Hey Charlie, I need your help.¡± I yell out. Charlie stops shooting and turns around. ¡°What do you need?¡± He asks as he walks over to me. ¡°I want to test the effects of demonic essence.¡± I tell him. He gives me a confused look as he walks closer. ¡°How?¡± He asks. ¡°Like this.¡± Isay as I place my finger on Charlie¡¯s arm. ¡°Fuck.¡± Charlie jumps back and yells. ¡°Sorry Charlie but I needed to know.¡± I tell him with a shrug of my shoulders. ¡°God damn it, it feels like every single neuron in my body is on fire¡± Charlie rubs his arm and says. ¡°So the raw form of the energy upon contact induces immense pain. Good to know.¡± I mumble to myself. ¡®I wonder if I can mould the energy into a weapon.¡¯ I look down on my finger and start forcing more energy from my chest to my hand. The energy flows easier than the first time and with less pain. ¡®I guess I just need to send the energy around my body and temper my body to the energy or in cultivation terms create qi pathways.¡¯ More and more of the energy flows to my hand until no more is left. The essence quickly joins the previous layer of essence and creates a half inch thick coating around my finger. ¡®Now to form it.¡¯ I will the essence to move and imagine a single clawed finger. The demonic essence lazily flows over my finger creating a claw like coating over my finger. I move my hand and tap the clawed finger against the table. A light tp sounds out as the demonic essence at the tip of the claw solidifies. ¡®Interesting, I don¡¯t really want to slash Charlie with this but I can guess at the effect it will have.¡¯ I then will the energy to flow back into my hand and I expand the energy like a lake into every part of my hand. The moment t leaves the previously traveled area the pain flares up but fighting through it I manage to expand throughout my hand. Once I finish that I push the energy to all five of my fingers and will claws to form. The demonic essence flows and creates a thin clawed finger on each of my fingers. I look down at the table and move my hands to the edge so just the claws are over the table but my fingers aren¡¯t. I then rise my hand and quickly bring it down. No sound is made as my claws slice through the wooden table like butter. ¡®Not too bad.¡¯ I will the energy back into my hand then I focus on push all of the energy into a single point in my palm. Slowly the liquid like essence leaks out then pools in my palm. I will the puddle to compress trying to form a ball. Slowly the essence flows back into a single point on my palm and slowly forms golf ball sized ball. I will the ball to float above my hand but it doesn¡¯t budge so I concentrate hard. It takes minutes but reluctantly the ball leaves skin contact and floats a little ways above my hand. I will the ball higher and it acquiesces soon the dark red golf ball is floating about 3 inches above my hand. ¡®This is mentally exhausting.¡¯ I think to myself . I concentrate on the ball again and will it to spin. Slowly at first then at increasing speeds the ball spins. I focus on the spinning ball and look down range. I catch sight of a paper target. I slowly angle my body towards it then once again focusing on the ball I will it to shoot away from me at the target. Slowly at first the ball moved but as it moved further away it sped. Although it sped up I could exert less control on it. Once it reached about five feet away from me I lost all control and the ball shot off hitting the target then slamming into the metal wall. Once it slammed into the wall the ball splashed apart like a water balloon then the essence transformed into a gaseous state and quickly flew towards me. It soon reached me then it flew into me through my skin sending waves of agonizing pain through me as it flew towards my chest. Once it reached my chest it slowly started to condense into a liquid form again. At this point I was on the ground sweating from both the pain and my own mental exhaustion. ¡®That was extremely unpleasant.¡¯ I thought to myself before I passed out. Ch.27 I open up my eyes and stare at my ceiling. ¡®Sometimes I wake up and wish this was all a bad dream.¡¯ I then look down at my scarred elbow and armor. ¡®But it never is.¡¯ A single tear drips down my cheek. ¡®It never is.¡¯ I shake my head then get up. I walk to my bathroom still trying to rub the sleep out of my eyes. ¡®I haven¡¯t taken my armor off in three days. I really need to take a shower.¡¯ I enter my bathroom then lock the door behind me. I look down at the sweat soaked and scuffed light grey carapace and sigh. I slowly peel the sticky black bodysuit from my skin then throw it into the corner near the door hinges. I look down at my thin and slightly toned body. ¡®A couple weeks of work and a couple life or death scenarios is all it took to burn off that layer of fat. Why didn¡¯t I try this before.¡¯ I chuckle grimly then place my hand on the water controls and turn on the hot water. I step into the combined bathtub and shower and let the water run over me for a couple minutes. I open my eyes then start lathering my body with soap and cleaning it. After about 20 minutes and a couple latherings I step out of the shower clean and refreshed. I grab my towel and start drying myself off. After I¡¯m finished drying myself off I hang up my towel then gather up my armor, bodysuit, and cloak. I walk into my room then start the process of preparing my breakfast. After I eat a filling breakfast of fried eggs, hash browns, and bacon I wash my body suit and clean my armor by hand. Once I¡¯m finished with all my menial tasks I put my armor back and cloak back on and grab my rifle I exit my room and walk over to Charlie¡¯s. I raise my arm and knock on Charlie¡¯s door. ¡°Rise and shine Charlie.¡± I yell. The door opens and a disheveled Charlie peeks out from behind it. ¡°What do you want Josh?¡± He asks while rubbing his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s time to train Charlie.¡± I tell him with a grin. Charlie sighs. ¡°Fine, let me get ready. Give me like 5 minutes.¡± Charlie says then slams his door. I place my rifle on the ground and sit down next to it. After about 5 minutes Charlie walks out in his armor with his carbine in hand and drone in tow. ¡°All let¡¯s go.¡± He says as I push myself off the ground. Once I¡¯m on my feet we start to walk towards my room. ¡°So what happened after I fainted?¡± I asked Charlie curious as to what he did while I was knocked out. ¡°Well after you fainted I brought you up to your bed then I continued testing out my drone for a bit. Then I tried using my chakra. At first it was hard but after a couple hours I was able to get the hang of it. Now I can slightly strengthen my physical attacks or give a slight boost to speed.¡± He informed me.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°That¡¯s good, hopefully we¡¯ll be able to gain better control of our powers before we¡¯re sent on another mission.¡± I say as we enter my room. ¡°Yeah.¡± Charlie answers. We head towards the door to my basement and then our training began. For sixs days Charlie and I did physical training in the mornings. Starting off with a one hour run, then doing push ups and sit ups for an hour, and then repeating the process for six hours. I was better able to keep up with Charlie due to my enhanced stats and I even improved some over the week. Charlie also improved along with me. We both pushed each other to do the best we could. The physical training also helped me acclimate to my enhanced stats. After physical training we would rest and eat lunch. After resting we would do weapons training and skill training. Since I had limited ammunition for my pulse rifle and because it already had an aim assisting feature I shot it very little only using a single powercell for the whole week but I did practice quite a bit with my laspistol. Charlie also shot very little to conserve ammunition, so both of us ended up training with our energies. He practiced enhancing his limbs and control . I told him about the tree climbing exercise and we decided to adapt that to just wall climbing. At the end of the week Charlie had a very bruised back but could now climb walls with bit of concentration. I focused on expanding my essence pathways and quickening the manifestation of my claws and sphere. I also practiced controlling the sphere and speeding up its exit from my influence. Charlie and I sparred quite a bit during the weapons training time as well. Charlie was significantly better than me at hand to hand combat but I improved quickly. Soon Charlie was enhancing his movements with chakra and I was using my demonic essence covered claws in our spars. Through these I confirmed that the extended claws do also cause immense pain along with being quite good a cutting, Once our weapons training time ended we rested and ate dinner then we started combat training. I would change my training room to different environments and we would plan out how to deal with different situations along with running drills. On the final day Charlie and I relaxed and enjoyed ourselves before the terror we knew was coming. Then the morning arrived. Just like every morning I got up and I was standing outside, armor and cloak dawned, backpack strapped, and rifle in hand. My laspistol was holstered on my right hip. I had the hood of my cloak up and the shadows of the hood hid my face. I looked towards Charlie¡¯s door as I leaned against the wall. Soon he exited his room. Armor dawned, carbine at the ready, drone in tow, and backpack strapped. We gave each other a nod then walked towards the stairs. We stopped then looked up at the ball of light that was The System. Soon its mechanical voice entered our minds ¡®Please enter the light in 30 seconds.¡¯ It proclaimed and grimly we did as it told. We entered the beams of light. ¡®Entering mission world. Mission Parameters: Survival. Scenario: Yautja hunt. Difficulty: 15 man. Side Mission: Introduction.¡¯ Then we entered the familiar dream like state. Character Ideas If anyone has any ideas for a character or multiple characters they want to see appear in the current mission or coming missions please comment your ideas. Thanks for reading. FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERThis narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER Ch.28 Everything is dark but slowly but surely a speck of light grows in my vision. Soon my vision returns to me along with an immense humidity and heat. I feel plants and dirt under my hands as I slowly rise from the ground and see the mass of sleeping bodies in front of me. One of them, Charlie, is rising but I ignore them in favor of looking at my wrist. I tap my watch and the screen displays the mission. Mission: Survival Survive 3 days Points- Mission Completion 1000p Start Time: 4m 35s Time Limit: 72h Side Mission Introduction- Inform the new people of the situation. 100p Kill Yautja- 2000 C Ranked Reward ¡®Fucking hell we never catch a break, ignore the zombie mission.¡¯ I look up from my watch and search for Charlie. He is also raising his head from looking at his watch. We lock eyes and nod to each other. I take a step away from the newbies intent on giving Charlie the introduction points. I turn around and look out at our surroundings. On all sides we are surrounded by lush jungle. Leaves cover the ground along with various plants. Vines hang from trees and bugs crawl on the bark and amongst the roots. Beautiful multi colored birds flying through the air but no sound is made, not a single caw or chirp, buzz or boisterous click. ¡°Please remain calm and wait for the others to wake up before I start my explanation.¡± I hear Charlie say from behind me. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡°What is the meaning of this? Where am I? Oh my god you abducted us didn¡¯t you. Well you will feel the force of the law once daddy finds out who you are.¡± I hear a shrill voice yell out. ¡°Please miss remain calm. You have not been abducted and all will be explained once everyone wakes up.¡± Charlie says trying to placate the woman. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what an abductor would say.¡± She accused. Charlie continued to try and placate the woman but she only got more hysterical. I chuckle at Charlie¡¯s misfortune and continue to face away from the conflict letting my cloak hide me from them. More voice start to question Charlie as more people wake up. ¡°QUIET!¡± Charlie yells, frustration evident in his voice. ¡°Good.¡± He says as everyone complies. ¡°You must all be wondering why you are here. Well the answer is very simple. You clicked yes to the systems prompt for one reason or another. Now you have all been transported to a different place and given a task. If you would all look at your wrists you should see a pure black watch. Tap the screen and it should show you the mission section.¡± There was a pause as I presume Charlie showed them his watch. ¡°What does it mean survival mission? What are points and ranked rewards?¡± Someone in the crowd asked. ¡®Interesting.¡¯ I turned around and looked at the person who said that. The person with enough sense to ask questions turned out to be a young asian man in a suit. ¡°Good questions.¡± Charlie says as he looks at the young man and then at me. ¡°A survival mission means that we only need to survive for a given amount of time in this case 3 days to complete the mission and acquire the rewards. Points are used to buy items, powers, genetic enhancements, etc. And before you ask you can buy freedom from this place but it will cost 50000 points. You might be asking yourself ¡°wait we have to go on more of these missions¡± and the answer is yes. Not only will you need to go on more missions the missions you will go on will get more difficult as time goes on so if you were thinking about not spending your points then that would be a mistake.¡± After he finished speaking stayed quiet for a few seconds before nodding at me. Charlie started to walk towards me but a man stepped out from the crowd and blocked his path. ¡°Now what makes you think I¡¯ll believe that bullshit.¡± The large man asked. He was taller than both Charlie and I and built like a truck with wide shoulders and biceps as big as my head. ¡°You don¡¯t need to believe it.¡± Charlie says as he tries to walk past the man. The man sticks his hand. ¡°I don¡¯t need you to tell me that but I do need you to tell me the truth.¡± He says while look down at Charlie. Charlie, ignoring the obvious attempt at intimidation, pushes the man¡¯s arm away then walks past. The man looks at Charlie incredulously as he walks past him. ¡°I said wait.¡± He says as he tries to block Charlie¡¯s path again. ¡°Are you really going to take this Charlie.¡± I ask. Charlie arrives next to me and answers,¡±Yep.¡± ¡°Ok then.¡± I answer back then look into the crowd once again. ¡°Hey kid.¡± I yell as I point to the young asian man. ¡°Follow us and don¡¯t get in our way.¡± I command. ¡°Why?¡± He asks. I smile at him with my black needle like teeth.¡±So you don¡¯t die.¡± Ch.29 Charlie and I quickly but cautiously travel through the undergrowth of the Jungle. Neither of us look back but we can hear the young asian man following behind. Charlie had his gauss carbine at the ready, he was traveling a couple feet in front of me. I had my rifle out but I kept it across my body holding it in both hands. Charlie¡¯s drone flew behind him just above his shoulder constantly feeding him data. Since I had lost my helmet in the last mission I was unable to communicate with Charlie through his internal comms therefore we did not speak much as we traveled through the Jungle. We traveled uninterrupted for awhile. ¡®I¡¯m glad that the imp genetic enhancement helps me with the heat otherwise this would be near unbearable.¡¯ I scanned around us as we walked, always making sure that I kept Charlie in my sight so we didn¡¯t get separated. ¡®We¡¯re dealing with hunters, the Yautja or predators, if we get separated we are dead. Even if we remain together we don¡¯t stand that good of a chance. From what I remember of the movies they are physically strong, good in both melee and ranged combat, and have the ability to go invisible. This¡¯ll be tough.¡¯ I¡¯m brought out of my thoughts by Charlie raising his hand and stopping. I stop and focus on my surroundings, hefting my rifle up I looked down the iron sites and scanned from side to side. ¡°What is it?¡± I ask Charlie quietly. Charlie put his hand to his lip and pointed to something on the ground. I look down and amongst the leaves, dirt, and small plants I see a rope. Charlie points from the rope to a sapling next to it that was bent towards the rope. I look closer and see that the rope is connected to the sapling. ¡°It¡¯s a snare.¡± He says in a whisper. After squatting down next to the trap for a couple minutes we stand up and start to move around the trap. ¡°Watch out for the snare.¡± I said over my shoulder. ¡°Watch your step.¡± Charlie said. He then looked at the ground. ¡°There are probably pitfall traps and definitely more snares.¡± I nod my head then keep my eyes on the ground. ¡°I can still hear the kid behind me so he¡¯s probably fine.¡¯ I give a slight chuckle. ¡®I¡¯m probably about the same age as him but these past few months have felt like years.¡¯ I shake my head and focus on the ground ahead of me. We walked for hours and as it turns out there were pitfalls, I almost fell into one but I managed to jump away at the last minute. As we traveled I constantly felt like we were being watched but I never managed to find out what it was. Though I had a sneaking suspicion it was the predators. As night drew near we searched for a place to rest and eventually found a little clearing next to a waterfall. Charlie set up a fire in the clearing and we prepared to rest for the night.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. I sat down on the slightly damp foliage and set my backpack down next to me. Charlie did the same. The young asian man joined us but since he had nothing he sat down awkwardly. I brought out my food and water pills popping one of each into my mouth. I enjoyed the feeling of my thirst and hunger washing away then I offered the bottles to the young man. He hesitantly took the bottle and popped one of each pill into his mouth like I did. His eyes widened in surprise as the pills took effect. Charlie and I chuckled at his response. ¡°So what¡¯s your name?¡± I ask him. ¡°My name is Jack Lee.¡± Jack said. He hands me the bottles and I put them back into my backpack. ¡°Nice to meet you Jack, I¡¯m Joshua but you can call me Josh and that¡¯s Charlie.¡± I said with a slight smile, making sure not to show my teeth. ¡°Likewise, so what you said was true about the points.¡± He said with amazement as he points at my backpack. ¡°What, didn¡¯t believe Charlie when he said it the first time?¡± I said with a laugh. Jack rubs the back of his head as he smiles awkwardly. ¡°Not really but now that I know for certain what he said is true, what are we going to do?¡± Jack asks, a concerned look on his face. ¡°Well you aren¡¯t going to be able to do much but Charlie and should be able to protect you. In all honesty we can¡¯t do much. The Yautja have the ability to stay invisible on top of extremely good combat abilities. To even start to fight back we would need the ability to detect them.¡± I said then I pause for a bit. ¡°Wait, Charlie can your drone sense targets with invisibility.¡± He looks down at his wrist then taps on his drone controller for a bit. He looks up then shakes his head then he taps on his drone controller for bit longer. ¡°Its sensors can¡¯t see invisible targets but if I put it into sentry mode it might be able to spot abnormalities that occur and warn us of its presence.¡± I nod. ¡°That¡¯s probably the best we¡¯ll get for now.¡± I hold up my arm and look at my cloak. ¡°This won¡¯t do any good against the Yautja they have heat vision and the camocloak only blends in visually. Better than nothing I guess.¡± I look at Charlie¡¯s drone. ¡°I guess you got first watch huh Charlie.¡± Charlie chuckled. ¡°I guess so.¡± I look at Jack. ¡°So Jack, what did you do before you came to this hell hole.¡± Jack jumped a bit in surprised then answered. ¡°I worked in a small company as a financial advisor.¡± ¡°Interesting, I was still in college when I was brought over.¡± I said. ¡°I was military before I came here.¡± Charlie said. Conversation stopped and a silence fell over our group. This was common for Charlie and I but it obviously made Jack uncomfortable. Jack kept shifting until he eventually laid down to sleep. Charlie and I soon followed. Darkness surrounded us, kept at bay by the fire at the center of our camp, but they were not alone. In the inky curtain that fell upon the Jungle a triangle of red lights flashed before slowly moving to rest upon the forehead of Charlie. A deep blue light glowed in the darkness then a ball of intense heat came to life, flying through the darkness like an angel of death. Ch.30 As the bolt of plasma was about to reach Charlie a metal disk flew in front of him, blocking it. The plasma splashed across the metal surface of the drone, the force of the hit made the drone fly backwards slamming into Charlie. ¡°Fuck.¡± Charlie yelped as the drone smashed into his head. Immediately he jumped up with his carbine at the ready, I woke up and grabbed for my rifle next to me. Once I felt the cool metal of the pulse rifle I jumped to my feet and scanned the perimeter. Charlie was sprinting for cover with his drone not far behind him, the metal top of the drone glowed with heat. I followed suit and when I glanced back Jack did too. I arrived at a tree next to Charlie and layed down aim down my iron sight. ¡°Charlie I need a marker light on the fucker.¡± I yelled out. ¡°I¡¯m on it.¡± Charlie yelled back. I hear tapping and soon the drone flew in front of the tree. It scanned the area for a couple seconds before shooting out red beam of light. The light beam hit the air above a tree branch and stayed suspended in mid air. I quickly moved my iron site to line up with the red dot then fired. A bright blue pulse of plasma sped through the trees and in an instant reached the red dot. The plasma dissipated and the area where it hit shimmered. As soon as the air shimmered the tree branch bent and then the shimmering was gone. The drone shifted and started to spin its sensors, the beam of light moved and the red dot appeared above another tree branch closer. Then the tree branch bent and the red dot moved again. ¡®Focus.¡¯ I told myself and I shifted my iron site in the direction the drone faced. Before I reached the next tree branch I heard a pop to my right and the air shimmered where I had placed my iron site but I was too late and the red dot had already disappeared. ¡®Focus.¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s getting close.¡¯ I thought, sweat flowing down my forehead and back. I found the red dot quicker this time and managed to get a shot off before it lept, both Charlie and I managed to hit that time. The shimmering lasted longer and it was easier to see where it was going to land. ¡°We only have one more chance before it gets to us.¡± Charlie said as he lined up his shot. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. I nodded then I breathed in as I looked down the iron site. ¡®One more chance.¡¯ I breathed out slowly. Confidence filled my mind as I pulled the trigger. When the blue plasma and solid tungsten sabot hit the shimmering intensified then slowly a black armored figure materialized. No skin was showing, the only visible organic part of its body was its dreadlocks. A plasma cannon sat on its shoulder and 3 blades were visible in each hand, extending from the knuckle. ¡®The Armor is new and it looks like the invisibility was upgraded to some sort of shield.¡¯ I shook my head and threw my rifle to Jack. ¡° Take any shot you can get Jack.¡± I yell at him but don¡¯t look back. ¡°Charlie, support me. I¡¯m the only one capable of holding it off in melee, besides I¡¯m not fast enough to escape.¡± Then I run forward to meet this new monstrosity. A thin layer of viscous red energy covered my clawed hands as I sped forward to meet the Predator who was about to make the final jump towards us. I heard a pop behind me and the Predator jerked to the right before facing forward again and making the jump. ¡®Only a dent, huh? This is going to be tough.¡¯ The predator lands a couple yards in front of me and I could feel the ground tremble. It slowly stood up, towering over me with its impressive height of 8ft. Another pop sound out from behind me and again the Predator jerked back before facing forward and crossing the distance between us in one quick bound. In a single blindingly fast slash its metal claws came down upon me. I barely moved to the side before it raked my shoulder and side. Three deep lacerations appeared on my body, one on my shoulder and two on my sides. ¡°Fuck.¡± I screamed as I jerked my body back then using the momentum I slashed across its chest with my claws. My claws sliced through the armor with difficulty but I managed to find skin. The Predator screamed as my demonic essence seeped into its wounds, leaving five glowing slash marks across its body. I jumped away from it in its momentary lapse in concentration. In that instant a pop sounded out and hit the chest where the armor had been weakened. The Predator roared as the sabot pierced its armor and left an apple sized hole in its chest. I grabbed my shoulder and quickly backed away, blooded gushed down my side leaving me feeling dizzy. Although the pain from the cuts helped me keep awake. The Predator stopped roaring then looked at me. I could not see its eyes but I could feel the rage emanating from it. Without hesitation it charged me and in that moment time seemed to stop for me. ¡®I can¡¯t survive this, if it hits me I WILL DIE.¡¯ Then my mind calmed and my body took over, I was like a prisoner in my own body. My body fell forward into a crouch and the essence on my right hand shifted to my wounds. I felt an immense immense burn in my shoulder and side. The blood stop flowing and the flesh burned, the demonic essence cauterizing the wounds. As this is happening my body springs back the my body jumped forward at and angle. My left arm flew out. The Predator and I crossed paths for a moment and then it was over. I stood still for a moment then dropped to the ground, another three lascarations on my chest. I slowly close my eyes as immense pain floods my senses. Darkness takes me. Ch.31 Immense pain and darkness. It hurts, everything hurts. My side, god my side. It burns so much. My chest, why does my chest burn. It feels like hot lead is flowing through my veins. Someone deliver me from this hell hole. Why have I been forsaken. Charlie? Dave? Are you there? Please help me. God the pain. And the darkness. The darkness everywhere. The darkness it claws at me. The darkness it calls to me. I hear it. It promises me salvation. A relief from my endless suffering. It calls. It claws. I can feel it at the edge of my mind. Digging into my brain. I open my eyes and gasp. I take in large amounts of air but the more I take in the more my chest and side hurt. ¡®The pain, god the pain.¡¯ I try to take in my surroundings through quick short gasps of air. Rough floors and ceilings of stone covered in stalactites and stalagmites. Shadows draped the walls from a small fire that was burning to the side of me. Charlie and Jack sat with their backs to me. I slowly started to sit up, leaning my body against the wall. ¡°How long was I out?¡± I asked startling Charlie and Jack, they both jumped a bit before turning around to face me. ¡°You¡¯re awake. Thank god.¡± Jack said with a relieved look on his face. I smiled at Jack but looked at Charlie. ¡°You were out for a day.¡± Charlie said before turning around and looking out of the cave. ¡°I¡¯m glad you made it out this time.¡± He said with his back turned to me. I nodded, even if he couldn¡¯t see me. ¡°Thanks Jack, thanks Charlie.¡± I said before focusing. ¡°What¡¯s our situation Charlie?¡± I ask. ¡°Not good, we¡¯ve been fleeing for the past day after you passed out from your fight.¡± He said in a solemn tone. ¡°We haven¡¯t been attacked by another Predator but I don¡¯t think that¡¯ll last for much longer. We need to flee this cave as soon as you are able to move.¡± I sigh and nod. ¡°Alright.¡± I lay back down on the floor and look at the ceiling. ¡°We¡¯re really fucked this time, huh Charlie.¡± ¡°Yep.¡± He answered curtly. ¡°Next kill goes to you Charlie.¡± I said. He chuckled. ¡°Seeing how you turned out after your kill I think I¡¯ll have to pass.¡±This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. I chuckled as well. ¡°I guess you have a point.¡± Jack watched on in awkward silence trying not to interrupt the conversation being had. ¡°I think I¡¯ll rest for a bit more before we go.¡± ¡°That¡¯s probably a good idea.¡± Charlie agreed. I smile then close my eyes letting unconsciousness wash away my pain and exhaustion. I dream of nothing but a warm darkness and for that I am grateful as it provides me with a respite from the pain and suffering of my waking moments. Unfortunately nothing good can last and in what feels like a minute I am woken up by Charlie. ¡°..sh.osh. Josh. Wake up Josh.¡± Charlie said as he lightly shakes me. ¡°I¡¯m up. I¡¯m up.¡± I said as I tried to rub my eyes but I stopped as immense pain flared from my chest and shoulder. ¡°God I forgot about that.¡± Charlie chuckled. ¡°This seems to happen to you a lot.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± I agree then I slowly rise up to a sitting position. ¡°Cause I keep having to save your ass.¡± Charlie grinned. ¡°Who asked you to save me, I don¡¯t remember doing that.¡± I grinned. ¡°Shut up.¡± I slowly dragged my body to my feet using the wall for support. ¡°Let¡¯s get moving.¡± I said then I stepped away from the wall and stumbled. Jack quickly stepped up to support me, putting one of my arms around his shoulders I leaned my weight onto him. I smiled weakly at him. ¡°Thanks.¡± He gave a strained smile back. ¡°No problem.¡± We then started to move out of the cave. Within a couple of minutes we had left the Cave and entered the Jungle. We made slow progress due to my weakness. Hours passed by in silence. The sounds of the Jungle like hypnotic background music for our slow march. The Jungle was very disorientating, everything looked the same and it seemed like we made no progress. ¡°I think we¡¯re being watched.¡± Charlie said, continuing to walk forward as if nothing was wrong. I start to look around but Charlie stops me. ¡°Don¡¯t look around, act normal.¡± I stopped moving my head and faced forward. ¡°So what are we going to do.¡± Jack asked in a nervous voice. ¡°We can¡¯t do anything right now.¡± He said. ¡°The Predators are invisible so it¡¯s impossible for us to know where they are.¡± I sigh. ¡°I guess we can¡¯t do anything then.¡± ¡°It would seem so.¡± Charlie replied. We continued to walk in a tense silence. I could feel the sweat running down Jack¡¯s neck onto my arm but that might have been from walking through the Jungle for a couple hours. Eventually we came to a stop. A river had crossed our path and it was too wide and swift to swim across. ¡°Looks like nature is with the enemy, huh.¡± I said to Charlie. ¡°It would seem so.¡± He replied. ¡°Looks like this is where we make our last stand.¡± He then dropped his pack and I followed suit, with the help of Jack of course. ¡°Jack hand me my rifle.¡± I held my hand out to Jack. ¡°Looks like it¡¯s your turn to take a beating Charlie.¡± I chuckled then looked down at my chest. ¡°Be careful Charlie.¡± ¡°I will.¡± He replied then a blue glow emanated from his legs and he quickly jumped away. ¡°So Jack, are you ready to die?¡± I asked him. He looked at me shocked. ¡°Are we really going to die?¡± I shrugged. ¡°Probably.¡± Despite my calm tone I was scared. It never got any easier facing death but it¡¯s something I have to do. Instead of letting my fear rule me in this time of need I choose to stay calm and in control. ¡®Deep breathe.¡¯ I breathe in then I breathe out. ¡®Calm.¡¯ I breathe in. ¡®Calm.¡¯ Ch.32 I lean back against my pack and wait for any sign of Charlie engaging. All was quiet and soon my mind began to wander, Jack remained silent as well but out of nervousness instead of focus. I looked down at my rifle and admired the sleek design, a product of Tau origin. The humble pulse rifle, a mainstay of the Tau military. ¡®You¡¯d never guess that this thing had the power to take down a space marine, at least on table top it did. Seriously a Strength 5 weapon for normal infantry.¡¯ I shake my head and smile. ¡®God I wish I could go back in time. If I knew what would happen I would have enjoyed my peaceful mundane life a lot more.¡¯ I look off into the Jungle. ¡®I guess there¡¯s still a chance, I just need to get 50000 points. Easy right.¡¯ I shake my head. ¡®Focus.¡¯ For many tense minutes the only sounds I heard were the usual Jungle sounds but eventually that peace was broken. I turned my head to the Jungle as I heard a pop off in the distance. ¡°Looks like it¡¯s go time Jack.¡± I tell him then take out my laspistol and throw it at him. ¡°Here, and don¡¯t break it.¡± He caught the gun then nodded at me before running off to take cover behind a tree. ¡®What about me jackass.¡¯ I started to chuckle. ¡®Jackass, heh, good one.¡¯ I shook my head to take my mind off my own stupid pun. I leaned back against my pack then shifted my rifle to my shoulder, looking down the iron sites I waited for my quarry. ¡®Come on Charlie stop being such a slow poke. Get that bastard over here so I can kick his ass.¡¯ The trees in front of my started to rustle and then Charlie appeared, sailing through the air his drone in tow. He landed on a tree branch next to me then quickly turned around to face the way he came. The trees rustled again and then an 8ft tall black armored figure appeared, although there were some dents in the armor. ¡®Good job Charlie.¡¯ I thought with a smile before I pulled the trigger on my pulse rifle send a blue burst of plasma at the Predator. The plasma struck the Predator in the chest making it glow a light red before cooling down. The Predator turned its head towards me and prepared to leap at me but before it got the chance a little red flash of light and a tungsten sabot hit it. The little beam of light did jack shit but the sabot put another dent in its armor.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. ¡®At least he tried.¡¯ I thought before I pulled the trigger again but by the time the pulse arrived the Predator had already leaped away. ¡®At least I tried.¡¯ I looked up and saw the Predator and Charlie clash in mid air. Charlie¡¯s fist had a slight blue glow to it as it connected with the Predator¡¯s fist. As they connected Charlie was knocked back and started to fall but before he reached the ground he gripped onto a tree and almost immediately stopped. The Predator on the other hand simply dropped to the ground. As the Predator was dropping to the ground I lined up a shot with where I thought it would land and fired. The blue plasma left the muzzle of the rifle but my timing was a bit off so I only managed to clip the armored feet of the Predator. Although that did cause the Predator to land face first instead of feet first. The Predator put its arms under it in an attempt to get up but was forced back into the ground by another shot from Charlie. Taking advantage of its momentary suppression I let loose another pulse of plasma. The plasma managed to hit the top of its helmet and that caused the Predator to roar in pain. ¡®I think I can speed this up.¡¯ I start to focus on the demonic essence in my chest and will it to flow into my palm. The essence acquiesces to my will and like a break in a dam it floods my arm quickly pooling into my palm. Soon a blackish red ball forms above my hand. I concentrate and the ball shifts until it forms a flat disk. I look away from the disk and at the Predator who is still trying and failing to get up. I focus on the struggling form of the Predator then will the disk forward. Like a plate of death the disk shot through the air but it only lightly skimmed the armor on the back of the Predator. ¡°Damn it, Charlie merk this bastard.¡± I yelled, displeased that I wasn¡¯t able to kill the Predator. A pop sounded then the thinned armor was pierced by a sabot, and another, and another. Eventually holes riddled the back of the Predator. The Predator weakly place one arm to the side in an attempt to rise up to its feet. Charlie quickly walked over to it and placed a foot on its back then he put his carbine to the back of its helmet and pulled the trigger. The Predator went limp and everything went quiet. I breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°These bastards sure are tough.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Charlie agreed then he went over to his pack and sat down. ¡°I think we should rest here, I¡¯m exhausted.¡± He then laid back and closed his eyes. I sighed. ¡°I guess we¡¯re staying here for the night.¡± I then glanced down at my watch. ¡®6 hours left, huh.¡¯ I laid back and closed my eyes and said. ¡°You have first watch Jack.¡± ¡°What? Hey.¡± But before he could protest anymore I was already asleep. Ch.33 I open my eyes from an undisturbed nights sleep. I sit up and try to rub the sleep from them as I take in my surroundings. A white floor, roof, walls, and doors greet my burning eyes. ¡®Looks like we¡¯re back.¡¯ I look to my left and find Jack getting up from the floor while yawning and Charlie standing there watching over us clutching his arm. ¡°Looks like we managed to not die again, huh Charlie.¡± I said to him with a grin. He smiled back. ¡°It would seem so Josh.¡± He then turned to face Jack. ¡°We even managed to nab ourselves a newbie.¡± Jack scowled. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m right here you know.¡± Charlie stared back at Jack unapologetically. ¡°Oh I know.¡± Jack continued the staring match but eventually he caved and blinked. ¡°Damn it.¡± Charlie looked at Jack then said in a serious tone. ¡°You¡¯ve had it real easy kid, although I didn¡¯t say it during the mission I don¡¯t think you¡¯ve proven yourself capable. In fact you haven¡¯t proven yourself at all. Josh might see potential in you but what I¡¯ve seen so far has left me unconvinced.¡± Charlie then turned to me. ¡°I do not recognize Jack as a part of this team. On this last mission you and I protected him and I don¡¯t believe that did him any good. In fact, and this might seem a bit cold, I don¡¯t think we should be helping the newbies at all. It does them no good and makes them reliant upon us. I want someone to watch my back, not someone to babysit.¡± After saying that Charlie started to walk up the steps to get healed. I sighed. ¡®I know he¡¯s right but I can¡¯t just sit back and let the newbies die.¡¯ I think back to my first mission. ¡®If it had truly been every man for himself I would have died. Bill would be the one standing here not me. Bill and Dave, not me.¡¯ I feel my eyes start to tear up as I think of the man who saved my life and my companion. I shake my head. ¡®Not here, not now.¡¯ I look over to Jack. ¡°Charlie does have a point.¡± Jack turns to me with a look of horror. ¡°Hey don¡¯t give me that look. There¡¯s nothing we can do now, what¡¯s done is done. This just means you have to work extra hard next mission to prove yourself to Charlie and look on the bright side, your going to start out in a much better position to prove yourself once you¡¯ve enhanced yourself then you would have last mission.¡± Once finished with what I had to say I turned around and started to walk up the steps. On my way up I saw Charlie getting lowered down by the light and as I arrived on the platform Charlie reached the floor. ¡°Hey Charlie I¡¯m sorry about the Jack thing. If I knew you felt like that I wouldn¡¯t have made the decision all on my own.¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Charlie waved his hand. ¡°Your the team leader Josh.¡± ¡°Unelected team leader.¡± I interrupted him with a grin. He chuckled. ¡°Unelected team leader, it¡¯s not my place to question your decisions in the moment. Don¡¯t break team, right? Besides we can¡¯t all make the right decision but that also means you have to live with the consequences of your decisions. By protecting Jack you might have stunted his growth and inadvertently killed him.¡± By the end Charlie had readopted his serious demeanor and taken a solemn tone. I looked down at the ground in shame. ¡°I hadn¡¯t thought about that, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Charlie rebuked sternly. ¡°Don¡¯t apologize, that won¡¯t fix anything. Learn from this mistake.¡± His face softened. ¡°Look up, I know being forced into the position of leader and having the weight of other¡¯s lives rest on your shoulders is stressful. Just be think about a decision before you have to make one and if all else fails, trust in yourself that you are capable of making the right decision. Trust in yourself as much as I trust in you.¡± He stopped speaking then patted me on the shoulder. I winced as he touched the spot where I had been wounded. ¡°Sorry,¡± he said as he hurriedly moved his hand away. I looked up at him and smiled. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± I then connected my mind with the system. ¡®System heal my wounds but leave the scars.¡¯ I looked down at my tattered armor. ¡®I am not invincible, no matter how much I prepare there is always something worse on the other side. I must never grow complacent and I must never forget about those who sacrificed their lives for me to get here.¡¯ I quickly ascended into the air as the healing light of the system cradled me in a beam of life. My flesh knit together, healing all the damage done to my muscles and bones. Soon all that was left of my fight with the Predator was 6 scars across my chest and shoulder. As I descended the light faded away and I was blessed with new life in my body. ¡®God that never gets old, although the feeling of my body rebuilding itself is a bit uncomfortable.¡¯ I gave a content sigh then glanced down at my watch. ¡®I wonder what the gains from this mission are?¡¯ I navigated the watche¡¯s interface until it showed my stat page where the points resided. I whistled our in surprise. ¡®Damn 3005 points and a C ranked reward. Looks like my healing only took 15 points.¡¯ I started to descend the stairs slowly as I focused down at my watch. ¡®Speaking of points.¡¯ ¡°Hey Jack, make sure don¡¯t spend any of your points until tomorrow. You can do your human creation if you want though.¡± I yelled out into the room as I continued to look at my watch. Realizing that staring at the amount of points I Have isn¡¯t go to change anything I looked up, and just in time too. A dark skinned young man was walking up the steps and we nearly collided but I managed to step out of his way. ¡®Huh, so they all didn¡¯t die. I guess I shouldn¡¯t have assumed they all would but still.¡¯ I shrugged my shoulders and looked back out at the room. Apparently two other people had survived, a light skinned young woman with dark hair and a light skinned young man with blond hair. ¡®I guess i should introduce myself.¡¯ ¡°Hello there friends, I don¡¯t know how you survived but I¡¯m Joshua, you can call me Josh if you want.¡± I said to the two young people. They didn¡¯t respond though, in fact they seemed to ignore me. ¡®Rude but I guess when you¡¯ve just been through life and death you don¡¯t really feel like talking.¡¯ I shrugged my shoulders. ¡®Oh well.¡¯ I walked to my door and opened it. ¡°Jack, take the room next to Charlie¡¯s.¡± After saying that I closed the door then collapsed onto my bed. Character Stats Joshua Peterson Intelligence- 135 Mental Capacity- 126 Cell Vitality- 115 Reaction Speed- 120 Muscle Density- 115 Immunization Strength- 94 Points- 3005 Ranked Rewards D- 0 C- 1 B- 0 A- 0If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. S- 0 Enhancements- Imp bloodline Dave (deceased) Intelligence- 200 Mental Capacity- 200 Cell Vitality- 200 Reaction Speed- 200 Muscle Density- 200 Immunization Strength- 200 Points- N/A Ranked Rewards D- N/A C- N/A B- N/A A- N/A S- N/A Enhancements- None Charlie Rodriguez Intelligence- 90 Mental Capacity- 87 Cell Vitality- 115 Reaction Speed- 123 Muscle Density- 125 Immunization Strength- 96 Points- 3036 Ranked Rewards D- 0 C- 1 B- 0 A- 0 S- 0 Enhancements- Genin Level Chakra Jack Lee Intelligence- 96 Mental Capacity- 93 Cell Vitality- 89 Reaction Speed- 91 Muscle Density- 90 Immunization Strength- 82 Points- 1000 Ranked Rewards D- 0 C- 0 B- 0 A- 0 S- 0 Enhancements- None Important Notice I¡¯m going to be taking a break from posting on royal road for awhile. The next couple weeks are going to be really busy for me and I feel like I need a break. FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERStolen novel; please report. FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER Ch.34 I opened my eyes to a pitch black room. Raising a hand to my face and trying to rub the sleep out of my eyes I turn my head to look at my nightstand. On my nightstand I see my digital clock with the blocky red numbers ¡®6:00¡¯. ¡®Six O¡¯clock huh, guess old habits die hard.¡¯ I throw one leg out over the side of my bed then another and place my feet on the ground. Reluctantly leaving the comfort of my bed, I walk to the kitchen to start my breakfast. I look in the fridge and take out eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns. ¡®The usual.¡¯ I smile. ¡®But I like the usual.¡¯ Once I¡¯m finished cooking and eating my breakfast I walk out of the kitchen and into the bathroom. I turn on the water in the shower and wait for it to warm up. Glancing down I notice the damage my armor has, ¡®we¡¯ve been through a lot haven¡¯t we.¡¯ I run my hand along the whole in the elbow, feeling the scar tissue. My eyes are then drawn to the gashes on my left side. Sliced clean through my armor had done almost nothing to stop the blades of the Predator and the white scar tissue on my side a crucial warning of what my enemies can do. Shaking my head I strip off my cloak and sweat soaked bodysuit and step into the warm water. Letting the tension leave my body I enjoy the moment of peace that the water delivers to me. ¡®No enemies and no danger.¡¯ I sigh, ¡®is this all my life will be? Moments of extreme stress and danger followed by periods of peace.¡¯ My hands travel to my face and rub my eyes. ¡®I¡¯m tired, so very tired.¡¯ I let my hands fall to my sides then I clench my fist. My eyes shoot open and I punch the wall of the shower. ¡®I can¡¯t stop now. I won¡¯t stop now! This will not be my end. I will make it through this.¡¯ My fists pulls back and weak hits the wall. ¡®I will.¡¯ After taking a shower and brushing my teeth I head out to meet Charlie and Jack. When I open my door I find that I am the first one out. ¡®I might as well get it over with while I have the system to myself.¡¯ Putting one leg in front of the other I make the tedious journey up the great white steps to what might as well be god. Excitement puts some extra pep in my step as I take the last step and stand before the ball of light. I connect with the system, in my mind there was no choice to make as I had already decided what to get. A beam of light descends and slowly raises me from my standing position on the platform. Blood red orbs start to cascade upon me, I am left floating for what seems like an eternity until a final pitch black orb invades me, then I am let down. The systems work done and it¡¯s touch no longer upon me. The difference between the me that ascended and descend is like night and day. I have transformed into something only resembling a human. My skin is now a deep grey nearing black and has the toughness of hardened leather, muscles bulge and ripple from a formerly lacking frame, my previously small horns now stand proud curling behind my head, my claws have grown longer and stronger, and my teeth as well have grown stronger. But these physical enhancements pale in comparison to the expansion of my demonic essence pool which is now more akin to a lake and the 2 innate spells branded into my soul, infernal flame and minor curse of weakness. The enhancement that lead to these developments was the fiend enhancement, the next stage of an imp¡¯s evolution. It costed me 2000 points and a C ranked reward. With my remaining 1000 points I enhanced my cell vitality and reaction speed by 50.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡®Good thing I have my camo cloak or I¡¯d scare the newbies with my appearance.¡¯ I examine my body for a few minutes then I snap my fingers. A tiny flame, like that of a lighter, hovers over my thumb. The flame is a blood red that grows darker until it reaches a black at its core. I will the flame and it hovers between my knuckles until I stop it over my index finger. The flame hops to the point of my index finger. My face twitches as a stream of demonic essence speeds up sending more fuel into the tiny flame. The flame slowly grows larger and dark until a baseball sized flame hovers above my index finger. ¡®I have enough juice to make about 10 of these then I¡¯m out.¡¯ My arm shoots out and send the flame flying to the other side of the room. I clench my fist and the fire ball stops then it shoots back to my hand. A smile blossoms across my face. ¡®I¡¯m going to have a lot of fun with this.¡¯ My fist opens again then close quickly and just like that the flame disappeared. ¡®Yep, lot¡¯s¡¯ I hear a laugh from below me and a voice asks, ¡°having fun?¡± I grin down at Charlie. ¡°Yep.¡± Charlie quickly jogs up the steps then slaps me on the back. ¡°That was a pretty impressive display there, how¡¯d you do it?¡± ¡°What can I say, it just comes naturally.¡± I respond. Charlie gives me a shove. ¡°Haha, very funny smart ass but really what was that.¡± ¡°That was a new ability I got from my enhanced bloodline, it¡¯s called infernal flame.¡± I say with a chuckle. ¡°Nice, now you can do more than just lobbing blobs of demonic essence at the enemies.¡± Charlie responds with a smirk. ¡°Shut up, anyway I got the Fiend bloodline enhancement. It gave me some stat boosts and 2 abilities although it costed a pretty penny, 2000 points and a C ranked reward.¡± I punch Charlie in the arm while I explained my enhancement. ¡°What¡¯d you spend the rest of your points on?¡± Charlie asked as he rubbed his arm. ¡°Just stat upgrades, cell vitality and reaction speed to be specific.¡± I answered then I squeezed my hands relishing the feeling of power coming from my body. ¡°You have been needing an upgrade in terms of physical prowess so that¡¯s good.¡± Charlie said with a nod. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s that supposed to mean.¡± I respond in faux outrage. ¡°That you weren''t exactly the fittest person in the world.¡± He answered with a smug smirk. ¡°Anyway, enough about you let¡¯s talk about me. What do you think I should get?¡± I chuckled at Charlie¡¯s phrasing but answered. ¡°I think you should get some sort of protective device like the force field the predator and a movement technique to help with skirmishing and quick reinforcement of other team members, although it¡¯s currently only you and me, but other than that I got nothing.¡± ¡°Thanks, I¡¯ll take that into account when I¡¯m getting enhancements.¡± Charlie said then his eyes went out of focus. Realizing that it might take him awhile I sat down on the top step and got comfortable. An Apology Hey guys, Grim6 here. It''s been awhile but I''ll get to the point. I''m putting Terror Infinity Fan Fiction on an indefinite hiatus. The reason I haven''t posted in a long time is because I got burnt out and I couldn''t write anymore. I''m sorry it took me so long to tell you guys. I thank you all from the very bottom of my heart for reading. I love you guys and I hope I was able to provide some entertainment with my shitty fan fict. For all it was worth I enjoyed it and I hope you did too.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. FILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLERFILLER